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The Sexual Networks of Racially Diverse Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

  • Special Section: Sexual Health In Gay And Bisexual Men
  • Published:
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Abstract

Young men who have sex with men are at increased risk for HIV. Research with older men and high-risk populations suggests that network dynamics may contribute to the spread of infectious disease and HIV, but little is known about the sexual networks of young men who have sex with men. Utilizing a unique dataset, this study presents novel descriptive data about the sexual networks of racially diverse 17- to 23-year-old young men who have sex with men. Additionally, individual, partner, and network characteristics of these young men who have sex with men were examined as potential drivers of HIV, STI, and unprotected intercourse. Results indicated several partner- and network-level factors associated with HIV and associated outcomes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    Michelle Birkett & Brian Mustanski

  2. Adolescent Medicine, Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    Lisa M. Kuhns

  3. Quintus-ential Solutions, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, USA

    Stephen Muth

  4. Departments of Health, Behavior and Society and Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Carl Latkin

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  1. Michelle Birkett
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  2. Lisa M. Kuhns
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  3. Carl Latkin
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  4. Stephen Muth
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  5. Brian Mustanski
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Correspondence to Michelle Birkett.

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Birkett, M., Kuhns, L.M., Latkin, C. et al. The Sexual Networks of Racially Diverse Young Men Who Have Sex with Men. Arch Sex Behav 44, 1787–1797 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-015-0485-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-015-0485-5

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