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The Influence of Constructed Family Membership on HIV Risk Behaviors among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in New Orleans

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Abstract

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) represent more new HIV infections than all other at-risk populations. Many young black MSM belong to constructed families (i.e., the house ball community, gay families, and pageant families) which are often organized in a family structure with members referred to as parents and children. Many constructed families are associated with a family surname which is informally adopted by members. In some cases, however, constructed families do not identify with a collective family name. In 2014, 553 MSM were recruited through venue-based time-space sampling during the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) in New Orleans to complete a structured survey and HIV test. Black, Latino, and other race MSM were more likely to belong to constructed families in comparison to white MSM. In addition, participants who belonged to constructed families with a family name were more likely to engage in protective behaviors including wearing condoms at last sexual intercourse. Overall, younger, white MSM who did not belong to any social groups were more likely to engage in at least one risk behavior. These findings significantly contribute to understanding variations in HIV risk behavior among members of constructed families.

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Acknowledgements

This publication was supported by the Cooperative Agreement Number 1U1B TS003252-004 from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preparation of this manuscript was supported by grants P30MH0522776 and T32MH019985 from the National Institute of Mental Health. The authors would like to acknowledge everyone who assisted in the study including NHBS participants and interview staff. In addition, the authors would like to thank Narquis Barak for her expertise and support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for AIDS Intervention Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, 2071 N Summit Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, USA

    Meagan C. Zarwell PhD

  2. Louisiana Office of Public Health, STD/HIV Program, 1450 Poydras St. Suite 2136, New Orleans, 70112, LA, USA

    William T. Robinson PhD

  3. LSU Health Sciences Center - School of Public Health, Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, 2020 Gravier Street, 3rd floor, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Meagan C. Zarwell PhD & William T. Robinson PhD

  4. NO/AIDS Task Force, d.b.a CrescentCare, 3308 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA, 70119, USA

    Meagan C. Zarwell PhD

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  1. Meagan C. Zarwell PhD
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  2. William T. Robinson PhD
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Correspondence to Meagan C. Zarwell PhD.

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Zarwell, M.C., Robinson, W.T. The Influence of Constructed Family Membership on HIV Risk Behaviors among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in New Orleans. J Urban Health 95, 179–187 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-017-0203-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-017-0203-9

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