Predictors of Unrecognized HIV Infection Among Poor and Ethnic MSM in Los Angeles

The authors aimed to evaluate "associations between unrecognized HIV infection and demographic factors, internalized homonegativity [homophobia], drug use, and sexual behaviors among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM)" who are poor, urban, and of ethnic descent. Understanding these associations may help guide interventions to boost HIV testing and potentially reduce transmission, they explained.

Data from 347 HIV-positive participants from the Los Angeles site for National Institute on Drug Abuse's Sexual Acquisition and Transmission of HIV-Cooperative Agreement Program were used. Participants were MSM and men who have sex with men and women (MSM/W), and predominantly African-American (36.0 percent) or Latino (38.7 percent) and unemployed (82.8 percent).

Multivariate logistic regression indicated that unrecognized HIV infection was associated with being African American (OR: 9.81, CI: 1.2-77.9) or Latino (OR: 10.92, CI: 1.3-88.4), MSM/W rather than MSM (OR: 3.24, CI: 1.09-9.62), and having higher homonegativity scores (OR: 1.22, CI: 1.02-1.4), controlling for age, education, and homelessness.

"Building on past studies of predictors of unrecognized infection, results of this analysis suggest that high homonegativity is a strong predictor of lack of knowledge of HIV status," the authors concluded. "Understanding and addressing associations between homonegativity scores and stigma may improve the design of interventions to facilitate regular HIV testing for MSM communities of color in urban areas. Targeting interventions toward MSM/W, populations of color and populations with high levels of HIV-related stigma may help to increase testing and treatment and reduce rates of unrecognized HIV."

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.


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