Abstract

MOAC0105 - Oral Abstract Session

An evolving concentrated epidemic: comparison of socioeconomic, behavioural and biological factors among newly diagnosed, previously diagnosed and HIV-negative black men who have sex with men in six US cities (HPTN 061)

Presented by Kenneth Mayer (United States).

K. Mayer¹, L. Wang², B. Koblin³, C. Mao², S. Mannheimer⁴, M. Magnus⁵, C. del Rio⁶, S. Buchbinder⁷, L. Wilton⁸, V. Cummings⁹, C. Watson⁵, S. Griffith¹⁰, D. Wheeler¹¹, HPTN 061 Protocol Team

¹The Fenway Institute/Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States, ²Statistical Center for HIV/AIDS Research & Prevention (SCHARP), Seattle, United States, ³New York Blood Center, New York, United States, ⁴Harlem Hospital / Columbia University, Department of Medicine/Mailman School of Public Health, New York, United States, ⁵The George Washington University, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Washington, United States, ⁶Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Atlanta, United States, ⁷San Francisco Department of Health, HIV Research Division, San Francisco, United States, ⁸Binghamton University, Department of Human Development, Binghamton, United States, ⁹Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Pathology Department, Baltimore, United States, ¹⁰FHI 360, Durham, United States, ¹¹HPTN 061 Protocol Team, New York, United States

Background: Black MSM (BMSM) constitute < 1% of the U.S. population, but >25% of incident HIV infections. Enhanced understanding of factors associated with new interventions can provide data to inform programs needed to address this disproportionate epidemic.
Methods: Between 7/09 and 10/10, BMSM were enrolled in 6 U.S. cities to evaluate feasibility of a multi-component prevention intervention. This analysis focuses on the correlates of being newly diagnosed with HIV, including multivariable logistic regression. HIV testing was performed at study sites; central confirmation of results is underway.
Results: HPTN 061 enrolled 1553 BMSM, whose median age was 39; 43% self-identified as gay/homosexual, 41% bisexual, 3% transgender, 10% straight/heterosexual. Of 96% who agreed to be tested, 10% indicated they were previously HIV-infected (PHIV), while 12% were newly diagnosed with HIV (NHIV). Compared to PHIV, NHIV were younger less likely to use marijuana poppers stimulants or inject drugs reported less internalized homophobia and lower levels of religious affiliation NHIV were more likely to be diagnosed with syphilis and anogenital gonorrhea/chlamydia than PHIV, and more likely to be diagnosed with syphilis or anogenital chlamydia than HIV-uninfected BMSM. Compared to HIV-uninfected BMSM, NHIV BMSM were more likely to be older unemployed engage in unprotected anal intercourse have multiple bacterial STDs, and were more likely to come from cities other than San Francisco.
Conclusions: Structural, behavioral, and biological factors (e.g. unemployment, unprotected anal sex, and STDs, but not increased substance use) are associated with new infections among American BMSM, who differ behaviorally from men who have previously been diagnosed. Given the high rates of HIV infection among BMSM, culturally-tailored programs that encourage repeated HIV/STD testing, engagement in care, and innovative prevention strategies addressing current risks are urgently needed to decrease further spread.