Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Using Social Networks to Reach Black MSM for HIV Testing and Linkage to Care

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
AIDS and Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Black men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV infection. Black MSM in San Francisco may have higher rates of unrecognized HIV infections. Increased HIV testing among Black MSM may reduce the numbers of unrecognized infections, inform more men of their status and thus reduce the potential for ongoing transmissions. Social network HIV testing programs have focused on asking HIV-positive and/or high-risk negative men to recruit their social or sexual contacts. We used a network approach to deliver HIV testing to Black MSM in San Francisco and collected risk assessment data. Participants were asked to recruit any of their social contacts who were also Black MSM. Recruitment by risk level and HIV status was heterogeneous. HIV infection among this population is associated with older age, having a high school education or higher and currently being homeless. Fully 23% of HIV positive Black MSM are unaware of their infection. Only a third of unrecognized infections were recruited by a known HIV-positive participant. Linkage to care was a challenge and underscores the need for comprehensive systems and support to link Black MSM to care and treatment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control, Prevention (CDC). Prevalence, awareness of HIV infection among men who have sex with men-21 Cities, United States 2008. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2010;59(37):1201–7.

    Google Scholar 

  2. CDC. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report. 2006. 13(1). http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/resources/reports/2008supp_vol13no1/default.htm. Accessed 6 January, 2009.

  3. San Francisco Department of Public Health. San Francisco HIV Prevention Plan. 2004. http://www.sfhiv.org/files/plan_2004/2004_plan_ch_2.pdf. Accessed 6 January, 2009.

  4. Raymond HF, Bingham T, McFarland W. Locating unrecognized HIV infections among men who have sex with men: San Francisco and Los Angeles. AIDS Educ Prev. 2008;20(5):408–19.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Berry M, Raymond HF, McFarland W. Same race and older partner selection may explain higher HIV prevalence among black men who have sex with men. AIDS. 2007;21:2349–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Harawa NT, Greenland S, Bingham TA, et al. Associations of race/ethnicity with HIV prevalence and HIV-related behaviors among young men who have sex with men in 7 urban centers in the United States. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2004;35(5):526–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Raymond HF, McFarland W. Racial mixing among men who have sex with men. AIDS Behav. 2009;13(4):671–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. CDC. Adoption of protective behaviors among persons with recent HIV infection and diagnosis: Alabama, New Jersey, and Tennessee, 1997–1998. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2000;49:512–5.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Colfax GN, Buchbinder SP, Cornelisse PGA, et al. Sexual risk behaviors and implications for secondary HIV transmission during and after HIV seroconversion. AIDS. 2002;16:1529–35.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Kilmarx PH, Hamers FF, Peterman TA. Living with HIV: experiences and perspectives of HIV-infected sexually transmitted disease clinic patients after posttest counseling. Sexually Trans Dis. 1998;25:28–37.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Weinhart L, Carey M, Johnson B, Bickham NL. Effects of HIV counseling and testing on sexual risk behavior: a meta-analytic review of published research, 1985–1997. Am J Public Health. 1999;89:1397–405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. CDC. Use of social networks to identify persons with unrecognized HIV-infection-Seven US cities October 2003–September 2004. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2005;54(24):601–5.

    Google Scholar 

  13. MacKellar D, Gallagher KM, Finlayson T, Sanchez T, Lansky A, Sullivan PS. Surveillance of HIV risk, prevention behaviors of men who have sex with men—a national application of venue based, time-space sampling. Public Health Rep. 2007;122(Sup 1):39–47.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Broadhead RS, Heckathorn DD, Weakliem DL, et al. Harnessing peer networks as an instrument for AIDS prevention: results from a peer-driven intervention. Public Health Rep. 1998;113(S1):42–57.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Broadhead RS, Heckathorn DD, Altice FL, et al. Increasing drug users’ adherence to HIV treatment: results of a peer-driven intervention feasibility study. Soc Sci Med. 2002;55(2):235–46.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Heckathorn D. Respondent-driven sampling: a new approach to the study of hidden populations. Soc Probl. 1997;44:174–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Heckathorn D. Extensions of respondent driven sampling: analyzing continuous variables and controlling for differential recruitment. Socio Methodol. 2007;37(1):151–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Craw JA, Gardner LI, Marks G, et al. Brief strengths-based case management promotes entry into HIV medical care: results of the antiretroviral treatment access study-II. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2008;47(5):597–606.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. Fisher Raymond.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fuqua, V., Chen, YH., Packer, T. et al. Using Social Networks to Reach Black MSM for HIV Testing and Linkage to Care. AIDS Behav 16, 256–265 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-9918-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-9918-x

Keywords

Navigation