Socialization Patterns and Their Associations with Unprotected Anal Intercourse, HIV, and Syphilis Among High-Risk Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women in Peru

Michael Verre, Jesus Peinado, Eddy R. Segura, Jesse Clark, Pedro Gonzales, Carlos Benites, Robinson Cabello, Jorge Sanchez, Javier R. Lama*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

The association of socialization patterns with unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) and HIV/STI prevalence remains underexplored in men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) in developing country settings. We evaluated the correlation of UAI, HIV, and syphilis with MSM/TW venue attendance and social network size among high-risk MSM and TW in Peru according to self-reported sexual identity. Frequency of venue attendance and MSM/TW social network size were lowest among heterosexual MSM and highest among TW respondents. Attendance (frequent or occasional) at MSM/TW venues was associated with increased odds of insertive UAI among heterosexual participants. Frequent venue attendance was associated with increased odds of receptive UAI among gay/homosexual, bisexual, and TW participants. Further investigation of the differing socialization patterns and associations with HIV/STI transmission within subgroups of Peruvian MSM and TW will enable more effective prevention interventions for these populations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2030-2039
Number of pages10
JournalAIDS and behavior
Volume18
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 20 2014

Funding

Acknowledgments The authors would like to acknowledge all of the participants as well as the study staff and peer outreach workers without whom this analysis would not have been possible. The 2011 sentinel surveillance was funded by The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Grants PER-506-G03-H and PER-607-G05-H awarded to CARE PERU. This secondary analysis was supported by unrestricted discretionary core funds from Asociación Civil Impacta Educación y Salud. MCV was supported by the University of California, Los Angeles’ South American Program in HIV Prevention Research (SAPHIR) (NIH R25 MH 087222). The funding sources played no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, writing of the manuscript or the decision to submit the paper for publication. The National Strategy for Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections and AIDS (Estrategia Sanitaria Nacional de Control de Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual y SIDA) at the Peruvian Ministry of Health and the institutional bioethics committees at public health organizations Aso-ciación Civil Impacta Salud y Educación and Vía Libre approved the surveillance protocol, informed consent forms, and recruitment materials. This secondary analysis of previously collected, de-identified data was exempt from review by the University of California, Los Angeles Office of Human Research Protection Program.

Keywords

  • HIV
  • Men who have sex with men
  • Socialization patterns
  • Transgender women
  • Unprotected anal intercourse

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Social Psychology

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