Sexual behavior stigma among cisgender gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in nine NHBS cities across the United States

Burden and associations with PrEP continuum and HIV care continuum outcomes

Bibliographic Data

ID17827879
AuthorsJohn Mark Wiginton (0000-0001-9358-7899, University of California System, corresponding author), Sarah M Murray (0000-0002-4976-9713, Johns Hopkins University), Bridget J Anderson (0000-0002-1233-3780, New York State Department of Health), Kwa Sey (Los Angeles County Department of Public Health), Yingbo Ma (0009-0001-5271-7025, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health), Colin Flynn (0000-0003-4788-2779, Maryland Department of Health), Danielle German (0000-0001-9604-5817, Johns Hopkins University), Emily Higgins (0000-0002-7150-4965, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services), Timothy W Menza (0000-0003-4154-7718, Oregon Health Authority), E Roberto Orellana (0000-0003-4444-2321, University of Washington), Stephanie Sanz (0000-0002-4688-0539), Nabeeh A Hasan (0000-0001-7359-5680), Alia Al‐tayyib (0000-0002-5909-6719, Hospital Authority), Jennifer Kienzle (Virginia Department of Health), Garrett Shields (0000-0001-6692-938X, Virginia Department of Health), Zaida Lopez (Houston Health and Human Services Department), Paige Wermuth (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston), Stefan D Baral (0000-0002-5482-2419, Johns Hopkins University)
Year2024
Volume10
Issue1
Pages95-106
Publication date2024-01-11
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueStigma and Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2376-6964 • E-ISSN: 2376-6972
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1037/sah0000495
PMID39935519
OpenAlexW4390739503
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited30

In the United States (US), sexuality-based stigma continues to undermine HIV prevention and care efforts. We assessed sexual behavior stigma burden across family, healthcare, and social domains and determined associations with HIV-related outcomes among cisgender gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in nine US metropolitan statistical areas. MSM ( N = 4,086) recruited at places of MSM social congregation via venue-based, time-sampling procedures completed a survey on sexual behavior stigma, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) continuum and HIV care continuum outcomes, sociodemographic characteristics, and other measures. We calculated prevalence and overall mean stigma subscale scores (range: 0.00-1.00) and used logistic and mixed effects logistic regression to determine stigma-HIV outcome associations. Most participants identified as gay, were employed, and were from West Coast cities; roughly 40% were non-Hispanic white, aged 25 to 34 years, and had completed some college. One in five were living with HIV. Family stigma (prevalence = 47.5%; mean = 0.36) was associated with greater odds of healthcare engagement, PrEP awareness, and PrEP use among HIV-negative MSM. Anticipated healthcare stigma (prevalence = 14.5%; mean = 0.11) was associated with lower odds of healthcare engagement, current ART (antiretroviral therapy) use, and viral load undetectability among MSM living with HIV. General social stigma (prevalence = 49.9%; mean = 0.20) was associated with greater odds of PrEP awareness and use among HIV-negative MSM and lower odds of current ART use among MSM living with HIV. Targeted stigma-mitigation in family, healthcare, and other social contexts remains paramount to ending the HIV epidemic in the US

Family medicine · Homosexuality · Male Homosexuality · Men who have sex with men · Psychiatry · Psychoanalysis · Sexual behavior · Sexual minority · Sexual orientation · Clinical Psychology · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology

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