Ethnic differences in HIV-disclosure and sexual risk

Abstract

Little is known about ethnic differences in HIV-disclosure to sexual partners or the relationship between HIV-disclosure and sexual risk. Differences in HIV-disclosure rates between African-American and White men who have sex with men (MSM) were analyzed using data from the Treatment Advocacy Program. In general, the findings suggest that African-Americans are less likely than Whites to disclose their HIV status to sexual partners. The findings also suggest that the African-American participants who disclosed to HIV-negative partners were significantly less likely to engage in unprotected anal sex with HIV-negative partners and partners whose HIV status was unknown than those participants who did not disclosure to HIV-negative partners. Although HIV-disclosure appears to be an important factor to consider in HIV-prevention efforts, there are unique factors that influence HIV-disclosure decisions for African-American MSM. Interventions should consider these unique challenges before focusing on HIV-disclosure as a primary tool for reducing the transmission of HIV.

Keywords:

• HIV/AIDS
• HIV prevention
• African-Americans
• men who have sex with men

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the Department of Health and Human Services and conducted through Howard Brown Health Center in collaboration with the University of Illinois – Chicago, the Chicago Department of Public Health, and the medical clinic of Slotten, Klein, and French.