Prevalence of and racial/ethnic differences in sexuality disclosure among men who have sex with men in 23 U.S. cities—National HIV Behavioral Surveillance, 2017

Abstract

Sexuality disclosure among men who have sex with men (MSM) is key in access to HIV prevention services. We used weighted 2017 data from National HIV Behavioral Surveillance to investigate prevalence of, and racial/ethnic differences in, sexuality disclosure among MSM. Of 10,753 MSM, 89.4% (95% CI: 88.5–90.3%) had disclosed their sexuality to any non-lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) friends, 85.9% (95% CI: 84.8–87.0%) had disclosed their sexuality to any family members, and 82.8% (95% CI: 81.6–83.9%) had disclosed their sexuality to any health care providers. Although most MSM had disclosed, 23.8% (95% CI: 22.4–25.1%) had not disclosed to at least one of the three groups. Black, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian MSM were less likely than White MSM to have disclosed their sexuality to any non-LGB friends, any family members, or any health care providers, after adjusting for age and region. We found high prevalence of sexuality disclosure among MSM, but racial/ethnic differences persist. Strategies and interventions to promote sexuality disclosure among MSM are needed.

Keywords:

• Sexuality disclosure
• racial/ethnic differences
• MSM
• National HIV Behavioral Surveillance

Authors’ contributions

All authors contributed to the analysis plan and design. JQF performed statistical analysis and prepared materials for submission, and LT and ARB reviewed the analysis and edited the materials. JQF wrote the manuscript, and all authors commented on and edited the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Acknowledgements

We thank all NHBS participants and are grateful for the support of project sites’ staff and members of the NHBS study group: Atlanta, GA: Pascale Wortley, Jeff Todd, David Melton; Baltimore, MD: Colin Flynn, Danielle German; Boston, MA: Monina Klevens, Rose Doherty, Conall O’Cleirigh; Chicago, IL: Stephanie Masiello Schuette, Antonio D. Jimenez; Dallas, TX: Jonathon Poe, Margaret Vaaler, Jie Deng; Denver, CO: Alia Al-Tayyib, Melanie Mattson; Detroit, MI: Vivian Griffin, Emily Higgins, Mary-Grace Brandt; Houston, TX: Salma Khuwaja, Zaida Lopez, Paige Padgett; Los Angeles, CA: Ekow Kwa Sey, Yingbo Ma; Memphis, TN: Shanell L. McGoy, Meredith Brantley, Randi Rosack; Miami, FL: Emma Spencer, Willie Nixon, David Forrest; Nassau-Suffolk Counties, NY: Bridget Anderson, Ashley Tate, Meaghan Abrego; New Orleans, LA: William T. Robinson, Narquis Barak, Jeremy M. Beckford; New York City, NY: Sarah Braunstein, Alexis Rivera, Sidney Carrillo Newark, NJ: Barbara Bolden, Afework Wogayehu, Henry Godette; Philadelphia, PA: Kathleen A. Brady, Chrysanthus Nnumolu, Jennifer Shinefeld; Portland, OR: Sean Schafer, E. Roberto Orellana, Amisha Bhattari; San Diego, CA: Anna Flynn, Rosalinda Cano; San Francisco, CA: H. Fisher Raymond, Theresa Ick; San Juan, PR: Sandra Miranda De León, Yadira Rolón-Colón; Seattle, WA: Tom Jaenicke, Sara Glick; Virginia Beach, VA: Celestine Buyu, Toyah Reid, Karen Diepstra; Washington, DC: Jenevieve Opoku, Irene Kuo; CDC: Monica Adams, Christine Agnew Brune, Qian An, Alexandra Balaji, Dita Broz, Janet Burnett, Johanna Chapin-Bardales, Melissa Cribbin, YenTyng Chen, Paul Denning, Katherine Doyle, Teresa Finlayson, Senad Handanagic, Brooke Hoots, Wade Ivy, Kathryn Lee, Rashunda Lewis, Evelyn Olansky, Gabriela Paz-Bailey, Taylor Robbins, Catlainn Sionean, Amanda Smith, Cyprian Wejnert, Mingjing Xia.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through a cooperative agreement with state and local health departments. This project was supported in part by an appointment to the Research Participation Program at the CDC administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education through an interagency agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy and the CDC. The findings and conclusions of this analysis are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.