Age at first HIV test for MSM at a community health clinic in Los Angeles

Emily M Maitino; Shira C Shafir; Matt R Beymer; Chelsea L Shover; Nicole J Cunningham; Risa P Flynn; Robert K Bolan

doi:10.1080/09540121.2019.1683806

Age at first HIV test for MSM at a community health clinic in Los Angeles

AIDS Care. 2020 Feb;32(2):186-192. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1683806. Epub 2019 Oct 30.

Authors

Emily M Maitino^{1

2}, Shira C Shafir³, Matt R Beymer^{2

3}, Chelsea L Shover⁴, Nicole J Cunningham², Risa P Flynn², Robert K Bolan^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
² Johnathan and Karin Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
³ Los Angles LBGT Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
⁴ Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.

PMID: 31663365
DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1683806

Abstract

Young MSM, especially ethnic and racial minority young MSM, bear a disproportionate burden of new HIV infections. This group also has the highest rates of undiagnosed infection and lowest rates of viral suppression. Previous research indicates that young MSM are testing for HIV too late, which may explain why rates of new HIV infection are rising in young Hispanic MSM and not falling in young Black and White MSM despite advances in preventive medications. Analysis of our sample showed an overall average age at first HIV test of approximately 26. The average age at first HIV test was 25.5 years for Black/African American individuals, 24.7 years for Hispanic individuals, and 28 years for White individuals. More testing resources and innovative outreach methods are needed to increase rates of testing among young MSM.

Keywords: HIV; HIV testing; MSM; young MSM.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Ambulatory Care Facilities
Community Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
HIV Infections / diagnosis*
HIV Infections / ethnology
HIV Infections / prevention & control*
Homosexuality, Male / psychology
Homosexuality, Male / statistics & numerical data*
Humans
Los Angeles / epidemiology
Male
Mass Screening / statistics & numerical data*
Minority Groups / statistics & numerical data
Public Health
Serologic Tests
Socioeconomic Factors
Young Adult