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Beyond the Ball: Implications for HIV Risk and Prevention Among the Constructed Families of African American Men Who Have Sex with Men

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Abstract

African American men who have sex with men (AAMSM) are disproportionately burdened by new and existing HIV infections. In spite of this, few HIV prevention interventions have been developed that meet the specific needs of AAMSM and that are culturally appropriate and build on strengths and resources. In this paper, we examine constructed families, including those who belong to houses and those who do not, from a three city sample of 196 AAMSM. Results show that the majority of AAMSM who belong to constructed families do not participate in houses or balls. Both house and non-house affiliated constructed families are important sources of social support among AAMSM. Participants reported limited success in spreading HIV messages at ball events, but talk about HIV within their constructed families. Social network approaches to HIV prevention may capitalize on existing social ties within constructed families to promote safer sexual behaviors.

Resumen

Hombres afroamericanos que tienen sexo con hombres (HSHA) tienen una carga desproporcionada de infecciones nuevas y existentes de VIH. A pesar de eso, se han desarrollado pocas intervenciones para satisfacer las necesidades específicas de HSHA y que son culturalmente apropiadas y utilizan los recursos y características positivas de la comunidad. In este artículo, examinamos familias construidas, incluyendo las que pertenecen a “houses” (casas) y las que no, de una muestra de HSHA de 3 ciudades. Resultados muestran que la mayoría de HSHA que pertenecen a familias construidas no participan en “houses” o “balls” (concurso de baile). Familias construidas que pertenecen a “houses” y familias construidas que no pertenecen a “houses” son fuentes importantes de apoyo para HSHA. Los participantes reportaron poco éxito en difundir mensajes para prevenir el VIH dentro de “balls”, pero sí hablan de VIH con miembros de sus familias construidas. Metodologías de red social para prevenir VIH puede utilizar las relaciones sociales que existen en familias construidas para promover conductas sexuales más seguras.

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Acknowledgments

Men in this study were participants in qualitative research preceding the delivery of “Connections Creating Change (C3), a social network intervention trial currently underway with African American MSM. This research was supported by R01-MH089128 and P30-MH52776, both from the National Institute of Mental Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for AIDS Intervention Research, Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, 2071 North Summit Ave., Milwaukee, WI, 53202, USA

    Julia Dickson-Gomez, Jill Owczarzak, Cheryl Sitzler, Katherine Quinn, Broderick Pearson, Jeffrey A. Kelly & Yuri A. Amirkhanian

  2. Mississippi State University, 1000 Highway 19 North, Meridian, MS, 39307, USA

    Janet St.Lawrence

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  1. Julia Dickson-Gomez
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  2. Jill Owczarzak
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  3. Janet St.Lawrence
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  6. Broderick Pearson
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  7. Jeffrey A. Kelly
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  8. Yuri A. Amirkhanian
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Correspondence to Julia Dickson-Gomez.

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Dickson-Gomez, J., Owczarzak, J., St.Lawrence, J. et al. Beyond the Ball: Implications for HIV Risk and Prevention Among the Constructed Families of African American Men Who Have Sex with Men. AIDS Behav 18, 2156–2168 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-014-0836-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-014-0836-6

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