Drug Use and HIV Risk Behaviors among HIV-positive Latino MSM in a Large Urban Setting

1. Drug Use and HIV Risk Behaviors among HIV-positive Latino MSM in a Large Urban Setting Jesus Felizzola, MD Mario De La Rosa, PhD Florida International University 2004 Jesus.Felizzola@fiu.edu

2. BACKGROUND Behavior associated with drug use is the single largest factor in the spread of HIV/AIDS in the U.S. Young Latino MSM report higher rates of HIV prevalence and sexual risk behavior than white MSM (Valleroy et al., 2000) HIV+ minorities are less likely to receive timely and optimal care.

3. PURPOSE OF THE SPSN OUTREACH DEMONSTRATION MODELS INITIATIVE: (17 Sites) To identify and evaluate demonstration models for HIV positive racial and ethnic minorities who were not in primary HIV care. -Preliminary findings of a HRSA/SPNS funded project conducted in Miami from 2001-2003 -.

4. CONTRIBUTIONS Description of a small sample of HIV+ Latino MSM engaging in sexual risk behaviors under the influence of substances. Mostly Spanish-speaking monolingual not in care. Understanding about the patterns of sexual risk behaviors in which Latino MSM engage under the influence of substances.

5. RESEARCH QUESTIONS 1- To what extent do outreach programs identify HIV+ individuals and link them to care? 2- What are the characteristics of those individuals outreached and linked to care? 3- What are the factors associated with the engagement of HIV+ individuals into testing and linkage with medical care? 4- What are the barriers that HIV+ individuals find to access HIV services?

6. SAMPLE 107 HIV-positive individuals were enrolled in the evaluation. 98 participants completed baseline. Criteria: Uninsured, HIV+ adults, who were not in care and were eligible to receive services at Care Resource.

7. PROCEDURES Recruitment: from 06/01 to 09/03 in the field and in-house. A written informed consent was obtained from all participants. No incentives at baseline.

8. DATA COLLECTION 1- System-level: Number of individuals outreached, tested, and assessed at Intake. 2- Client-level: baseline, six, twelve, and eighteen-month follow ups during in-depth bilingual face-to-face interviews. Demographics, medical history, sexual risk behaviors, Drug use Q, SF-12, CD4 and Viral Loads.

9. FINDINGS 4% positive tests and 73% returning rate. Outreach/C&T at gay clubs is more effective identifying HIV + individuals (Woods et al. 2000).

10. Care Resource- HIP Outreach Encounters by Ethnicity Source: Care Resource Information Systems Management Unit

11. Care Resource- WO Outreach Encounters by Ethnicity Source: Care Resource Information Systems Management Unit

12. Gender by Age, Race and Ethnicity

13. Gender by Sexual Orientation and Education

14. Ethnicity by Insurance Type and Medical Care Status

15. SPNS Nationwide Sample (N=288)Insurance Type Among Latinos

16. Substance Use

17. Condom Use

18. Substance Use and Condom Use among Latino MSM • 90.9% of those LMSM who self-reported use of drugs or alcohol were not in care or had dropped out of care

19. Condom Use and Length of Time Knowing HIV Status among Latino MSM

20. CONCLUSIONS HIV prevention efforts targeting Latino MSM should consider the nature and context of drug use to construct culturally sensitive programs.

21. IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH Mario (115-16)