Assessing the Determinants of Quality of Life and the Impact on HIV Prevention Measures among HIV-Negative and Status-Unknown Young Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Study in Two U.S. Metropolitan Areas

Yu Liu, Savanah Russ, Jason Mitchell, Sarahmona Przybyla and Chen Zhang
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Yu Liu: Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
Savanah Russ: Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
Jason Mitchell: Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
Sarahmona Przybyla: Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
Chen Zhang: School of Nursing, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 2, 1-15

Abstract: Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in the United States (U.S.) are disproportionally burdened by HIV and experience adverse social determinants of health. Minimal research has examined quality of life (QoL) and psychosocial/behavioral determinants among HIV-negative or status-unknown YMSM. We conducted a study with YMSM from two U.S. cities to assess their QoL scores, and whether specific QoL domains (e.g., physical, psychological, social, and environment) were associated with their demographics, psychosocial determinants, behavioral risk factors, and HIV prevention measures. Black YMSM, YMSM of low socioeconomic status (below high school education, income < $20,000, and lack of health insurance), and YMSM who did not disclose their sexual orientation had the lowest QoL scores across all domains. Substance use and unprotected anal intercourse were negatively associated with men’s physical/psychosocial health. Housing/food instability and perceived stress were among the strongest predictors of lower QoL in all domains. Higher physical/psychological and environment QoL scores were associated with a higher likelihood of HIV testing and PrEP use. The identification of YMSM within these demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial sub-groups is important for targeted intervention to enhance their well-being and engagement with HIV prevention.

Keywords: men who have sex with men; quality of life; HIV prevention; psychosocial determinants; mental health; United States (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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