Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Major/Program

Nursing

First Advisor's Name

Sandra Gracia Jones

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Eric Fenkl

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Third Advisor's Name

Sandra L. Lobar

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Fourth Advisor's Name

Michelle Kameka

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Fifth Advisor's Name

Joseph P. De Santis

Fifth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Keywords

Sexual behaviors, men who have sex with men, MSM, Hispanic, HMSM

Date of Defense

3-21-2016

Abstract

In 2010, men who have sex with men (MSM) represented 4% of the population in the United States (US) and accounted for 78% of all new Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections among Hispanic men. Hispanic men who have sex with men (HMSM) accounted for the third largest number of new HIV infections (6,700 cases). This dissertation explored the effects of age, loneliness, substance use, depression, and social support on high risk sexual behaviors that predispose middle aged HMSM to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV infection risk. A sample of 150 urban HMSM aged 40 to 65 were surveyed in this study. Singer’s Syndemics Theory (1996) provided this study’s theoretical framework. Data was analyzed using a variety of parametric and non-parametric statistics. Loneliness, social support, depressive symptoms, alcohol/drug use, and sexual risk behaviors were found to have an influence on HIV infection status in this study. Partner status, religious affiliation and age did have an influence on alcohol use in this study’s participants. Also, participants with increased age had increased depressive symptoms in this study. Lastly, depressive symptoms, substance use, social support, and loneliness did have an influence on sexual risk behaviors in this study’s participants, specifically alcohol use and illicit drug use. The findings from this study should be used to assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate prevention strategies geared to reduce STI and HIV infection in this population. Future research should build on these findings and develop tailored risk reduction interventions addressing HMSM, with particular attention to the understudied age group of the middle aged HMSM.

Identifier

FIDC000243

Share

COinS
 

Rights Statement

Rights Statement

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).