Geographic mobility and its impact on sexual health and ongoing HIV transmission among migrant latinx men who have sex with men. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cassels, Susan; Cerezo, Alison; Reid, Sean C.; Rivera, David B.; Loustalot, Colin; Meltzer, Dan
• Is Part Of: Social science & medicine. Volume 320(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: Sexual minority men -- Migration -- Social and geographic space; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Medical anthropology -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine sociale -- Périodiques; Anthropologie médicale -- Périodiques; Santé publique -- Périodiques; Psychologie -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115635
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-9536

Abstract

Abstract: An understudied social process that may determine variable HIV risk, testing, and linkage to care is geographic mobility, including immigration as well as short-term mobility, especially among sexual minority populations. We aimed to assess how geographic mobility over the lifecourse between Latin America and the U.S., and within the U.S., was linked to sexual risk and health behaviors among Latinx migrant men who have sex with men (MSM) in San Bernardino County, California. Qualitative analysis of 16 semi-structured interviews revealed four major domains of influence on participants' sexual risk behaviors. At the micro level, these included social environment/interpersonal factors (e.g., family and peer support) and geographic factors and pathways (e.g., migration journey to the U.S.). At the macro level data centered on cultural factors (e.g., gender norms in home country) and structural factors (e.g., HIV healthcare). Our results can illuminate and promote effective health policies and HIV reduction efforts for Latinx migrant MSM in metro areas. Highlights: Interpersonal factors (family, peer support) played key roles in MSM's sexual risk behaviors. Financial need and freedom to express identity drove migration to the U.S. Latino gender norms prevented men's disclosure of sexual identity and HIV status. Participants found sexual partners outside their cultural community with geospatial apps. Community organizations were instrumental in connecting men to HIV care and critical resources.