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Despite current prevention efforts, HIV incidence continues to rise among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in the United States. Identification of new infections through routine testing is an important first step in the HIV treatment cascade; behavioral assessment among those who test negative may prompt deployment of new biomedical prevention efforts. The present study interviewed 100 YMSM (mean age 25) in Los Angeles, California, with the goal of identifying and understanding HIV testing beliefs and behaviors. Analysis of responses to brief semistructured interviews was conducted using content analysis. Findings highlight high rates of testing (91% lifetime tested; 59% in past 6 months) but reveal a disconnect between HIV testing and risk assessment. Partnerships between academic institutions, community-based organizations, and individual practitioners may facilitate community-wide HIV testing complemented by biomedical interventions. Further exploration of YMSM’s attitudes toward HIV testing is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Grindr, a geosocial smartphone application, is a networking medium for men who have sex with men. Although three quarters of young men who have sex with men (YMSM) Grindr users report having sex with a Grindr-met partner, the correlates of risky sexual behavior with Grindr-met partners are unknown. A randomly selected sample of 18- to 24-year-old, Grindr-using YMSM completed an anonymous online questionnaire assessing patterns of Grindr use and sexual behavior with their last Grindr-met partners. Of the 146 YMSM who reported having sex with Grindr-met partners, 20% had unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) at last sex with their Grindr-met partner. In the multivariable model, YMSM who used Grindr for at least one year showed naked chest/abs in their profile photo, and reported more past month Grindr-met partners were more likely to report UAI. These findings suggest that familiarity with the app was associated with YMSM's UAI with Grindr-met partners. Moreover, sexualized profile photos (i.e., naked chest/abs) may be associated with sexual risk-taking behaviors. HIV prevention interventions delivered or linked through such apps should target individuals who are longer/frequent users and who present sexualized profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the prevalence and correlates of drug use among emerging adult members of the Los Angeles house and ball community. The associations of lifetime and 90-day illicit drug use with sociodemographic and house and ball community factors were assessed using bivariate analyses and logistic regression. Study participants had high rates of illicit substance use when compared to similar populations. Age was related to lifetime illicit substance use (t = 4.66,p < .05). School enrollment was significantly protective against illicit drug use, even after controlling for age, race, and gender (odds ratio = .88,p < .05, 95% confidence interval 0.18 to 0.98). School enrollment may be an important opportunity for prevention efforts related to illicit substance use and subsequent accumulating HIV risk within this community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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