Patterns of HIV Disclosure and Condom Use Among HIV-Infected Young Racial/Ethnic Minority Men Who Have Sex with Men

Recent findings highlight the continued rise in cases of HIV infection among racial/ethnic minority young men who have sex with men (YMSM). In adults, disclosure of HIV status has been associated with decreased sexual risk behaviors but this has not been explored among YMSM. In this study of 362 HIV-infected racial/ethnic minority YMSM, rates of disclosure were high, with almost all disclosing their status to at least one person at baseline. The majority had disclosed to a family member, with higher disclosure rates to female relatives compared with males. After adjustment for site, disclosure to sex partners and boyfriends was associated with an increase in condom use during both oral and anal sex. Future studies should consider skills training to assist youth in the disclosure process, facilitate how to determine who in their family and friend social network can be safely disclosed to and support family-based interventions.