A recent medical study set out to investigate the current state of the HIV epidemic among adolescent and young adult MSM in the United States by assessing the prevalence of HIV infection and associated risks in this population in metropolitan areas; the subjects were a total of 3492 15- to 22-year-old “gay” boys and men. The findings: overall, HIV infection prevalence was 7.2% and was lower in Seattle (2.2%) and higher in New York City (12.1%); the prevalence of markers for hepatitis B virus was 10.7% overall and was lower in Seattle (5.8%) vs the other areas; 23% had had sex with at least 5 men during the past 6 months; the prevalence of unprotected anal sex (insertive or receptive) was 41% (range, 33%-49%); 30% had had unprotected insertive anal sex, and 31% had had unprotected receptive anal sex.
As a historical comparison: the 1992 through 1993 Young Men's Survey (YMS), conducted in San Francisco and Berkeley, Calif, was a cross-sectional survey focusing on young MSM in the 1990s. Of the 425 participants aged 17 to 22 years, 9.4% were HIV positive, and 32.7% reported having unprotected anal sex in the past 6 months.
Over 20 years later, very little has changed…slightly lower infection rates, which are skewed in favor of lowering the rates in the recent study because of the inclusion of 15-16 year olds; yet, with higher rates of unprotected anal sex; millions of dollars have been thrown at this problem by the federal and local governments – usually for “education” programs centering around condom use; only, the problem here is not one of “safe-sex” but of deeply set emotional and psychological problems that, despite the well-publicized risks, drive certain wounded individuals to continually endanger their lives.
“HIV Prevalence and Associated Risks in Young Men Who Have Sex With Men”
Linda A. Valleroy, PhD, et al.
JAMA. 2000;284(2):198-204.