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Journal of Religion and Health
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health 2/2016

01-04-2016 | Original Paper

The Relationship Between HIV Risk, High-Risk Behavior, Religiosity, and Spirituality Among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): An Exploratory Study

Authors: Tommie L. Watkins Jr., Cathy Simpson, Stacey S. Cofield, Susan Davies, Connie Kohler, Stuart Usdan

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 2/2016

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Abstract

Blacks in the USA, including black men who have sex with men (MSM), tend to have stronger religious and spiritual affiliations compared with other racial/ethnic populations. HIV and STD incidence rates continue to rise among Black MSM. Using data from the CDC Brothers y Hermanos (ByHS) project, this study examined correlations between high-risk behavior, e.g., substance use and high-risk sexual behavior (e.g., condom use history, unprotected sexual intercourse, HIV infection status, and STD infection status) religiosity, spirituality, age, among Black MSM (N = 1141). This exploratory study examined whether religiosity and spirituality were associated with high-risk behavior and high-risk sexual behavior among Black MSM. Religiosity and spirituality indices were compiled from the ByHS data. The religiosity index was significantly associated with HIV infection and use of cocaine, crack, and poppers as well as marginally associated with ecstasy use. Spirituality was significantly associated with HIV infection status, STD infection status, alcohol use, and crack use. Given these relationships, current and future HIV prevention models targeting Black MSM should consider the potential importance of the roles of religiosity and spirituality in the lives of Black MSM to increase the efficacy of risk reduction interventions.
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Metadata
Title
The Relationship Between HIV Risk, High-Risk Behavior, Religiosity, and Spirituality Among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): An Exploratory Study
Authors
Tommie L. Watkins Jr.
Cathy Simpson
Stacey S. Cofield
Susan Davies
Connie Kohler
Stuart Usdan
Publication date
01-04-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 2/2016
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-015-0142-2

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