Differences in substance use, psychosocial characteristics and hiv-related sexual risk behavior between black men who have sex with men only (BMSMO) and black men who have sex with men and women (BMSMW) in six US cities

We assessed associations in substance use, psychosocial characteristics, andHIVrelated sexual risk behaviors, comparing characteristics of Black men who only have sex with other men only (BMSMO; n=839) to Black men who have sex with men and women (BMSMW; n=590). The study analyzed baseline data from the HIV Prevention Trials Network Brothers Study (HPTN061), a feasibility study of amulti-component intervention for Black MSM in six US cities. Bivariate analyses compared BMSMO to BMSMWalong demographics, substance use, psychosocial characteristics, and HIV-related sexual risk behaviors. Logistic regression models then assessed multivariable associations between being BMSMWand the odds of engaging in HIV-related sexual risk behaviors. Adjusted analyses revealed that BMSMWremained more likely to have unprotected anal intercourse while under the influence of alcohol (AOR: 1.45; 95%CI:1.111.90) and were more likely to receive money/drugs for sex (AOR: 2.11; 95 % CI:1.483.03), compared to BMSMO. Substance use is an important factor to be considered when developing risk-reduction interventions forBMSMW. Structural interventions that address factors thatmay contribute to exchange sex among these men are also warranted.