DC study finds Black gay men to be disproportionately infected with HIV despite more condom use

A 2010 DC study of 500 gay men in the District of Columbia found a significant number of the Black gay men tested were HIV-infected.  For Black gay men, age 30 years and older, the infection rate was 32% compared to 8% for White gay men aged 30 and over.  For Black gay men under 30 years of age, 12% were HIV-infected while none of the White gay men under 30 years of age were infected.

Yet, the same study found that Black gay men used condoms 50% more than White gay men and had fewer sex partners.  Scientists believe that the discrepancy between higher HIV prevalence and lower risk behavior is a result of the high prevalence of HIV-positive men and the high prevalence of sexual transmitted diseases (such as herpes, syphilis, and gonorrhea) in the sexual networks of Black gay men.  These structural factors help to create a "perfect storm" for HIV transmission.  Sexually transmitted diseases facilitate the transmission of HIV.  If a person is HIV-positive and has an STD, it is easier to inadvertently transmit HIV to someone else.  And if a person is HIV-negative but has a STD, it is easier for them to become HIV infected by having unprotected sex with a HIV-positive person.  The UHU staff has started to discuss what the "new" HIV prevention message should be for Black gay  and same-gender-loving men.  Telling men to just use condoms may not be enough since Black gay men are using condoms significantly more than other gay men, yet they are still becoming disproportionately infected with HIV.