Having supportive social relationships is associated with reduced risk of unrecognized HIV infection among black and Latino men who have sex with men.

We examined the hypothesis that black and Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) who have supportive social relationships with other people are less likely to have unrecognized HIV infection compared with MSM of color who report lower levels of social support. We interviewed 1286 black and Latino MSM without known HIV infection in three metropolitan areas who were recruited using respondent driven sampling. Participants completed a computer-administered questionnaire and were tested for HIV.

Continuing HIV risk in New York City injection drug users: the association of syringe source and syringe sharing.

Sterile syringe access is an important means to reduce HIV risk, but many injection drug users (IDU) who obtain syringes from sterile sources continue to share syringes. We examined the factors associated with continuing syringe sharing in New York City. We recruited 500 active IDU in 2005 through respondent-driven sampling.

Missed opportunities for HIV testing among high-risk heterosexuals.

Background: HIV testing is an important HIV prevention strategy, yet heterosexuals at high risk do not test as frequently as other groups. We examined the association of past year HIV testing and encounters with institutional settings where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual testing for high-risk heterosexuals.

Methods: We recruited high-risk heterosexuals in New York City in 2006 to 2007 through respondent-driven sampling.

Same-sex attraction disclosure to health care providers among New York City men who have sex with men: implications for HIV testing approaches.

Background: While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least annual human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening for men who have sex with men (MSM), a large number of HIV infections among this population go unrecognized. We examined the association between disclosing to their medical providers (eg, physicians, nurses, physician assistants) same-sex attraction and self-reported HIV testing among MSM in New York City, New York.

Methods: All men recruited from the New York City National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) project who reported at least 1 male sex partner in the past year and self-reported as HIV seronegative were included in the analysis.

Risk factors for delayed initiation of medical care after diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus.

Background: The full benefit of timely diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is realized only if there is timely initiation of medical care. We used routine surveillance data to measure time to initiation of care in New York City residents diagnosed as having HIV by positive Western blot test in 2003.

Methods: The time between the first positive Western blot test and the first reported viral load and/or CD4 cell count or percentage was used to indicate the interval from initial diagnosis of HIV (non-AIDS) to first HIV-related medical care visit.

HIV prevalence and associated risk behaviors in New York City's house ball community.

Objectives: We measured HIV seroprevalence and associated risk factors among persons in New York City's house ball community.

Methods: In 2004 we conducted a venue-based risk-behavior survey and HIV testing in the house ball community.

Results: Of the 504 study participants, 67% were male, 14% female, and 18% transgender.

Trends in perinatal HIV prevention in New York City, 1994-2003.

Objectives: We examined trends in perinatal HIV prevention interventions in New York City implemented during 1994 to 2003 to ascertain the success of the interventions in reducing perinatal transmission.

Methods: We used data obtained from infant records at 22 hospitals. We used multiple logistic regression to analyze factors associated with prenatal care and perinatal HIV transmission.

Self-reported tuberculosis disease and tuberculin skin testing in the New York City House Ballroom community.

Objectives: We sought to describe the history of tuberculosis disease and tuberculin skin testing among the New York City House Ballroom community--a social network of diverse sexual and gender identities or expressions.

Methods: Members of the House Ballroom community were convenience sampled, surveyed, and tested for HIV in 2004. We identified characteristics associated with history of tuberculosis, tuberculin skin testing, and test positivity and described the timing of skin testing.

Circumcision status and HIV infection among Black and Latino men who have sex with men in 3 US cities.

Objective: To examine characteristics of circumcised and uncircumcised Latino and black men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States and assess the association between circumcision and HIV infection.

Methods: Using respondent-driven sampling, 1154 black MSM and 1091 Latino MSM were recruited from New York City, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. A 45-minute computer-assisted interview and a rapid oral fluid HIV antibody test (OraSure Technologies, Bethlehem, PA) were administered to participants.

Amphetamine use and sexual risk among men who have sex with men: results from the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance study--New York City.

A 2004-2005 survey among 503 men who have sex with men who attend public venues in New York City was used to examine the relationship of amphetamine use with sexual risk behaviors. Among the men recruited, 51.1% were under 30 years of age, 27.

Disparity in maternal mortality in New York City.

Objective: To describe maternal deaths and 10-year trends in maternal mortality in New York City.

Methods: All maternal deaths reported by surveillance of vital records (bearing ICD-9 codes 630-676) in New York City between 1989 and 1998 were studied. Were viewed death certificates and medical and autopsy records to collect age, race/ethnicity, country of birth, marital status, education level, residence at time of death, cause of death, and outcome of pregnancy.

Higher mortality rate among infants of US-born mothers compared to foreign-born mothers in New York City.

This study is to compare infant mortality rates (IMRs) between US- and foreign-born mothers in New York City. The linked live birth-infant death records from 1995 to 1998 were analyzed. Overall US-born mothers had a higher IMR than foreign-born mothers, though there were great variations in IMRs by country of maternal birth among foreign-born mothers.

Missed opportunities for perinatal HIV prevention among HIV-exposed infants born 1996-2000, pediatric spectrum of HIV disease cohort.

Objective: Despite dramatic reductions in perinatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission in the United States, obstacles to perinatal HIV prevention that include lack of prenatal care; failure to test pregnant women for HIV before delivery; and lack of prenatal, intrapartum, or neonatal antiretroviral (ARV) use remain. The objective of this study was to describe trends in perinatal HIV prevention methods, perinatal transmission rates, and the contribution of missed opportunities for perinatal HIV prevention to perinatal HIV infection.

Methods: We analyzed data obtained from infant medical records on 4755 HIV-exposed singleton deliveries in 1996-2000, from 6 US sites that participate in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Pediatric Spectrum of HIV Disease Project.