There is a critical need for research on the most accessible STI testing services from the perspective of high-risk individuals, including hard-to-reach YB MSM who have unique barriers to STI testing. Yet, research on STI testing preferences is limited in YB MSM including preferences for testing location, staffing, and hours of operation for STI testing sites. The first step in combatting STIs is early diagnosis to prevent transmission. Reducing STI transmission among YB MSM is critical to halting the HIV epidemic in the Deep South. Furthermore, 1 in 2 black MSM will acquire HIV during their lifetime if current trends continue. Young persons ages 16 to 35 are at greatest risk for HIV, representing over 50% of new infections.
Through multiple mechanisms, STIs increase the likelihood that men will acquire HIV or transmit HIV if already infected. Nationwide, the annual incidence of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in MSM are currently 7.1, 6.4, and 3.4 per 100 person years, respectively. Alabama ranks 2 nd and 3 rd nationally in gonorrhea and chlamydia incidence, respectively. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the rise, especially in men who have sex with men (MSM), and contribute to the 45,000 new HIV infections annually by increasing HIV transmission risk. This does not alter our adherence to all the PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials, as detailed online in the guide for authors. There are no patents, products in development or marketed products to declare. Eaton’s behalf from the Gilead HIV Research Scholarship, Bristol Myers Squibb Virology Fellowship, and Viiv. Muzny is a consultant for Lupin Pharmaceuticals. Department of Veterans Affairs (grant VA HSR&D IIR 15-095).Ĭompeting interests: We have the following interests. MPH is supported in part by funding from the U.S.
Eaton, MD, is supported by the Center for AIDS Research (P30AI027767-13), the Sexually Transmitted Infections Cooperative Research Centers (U19AI113212-01). Muzny, MD is currently supported by grant K23AI106957 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Interested researchers may contact of the UAB IRB Director, Denise Ball, at if they would like to access the data.įunding: Christina A. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.ĭata Availability: Data are available from the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) IRB for researchers who meet the criteria for access to confidential information, due to restrictions outlined in the consent form. Received: JAccepted: DecemPublished: December 27, 2018Ĭopyright: © 2018 Eaton et al. Santella, Hofstra University, UNITED STATES Citation: Eaton EF, Austin EL, Dodson CK, Heudebert JP, Jackson D, Muzny CA (2018) Do young black men who have sex with men in the deep south prefer traditional over alternative STI testing? PLoS ONE 13(12):Įditor: Anthony J.