Social networks of men who have sex with men: a study of recruitment chains using Respondent Driven Sampling in Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil

Abstract Social and sexual contact networks between men who have sex with men (MSM) play an important role in understanding the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In Salvador (Bahia State, Brazil), one of the cities in the survey Behavior, Attitudes, Practices, and...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Sandra Mara Silva Brignol, Inês Dourado, Leila Denise Amorim, José Garcia Vivas Miranda, Lígia R. F. S. Kerr
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2015
País:Brasil
Institución:Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)
Repositorio:Cadernos de Saúde Pública
Idioma:inglés
portugués
OAI Identifier:oai:ojs.teste-cadernos.ensp.fiocruz.br:article/5823
Acceso en línea:https://cadernos.ensp.fiocruz.br/ojs/index.php/csp/article/view/5823
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Male Homosexuality
Sexual Behavior
HIV
Social Networking
Homossexualidade Masculina
Redes Sociais
Comportamento Sexual
Descripción
Sumario:Abstract Social and sexual contact networks between men who have sex with men (MSM) play an important role in understanding the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In Salvador (Bahia State, Brazil), one of the cities in the survey Behavior, Attitudes, Practices, and Prevalence of HIV and Syphilis among Men Who Have Sex with Men in 10 Brazilian Cities, data were collected in 2008/2009 from a sample of 383 MSM using Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS). Network analysis was used to study friendship networks and sexual partner networks. The study also focused on the association between the number of links (degree) and the number of sexual partners, in addition to socio-demographic characteristics. The networks’ structure potentially facilitates HIV transmission. However, the same networks can also be used to spread messages on STI/HIV prevention, since the proximity and similarity of MSM in these networks can encourage behavior change and positive attitudes towards prevention.