“Like a ticking time bomb”: the persistence of trauma in the HIV diagnosis experience among black men who have sex with men in New York City

BMC Public Health

Dustin T. Duncan¹  Ofole Mgbako²  Christopher Kuhner³  Dustin Brinker³  Nishanth S. Iyengar³  Ellen Benoit⁴ 

[1] Columbia Spatial Epidemiology Lab, Social and Spatial Epidemiology Unit, Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health;Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center;NYU Grossman School of Medicine;North Jersey Community Research Initiative;

关键词: Black;    MSM;    African-American;    HIV;    Trauma;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-020-09342-9

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Black men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV compared to almost every other demographic group in the country and have worse outcomes along the care continuum. Diagnosis is a critical juncture. This study aims to explore the impact and meaning of an HIV diagnosis for Black MSM, and how this has changed over time, both for the individual’s experience living with HIV as well as for Black MSM in general. Methods From 2017 to 2018, we conducted in-depth interviews with 16 black MSM living with HIV in New York City diagnosed between 1985 and 2016. Results Inductive analysis of the qualitative data allowed three major themes to emerge: diagnosis trauma, lack of patient -centeredness in the healthcare system, and acceptance of HIV diagnosis over time. Conclusions This small pilot study signals that an HIV diagnosis experience possibly remains traumatic for black MSM even in the era of highly effective ART, and they often perceive a lack of patient-centeredness in the delivery of a new diagnosis. This has persisted over time. In most cases, black MSM in our sample overcame this trauma due to self-motivation, social support and seeking out and fostering trusting relationships with their HIV provider and the healthcare system.

【 授权许可】

Unknown