| Despite the proliferation of research and the application of behavioral interventions, African American/Black men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to bear the greatest burden of reported new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. Previous research has identified numerous socially constructed factors that contribute to the syndemics involved that include HIV infection, substance abuse, and risk taking behaviors that increase health disparities observed in African American/Black MSM. There is evidence that behaviors are, acquired through family and community interactions, messages about sexual identity, gender expectations and life experiences. Social networks both positive and negative have a significant impact on the individual's self-perception and acceptable behavior. The syndemics theory holds relevance in these studies in that there are multiple factors at work in the lives of Black men who have sex with men that contribute to their health disparities. In this study, 10 New York City African American/Black MSM between the ages of 18 and 30 years old were engaged in individual in-depth interviews. The participants described, in detail, their social and sexual experiences beginning with the point at which they self-identified as same gender-loving Black males. Data analyses showed the significance of family acceptance, and social support, and seeking validation in syndemic formation in these subjects. The data further demonstrated that disparities and syndemic formation are dependent upon several reinforcing experiences, not on one single incident. |
