Exploring the effect of religion and religiosity on sexual risk and HIV prevention uptake among sexual and gender minority people in the southern United States Restricted; Files Only

Abstract

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations in the United States are disproportionately affected by HIV, particularly in the southern United States. SGM populations face significant barriers to HIV treatment and prevention services in this region, ranging from geographical to cultural. Little is known about religion and religiosity as a cultural influence on the sexual health behaviors of SGM in the South and the potential associations with HIV prevention uptake. In this analysis we examine the impact of religious upbringing and current affiliation, importance of religion, and religious disapproval of homosexuality on key sexual risk behaviors and HIV prevention uptake. We found lower PrEP use among Christians and those for whom religion was important, but higher PrEP use among those with non-Christian upbringings. Those for whom religion was important were also less likely to have had an HIV test in the last 12 months. We did not find meaningful differences in sexual risk behaviors or awareness of PrEP before the survey. The unique influence religion holds in health behaviors among SGM people in the South offers an opportunity for further investigation of mediators of the relationship and potential avenues for intervention to reduce the current disparities in new HIV diagnoses present in the region.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Methods 4

Results 7

Discussion 9

References 13

Tables 20

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Epidemiology
Subfield / Discipline	Global Epidemiology - MPH & MSPH
Degree	M.P.H.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Religion, General Health Sciences, Public Health Health Sciences, Epidemiology
Keyword	religiosity sexual health sexual and gender minority populations HIV religious affiliation
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Jeb Jones, Emory University

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