What I found interesting is when these investigators looked at over 5,000 gay men what they found was most of that wasn’t the problem.  It would seem that not knowing the status of partners and the fact that black gay men were less likely to be on medication to treat their HIV were, at least in part, the problem.

So the investigators are encouraging gay men, and especially black gay men to communicate about HIV with potential partners and then, we as an agency need to look at how we can reduce the barriers of treatment to black males living with HIV.

Personally,  my thought is that STIGMA is the single strongest barrier to treatment, testing and reducing the transmission of HIV and until we can remove the power of stigma we will continue to experience these kinds of disheartening gaps in who the virus in infecting.

So take this challenge, talk to someone today about HIV.  Talk about the the people it is infecting, talk about what CARES is doing, talk about how sad you feel that people are not comfortable discussing HIV. TALK, TALK, TALK.  Talk away the fear and ignorance stigma produces and encourage others to do so.

Pat

Be The Change

UNITED STATES:   ”Understanding Disparities in HIV Infection Between Black and White MSM in the United States”
AIDS Vol. 25; No. 8: P. 1103-1112    (06.15.11):: Alexandra Oster and others

The investigators sought to evaluate several hypotheses for HIV infection disparities between white and black men who have sex with men, including incarceration, partner HIV status, circumcision, sexual networks, and duration of infectiousness. The study design incorporated the 2008 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System, a cross-sectional survey performed in 21 US cities.

MSM were interviewed and tested for HIV. For previously undiagnosed MSM, logistic regression was used to test associations between newly diagnosed HIV and incarceration history, partner HIV status, circumcision status, and sexual networks (oldest partners, concurrency and partner risk behaviors). For HIV-positive MSM, factors related to duration of infectiousness were assessed.

Among 5,183 previously undiagnosed MSM, incarceration history, circumcision status, and sexual networks were not independently associated with HIV infection. Infection was associated with having HIV-positive partners (adjusted odds ratio=1.9, 95 percent confidence interval=1.2-3.0) or partners of unknown status (AOR=1.4, CI=1.1-1.7). “Of these two factors, only one was more common among black MSM – having partners of unknown HIV status. Among previously diagnosed HIV-positive MSM, black MSM were less likely to be on antiretroviral therapy (ART),” the authors wrote.

HIV infection differences between black and white MSM may partly be explained by less knowledge of partner HIV status and lower ART use among black MSM, the investigators concluded. “Efforts to encourage discussions about HIV status between MSM and their partners and decrease barriers to ART provision among black MSM may decrease transmission,” they noted.

In Kalamazoo and Battle Creek:

• Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m.-6 p.m. at CARES, 629 Pioneer St., Kalamazoo
• 1st Wednesday of every month from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Edison Neighborhood Association, 816 Washington Ave., Kalamazoo
• 2nd Wednesday of every month from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Vine Neighborhood Association, 511 W. Vine, Kalamazoo
• 3rd Wednesday of every month from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at S.H.A.R.E. Center, 120 Grove St., Battle  Creek
• 4th Wednesday of every month from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at Ministry with Community, 440 N. Church St., Kalamazoo

Participating partners in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek include the Edison Neighborhood Association, the Vine Neighborhood Association, the S.H.A.R.E. Center and Ministry with Community.

In Benton Harbor:

• Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. for walk-ins, or by appointment from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. at CARES, 185 E. Main St., Suite 604, Benton Harbor
• National Testing Day – Monday, June 27 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Benton Harbor Street Ministry, 200 E. Empire Avenue in Benton Harbor

Participating partners in Benton Harbor’s National HIV Testing Day event include the Berrien County Health Department, Lakeland Health Specialties, United Way of Southwest Michigan, Bethel Christian Restoration Center, Benton Harbor Street Ministry, The OutCenter, Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency and community volunteers.  This event will also offer colon cancer screening kits, as well as cholesterol and blood pressure screenings.

For more information, please call CARES at 269-381-2437 (Kalamazoo) or 269-927-2437 (Benton Harbor.)

The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF), a worldwide advocacy network for men who have sex with men (MSM), is encouraged by new HIV prevention guidelines from The Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator for use in countries receiving assistance from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), according to an MSMGF statement. However, MSMGF asserts the guidelines lack specific recommendations.

The guidelines define six core elements for any effective HIV prevention program aimed at MSM. These include: community-based outreach; distribution of condoms and condom-compatible lubricants; HIV counseling and testing; active linkage to health care and antiretroviral treatment; targeted information, education and communication; and prevention, screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

Matthew Bradley, Prevention Specialist from CARES’ Benton Harbor office, shares his opinion:  “I think that PEPfar is a great program that will help save many lives in countries that have the need for assistance the most.  I think the first step in these programs should be education.  Educating the populations on HIV transmissions and working to reduce homophobic behavior, which causes more stigma, and causes HIV rates to sky rocket because people are scared to seek HIV education.  More training should be given to healthcare providers in order for them to know how to get around the trust barriers and to also build a trust bond in their respective communities.”

To read the entire MSMGF statement, go to http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-forum-on-msm–hiv-encouraged-by-new-pepfar-guidance-on-hiv-prevention-for-men-who-have-sex-with-men-122262008.html

According to www.womenshealth.gov,  the website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health and the lead organizer of this awareness day, a woman tests positive for HIV every 35 minutes in our country and over 280,000 American women are affected by this HIV/AIDS. 

Another statistic, according to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), “Women and girls of color – especially black women and girls – bear a disproportionately heavy burden of HIV infection.  In 2009, for adult and adolescent females, the rate of diagnoses of HIV infection for black females was nearly 20 times as high as the rate for white females and approximately 4 times as high as the rate for Hispanic/Latino females.”

What can you do? “Know Your Status – GET TESTED.”  Free, confidential HIV testing is available at CARES locations in Benton Harbor and Kalamazoo.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Paula Wilson, Berrien County Health Department, Antoine Headspeth, Pastor of Bethel Christian Restoration Church & CCOP

Thank you to everyone in Berrien County who participated in the World AIDS Day event on December 1st!  A total of 22 individuals were tested for HIV (16 tested via Ora-Sure and 6 tested via rapid testing.)  The majority of those tested were of the highest-risk behavior groups in Berrien County.   Ten of those tested had never previously tested for HIV.   A higher-than-anticipated turn-out resulted in extending testing two hours past the advertised end-time.

The event took place at the OutCenter offices at 132 Water Street in Downtown Benton Harbor, and we thank Jennifer Hsu and staff for hosting the event.  Thank you also to the Berrien County Health Department, and specifically, Peggy Hammel and Paula Wilson who participated in their respective capacities. 

In addition, we would like to express our thanks to representatives of our other community partners: Bethel Christian Restoration Center (Pastor Headspeth,) Delta Sigma Theta (Syreeta Cheatom,) the Benton Harbor Street Ministry and Whirlpool PRIDE organizations for their continued support. 

“Mitch” is being recognized by the Iota Iota Omega Chapter of AKA for his commitment to educating and informing the community about HIV/AIDS. 

A “meet and greet” with the 12 honorees will follow at the church.  After the ceremony, there will be information-sharing about health concerns that affect the black community.

Everyone is encouraged to join us to get tested, or to affirm their support for the prevention of HIV in our communities, and for those already affected.

December 1st is recognized globally as World AIDS Day.  HIV/AIDS continue to wreak havoc on lives in epidemic proportions not only universally, but also within the community of Berrien County.  According to the Michigan Department of Community Health, there are approximately 290 people in Berrien County who are infected with HIV/AIDS, and Berrien has the 3rd highest prevalence rate of HIV in the State of Michigan.

I want to challenge all of us to explore the most active sex organs we possess: Our brains, and our skin. In the hot-and-heavy of things, it can be easy to forget the intimacy expressed with a body massage, or the erotic potential of a long held eye gaze. Sex doesn’t have to  involve loins directly interacting with one another! It can be fun if it does, but intimate, sexual energy can be exchanged between partners through a variety of methods — most of which are low-risk activities for transmission.

Try it sometime! Light some candles, dim the lights, put on relaxing music, and give your partner a slow, full body massage, making plenty of eye contact as you do so. Massage them as if you’ve never seen their body before, or felt it’s familiarity. Lose yourself in their skin dimples and curves. Feed them chocolate, or fruits, or honey from your fingertips. Draw it out- don’t rush anything, let them totally relax under your touch. If the massage trends towards the groin, just remember to wear a pair of latex or vinyl gloves for safety, and treat that experience as reverently as the rest of the massage. Be process-oriented, not goal-oriented, and enjoy yourselves. When the massage seems to be done, cuddle your partner for some time. Congratulate yourselves- you have both had an intimate, erotic experience, with little to no risk of transmitting STIs!

If this activity was meaningful for you, and you’d like to further explore the idea of full body sensuality as a way to reduce your transmission risk, I highly recommend the book Urban Tantra by Barbara Carrellas. She takes a thoughtful approach to the idea of full-body sensuality, and, unlike some other tantra books, is not heterosexist, transphobic, or loaded with dogma. This is a meaningful and intense way to enhance your sex life, and has the added bonus of offering a new approach to Safer Sex!

We aren’t all taught as kids how to protect ourselves from STIs or HIV, so how are we supposed to know what methods of protection are best for us? Most of us would agree that sex is not the most comfortable topic to talk about with family or friends, let alone our partner(s). Where can we go to discuss all the nitty-gritty details of keeping ourselves safe and healthy while doing the horizontal tango? It’s not as scary or complicated as it sometimes seems. There are simple steps to making sure we stay safe while in the act- because after all, safe sex is sexy.

Sex Safety 101:

Barrier methods are the best way to prevent the spread of STIs, including HIV while engaging in sexual activity. Whether you’re having oral, anal, or vaginal sex, or just engaging in mutual masturbation; a barrier method can significantly reduce your risk of contracting an STI. Barrier methods include male condoms, internal condoms, and dental dams.

Other things we can do to protect ourselves from STIs and HIV are to get tested regularly and know our own status. Unless we know ourselves it is difficult to talk honestly and openly to our partners about the topic. It’s also important to stay informed about methods of transmission for these infections and the ways in which we can lower our risk of contracting them by keeping up with regular health visits and going to the doctor anytime we feel that something is not right within our body. Seeking out free testing services as well as educational opportunities to increase awareness for ourselves and for the community can also decrease the spread of all STIs, including HIV.

Agencies such as Community AIDS Resource and Education Services (CARES) and Planned Parenthood of South-Central Michigan (PPSCM) offer some of those free services and encourage people to take advantage of them. Coming up on November 16^th 2010 there will be free STI testing from 1-3pm at CARES. Just call in to make your appointment.

Sex shouldn’t be such a taboo topic anymore! With STIs on the rise, in a society that is recognized for practicing casual sex, we should be taking the power into our own hands by protecting ourselves and others. Get tested, know your status, and learn the facts because they have a direct affect on you. Keep things sexy with safe sex!