About This Project

Several studies have shown associations between racism, oppression, homophobia, and sexual risk behavior among racial and ethnic minority men who have sex with men (MSM) in the U.S., particularly African-American, Latino and Asian/Pacific Islander men. Scant research has been conducted on these associations among Arab MSM. This project is intended to be a pilot study to shed light on these issues in an understudied population.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Perhaps because research suggests that HIV prevalence in the Arab world is low in comparison to other regions, and because Arab Americans have not historically been disaggregated as a minority community, associations between racism, oppression, homophobia, and sexual risk behavior among MSM of Arab ancestry living in the U.S. have been sorely understudied. Given that these associations have been shown in in Latino, African-American and Asian/Pacific Islander men, coupled with the fact that Americans of Arab/Middle Eastern descent report ethnic discrimination, this is a serious gap in research. I hope to shed light on these associations and experiences in MSM of Arab ancestry.

What is the significance of this project?

Gay and bisexual men continue to make up the majority of new HIV infections; as stated above, studies have shown that racial discrimination and homophobia may compound the effects of minority stress among some minority MSM in the U.S. which in turn may increase the risk of seroconversion (the period of time during which HIV antibodies develop and become detectable), reduce rates of HIV screening and inhibit access to care. This phenomenon has not been studied in MSM of Arab ancestry in the U.S. This study would be the first of its kind to examine if various forms of minority stress are similarly associated with behaviors and patterns that increase HIV risk in this understudied population.

What are the goals of the project?

Pending success of this campaign, I hope to begin assessments by the fall. This is a small pilot study so I am hoping to recruit 50 people for a quantitative survey and conduct individual qualitative interviews with 8-10 participants from the larger sample. I seek to answer three broad questions that may spark further investigation on a larger scale: do MSM of Arab ancestry exhibit greater risky sexual behavior than MSM overall? Do they encounter homophobia and/or ethnic discrimination? If the answer is yes to both of the preceding questions, is there an association between the two?