Social networks of HIV positive gay men: Their role and importance in HIV prevention

Abstract

HIV positive gay men are embedded within diverse and rich social networks consisting of family, friends, romantic partners, medical providers, HIV negative gay men, persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), and others. These social connections and interactions play a significant role in numerous aspects of their physical and mental health. The unique set of issues faced by HIV positive gay men exist in a larger social context. The individuals with whom a person interacts can have a large impact on how HIV positive gay men understand and cope with these issues. As such, expanding scientific frameworks to include the social network is critical in designing more effective primary and secondary prevention interventions. In this chapter, we aim to (1) discuss the state of the evidence on social networks and health for HIV positive gay men and HIV positive men who have sex with men (MSM), (2) provide an overview of network-oriented intervention approaches that have been used with HIV positive gay men and MSM, and (3) conclude with recommendations for future research and practice.