The Development and Analysis of a Macro-Network of Vulnerable Young Men

描述（由申请人提供）：男男性行为者（YMSM）的艾滋病毒/艾滋病流行率令人震惊，也是感染率上升的唯一风险群体之一。网络研究是目前的一个优先领域，由于艾滋病毒的传播高度依赖性和毒品网络的动态，但是，很少有研究已经审查了YMSM的网络。为了进一步了解YMSM的毒品和性网络以及这些网络如何影响HIV传播，本研究建议利用两项NIDA资助的母研究中已经收集的数据构建和分析YMSM的宏观网络。这两项研究收集了175名青年男男性接触者的样本，正在调查他们的药物、性别和社交网络，并正在收集有关艾滋病毒流行率、发展轨迹和预测因素以及与该疾病相关的多种心理社会健康问题（综合征结果）的数据。虽然这些研究是重要的第一步，但收集的网络数据本质上是以自我为中心的（或个人网络）。虽然以自我为中心的数据有助于理解个人在其个人网络中的关系以及对艾滋病毒的可能影响，但许多网络措施无法用以自我为中心的数据准确评估（即，距离、中心性、位置等价性）。此外，以自我为中心的数据可能会有偏见，因为特定的网络成员（改变者）可能会在以自我为中心的网络中出现多次。最后，网络之间的疾病传播无法测量。本研究是一个两阶段的项目，建议连接以前收集的自我为中心的网络，这些YMSM匹配已经收集的识别信息的变更和建立一个宏观网络的YMSM。YMSM从未收集过这样的网络，并将导致新的重要分析。我们将使用概率匹配软件创建这些链接。项目第一阶段的重点是建设YMSM的宏观网络。该项目的第二阶段将分析宏观网络，其次级目标如下：A）检查青年男男性行为者的宏观网络结构，并确定这些网络结构如何因个人特征而有所不同; B）分析艾滋病毒传播和行为传染（例如，避孕套和毒品的使用）;（三）确定宏观网络中的关键人物（连接毒品和性网络的个人）和那些可能拥有最大影响力的人（高中心性社会网络个体）; D）描述宏观网络内药物使用和HIV风险行为的重叠;以及，最后E）检查宏观网络结构在预测流行病结果中的价值。 公共卫生相关性：男男性行为青年（YMSM）的艾滋病毒/艾滋病流行率令人担忧。虽然网络连接已被证明会影响艾滋病毒的传播，但人们对YMSM的毒品和性网络知之甚少。该提案旨在通过建立和审查青年男男性接触者的宏观网络，提供关于青年男男性接触者在毒品、性和社交网络中获得和传播艾滋病毒的独特流行病学数据。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) have an alarming HIV/AIDS prevalence and are also one of the only risk groups showing an increasing rate of infections. Network research is a current priority area due to HIV's high transmission dependence on sexual and drug network dynamics; however, few studies have examined the networks of YMSM. In order to advance knowledge of the drug and sexual networks of YMSM and how these networks influence HIV transmission, this study proposes to construct and analyze a macro- network of YMSM by utilizing data already being collected within two NIDA-funded parent studies. These two studies have gathered a sample of 175 YMSM and are investigating their drug, sex, and social networks, and are also collecting data on the prevalence, developmental trajectories, and predictors of HIV and multiple psychosocial health issues linked to the disease (syndemic outcomes). Although these studies are an important first step, the network data collected is ego-centric (or personal network) in nature. While ego-centric data can contribute to understanding the relationships individuals have within their personal networks and possible influence on HIV, many network measures cannot be accurately assessed with ego-centric data (i.e., distance, centrality, positional equivalence). Additionally, ego-centric data may be biased as particular network members (alters) may appear many times across ego-centric networks. And finally, disease spread between networks cannot be measured. This study is a two-phase project that proposes to link the previously collected ego-centric networks of these YMSM by matching the already collected identifying information of alters and building a macro-network of YMSM. A network such as this has never been collected with YMSM, and will lead to new and important analyses. We will create these links using probabilistic matching software. Phase 1 of the project will focus on the construction of the macro-network of YMSM. Phase 2 of the project will analyze the macro-network with the following sub-aims: A) Examine the macro-network structure of YMSM and determine how these network structures differ by individual characteristics; B) Analyze HIV transmission and behavior contagion (e.g. the spread of condom and drug use); C) Identify the key individuals within the macro-network (bridge drug- and sex-network individuals) and those who may hold the most influence (high centrality social- network individuals); D) To describe overlap in drug use and HIV risk behaviors within the macro-network; and, finally E) To examine the value of macro-network structures in the prediction of syndemic outcomes. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) have an alarming HIV/AIDS prevalence. While network connections have been shown to influence HIV transmission, little is understood of YMSM drug and sexual networks. This proposal aims to provide unique epidemiological data on the acquisition and transmission of HIV among the drug, sexual, and social networks of YMSM by the creation and examination of a macro-level network of YMSM.