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Faculty Advisor

Douglas Bruce

Abstract

Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are overrepresented in the HIV epidemic in America. Retaining HIV positive YMSM in HIV care is very critical to reduce the overall burden of the HIV epidemic in America. Our study focused on identifying significant risk factors that affects retention in care for YMSM. Missing two or more medical appointments was how we measured retention in care. Using data gathered from ATN 086-106 study. This ATN cross-sectional study provided HIV positive males and females between the ages of 12 and 24 with an extensive questionnaire. The goal of this study was to analyze what risk factors are significantly associated with YMSM missing more than two or more appointments in the past 12 months. Our study found that African American and multi-racial young men were more likely to miss more than 2 appointments compared to whites. Methamphetamine, daily marijuana use, and declining mental health status caused individuals to miss multiple appointments.

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