Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM)
HIV/AIDS Prevalence among MSM and MSM/IDU
Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, the majority of HIV/AIDS cases in Minnesota have
been among MSM. As of December 31st, 2014, MSM and those with the joint risk of MSM and
IDU accounted for over half (56%) of the 7, 988 people living with HIV/AIDS in Minnesota.
Rate of HIV among MSM and MSM/IDU
Men who have sex with men have the highest rate of persons living with and new diagnoses of
HIV/AIDS than any other population. In 2014, the estimated rate of people living with HIV/AIDS
among MSM was 4,797 per 100,000 population. This is more than 60 times higher than the rate
among non-MSM men (77.1 per 100,000 population). The estimated rate of new diagnoses
among MSM in 2014 was 167.0 per 100,000 population. This is more than 40 times higher than
the rate of diagnoses among non-MSM men (3.8 per 100,000 population). It’s important to
note that MSM contains cases from all racial/ethnic categories and therefore cannot be directly
compared to the rates by race/ethnicity.
HIV Diagnoses among MSM
In 2014, MSM accounted for 47% of all new diagnosis (62% among males) with 144 cases
diagnosed. This is the fewest number of cases among MSM over the past decade and a 7%
decrease from 2013. In 2014, the majority (54%) of MSM diagnosed with HIV/AIDS resided in
Hennepin County, followed by 16% in Ramsey County. MSM/IDU accounted for 4% of the cases
diagnosed in 2014 at 11
New HIV/AIDS Infections* Among MSM and
cases.
MSM/IDU By Race, 2012 -2014
(n = 496)
Race/Ethnicity
While the majority (63%) of
new
HIV
infections
diagnosed among MSM
and MSM/IDU between
2012 and 2014 were white,
the proportion of new
diagnoses among men
differs by race/ethnicity. Of
the new HIV infections
diagnosed among males
between 2012 and 2014,
African-born
1%
Asian American Indian
1%
2%
Hispanic
13%
African American
19%
White
64%
*HIV or AIDS at first diagnosis
Excludes 1 case with missing race.
Minnesota HIV/AIDS Epidemiologic Profile—Men Who Have Sex With Men
December 2015
MSM or MSM/IDU were estimated to account for 95% of cases among Hispanic males, 96% of
cases among White males, 87% of cases among African American males, and 10% of cases
among African-born males. During the same time period, 100% of all Asian males had MSM as
their mode of exposure and 55% among American Indian males; however the number of new
diagnoses during this time is too small to make further generalizations about risk.
Age at Diagnosis
While the majority of MSM and MSM/IDU living with HIV in 2014 were over the age of 45
(61%), young MSM (between the ages of 13 and 24) account for a growing percentage of the
new diagnoses among MSM and MSM/IDU. the number of new infections among this group
more than quadrupled from 15 in 2001 to 74 in 2009. In 2014, there were 37 cases of young
MSM and MSM/IDU diagnosed with HIV/AIDS which accounted for 24% of all diagnoses among
this population. For more information about HIV infection in youth, please see the Adolescent
and Young Adult section of this document.
The reason behind the increase in HIV infections among young MSM in Minnesota is somewhat
unclear. However, 61% of young male cases were interviewed in 2009, and behaviors most
commonly reported included anonymous sex, using technology (e.g., chat rooms), having
multiple partners, and using condoms infrequently.
MSM/IDU
MSM/IDU represent a smaller number of cases, accounting for 5% of people living with
HIV/AIDS in Minnesota and 4% of newly reported HIV infections in 2014. For more information
about the demographics of MSM/IDU risk group please see the Injection Drug Use section of
this document.
HIV Treatment Cascade among MSM and MDM/IDU
There were 3,899 HIV positive persons with MSM as their identified risk and 396 with MSM/IDU
as their risk included in the treatment cascade analyses. Compared to the overall HIV treatment
cascade in Minnesota, people who have an identified HIV risk of MSM have higher percentages
of viral suppression. MSM have the highest percentage of viral suppression than any other risk
group at 67%. MSM/IDU also have higher percentages of retention in care as well as viral
suppression as compared to the overall cascade for Minnesota.
There were 155 cases among MSM reported in 2013 that were included to calculate linkage to
care. Ninety-three percent of MSM linked to care within three months of their initial HIV
diagnosis in 2013. This is six percentage points higher than the overall cascade. There were 10
cases among MSM/IDU reported in 2013 included in the linkage to care calculation. Linkage to
care among MSM/IDU was 90%, or three percentage points higher than the overall treatment
Minnesota HIV/AIDS Epidemiologic Profile—Men Who Have Sex With Men
December 2015
cascade. However, the number of cases among MSM/IDU included in the linkage to care
calculation is small and should therefore be interpreted with caution.
Percentage of IDU and MSM/IDU diagnosed with HIV
engaged in selected stages of the continuum of care, by
mode of exposure, 2014– Minnesota
100%
90%
100%
100%
90%
88%
80%
76%
74%
67%
70%
64%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
MSM
PLWH
Linkage to Care
n=3,899
MSM/IDU
Retention in Care
Viral Suppression
n=396
MSM=Men who have sex with men IDU=Injection drug use
Minnesota HIV/AIDS Epidemiologic Profile—Men Who Have Sex With Men
December 2015