Social geographies of African American men who have sex with men (MSM): A qualitative exploration of the social, spatial and temporal context of HIV risk in Baltimore, Maryland

This qualitative study utilized a time-geography framework to explore the daily routines and daily paths of African American men who have sex with men (AA MSM) and how these shape HIV risk. Twenty AA MSM aged 18 years and older completed an in-depth interview. Findings revealed (1) paths and routines were differentiated by indicators of socio-economic status, namely employment and addiction, and (2) risk was situated within social and spatial processes that included dimensions of MSM disclosure and substance use. This study highlights the critical need for future research and interventions that incorporate the social and spatial dimensions of behavior to advance our ability to explain racial disparities in HIV and develop effective public health responses.