Differences in access to healthcare and utilisation of HIV and sexually transmissible infection services between men who have sex with men and men who have sex only with women: results of the 2006–10 National Survey of Family Growth in the United States

Background Men who have sex with men (MSM) experience disparities in access to healthcare and have specific healthcare needs. Methods: We analysed data from the 2006–10 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) to examine differences in access to healthcare and HIV and sexually transmissible infection (STI) related health services by MSM and non-MSM among men in the United States aged 15–44 years who have ever had sex. MSM and sexually active MSM were identified in the NSFG as men who had ever had oral or anal sex with another man, or who had sex in the past 12 months with another man, respectively. Access was measured by the type of health insurance, having a usual place for receiving healthcare and type of usual place. Results: Of men aged 15–44 years who have ever had sex, there were no significant differences between MSM and non-MSM in the three access measures. MSM were more likely than non-MSM to receive HIV counselling (22.5% v. 8.3%) and STI testing (26.2% v. 15.6%) in the past 12 months, or to ever have had HIV testing (67.8% v. 44.6%). STI testing in the past 12 months was reported by 38.7% of sexually active MSM. Conclusion: Our findings show no significant differences in access to healthcare between MSM and non-MSM. MSM were more likely to receive HIV- and STI-related preventive services than non-MSM. However, the low STI testing rate among MSM highlights the need for interventions to increase STI testing, and HIV and STI counselling for MSM.