1
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Dowell-Day A, Dobbins T, Chan C, Fraser D, Holt M, Vaccher SJ, Clifton B, Zablotska I, Grulich A, Bavinton BR. Attitudes Towards Treatment as Prevention Among PrEP-Experienced Gay and Bisexual Men in Australia. AIDS Behav 2023:10.1007/s10461-023-04019-x. [PMID: 36877254 PMCID: PMC10386911 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04019-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
The introduction of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has the potential to impact the attitudes gay and bisexual men (GBM) who consequently choose to take PrEP have towards treatment as prevention (TasP), and the extent to which they are willing to have condomless anal intercourse (CLAI) with an HIV-positive sexual partner who has an undetectable viral load (UVL). Using a cross-sectional sample from an observational cohort study conducted from August 2018 to March 2020, we examined the extent to which PrEP-experienced GBM are willing to have CLAI with a partner who has a UVL. Simple and multiple logistic regression models were used to identify associated variables. Of the 1386 participants included in the analyses, 79.0% believed in the effectiveness of TasP, and 55.3% were willing to have CLAI with a partner who has a UVL. Wiling participants were less worried about getting HIV when taking PrEP and more likely to believe in TasP. Further research is needed to better understand the gap between belief in TasP and willingness to have CLAI with a partner who has a UVL among PrEP-experienced GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Dowell-Day
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Timothy Dobbins
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Curtis Chan
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Doug Fraser
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Martin Holt
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Brent Clifton
- National Association of People with HIV Australia, Newtown, NSW, Australia
| | - Iryna Zablotska
- Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia.,Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia.,Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Western Sydney Local Health District, Parramatta, Australia
| | - Andrew Grulich
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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2
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Roth EA, Cui Z, Armstrong HL, Rich AJ, Lachowsky NJ, Sereda P, Card KG, Bacani N, Moore D, Hogg R. Longitudinal Analysis of HIV Risk and Substance Use Patterns for Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women and Men Who Have Sex with Men Only. JOURNAL OF BISEXUALITY 2021; 21:405-423. [PMID: 35935471 PMCID: PMC9355115 DOI: 10.1080/15299716.2021.1982102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women (MSMW) experience discrimination from same-sex and heterosexual communities partially because of perceptions they feature high-risk sexual behavior, elevated polysubstance use levels, and constitute an HIV bridge population. We used a longitudinal multivariate generalized linear mixed model comparing sexual risk and substance use patterns for Men Who Have Sex with Men Only (MSMO) with MSMW in the same cohort study. Data consisted of 771 men reporting 3,705 sexual partnerships from 2012-2017. For high-risk sexual behavior multivariate results showed non-significant (p>0.05) differences for partner number and commercial sex work, and significantly less (p<0.05) HIV prevalence and condomless anal sex. However, MSMW had significantly higher levels of hallucinogen and prescription opioid use, and substance treatment histories. Only one HIV-positive MSMW had a transmittable viral load, negating the concept of an HIV bridge population. Results indicate the need for additional longitudinal studies comparing MSMO and MSMW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Abella Roth
- Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Zishan Cui
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Heather L Armstrong
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Ashleigh J Rich
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nathan J Lachowsky
- School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Paul Sereda
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kiffer G Card
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nic Bacani
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - David Moore
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Robert Hogg
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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3
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Card KG, Fournier AB, Sorge JT, Morgan J, Grace D, Ham D, Lachowsky NJ, Trussler T. Substance use patterns and awareness of biomedical HIV prevention strategies among sexual and gender minority men in Canada. AIDS Care 2020; 32:1506-1514. [PMID: 31983233 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2020.1719026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sexual and gender minority men (SGMM) who use drugs are frequently cited as at-risk for HIV. Fortunately, biomedical prevention can greatly reduce transmission, provided individuals are aware of and interested in the uptake of these strategies. We examined associations between substance use patterns and biomedical prevention among SGMM in Canada. Latent class analysis identified patterns of substance use. Demographic-adjusted logistic regression models assessed the associations between latent classes and key biomedical prevention indicators. Among 669 participants living with HIV (PLWH) and 7,184 HIV-negative participants, six substance use classes characterized "limited" (46.0%; infrequent/low use of drugs), "common" (31.9%; alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco), "club" (5.2%; alcohol, cocaine, and psychedelics), "sex" (4.8%; alcohol, crystal methamphetamine, GHB, poppers, and erectile drugs), "prescription" (11.0%; alcohol and prescription drugs), and "polydrug" (1.1%; most drugs) use. HIV-negative men in the "prescription" and "sex" substance use classes were more likely to know about the preventive benefits of HIV treatment. All non-"limited use" HIV-negative men were more likely to report interest in taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). For PLWH, substance use patterns were not associated with detectable viral loads or treatment awareness. While PLWH exhibited high levels of undetectability and treatment awareness regardless of substance use class, a variety of substance use patterns were associated with increased awareness, interest, and uptake of risk management strategies among HIV-negative participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiffer G Card
- Community Based Research Centre for Gay Men's Health, Vancouver, Canada.,School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada.,Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, Victoria, Canada.,Canadian HIV Trials Network, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Justin T Sorge
- School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada.,Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, Victoria, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Morgan
- Community Based Research Centre for Gay Men's Health, Vancouver, Canada.,British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Daniel Grace
- Community Based Research Centre for Gay Men's Health, Vancouver, Canada.,Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - David Ham
- Community Based Research Centre for Gay Men's Health, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Nathan J Lachowsky
- Community Based Research Centre for Gay Men's Health, Vancouver, Canada.,School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada.,Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, Victoria, Canada
| | - Terry Trussler
- Community Based Research Centre for Gay Men's Health, Vancouver, Canada
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4
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Card KG, Armstrong HL, Wang L, Bacani N, Moore DM, Roth EA, Hogg RS, Lachowsky NJ. Escape expectancies and sexualized substance use among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. AIDS Care 2019; 32:1489-1497. [PMID: 31851524 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1705961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
McKirnan's Cognitive Escape Theory (1996) is often characterized by the hypothesis that drugs are used during sex by gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) to relieve internal cognitive conflict over safe-sex norms and sexual desire. We examined how McKirnan's Cognitive Escape Scale (CES) is related to other widely used constructs relevant to sexualized substance use with hopes of better situating the theory within the evolving landscape of HIV-prevention. Associations between CES and trait anxiety, depression, treatment optimism, sexual altruism, sexual sensation seeking, and self-perceived risk for HIV transmission/acquisition were tested. Mediation analyses tested whether associated psychological measures mediated the effect of CES on the proportion of events in which participants reported co-occurrent substance use and condomless anal sex. Results indicated that CES is associated with higher sexual sensation seeking, treatment optimism, trait anxiety, and perceived likelihood of HIV transmission/acquisition. Mediation analyses suggest that CES is related to but operates independently of treatment optimism, sensation seeking, and trait anxiety. Nevertheless, the intersection of HIV-related worries and substance use expectancies are clearly more nuanced than is widely reported is discussions on cognitive escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiffer G Card
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada.,School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada.,Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
| | - Heather L Armstrong
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Lu Wang
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Nicanor Bacani
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - David M Moore
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Eric A Roth
- Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
| | - Robert S Hogg
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Nathan J Lachowsky
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada.,School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada.,Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
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5
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Shaw L, Wang L, Cui Z, Rich AJ, Armstrong HL, Lachowsky NJ, Sereda P, Card KG, Olarewaju G, Moore D, Hogg R, Roth EA. Longitudinal Event-Level Analysis of Gay and Bisexual Men's Anal Sex Versatility: Behavior, Roles, and Substance Use. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2019; 56:1136-1146. [PMID: 31461383 PMCID: PMC6791743 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2019.1652238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Gay and bisexual Men Who Have Sex with Men (GBM) are sexually unique in that they can practice penile-anal sex versatility, i.e. engage in insertive and receptive anal sex. Individual-level versatility is extensively researched both as a sexual behavior linked to HIV/STI transmission, and as a GBM identity that can change over time. However, there is a dearth of research on event-level versatility (ELV), defined as taking the receptive and insertive role in the same sexual encounter. We analyzed event-level data from 644 GBM in the Momentum Health Study from February 2012-February 2017 to identify factors associated with ELV prevalence, the relationship between ELV and anal sex role preference, and sero-adaptive and sexualized drug use strategies. Univariate analysis revealed ELV prevalence rates between 15% and 20%. A multivariate generalized linear mixed model indicated ELV significantly (p < .05) associated with versatile role preference and condomless sex. However, the majority of ELV came from GBM reporting insertive or receptive role preferences, and there was significantly higher condom use among sero-discordant partners, indicating sero-adaptation. Multivariate log-linear modeling identified multiple polysubstance combinations significantly associated with ELV. Results provide insights into GBM sexual behavior and constitute empirical data useful for future HIV/STI transmission pattern modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Shaw
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria
| | - Lu Wang
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
| | - Zishan Cui
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
| | - Ashleigh J Rich
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia
| | - Heather L Armstrong
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia
| | - Nathan J Lachowsky
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
- School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria
| | - Paul Sereda
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
| | | | | | - David Moore
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia
| | - Robert Hogg
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University
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6
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Beaulieu-Prévost D, Cormier M, Heller SM, Nelson-Gal D, McRae K. Welcome to Wonderland? A Population Study of Intimate Experiences and Safe Sex at a Transformational Mass Gathering (Burning Man). ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2019; 48:2055-2073. [PMID: 31325119 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-019-01509-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Transformational festivals are socially immersive artistic mass gatherings that are said to promote a strong feeling of belonging and experiences of personal transformation. The purposes of the present study were (1) to investigate the social and intimate experiences of Burning Man participants and (2) to study the factors predicting safe sex practices in the context of that transformational festival. The study was based on data from two consecutive cycles (2013 and 2014) of the yearly post-event online survey done in collaboration with the Burning Man Project. Participants consisted of people who attended the event (N = 19,512). The results were weighted based on the sociodemographic characteristics of the population. A typology of social and intimate experiences was created using a k-means cluster analysis. Predictors of having had unprotected sex with someone met during the event were identified using a nested logistic regression. Five profiles of social and intimate experiences were identified. Profiles with high levels of emotionally and physically intimate experiences were associated with a strong feeling of belonging and a high proportion of personal transformation. Predictive analyses showed that unprotected sex was mainly predicted by variables associated with one of three factors: (1) a lower lever of preparation and practice in using protection, (2) sex education and/or subcultures, and (3) the perceived costs and benefits associated with protection. The results also indirectly suggest a positive effect of the event on safe sex. Implications in terms of public health intervention are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Beaulieu-Prévost
- Département de sexologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, succ. Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada.
- Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | - Mélanie Cormier
- Département de sexologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, succ. Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - S Megan Heller
- Department of Anthropology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Kateri McRae
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
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7
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Meunier É, Siegel K. Sexual Risk Behaviors and Perceptions of Men Who Go to Gay Sex Parties in New York City: Comparisons Between Three HIV Groups. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2018; 55:880-891. [PMID: 29148839 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2017.1393042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Men who have sex with men (MSM) who attend group-sex events often engage in risky sexual behaviors that contribute to the high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence among this population. We conducted an online survey with 211 New York City MSM who attended sex parties in the prior year and asked them to describe their behaviors and perceptions of risk. We compared responses from HIV-positive-undetectable men (n = 36), HIV-negative men on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP; n = 62), and HIV-negative men never on PrEP (n = 113). In bivariate analyses, undetectable and on-PrEP men had been to more sex parties in the prior six months, had more anal sex partners there, and had higher rates of sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses than men never on PrEP. Although less than the other groups, 43% of the presumably HIV-negative men never on PrEP reported condomless anal sex at a party in the prior six months. About half of participants agreed that, at sex parties, they made assumptions about others' HIV status, that they sometimes took more risks than intended, and that the atmosphere of these events was conducive to risk taking. Most disagreed that there was discussion of HIV status at sex parties. Implications for sexual health interventions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Étienne Meunier
- a Department of Sociomedical Sciences , Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
| | - Karolynn Siegel
- a Department of Sociomedical Sciences , Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
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8
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Armstrong HL, Roth EA, Rich A, Lachowsky NJ, Cui Z, Sereda P, Card KG, Jollimore J, Howard T, Moore DM, Hogg RS. Associations between sexual partner number and HIV risk behaviors: implications for HIV prevention efforts in a Treatment as Prevention (TasP) environment. AIDS Care 2018; 30:1290-1297. [PMID: 29558813 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1454583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Previous research indicates that gay and bisexual men (GBM) have significantly more sexual partners than same-aged heterosexual men and women. As a result, some HIV intervention programs have focused on partner reduction. However, new research findings question the relevance of sexual partner number as a sexual risk measure for GBM given Treatment as Prevention (TasP) programs and new seroadaptive strategies which have led to lower GBM community viral load and new HIV prevention behaviors. To assess if sexual partner number continues to remain an important measure of sexual risk for GBM living in a city that actively promotes TasP as provincial policy, we analysed cross-sectional data from 719 GBM recruited through respondent-driven sampling in Vancouver, Canada. Multivariable negative binomial regression analysis showed that partner number was significantly associated with previously identified HIV risk factors including condomless anal intercourse with serodiscordant and/or unknown serostatus partners, using sex toys, attending group sex events, receiving money for sex, and sex drug use. These results indicate that sexual partner number remains an important proximate HIV risk measure. However, more nuanced measures of HIV treatment status and greater understanding of the possible causes of increased partner number among GBM are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Armstrong
- a Department of Medicine , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada.,b British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS , Vancouver , Canada
| | - Eric Abella Roth
- c Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia , University of Victoria , Victoria , Canada.,d Department of Anthropology , University of Victoria , Victoria , Canada
| | - Ashleigh Rich
- a Department of Medicine , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada.,b British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS , Vancouver , Canada
| | - Nathan J Lachowsky
- b British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS , Vancouver , Canada.,e School of Public Health and Social Policy , University of Victoria , Victoria , Canada
| | - Zishan Cui
- b British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS , Vancouver , Canada
| | - Paul Sereda
- b British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS , Vancouver , Canada
| | - Kiffer G Card
- b British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS , Vancouver , Canada.,f Faculty of Health Sciences , Simon Fraser University , Vancouver , Canada
| | - Jody Jollimore
- g Community Based Research Centre for Gay Men's Health , Vancouver , Canada
| | - Terry Howard
- h Community Advisory Board, Momentum Health Study , Vancouver , Canada
| | - David M Moore
- a Department of Medicine , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada.,b British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS , Vancouver , Canada
| | - Robert S Hogg
- b British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS , Vancouver , Canada.,f Faculty of Health Sciences , Simon Fraser University , Vancouver , Canada
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9
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Card KG, Lachowsky NJ, Cui Z, Carter A, Armstrong H, Shurgold S, Moore D, Hogg RS, Roth EA. A Latent Class Analysis of Seroadaptation Among Gay and Bisexual Men. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2018; 47:95-106. [PMID: 27987086 PMCID: PMC5474217 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-016-0879-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 10/08/2016] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Initial research into seroadaptive strategies suggests that, individually, they are potentially effective behavioral methods to reduce risk of HIV transmission. Combining strategies, therefore, has the potential to increase risk reduction. The aim of this study was to determine how gay and bisexual men (GBM) combine strategies. To this end, a total of 774 sexually active GBM, aged ≥16 years, in Metro Vancouver, Canada, were recruited. Grouped by self-reported HIV status, latent class analysis of self-reported condom use, strategic positioning, anal sex avoidance, serosorting, viral-load sorting, and withdrawal were conducted. Multinomial logistical regression identified explanatory variables of class membership (i.e., sensation seeking, treatment optimism, sexual altruism, relationship status, number of partners, anal sex preference). Four latent classes were identified: Condom Users, Multiple Prevention Users, Viral-Load Sorters, and Serosorters. The majority of HIV-negative/unknown men (72 %) and a large proportion of HIV-positive men (42 %) belonged to the Condom Users class. Class membership was associated with age, relationship status, treatment optimism, sexual altruism, sensation seeking, number of recent male anal sex partners, and recent condomless anal sex with a serodiscordant or unknown-status partner. Understanding these distinct patterns allows for tailored interventions addressing GBM's sexual health needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiffer G Card
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
- Faculty of Health Science, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Nathan J Lachowsky
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Zishan Cui
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Allison Carter
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- Faculty of Health Science, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Heather Armstrong
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Susan Shurgold
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - David Moore
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Robert S Hogg
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- Faculty of Health Science, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Eric A Roth
- Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Centre for Addiction Research of British Columbia, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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10
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Belief in Treatment as Prevention and Its Relationship to HIV Status and Behavioral Risk. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2017; 77:8-16. [PMID: 28991882 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We evaluated attitudes toward treatment as prevention (TasP) among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) in Vancouver, Canada. METHODS Sexually active GBM, aged ≥16 years, were recruited between 2012 and 2015 using respondent-driven sampling. At each 6-month follow-up, participants completed a computer-administered questionnaire and nursing visit. Repeated-measures latent class analysis, grouped by self-reported serostatus, identified patterns of TasP endorsement by considering TasP-related awareness, attitudes, and behavior. Binary logistic regression identified covariates of class membership. Bivariate interactions with visit number identified factors associated with longitudinal changes in class membership. RESULTS A total of 774 men provided 2590 observations. Of these, 698 enrolled in the cohort, 575 had at least 1 follow-up visit. Among these, the median follow-up time was 1.98 years (Q1-Q2: 1.49-2.49 years). Repeated-measures latent class analysis identified 3 classes: "unaware" (64.2% HIV negative/unknown vs. 29.2% of HIV positive), "skeptical" (29.7% vs. 23.1%), and "believing" (6.1% vs. 47.7%). Membership in classes representing higher TasP endorsement was associated with greater odds of condomless anal sex and having more sexual partners. Age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, substance use, and social time spent with other GBM were also associated with class membership. Longitudinally, class membership was stable among HIV-positive men but shifted toward greater TasP endorsement among HIV-negative/unknown men. For HIV-negative/unknown men, increasing endorsement was positively associated with greater education, being employed, being in a relationship, and substance use and inversely associated with recent serodiscordant condomless anal sex or sexually transmitted infection diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Over time, disparities in TasP diffusion by HIV status have lessened, although continue to persist across other key social strata.
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11
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Hart TA, Noor SW, Adam BD, Vernon JRG, Brennan DJ, Gardner S, Husbands W, Myers T. Number of Psychosocial Strengths Predicts Reduced HIV Sexual Risk Behaviors Above and Beyond Syndemic Problems Among Gay and Bisexual Men. AIDS Behav 2017; 21:3035-3046. [PMID: 28050650 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1669-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Syndemics research shows the additive effect of psychosocial problems on high-risk sexual behavior among gay and bisexual men (GBM). Psychosocial strengths may predict less engagement in high-risk sexual behavior. In a study of 470 ethnically diverse HIV-negative GBM, regression models were computed using number of syndemic psychosocial problems, number of psychosocial strengths, and serodiscordant condomless anal sex (CAS). The number of syndemic psychosocial problems correlated with serodiscordant CAS (RR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.18-1.92; p = 0.001). When adding the number of psychosocial strengths to the model, the effect of syndemic psychosocial problems became non-significant, but the number of strengths-based factors remained significant (RR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.53-0.86; p = 0.002). Psychosocial strengths may operate additively in the same way as syndemic psychosocial problems, but in the opposite direction. Consistent with theories of resilience, psychosocial strengths may be an important set of variables predicting sexual risk behavior that is largely missing from the current HIV behavioral literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor A Hart
- Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada.
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Syed W Noor
- Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Barry D Adam
- Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
- Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Julia R G Vernon
- Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - David J Brennan
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Ted Myers
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Roth EA, Cui Z, Rich A, Lachowsky N, Sereda P, Card KG, Jollimore J, Howard T, Armstrong H, Moore D, Hogg R. Seroadaptive Strategies of Vancouver Gay and Bisexual Men in a Treatment as Prevention Environment. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2017; 65:524-539. [PMID: 28506154 PMCID: PMC6110384 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2017.1324681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
British Columbia's treatment as prevention policy has provided free access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to all HIV-positive provincial residents since 1996. One outcome is an increase in HIV-positive gay and bisexual men (GBM) with suppressed viral loads. Previous cross-sectional analyses indicated that some Vancouver GBM now recognize condomless anal sex with men on HAART who report a suppressed viral load as a seroadaptive strategy. To test the hypothesis that this new strategy, termed viral load sorting (VLS), is recognized and used among by GBM in the Momentum Health Study, we analyzed longitudinal data for HIV-negative/unknown (n = 556) and HIV-positive (n = 218) serostatus participants. Analyses indicated that both groups reported VLS, and that serostatus and Treatment Optimism Scale scores were significant determinants in frequency and use. Results exemplify the medicalization of sex and Rogers' Diffusion Of Preventative Innovations Model, and they have important implications for HIV research and GBM sexual decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Abella Roth
- a Centre for Addiction Research of British Columbia , University of Victoria , Victoria , British Columbia , Canada
| | - Zishan Cui
- b British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
| | - Ashleigh Rich
- b British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
| | - Nathan Lachowsky
- c School of Medicine , University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia; and British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
| | - Paul Sereda
- b British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
| | - Kiffer George Card
- d Faculty of Health Sciences , Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
| | - Jody Jollimore
- e Health Initiatives for Men , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
| | - Terry Howard
- f Positive Living Society of BC , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
| | - Heather Armstrong
- b British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
| | - David Moore
- g School of Medicine , University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia; and Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
| | - Robert Hogg
- h Faculty of Health Sciences , Simon Fraser University, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
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Card KG, Lachowsky NJ, Cui Z, Shurgold S, Armstrong HL, Rich AJ, Forrest JI, Gislason M, Moore DM, Roth EA, Hogg RS. An Event-Level Analysis of the Interpersonal Factors Associated With Condomless Anal Sex Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) With Online-Met Partners. AIDS EDUCATION AND PREVENTION : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR AIDS EDUCATION 2017; 29:154-174. [PMID: 28467159 PMCID: PMC5564309 DOI: 10.1521/aeap.2017.29.2.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The interpersonal determinants of condomless anal sex (CAS) within online-initiated sexual relationships remain poorly understood. Therefore, respondent-driven sampling was used to recruit a prospective cohort of sexually active gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), aged ≥ 16 years in Vancouver, Canada. Follow-up occurred every 6 months, up to seven visits; at each visit participants reported their last sexual encounter with their five most recent partners. Stratified by self-reported HIV status, individual-level, interpersonal, and situational covariates of event-level CAS with partners met online were modeled using generalized estimating equations (GEE). CAS was reported during 32.4% (n = 1,015/3,133) of HIV-negative/unknown men's events, and 62.1% (n = 576/928) of HIV-positive men's events. Social (i.e., collective identity, altruism, network size social embeddedness) and situational (i.e., number of encounters, location, comparative age, seroconcordance, substance use) factors were identified as important correlates of CAS. Implications include the need for HIV prevention addressing social contexts associated with CAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiffer G Card
- B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia
| | - Nathan J Lachowsky
- B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Public Health & Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia
| | - Zishan Cui
- B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Susan Shurgold
- B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Heather L Armstrong
- B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
| | - Ashleigh J Rich
- B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jamie I Forrest
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
| | | | - David M Moore
- B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
- B.C. Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver
| | - Eric A Roth
- Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria, British Columbia
| | - Robert S Hogg
- B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia
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