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Weinstein ER, Broos HC, Lozano A, Jones MA, Serrano LP, Harkness A. Longitudinal predictors of post-exposure prophylaxis awareness among latino sexual minority men in South Florida. J Behav Med 2024; 47:434-445. [PMID: 38409554 PMCID: PMC11209855 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-024-00466-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Biomedical tools for HIV prevention such as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) continue to be underutilized by subgroups experiencing significant HIV inequities. Specifically, factors associated with both PEP awareness and uptake both cross-sectionally and longitudinally are under-researched, despite PEP being a part of the United States' Plan for Ending the HIV Epidemic. The current study examined longitudinal predictors of PEP awareness among Latino sexual minority men (LSMM) living in South Florida. This current study (N = 290) employed hierarchal linear modeling across three timepoints (baseline, 4-months, 8-months) to assess within-person and between-person effects over time for several psychosocial and structural factors. Most participants (67.5%) reported little to no awareness of PEP at baseline with general PEP awareness growing slightly across the study (60.5% reporting little to no awareness of PEP at 8 months). Results of the final conditional model suggest significant within-person effects of PrEP knowledge (p = 0.02) and PrEP self-efficacy (p < 0.001), as well as a significant positive between-person effect of PrEP knowledge (p < 0.01) on PEP awareness. Between-person HIV knowledge was also a significant predictor in this model (p = 0.01). This longitudinal analysis of LSMM's PEP awareness indicates that more must be done to increase PEP awareness among this subgroup. Future studies should explore how to build on existing interventions focused on HIV and PrEP knowledge and PrEP self-efficacy to incorporate information about PEP to increase the reach of this effective biomedical HIV prevention tool.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hannah C Broos
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, USA
| | - Alyssa Lozano
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, USA
| | - Megan A Jones
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, USA
| | | | - Audrey Harkness
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, USA.
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, USA.
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2
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Goodreau SM, Barry MP, Hamilton DT, Williams AM, Wang LY, Sanchez TH, Katz DA, Delaney KP. Behavior Change Among HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex with Men Not Using PrEP in the United States. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:1766-1780. [PMID: 38411799 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04281-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
This study measures changes in condomless anal sex (CAS) among HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) who are not taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). It considers the 2014-2019 cycles of the American Men's Internet Survey, a serial, cross-sectional web-based survey of US cisgender MSM aged ≥ 15 years, in which ~ 10% of each year's sample is drawn from the previous year. Among those surveyed for 2 years who remained HIV-negative and off PrEP, reports of having any CAS and of CAS partner number were compared across years. We disaggregated by partner HIV status, and considered demographic predictors. The overall population saw a significant 2.2 percentage-point (pp) increase in reports of any CAS year-over-year. Sub-populations with the largest year-on-year increases were 15-24-year-olds (5.0-pp) and Hispanic respondents (5.1-pp), with interaction (young Hispanic respondents = 12.8-pp). On the relative scale, these numbers correspond to 3.2%, 7.2%, 7.3% and 18.7%, respectively. Absolute increases were concentrated among partners reported as HIV-negative. Multivariable analyses for CAS initiation found effects concentrated among Hispanic and White youth and residents of fringe counties of large metropolitan areas. CAS partner number increases were similarly predicted by Hispanic identity and young age. Although condom use remains more common than PrEP use, increasing CAS among MSM not on PrEP suggests potential new HIV transmission pathways. Concentration of increases among 18-24-year-old MSM portends future increases in the proportion of newly diagnosed HIV that occur among youth. Concentration among young Hispanic MSM will likely expand existing disparities. Although reducing barriers to PrEP remains vital, condom promotion for MSM remains a key public health practice and appears to be missing key audiences. LGBTQ+-inclusive sex education is one avenue for enhancing these efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Goodreau
- Department of Anthropology, University of Washington, Campus Box 353100, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA.
- Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Michael P Barry
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Center for AIDS & STD, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Deven T Hamilton
- Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Austin M Williams
- Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Li Yan Wang
- Division of Adolescent and School Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - David A Katz
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kevin P Delaney
- Division of HIV Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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3
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Robles G, Lee JJ, Reynolds A, Rodríguez-Díaz CE, Rendina HJ. Reactions to Testing HIV Negative: An Assessment of Measurement Invariance and Associations with Condomless Anal Sex among English and Spanish-speaking Latinx Sexual Minority Men in the United States. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:3661-3668. [PMID: 37195473 PMCID: PMC10777537 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04081-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Among the many effective prevention strategies, frequent HIV testing continues to be promoted to reduce the risk of HIV transmission among sexual minority men (SMM). Testing negative for HIV can result in varied reactions that influence subsequent HIV transmission behaviors, yet the extant research has primarily been conducted in English. The current study examined measurement invariance of a Spanish-translated Inventory of Reactions to Testing HIV Negative (IRTHN). The study also examined whether the IRTHN was associated with subsequent condomless anal sex. Data were drawn from 2,170 Latinx SMM subsample of the UNITE Cohort Study. We conducted a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis to test for measurement invariance between participants who opted to take the survey in English (n = 2,024) and those who opted to take it in Spanish (n = 128). We also examined if the IRTHN is associated with subsequent CAS. The results were suggestive of partial invariance. The subscales of Luck and Invulernability were associated with CAS at the 12-month follow-up. Practice and research-based implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Robles
- School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
| | - Jane J Lee
- School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Addam Reynolds
- School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carlos E Rodríguez-Díaz
- The George Washington University-Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, DC, USA
| | - H Jonathon Rendina
- The George Washington University-Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, DC, USA
- Whitman-Walker Institute, Washington, DC, USA
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Harkness A, Lozano A, Bainter S, Mayo D, Hernandez Altamirano D, Rogers BG, Prado G, Safren SA. Engaging Latino sexual minority men in PrEP and behavioral health care: multilevel barriers, facilitators, and potential implementation strategies. J Behav Med 2023; 46:655-667. [PMID: 36472703 PMCID: PMC10442148 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-022-00371-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Latino sexual minority men (LSMM) are affected by HIV and behavioral health disparities. Evidence-based HIV-prevention and behavioral health (BH) services are not sufficiently scaled up to LSMM. The current study identified multilevel barriers and facilitators to LSMM's use of HIV-prevention and BH services. LSMM (N = 290) in South Florida, a US HIV epicenter, completed a battery of measures potentially associated with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and BH treatment use. Stochastic search variable selection (SSVS) followed by multiple linear regression analyses identified variables associated with engagement in PrEP and BH treatment. Multilevel determinants of PrEP and BH treatment engagement were identified, with most identified determinants being at the relational level (e.g., stigma, discrimination based on income and immigration status, personal recommendation for treatment). Individual (e.g., knowledge, self-efficacy) and structural (e.g., financial stress) determinants were also identified. Accordingly, modifiable leverage points to enhance the reach of PrEP and BH treatment to LSMM include educating and enhancing the perceived relevance of services, de-stigmatizing and normalizing via peer examples, bolstering self-efficacy, and building trust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Harkness
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
| | - Alyssa Lozano
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Sierra Bainter
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Daniel Mayo
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | | | - Brooke G Rogers
- Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Guillermo Prado
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Steven A Safren
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
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Weinstein ER, Lozano A, Jones MA, Safren SA, Harkness A. Factors Associated with Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Awareness Among Latino Sexual Minority Men in South Florida. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2022; 36:405-412. [PMID: 36286577 PMCID: PMC9595620 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2022.0090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite their efficacy, biomedical HIV prevention tools such as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have been insufficiently scaled up and disseminated, especially among marginalized subgroups that face substantial HIV disparities. Given the minimal literature available on PEP among Latino sexual minority men (LSMM), this cross-sectional secondary analysis explored factors associated with PEP awareness among a group of LSMM living in South Florida, a US HIV epicenter. The parent study examined patterns of engagement in PrEP and behavioral health treatment services among LSMM (N = 290). The current secondary analysis (N = 243) identified factors associated with PEP awareness using three methods: stochastic search variable selection, participatory data science, and literature review-before being modeled using linear regression. Most participants (67.5%) reported having little to no awareness about PEP before initiating our study. Simple linear regression models suggested that higher PrEP knowledge (B = 0.17, SE = 0.02, p < 0.001), HIV knowledge (B = 0.15, SE = 0.04, p < 0.001), PrEP self-efficacy (B = 0.37, SE = 0.13, p < 0.05), and high perceived community norms for HIV testing (B = 0.29, SE = 0.14, p < 0.05) were each associated with LSMM's greater PEP awareness, while identity affirmation was associated with less PEP awareness (B = -0.13, SE = 0.05, p < 0.01). Results suggest the utility of our three-pronged variable selection approach and address gaps in PEP awareness and use among LSMM living in a US HIV epicenter to support Ending the HIV Epidemic goals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alyssa Lozano
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
| | - Megan A. Jones
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
| | - Steven A. Safren
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
| | - Audrey Harkness
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
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Zhang JC, Christensen KL, Leuchter RK, Vangala S, Han M, Croymans DM. Examining the role of COVID-19 testing availability on intention to isolate: A Randomized hypothetical scenario. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262659. [PMID: 35108307 PMCID: PMC8809585 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Little information exists on how COVID-19 testing influences intentions to engage in risky behavior. Understanding the behavioral effects of diagnostic testing may highlight the role of adequate testing on controlling viral transmission. In order to evaluate these effects, simulated scenarios were conducted evaluating participant intentions to self-isolate based on COVID-19 diagnostic testing availability and results. Methods Participants from the United States were recruited through an online survey platform (Amazon Mechanical Turk) and randomized to one of three hypothetical scenarios. Each scenario asked participants to imagine having symptoms consistent with COVID-19 along with a clinical diagnosis from their physician. However, scenarios differed in either testing availability (testing available v. unavailable) or testing result (positive v. negative test). The primary outcome was intention to engage in high-risk COVID-19 behaviors, measured using an 11-item mean score (range 1–7) that was pre-registered prior to data collection. Multi-variable linear regression was used to compare the mean composite scores between conditions. The randomized survey was conducted between July 23rd to July 29th, 2020. Results A total of 1400 participants were recruited through a national, online, opt-in survey. Out of 1194 respondents (41.6% male, 58.4% female) with a median age of 38.5 years, participants who had no testing available in their clinical scenario showed significantly greater intentions to engage in behavior facilitating COVID-19 transmission compared to those who received a positive confirmatory test result scenario (mean absolute difference (SE): 0.14 (0.06), P = 0.016), equating to an 11.1% increase in mean score risky behavior intentions. Intention to engage in behaviors that can spread COVID-19 were also positively associated with male gender, poor health status, and Republican party affiliation. Conclusion Testing availability appears to play an independent role in influencing behaviors facilitating COVID-19 transmission. Such findings shed light on the possible negative externalities of testing unavailability. Trial registration Effect of Availability of COVID-19 Testing on Choice to Isolate and Socially Distance, NCT04459520, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04459520.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin C. Zhang
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | | | - Richard K. Leuchter
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Sitaram Vangala
- Department of Medicine Statistics Core, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Maria Han
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Daniel M. Croymans
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Li DH, Newcomb M, Macapagal K, Remble T, Mustanski B. Condom-Associated Erectile Function, But Not Other Domains of Sexual Functioning, Predicts Condomless Insertive Anal Sex Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2020; 49:161-174. [PMID: 31980999 PMCID: PMC7018619 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-020-01642-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Condoms effectively prevent against HIV, especially when used in conjunction with biomedical strategies such as PrEP and viral suppression. However, consistent use of condoms in the real world has been a continual health promotion challenge, even among populations at highest risk, such as young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Inconsistent condom use may be related to poor sexual functioning, but limited research exists. The analytic sample comprised 688 racially diverse YMSM aged 16-29 (M = 22.9 years) living in Chicago, IL (19.2% living with HIV). Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined longitudinal associations between condom-associated sexual functioning (erectile function, orgasm satisfaction, global satisfaction, and anal discomfort) and condomless insertive anal sex (CIAS) and condomless receptive anal sex (CRAS) 6 months later. CIAS at Time 2 was associated with condom-associated erectile function at the bivariate and multivariable levels, even after controlling for CIAS at Time 1 (p < .05). Condom-associated erectile function, orgasm satisfaction, and global satisfaction predicted Time 2 CRAS in bivariate models, but none remained significant in the multivariable models. Age, having had a serious partner in the past 6 months, and HIV/PrEP status at Time 2 were significant predictors of CIAS/CRAS in some but not all models. Future interventions to improve consistent condom use should specifically highlight information and skills on how to use condoms within real-world contexts rather than from a clinical perspective. Our results also support the importance of biomedical strategies for those who have continued problems with sexual functioning when using condoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis H Li
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Michael Newcomb
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kathryn Macapagal
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Thomas Remble
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Brian Mustanski
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, 625 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Cushman TA, Graves SK, Little SJ. Attitudes and Preferences Regarding the Use of Rapid Self-Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV in San Diego Area Men Who Have Sex With Men. Open Forum Infect Dis 2019; 6:ofz043. [PMID: 30906798 PMCID: PMC6424479 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofz043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increase the risk of HIV transmission and are present at high rates among men who have sex with men (MSM). Adherence to HIV/STI testing guidelines is low in the United States. Testing programs that utilize rapid self-administered HIV/STI tests improve testing rates, though multiple factors influence their uptake. Methods MSM were recruited at an HIV/STI testing and treatment program in 2014 and provided consent, demographics, risk behaviors, HIV/STI test preferences, and perceived testing barriers via an online questionnaire. Comparisons of testing preferences and barriers were made based on age, risk group, and HIV serostatus using the Fisher exact test. Results HIV testing preferences included rapid oral test (71.1%), home test location (78.5%), electronic delivery of HIV-negative test results (76.4%), and direct provider notification for HIV-positive test results (70%), with respondents age >45 years being significantly more likely to prefer home testing (P = .033). STI testing preferences included self-collection of specimens (73.2%), home test location (61%), electronic delivery of negative STI test results (76.4%), and direct provider notification for positive STI test results (56.6%) with no significant differences between age, HIV serostatus, or risk groups. The most frequently reported HIV and STI testing barrier was lack of known prior HIV/STI exposure (57.3% for HIV, 62.9% for STI) with respondents age <45 years more frequently citing inconvenience as a barrier to testing (HIV: 50.9% vs 17.4%, P = .010; STI: 58.3% vs 31.8%, P = .070). Conclusions Although additional research is needed, increasing resources directed specifically toward home testing has the potential to translate into improved uptake of rapid HIV/STI testing. Efforts to improve convenience in testing programs must be balanced with the need for continued educational outreach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa A Cushman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Susannah K Graves
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Susan J Little
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
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Marcus U, Nöstlinger C, Rosińska M, Sherriff N, Gios L, Dias SF, Gama AF, Toskin I, Alexiev I, Naseva E, Schink SB, Mirandola M. Behavioural and demographic correlates of undiagnosed HIV infection in a MSM sample recruited in 13 European cities. BMC Infect Dis 2018; 18:368. [PMID: 30081839 PMCID: PMC6080551 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-018-3249-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Reducing the number of people with undiagnosed HIV infection is a major goal of HIV control and prevention efforts in Europe and elsewhere. We analysed data from a large multi-city European bio-behavioural survey conducted among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) for previously undiagnosed HIV infections, and aimed to characterise undiagnosed MSM who test less frequently than recommended. Methods Data on sexual behaviours and social characteristics of MSM with undiagnosed HIV infection from Sialon II, a bio-behavioural cross-sectional survey conducted in 13 European cities in 2013/2014, were compared with HIV-negative MSM. Based on reported HIV-testing patterns, we distinguished two subgroups: MSM with a negative HIV test result within 12 months prior to the study, i.e. undiagnosed incident infection, and HIV positive MSM with unknown onset of infection. Bivariate and multivariate associations of explanatory variables were analysed. Distinct multivariate multi-level random-intercept models were estimated for the entire group and both subgroups. Results Among 497 participants with HIV-reactive specimens, 234 (47.1%) were classified as previously diagnosed, 106 (21.3%) as incident, and 58 (11.7%) as unknown onset based on self-reported status and testing history. MSM with incident HIV infection were twice as likely (odds ratio (OR) = 2.22, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.17–4.21) to have used recreational substances during their last anal sex encounter and four times more likely (OR = 3.94, 95%CI: 2.14–7.27) not to discuss their HIV status with the last anal sex partner(s). MSM with unknown onset of HIV infection were 3.6 times more likely (OR = 3.61, 95%CI: 1.74–7.50) to report testing for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) during the last 12 months. Conclusions Approximately one third of the study participants who are living with HIV were unaware of their infection. Almost two-third (65%) of those with undiagnosed HIV appeared to have acquired the infection recently, emphasizing a need for more frequent testing. Men with the identified behavioural characteristics could be considered as primary target group for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to avoid HIV infection. The increased odds of those with unknown onset of HIV infection to have had an STI test in the past year strongly suggests a lost opportunity to offer HIV testing. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12879-018-3249-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Marcus
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany.
| | | | - Magdalena Rosińska
- Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Lorenzo Gios
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Sonia F Dias
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Universidade, Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana F Gama
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Igor Toskin
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ivailo Alexiev
- National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, National Reference Laboratory of HIV, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Emilia Naseva
- Ministry of Health, Program "Prevention and control of HIV/AIDS", Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | - Massimo Mirandola
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Mueses-Marín HF, Tello-Bolívar IC, Galindo-Orrego MI, Galindo-Quintero J. Perceptions about sexual risk, HIV and HIV-testing in Cali, Colombia. COLOMBIA MEDICA (CALI, COLOMBIA) 2018; 49:139-147. [PMID: 30104805 PMCID: PMC6084922 DOI: 10.25100/cm.v49i2.2945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Introduction In Colombia, 20%-54% of the population with sexual practices at higher risk for HIV infection (men who have sex with men, transgender women, women sex workers) has sometime been tested. Objective To describe perceptions of sexual risk, HIV and HIV testing in people with risky sexual practices and people who identify themselves as heterosexual. Methods Between 2012 and 2014, it was carried a descriptive study using HIV screening out in Cali-Colombia with the voluntary participation of 940 people aged over 18 years. There were used: informed consent, structured questionnaire and HIV testing. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression models were performed. Results Average age 28.5 ±10.9 years; 50% men. 357 (38%) were people from the traditional risk group for HIV infection; and 583 (62%) corresponded to the non-traditional risk group (heterosexual men and women). Likewise, 62% and 41% respectively had HIV test. 51% to 53% reported having sex when they consumed liquor; commercial sex was higher in the group with risky sexual practices (32% vs 3%), as well as anal relations (77% vs 23%), consistent use of condom (32% vs 9%), and HIV positive test (14.3% vs 1.6%). The multivariate analysis showed for both groups that having HIV test was associated with being older than 25 years and a history of sexually transmitted infection. Conclusions Differentiated education strategies are needed based on risky sexual behaviors and that consider the importance of regular HIV tests for early diagnosis and timely enrollment in care and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jaime Galindo-Quintero
- Grupo Educación y Salud en VIH/Sida. Corporación de Lucha Contra el Sida, Cali, Colombia
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