Types of Group Sex and Their Association with Different Sexual Risk Behaviors Among HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex with Men

The Best Predictor of Future Behavior May Be the Past: Exploring Behavior Change in Men Who Have Sex with Men Using Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in the Netherlands

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use prevents HIV transmission, and may lead to changes in sexual behavior. We aimed to explore sexual behavior over time, and identify predictors of behavior change in men who have sex with men (MSM) using PrEP at sexual health centers (SHC) in the Netherlands. We used longitudinal data from the national STI surveillance database (January 2018-June 2021) of HIV-negative MSM who first initiated PrEP in the national PrEP pilot. We modelled behavior change after PrEP initiation, and identified predictors of behavior change using multi-state Markov models. The probability of stopping group sex, chemsex, use of poppers or erection stimulants, and having ≥ 10 partners in the past 6 months among included MSM (n = 4,349, n SHC visits = 21,820) was higher compared to the probability of starting with these behaviors after PrEP initiation. However, MSM who used condoms consistently during anal sex had a high probability of changing to inconsistent condom use (0.8) at the next visit, and inconsistent condom users mostly remained inconsistent (0.8). First visit, visiting the SHC more often (vs. regular), and STI diagnosis were predictors of starting or continuing with most of the behaviors associated with increased risk. Behavior change was less likely among older participants (> 34 compared to ≤ 34 years), and during COVID-19 lockdown and post-lockdown periods compared to pre-COVID-19. Although condom use decreased over time, transitions towards stopping with other behaviors associated with increased likelihood of acquiring an STI after PrEP initiation were common. This may suggest increased sexual empowerment, especially among younger MSM. Predictors of behavior change may help to identify MSM who are likely to start with or continue to engage in these behaviors in the near future and to provide suitable and timely counselling about behavior and PrEP adherence.

Alcohol Use Disorder and HIV Risk in a National Survey of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Ukraine

BACKGROUND

Problematic alcohol consumption is associated with risk behaviors associated with HIV transmission. Despite the high prevalence of problematic alcohol consumption in Ukraine, however, there are little empirical data examining its association with risk behaviors also associated with HIV transmission in men who have sex with men (MSM), a key population where HIV incidence is increasing, METHOD: Correlates of prevalent HIV infection and their association between drinking severity levels and behaviors also associated with increased likelihood of HIV acquisition were analyzed from a 2017 nationally representative survey (IBBS) of 4938 MSM in Ukraine using bivariate analyses and multivariate regression.

RESULTS

Overall, 42.6% of MSM participants met screening criteria for alcohol use disorder (AUD), with 24.2%, 12.0%, and 6.3% meeting criteria for moderate, high, and severe risk of harm from alcohol consumption, respectively. Multivariate regression revealed that these risk categories were correlated with behaviors associated with increased HIV transmission risk, including reports of (1) > 5 sexual partners; (2) sex with a partner of unknown HIV status; (3) sex work; (4) any drug use; and (5) not testing for HIV (past year). HIV testing was infrequent, with only 44.1% having been tested in the previous year.

CONCLUSION

The high prevalence of problematic alcohol use in Ukrainian MSM and its association with behaviors also associated with HIV transmission supports the importance of routine screening of MSM for AUD. Moreover, among those screening positive for a potential AUD, targeted HIV prevention strategies to scale-up pre-exposure prophylaxis, consistent condom use, and treatment for AUD are needed.

Prevalence of Mollicutes among men who have sex with men and transgender women aged 15 to 19 years in Salvador, North-eastern Brazil

BACKGROUND

Some species of Mollicutes have been associated with different pathologies of the urogenital tract in humans, with a high prevalence among adult men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW). However, few studies have been performed to investigate its prevalence among adolescents. In this study, we estimated the initial prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), Mycoplasma hominis (MH), Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU), and Ureaplasma parvum (UP); the rate of misdiagnosis at different anatomical sites; and the associated factors with positive tests for Mollicutes among MSM and TGW aged 15 to 19 years enrolled in the PrEP1519 study.

METHODS

PrEP-1519 is the first study to investigate the effectiveness of pre-exposure prophylaxis for human immunodeficiency virus among adolescent MSM and TGW aged 15 to 19 in Latin America. Oral, anal, and urethral swabs were taken from 246 adolescents upon enrolment in the study to detect MG, MH, UU, and UP by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted by Poisson regression and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated.

RESULTS

The prevalence of Mollicutes was 32.1%. UU was the most prevalent species (20.7%), followed by MH (13.4%), MG (5.7%), and UP (3.2%); 67.3% of the positive samples would have been missed if only urethral samples had been taken. Receptive anal sex (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.07-3.01) and clinical suspicion of sexually transmitted infection (PR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.01-2.61) were factors associated with the detection of Mollicutes in general. Group sex (PR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.12-3.50) and receptive anal sex (PR = 2.36; 95% CI = 0.95-5.86) were associated with the detection of Mycoplasma spp. No sociodemographic, clinical, or behavioural variable was significantly associated with the detection of Ureaplasma spp.

CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of Mollicutes was observed among adolescent MSM and TGW, especially at extragenital sites. Further research is required to understand the epidemiological profile of high-risk adolescents in different regions and contexts, and to investigate the pathogenesis of Mollicutes in the oral and anal mucosa before routine screening can be recommended in clinical practice.

Eligibility criteria vs. need for pre-exposure prophylaxis: a reappraisal among men who have sex with men in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

To reappraise pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) eligibility criteria towards the men who have sex with men (MSM) with highest HIV-risk, we assessed PrEP need (i.e. HIV-risk) using Amsterdam Cohort Studies data from 2011-2017 for all non-PrEP using MSM. Outcomes were incident HIV-infection and newly-diagnosed anal STI. Determinants were current PrEP eligibility criteria (anal STI and condomless sex (CAS)) and additional determinants (age, education, group sex, alcohol use during sex and chemsex). We used targeted maximum likelihood estimation (TMLE) to estimate the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of determinants on outcomes, and calculated population attributable fractions (PAFs) with 95% CI using RRs from TMLE. Among 810 included MSM, 22 HIV-infections and 436 anal STIs (n = 229) were diagnosed during follow-up. Chemsex (RR = 5.8 (95% CI 2.0-17.0); PAF = 55.3% (95% CI 43.3-83.4)), CAS with a casual partner (RR = 3.3 (95% CI 1.3-8.7); PAF = 38.0% (95% CI 18.3-93.6)) and anal STI (RR = 5.3 (95% CI 1.7-16.7); PAF = 22.0 (95% CI -16.8 to 100.0)) were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with and had highest attributable risk fractions for HIV. Chemsex (RR = 2.0 (95% CI 1.6-2.4); PAF = 19.5 (95% CI 10.6-30.6)) and CAS with a casual partner (RR = 2.5 (95% CI 2.0-3.0); PAF = 28.0 (95% CI 21.0-36.4)) were also significantly associated with anal STI, as was younger age (16-34/≥35; RR = 1.7 (95% CI 1.4-2.1); PAF = 15.5 (95% CI 6.4-27.6)) and group sex (RR = 1.3 (95% CI 1.1-1.6); PAF = 9.0 (95% CI -2.3 to 23.7)). Chemsex should be an additional PrEP eligibility criterion.

Hosts as Gatekeepers for North American Gay and Bisexual Men's Private Group Sex Parties

Gay and bisexual men's (GBM) group sex parties are considered HIV risk environments due to their association with concurrent sexual partners, condomless anal sex, and polysubstance use. The possibility of group sex party hosts acting as gatekeepers to minimize risks has been suggested, but remains understudied. We analyzed qualitative data from 20 in-depth interviews with North American GBM who recently attended private group sex parties to determine if hosts' actions constitute harm reduction strategies. Results showed hosts acting as gatekeepers before parties by establishing and disseminating themes and rules, screening applicants, and selecting guests. During parties hosts enforced rules and rejected uninvited guests. By their actions, hosts established a more controlled environment compared to public sex-on-premises bathhouses, and facilitated boundary play, the paradoxical behavior of simultaneously desiring risk and safety, previously noted for GBM circuit parties. Results suggest initiating education programs focusing on private group sex party hosts as gatekeepers.

Risk Behaviors Associated with Patterns of Sexualized Stimulant and Alcohol Use among Men Who Have Sex with Men: a Latent Class Analysis

Substance use during sexual encounters (sexualized substance use) is an important driver of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) disparities that are experienced by men who have sex with men (MSM). This analysis aimed to identify patterns of sexualized substance use and their associations with HIV risk behaviors. We utilized visit-level data from a longitudinal cohort of predominantly Black/Latinx MSM, half with HIV and half with substance use in Los Angeles, California. Every 6 months from 8/2014 to 3/2020, participants underwent STI testing and completed surveys on demographics, sexualized substance use (stimulant and/or alcohol intoxication during oral sex, receptive anal intercourse [RAI] and/or insertive anal intercourse [IAI]), transactional sex, biomedical HIV prevention (pre-/post-exposure prophylaxis use or undetectable viral load), and depressive symptoms. Latent class analysis was used to identify patterns of sexualized substance use. Multinomial logit models evaluated risk behaviors associated with latent classes. Among 2386 study visits from 540 participants, 5 classes were identified: no substance use, sexualized stimulant use, sexualized alcohol use, sexualized stimulant and alcohol use, and stimulant/alcohol use during oral sex and RAI. Compared to the no sexualized substance use class, sexualized stimulant use was associated with transactional sex, current diagnosis of STIs, not using HIV biomedical prevention, and depressive symptoms. Sexualized alcohol use had fewer associations with HIV risk behaviors. Patterns of sexual activities, and the substances that are used during those activities, confer different risk behavior profiles for HIV/STI transmission and demonstrate the potential utility of interventions that combine substance use treatment with HIV prevention.

Factores determinantes de la exposición sexual al VIH en adolescentes luso-brasileños: un análisis de rutas

Resumen Objetivo: analizar los efectos directos e indirectos de los factores determinantes de la exposición sexual al virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana entre adolescentes hombres que tienen relaciones sexuales con hombres y las implicaciones para el cuidado en enfermería. Método: estudio transversal, realizado con 578 adolescentes luso-brasileños de 18 a 19 años. Se evaluaron las interrelaciones del estado civil, uso de aplicaciones de relación, práctica de chemsex, desinformación, credibilidad de la pareja, prácticas sexuales desafiantes y medidas de protección ineficaces sobre la exposición sexual al virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana, a través de la técnica del Análisis de Rutas. Resultados: presentó un efecto directo significativo para la exposición sexual al virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana: estado civil (β=-0,16), uso de aplicaciones (β=-0,30), prácticas sexuales desafiantes (β=0,48) y medidas de protección ineficaces (β=0,35). En las rutas indirectas: la credibilidad de la pareja influyó en medidas de protección ineficaces (β=0,77); tener una relación fija/poliamorosa influyó en el uso de aplicaciones de relación (β=-0,46); el chemsex, mediado por prácticas sexuales desafiantes (β=0,67), determinó una mayor exposición sexual. Conclusión: se deben tener en cuenta las conductas sexuales de adolescentes y las configuraciones de una relación amorosa/sexual en la planificación de la asistencia de enfermería para reducir la exposición sexual al virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana.

Fatores determinantes da exposição sexual ao HIV em adolescentes luso-brasileiros: uma análise de caminhos*

Resumo Objetivo: analisar os efeitos diretos e indiretos de fatores determinantes da exposição sexual ao vírus da imunodeficiência humana entre adolescentes homens que fazem sexo com homens e as implicações para o cuidado em enfermagem. Método: estudo transversal, realizado com 578 adolescentes de 18 a 19 anos luso-brasileiros. Avaliaram-se inter-relações de situação conjugal, uso de aplicativos de relacionamento, prática de chemsex, desinformação, credibilidade do parceiro, práticas sexuais desafiadoras e medidas protetivas pouco eficazes sobre a exposição sexual ao vírus da imunodeficiência humana, com a técnica de Análise de Caminhos. Resultados: apresentou efeito direto significante para exposição sexual ao vírus da imunodeficiência humana: situação conjugal (β=-0,16), uso de aplicativos (β=-0,30), práticas sexuais desafiadoras (β=0,48) e medidas protetivas pouco eficazes (β=0,35). Nos caminhos indiretos: credibilidade do parceiro influenciou medidas protetivas pouco eficazes (β=0,77); ter relacionamento fixo/poliamoroso influenciou o uso de aplicativos de relacionamento (β=-0,46); chemsex, mediado por práticas sexuais desafiadoras (β=0,67), determinou maior exposição sexual. Conclusão: comportamentos sexuais dos adolescentes e configurações do relacionamento amoroso/sexual precisam ser considerados no planejamento da assistência em enfermagem para diminuir a exposição sexual ao vírus da imunodeficiência humana.

Determinants of sexual exposure to HIV in Portuguese and Brazilian adolescents: a path analysis

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the direct and indirect effects of determinants of sexual exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus among male adolescents who have sex with men and the implications for nursing care.

METHOD

cross-sectional study carried out with 578 Portuguese and Brazilian adolescents aged 18 and 19. Interrelationships of conjugal status, use of dating apps, practice of chemsex, unawareness, partner credibility, challenging sexual practices and ineffective forms of protection against sexual exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus were evaluated using the Path Analysis technique.

RESULTS

significant direct effect on sexual exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus: conjugal status (β=-0.16), use of apps (β=-0.30), challenging sexual practices (β=0.48) and ineffective forms of protection (β=0.35). Indirect paths: partner credibility influenced ineffective forms of protection (β=0.77); having a steady/polyamorous relationship influenced the use of dating apps (β=-0.46); chemsex, mediated by challenging sexual practices (β=0.67), determined greater sexual exposure.

CONCLUSION

adolescent sexual behaviors and forms of amorous/sexual relationship must be considered in nursing care planning to reduce sexual exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus.

(1) Adolescents present high prevalence (81.0%) of sexual exposure to HIV. (2) Specificities of sexual practices are determinant factors of sexual exposure. (3) The higher the credibility given to a partner, the higher the sexual exposure to HIV. (4) Challenging sexual practices (such as fisting) determine sexual exposure. (5) Nursing care must focus on lowering exposure to HIV.

Serodiscordance predictors among couples in the HIV context: implications for health care

Background

After HIV diagnosis, people maintain, reestablish their sexual lives, or build new relationships, often with HIV seronegative partners. Therefore, understanding the factors concerning couple-vulnerability is essential in order to design effective HIV preventive strategies. We examined HIV serodiscordant couples prevalence and their associated factors from a Brazilian city.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional analytical study carried out with people living with HIV (PLHIV) who had an active sex life and were engagement in HIV health care follow-up. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire during individual interviews. We analyzed data using bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses.

Results

There was 72.0% of HIV serodiscordant partnerships. Those who inconsistently used condoms (aOR: 0.3[0.13–0.7]) and/or had HIV detectable viral load (aOR: 0.29 [0.12–0.7]) were less likely to have an HIV serodiscordant sexual partner. On other hand, the lack of HIV transmission counseling by the health service (aOR: 5.08 [2.02–12.76]), or those who had a casual partner (aOR: 8.12 [1.7–38.8]) or a steady and casual one concomitantly (aOR: 24.82 [1.46–420.83]), were more likely to indicate an HIV serodiscordant partnership.

Conclusion

The findings showed a high prevalence of serodiscordant partnerships in PLHIV. Greater visibility among couples in the health services is needed as well as a reassessment in order to provide PLHIV and their sexual partners with care strategies, by the health professionals.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-11835-0.

Sexual Exposure to HIV Infection during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): A Multicentric Study

The practice of sex with casual partners without the use of adequate prevention in the period of social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) can expose them to the risk of infection by the HIV virus. To assess this, we conducted an online survey in April and May 2020 in the entire national territory of Brazil and Portugal. We used the snowball technique for sampling, associated with circulation in social networks, totaling 2934 participants. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to produce the adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR). Eight-hundred-and-forty-two (28.7%) MSM presented at-risk sexual exposure in this period. In general, the types of sexual practices that most increased the chances of sexual exposure were having multiple partners (aOR:14.045); having practiced chemsex (aOR:2.246) and group sex (aOR:2.431), as well as presenting a history of at-risk sexual exposure (aOR:5.136). When we consider each country separately, the chances are increased in Brazil since the probability of the outcome was increased in those who practiced group sex (aOR:5.928), had multiple partners (aOR:19.132), and reported a sexual history of at-risk exposure (aOR:8.861). Our findings indicate that practices that are classically associated with greater chances of engaging in risky sexual exposure to HIV infection were the factors that most increased the chances of acquiring the virus in the pandemic context.

Brief Report: Group Sex Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in the Era of PrEP: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Group sex has been commonly reported among gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM); however, there are limited studies on the factors associated with participating in group sex.

SETTING

A cross-sectional study among GBMSM attending a sexual health clinic in Melbourne, Australia.

METHODS

Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were performed to examine the association between GBMSM participating in group sex in the previous 3 months and their demographic characteristics, including age, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use, HIV status, any STI (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis) diagnosis on the day, and method of seeking partners.

RESULTS

There were 357 GBMSM who participated in the survey and their mean age was 32.9 years (SD = 10.9). Almost a third (n = 115; 32.2%) had participated in group sex in the previous 3 months. GBMSM who sought sex partners at sex on premises venues (SOPVs) [aOR 5.83; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.23 to 10.53] had the highest odds of group sex participation after adjusting for other potential confounders. Compared with GBMSM not living with HIV and not taking PrEP, GBMSM taking PrEP had higher odds of group sex participation (aOR 2.09; 95% CI: 1.05 to 4.15), but GBMSM living with HIV did not (aOR 0.93; 95% CI: 0.23 to 3.68).Recent group sex participation was not associated with being diagnosed with any STI (chlamydia, syphilis, or gonorrhea) on the day in the adjusted analyses.

CONCLUSION

PrEP users and MSM attending SOPVs are more likely to participate in group sex. SOPV could be important venues for future public health campaigns.