Risk factors for HIV incidence in MSM (male sex man) communities in province of Southeast Sulawesi

HIV in Three Groups of Young People from Medellín: General Population, Organizations for People with Socioeconomic Vulnerability, and Men Who Have Sex with Other Men

Introduction

In Colombia, there are no studies that analyze the effect of socioeconomic vulnerability and belonging to the group of men who have sex with other men (MSM) on the prevalence of HIV in young people.

Objective

To compare the prevalence of HIV in three groups of young people from Medellín-Colombia: general population, socioeconomic vulnerability and MSM.

Methods

This cross-sectional analytical study included 2449 young people from the general population, 1736 from institutions that serve young people in situations of socioeconomic vulnerability, and 2269 MSM. The prevalence of infection in each group was determined, statistical differences were identified using Pearson's Chi-square and Trend's Chi-square, and crude and adjusted odds ratios were estimated using logistic regression with 95% confidence intervals. Analyses were performed in SPSS 29.0.

Results

HIV prevalence was 0.8% in the general population group, 1.3% in young people with socioeconomic vulnerability, and 5.6% in MSM. The groups with the highest HIV were as follows: (i) in MSM it was 4.1 compared to the general population, (ii) between 25-28 years of age it was 2.9 times compared to those under 20 years, (iii) in men it was 10 times that registered in women, (iv) in young people with primary, secondary, technical and university studies it was 7.1; 6.7; 11.0 and 14.5 times that found in those who did not register studies, (v) in affiliates of the subsidized health regime it was 2.2 times and in those without affiliation 2.4 times compared to the infection in affiliates of the contributory health regime.

Conclusion

HIV prevalence was high, and explained by socioeconomic vulnerability, having sex between men, gender, age, education, and health affiliation, demonstrating the intersectionality of determinants of the health system, socioeconomic status, and determinants individuals in the occurrence of HIV in young people in Medellín.

Factors Associated with the Behavior of Men who Have Sex with Men in the Prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission

Background: The prevalence of HIV/AIDS transmission caused by the behavior of men who have sex with men (MSM) is still a concern. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with MSM behavior in relation to the prevention of HIV transmission. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design. The total sample was 176 respondents determined using consecutive sampling technique. The variables consist of demographic data, knowledge, attitude, beliefs, the accessibility of the health facilities, health-related skills, peer support, health care provider support and the prevention behavior concerning HIV transmission. The data was obtained using a questionnaire and it was analyzed using Chi-square and ordinal logistic regression. Results: From the sample of 176 MSM, the behavior of the prevention of HIV transmission was 43.75%, which is a moderate level. Through ordinal logistic regression, we found that knowledge [OR:1.171, CI: 0.414-1.929] and peer support [OR: 1.902, CI: 0.721, 3.082] are more likely to prevent HIV transmission. Conclusion: Knowledge and peer support are known to be very important factors concerning the behavior engaged in the prevention of HIV transmission. Increasing the level of knowledge and increasing the youth networks in the form of groups as a form of support can be promoted by nurses, health workers, and the community in order to prevent HIV transmission.

HIV Prevalence and Associated Factors in Key Groups and General Population Treated at a Health Care Institution in Colombia in 2019: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Research conducted on the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and its associated factors among key groups in Colombia is scarce. The few available studies show heterogeneity in their results and increasing trends of infection. This study analyses the prevalence of HIV and associated factors in key groups served at a health care institution in Colombia in 2019.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study with the sample comprised of 5771 subjects from the general population, the LGBTI community, sex workers, people who inject drugs and prisoners. The diagnosis was based on a fourth-generation ELISA. Variables related to sociodemographics, healthcare, sexual risk factors and biological measures of infected subjects were analysed. Prevalence and odds ratios were calculated with 95% confidence intervals, and logistic regression models were performed to identify confounding variables and interactions between independent variables using SPSS 25.0.

RESULTS

The prevalence of HIV was 0.27% among the general population, 0.53% among sex workers, 0.66% among the homeless, 2.44% among transgender persons, 2.44% among prisoners, 5.36% among men who have sex with men and 7.92% among injection drug users. The explanatory model showed higher prevalence among men, those with higher education levels, those with no health coverage, those who have sex with people from key groups and those with sexually transmitted infections, with some interactions between the latter variables.

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence of infection was found in the key groups, while the main explanatory factors for high infection rates were identified. The data show that national and global goals related to controlling HIV have not been achieved mainly in groups that are at a higher risk of obtaining and transmitting it and, paradoxically, also that are excluded from the national health coverage.