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Murray GE, Palfai TP, Kratzer MPL, Maisto SA, Simons JS. Sexual alcohol expectancies moderate the relation between alcohol use and sexual behavior among men who have sex with men. Alcohol 2024; 120:35-40. [PMID: 38101524 PMCID: PMC11250926 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2023.12.005] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV transmission remains a significant health concern for men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States. Heavy episodic drinking (HED) is related to increased rates of condomless anal intercourse (CAI) among MSM, though evidence suggests that this association may vary by individual difference factors. The present secondary analysis tested whether sexual alcohol expectancies (SAEs) moderate the associations between frequency of HED and anal intercourse (AI) with and without a condom among moderate-to-heavy drinking HIV- MSM. METHODS Two hundred and forty-eight moderate-to-heavy drinking MSM completed self-report questionnaires including the Sexual Behavior Questionnaire, the Modified Daily Drinking Questionnaire, and the Sexual Alcohol Expectancies Questionnaire. RESULTS Negative binomial regressions indicated that SAEs moderated the association between frequency of HED and AI with a condom, but not between the frequency of HED and condomless AI (CAI). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that stronger SAEs play a role in alcohol-related sexual behavior among MSM, but do not provide evidence that SAEs are associated with increased risk for HIV transmission through CAI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace E Murray
- Boston University, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - Tibor P Palfai
- Boston University, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Maya P L Kratzer
- Boston University, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Stephen A Maisto
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Jeffrey S Simons
- Department of Psychology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, United States
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Li Q, Zhang Y, Huang S, Xu Y, Zhou J, Li Y, Xiao Y, Ma W, He L, Ren X, Dai Z, Liang W, Cheng F, Luo S. Depressive symptoms and its multifaceted associated factors among young men who have sex with men facing the dual threats of COVID-19 and mpox in China. J Affect Disord 2024; 363:39-46. [PMID: 39025443 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.07.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the mental health of human beings since 2020, especially the young people and the pre-existing marginalized groups such as men who have sex with men (MSM). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the multi-country outbreak of mpox in 2022 additionally posed a significant stress on the most-affected communities (i.e., MSM). This study investigated the level of depressive symptoms and its multifaceted associated factors among Chinese young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in this unique period. METHODS In September 2022, a large-scale cross-sectional survey was conducted among YMSM aged 18-29 years across six representative provinces in China. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed to test the various types of associated factors of depressive symptoms. RESULTS Among the 2493 participants, 65.6 % (n = 1638) reported mild to severe depressive symptoms. The hierarchical regression analysis identified that depressive symptoms was significantly positively associated with unemployment, having substance use in the past 6 months, a higher level of MSM self-stigma, incompletion of COVID-19 vaccination, greater mpox risk perception, and presence of mpox related-like symptoms. LIMITATIONS This study used the facility-based sampling method to recruit the participants, which may lead to selection bias. CONCLUSIONS Chinese YMSM faced significant mental health challenges during the concurrent epidemics of COVID-19 and mpox, which was associated with their socio-economic status, risk behaviors, stigma, and multiple diseases-related variables. Proactive measures may hold promise as effective strategies for mitigating mental distress among marginalized groups during public health crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyu Li
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhang Zhang
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Siwen Huang
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yutong Xu
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingtao Zhou
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Li
- Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yongkang Xiao
- Department of Acute Infectious Diseases Control and Prevention, Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wei Ma
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Lin He
- Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xianlong Ren
- Department of AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Dai
- Department of AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chengdu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wannian Liang
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Institute for Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Cheng
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Institute for Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Sitong Luo
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Institute for Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
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Yu Y, Qin K, Tang S, Xian Y. Anal Sexual Roles and Impacts on HIV Infection and Psychological Distress Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China: A 14-Year Longitudinal Study. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:3573-3582. [PMID: 39152319 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-024-02964-9] [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] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that men who have sex with men (MSM) with different anal sexual roles, namely bottom, versatile, and top, are at different risk of HIV infection and psychological distress. However, the evidence was primarily derived from cross-sectional designs from Western countries, and it remains unclear how anal sexual roles change over a long time and their health impacts among MSM from Eastern countries. We aimed to describe the changes in anal sexual roles among a Chinese sample of MSM over 14 years and explore their effects on HIV infection, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Between 2009 and 2023, a longitudinal study was conducted on 373 MSM in Changsha, China, to assess their anal sexual roles, HIV infection, and psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Generalized linear models with a binomial probability was used to analyze the predictive effect of anal sexual roles on HIV infection and psychological distress. At baseline, 30.3% of MSM self-identified as bottom, 32.2% as versatile, and 37.5% as top, and these numbers changed slightly to 35.9%, 33.0%, and 31.1%, respectively, at follow-up (p = 0.131). From baseline to follow-up, 48 (12.9%) new HIV cases were identified. The prevalence of depression increased from 23.1 to 38.1% (p < 0.001), anxiety increased from 25.5% to 35.4% (p = 0.003), and suicidal ideation increased from 30.8 to 38.9% (p = 0.021). MSM with bottom and versatile roles were more likely to have HIV infection, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation than those with top roles. MSM's risk of HIV infection and psychological distress varies according to their anal sexual roles, suggesting that future HIV prevention and mental health improvement programs for MSM may benefit from providing targeted and individualized support based on their anal sexual roles, with a particular focus on those with bottom and versatile roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Yu
- School of Politics and Public Administration, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541006, Guangxi, China.
| | - Keke Qin
- School of Politics and Public Administration, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541006, Guangxi, China
| | - Shishi Tang
- School of Politics and Public Administration, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541006, Guangxi, China
| | - Yedong Xian
- School of Politics and Public Administration, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541006, Guangxi, China
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Martínez-Riveros H, Alarcón Gutiérrez M, Aceiton Cardona J, Montoro-Fernández M, Díaz Y, Alonso L, Rius Gibert C, Casabona J, Fernàndez-López L, Agustí C. Determinants of Repeating an HIV Test Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who have Sex with Men, and Transgender People Who Use an Online-Requested Self-Sampling Program and Attending Community-Based Testing Venues in Spain (2018-2021). AIDS Behav 2024; 28:3139-3150. [PMID: 38896337 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04399-8] [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: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Our aims were: (1) to characterize gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and transgender (TG) populations using internet-based self-sampling services in the TESTATE project or attending community-based STI/HIV voluntary counselling and testing (CBVCT) services as alternative strategies to formal HIV testing within the Spanish national health system, and (2) to identify factors associated with repeat use of the same screening strategy from November 2018 to December 2021. Demographic, health, and behavioral characteristics of users using complementary strategies were analyzed. We developed a cross-sectional study, with descriptive analysis, HIV cascade, and a multivariate logistic model to identify factors associated with participants' repeated use of the same screening strategy. We included 9939 users, of whom 94.1% were GBMSM (n = 9348) and 5.9% TG (n = 580), with a high representation of migrants. Reactive results were 3.4% (n = 340), with 3.0% in GBMSM (n = 277/9348) and 10.7% in TG (n = 63/591). 73.8% (n = 251) were confirmed HIV positive and 76.7% (n = 194) were linked to health services. Users repeated the online screening strategy more than CBVCT (44.3% vs. 31.8%), but TG population used face-to-face community services more (8.4% vs. 0.6%). Factors influencing the repetition of the online self-sampling strategy included older age, non-migrant status, and recent HIV testing. In the CBVCT strategy, factors included older age, TG identity, non-migrant status, condom use during the last sexual encounter, and recent HIV testing. In conclusion, both CBVCT and online-requested self-sampling at home are important alternatives to the health system for the provision of HIV testing to GBMSM and TG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor Martínez-Riveros
- Doctorate Programme in Methodology of Biomedical Research and Public Health, Department of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Preventive Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain.
- Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain.
- Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Edifici Muntanya, Carretera de Can Ruti, Camí de les Escoles s/n, 08916, Badalona, Spain.
| | - Miguel Alarcón Gutiérrez
- Doctorate Programme in Methodology of Biomedical Research and Public Health, Department of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Preventive Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
- Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Jordi Aceiton Cardona
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
- Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Marcos Montoro-Fernández
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
| | - Yesika Díaz
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucia Alonso
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
- Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Cristina Rius Gibert
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Epidemiology service, Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona (ASPB), Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Institut d'Investigació Biomédica Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Casabona
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
- Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Preventive Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain
| | - Laura Fernàndez-López
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
- Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Agustí
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
- Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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Wang Z, Xu L, Xu H, Wang Y, Hu F, Zou H, Cai Y. Understanding the influence of Social Determinants of Health (SDH) on suicidal behaviors among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in China: A population-based study. J Affect Disord 2024; 360:42-49. [PMID: 38815759 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of suicide and experience intersectional inequalities. The Social Determinants of Health (SDH) framework provides valuable insights into how inequalities can lead to adverse outcomes. This study aimed to employ the SDH framework to identify factors that contribute to suicidal behaviors among this population. METHODS 1410 HIV-positive MSM were recruited using a web-based questionnaire, whose mean age was 30.77 ± 6.92 years old. Participants completed questionnaires including baseline information and psychological measurements, such as Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R). Logistic regression analysis was conducted to screen for risk factors associated with suicidal behaviors. RESULTS More than half of the participants (53.3 %, 752/1410) had an SBQ score of 7 or higher. Binary logistic regression analysis of structural and intermediary determinants (Model 3) revealed that sexual orientation, stigma (ORs: 1.018, 95 % CI: 1.005-1.032), interpersonal needs (ORs: 1.021, 95 % CI: 1.010-1.031), depression (ORs: 1.037, 95 % CI: 1.001-1.074) and entrapment (ORs: 1.018, 95 % CI: 1.004-1.032) were positively correlated with suicidal behaviors. Individuals with other or unknown sexual orientation had significantly higher rates of suicidal behaviors compared to those with a heterosexual sexual orientation (ORs: 5.021, 95 % CI: 1.529-17.640). LIMITATIONS Sampling of HIV-positive MSM posed challenges in data collection. It may introduce selection bias and affect generalizability. CONCLUSION This study identified that sexual orientation, stigma, interpersonal needs, depression, and entrapment were significantly associated with suicidal behaviors among HIV-positive MSM. Additionally, these factors can be social determinants of health that contribute to suicidal behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuxin Wang
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Public Health Department, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Lulu Xu
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Huifang Xu
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Ying Wang
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Fan Hu
- School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Huachun Zou
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Yong Cai
- Public Health Department, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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McFall AM, Gunaratne MP, Ganapathi L, Srikrishnan AK, Vasudevan CK, Anand S, Celentano DD, Solomon SS, Mehta SH, Lucas GM. Persistently high HIV incidence among men who have sex with men and people who inject drugs attending integrated care centres in India: a longitudinal assessment of clinic-based data. J Int AIDS Soc 2024; 27:e26361. [PMID: 39301675 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Globally, there have been significant declines in HIV incidence over the past two decades, but this decline is slowing, and in some settings, declines have stalled or are growing-particularly where epidemics are concentrated in key populations (KPs). Understanding temporal changes in HIV incidence among KP is critical yet, due to logistical constraints, there are few sources of longitudinal incidence data, particularly among KP. METHODS We present HIV incidence rates from June 2014 to December 2022 among cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) and people who inject drugs (PWID) attending community-based integrated care centres (ICCs) in 15 Indian cities. ICCs, established between 2014 and 2017, provide HIV testing and other services to MSM (eight sites) or PWID (eight sites). Client HIV testing data were included in the analysis if they had ≥2 tests and were not positive on the first test. We calculated incidence rates per 100 person-years (PY), stratified by KP, city/site and year. Poisson regression explored associations of incidence with time, age, gender (PWID only) and ICC use. RESULTS From June 2014 to December 2022, 13,501 clients (5722 MSM, 7779 PWID) had ≥2 HIV tests over a median of 1.8 years. There were a total of 1093 incident HIV acquisitions. Overall incidence rates for MSM and PWID were 1.9/100 PY (95% CI: 1.7-2.2) and 4.1 (3.9-4.4), respectively. Among MSM sites, incidence ranged from 0.4 to 3.5 and in PWID sites from 0.6 to 17.9. From adjusted models, incidence increased by 17% annually among MSM. Among PWID, incidence increased by 11% annually up until 2020 and then decreased by 29% after 2020; when excluding the outlier of New Delhi, incidence was stable among PWID. MSM and PWID 21-25 years old had the highest risk of HIV and among PWID, those more consistently engaged in medication for opioid use disorder were at the lowest risk. CONCLUSIONS While there was substantial geographic variability, MSM and PWID engaged in a free community-based clinic experienced persistently high HIV incidence (>2/100 PY). KP in low- and middle-income countries should be a focus when considering novel strategies such as long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis to curtail incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M McFall
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mihili P Gunaratne
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lakshmi Ganapathi
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - A K Srikrishnan
- YR Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education, Chennai, India
| | - C K Vasudevan
- YR Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education, Chennai, India
| | - Santhanam Anand
- YR Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education, Chennai, India
| | - David D Celentano
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sunil S Solomon
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Shruti H Mehta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Gregory M Lucas
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Musimbi J, Musyoki H, Mugambi M, Kaosa S, Kioko J, Aluko D, Wanjiru W, Wambua S, Prakash R, Isac S, Bhattacharjee P, Emmanuel F. Programmatic mapping and estimating the population size of female sex workers, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs and transgender populations in Kenya. Gates Open Res 2024; 6:112. [PMID: 39035422 PMCID: PMC11259589 DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.13623.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Effective coverage of Human Immunodeficiency Virus prevention services for Key Populations (KPs) including female sex workers (FSWs), men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWID) and transgender (TG) people necessitates periodic validation of physical venues and size estimates. Kenya conducted a robust size estimation of KPs in 2012 and a repeat mapping and size estimation exercise was conducted in 2018 to update KP Size Estimates and sub-typologies within each County for calculation of realistic program indicators. Methods A prospective mixed methods programmatic mapping approach adopted comprised two steps. The first step involved consolidating and documenting all known venues where KPs congregate while the second step included visiting and validating these venues confirming their active status. Data were collected in 34 out of 47 Counties in Kenya between January and March 2018. Data collected included estimated number of KPs (range), venue typology and timing of operation of each venue. Results We estimated a total number of 167,940 (129,271 to 206,609) FSWs; 32,580 (24,704 to 40,455) MSM; 16,063 (12,426 to 19,691) PWIDs and 4,305 (2,826 to 5,783) transgender people congregating at 10,250, 1,729, 401 and 1,218 venues respectively. Majority of the venues for FSW (81%), MSM (64%) and transgender people (67%) were bars with and without lodging, PWIDs were mostly found on streets and injecting dens (70%). Around 9% of FSW and MSM and11% of PWIDs were below the age of 18 years. Conclusion This study provided information on young KPs, female PWIDs, MSWs and for the first time, TG people in Kenya. The exercise updated size estimates of KPs by typology and provided new evidence for resource allocation, planning of interventions and targets. Programmatic mapping continues to be a useful approach supporting programs to achieve high levels of coverage and prioritize resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Musimbi
- Partners for Health and Development in Africa, Nairobi, 00506, Kenya
| | - Helgar Musyoki
- The Global Fund, 1218 Grand-Saconnex, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mary Mugambi
- National AIDS and STI Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, 00202, Kenya
| | - Shem Kaosa
- Partners for Health and Development in Africa, Nairobi, 00506, Kenya
| | - Japheth Kioko
- Partners for Health and Development in Africa, Nairobi, 00506, Kenya
| | - Diane Aluko
- Global Health Program, University of California San Francisco, Nairobi, 00400, Kenya
| | - Waruiru Wanjiru
- Global Health Program, University of California San Francisco, Nairobi, 00400, Kenya
| | - Solomon Wambua
- Key Population Consortium of Kenya, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
| | - Ravi Prakash
- Institute for Global Public Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0T6, Canada
| | - Shajy Isac
- Institute for Global Public Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0T6, Canada
| | - Parinita Bhattacharjee
- Partners for Health and Development in Africa, Nairobi, 00506, Kenya
- Institute for Global Public Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0T6, Canada
| | - Faran Emmanuel
- Institute for Global Public Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0T6, Canada
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Gautam K, Paudel K, Ahmed A, Dhakal M, Wickersham JA, Poudel KC, Pagoto S, Acharya B, Deuba K, Valente PK, Shrestha R. High Interest in the Use of mHealth Platform for HIV Prevention among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Nepal. J Community Health 2024; 49:575-587. [PMID: 38281283 PMCID: PMC11283576 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-024-01324-x] [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: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Mobile technology growth in Nepal offers promising opportunities for using mobile health (mHealth) interventions to facilitate HIV prevention efforts. However, little is known about access and utilization of communication technology and their willingness to use mHealth for HIV prevention services in Nepal. We conducted a cross-sectional respondent-driven sampling survey of 250 MSM in Kathmandu Valley of Nepal from October to December 2022. We collected information on participant characteristics, HIV risk-related behaviors, ownership, or access to and frequency of use of communication technology (phones, tablets, laptops, and computers), and willingness to use mHealth to access HIV prevention services. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed. Almost all participants had smartphones with the internet (231/250, 92.4%) and accessed the internet daily (219/250, 87.6%) on the smartphone (236/250, 94.4%). The median score for willingness to use mHealth for HIV prevention was 10 (IQR: 3 to 17). Willingness to use mHealth was higher among those participants with a high school or above education (β = 0.223, p = < 0.001), had experienced violence (β = 0.231, p = 0.006), and had moderate to severe depressive symptoms (β = 0.223, p = < 0.001). However, monthly income above NPR 20,000 (USD 150) (β= -0.153, p = 0.008), disclosure of their sexual orientation to anyone (β= -0.159, p = < 0.007), and worry about being negatively judged by health care workers (β= -0.136, p = 0.023) were less willing to use mHealth strategies. The findings from this study suggest that there is a high willingness for utilizing mHealth interventions for HIV prevention in MSM population who are at higher risk of HIV acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal Gautam
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Kiran Paudel
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
- Nepal Health Frontiers, Tokha-5, Kathmandu, 44600, Nepal
| | - Ali Ahmed
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Manisha Dhakal
- Blue Diamond Society, Dhumbarahi Marg, Kathmandu, 44600, Nepal
| | - Jeffrey A Wickersham
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Krishna C Poudel
- Department of Health Promotion and Policy, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
- Institute for Global Health, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Sherry Pagoto
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Bibhav Acharya
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, School of Medicine, 675 18th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94107, USA
- Possible, a non-profit organization, Bhim Plaza, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Keshab Deuba
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pablo K Valente
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Roman Shrestha
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA.
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
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9
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Jongen VW, Daans C, van Sighem A, Schim van der Loeff M, Hage K, Welling C, von Vaupel‐Klein A, den Heijer M, Peters EJG, van der Valk M, Reiss P, Prins M, Hoornenborg E. Assessing the HIV care continuum among transgender women during 11 years of follow-up: results from the Netherlands' ATHENA observational cohort. J Int AIDS Soc 2024; 27:e26317. [PMID: 39118295 PMCID: PMC11310271 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Transgender women are at increased risk of acquiring HIV. Earlier studies reported lower retention in HIV care, antiretroviral therapy uptake, adherence and viral suppression. We assessed the stages of the HIV care continuum of transgender women in the Netherlands over an 11-year period. In addition, we assessed new HIV diagnoses and late presentation, as well as disengagement from care, between 2011 and 2021. METHODS Using data from the Dutch national ATHENA cohort, we separately assessed viral suppression, as well as time to achieving viral suppression, among transgender women for each year between 2011 and 2021. We also assessed trends in new HIV diagnoses and late presentation (CD4 count of <350 cells/µl and/or AIDS at diagnosis), and disengagement from care. RESULTS Between 2011 and 2021, a total of 260 transgender women attended at least one HIV clinical visit. Across all years, <90% of transgender women were virally suppressed (207/239 [87%] in 2021). The number of new HIV diagnoses fluctuated for transgender women (ptrend = 0.053) and late presentation was common (ranging between 10% and 67% of new HIV diagnoses). Of the 260 transgender women, 26 (10%) disengaged from care between 2011 and 2021 (incidence rate = 1.10 per 100 person-years, 95% confidence interval = 0.75-1.61). CONCLUSIONS Between 2011 and 2021, less than 90% of transgender women linked to HIV care were virally suppressed. Late presentation at the time of diagnosis and disengagement from care were common. Efforts are needed to identify barriers to early HIV diagnosis and to optimize the different steps across the care continuum for transgender women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vita W. Jongen
- Department of Infectious DiseasesPublic Health Service AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Stichting hiv monitoringAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Ceranza Daans
- Department of Infectious DiseasesPublic Health Service AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | | | - Maarten Schim van der Loeff
- Department of Infectious DiseasesPublic Health Service AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMCUniversity of Amsterdam, Internal MedicineAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity (AII)AmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute (APH)AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Kris Hage
- Department of Infectious DiseasesPublic Health Service AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity (AII)AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Camiel Welling
- Department of Infectious DiseasesPublic Health Service AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Alex von Vaupel‐Klein
- Department of Infectious DiseasesPublic Health Service AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Trans United EuropeAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Martin den Heijer
- Amsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Internal MedicineAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam UMCVU University Medical CenterAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Edgar J. G. Peters
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity (AII)AmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Internal MedicineAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Marc van der Valk
- Stichting hiv monitoringAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMCUniversity of Amsterdam, Internal MedicineAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity (AII)AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Peter Reiss
- Stichting hiv monitoringAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMCUniversity of Amsterdam, Internal MedicineAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute (APH)AmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMCUniversity of Amsterdam, Global HealthAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and DevelopmentAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Maria Prins
- Department of Infectious DiseasesPublic Health Service AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMCUniversity of Amsterdam, Internal MedicineAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity (AII)AmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute (APH)AmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Elske Hoornenborg
- Department of Infectious DiseasesPublic Health Service AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam UMCUniversity of Amsterdam, Internal MedicineAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity (AII)AmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute (APH)AmsterdamThe Netherlands
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10
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Pedro L, Zagalo A, Tavares R, Pacheco P, Oliveira J, Vaz Pinto I, Serrão R, Tavares S, Brito P, Maltez F, Neves I, Carvalho A, Teófilo E, Almeida J, Lains I. Treatment patterns and preferences of people living with HIV starting or switching antiretroviral therapy: Real-world evidence from Portugal. Int J STD AIDS 2024:9564624241263122. [PMID: 39052505 DOI: 10.1177/09564624241263122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a lack of up-to-date real-life evidence on antiretroviral therapy (ART) strategies among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Portugal. This study aimed to describe the treatment strategy used in PLWH either initiating or switching ART. METHODS Non-interventional, cross-sectional, multicenter study carried out between December 2019 and October 2021 in Portugal. RESULTS A total of 237 PLWH were included in this study, 171 of whom were ART-experienced and 66 were ART-naïve. The study showed that triple regimens were the most common ART strategy and integrase strand transfer inhibitors-based therapy was the most frequently used therapeutic class in both ART-naïve and ART-experienced PLWH. Nevertheless, about a third of PLWH who started a triple regimen transitioned to a dual regimen. Patient-reported outcomes revealed high HIV literacy and similar ART preferences in both groups. CONCLUSIONS This real-world study showed that triple regimens were the most widely used ART strategy, even after the European AIDS Clinical Society guidelines introduced the recommendation of a dual regimen for naïve patients. The cohorts of this study presented a high level of HIV literacy at the time of inclusion. Our findings highlighted that taking pills only once a day is considered a very important feature for most patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Pedro
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital de Portimão, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Do Algarve, Portimão, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Zagalo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Raquel Tavares
- Department of Infectiology, Hospital Beatriz Ângelo, Loures, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Pacheco
- Department of Infectiology, Hospital Prof. Dr Fernando da Fonseca, Amadora, Portugal
| | - Joaquim Oliveira
- Department of Infectiology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês Vaz Pinto
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital de Cascais, Cascais, Portugal
| | - Rosário Serrão
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital de São João, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Tavares
- Department of Infectiology, Hospital de Vila Real, Centro Hospitalar Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Paula Brito
- Department of Infectiology, Hospital Garcia de Orta, Almada, Portugal
| | - Fernando Maltez
- Department of Infectiology, Hospital Curry Cabral, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Isabel Neves
- Department of Infectiology, Hospital Pedro Hispano, Unidade Local de Saúde de Matosinhos, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | | | - Eugénio Teófilo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital dos Capuchos, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana Almeida
- Medical Affairs Department, MSD Portugal, Paço de Arcos, Portugal
| | - Inês Lains
- Medical Affairs Department, MSD Portugal, Paço de Arcos, Portugal
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11
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Galárraga O, Wilson-Barthes M, Chivardi C, Gras-Allain N, Alarid-Escudero F, Gandhi M, Mayer KH, Operario D. Incentivizing adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention: a randomized pilot trial among male sex workers in Mexico. THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS : HEPAC : HEALTH ECONOMICS IN PREVENTION AND CARE 2024:10.1007/s10198-024-01705-y. [PMID: 39002005 DOI: 10.1007/s10198-024-01705-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Low adherence to preventative medications against life-long health conditions is a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality. We implemented a pilot randomized controlled trial in Mexico to measure the extent to which conditional economic incentives help male sex workers increase their adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. We followed n = 110 male sex workers over 6 months. At each quarterly visit (at months 0, 3, and 6), all workers received a $10 transport reimbursement, a free 3-month PrEP supply, and completed socio-behavioral surveys. The primary outcome was an objective biomarker of medication adherence based on tenofovir (TFV) drug concentration levels in hair collected at each visit. Individuals randomized to the intervention received incentives based on a grading system as a function of PrEP adherence: those with high (> 0.043 ng/mg TFV concentration), medium (0.011 to 0.042 ng/mg), or low (< 0.011 ng/mg) adherence received $20, $10, or $0, respectively. Six-month pooled effects of incentives on PrEP adherence were analyzed using population-averaged gamma generalized estimating equation models. We estimated heterogeneous treatment effects by sex worker characteristics. The incentive intervention led to a 28.7% increase in hair antiretroviral concentration levels over 6 months consistent with increased PrEP adherence (p = 0.05). The effect of incentives on PrEP adherence was greater for male sex workers who were street-based (vs. internet) workers (p < 0.10). These pilot findings suggest that modest conditional economic incentives could be effective, at scale, for improving PrEP adherence among male sex workers, and should be tested in larger implementation trials. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03674983.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Galárraga
- Department of Health Services Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main St. Box G-S121-2, Providence, RI, 02903, USA.
- International Health Institute, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main St, Providence, RI, 02903, USA.
| | - Marta Wilson-Barthes
- International Health Institute, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main St, Providence, RI, 02903, USA
| | - Carlos Chivardi
- National Institute of Public Health (INSP), University No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca, Mexico
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - Nathalie Gras-Allain
- Center for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care, Clínica Especializada Condesa, Gral. Benjamín Hill 24, Hipódromo Condesa Cuauhtémoc, México City, 06170, Mexico
| | - Fernando Alarid-Escudero
- Center for Economics Teaching and Research (CIDE), Circuito Tecnopolo Norte #117, Col. Tecnopolo Pocitos II, Aguascalientes, CP, 20313, Mexico
- Stanford University School of Medicine, 291 Campus Drive Li Ka Shing Building, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Monica Gandhi
- University of California, 1001 Potrero Ave, #423D, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA
| | - Kenneth H Mayer
- The Fenway Institute, 7 Haviland St, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Don Operario
- Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
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12
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Lelutiu-Weinberger C, Filimon ML, Zavodszky AM, Lixandru M, Hanu L, Fierbinteanu C, Patrascu R, Streinu-Cercel A, Luculescu S, Bora M, Filipescu I, Jianu C, Heightow-Weidman LB, Rochelle A, Yi B, Buckner N, Golub SA, van Dyk IS, Burger J, Li F, Pachankis JE. Prepare Romania: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of an intervention to promote pre-exposure prophylaxis adherence and persistence among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. Trials 2024; 25:470. [PMID: 38987812 PMCID: PMC11238350 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08313-4] [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: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) represent a high-risk group for HIV transmission in Romania, yet they possess few resources for prevention. Despite having no formal access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) through the health system, GBMSM in Romania demonstrate a high need for and interest in this medication. In anticipation of a national rollout of PrEP, this study tests the efficacy of a novel strategy, Prepare Romania, that combines two evidence-based PrEP promotion interventions for GBMSM living in Romania. METHODS This study uses a randomized controlled trial design to examine whether GBMSM living in Romania receiving Prepare Romania, a culturally adapted counseling and mobile health intervention (expected n = 60), demonstrate greater PrEP adherence and persistence than those assigned to a PrEP education control arm (expected n = 60). Participants from two main cities in Romania are prescribed PrEP and followed-up at 3 and 6 months post-randomization. PrEP adherence data are obtained through weekly self-report surveys and dried blood spot testing at follow-up visits. Potential mediators (e.g., PrEP use motivation) of intervention efficacy are also assessed. Furthermore, Prepare Romania's implementation (e.g., proportion of enrolled participants attending medical visits, intervention experience) will be examined through interviews with participants, study implementers, and healthcare officials. DISCUSSION The knowledge gained from this study will be utilized for further refinement and scale-up of Prepare Romania for a future multi-city effectiveness trial. By studying the efficacy of tools to support PrEP adherence and persistence, this research has the potential to lay the groundwork for PrEP rollout in Romania and similar contexts. Trial registration This study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05323123 , on March 25, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mircea L Filimon
- School of Nursing, Columbia University, 560 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Anna M Zavodszky
- School of Nursing, Columbia University, 560 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Mihai Lixandru
- The Romanian Association Against AIDS, Bulevardul Eroilor Sanitari 49, 050471, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Lucian Hanu
- The Romanian Association Against AIDS, Bulevardul Eroilor Sanitari 49, 050471, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristina Fierbinteanu
- The Romanian Association Against AIDS, Bulevardul Eroilor Sanitari 49, 050471, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Raluca Patrascu
- The National Institute of Infectious Diseases "Professor Dr. Matei Bals", Strada Doctor Calistrat Grozovici 1, 021105, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adrian Streinu-Cercel
- The National Institute of Infectious Diseases "Professor Dr. Matei Bals", Strada Doctor Calistrat Grozovici 1, 021105, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Sergiu Luculescu
- The Romanian Association Against AIDS, Bulevardul Eroilor Sanitari 49, 050471, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Maria Bora
- The Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases, Str. Iuliu Moldovan, nr. 23, 400000, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Irina Filipescu
- The Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases, Str. Iuliu Moldovan, nr. 23, 400000, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cristian Jianu
- The Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases, Str. Iuliu Moldovan, nr. 23, 400000, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - Aimee Rochelle
- College of Nursing, Florida State University, 98 Varsity Way, Tallahassee, FL, 32305, USA
| | - Brian Yi
- One Cow Standing, 300 W Morgan St Ste 1425, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - Nickie Buckner
- One Cow Standing, 300 W Morgan St Ste 1425, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - Sarit A Golub
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York, 695 Park Avenue, New York, 10065, NY, USA
| | - Ilana Seager van Dyk
- School of Psychology, Massey University, PO Box 756, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand
| | - Julian Burger
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT, 06610, USA
| | - Fan Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 135 College Street, New Haven, 06520, CT, USA
| | - John E Pachankis
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT, 06610, USA
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13
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Sandfort TGM, Kreniske P, Mbeda C, Reynolds D, Tshabalala G, Madiwati B, Ogendo A, Dominquez K, Panchia R, Gondwe D, Hamilton EL, Guo X, Cummings V. Interest in I-PrEP and Willingness to Participate in Clinical Trials Among Men and Transfeminine Persons Who have Sex with Men in Sub-Saharan Africa: Quantitative and Qualitative Findings from HPTN 075. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:2361-2377. [PMID: 38761334 PMCID: PMC11199096 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04334-x] [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: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
This study explored interest in injectable PrEP (I-PrEP) and willingness to participate in clinical trials testing new biomedical HIV prevention strategies among men and transfeminine persons who have sex with men (MSM & TGP), using data collected in the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 075 study, which took place at sites in Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa. Data result from a survey among 267 18-44 years old HIV negative participants, complemented with semi-structured interviews with 80 purposively recruited persons. Correlations coefficients were calculated to identify demographic and psychosocial factors associated with interest in I-PrEP. Qualitative interviews were analyzed using concept-driven and subsequent data-driven coding. Most surveyed participants expressed an interest in I-PrEP. Quantitatively, only being interested in other HIV prevention measures was associated with interest in I-PrEP. Qualitatively, most participants preferred I-PrEP to O-PrEP and remained interested in I-PrEP despite barriers such as the somewhat invasive nature of the procedure and potential side effects of I-PrEP. Interest in I-PrEP was driven by the possibility of avoiding sexual or HIV stigma. Access to healthcare and altruism-such as assisting in the development of new HIV prevention methods-positively impacted willingness to participate in clinical trials. With I-PrEP favored by most participants, it is potentially a critical tool to prevent HIV infection among MSM & TGP in sub-Saharan Africa, with the mitigation of stigma as a major advance. Recruitment of MSM & TGP in biobehavioral clinical trials seems feasible, with altruistic reasons and receiving I-PrEP and free medical care as major motivators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodorus G M Sandfort
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 15, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Philip Kreniske
- Community Health and Social Sciences Department, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, USA
| | - Calvin Mbeda
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) CDC, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Gugulethu Tshabalala
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Soweto, South Africa
| | | | - Arthur Ogendo
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) CDC, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Ravindre Panchia
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Soweto, South Africa
| | - Daniel Gondwe
- College of Medicine-Johns Hopkins Research Project, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Xu Guo
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Vanessa Cummings
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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14
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Oga EA, Stockton MA, Abu-Ba'are GR, Vormawor R, Mankattah E, Endres-Dighe S, Richmond R, Jeon S, Logie CH, Baning E, Saalim K, Torpey K, Nelson LE, Nyblade L. Measuring intersectional HIV, sexual diversity, and gender non-conformity stigma among healthcare workers in Ghana: scale validation and correlates of stigma. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:647. [PMID: 38773589 PMCID: PMC11110277 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-11098-6] [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: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at heightened risk for HIV acquisition, yet they may delay or avoid HIV testing due to intersectional stigma experienced at the healthcare facility (HCF). Few validated scales exist to measure intersectional stigma, particularly amongst HCF staff. We developed the Healthcare Facility Staff Intersectional Stigma Scale (HCF-ISS) and assessed factors associated with stigma in Ghana. METHODS We analyzed baseline data from HCF staff involved in a study testing a multi-level intervention to reduce intersectional stigma experienced by MSM. Data are from eight HCFs in Ghana (HCF Staff n = 200). The HCF-ISS assesses attitudes and beliefs towards same-sex relationships, people living with HIV (PLWH) and gender non-conformity. Exploratory factor analysis assessed HCF-ISS construct validity and Cronbach's alphas assessed the reliability of the scale. Multivariable regression analyses assessed factors associated with intersectional stigma. RESULTS Factor analysis suggested an 18-item 3-factor scale including: Comfort with Intersectional Identities in the Workplace (6 items, Cronbach's alpha = 0.71); Beliefs about Gender and Sexuality Norms (7 items, Cronbach's alpha = 0.72); and Beliefs about PLWH (5 items, Cronbach's alpha = 0.68). Having recent clients who engage in same-gender sex was associated with greater comfort with intersectional identities but more stigmatizing beliefs about PLWH. Greater religiosity was associated with stigmatizing beliefs. Infection control training was associated with less stigma towards PLWH and greater comfort with intersectional identities. CONCLUSIONS Achieving the goal of ending AIDS by 2030 requires eliminating barriers that undermine access to HIV prevention and treatment for MSM, including HCF intersectional stigma. The HCF-ISS provides a measurement tool to support intersectional stigma-reduction interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel A Oga
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA.
| | - Melissa A Stockton
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Gamji R Abu-Ba'are
- School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Richard Vormawor
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Emmanuel Mankattah
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Stacy Endres-Dighe
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA
| | - Ryan Richmond
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA
| | - Sangchoon Jeon
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Carmen H Logie
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada
| | - Emma Baning
- Educational Assessment and Research Center, Accra, Ghana
| | - Khalida Saalim
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA
| | - Kwasi Torpey
- School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Laron E Nelson
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- School of Nursing, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Laura Nyblade
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA
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15
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Leluțiu-Weinberger C, Filimon ML, Hoover D, Lixandru M, Hanu L, Dogaru B, Kovacs T, Fierbințeanu C, Ionescu F, Manu M, Mariș A, Pană E, Dorobănțescu C, Streinu-Cercel A, Pachankis JE. An mHealth Intervention for Gay and Bisexual Men's Mental, Behavioral, and Sexual Health in a High-Stigma, Low-Resource Context (Project Comunică): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2024; 13:e52853. [PMID: 38709550 PMCID: PMC11106696 DOI: 10.2196/52853] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization reported that 80% of new HIV diagnoses in Europe in 2014 occurred in Central and Eastern Europe. Romania has a particularly high HIV incidence, AIDS prevalence, and number of related deaths. HIV incidence in Romania is largely attributed to sexual contact among gay and bisexual men. However, homophobic stigma in Romania serves as a risk factor for HIV infection for gay and bisexual men. The Comunică intervention aims to provide a much-needed HIV risk reduction strategy, and it entails the delivery of motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy skills across 8 live text-based counseling sessions on a mobile platform to gay and bisexual men at risk of HIV. The intervention is based on the information-motivation-behavior and minority stress models. There is preliminary evidence suggesting that Comunică holds promise for reducing gay and bisexual men's co-occurring sexual (eg, HIV transmission risk behavior), behavioral (eg, heavy alcohol use), and mental (eg, depression) health risks in Romania. OBJECTIVE This paper describes the protocol for a randomized controlled trial designed to test the efficacy of Comunică in a national trial. METHODS To test Comunică's efficacy, 305 gay and bisexual men were randomized to receive Comunică or a content-matched education attention control condition. The control condition consisted of 8 time-matched educational modules that present information regarding gay and bisexual men's identity development, information about HIV transmission and prevention, the importance of HIV and sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, heavy alcohol use and its associations with HIV transmission risk behavior, sexual health communication, finding social support, and creating sexual health goals. Participants undergo rapid HIV and syphilis testing and 3-site chlamydia and gonorrhea testing at baseline and the 12-month follow-up. Outcomes are measured before the intervention (baseline) and at the 4-, 8-, and 12-month follow-ups. RESULTS The study was funded in September 2018, and data collection began in May 2019. The last participant follow-up was in January 2024. Currently, the data analyst is cleaning data sets in preparation for data analyses, which are scheduled to begin in April 2024. Data analysis meetings are scheduled regularly to establish timelines and examine the results as analyses are gradually being conducted. Upon completion, a list of manuscripts will be reviewed and prioritized, and the team will begin preparing them for publication. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to test the efficacy of an intervention with the potential to simultaneously support the sexual, behavioral, and mental health of gay and bisexual men in Central and Eastern Europe using motivational interviewing support and sensitivity to the high-stigma context of the region. If efficacious, Comunică presents a scalable platform to provide support to gay and bisexual men living in Romania and similar high-stigma, low-resource countries. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03912753; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03912753. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/52853.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mircea L Filimon
- School of Nursing, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Donald Hoover
- Department of Statistics, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Mihai Lixandru
- The Romanian Association Against AIDS, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Lucian Hanu
- The Romanian Association Against AIDS, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Alexandra Mariș
- Mariș Alexandra - Cabinet Individual de Psihologie, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | | | - Adrian Streinu-Cercel
- The National Institute of Infectious Diseases "Professor Dr. Matei Balș", Bucharest, Romania
| | - John E Pachankis
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
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16
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Ribeiro Banze Á, Muleia R, Nuvunga S, Boothe M, Semá Baltazar C. Trends in HIV prevalence and risk factors among men who have sex with men in Mozambique: implications for targeted interventions and public health strategies. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1185. [PMID: 38678173 PMCID: PMC11055340 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18661-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Men who have sex with Men (MSM) are known to contribute to increased HIV prevalence as an integral part of key populations with high vulnerability to HIV/AIDS due to their sexual behaviours. Mozambique conducted two rounds of bio-behavioral surveys (BBS) in this population with the main objective of estimating HIV prevalence and associated risk behaviors among MSM in Mozambique. The present study aims to estimate the trend of HIV prevalence and determine the correlations of HIV infection among MSM. METHODS A repeated cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from secondary data from the first and second rounds of BBS in Mozambique conducted in 2011 and 2020-2021 respectively. Each round used a similar methodology which allowed for comparison between the two surveys. Chi-square test and logistic regression was used to compare the HIV prevalence between the BBS rounds, identify factors associated with HIV, and assess changes in HIV prevalence across selected risk factors. RESULTS There was a significant increase in HIV prevalence among MSM (7.1-14.9%), living in Maputo (9.3-14.7%), uncircumcised (11.7-25.1%), and those who reported two sexual partners in the last year (5.2-14.4%). In contrast, there was a decrease in prevalence among adult MSM aged between 25 and 29 years (24.7-13.9%), aged 30 years or older (45.7-27.7%), married (29.1-16.8%), with higher education (16.7-5.9%) and moderate perception of HIV risk (10.9-3.4%). Multivariable analysis showed that factors such as age, marital status, religion, sexual identity, circumcision, and the use of lubrication during anal sex are significantly associated with the risk of HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS This study underscores the continuing need for HIV prevention and education efforts. The rise in prevalence among specific population segments and the sustained presence of risk factors emphasize the requirement for holistic strategies tailored to the unique requirements of each subgroup. Understanding trends and risk factors is crucial to guiding public health policies and designing efficacious prevention programs that aim to curtail HIV transmission while enhancing the well-being of those impacted by the condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Áuria Ribeiro Banze
- National Institute of Health, EN1, Bairro da Vila- Parcela nº 3943 Marracuene District, Maputo, Maputo Province, Mozambique.
| | - Rachid Muleia
- National Institute of Health, EN1, Bairro da Vila- Parcela nº 3943 Marracuene District, Maputo, Maputo Province, Mozambique
| | - Samuel Nuvunga
- National Institute of Health, EN1, Bairro da Vila- Parcela nº 3943 Marracuene District, Maputo, Maputo Province, Mozambique
| | | | - Cynthia Semá Baltazar
- National Institute of Health, EN1, Bairro da Vila- Parcela nº 3943 Marracuene District, Maputo, Maputo Province, Mozambique
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17
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Cardona-Arias JA, Vidales-Silva M, Ocampo-Ramírez A, Higuita-Gutiérrez LF, Cataño-Correa JC. Prevalence of HIV, Treponema pallidum and Their Coinfection in Men Who Have Sex with Men, Medellín-Colombia. HIV AIDS (Auckl) 2024; 16:141-151. [PMID: 38650744 PMCID: PMC11034557 DOI: 10.2147/hiv.s452144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction In Colombia, HIV and gestational syphilis are notifiable events; however, they are poorly investigated infections in men who have sex with men (MSM). Objective To determine the prevalence of HIV, Treponema pallidum, and their co-infection in MSM treated at a Health Services Provider Institution (HSPI) specialized in infectious diseases from Medellín. Methods Cross-sectional study with 3454 MSM. Prevalence was determined with its 95% confidence interval; associated factors were identified using Fisher's Exact test, Pearson's Chi-square, and trend Chi-square. Multivariate adjustment was performed using logistic regression. Analyses were performed using SPSS 29.0. Results The prevalence of HIV was 5.7%, T. pallidum 0.7%, and co-infection 0.6%. The prevalence of HIV was higher in MSM aged between 24-40 years (7.5%), with technical or university studies (10.0%), without health insurance affiliation (12.4%), and those who have had a sexual partner with HIV (36.2%). T. pallidum was higher in MSM without health insurance affiliation (3.4%), who had sexual relations with people diagnosed with an STI (5.9%), and a sexual partner with HIV (12.1%). Co-infection was higher in MSM without health insurance affiliation (2.7%), and those who had a partner with HIV (11.2%). Conclusion Compared with the general Colombian population, MSM have a higher risk of HIV, but are similar to T. pallidum. The identification of the main associated factors in each infection demonstrates the need to prioritize subgroups of MSM that show greater vulnerability to these events. This research demonstrates the urgency of implementing health education strategies in MSM who have a sexual partner with HIV or other STIs. Large gaps were also evident in the magnitude of the three events according to the health insurance affiliation regime, which demonstrates problems of social and health injustice, especially with MSM without health insurance affiliation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Luis Felipe Higuita-Gutiérrez
- Escuela de Microbiología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia sede Medellín, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan Carlos Cataño-Correa
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Fundación Antioqueña de Infectología, Medellín, Colombia
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18
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Juster RP, Rutherford C, Keyes K, Hatzenbuehler ML. Associations Between Structural Stigma and Allostatic Load Among Sexual Minorities: Results From a Population-Based Study. Psychosom Med 2024; 86:157-168. [PMID: 38345315 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000001289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Structural forms of stigma and discrimination are associated with adverse health outcomes across numerous stigmatized groups, including lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. However, the biological consequences of structural stigma among LGB populations are understudied. To begin to address this gap, we assessed associations between indicators of structural stigma (i.e., state-level policies) targeting LGB individuals and allostatic load (AL) indices representing physiological dysregulations. METHODS Pooled data from the continuous 2001-2014 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey were analyzed (LGB: n = 864; heterosexual: n = 20,310). Ten state-level LGB-related policies (e.g., employment nondiscrimination protections, same-sex marriage) were used to operationalize structural stigma. A sex-specific AL index representing 11 immune, metabolic, and cardiovascular biomarkers was estimated. Multilevel models were used to examine associations between structural stigma and AL, net of nine individual-level characteristics (e.g., education, race/ethnicity, age, and health behaviors). RESULTS Sexual minority men living in states with low levels of structural stigma experienced significantly lower AL ( β = -0.45, p = .02) compared with sexual minority men living in states with high structural stigma (i.e., fewer protective policies). There was no significant association between structural stigma and AL among sexual minority women. CONCLUSIONS By demonstrating direct associations between structural stigma and indices of physiological dysregulation, our findings provide a mechanistic understanding of how the social environment can "get under the skin and skull" for sexual minority men in the United States. Future research should explore whether these mechanisms generalize to other marginalized groups exposed to structural stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert-Paul Juster
- From the Department of Psychiatry and Addiction (Juster), University of Montreal; Research Center of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute (Juster), Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University (Rutherford, Keyes), New York, New York; and Department of Psychology, Harvard University (Hatzenbuehler), Cambridge, Massachusetts
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19
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Tun NN, Smithuis F, Tun NL, Hteik MMM, Ko MK, Lynen L, Decroo T, Florence E, Gils T. Uptake and challenges with daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men and transgender women, suburban Yangon, Myanmar. Int Health 2024:ihae025. [PMID: 38551313 DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihae025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention in risk groups. We assessed PrEP uptake and 12-month retention among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in Myanmar during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and a political crisis. METHODS Using prospectively collected data, we assessed the proportion of persons eligible, initiated and retained 12 months on PrEP. We calculated HIV and syphilis incidence among those initiated on PrEP. Predictors of compliance to scheduled visits were assessed with fractional logistic regression. RESULTS Among 652 persons screened between July and December 2020, 85.3% were eligible and 38.8% initiated PrEP. The daily pill burden was the main reason (86.5%) for refusing PrEP. A history of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and having an HIV-positive partner not on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) was associated with PrEP uptake (p<0.05). The 12-month retention among those initiating PrEP was 43.0%. Age ≥25 y, a history of PEP and having an HIV-positive partner not on ART predicted better compliance with scheduled visits (p<0.05). HIV incidence among PrEP initiators was 3.1 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3 to 7.4) and syphilis incidence was 17.6 per 100 person-years (95% CI 12.3 to 25.1). CONCLUSIONS A PrEP program for MSM and TGW in Myanmar was implemented successfully under difficult circumstances. Alternative strategies are needed addressing PrEP uptake and retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni Ni Tun
- Medical Action Myanmar, Yangon. Myanmar
- Myanmar Oxford Clinical Research Unit, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Frank Smithuis
- Medical Action Myanmar, Yangon. Myanmar
- Myanmar Oxford Clinical Research Unit, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Nyan Lynn Tun
- Myanmar Oxford Clinical Research Unit, Yangon, Myanmar
| | | | | | - Lutgarde Lynen
- Clinical Sciences Department, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tom Decroo
- Clinical Sciences Department, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Eric Florence
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University Hospital of Antwerp, Edegem. Belgium
| | - Tinne Gils
- Clinical Sciences Department, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
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20
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Lohani SC, Ramer-Tait AE, Li Q. High-fat diet feeding exacerbates HIV-1 rectal transmission. mSystems 2024; 9:e0132223. [PMID: 38303112 PMCID: PMC10949459 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01322-23] [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: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
High-fat diet (HFD) is well known to impact various aspects of gut health and has been associated with many diseases and inflammation. However, the impact of HFD feeding on HIV-1 rectal transmission has not yet been well addressed. With an increasing threat of HIV-1 infection in men who have sex with men (MSM), where the rectal route is the primary mode of infection, it is imperative to understand the impact of HFD on gut microbiota and inflammation and consequently, its effect on HIV-1 rectal transmission. Here, we utilized our double humanized bone marrow, liver, thymus (dHu-BLT) mouse model to assess the impact of HFD feeding on the host's susceptibility to HIV-1 rectal transmission. We found that feeding an HFD successfully altered the gut microbial composition within 3 weeks in the dHu-BLT mouse model. In addition, levels of inflammatory mediators, specifically IL-12p70, IP-10, ICAM-1, and fecal calprotectin, were significantly higher in HFD-fed mice compared to control mice on a regular chow diet. We also observed that significantly different inflammatory markers (IL-12p70 and ICAM-1) were negatively correlated with the number of observed ASVs, Shannon diversity, and Faith's diversity in the HFD-fed group. Notably, when repeatedly challenged with a low dose of HIV-1 via a rectal route, mice receiving an HFD were significantly more susceptible to HIV-1 rectal infection than control mice. Together, these results underscore the impact of HFD feeding on the gut microbiota and inflammation and suggest the significance of diet-induced gut microbial dysbiosis and inflammation in promoting viral infection.IMPORTANCEHFD induces gut microbial dysbiosis and inflammation and has been associated with many infections and disease progression; however, its impact on HIV-1 rectal transmission is largely unknown. Given the increasing threat of HIV-1 incidence in men who have sex with men (MSM), it has become crucial to comprehend the impact of factors associated with gut health, like HFD consumption, on host susceptibility to HIV-1 rectal transmission. This is particularly important since anal intercourse remains the primary mode of HIV transmission within the MSM group. In this study, utilizing our unique mouse model, featuring both the human immune system and gut microbiota, we showed that HFD feeding led to gut microbial dysbiosis, induced inflammation, and increased HIV-1 rectal transmission. Collectively, our study highlights the significant impact of HFD on gut microbiota and inflammation and suggests an HFD consumption as a potential risk factor for promoting HIV-1 rectal susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saroj Chandra Lohani
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
- Nebraska Center for Virology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Amanda E. Ramer-Tait
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
- Nebraska Food for Health Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Qingsheng Li
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
- Nebraska Center for Virology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
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21
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Thapa S, Ogunleye TT, Shrestha R, Joshi R, Hannes K. Increased Stigma, and Physical and Sexual Violence Against Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Analyzing Social and Structural Barriers to HIV Testing and Coping Behaviors. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2024:1-27. [PMID: 38456684 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2024.2320237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
In sub-Saharan Africa, accessing HIV testing services is a significant challenge for men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW). In this qualitative evidence synthesis, our aim is to understand social and structural barriers and how they hinder MSM's and TGW's access to HIV testing services in sub-Saharan African countries. We searched four selective databases (PubMed, Web of Science and CINAHL complemented with Google Scholar) for qualitative studies, published in English between January 2005 and December 2023, generated 1507 articles, of which 22 were included. Thematic synthesis was conducted for data synthesis. This led to five barriers that hinder HIV test uptake among MSM and TGW, which included: non-availability of tailored HIV testing services, stigma, lack of trust among service providers, sexual and physical violence, and criminalization of same sex relationship. To navigate these social and structural barriers and cope with fears of discrimination and criminalization, MSM and TGW engaged into riskier behaviors, including avoiding HIV testing, non-disclosure, or relying on informal or alternative sources of HIV testing. Decriminalization of same-sex relationship and peer-led HIV testing services were noted to address structural barriers, including stigma and poor access, and subsequently increase the participation in HIV testing services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subash Thapa
- Rural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University, Orange, Australia
| | - Tadese Tewogbola Ogunleye
- Unit for Health Promotion, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Roman Shrestha
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Ranjila Joshi
- Unit for Health Promotion, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Karin Hannes
- Research Group SoMeTHin'K (Social, Methodological and Theoretical Innovation/Kreative), Faculty of Social Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven, Belgium
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22
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Luehring-Jones P, Fulford D, Palfai TP, Simons JS, Maisto SA. Alcohol, Sexual Arousal, and Partner Familiarity as Predictors of Condom Negotiation: An Experience Sampling Study. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:854-867. [PMID: 37751109 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04189-8] [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: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Numerous contextual factors contribute to risky sexual decision-making among men who have sex with men (MSM), with experimental laboratory-based studies suggesting that alcohol consumption, sexual arousal, and partner familiarity have the potential to impact condom negotiations during sexual encounters. The purpose of the current study was to extend this line of inquiry outside of the laboratory and into the everyday lives of MSM. We collected six weeks of daily data on alcohol consumption and sexual behaviors from 257 moderate- and heavy-drinking MSM to examine the within- and between-subjects effects of alcohol consumption, average daily sexual arousal, and partner familiarity on condom negotiation processes during sexual encounters. We hypothesized that alcohol consumption, higher levels of average daily sexual arousal, and greater partner familiarity would all contribute to a reduced likelihood of condom negotiation prior to sexual activity, and that they would also affect the difficulty of negotiations. Contrary to hypotheses, none of these three predictors had significant within-subjects effects on condom negotiation outcomes. However, partner familiarity and average daily sexual arousal did exert significant between-subjects effects on the incidence of negotiation and negotiation difficulty. These findings have important implications for risk-reduction strategies in this population. They also highlight the challenges of reconciling results from experimental laboratory research and experience sampling conducted outside of the laboratory on sexual risk behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Luehring-Jones
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Daniel Fulford
- Department of Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tibor P Palfai
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Simons
- Department of Psychology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, USA
| | - Stephen A Maisto
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
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23
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Obeng BM, Kelleher AD, Di Giallonardo F. Molecular epidemiology to aid virtual elimination of HIV transmission in Australia. Virus Res 2024; 341:199310. [PMID: 38185332 PMCID: PMC10825322 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The Global UNAIDS 95/95/95 targets aim to increase the percentage of persons who know their HIV status, receive antiretroviral therapy, and have achieved viral suppression. Achieving these targets requires efforts to improve the public health response to increase access to care for those living with HIV, identify those yet undiagnosed with HIV early, and increase access to prevention for those most at risk of HIV acquisition. HIV infections in Australia are among the lowest globally having recorded significant declines in new diagnoses in the last decade. However, the HIV epidemic has changed with an increasing proportion of newly diagnosed infections among those born outside Australia observed in the last five years. Thus, the current prevention efforts are not enough to achieve the UNAIDS targets and virtual elimination across all population groups. We believe both are possible by including molecular epidemiology in the public health response. Molecular epidemiology methods have been crucial in the field of HIV prevention, particularly in demonstrating the efficacy of treatment as prevention. Cluster detection using molecular epidemiology can provide opportunities for the real-time detection of new outbreaks before they grow, and cluster detection programs are now part of the public health response in the USA and Canada. Here, we review what molecular epidemiology has taught us about HIV evolution and spread. We summarize how we can use this knowledge to improve public health measures by presenting case studies from the USA and Canada. We discuss the successes and challenges of current public health programs in Australia, and how we could use cluster detection as an add-on to identify gaps in current prevention measures easier and respond quicker to growing clusters. Lastly, we raise important ethical and legal challenges that need to be addressed when HIV genotypic data is used in combination with personal data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Billal M Obeng
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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24
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Breen RW, Parmley LE, Mapingure MP, Chingombe I, Mugurungi O, Musuka G, Hakim AJ, Rogers JH, Moyo B, Samba C, Miller SS, Lamb MR, Harris TG. Hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) and HIV-HBV coinfection among men who have sex with men, transgender women, and genderqueer individuals in Harare and Bulawayo Zimbabwe, 2019. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25790. [PMID: 38352793 PMCID: PMC10862682 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives To measure HIV and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence and associated risk behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women/genderqueer individuals (TGW/GQ) in Zimbabwe. Methods We conducted a biobehavioral survey using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) among adult MSM and TGW/GQ in Harare and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe in 2019. Participants completed a questionnaire and underwent testing for HIV and HBV. Results Overall, 1,510 (Harare: 694, Bulawayo 816) participants were enrolled and consented to testing; 3.8 % (58) tested positive for HBV, 22.5 % (339) tested positive for HIV, and 2.2 % (33) tested positive for both HIV and HBV. HBV prevalence was higher among participants with HIV compared to HIV-negative participants (9.7 % vs. 2.1 %, p < 0.0001). Overall, HBV prevalence was not statistically different between MSM and TGW/GQ (3.7 % vs 4.5 %, p = 0.49) nor between Harare and Bulawayo (3.3 % vs 4.3 %, p = 0.33). Conclusions Our survey demonstrates the prevalence of HBV among MSM and TGW/GQ is lower than other estimates of HBV among MSM in Africa but remains high among our survey population living with HIV highlighting the need to expand HBV testing and treatment services, especially among people with HIV in Zimbabwe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin W.B. Breen
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Owen Mugurungi
- Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Avi J. Hakim
- Division of Global HIV & TB, Global Health Center, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - John H. Rogers
- Division of Global HIV & TB, Global Health Center, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Brian Moyo
- Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | | | - Matthew R. Lamb
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
- ICAP at Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tiffany G. Harris
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
- ICAP at Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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25
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Dada D, Abu-Ba'are GR, Turner D, Mashoud IW, Owusu-Dampare F, Apreku A, Ni Z, Djiadeu P, Aidoo-Frimpong G, Zigah EY, Nyhan K, Nyblade L, Nelson LE. Scoping review of HIV-related intersectional stigma among sexual and gender minorities in sub-Saharan Africa. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e078794. [PMID: 38346887 PMCID: PMC10862343 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are disproportionately impacted by HIV and often face multiple HIV-related stigmas. Addressing these stigmas could reduce SGM HIV vulnerability but little is known about how the stigmas operate and intersect. Intersectional stigma offers a lens for understanding the experiences of stigmatised populations and refers to the synergistic negative health effects of various systems of oppression on individuals with multiple stigmatised identities, behaviours or conditions. This review aims to (1) assess how often and in what ways an intersectional lens is applied in HIV-related stigma research on SGM populations in SSA and (2) understand how intersectional stigma impacts HIV risk in these populations. DESIGN Scoping review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews. DATA SOURCES Public health and regional databases were searched in 2020 and 2022. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Articles in French and English on HIV-related stigma and HIV outcomes among men who have sex with men, women who have sex with women and/or transgender individuals in SSA. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Articles were screened and extracted twice and categorised by use of an intersectional approach. Study designs and stigma types were described quantitatively and findings on intersectional stigma were thematically analysed. RESULTS Of 173 articles on HIV-related stigma among SGM in SSA included in this review, 21 articles (12%) applied an intersectional lens. The most common intersectional stigmas investigated were HIV and same-sex attraction/behaviour stigma and HIV, same-sex attraction/behaviour and gender non-conformity stigma. Intersectional stigma drivers, facilitators and manifestations were identified across individual, interpersonal, institutional and societal socioecological levels. Intersectional stigma impacts HIV vulnerability by reducing HIV prevention and treatment service uptake, worsening mental health and increasing exposure to HIV risk factors. CONCLUSION Intersectional approaches are gaining traction in stigma research among SGM in SSA. Future research should prioritise quantitative and mixed methods investigations, diverse populations and intervention evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debbie Dada
- School of Nursing, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- St Michael's Hospital Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gamji R Abu-Ba'are
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Behavioral, Sexual, and Global Health Lab, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Zhao Ni
- School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Pascal Djiadeu
- St Michael's Hospital Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- School of Public Health, University of Toronto Dalla Lana, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gloria Aidoo-Frimpong
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Edem Yaw Zigah
- Behavioral, Sexual, and Global Health Lab, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Kate Nyhan
- Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - LaRon E Nelson
- School of Nursing, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- St Michael's Hospital Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Kalu N, Ross MW, Taegtmeyer M, Lamontagne E, Howell S, Neuman M. Association of same-sex criminalisation laws and national HIV policies with HIV testing in African MSM: an ecological single-level and multilevel cross-sectional study of sub-Saharan African countries. Sex Transm Infect 2024; 100:sextrans-2023-055964. [PMID: 38331571 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2023-055964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains high compared with the general population. Many countries in the region still criminalise consensual homosexual relationships, and some are yet to adopt WHO-recommended interventions for MSM into national HIV policies. This study examines how HIV testing of adult MSM in SSA varies according to the legal climate and presence of targeted HIV policy using data from the cross-sectional 2019 Global LGBTI Internet Survey study. METHODS Using data from 3191 MSM in 44 SSA countries, we assessed associations of legal climate and HIV policy with ever and recent HIV testing using linear ecological and logistic multilevel analyses. From the single-level analysis, we can compare our findings to previously reported data, then, extending to a two-level multilevel analysis, we account for the hierarchical structure of the population and simultaneously adjust for differences in context and composition in each country. We then test the sensitivity of our analyses to excluding countries from the model. RESULTS We find evidence that legalised same-sex relationships were associated with increased odds of ever testing (OR=2.00, 95% CI 1.04, 3.82) in multilevel analyses. We also find evidence of an association of targeted HIV policies with increased odds of ever testing (OR=2.49, 95% CI 1.12, 5.52). We did not find evidence of an association of the legal climate (OR=1.01, 95% CI 0.69, 1.46) and targeted HIV policies (OR=1.26, 95% CI 0.78, 2.04) with recent testing. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests elimination of discriminatory laws and policies might be important for increasing HIV status awareness of MSM, an important first step in epidemic control. Additionally, we highlight heterogeneity between South Africa and other SSA countries, which has implications for studying SSA countries as a homogeneous group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngozi Kalu
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Michael W Ross
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Miriam Taegtmeyer
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Sean Howell
- LGBT+ Foundation, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Melissa Neuman
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group and Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Chen S, Zhu YY, Chu ZX, Zhou H, Liu M, Jiang YJ, Hu QH. Trajectories of anxiety and depression among Chinese men who have sex with men on pre-exposure prophylaxis: a group-based trajectory model approach. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:365. [PMID: 38310254 PMCID: PMC10837939 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17854-x] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety and depression can influence adherence to Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). However, there is limited research on the temporal dynamics of anxiety and depression among men who have sex with men (MSM) using PrEP. METHODS From December 2018 to November 2020, we administered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to participants in the China Real-World Oral Intake of PrEP (CROPrEP) to measure their anxiety and depression levels. The group-based trajectory model (GBTM) depicted the dynamic changes of anxiety and depression scores over time. RESULTS A total of 1023 MSM were included, with 4523 follow-up assessments. The GBTM categorized the trajectories into three distinct patterns: consistently low (54.8% for anxiety, 60.7% for depression), consistently moderate (39.3% for anxiety, 31.4% for depression), and high but bell-shaped (5.9% for anxiety, 7.9% for depression). Higher anxiety levels were associated with being aged 18-30 years old, earning less than US$619 per month, female-identifying, adopting the bottom sexual role with men, and having two or more anal sex partners in the past three months; similarly, higher depression levels correlated with a monthly income under US$619, female-identifying, sexual behavior as bottom and a positive syphilis at baseline. PrEP adherence was notably lower in the high but bell-shaped anxiety and depression group compared to the other groups, particularly at the 12th-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Close monitoring of anxiety and depression levels in MSM on PrEP is crucial. Provision of targeted mental health support is essential to enhance PrEP effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Centre for Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan-Yan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Centre for Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhen-Xing Chu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Centre for Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Centre for Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Miao Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Centre for Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yong-Jun Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Centre for Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qing-Hai Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Centre for Laboratory Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China.
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China.
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Anderle RV, de Oliveira RB, Rubio FA, Macinko J, Dourado I, Rasella D. Modelling HIV/AIDS epidemiological complexity: A scoping review of Agent-Based Models and their application. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297247. [PMID: 38306355 PMCID: PMC10836677 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, despite the increasing poverty and inequalities, policies should be designed to deal with population heterogeneity and environmental changes. Bottom-up designs, such as the Agent-Based Model (ABM), can model these features, dealing with such complexity. HIV/AIDS has a complex dynamic of structural factors, risk behaviors, biomedical characteristics and interventions. All embedded in unequal, stigmatized and heterogeneous social structure. To understand how ABMs can model this complexity, we performed a scoping review of HIV applications, highlighting their potentialities. METHODS We searched on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus repositories following the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. Our inclusion criteria were HIV/AIDS studies with an ABM application. We identified the main articles using a local co-citation analysis and categorized the overall literature aims, (sub)populations, regions, and if the papers declared the use of ODD protocol and limitations. RESULTS We found 154 articles. We identified eleven main papers, and discussed them using the overall category results. Most studies model Transmission Dynamics (37/154), about Men who have sex with Men (MSM) (41/154), or individuals living in the US or South Africa (84/154). Recent studies applied ABM to model PrEP interventions (17/154) and Racial Disparities (12/154). Only six papers declared the use of ODD Protocol (6/154), and 34/154 didn't mention the study limitations. CONCLUSIONS While ABM is among the most sophisticated techniques available to model HIV/AIDS complexity. Their applications are still restricted to some realities. However, researchers are challenged to think about social structure due model characteristics, the inclusion of these features is still restricted to case-specific. Data and computational power availability can enhance this feature providing insightful results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Felipe Alves Rubio
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil
| | - James Macinko
- Departments of Health Policy and Management and Community Health Sciences, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Ines Dourado
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Davide Rasella
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic—Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Fiorentino M, Coulibaly B, Couderc C, Keita BD, Anoma C, Dah E, Mensah E, Aka TN, Touré JR, Camara D, Kokouba AR, Maradan G, Mora M, Bourrelly M, Riegel L, Rojas-Castro D, Spire B, Laurent C, Sagaon-Teyssier L. Men Who Have Sex with Both Men and Women in West Africa: Factors Associated with a High Behavioral Risk of Acquiring HIV from Male Partners and Transmission to Women (CohMSM ANRS 12324-Expertise France). ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:757-769. [PMID: 37973698 PMCID: PMC10844348 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02715-2] [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] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
HIV is highly prevalent in men who have sex with men (MSM) in West Africa. Many MSM in the region also have sex with women (MSMW). Accordingly, they are a potential bridge subpopulation for HIV transmission to women. We aimed to evaluate the proportions and characteristics of West African MSMW at high behavioral risk of acquiring HIV from male partners and transmitting it to female partners (HBRMF). The cohort ANRS-12324 CohMSM Study included 630 HIV-negative MSM in Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, and Togo. Among MSMW (i.e., with ≥ 1 female partner) in the cohort, HBRMF was identified using trajectory models based on seven at-risk sexual practices with male and female partners, including inconsistent condom use, multiple partnerships, and receptive same-sex anal intercourse. To assess the relevance of using trajectory models, we compared the proportions of participants who seroconverted during the cohort follow-up among those at HBRMF and those not at HBRMF. Factors associated with HBRMF were identified using a generalized estimation equation logistic regression model accounting for longitudinal data. Approximately half (47%) of the 304 MSMW (22% of all CohMSM study participants) were at HBRMF. This group accounted for 75% of the 28 HIV seroconversions observed during follow-up (p = 0.001). HBRMF was positively associated with being aged < 25 years (aOR 95% CI 1.67 [1.23-2.27]), being sexually attracted only to men (1.97 [1.38-2.78]), feelings of loneliness (1.92 [1.38-2.65]), and homonegative violence score (1.22 [1.05-1.41]). HBRMF was negatively associated with having had both stable and casual female partners in the previous 6 months (0.34 [0.20-0.60] vs. only a stable female partner). HBRMF tended to be negatively associated with having ≥ 4 sexual intercourses with female partners in the previous four weeks (0.54 [0.27-1.06] vs. no intercourse). Establishing official relationships with women might be a strategy for young and/or stigmatized MSMW to comply with social pressure to display a heterosexual lifestyle. However, this seems to increase the risk of HIV transmission to female partners. In the present study, almost half of MSMW were at HBRMF. This result stresses the need to adapt HIV research and prevention to MSMW and their female partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Fiorentino
- IRD, Inserm, Sciences Economiques and Sociales de la Santé and Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, 13385, France.
| | - Bakary Coulibaly
- ARCAD Santé PLUS, Centre Intégré de Recherche, de Soins et d'Action Communautaire, Bamako, Mali
| | | | - Bintou Dembélé Keita
- ARCAD Santé PLUS, Centre Intégré de Recherche, de Soins et d'Action Communautaire, Bamako, Mali
| | | | - Elias Dah
- Association African Solidarité, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | | | | | - Drissa Camara
- ARCAD Santé PLUS, Centre Intégré de Recherche, de Soins et d'Action Communautaire, Bamako, Mali
| | | | - Gwenaëlle Maradan
- IRD, Inserm, Sciences Economiques and Sociales de la Santé and Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, 13385, France
- Observatoire régional de la santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France
| | - Marion Mora
- IRD, Inserm, Sciences Economiques and Sociales de la Santé and Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, 13385, France
| | - Michel Bourrelly
- IRD, Inserm, Sciences Economiques and Sociales de la Santé and Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, 13385, France
| | - Lucas Riegel
- Coalition PLUS, Laboratoire de recherche communautaire, Pantin, France
| | - Daniela Rojas-Castro
- IRD, Inserm, Sciences Economiques and Sociales de la Santé and Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, 13385, France
- Coalition PLUS, Laboratoire de recherche communautaire, Pantin, France
| | - Bruno Spire
- IRD, Inserm, Sciences Economiques and Sociales de la Santé and Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, 13385, France
| | | | - Luis Sagaon-Teyssier
- IRD, Inserm, Sciences Economiques and Sociales de la Santé and Traitement de l'Information Médicale, ISSPAM, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, 13385, France
- ARCAD Santé PLUS, Centre Intégré de Recherche, de Soins et d'Action Communautaire, Bamako, Mali
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Avallone F, Engler K, Cox J, Hickson F, Lebouché B. Interventions, Barriers, and Facilitators to Address the Sexual Problems of Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Living with HIV: A Rapid Scoping Review. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:450-472. [PMID: 38296920 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04237-3] [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: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Sexual problems are common among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) after diagnosis with HIV. However, these are often overlooked in care and research, where sexual risk reduction and biomedical aspects of sexual health tend to dominate. We conducted a rapid scoping review to investigate which sexual problems of GBM living with HIV are addressed by interventions, and the barriers and facilitators to their implementation. Literature from high-income countries published in English since 2010 was reviewed. Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, and Scopus databases were searched on July 4, 2022. Targeted sexual problems were categorized according to the ten dimensions of Robinson's Sexual Health Model, and barriers and facilitators, according to the five domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Interventions focused solely on the dimension of Sexual Health Care/Safer Sex were excluded. Relevant information was extracted from the qualifying documents with NVivo 12 software for content analysis. Fifty-two documents were included, referring to 37 interventions which mainly took place in the United States (n = 29/37; 78%), were group-based (n = 16; 41%), and used counselling techniques (n = 23; 62%; e.g., motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy). Their settings were mostly primary care (n = 15; 40%) or community-based (n = 16; 43%). On average, interventions addressed three sexual health dimensions (SD = 2; range: 1-10). The most targeted dimension was Sexual Health Care/Safer Sex (n = 26; 70%), which concerned sexual risk reduction. Next, Challenges (n = 23; 62%), included substance use (n = 7; 19%), sexual compulsivity (n = 6; 16%), sexual abuse (n = 6; 16%), and intimate partner violence (n = 4; 11%). Third was Talking About Sex (n = 22; 59%) which mostly concerned HIV disclosure. About a third of interventions addressed Culture/Sexual identity (n = 14; 38%), Intimacy/Relationships (n = 12; 33%), and Positive sexuality (n = 11; 30%). Finally, few targeted Body Image (n = 4; 11%), Spirituality (n = 3; 8%), Sexual Anatomy Functioning (n = 2; 5%) or Masturbation/Fantasy (n = 1; 3%). Forty-one documents (79%) mentioned implementation barriers or facilitators, particularly about the characteristics of the interventions (41% and 78%, respectively; e.g., cost, excessive duration, acceptability, feasibility) and of the individuals involved (37% and 46%; e.g., perceived stigmatization, provider expertise). The other three CFIR dimensions were less common (5%-17%). The search strategy of this review may not have captured all eligible documents, due to its limit to English-language publications. Overall, most interventions incorporated a focus on Sexual Health Care/Safer Sex, at the expenses of other prevalent sexual problems among GBM living with HIV, such as intimate partner violence (Challenges), erectile dysfunction (Sexual Anatomy Functioning), and Body Image dissatisfaction. These findings suggest they could receive more attention within clinical care and at the community level. They also highlight the importance of cost-effective and acceptable interventions conducted in non-stigmatizing environments, where patients' needs can be met by providers who are adequately trained on sexuality-related topics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Avallone
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Kim Engler
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Joseph Cox
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Chronic Viral Illness Service, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ford Hickson
- Department of Public Health, Environments & Society, Faculty of Public Health & Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Bertrand Lebouché
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Chronic Viral Illness Service, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Zheng Y, Ye K, Ying M, He Y, Yu Q, Lan L, Xu W. Syphilis epidemic among men who have sex with men: A global systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence, incidence, and associated factors. J Glob Health 2024; 14:04004. [PMID: 38236688 PMCID: PMC10795860 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.14.04004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background We aimed to estimate the prevalence and incidence of syphilis at global, regional and national levels for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) and explore the association between demographic and social behavioural factors and syphilis infection. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2022 for studies of reported crude syphilis prevalence or incidence in MSM or with sufficient data to calculate prevalence or incidence rate in MSM. Results We included 376 articles reporting on 409 records from 62 countries to calculate syphilis prevalence and incidence in MSM. The pooled prevalence of syphilis in MSM was 10.4%, with substantial differences between countries and regions. Syphilis prevalence was substantially higher in HIV-positive than in HIV-negative MSM. The pooled incidence of syphilis in MSM was 76.4 per 1000 person-years. Older age, lower education, nitrite or recreational drug use, group sex, and multiple sexual partners were identified as risk factors for syphilis infection. Conclusions A disproportionate geographic pattern of syphilis infection in MSM and significant threats of syphilis infection were revealed. The 'hidden risk' in specific regions and the inadequately elucidated drivers of high-risk behaviours, need to be fully acknowledged and addressed. Registration PROSPERO: CRD42023422218.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zheng
- Department of General Practice, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Allergy, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kangli Ye
- Department of General Practice, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Meike Ying
- Department of General Practice, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying He
- Department of General Practice, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qi Yu
- Department of Endodontics, Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lei Lan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenzhi Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Pang X, Xie B, He Q, Xie X, Huang J, Tang K, Fang N, Xie H, Ma J, Ge X, Lan G, Liang S. Distinct Rates and Transmission Patterns of Major HIV-1 Subtypes among Men who Have Sex with Men in Guangxi, China. Front Microbiol 2024; 14:1339240. [PMID: 38282731 PMCID: PMC10822680 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1339240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The diversity and transmission patterns of major HIV-1 subtypes among MSM population in Guangxi remains unknown. Understanding the characteristics is crucial for effective intervention strategies. Between 2016 and 2021, we recruited individuals newly diagnosed with HIV-1 from MSM population in Guangxi. HIV-1 pol region was amplified and sequenced, and constructed molecular network, assessed clustering rate, cluster growth rate, spatial clustering, and calculating the basic reproductive number (R0) based on sequences data. We identified 16 prevalent HIV-1 subtypes among Guangxi MSM, with CRF07_BC (53.1%), CRF01_AE (26.23%), and CRF55_01B (12.96%) predominating. In the network, 618 individuals (66.17%) formed 59 clusters. Factors contributing to clustering included age < 30 years (AOR = 1.35), unmarried status (AOR = 1.67), CRF07_BC subtype (AOR = 3.21), and high viral load (AOR = 1.43). CRF07_BC had a higher likelihood of forming larger clusters and having higher degree than CRF01_AE and CRF55_01B. Notably, CRF07_BC has higher cluster growth rate and higher basic reproductive number than CRF01_AE and CRF55_01B. Our findings underscore CRF07_BC as a prominent driver of HIV-1 spread among Guangxi's MSM population, highlighting the viability of targeted interventions directed at specific subtypes and super clusters to control HIV-1 transmission within this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianwu Pang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Major Infectious Disease Prevention Control and Biosafety Emergency Response, Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention Control and Translation, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Bo Xie
- School of Information and Management, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Qin He
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Major Infectious Disease Prevention Control and Biosafety Emergency Response, Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention Control and Translation, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xing Xie
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jinghua Huang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Major Infectious Disease Prevention Control and Biosafety Emergency Response, Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention Control and Translation, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Kailing Tang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Major Infectious Disease Prevention Control and Biosafety Emergency Response, Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention Control and Translation, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Ningye Fang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Major Infectious Disease Prevention Control and Biosafety Emergency Response, Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention Control and Translation, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Haoming Xie
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Major Infectious Disease Prevention Control and Biosafety Emergency Response, Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention Control and Translation, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Major Infectious Disease Prevention Control and Biosafety Emergency Response, Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention Control and Translation, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xianmin Ge
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Major Infectious Disease Prevention Control and Biosafety Emergency Response, Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention Control and Translation, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Guanghua Lan
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Major Infectious Disease Prevention Control and Biosafety Emergency Response, Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention Control and Translation, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Shujia Liang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Major Infectious Disease Prevention Control and Biosafety Emergency Response, Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention Control and Translation, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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Abu-Ba’are GR, Aidoo-Frimpong G, Stockton M, Zigah EY, Amuah S, Amu-Adu P, Amoh-Otoo RP, Nyblade L, Torpey K, Nelson LE. "I told myself, be bold and go and test": Motivators and barriers to HIV testing among gay, bisexual, and other cis-gender men who have sex with men in Ghana ‒ West Africa. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0002231. [PMID: 38206889 PMCID: PMC10783711 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Despite a disproportionately high burden of HIV, GBMSM in Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa often delay testing until the point of illness. However, limited studies examine factors that affect their participation in testing. We used qualitative in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) to collect insights into experiences, motivators, and barriers to HIV testing among GBMSM. Two community-based organizations used snowball and convenience sampling to recruit 10 GBMSM for IDIs and 8 to 12 for FGDs. We transcribed, coded, identified, and analyzed the relationship and commonalities between the participants' responses. Under experiences with testing, 1) fear of HIV infection created a stressful HIV testing experience, and 2) a friendly and supportive healthcare environment facilitated a positive experience in healthcare facilities. Motivators or facilitators of testing include 1) the perception or belief that HIV testing is an HIV prevention strategy; 2) encouragement from friends and peers; 3) understanding risk associated with certain sexual behaviors; 4) education or information on HIV; 5) access to free testing and incentives; 6) early symptoms and provider recommendation. Barriers to HIV testing include 1) negative community perceptions of HIV; 2) individual-level low-risk perception or indifference about HIV infection; 3) health system issues; 5) Perceived stigma at healthcare facilities. The findings point to the need to address critical issues around stigma, education, peer support, and healthcare resources through interventions and research to improve HIV testing among GBMSM in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamji Rabiu Abu-Ba’are
- Behavioral, Sexual and Global Health Lab, School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Yale AIDS Prevention Program (Y-APT), Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health/Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Behavioral, Sexual and Global Health Lab, West Africa Site, Jama’a Action, West Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Gloria Aidoo-Frimpong
- Yale AIDS Prevention Program (Y-APT), Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health/Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Melissa Stockton
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Edem Yaw Zigah
- Behavioral, Sexual and Global Health Lab, West Africa Site, Jama’a Action, West Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Priorities on Rights and Sexual Health, Accra, Ghana
| | - Samuel Amuah
- Youth Alliance for Health and Human Rights, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | | | - Laura Nyblade
- RTI International, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Kwasi Torpey
- Department of Population, Family & Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Ghana
| | - LaRon E. Nelson
- Yale AIDS Prevention Program (Y-APT), Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health/Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- School of Nursing, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
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Yang M, Zhang L, Jiang Y, Liu P, Liu W, Cao X, Luo Q, Fu C, He L. An adapted white-coat and warm-heart intervention on nurses' knowledge, general stigmatizing attitudes, and work avoidance behaviors towards HIV: a quasi-experimental study. J Occup Health 2024; 66:uiae041. [PMID: 39038083 PMCID: PMC11360590 DOI: 10.1093/joccuh/uiae041] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of an adapted white-coat and warm-heart intervention (AWWI) among nurses. BACKGROUND HIV discrimination among medical staff hinders progress in HIV prevention. METHODS A total of 779 nurses were randomized into intervention and control groups. The intervention group was provided with AWWI training. The control group did not receive AWWI training. HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of participants were assessed. RESULTS Participants in the intervention group had better HIV-related knowledge and less stigmatizing attitudes and work avoidance behavior levels than participants in the control group after the 1-, 3-, and 6-month interventions (P < .05). The main effects of group and time factors were highly significant in the intervention group. There were significant interaction effects in group and time factors. CONCLUSIONS AWWI effectively improved the level of HIV-related knowledge and reduced general stigmatizing attitudes and work avoidance behaviors among nurses based on self-reported data in a tertiary hospital in China during a 6-month period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yang
- Teaching and Research Section of Clinical Nursing, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Teaching and Research Section of Clinical Nursing, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Ying Jiang
- Teaching and Research Section of Clinical Nursing, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Teaching and Research Section of Clinical Nursing, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Wanli Liu
- Teaching and Research Section of Clinical Nursing, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Xiaoxia Cao
- Teaching and Research Section of Clinical Nursing, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Qin Luo
- Teaching and Research Section of Clinical Nursing, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Cangmei Fu
- Department of Oncology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410012, China
| | - Lianxiang He
- Teaching and Research Section of Clinical Nursing, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
- Department of Nursing, Xiangya Changde Hospital, Changde 415009, China
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Mulenga DM, Rosen JG, Banda L, Musheke M, Mbizvo MT, Raymond HF, Keating R, Witola H, Phiri L, Geibel S, Tun W, Pilgrim N. "I Have to Do It in Secrecy": Provider Perspectives on HIV Service Delivery and Quality of Care for Key Populations in Zambia. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2024; 35:27-39. [PMID: 38019138 PMCID: PMC10842367 DOI: 10.1097/jnc.0000000000000443] [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: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Key populations (KPs) experience suboptimal outcomes along the HIV care and prevention continua, but there is limited study of the challenges service providers encounter delivering HIV services to KPs, particularly in settings like Zambia, where provision of these services remains legally ambiguous. Seventy-seven providers completed in-depth interviews exploring constraints to HIV service delivery for KPs and recommendations for improving access and care quality. Thematic analysis identified salient challenges and opportunities to service delivery and quality of care for KPs, spanning interpersonal, institutional, and structural domains. Limited provider training in KP-specific needs was perceived to influence KP disclosure patterns in clinical settings, impeding service quality. The criminalization of KP sexual and drug use behaviors, coupled with perceived institutional and legal ambiguities to providing HIV services to KPs, cultivated unwelcoming service delivery environments for KPs. Findings elucidate opportunities for improving HIV service delivery/quality, from decentralized care to expanded legal protections for KPs and service providers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph G. Rosen
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | - Henry F. Raymond
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Ryan Keating
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Harold Witola
- National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council, Ministry of Health, Government of the Republic of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
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Çeker G. Associations of Incarceration With Subsequent Substance Use, Sexual Risk-Taking, and STI/HIV Incidence Among Black Sexual Minority Men and Black Transgender Women. Am J Mens Health 2024; 18:15579883241229003. [PMID: 38299337 PMCID: PMC10836135 DOI: 10.1177/15579883241229003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gökhan Çeker
- Department of Urology, Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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Yang L, Sun Z. Are All Gay Men at Risk of Developing HIV/AIDS? Why China's Mass HIV Testing Has Majorly Targeted Gay Men in the Era of Biomedicalization. Am J Mens Health 2024; 18:15579883241230165. [PMID: 38321807 PMCID: PMC10851740 DOI: 10.1177/15579883241230165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Global HIV/AIDS responses have been increasingly biomedically dominated over the past years. In line with this shifting paradigm, China has prioritized mass HIV testing as a practical approach to controlling its HIV/AIDS epidemics among at-risk populations, especially gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM). This study analyzed why China's mass HIV testing mainly targeted gay men by understanding the perspectives of public health professionals, community-based organization (CBO) workers, and gay men. In addition, this study revealed the tensions and unintended consequences of HIV/AIDS prevention and the representation of gay men in China. The study involved fieldwork conducted in a major city in Eastern China from 2015 to 2019. Semi-structured interviews were held with participants from the three abovementioned groups (N = 25). The study identified four processes concerning why gay men are mainly targeted for HIV testing. Some public health professionals believe that being a gay man is equivalent to having HIV/AIDS risks. In addition, this study particularly noted tensions between public health professionals and gay men, including gay men-identified CBO workers, over whether mass HIV testing should target gay men or anyone who engaged in sexual risk behaviors. This study argued that a particular focus on gay men due to pursuing biomedical advances in HIV/AIDS prevention seems to have unintendedly stereotyped gay men based on the presumptions that they are at risk of developing HIV/AIDS. In addition, this study corresponded to the broader social scientific discussion concerning whether HIV/AIDS intervention should target specific sexual risk practices or sexual identity/population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yang
- School of Public Administration, Beihang University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Zhipeng Sun
- Shanghai Technician School; Higher Vocational and Technical College, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, P.R. China
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Wang Z, Yang L, Yuan T, Huang R, Li P, Zhang K, Wang G, Zhou Y, Luo D, Meng X, Zou H. Awareness and uptake of non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in China: a cross-sectional study. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2024; 29:223-235. [PMID: 36124362 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2022.2125993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) is recommended to reduce the likelihood of HIV infection after potential exposure. However, little is known about this practice among Chinese gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM). GBM were enrolled from both centers for disease prevention and control (CDCs) and community health centers in six cities in China. Multivariable logistics regression was used to assess factors associated with awareness of and willingness to use nPEP. A total of 516 eligible GBM were included, 67.2% of whom were aware of nPEP, 76.0% were willing to use nPEP, and 2.3% had ever used nPEP. GBM who had college or higher education, had disclosed sexual orientation, had increased number of male sex partners in the last 6 months, and had ever tested for HIV were more likely to be aware of nPEP. Willingness to use nPEP was significantly associated with college or higher education, STI history, gay app use, and awareness of nPEP prior to study. Uptake of nPEP is still low among MSM in China. Efforts are needed to improve awareness of and access to nPEP among GBM, especially those at higher risk of HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Wang
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luoyao Yang
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tanwei Yuan
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ruonan Huang
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peiyang Li
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kechun Zhang
- Shenzhen Longhua District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guanghui Wang
- Qingdao Qingtong AIDS Prevention Volunteer Service Center, Qingdao, China
| | - Yepeng Zhou
- Foshan Friends Care Center for AIDS/HIV Control, Foshan, China
| | - Danyang Luo
- Zhitong LGBT Service Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojun Meng
- Wuxi Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuxi, China
| | - Huachun Zou
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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IZUCHUKWU AGUNESTOR, IFEANYI EBIRIMCHIKERE, GODSWILL EKELEMEUZOCHUKWU, WINNIE DOZIEUGONMA. Risk factors of HIV/AIDS among men who have sex with men in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2023; 64:E382-E397. [PMID: 38379745 PMCID: PMC10876029 DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2023.64.4.2931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Men who have sex with men (MSM) belong to the key population group which contributes to the high burden of human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) despite the ongoing HIV prevention programs in Nigeria. The current study assessed the risk factors of HIV/AIDS among men who have sex with men in Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria. Methods This study was a cross-sectional study of 400 men who have sex with men selected from three senatorial zones in Akwa Ibom. A statistical package for service solution version 23 was used to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics, Relative risk and Binary logistic regression were used to compare proportions between risk factors and HIV/AIDS among the MSM. Results More than half (50.5%) of the respondents were between the ages of 20-29 years. Above 66% of the respondents made their debut into MSM at the age bracket of 13-19 years. 50% of the respondents preferred unprotected sex with fellow men. About 99% of the respondents have multiple sexual partners. More than 72% of the respondents had engaged in group sex. About 64% of the respondents use tramadol before sex. Greater than half (54%) of the respondents have shared injection needles. Averagely, 97% of the respondent engaged in transactional sex in the past 3 months. 11.8% of the 400 respondents tested positive for HIV. There was a significant association between risk factors and HIV among the MSM studied. Conclusions MSM in Akwa Ibom State engage in high-risk behaviors, therefore, a risk reduction program targeted at each specific identified risk is highly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- AGU NESTOR IZUCHUKWU
- Department of Public Health, School of Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
| | - EBIRIM CHIKERE IFEANYI
- Department of Public Health, School of Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
| | - EKELEME UZOCHUKWU GODSWILL
- Department of Public Health, School of Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
| | - DOZIE UGONMA WINNIE
- Department of Public Health, School of Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
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Dourado I, Mullick S, Magno L, Grangeiro A. Implementing Differentiated and Integrated PrEP Services for Adolescent Key Populations: What Works and What Is the Way Forward? J Adolesc Health 2023; 73:S4-S7. [PMID: 37953007 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.08.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Inês Dourado
- Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
| | - Saiqa Mullick
- Wits RHI, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Laio Magno
- Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Grangeiro
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Soares F, Magno L, Pinto JA, Grangeiro A, Bruxvoort K, Greco D, Dourado I. Same-Day Initiation of Oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis is High Among Adolescent Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women in Brazil. J Adolesc Health 2023; 73:S26-S32. [PMID: 37953005 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study analyzed the sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of adolescent men who have sex with men (aMSM) and transgender women (aTGW) initiating oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention clinics. METHODS PrEP1519 is a prospective, multicenter, open-label PrEP demonstration cohort study of aMSM and aTGW aged 15-19 years living in three large Brazilian capital cities. For this analysis, we included adolescents who enrolled in PrEP1519 from February 2019 to August 2021. Adolescents who visited PrEP clinics were classified into four groups based on PrEP eligibility and on their decision to use PrEP: (1) ineligible for same-day PrEP initiation; (2) eligible for same-day PrEP initiation, initiated PrEP at first visit; (3) eligible for PrEP initiation, initiated PrEP after the first visit; and (4) eligible for same-day PrEP initiation but declined. The groups that were eligible for same-day PrEP initiation were compared using the Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS Of the 1,254 adolescents enrolled in the PrEP1519 study, 61 (4.9%) were considered ineligible for same-day PrEP initiation. Of the 1,193 eligible for same-day PrEP initiation, 1,113 (93.3%) initiated PrEP [1,054 initiated PrEP in the first visit (88.3%) and 59 in subsequent visits (4.9%)] and 80 (6.7%) did not. Despite 90% of the PrEP decliners reporting a low risk of HIV infection, most reported condomless anal sex in the past six months (70%). DISCUSSION Same-day PrEP initiation among aMSM and aTGW was high, highlighting that this strategy was important to promote PrEP initiation among adolescents with increased vulnerability to HIV in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiane Soares
- Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
| | - Laio Magno
- Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Jony Arrais Pinto
- Instituto de Matemática e Estatística, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Grangeiro
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Katia Bruxvoort
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Dirceu Greco
- Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Inês Dourado
- Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
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Jing F, Ye Y, Zhou Y, Ni Y, Yan X, Lu Y, Ong J, Tucker JD, Wu D, Xiong Y, Xu C, He X, Huang S, Li X, Jiang H, Wang C, Dai W, Huang L, Mei W, Cheng W, Zhang Q, Tang W. Identification of Key Influencers for Secondary Distribution of HIV Self-Testing Kits Among Chinese Men Who Have Sex With Men: Development of an Ensemble Machine Learning Approach. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e37719. [PMID: 37995110 PMCID: PMC10704319 DOI: 10.2196/37719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV self-testing (HIVST) has been rapidly scaled up and additional strategies further expand testing uptake. Secondary distribution involves people (defined as "indexes") applying for multiple kits and subsequently sharing them with people (defined as "alters") in their social networks. However, identifying key influencers is difficult. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to develop an innovative ensemble machine learning approach to identify key influencers among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) for secondary distribution of HIVST kits. METHODS We defined three types of key influencers: (1) key distributors who can distribute more kits, (2) key promoters who can contribute to finding first-time testing alters, and (3) key detectors who can help to find positive alters. Four machine learning models (logistic regression, support vector machine, decision tree, and random forest) were trained to identify key influencers. An ensemble learning algorithm was adopted to combine these 4 models. For comparison with our machine learning models, self-evaluated leadership scales were used as the human identification approach. Four metrics for performance evaluation, including accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score, were used to evaluate the machine learning models and the human identification approach. Simulation experiments were carried out to validate our approach. RESULTS We included 309 indexes (our sample size) who were eligible and applied for multiple test kits; they distributed these kits to 269 alters. We compared the performance of the machine learning classification and ensemble learning models with that of the human identification approach based on leadership self-evaluated scales in terms of the 2 nearest cutoffs. Our approach outperformed human identification (based on the cutoff of the self-reported scales), exceeding by an average accuracy of 11.0%, could distribute 18.2% (95% CI 9.9%-26.5%) more kits, and find 13.6% (95% CI 1.9%-25.3%) more first-time testing alters and 12.0% (95% CI -14.7% to 38.7%) more positive-testing alters. Our approach could also increase the simulated intervention's efficiency by 17.7% (95% CI -3.5% to 38.8%) compared to that of human identification. CONCLUSIONS We built machine learning models to identify key influencers among Chinese MSM who were more likely to engage in secondary distribution of HIVST kits. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) ChiCTR1900025433; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=42001.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengshi Jing
- Institute for Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Application, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
- Faculty of Data Science, City University of Macau, Macao Special Administrative Region, China
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
- School of Data Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Yang Ye
- School of Data Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
- Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Yi Zhou
- Department of HIV Prevention, Zhuhai Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yuxin Ni
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
- School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xumeng Yan
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
- Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Ying Lu
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jason Ong
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Dan Wu
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
- School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuan Xiong
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
- School of Social Work, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Chen Xu
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xi He
- Zhuhai Xutong Voluntary Services Center, Zhuhai, China
| | - Shanzi Huang
- Department of HIV Prevention, Zhuhai Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Zhuhai, China
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- Department of HIV Prevention, Zhuhai Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Zhuhai, China
| | - Hongbo Jiang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wencan Dai
- Department of HIV Prevention, Zhuhai Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Zhuhai, China
| | - Liqun Huang
- Department of HIV Prevention, Zhuhai Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Zhuhai, China
| | - Wenhua Mei
- Department of HIV Prevention, Zhuhai Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Zhuhai, China
| | - Weibin Cheng
- Institute for Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Application, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
- School of Data Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Qingpeng Zhang
- Institute of Data Science and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Weiming Tang
- Institute for Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Application, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Guimarães NS, Magno L, Monteiro GMB, Ramos ICN, de Castro CT, Aranha-Rossi TR, Pereira M, Dourado I. Demand creation and retention strategies for oral pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention among men who have sex with men and transgender women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:793. [PMID: 37964202 PMCID: PMC10644426 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08693-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) have a disproportionately higher risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection than other groups. Oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective prevention tool and should be offered to those at higher risk. Identifying demand creation strategies (DCS) and retention strategies (RS) to improve PrEP persistence is essential to control the HIV epidemic. AIM We aimed to identify the (DCS and RS with higher proportions among MSM and TGW. METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies were conducted, with studies retrieved from five databases until November, 2022 following the Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022323220). The outcomes were DCS and RS for PrEP use among MSM and TGW. Strategies used for users enrolled in the PrEP-recruited (DCS) were classified as face-to-face (peer educator recruitment at social venues, nongovernmental organizations, and parties; direct referrals by health services; friends and/or sexual partners); online (chatbot or peer educator recruitment on social media [e.g., , Instagram or Facebook] or dating/hook-up apps [e.g., Grindr, Tinder, Badoo, and Scruff]); and mixed (face-to-face and online). RS was classified as provider counseling (face-to-face by a health professional; prevention of HIV risk counseling, distribution of condoms, lubricants, and testing for HIV or other sexually transmitted infections); online counseling (text messages, chatbots, telephone calls, social media, and peer educators); and mixed (all previous strategies). Subgroup analyses were conducted for each treatment strategy. Meta-analyses were performed using the R software version 4.2.1. RESULTS A total of 1, 129 studies were retrieved from the five databases. After eligibility, 46 studies were included. For MSM, most DCS and RS were online at 91% (95% CI: 0.85-0.97; I2=53%), and 83% (95% CI: 0.80-0.85; I2=17%) respectively. For TGW, mixed DCS and RS were the most frequent at85% (95% CI: 0.60-1.00; I2=91%) and online counseling at 84% (95% CI: 0.64-0.95) compared to other strategies. CONCLUSION Critical issues play. Pivotal role in increasing PrEP awareness among MSM and TGW, minimizing access gaps, and ensuring retention of PrEP services. Offering oral PrEP using online DCS and RS can reach and retain high numbers of MSM and TGW, and reduce HIV incidence in these populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalia Sernizon Guimarães
- Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, R. Basílio da Gama, Canela, Salvador, Bahia, 40110-040, Brazil.
- Fundação de apoio à Fiocruz (FIOTEC) Scholarship, Avenida, Brazil.
- Departamento Ciências da Vida, Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.
- Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
| | - Laio Magno
- Life Sciences Departament, Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Marinho Bahia Monteiro
- Fundação de apoio à Fiocruz (FIOTEC) Scholarship, Avenida, Brazil
- Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Izabel Cristina Neves Ramos
- Fundação de apoio à Fiocruz (FIOTEC) Scholarship, Avenida, Brazil
- Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Caroline Tianeze de Castro
- Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, R. Basílio da Gama, Canela, Salvador, Bahia, 40110-040, Brazil
| | | | - Marcos Pereira
- Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Inês Dourado
- Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
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Ranjit YS, Krishnan A, Earnshaw VA, Weikum D, Ferro EG, Sanchez J, Altice FL. Psychometric Evaluation and Validation of the HIV Stigma Scale in Spanish among Men who have Sex with Men and Transgender Women. STIGMA AND HEALTH 2023; 8:437-444. [PMID: 38434589 PMCID: PMC10906740 DOI: 10.1037/sah0000302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Stigma and discrimination toward the LGBTQ community is pervasive and negatively impacts health. Validated measures of stigma in Spanish, however, are limited and none have specifically validated HIV-related stigma in Spanish-speaking men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in resource-limited settings. The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of a standardized HIV Stigma Scale, translated to Spanish, including its factor structure. Measures consisted of self-reported socio-demographic measures of age, sex, sexual orientation, education, employment status, income, living situation, HIV stigma, depressive symptoms, and social support. Using SPSS AMOS 24, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the 10-item Wright HIV Stigma Scale translated to Spanish was conducted in 359 MSM and TGW with HIV recruited from HIV clinics in Lima, Peru. The path model with three sub-scales: enacted, anticipated and internalized stigma, with eight items had an adequate fit to the data. The Spanish version (HIV Stigma Scale-ES) and its dimensions are similar to the ones validated in English for people with HIV (not MSM). Each construct was deemed to be reliable and showed good construct validity. Given the need to better understand and measure stigma in Spanish-speaking MSM, the HIV Stigma Scale-ES can be a useful tool to examine stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Archana Krishnan
- Department of Communication, University at Albany, State University of New York
| | | | - Damian Weikum
- AIDS Program, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine
| | - Enrico G. Ferro
- AIDS Program, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine
| | - Jorge Sanchez
- Centro de Investigaciones Tecnologicas, Biomedicas y Medioambientales, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
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Luz I, Vinhaes E, Cruz I, Travassos AG, Luz E, Netto EM, Brites C. High Prevalence of Anal Sexually Transmitted Infections among Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women Attending a Clinic for Prevention of Anal Cancer in Salvador, Brazil. Pathogens 2023; 12:1297. [PMID: 38003762 PMCID: PMC10675476 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) are highly vulnerable to anal sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Objectives-to evaluate the prevalence of anal STIs among MSM and TGW attending a referral clinic for anal cancer prevention. Methods-MSM and TGW attending a medical visit for high-resolution anoscopy in Salvador, Brazil, from February 2021 to June 2022 were screened for HPV, gonorrhea, and chlamydial infection by PCR of anal swab and by serum VDRL titration for syphilis screening. They also responded to a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behavior. Results-we evaluated 141 participants: 117 (82.9%) MSM, 9 (6.4%) bisexual men (BSM), and 15 (10.6%) TGW. Most (111/141, 78.7%) were older than 30 years, 89 (63.1%) had over 12 years of education, and 124 (87.9%) had a family income of up to five minimum wages. At least one STI was detected in 112 (79.4%) of the participants (86.7% among TGW). HIV infection was detected in 102 (72.3%) participants; HIV frequency was higher in BSM (7/9, 88.9%) and in MSM (89/116, 76.1%) than in TGW (5/15, 33.3%). A lower income (p = 0.004) was predictive of anal STIs, while syphilis was significantly more frequent among participants with HIV (29.1% vs. 5,3%, for HIV positive and negative, respectively, p = 0.002). Presenting at least one active STI was also associated with having had group sex in the last year (p = 0.03) and with use of sexualized drugs (p = 0.02). Conclusions-MSM and TGW present a high vulnerability to anal STIs. Number of sexual partners, use of sexualized drugs, and lower income are predictive of a higher risk of acquiring an STI in such populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Luz
- Fundação Bahiana de Infectologia, Salvador 40110-060, Brazil; (I.L.); (E.V.); (E.L.); (E.M.N.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina e Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador 40110-060, Brazil
| | - Eda Vinhaes
- Fundação Bahiana de Infectologia, Salvador 40110-060, Brazil; (I.L.); (E.V.); (E.L.); (E.M.N.)
| | - Isabela Cruz
- Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos, UFBA-EBSERH, Salvador 40110-060, Brazil;
| | | | - Estela Luz
- Fundação Bahiana de Infectologia, Salvador 40110-060, Brazil; (I.L.); (E.V.); (E.L.); (E.M.N.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina e Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador 40110-060, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Martins Netto
- Fundação Bahiana de Infectologia, Salvador 40110-060, Brazil; (I.L.); (E.V.); (E.L.); (E.M.N.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina e Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador 40110-060, Brazil
| | - Carlos Brites
- Fundação Bahiana de Infectologia, Salvador 40110-060, Brazil; (I.L.); (E.V.); (E.L.); (E.M.N.)
- Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos, UFBA-EBSERH, Salvador 40110-060, Brazil;
- School of Medicine, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador 40110-060, Brazil
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Li X, Liu Y, Han J, Lin K, Bai X, Lu F. Trajectories of depressive symptoms in young and middle-aged men who have sex with men with new HIV-diagnosis: a 1-year prospective cohort study in Beijing, China. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1244624. [PMID: 37915822 PMCID: PMC10616961 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1244624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Due to the sexual orientation and HIV diagnosis, young and middle-aged men who have sex with men (MSM) with new HIV-diagnosis may experience more depressive syndromes and face greater psychological stress. The study explored trajectories of depressive symptoms of young and middle-aged MSM within 1 year after new HIV-diagnosis and analyze the related factors. Methods From January 2021 to March 2021, 372 young and middle-aged MSM who were newly diagnosed as HIV-infection were recruited in two hospitals in Beijing. Self-rating Depression Scale was used to measure the participants' depressive symptom in 1st month, 3rd month, 6th month, 9th month and 12th month after HIV diagnosis. The latent class growth model was used to identify trajectories of the participants' depressive symptoms. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyse factors related with the trajectories. Results Three hundred and twenty-eight young and middle-aged MSM with new HIV-diagnosis completed the research. Depressive symptom in 328 young and middle-aged MSM was divided into three latent categories: non-depression group (56.4%), chronic-mild depression group (28.1%), and persistent moderate-severe depression group (15.5%). The participants assessed as non-depression (non-depression group) or mild depression (chronic-mild depression group) at the baseline were in a non-depression state or had a downward trend within one-year, and the participants assessed as moderate and severe depression (persistent moderate-severe depression group) at the time of diagnosis were in a depression state continuously within 1-year. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that, compared with the non-depression group, monthly income of 5,000 ~ 10,000 RMB (equal to 690 ~ 1,380 USD) was the risk factor for the chronic-mild depression group, and self-rating status being fair/good and self-disclosure of HIV infection were protective factors for the persistent moderate-severe depression group while HIV-related symptoms was the risk factor. Conclusion Depressive symptoms in young and middle-aged MSM is divided into three latent categories. Extra care must be given to young and middle-aged MSM assessed as moderate or severe depression at the time of HIV-diagnosis, especially to those who had poor self-rating health status, did not tell others about their HIV-infection and experienced HIV-related symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Li
- School of Nursing, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Yu Liu
- School of Nursing, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Han
- Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Keke Lin
- School of Nursing, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Bai
- School of Nursing, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Fengling Lu
- School of Medicine, Qingdao Huanghai University, Qingdao, China
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Brown CA, Siegler AJ, Zahn RJ, Valencia RK, Sanchez T, Kramer MR, Phaswana-Mafuya NR, Stephenson R, Bekker LG, Baral SD, Sullivan PS. Assessing the association of stigma and HIV service and prevention uptake among men who have sex with men and transgender women in South Africa. AIDS Care 2023; 35:1497-1507. [PMID: 36755403 PMCID: PMC10406969 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2023.2175770] [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: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
HIV prevention for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and transgender women (TGW) is critical to reducing health disparities and population HIV prevalence. To understand if different types of stigma impact engagement with HIV prevention services, we assessed associations between stigmas and use of HIV prevention services offered through an HIV prevention intervention. This analysis included 201 GBMSM and TGW enrolled in a prospective cohort offering a package of HIV prevention interventions. Participants completed a baseline survey that included four domains of sexual identity/behavior stigma, HIV-related stigma, and healthcare stigma. Impact of stigma on PrEP uptake and the number of drop-in visits was assessed. No domain of stigma was associated with PrEP uptake. In bivariate analysis, increased enacted sexual identity stigma increased number of drop-in visits. In a logistic regression analysis constrained to sexual identity stigma, enacted stigma was associated with increased drop-in visits (aIRR = 1.30, [95% CI: 1.02, 1.65]). Participants reporting higher enacted stigma were modestly more likely to attend additional services and have contact with the study clinics and staff. GBMSM and TGW with higher levels of enacted stigma may seek out sensitized care after negative experiences in their communities or other healthcare settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn A Brown
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
- ViiV Healthcare, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Aaron J Siegler
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ryan J Zahn
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rachel K Valencia
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Travis Sanchez
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michael R Kramer
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nancy Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya
- SAMRC/JJ Pan African Centre for Epidemics Research (PACER) Extramural Unit; Department of Environmental Health, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Rob Stephenson
- Department of Systems, Populations and Leadership, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- The Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Stefan D Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Patrick S Sullivan
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Reyniers T, Fiorentino M, Babo SAY, Ouedraogo M, Kanta I, Agbegnigan LE, Rojas D, Anoma C, Dah TTE, Mensah E, Keita BD, Spire B, Vuylsteke B, Laurent C. The Perceived Added Value of Bimonthly Injectable Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis According to West African Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Focus Group Study. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2023; 37:480-488. [PMID: 37862074 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2023.0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Bimonthly long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) can become an important additional tool for HIV prevention among West African men who have sex with men (MSM). The objective was to explore the perceived added value of LAI-PrEP as an HIV prevention tool among MSM in Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, and Togo. We conducted eight focus group discussions among 62 HIV-negative MSM between April and May 2021. Participants were recruited via local community-based clinics. Data collection and analysis were guided by grounded theory and community-based participatory approaches. Participants were generally knowledgeable about HIV, and explained particular barriers for HIV prevention in their communities (e.g., denial of HIV). The added value of LAI-PrEP relative to condoms was similar to oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in terms of perceived advantages (e.g., improved sexual satisfaction) or disadvantages (e.g., no protection against other sexually transmitted infections). Compared with oral PrEP, LAI-PrEP was perceived to provide better protection against HIV and to be more convenient (e.g., no need to be mindful of intake and less risk for stigma). Concerns included fear of needles, doubts about efficacy, potential side effects, and difficulties for ensuring timely injections (e.g., when traveling abroad). The results demonstrate that injectable PrEP can be of particular interest to subgroups of West African MSM, although existing HIV prevention tools such as condoms and oral PrEP will remain valuable alongside of, or instead of, LAI-PrEP. Increasing awareness about HIV and tackling discrimination based on sexual orientation continue to be crucial factors to be addressed for HIV prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thijs Reyniers
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marion Fiorentino
- INSERM, IRD, Sciences Economiques et Sociales de la Santé et Traitement de l'Information Médicale (SESSTIM), ISSPAM, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Daniela Rojas
- INSERM, IRD, Sciences Economiques et Sociales de la Santé et Traitement de l'Information Médicale (SESSTIM), ISSPAM, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- Coalition Plus, Community-Based Research Laboratory, Pantin, France
| | | | - Ter Tiero Elias Dah
- Association African Solidarité, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
- UFR Sciences de la Santé, Université de Ouahigouya, Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso
| | | | | | - Bruno Spire
- INSERM, IRD, Sciences Economiques et Sociales de la Santé et Traitement de l'Information Médicale (SESSTIM), ISSPAM, Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Bea Vuylsteke
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Christian Laurent
- TransVIHMI, Université Montpellier, IRD, Inserm, Montpellier, France
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Culquichicón C, Zapata-Castro LE, Soto-Becerra P, Silva-Santisteban A, Konda KA, Lescano AG. Contributing factors for self-reported HIV in male Peruvian inmates: results of the 2016 prison census. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1241042. [PMID: 37818296 PMCID: PMC10560882 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1241042] [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: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Worldwide, prisons are high-risk settings for the transmission of infectious diseases such as HIV. There is a need to understand the health conditions of prisoners to improve and implement timely strategies for HIV diagnosis and control. Hence, we aimed to identify factors associated with self-reported HIV (srHIV) among Peruvian inmates. Methods This study is a secondary data analysis of the First Peruvian Prison Census conducted in 2016. We estimated the prevalence of srHIV in prisoners who were male at birth and the association of srHIV with other social conditions, criminal records, and prevalent health conditions. Nested models identified a multivariable parsimonious model for factors associated with srHIV and yielding prevalence ratios adjusted by the included parameters. Results The census surveyed 71,087 male inmates of whom 0.4% reported srHIV (n = 305), and 82% of whom were receiving antiretroviral treatment (n = 220). In our final multivariable model, srHIV was independently associated with age between 36 and 55 years old vs. >55 years old [parsimonious prevalence ratio (pPR) = 1.98, 95% CI, 0.96-4.08], having a stable partner out of prison (pPR = 1.64, 95% CI, 1.24-2.19), being homosexual (pPR = 4.16, 95% CI, 2.50-6.90), self-report of prevalent tuberculosis co-infection (pPR = 2.55, 95% CI, 1.82-3.58), self-report of prevalent sexually transmitted infections (pPR = 34.49, 95% CI, 24.94-47.70), and self-report of prevalent illicit drug use 30 days before the survey (pPR = 1.91, 95% CI, 1.43-2.56). Conclusion Self-reported HIV is associated with multiple social, health and prison risks among Peruvian inmates. Deeply understanding these factors would help to design HIV prevention and control strategies in Peruvian prisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Culquichicón
- CI-Emerge, Center of Emerging Diseases and Climate Change Research, Universidad Nacional de Piura, Piura, Peru
- School of Health Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Piura, Piura, Peru
- Emerge, Emerging Diseases and Climate Change Research Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Luis E. Zapata-Castro
- CI-Emerge, Center of Emerging Diseases and Climate Change Research, Universidad Nacional de Piura, Piura, Peru
- School of Health Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Piura, Piura, Peru
- Sociedad Científica de Estudiantes de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Piura, Piura, Peru
| | - Percy Soto-Becerra
- Emerge, Emerging Diseases and Climate Change Research Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Alfonso Silva-Santisteban
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality, AIDS and Society, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Kelika A. Konda
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality, AIDS and Society, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Andrés G. Lescano
- Emerge, Emerging Diseases and Climate Change Research Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
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Faraci G, Park SY, Love TMT, Dubé MP, Lee HY. Precision detection of recent HIV infections using high-throughput genomic incidence assay. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0228523. [PMID: 37712639 PMCID: PMC10580985 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02285-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV incidence is a key measure for tracking disease spread and identifying populations and geographic regions where new infections are most concentrated. The HIV sequence population provides a robust signal for the stage of infection. Large-scale and high-precision HIV sequencing is crucial for effective genomic incidence surveillance. We produced 1,034 full-length envelope gene sequences from a seroconversion cohort by conducting HIV microdrop sequencing and measuring the genomic incidence assay's genome similarity index (GSI) dynamics. The measured dynamics of 9 of 12 individuals aligned with the GSI distribution estimated independently using 417 publicly available incident samples. We enhanced the capacity to identify individuals with recent infections, achieving predicted detection accuracies of 92% (89%-94%) for cases within 6 months and 81% (74%-87%) for cases within 9 months. These accuracy levels agreed with the observed detection accuracy intervals of an independent validation data set. Additionally, we produced 131 full-length envelope gene sequences from eight individuals with chronic HIV infection. This analysis confirmed a false recency rate (FRR) of 0%, which was consistent with 162 publicly available chronic samples. The mean duration of recent infection (MDRI) was 238 (209-267) days, indicating an 83% improvement in performance compared to current recent infection testing algorithms. The shifted Poisson mixture model was then used to estimate the time since infection, and the model estimates showed an 88% consistency with the days post infection derived from HIV RNA test dates and/or seroconversion dates. HIV microdrop sequencing provides unique prospects for large-scale incidence surveillance using high-throughput sequencing. IMPORTANCE Accurate identification of recently infected individuals is vital for prioritizing specific populations for interventions, reducing onward transmission risks, and optimizing public health services. However, current HIV-specific antibody-based methods have not been satisfactory in accurately identifying incident cases, hindering the use of HIV recency testing for prevention efforts and partner protection. Genomic incidence assays offer a promising alternative for identifying recent infections. In our study, we used microdroplet technologies to produce a large number of complete HIV envelope gene sequences, enabling the accurate detection of early infection signs. We assessed the dynamics of the incidence assay's metrics and compared them with statistical models. Our approach demonstrated high accuracy in identifying individuals with recent infections, achieving predicted detection rates exceeding 90% within 6 months and over 80% within 9 months of infection. This high-resolution method holds significant potential for enhancing the effectiveness of HIV incidence screening for case-based surveillance in public health initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Faraci
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sung Yong Park
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Tanzy M. T. Love
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Michael P. Dubé
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ha Youn Lee
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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