Prevalence of sexually transmissible infections and HIV in men attending sex-on-premises venues in Australia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Engaging hard-to-reach men-who-have-sex-with-men with sexual health screening: Qualitative interviews in an Australian sex-on-premises-venue and sexual health service

CONTEXT

Compared with the general population in Australia, men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) have higher rates of HIV and sexually transmissible infections (STIs). Despite widespread advice to test regularly, a minority of these men remain "hard to reach." We undertook qualitative interviews with a group of such men in Sydney to better understand their views and experiences in relation to sexual health screening.

METHODS

We conducted semi-structured interviews with men engaging with HIV/STI screening services at a sex-on-premises-venue and the local Sexual Health Service in Greater Western Sydney. We analyzed these data for content and themes.

RESULTS

Sexual behaviors and identities were diverse, often discordant and compartmentalized from everyday lives. Overall, reported HIV/STI knowledge was poor and men did not see themselves at risk of HIV/STIs regardless of sexual behavior. Men took calculated risks and balanced with pleasure and escapism. Reasons for avoidance of testing included fear, unwillingness to disclose behavior, privacy concerns, and perceived low risk. Men viewed sexual health care as distinct from general health care. Service delivery preferences varied by service venue. Participants highlighted convenience, confidentiality, and trust as critical factors for a testing service.

CONCLUSION

A variety of testing options are needed to engage hard-to-reach MSM. Opportunities to enhance testing may include expanding health messaging, demystifying testing, and delinking sexual identity from sexual behavior and risk, thus promoting advantages of testing and establishing testing as standard of care.

Cross-sectional study of sexual behaviour and health of gay and bisexual men in suburban Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: contrasts between sex venue and clinic attendees

Background In Australia, men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) have higher rates of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and HIV compared with heterosexual men. We compared demographics, behaviour and HIV/STI prevalence for MSM attending a sex-on-premises-venue (SOPV) or the local sexual health clinic (SHC) to determine key differences.

METHODS

Men attending a SOPV during onsite HIV/STI screening from November 2015 for 12 months were compared with MSM attending a local SHC for screening. Each group completed a self-administered questionnaire and STI/HIV testing. Data analysis was performed using SPSS.

RESULTS

Compared with SHC participants (n = 108), SOPV participants (n = 84) had a higher median age (47 years [range, 22-88] vs 33 years [range, 19-71]; P < 0.001) and less likely to report previous HIV testing (73% vs 89%; P < 0.01), STI testing (60% vs 90%; P < 0.001) or be vaccinated for hepatitis A (32% vs 65%; P < 0.001) or hepatitis B (35% vs 73%; P < 0.001). SOPV participants were more likely to be married, widowed or have a long-term female partner (39% vs 7%; P < 0.001) and have a higher prevalence of urethral and rectal chlamydia (7% vs 1%; P = 0.02 and 8% vs 2%; P = 0.03, respectively). There was no significant difference between the groups for detection of syphilis (4% vs 9%), gonorrhoea (5% vs 9%) or HIV (1% vs 0%).

CONCLUSION

MSM attending the SOPV had higher anogenital chlamydial prevalence compared with those attending the SHC. They reported higher rates of sex with female partners, which may facilitate STI/HIV transmission to heterosexual populations. Our findings have implications for HIV/STI service provision, contact tracing and local health promotion initiatives.