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Tassiopoulos K, Travers R, Cameron R, Coulombe S, Davis CE, Wilson CL, Woodford MR, Coleman T. Knowledge of viral load, PrEP, and HIV-related sexual risk among men who have sex with men in the Waterloo region. THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN SEXUALITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3138/cjhs.2021-0054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) remain most disproportionately affected by HIV in Canada. HIV-related sexual risk behaviours have been linked to high HIV risk among GBMSM, but prior research has not focused on knowledge of viral load, and the risk it presents for HIV acquisition. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between HIV-related sexual risk behaviour and knowledge of viral load among GBMSM. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenience sample of individuals age 16 and older who self-identified as LGBTQ and lived, worked, or resided in the Waterloo region, an urban-rural area in southwestern Ontario ( N = 526). Responses were analyzed from those identifying as GBMSM ( N = 269). Logistic regression models were created to explore sociodemographic, outness, social support, and HIV-related sexual risk variables associated with knowledge of viral load. Multivariable regression models were built to explore the same associations while controlling for confounders. HIV risk was not associated with knowledge of viral load in bivariate or multivariable analyses. Point estimates for low/negligible (odds ratio [OR] 1.10; 95% CI 0.46–2.51) and high risk (OR 1.88; 95% CI 0.68–5.20) suggest trends of higher knowledge with increased HIV risk. Men who engage in sexual risk behaviour may have increased sexual health literacy and awareness of biomedical interventions (e.g., pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP) that reduce HIV risk. Policies are needed that promote acceptance of sexual orientation, improve awareness and access to PrEP, and ensure optimal delivery of HIV education to at-risk groups prior to engagement in higher risk activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Tassiopoulos
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robb Travers
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth Cameron
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
| | - Simon Coulombe
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charlie E. Davis
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ciann L. Wilson
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael R. Woodford
- Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
| | - Todd Coleman
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Tassiopoulos K, Travers R, Cameron R, Coulombe S, Davis CE, Wilson CL, Woodford MR, Coleman T. Knowledge of viral load, PrEP, and HIV-related sexual risk among men who have sex with men in the Waterloo region. THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN SEXUALITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3138/cjhs.2022-0054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) remain most disproportionately affected by HIV in Canada. HIV-
related sexual risk behaviours have been linked to high HIV risk among GBMSM, but prior research has not focused on knowledge of viral load, and the risk it presents for HIV acquisition. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between HIV-related sexual risk behaviour and knowledge of viral load among GBMSM. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenience sample of individuals age 16 and older who self-identified as LGBTQ and lived, worked, or resided in the Waterloo region, an urban-rural area in southwestern Ontario ( N = 526). Responses were analyzed from those identifying as GBMSM ( N = 269). Logistic regression models were created to explore sociodemographic, outness, social support, and HIV-related sexual risk variables associated with knowledge of viral load. Multivariable regression models were built to explore the same associations while controlling for confounders. HIV risk was not associated with knowledge of viral load in bivariate or multivariable analyses. Point estimates for low/negligible (odds ratio [OR] 1.10; 95% CI 0.46–2.51) and high risk (OR 1.88; 95% CI 0.68–5.20) suggest trends of higher knowledge with increased HIV risk. Men who engage in sexual risk behaviour may have increased sexual health literacy and awareness of biomedical interventions (e.g., pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP) that reduce HIV risk. Policies are needed that promote acceptance of sexual orientation, improve awareness and access to PrEP, and ensure optimal delivery of HIV education to at-risk groups prior to engagement in higher risk activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Tassiopoulos
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robb Travers
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ruth Cameron
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
| | - Simon Coulombe
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charlie E. Davis
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ciann L. Wilson
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael R. Woodford
- Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
| | - Todd Coleman
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Achieving Greater HIV Prevention Impact Through CDC's National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2017; 75 Suppl 3:S249-S252. [PMID: 28604424 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The National HIV Behavioral Surveillance system was designed to monitor risk factors for HIV infection and HIV prevalence among individuals at higher risk for HIV infection, that is, sexually active men who have sex with men who attend venues, persons who recently injected drugs, and heterosexuals of low socioeconomic status living in urban areas. These groups were selected as priorities for behavioral surveillance because they represent the major HIV transmission routes and the populations with the highest HIV burden. Accurate data on the behaviors in these populations are critical for understanding trends in HIV infections and planning and evaluating effective HIV prevention activities. The articles in this supplement illustrate how National HIV Behavioral Surveillance data can be used to assess HIV risk behaviors, prevalence, and service utilization of the populations most affected by HIV in the United States and guide local and national high-impact prevention strategies to meet national HIV prevention goals.
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