Chama J, Adebiyi R, Volpi C, Ononaku U, Maigida J, Aka A, Katu C, Shutt A, Charurat M, Adebajo S, Nowak RG. Brief Report: Prevalence and Predictors of Concern About Anal Cancer Among Sexual and Gender Minorites Living With HIV in Abuja, Nigeria.
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2023;
93:313-318. [PMID:
37018922 PMCID:
PMC10330150 DOI:
10.1097/qai.0000000000003206]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Anal cancer rates are rising among sexual and gender minorities (SGM) who live with HIV and engage in anal sex. Given that secondary cancer prevention programs for nonanal cancers are underutilized in sub-Saharan Africa, our objective was to assess concerns for anal cancer and hesitancy with cancer prevention among at-risk Nigerian SGM.
METHODS
Within 4 weeks, SGM living with HIV were surveyed on levels of worry and hesitancy in engaging with a future anal cancer screening and treatment study. Worry was measured on a 5-point Likert scale (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) and categorized as low ≤25%, moderate 50%, and high ≥75%. Ordinal logistic regression identified factors associated with worry by estimating unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).
RESULTS
Of 800 enrolled SGM, median age was 32 (interquartile range: 25-38) years, 99.2% were on antiretroviral therapy, of which 78.5% reported ≥95% pill adherence. The prevalence of moderate and high worry was 46.9% and 39.5%, respectively. Increasing worry was associated with reporting as a bottom for sexual position (aOR: 3.12; 95% CI: 2.04 to 4.80), top or bottom for sexual position (aOR: 2.94; 95% CI: 1.92 to 4.52), or knowing anyone with anal cancer (aOR: 2.99; 95% CI: 1.36 to 6.57). Participants aged ≥35 years were less worried (aOR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.59 to 0.95). Ninety-nine percent of participants provided contact information for a future cancer prevention study.
DISCUSSION
SGM who heard about and engaged in at-risk practices for anal cancer were willing to access secondary prevention. Addressing biopsychosocial factors such as age could foster future engagement.
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