1
|
Yeung A, Lisk R, Rana J, Guiang CB, Bacon J, Brunetta J, Gilbert M, Gesink D, Grewal R, Kwag M, Logie CH, Mitterni L, Shahin R, Tan DH, Burchell AN. Community and Health Care Provider Preferences for Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Interventions for Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men: e-Delphi Study. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e40477. [PMID: 37384393 PMCID: PMC10365575 DOI: 10.2196/40477] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canadian clinical guidelines recommend at least annual and up to quarterly bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing among sexually active gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM). However, testing rates are suboptimal. Innovative solutions are needed to close the gap because there is currently limited knowledge on how best to approach this issue. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to build consensus regarding interventions with the greatest potential for improving local STI testing services for GBM communities in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, using a web-based e-Delphi process. METHODS The e-Delphi method involves using a panel format to conduct successive rounds of prioritization, with feedback between rounds, to determine priorities among groups. We recruited experts separately from the community (GBM who sought or underwent STI testing in the preceding 18 months; conducted between October 2019 and November 2019) and health care providers (those who offered STI testing to GBM in the past 12 months; conducted between February 2020 and May 2020). The experts prioritized 6 to 8 potential interventions on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from definitely not a priority to definitely a priority over 3 survey rounds and ranked their top 3 interventions. Consensus was defined as ≥60% within a ±1 response point. Summaries of responses were provided in successive rounds. We reported the percentage of a priority (encompassing somewhat a priority, a priority, and definitely a priority responses) at the end of the final round of the survey. RESULTS Of the community experts (CEs), 84% (43/51) completed all rounds; 19% (8/43) were living with HIV; 37% (16/43) were HIV negative and on pre-exposure prophylaxis; and 42% (18/43) were HIV negative and not on pre-exposure prophylaxis. We reached consensus on 6 interventions: client reminders (41/43, 95%), express testing (38/43, 88%), routine testing (36/43, 84%), an online booking app (36/43, 84%), online-based testing (33/43, 77%), and nurse-led testing (31/43, 72%). The CEs favored convenient interventions that also maintain a relationship with their provider. Of the provider experts (PEs), 77% (37/48) completed all rounds; 59% (22/37) were physicians. Consensus was reached on the same 6 interventions (range 25/37, 68%, to 39/39, 100%) but not for provider alerts (7/37, 19%) and provider audit and feedback (6/37, 16%). Express testing, online-based testing, and nurse-led testing were prioritized by >95% (>37/39) of the PEs by the end of round 2 because of streamlined processes and decreased need to see a provider. CONCLUSIONS Both panels were enthusiastic about innovations that make STI testing more efficient, with express testing rating highly in both the prioritizations and top 3 rankings. However, CEs preferred convenient interventions that involved their provider, whereas PEs favored interventions that prioritized patient independence and reduced patient-provider time. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/13801.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Yeung
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Jayoti Rana
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Charlie B Guiang
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jean Bacon
- Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Mark Gilbert
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Dionne Gesink
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ramandip Grewal
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Kwag
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Carmen H Logie
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | | | - Darrell Hs Tan
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ann N Burchell
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Salway T, Juwono S, Klassen B, Ferlatte O, Ablona A, Pruden H, Morgan J, Kwag M, Card K, Knight R, Lachowsky NJ. Experiences with sexual orientation and gender identity conversion therapy practices among sexual minority men in Canada, 2019-2020. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252539. [PMID: 34081740 PMCID: PMC8174694 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND "Conversion therapy" practices (CTP) are organized and sustained efforts to avoid the adoption of non-heterosexual sexual orientations and/or of gender identities not assigned at birth. Few data are available to inform the contemporary prevalence of CTP. The aim of this study is to quantify the prevalence of CTP among Canadian sexual and gender minority men, including details regarding the setting, age of initiation, and duration of CTP exposure. METHODS Sexual and gender minority men, including transmen and non-binary individuals, aged ≥ 15, living in Canada were recruited via social media and networking applications and websites, November 2019-February 2020. Participants provided demographic data and detailed information about their experiences with CTP. RESULTS 21% of respondents (N = 9,214) indicated that they or any person with authority (e.g., parent, caregiver) ever tried to change their sexual orientation or gender identity, and 10% had experienced CTP. CTP experience was highest among non-binary (20%) and transgender respondents (19%), those aged 15-19 years (13%), immigrants (15%), and racial/ethnic minorities (11-22%, with variability by identity). Among the n = 910 participants who experienced CTP, most experienced CTP in religious/faith-based settings (67%) or licensed healthcare provider offices (20%). 72% of those who experienced CTP first attended before the age of 20 years, 24% attended for one year or longer, and 31% attended more than five sessions. INTERPRETATION CTP remains prevalent in Canada and is most prevalent among younger cohorts, transgender people, immigrants, and racial/ethnic minorities. Legislation, policy, and education are needed that target both religious and healthcare settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Travis Salway
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Stephen Juwono
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ben Klassen
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Olivier Ferlatte
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- l’École de santé publique de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Aidan Ablona
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Harlan Pruden
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Morgan
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael Kwag
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kiffer Card
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Rod Knight
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nathan J. Lachowsky
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rana J, Guiang CB, Lisk R, Shahin R, Brunetta J, Mitterni L, Grewal R, Tan DHS, Gilbert M, Yeung A, Kwag M, Logie CH, Bacon J, Gesink D, Burchell AN. Survey of Health Care Providers' Practices and Opinions Regarding Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men. Sex Transm Dis 2021; 48:94-102. [PMID: 33003183 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rates of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to rise among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) globally. Testing and treatment can prevent morbidity and transmission. However, testing rates remain suboptimal. METHODS In 2018, we conducted an online cross-sectional survey to explore STI testing ordering practices, 14 potential barriers for testing and 11 possible ways to improve testing from the perspective of health care providers in Toronto, Ontario. An estimated 172 providers were invited from primary care and sexual health clinic settings. Providers were eligible to complete the survey if they provided care for ≥1 GBMSM per week and were involved in the decision-making process in providing STI tests. We used descriptive statistics to summarize survey responses. RESULTS Ninety-five providers (55% response rate) participated, of whom 68% worked in primary care and 32% in sexual health settings. Most (66%) saw ≤10 GBMSM clients per week. In primary care (65%) and sexual health (40%) clinic settings, insufficient consultation time was the most common barrier to STI testing. In primary care, other common barriers included difficulty introducing testing during unrelated consultations (53%), forgetting (47%), and patients being sexually inactive (31%) or declining testing (27%). The following were most likely to improve testing: express/fast-track testing services (89%), provider alerts when patients are due for testing (87%), patient-collected specimens (84%), nurse-led STI testing (79%), and standing orders (79%). CONCLUSIONS Promising interventions to improve bacterial STI testing included initiatives that simplify and expedite testing and expand testing delivery to other health care professionals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Anna Yeung
- From the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto
| | | | | | | | - Dionne Gesink
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Burchell AN, Lisk R, Yeung A, Rana J, Bacon J, Brunetta J, Gilbert M, Gesink D, Grewal R, Guiang CB, Kwag M, Logie CH, Mitterni L, Shahin R, Tan DH. Community-Directed Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Interventions Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol for an E-Delphi Study in Toronto, Canada. JMIR Res Protoc 2019; 8:e13801. [PMID: 31274111 PMCID: PMC6637728 DOI: 10.2196/13801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background HIV-positive and HIV-negative (gay, bisexual, and other) men who have sex with men (MSM) have experienced a dramatic increase in bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs)—syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. STI testing and treatment mitigate adverse health outcomes and substantially reduce transmission; yet, testing rates remain below recommended levels. Innovation is needed to produce the required increases in testing levels, frequency, and the use of appropriate testing technologies in ways that are engaging, nonstigmatizing, and acceptable to men. Objective The aim of this study is to build consensus with regard to interventions with the greatest potential for improving local STI testing services for MSM communities in Toronto, Canada. Methods Following a literature review of evidence regarding the effectiveness of novel testing interventions, and focus groups, and surveys to describe local barriers and facilitators of testing among MSM, we will conduct a Web-based, modified Delphi study (e-Delphi). We will form expert panels of community members and STI test providers. Panelists will rate potential interventions in terms of their priority, using a 7-point Likert scale from definitely not a priority to definitely a priority. They will also rank their preferences by selecting their top 3 preferred interventions. Surveys will be distributed in 3 rounds, with feedback on the distribution of responses from preceding rounds provided in rounds 2 and 3. We will define consensus as having ≥60% (18/30) members indicate a preference within 2 adjacent response points. Qualitative data on disagreements will be obtained using open-ended text responses to explain for ratings and rankings that are different from the majority. Results On the basis of a literature review and identification of barriers and facilitators to STI testing among community members and test providers in Toronto, we have selected 8 potential interventions for inclusion in the e-Delphi panel surveys. These include 4 interventions that streamline STI testing for asymptomatic individuals, 2 interventions that are targeted at clients and 2 interventions that are targeted at providers. Conclusions Findings will provide community direction for informed decision making regarding the implementation of STI testing interventions in this setting. They will characterize the intervention climate for innovation to STI testing services, including perceived needs for changes to test delivery, relative priorities for change, and readiness for implementation. These methods may be transferable to other urban jurisdictions experiencing similar epidemics and for other contexts where stakeholder input is needed to manage sensitive areas of concern. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/13801
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ann N Burchell
- Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Family and Community Medicine, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Anna Yeung
- Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jayoti Rana
- Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jean Bacon
- Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Mark Gilbert
- BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Dionne Gesink
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ramandip Grewal
- Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Charlie B Guiang
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Hassle Free Clinic, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Kwag
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Carmen H Logie
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Darrell Hs Tan
- Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gilbert M, Salway T, Haag D, Kwag M, Edward J, Bondyra M, Cox J, Hart TA, Grace D, Grennan T, Ogilvie G, Shoveller J. Assessing the Impact of a Social Marketing Campaign on Program Outcomes for Users of an Internet-Based Testing Service for Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections: Observational Study. J Med Internet Res 2019; 21:e11291. [PMID: 30664456 PMCID: PMC6360387 DOI: 10.2196/11291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While social marketing (SM) campaigns can be effective in increasing testing for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs), they are seldom rigorously evaluated and often rely on process measures (eg, Web-based ad click-throughs). With Web-based campaigns for internet-based health services, there is a potential to connect campaign process measures to program outcomes, permitting the assessment of venue-specific yield based on health outcomes (eg, click-throughs per test). OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the impact of an SM campaign by the promotional venue on use and diagnostic test results of the internet-based STBBI testing service GetCheckedOnline.com (GCO). METHODS Through GCO, clients create an account using an access code, complete a risk assessment, print a lab form, submit specimens at a lab, and get results online or by phone. From April to August 2015, a campaign promoted GCO to gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Vancouver, Canada. The campaign highlighted GCO's convenience in 3 types of promotional venues-location advertisements in print or video displayed in gay venues or events, ads on a queer news website, and ads on geosocial websites and apps. Where feasible, individuals were tracked from campaign exposures to account creation and testing using venue-specific GCO access codes. In addition, Web-based ads were linked to alternate versions of the campaign website, which used URLs with embedded access codes to connect ad exposure to account creation. Furthermore, we examined the number of individuals creating GCO accounts, number tested, and cost per account created and test for each venue type. RESULTS Over 6 months, 177 people created a GCO account because of the campaign, where 22.0% (39/177) of these completed testing; the overall cost was Can $118 per account created and Can $533 per test. Ads on geosocial websites and apps accounted for 46.9% (83/177) of all accounts; ads on the news website had the lowest testing rate and highest cost per test. We observed variation between different geosocial websites and apps with some ads having high click-through rates yet low GCO account creation rates, and vice versa. CONCLUSIONS Developing mechanisms to track individuals from Web-based exposure to SM campaigns to outcomes of internet-based health services permits greater evaluation of the yield and cost-effectiveness of different promotional efforts. Web-based ads with high click-through rates may not have a high conversion to service use, the ultimate outcome of SM campaigns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Gilbert
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Travis Salway
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Devon Haag
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Michael Kwag
- Community Based Research Centre for Gay Men's Health, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Mark Bondyra
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Joseph Cox
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Trevor A Hart
- Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel Grace
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Troy Grennan
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Gina Ogilvie
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jean Shoveller
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gilbert M, Taylor D, Michelow W, Grace D, Balshaw R, Kwag M, Lim E, Fischer B, Patrick D, Ogilvie G, Coombs D, Steinberg M, Rekart M. Sustained Reduction in Sexual Behavior that May Pose a Risk of HIV Transmission Following Diagnosis During Early HIV Infection Among Gay Men in Vancouver, British Columbia. AIDS Behav 2018; 22:2068-2078. [PMID: 28168375 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-017-1702-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Increased viral load during early HIV infection (EHI) disproportionately contributes to HIV transmission among gay men. We examined changes in sexual behavior that may pose a risk of HIV transmission (condomless anal sex (AS) with a serodiscordant or unknown status partner, CAS-SDU) in a cohort of 25 gay men newly diagnosed during EHI who provided information on 241 sexual partners at six time points following diagnosis. Twenty-two (88%) participants reported ≥1 AS partner (median time to first AS 80 days) and 12 (55%) reported ≥1 partnership involving CAS-SDU (median 116 days). In hierarchical generalized linear mixed effects models, AS was significantly less likely in all time periods following diagnosis and more likely with serodiscordant partners. The likelihood of CAS-SDU decreased three months after diagnosis and was higher in recently versus acutely infected participants. Most men in our study abstained from sex immediately after diagnosis with sustained longer-term reduction in CAS-SDU, confirming the importance of timely diagnosis during EHI.
Collapse
|
7
|
Grace D, Chown SA, Kwag M, Steinberg M, Lim E, Gilbert M. Becoming "Undetectable": Longitudinal Narratives of Gay Men's Sex Lives After a Recent HIV Diagnosis. AIDS Educ Prev 2015; 27:333-349. [PMID: 26241383 DOI: 10.1521/aeap.2015.27.4.333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We explore gay men's sex life narratives following their diagnosis with an acute or recent HIV infection. All participants received an acute (n = 13) or recent (n = 12) HIV diagnosis and completed a series of self-administered questionnaires and in-depth qualitative interviews over a one-year period or longer. Over the course of four qualitative interviews, participants frequently spoke of the role of medications (e.g., decisions to start treatment) and changing viral loads (e.g., discourses of becoming "undetectable") in relation to their sex lives since being diagnosed with HIV. Many men talked about milestones relating to initiating medication and viral load as informing their shifting sexual behaviors and identities as HIV-positive--or "undetectable"--gay men. The narratives of our participants provide insight regarding complex negotiations and processes of decision-making over time related to sex, counseling needs, treatment initiation, viral load, and the significance of undetectability as an emergent identity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Grace
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sarah A Chown
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Michael Kwag
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Elgin Lim
- Positive Living Society of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Grace D, Steinberg M, Kwag M, Chown SA, Doupe G, Trussler T, Rekart M, Gilbert M. Diagnostic technologies in practice: gay men's narratives of acute or recent HIV infection diagnosis. Qual Health Res 2015; 25:205-217. [PMID: 25201583 PMCID: PMC4272701 DOI: 10.1177/1049732314549813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Diagnosing HIV-positive gay men through enhanced testing technologies that detect acute HIV infection (AHI) or recent HIV infection provides opportunities for individual and population health benefits. We recruited 25 men in British Columbia who received an acute (n = 13) or recent (n = 12) HIV diagnosis to engage in a longitudinal multiple-methods study over one year or longer. Our thematic analysis of baseline qualitative interviews revealed insights within men's accounts of technologically mediated processes of HIV discovery and diagnosis. Our analysis illuminated the dialectic of new HIV technologies in practice by considering the relationship between advances in diagnostics (e.g., nucleic acid amplification tests) and the users of these medical technologies in clinical settings (e.g., clients and practitioners). Technological innovations and testing protocols have shifted experiences of learning of one's HIV-positive status; these innovations have created new diagnostic categories that require successful interpretation and translation to be rendered meaningful, to alleviate uncertainty, and to support public health objectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Grace
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Michael Kwag
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sarah A Chown
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Glenn Doupe
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Terry Trussler
- Community Based Research Centre for Gay Men's Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michael Rekart
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mark Gilbert
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Grace D, Chown SA, Jollimore J, Parry R, Kwag M, Steinberg M, Trussler T, Rekart M, Gilbert M. HIV-negative gay men's accounts of using context-dependent sero-adaptive strategies. Cult Health Sex 2014; 16:316-330. [PMID: 24571102 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2014.883644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We enrolled 166 gay and bisexual men who tested HIV-negative at a community sexual health clinic in Vancouver, British Columbia, into a year-long mixed-methods study. A subsample of participants who reported recent condomless anal sex (n = 33) were purposively recruited into an embedded qualitative study and completed two in-depth qualitative interviews. Analysis of baseline interviews elicited three narratives relevant to men's use of context- or relationally-dependent HIV-risk management strategies: (1) seroadaptive behaviours such as partner testing and negotiated safety agreements used with primary sexual partners, (2) serosorting and seroguessing when having sex with new partners and first-time hookups and (3) seroadaptive behaviours, including one or more of seropositioning/strategic positioning, condom serosorting and viral load sorting, used by participants who knowingly had sex with a serodiscordant partner. Within men's talk about sex, we found complex and frequently biomedically-informed rationale for seroadaptation in men's decisions to have what they understood to be various forms of safe or protected condomless anal sex. Our findings support the need for gay men's research and health promotion to meaningfully account for the multiple rationalities and seroadaptive strategies used for having condomless sex in order to be relevant to gay men's everyday sexual decision-making.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Grace
- a Faculty of Medicine , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gilbert M, Cook D, Steinberg M, Kwag M, Robert W, Doupe G, Krajden M, Rekart M. P3.431 Impact of Social Marketing to Promote Awareness of “Early” HIV Testing in Addition to Pooled Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing in Men Who Have Sex with Men in Vancouver, British Columbia. Br J Vener Dis 2013. [DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2013-051184.0882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
|
11
|
|
12
|
Moore DM, Kanters S, Michelow W, Gustafson R, Hogg RS, Kwag M, Trussler T, McGuire M, Robert W, Gilbert M. Implications for HIV prevention programs from a serobehavioural survey of men who have sex with men in Vancouver, British Columbia: the ManCount study. Can J Public Health 2012. [PMID: 22530539 DOI: 10.1007/bf03404220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We examined HIV prevalence, awareness of HIV serostatus and HIV risk behaviour among a sample of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Vancouver. METHODS MSM > or = 18 years were recruited from August 2008 to February 2009 through community venues. Participants completed a questionnaire and provided a dried blood spot (DBS) for HIV and other STI testing. We performed descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses of key explanatory variables. RESULTS A total of 1,169 participants completed questionnaires; of these, 1,138 (97.3%) provided DBS specimens suitable for testing. The median age was 33 years (IQR 26-44). A total of 206 (18%) were HIV-positive by DBS, of whom 86% were aware they were positive. HIV seropositivity increased from 7.1% in those < 30 years of age to 19% in those 30-44 years and 34% among those > or = 45 years (p < 0.001 for test of trend). Of the 933 who self-reported as HIV-negative or unknown, 28 (3.0%) tested HIV-positive. Among those not tested for HIV in the previous 2 years, the reasons for not testing differed between participants with undiagnosed HIV infection and those who were HIV-negative. A total of 62% of study participants who self-reported as HIV-negative reported using a condom the last time they had anal sex. The use of risk-reduction measures was reported by 91.1% of all study participants (72% if excluding consistent condom use). CONCLUSION The majority of MSM in Vancouver have adopted behaviours that reduce their HIV-related risk. However, prevention programs must continue to promote condom use, increase HIV testing, and better inform MSM of the value and limitations of other risk-reduction strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David M Moore
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Grace D, Kwag M, Steinberg M, Rekart M. P2-S6.13 Gay men's assessment of sexual and social risks in the context of a recent HIV-positive diagnosis. Br J Vener Dis 2011. [DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2011-050108.365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
|