What would you choose: Online or Offline or Mixed services? Feasibility of online HIV counselling and testing among Thai men who have sex with men and transgender women and factors associated with service uptake

ObjectivesA detailed understanding of intentions and practices related to partner notification (PN) following STI diagnosis can improve control strategies. We assessed participant-level and partner-level factors guiding notification behaviour among men who have sex with men and/or with transgender women (MSM-TW) in Lima, Peru, including discordances between anticipated and actual notification.MethodsMen newly diagnosed with gonorrhoea, chlamydia and/or syphilis between 2012 and 2014 reported recent partners’ characteristics, anticipated PN practices, and actual PN outcomes following diagnosis. Generalised estimating equation Poisson regression analyses assessed factors guiding PN outcomes.ResultsParticipants (n=150) predominantly identified as homosexual (70%) and moderno (versatile sexual role, 55%); 55% of partners (n=402) were casual. Among all sexual partners, 35% were notified of the STI diagnosis, though only 51% of predicted PN occurred and 26% of actual notifications were unanticipated. 47% of participants notified no partners, while 24% notified all partners. PN was more common with stable versus casual (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR), 95% CI: 0.53, 0.39 to 0.73) or commercial (aPR, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.12 to 1.21) partners, and among participants who perceived PN as normative among their peers (aPR, 95% CI: 1.96, 1.37 to 2.82). A trend towards greater notification following condom-protected intercourse was observed (aPR, 95% CI: 1.33, 0.98 to 1.81). PN frequency did not differ by type of STI diagnosed.Anticipated notification predicted actual notification (aPR, 95% CI: 1.67, 1.19 to 2.33) only imperfectly: 81 (54%) participants’ PN practices did not match their anticipated behaviour. Successful notification despite anticipated silence (40 participants, 63 partners) was associated with stable partnerships and a normative perception of PN. Non-notification despite intention (43 participants, 73 partners) frequently occurred among participants reporting exclusively oral sex with the partner or with partners identified as activo (insertive role).ConclusionsAnticipated notification imperfectly reflects actual PN behaviour. Future interventions to improve PN among MSM-TW in Peru need to acknowledge partnership contexts.

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Individual-level characteristics associated with oral HIV test acceptability among Peruvian men who have sex with men and transgender women: a cross-sectional study

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2017-053388 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 94 (7) ◽

pp. 528-533 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Juan A Flores ◽

Brandon Brown ◽

Segundo R León ◽

Hugo Sánchez ◽

Jerome T Galea

Keyword(s):

Health Centre ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Prevalence Ratio ◽

Transgender Women ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Individual Level ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Hiv Test ◽

Sex With Men ◽

The Individual

ObjectivesPeruvian men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) are highly vulnerable to HIV infection (HIV), but stigma, access issues and fear of venipuncture hamper testing. The oral HIV test—which uses oral fluids and provides results in 20 minutes—could reduce these barriers. The objective of this study was to determine the acceptability of the oral HIV test and the individual-level factors associated with its acceptability among MSM and TGW.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional secondary analysis among Peruvian MSM and TGW attending a community-based health centre between February 2012 and February 2013 to determine the individual-level factors associated with oral HIV test acceptability.ResultsOf 334 participants, 88% were MSM and 12% TGW. Overall, 85% of participants indicated their acceptability of the oral HIV test. Acceptability was higher in MSM than TGW (85.7% vs 80.0%) but this difference was not significant. Factors associated with acceptability in MSM were: tertiary or higher education (prevalence ratio (PR)=1.18, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.32 and PR=1.16, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.30, respectively); sex with drug use (PR=1.19, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.36); believing that HIV is transmitted by saliva (PR=1.20, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.33); and potential use of the oral test at home (PR=1.56, 95% CI 1.32 to 1.85). The only factor associated with lower acceptability was having had first anal intercourse between 14 and 19 years of age (PR=0.89, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.98).ConclusionsWe identified the individual factors associated with oral HIV test acceptability among Peruvian MSM and TGW. Expanded use of the oral HIV test to increase testing rates among Peruvian MSM and TGW is recommended.Trial registration numberNCT01387412, post-results.

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Pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake for HIV infection prevention among young men who have sex with men and transgender women in Bangkok, Thailand

Journal of Health Research ◽

10.1108/jhr-10-2019-0242 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Naruemon Auemaneekul ◽

Sirirat Lertpruek ◽

Pratana Satitvipawee ◽

Nik AA Tuah

Keyword(s):

Behavioral Control ◽

Young Men ◽

Transgender Women ◽

Perceived Behavioral Control ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Content Type ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Voluntary Counseling And Testing ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Exposure Prophylaxis

PurposeThe purpose of this study aimed to assess factors associated with the intention to take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among Thai young men who have sex with men (YMSM) and transgender women (TGW) in Bangkok.Design/methodology/approachThe study surveyed 350 sexually active Thai YMSM and TGW aged between 18 and 24 years registered with a nongovernmental organization (NGO) working with the MSM community. Data were collected using snowball sampling from four venues. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with the intention to take PrEP daily.FindingsThe results showed that of all those surveyed, n = 310 (88%) participated. The median age was 21 years. In all, 18% of participants had heard about PrEP, and 36% correctly identified that PrEP is used for prevention. After receiving information, 31% intended to take daily PrEP and the Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) rate was 35.5%. Factors significantly associated with intention to take daily PrEP were history of HIV testing (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 2.3, 95% CI, 1.3–4.1), and high perceived behavioral control of PrEP adherence scores (AOR 3.0, 95% CI, 1.8–5.2).Originality/valueThis study showed that intention to take and knowledge of daily PrEP among YMSM and TGW was low. Promoting health education to YMSM and TGW about PrEP and MSM-friendly VCT services are needed to effectively implement PrEP in HIV prevention programs.

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Descriptive Epidemiology of Factors Associated with HIV Infections Among Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex with Men in South India

LGBT Health ◽

10.1089/lgbt.2015.0023 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 292-299 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Souradet Y. Shaw ◽

Robert Lorway ◽

Parinita Bhattacharjee ◽

Sushena Reza-Paul ◽

Elsabé du Plessis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South India ◽

Hiv Infections ◽

Transgender Women ◽

Descriptive Epidemiology ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Sex With Men

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HIV incidence and factors associated with testing positive for HIV among men who have sex with men and transgender women in Myanmar: data from community‐based HIV testing services

Journal of the International AIDS Society ◽

10.1002/jia2.25454 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Vanessa Veronese ◽

Michael Traeger ◽

Zaw M Oo ◽

Thet T Tun ◽

Nwe N Oo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Testing ◽

Transgender Women ◽

Hiv Incidence ◽

Community Based ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Hiv Testing Services ◽

Sex With Men

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Factors associated with previously undiagnosed human immunodeficiency virus infection in a population of men who have sex with men and male-to-female transgender women in Lima, Peru

Medicine ◽

10.1097/md.0000000000005147 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 95 (42) ◽

pp. e5147 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Joshua D. Billings ◽

Dvora L. Joseph Davey ◽

Kelika A. Konda ◽

Claire C. Bristow ◽

Jeremy Chow ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Virus Infection ◽

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection ◽

Transgender Women ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Male To Female

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Syndemic factors associated with drinking patterns among Latino men and Latina transgender women who have sex with men in New York City

Addiction Research & Theory ◽

10.3109/16066359.2016.1167191 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 24 (6) ◽

pp. 466-476 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Omar Martinez ◽

Elwin Wu ◽

Ethan C. Levine ◽

Miguel Muñoz-Laboy ◽

Joseph Spadafino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

New York City ◽

York City ◽

Transgender Women ◽

Drinking Patterns ◽

Latino Men ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Sex With Men

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1287. Seizing Opportunities for Intervention: Changing HIV Knowledge Among Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women Attending Trusted Community Centers in Nigeria

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofy210.1120 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. S393-S393

Author(s):

Milissa Jones ◽

Habib Omari ◽

Sylvia Adebajo ◽

Charlotte Gaydos ◽

Afoke Kokogho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Reduction ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Transgender Women ◽

Hiv Knowledge ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Reduction Strategies ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Risk Reduction Strategies ◽

Senior Secondary ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Knowledge of HIV risk factors and risk reduction strategies is essential for HIV prevention in key populations, including men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW). We described factors associated with HIV-related knowledge and evaluated the impact of counseling and care at trusted community health centers serving Nigerian MSM and TGW. Methods The TRUST/RV368 cohort recruits MSM and TGW via respondent driven sampling in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria. Participants undergo a structured interview with five knowledge-testing questions at enrollment and after 9 and 15 months. Routine HIV/STI screening, free condoms/lubricants, and counseling about safer sex practice is provided. Multivariable Poisson regression with generalized estimating equations was used to calculate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors associated with answering more knowledge questions correctly. Pearson’s chi-squared test was used to compare the proportion of participants answering each question correctly at enrollment and subsequent visits. Results From March 2013 to December 2017, 2,090 biological males were enrolled with median age 23 [interquartile range 20–27] years, including 234 (11.2%) with female gender identity. Of 1691 participants with known HIV status, 836 (49.4%) were positive. The mean number of HIV knowledge questions correctly answered was 2.37, 2.98, and 3.09 at enrollment, 9, and 15 months, respectively. Participants demonstrated increased HIV knowledge after 9 (RR 1.15 [95% CI 1.03–1.28]) and 15 months (1.18 [1.05–1.32]). Factors associated with increased knowledge included HIV positivity (1.17 [1.11–1.23]), higher than senior secondary education when compared with less than senior secondary (1.24 [1.12–1.37]), and almost daily internet use when compared with never (1.17 [1.08–1.27]). Knowledge gains were driven primarily by improved understanding of condom and lubricant use (figure). Conclusion While HIV knowledge improved during enrollment in the cohort, it remained suboptimal. Multiple modalities may be needed to fully inform Nigerian MSM and TGW of risk reduction strategies. Interventions that involve internet access to deliver educational materials may be a useful adjunct to direct counseling at healthcare centers. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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