scholarly journals Prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and their association with sexual practices and substance use among 2238 MSM in Lebanon

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman Assi ◽  
Sara Abu Zaki ◽  
Jade Ghosn ◽  
Nizar Kinge ◽  
Jihane Naous ◽  
...  

Abstract UNAIDS report documents 95% increase in new HIV infections among key populations in Eastern Europe and Middle East and North Africa region. Data on HIV and STIs among MSM in Lebanon is still scarce. Therefore, the aim was to assess prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Lebanon and associations with sexual practices and substance-use. 2238 MSM attended a sexual health clinic in Lebanon between 2015–2018. Demographics, substance-use and sexual practices were collected. Attendees tested for HIV and other STIs. HIV infection was diagnosed in 5.6% of the sample. Only 19% received sexual health education from reliable sources (school/university/healthcare workers), 78% reported having multiple partners in the past three months (2–5 partners: 58%, 6+: 20%) and 67% reported inconsistent condom-use. Moreover, 40% of HIV + cases were returning attendees who already received information about condom-use. Additionally, having only a school level education (11%) increases the odds of having inconsistent condom-use with casual partners (adj.OR:1.9, p < 0.001). The results reflect the urgent need for: (1) accurate and comprehensive sexual health and harm reduction education and promotion in Lebanon; (2) making pre-exposure prophylaxis available for free to key populations to contain the epidemics at an early stage.

2020 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn M. Turek ◽  
Christopher K. Fairley ◽  
Marjan Tabesh ◽  
Tiffany R. Phillips ◽  
Catriona S. Bradshaw ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 585-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan R. Hicks ◽  
Steven M. Kogan ◽  
Junhan Cho ◽  
Assaf Oshri

Researchers have identified engagement in sexual concurrency, particularly when condom use is inconsistent, as a risk factor for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. This risk is particularly salient in rural communities in which dense interconnection of sexual networks can promote the spread of sexually transmitted infections. The authors investigated individual and relationship factors that predict inconsistent condom use in the context of main and casual partner sexual concurrency among 176 rural African American men. The individual psychosocial factors investigated included impulsivity and anger/hostility. Relationship variables included fidelity expectations, criticism from partners, and relationship control in both main and casual relationships. No individual risk factors were associated with main partner inconsistent condom use; however, impulsivity and anger/hostility positively predicted inconsistent condom use with a casual partner. Relationship control in the main partnership predicted inconsistent condom use with the main partner. Criticism from the main partner positively predicted inconsistent condom use with a casual partner. Finally, expectations for a casual partner’s fidelity positively predicted inconsistent condom use with that partner. These findings underscore the importance of considering the influence of one sexual partnership on behavior in another and of taking this complexity into account in the development of preventive interventions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Abu Zaki ◽  
Jihane Naous ◽  
Antoine Ghanem ◽  
Diana Abou Abbas ◽  
Roland Tomb ◽  
...  

AbstractAccess to sexual and reproductive health in conservative communities and in the MENA region are particularly limited and, as such, increase women’s vulnerability to unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The aim was to assess the prevalence of STIs, sexual practices, recreational drug-use and their possible associations among cisgender unmarried women residing in Lebanon. Data on demographics, sexual practices and substance-use were collected from 2083 unmarried cisgender women who voluntarily attended a sexual health clinic in Lebanon between 2015 and 2019. They tested for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Syphilis through rapid testing. Other infections (genital warts, Neisseria gonorrhea/Chlamydia trachomatis) were screened for. Regression models were computed between variables. There were two cases of HIV, one of Hepatitis B and syphilis, and no cases of Hepatitis C. Genital warts were present in 15% and symptoms indicative of Neisseria gonorrhea/Chlamydia trachomatis in 14%. Inconsistent condom-use (81%) was significantly associated with number of partners (adj. OR: 0.4). Inconsistent condom-use discussion with partners (33%) was significantly associated with unemployment (adj OR: 1.7), recreational drug-use (adj. OR: 1.4), and number of partners (adj. ORs 3.7–4.4). Unwanted pregnancies (11%) were significantly associated with age (adj. ORs 0.1–0.37), recreational drug-use (adj. OR: 2), using intrauterine device (adj. OR:2.9) and natural birth control methods (adj. OR: 2.4). Recreational drug-use (33%) was significantly associated with age (adj ORs 1.9–2.2), and smoking status (adj. OR: 0.6). The results indicate an urgent need for: (1) Accessible, non-stigmatizing, and inclusive sexual health services dedicated to women’s sexual health; (2) Comprehensive and non-stigmatizing sexual health education for all, but especially women, in order to promote safer sexual practices and effective decision making with regards to contraception and condom-use.


2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 1073-1081
Author(s):  
Liuyuan Wang ◽  
Bin Yang ◽  
Lai S Tso ◽  
Peizhen Zhao ◽  
Wujian Ke ◽  
...  

Prevalence of co-infecting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among patients newly diagnosed with anogenital warts is under-reported. Our objective is to determine the prevalence of six common STIs, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), genital herpes (herpes simplex virus type 2 [HSV-2]), HIV, and syphilis for patients visiting a sexual health clinic in Guangzhou, China. Demographics, sexual health, and medical histories were collected at patient intake. Patients diagnosed with anogenital warts (N = 200) were invited to participate. We collected urine samples, and urethral, cervical, and rectal swabs to test for CT, NG, and MG, and blood samples for serological detection of HSV-2, syphilis, and HIV. Overall 49 (24.5%) had a co-infection (22.2% of men and 27.7% of women). All six STIs were observed among men: CT (6.8%), NG (3.4%), MG (5.1%), HIV (4.3%), HSV-2 (4.3%), and syphilis (1.7%). Women had fewer STIs, but at higher rates: CT (13.3%), MG (6.0%), and HSV-2 (8.4%). Individual men had up to two co-infections, while women had no more than one co-infection. Chlamydia was the most common STI. Patients aged 18–25 years (35.4%) had the highest prevalence. Although opportunistic screening is often applied for high-risk groups, expansion to patients with anogenital warts in all health-care settings would improve detection of problematic asymptomatic co-infections, thereby increasing China’s capacity to contribute toward global surveillance systems.


2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 30-38
Author(s):  
Ranabir Pal ◽  
Samir Roy ◽  
Shrayan Pal

In the era of evidenced-based medicine, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major international health issue; adolescents and young people are particularly vulnerable. The current study determines the perceptions of sexual health and condom use in sexual encounters among tea plantation workers of North Bengal in India. A population based cross-sectional study was undertaken with 973 adults of both sexes selected by a multi-stage random sampling using an anonymous pre-tested close-ended structured questionnaire. The majority of study participants were working class in the age range of 16 to 30 years. The gender distribution of the participants was almost equal. The majority of males were in the age group of 46-60 years, while the majority of the females were in the age group of 16-30 years. There was no statistical association between age and use of condoms. Significant statistical differences were seen in condom use in relation to marital status, religion, type of family, and number of living children. This study revealed inadequate protective behavior adopted by plantation workers. In this socio-demography with the acceptance of sexual relation outside marriage, non-use of condoms increases vulnerability to HIV/AIDS/ and other sexually-transmitted infections.


Sexual Health ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Crosby ◽  
Willard Cates

This article introduces and summarizes the contents of this special edition. Given the exceptional potential of condoms to avert epidemics of sexually transmitted infections and teen or unintended pregnancy – even in low-resource environments – this in-depth examination of current knowledge, practice, and issues with condoms and their use is an important asset for educators and practitioners worldwide.


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