Computer-assisted survey of attitudes to HIV and sexually transmissible infection partner notification in HIV-positive men who have sex with men

Sexual Health ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare L. N. Woodward ◽  
Sherie Roedling ◽  
Simon G. Edwards ◽  
Alice Armstrong ◽  
John Richens

Background: HIV infection continues to rise in men who have sex with men (MSM) in the UK. Of concern are the high rates of sexually transmissible infections (STI) among HIV-positive MSM, as this is associated with onward HIV transmission. Conventional partner notification (PN) may be limited in this group by the presence of multiple non-contactable partners and the fear of breach of HIV status. Methods: We explored attitudes to PN in HIV-positive MSM having an STI screen using a computer-assisted self interview. Results and Conclusion: Our study shows HIV+ MSM, rate conventional methods of PN highly (median rating 8/10) but are also supportive of new approaches to PN particularly anonymous email when linked to website information. They would also be open to targeted interventions such as peer recruitment.


2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 2423-2432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuno Nodin ◽  
Isabel Pereira Leal ◽  
Alex Carballo-Diéguez

Qualitative studies of the sexual risk practices of Portuguese men who have sex with men (MSM) are scarce, as have been campaigns to target this group despite high HIV infection rates. This study investigates the concepts and practices of safer sex of a group of 36 Portuguese self-identified gay men (age: x = 34.4, SD = 9.1) who have met sexual partners online; two identified as HIV positive. Thematic analysis of interviews showed that our participants were aware of HIV transmission risks and tended to protect themselves in most sexual practices. Oral sex and steady relationships, however, did not always include safer practices. Participants tended to rely on indirect sources of information when assessing their partners’ HIV status, such as their physical characteristics or the information available in online profiles. Contrasting HIV positive and negative men’s sexual expectations and practices indicated that communication shortcomings might be putting some at risk. Findings suggest that safe sex is a relational practice which can only be understood and addressed within the context in which it occurs.



Sexual Health ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrich Marcus ◽  
Axel J. Schmidt ◽  
Osamah Hamouda

Background: We aimed to quantify the frequency of HIV serosorting among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Germany, and evaluate the association of serosorting with other sexual risk management approaches (RMA) and with the frequency of bacterial sexually transmissible infections (STI). Methods: An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was distributed through German online sexual networking sites and medical practices in 2006. The analysis was based on 2985 respondents who reported an HIV test result. Based on two questions on RMA, serosorting was classified as tactical (an event-based decision) or strategic (a premeditated search for a seroconcordant partner). The analysis was stratified by HIV serostatus and seroconcordant partnership status. Results: HIV serosorting patterns were different for HIV-positive and HIV-negative participants. Tactical serosorting ranked second after RMA based on condom use (HIV-positive: 55.1%, HIV-negative: 45.1%; P < 0.001). While the overlap of strategic and tactical HIV serosorting among HIV-positive MSM was substantial (58.0%), HIV-negative strategic and tactical serosorting were more distinct (18.1% overlap). Among HIV-positive and HIV-negative respondents, tactical serosorting was associated with reduced condom use. Compared with respondents using RMA other than serosorting, HIV-positive men reporting serosorting had a three-fold increased risk for bacterial STI (strategic: odds ratio (OR) = 2.62; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.76–3.89; tactical: OR = 3.19; 95% CI: 2.14–4.75; both for respondents without HIV seroconcordant partners). Conclusions: HIV serosorting has emerged as a common RMA among MSM. For HIV-positive MSM, it may contribute to high rates of bacterial STI that may lead to elevated per-contact risks for HIV transmission.





2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (11.1) ◽  
pp. 122S-127S
Author(s):  
Maryana Sluzhynska ◽  
Olga Denisiuk ◽  
Ruzanna Grigoryan ◽  
Yulia Sereda ◽  
Gennadiy Slabkiy ◽  
...  

Introduction: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are one of the key populations driving HIV/AIDS epidemic globally. To date, MSM is the only population in Ukraine where the prevalence and incidence of HIV is increasing. As HIV-positive MSM might feel uncomfortable to report homosexual intercourses as a possible mode of transmission (MoT) of HIV, they prefer being registered as patients with heterosexual or non-defined MoT. This study aimed to calculate the proportion of misclassified MoT among HIV-positive MSM registered in Lviv oblast, Ukraine, during 2014-2018. Methodology: Cross-sectional study with 127 HIV-positive MSM patients from Lviv region for the period of 2014-2018. Results: Out of 127 HIV-positive MSM included in the study, 110 (86.6%) were from urban areas. In addition, 52 patients (40.9%) were diagnosed with stage 1 HIV, 16 (12.6%) – stage 2, 19 (15%) – stage 3, and 36 (28.3%) – stage 4. CD4 count < 200 cells/μL was found in 35 (27.6%) patients. Mean time from registration to antiretroviral therapy initiation was 80 days. During the first visit to medical doctor out of those 48 patients who had previously reported “other modes” of HIV transmission, 33 patients (68.7%) disclosed homosexual MoT of HIV. The remaining 15 (31.3%) patients disclosed their homosexual MoT of HIV later – during their regular follow-up visits to the doctor. Conclusion: Special measures are needed to improve the reporting of homosexual MoT which can potentially strengthen the HIV care among MSM.



2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 281-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon Mansergh ◽  
David J. McKirnan ◽  
Stephen A. Flores ◽  
Sharon M. Hudson ◽  
Beryl A. Koblin ◽  
...  

This study compared HIV-related attitudes and intentions by respondent HIV-status in a large sample of substance-using men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States. Attitudes and intentions included self-efficacy for safer sex; difficulty communicating with sex partners about safer sex; intent to use condoms consistently and to not use substances before sex in the next 3 months; and less concern for HIV given effective antiviral treatments. Differences were found for behavior during the most recent anal sex encounter by HIV-status, including (a) insertive and (b) receptive anal sex risk behavior, and (c) substance use before or during the encounter. Self-efficacy for safer sex was associated with less risk behavior among HIV-negative men but not among HIV-positive men, suggesting that self-efficacy for safer sex continues to be a relevant issue to address in counseling uninfected MSM. HIV-positive men who reported less concern for HIV given treatments were more likely to report receptive risk behavior, as were HIV-negative men who reported difficulty communicating about safer sex. Implications are discussed for potentially heightened client desire and therapeutic opportunity to reduce future substance use during sex for clients who report recent substance use during sex.



Sexual Health ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalysha Closson ◽  
Rachel Vickers Smith ◽  
Gbolahan Olarewaju ◽  
Richard Crosby

Background In the USA, young Black gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men (YBMSM) bear the largest burden of HIV incidence. The aim of this study is to examine the independent associations between economic dependency on a sexual partner and several HIV risk behaviours and sexual health outcomes among YBMSM living in Jackson, Mississippi, USA. Methods: Baseline data from 589 YBMSM, with a median age of 22.0 years (IQR = 15–25) participating in a brief sex-positive HIV and STI prevention intervention, were used to measure the association between six sexual behaviours, sexually transmissible infections (STIs) status at baseline and economic dependence. Bivariate χ2 associations were tested and regression models adjusted for education level (≤ high school), employment and HIV-status. Results: In regressions, of the six sexual behaviours reported in the last 90 days and six STIs tested at baseline, economically dependent YBMSM were more likely to report condomless anal receptive sex (aOR = 2.19, 95%CI = 1.25–3.83), ≥3 partners as a top (aOR = 1.99, 95%CI = 1.17–340), ≥3 sex partners as a bottom (aOR = 2.07, 95%CI = 1.24–3.45), ≥3 sex acts as a bottom (aOR = 2.10, 95%CI = 1.16–3.82) and testing positive for oral gonorrhoea (aOR = 2.39, 95%CI = 1.18–4.83) after controlling for HIV status, employment and education. Conclusions: Interventions should consider how poverty, unemployment and economic dependence interact to influence relationship power imbalances, condom use and sexual positioning agency, and sexual health for key populations of MSM.



2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S212-S213
Author(s):  
Timothy William. Menza ◽  
Lauren Lipira ◽  
Amisha Bhattarai ◽  
Joseph Ramirez ◽  
Roberto Orellana

Abstract Background Rectal gonorrhea and Chlamydia are common and predict HIV acquisition among men who have sex with men (MSM); however, screening for rectal sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is not routine. Methods In 2017, we recruited sexually-active MSM in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area through venue-based sampling. Our outcome of interest was self-reported rectal STI screening in the prior 12 months. Stratified by HIV status, we assessed the prevalence and demographic, healthcare, clinical, and behavioral predictors of screening. Results Of 448 participants, 168 (37.5%) reported rectal STI screening. One hundred twenty-seven (35.8%) of 355 HIV-negative men, 41 (58.6%) of 70 HIV-positive men, and none of 23 men who did not know their HIV status reported screening. Among HIV-negative men, having a healthcare provider who offered HIV testing (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]=2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.43, 3.04), a syphilis diagnosis (aPR=1.32; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.69), use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (aPR=1.57; 95% CI 1.21, 2.04), and condomless anal sex with casual partners in the prior 12 months (aPR=1.74; 95% CI: 1.36, 2.22) independently predicted screening for rectal STI in multivariable analysis. HIV-positive men who reported having a provider who always or often initiates conversations about sex were significantly more likely to report screening compared with men who did not have such a provider (aPR=1.48; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.06). Conclusion Rectal STI screening is not universal in a venue-based sample of sexually-active MSM. Implementing innovative, acceptable, and accessible screening practices and improving provider comfort with talking about sex are paramount to increasing rectal STI screening. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.



2019 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyrone J Curtis ◽  
Alison J Rodger ◽  
Fiona Burns ◽  
Anthony Nardone ◽  
Andrew Copas ◽  
...  

ObjectiveLondon has one of the highest identified prevalence of chemsex (sexualised recreational drug use) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Europe. We examine MSM’s patterns of chemsex and its association with HIV/STI risk behaviours, STI diagnoses and sexual healthcare-seeking behaviours, including if HIV testing behaviour met UK national guidelines (three monthly if engaging in chemsex).MethodsCross-sectional survey data from 2013 (n=905) and 2016 (n=739) were collected using anonymous, self-administered questionnaires from MSM recruited in commercial gay venues in London, UK. Descriptive and multivariable analyses, stratified by self-reported HIV status, were conducted. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with 95% CIs were calculated.ResultsComparing the 2013 and 2016 surveys, chemsex prevalence in the past year remained stable, in both HIV-negative/unknown-status MSM (20.9% in 2013 vs 18.7% in 2016, p=0.301) and HIV-positive MSM (41.6% in 2013 vs 41.7% in 2016, p=0.992). Combined 2013–2016 data showed that compared with other MSM, those reporting chemsex were more likely to report HIV/STI risk behaviours, including condomless anal intercourse with serodifferent HIV-status partners (HIV-negative/unknown-status men: aPR 2.36, 95% CI 1.68 to 3.30; HIV-positive men: aPR 4.19, 95% CI 1.85 to 9.50), and STI diagnoses in the past year (HIV-negative/unknown-status men: aPR 2.10, 95% CI 1.64 to 2.69; HIV-positive men: aPR 2.56, 95% CI 1.57 to 4.20). 68.6% of HIV-negative/unknown-status men reporting chemsex attended sexual health clinics and 47.6% had tested for HIV more than once in the past year.ConclusionsChemsex in London MSM remained stable but high, particularly among HIV-positive men. Irrespective of HIV status, chemsex was associated with engagement in HIV/STI risk behaviours. Frequency of HIV testing in the past year among HIV-negative/unknown-status men was below national recommendations. Promoting combination prevention strategies, including three monthly HIV/STI testing, access to pre-exposure prophylaxis/antiretroviral treatment and behavioural interventions among MSM reporting chemsex, remains vital to address sexual health inequalities in MSM.



2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S461-S461
Author(s):  
Meredith E Clement ◽  
Rick Zimmerman ◽  
Josh Grimm ◽  
Joseph Schwartz

Abstract Background The “Undetectable = Untransmittable” (“U=U”) campaign is gaining traction, but prior studies from 2012–2017 have shown that the proportion of gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM) who are aware of or have perceived accuracy of U=U is low. We report findings from a survey administered to GBMSM in 2018 to understand whether the landscape is changing with respect to U=U message dissemination. Methods GBMSM were recruited on gay dating apps to complete a 96 question survey. Survey data were collected in April-August of 2018. Collected data elements included demographic information, HIV status, ART and PrEP use, and beliefs and opinions regarding HIV transmission. Results 969 GBMSM completed the survey; of whom, 678 had analyzable data (241 had never had anal sex with a man and 54 were missing ≥1 of the variables used in the analysis). Average age was 43 years, 65% were white, 15% black, 15% white, and 15% were HIV-infected (of whom 92% were on anti-retrovirals). Of the 85% who were HIV-uninfected, 39% were on PrEP. In response to the statement that a person with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to an HIV-uninfected person, 24% strongly agreed. Among HIV-negative GBMSM, 33% of those on PrEP agreed and 12% of those not on PrEP agreed. Among those living with HIV, 42% agreed. A multivariable logistic regression was run to explain correlates of strong agreement with U=U, using the following variables: age, education, being Black, being Hispanic, relationship status, number of lifetime male sexual partners, condom use with most recent anal sex, HIV status, PrEP use, and attitudes about living with HIV. Variables associated with strong agreement with U=U were living with HIV (AOR = 1.63, P < 0.001), taking PrEP (AOR = 2.85, P < 0.001), most recent encounter’s condom use (AOR = 2.22, P = 0.003), and having positive attitudes about living with HIV (AOR= 1.93, P < 0.001). Table 1 shows percentages for each of these variables (bivariate relationships) strongly agreeing with U=U. Conclusion Now that U=U has been scientifically proven, the challenge is public awareness. U=U awareness seems to be improving among GBMSM, with HIV-negative GBMSM making the greatest strides. Education around U=U and PrEP efficacy may help reduce guilt around HIV transmission and alleviate HIV stigma. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.



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