Previous and future use of HIV self-testing: a survey of Australian gay and bisexual men

Sexual Health ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garrett Prestage ◽  
Iryna Zablotska ◽  
Ben Bavinton ◽  
Andrew Grulich ◽  
Phillip Keen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Gay And Bisexual Men ◽  
Anal Intercourse ◽  
Unprotected Anal Intercourse ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Testing Procedures ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
And Bisexual

Background The awareness and previous and intended use of HIV self-testing (HST), and the associated factors, among Australian gay and bisexual men (GBM) was investigated. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in Australia during 2012. Of 1410 respondents, 559 non-HIV-positive men answered questions about HST. Results: Men reported reasons for having avoided or delayed HIV testing, most of which could be broadly categorised as: the inconvenience of current testing procedures; concerns about privacy; and a belief that they had not done anything risky. Over one-third of men (39.7%) were aware that HST was available internationally, with 1.6% having accessed HST through online purchase. The majority of men in the study indicated that they would be ‘likely’ (36.5%) or ‘very likely’ (34.3%) to use HST if it was available in Australia. Also, 36.7% indicated they would test partners they met at sex-on-site venues, and 73.2% would test partners with whom they were already acquainted. Nearly half (47.6%) indicated that having the capacity to test themselves at home would likely increase their testing frequency. Men who had engaged in unprotected anal intercourse, who were not gay-identified, and who indicated inconvenience issues with using clinic-based HIV testing were more likely to indicate a willingness to use HST. Many men indicated they would be likely to offer HST to at least some of their sex partners. Conclusion: Many GBM who engage in HIV risk behaviours would appreciate HST, and may be encouraged to test more often, as it may alleviate their concerns about testing.

Reasons why gay and other bisexually active men attend different community testing services in Sydney; a cross-sectional survey

Sexual Health ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vickie Knight ◽  
Timmy Lockwood ◽  
Terry Walkinshaw ◽  
Philip Keen ◽  
Rebecca Guy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Gay And Bisexual Men ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hiv Testing Services ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
New Community ◽  
Community Site

In 2013, two new community HIV testing services were implemented in Sydney, Australia, to increase testing options for gay men. Participants were asked to complete an 8-item questionnaire to select one primary and up to three secondary reasons for attending the testing service. Over one-third of gay and bisexual men (GBM) selected getting their HIV result at the same visit as the main reason they attended at both testing services (38% and 34%, respectively; P = 0.5). GBM at the Shopfront were more likely to say that the convenient location was the main reason they attended, compared with men at the Community site (15% vs 7%, P < 0.01). These findings can inform future scale-up of HIV testing in Sydney and other places.

The Impact of Stressful Life Events on Unprotected Anal Intercourse Among Gay and Bisexual Men

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 633-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liviana M. Calzavara ◽  
Ann N. Burchell ◽  
Gerald Lebovic ◽  
Ted Myers ◽  
Robert S. Remis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Gay And Bisexual Men ◽  
Anal Intercourse ◽  
Unprotected Anal Intercourse ◽  
Stressful Life ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
The Impact

Risk factors for HIV seroconversion in homosexual men in Australia

Sexual Health ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan E. Volk ◽  
Garrett Prestage ◽  
Fengyi Jin ◽  
John Kaldor ◽  
Jeanne Ellard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Gay And Bisexual Men ◽  
Anal Intercourse ◽  
Unprotected Anal Intercourse ◽  
Recreational Drug ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
Recreational Drug Use ◽  
Hiv Seroconversion ◽  
And Bisexual

Background: Rates of newly acquired HIV infection are increasing in Australia, and sexual contact between men accounts for 85% of cases. Objective: To investigate behavioural risk factors for HIV seroconversion among gay and bisexual men from Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. Methods: 103 men with newly acquired HIV infection were recruited from clinics in Sydney and Melbourne and behavioural risk factor questionnaires were administered between January 2003 and October 2004. Results were compared with a cross sectional and a cohort study performed by our group that enrolled similar populations of men. Results: The majority of seroconverters (73%) reported more than five sexual partners in the last six months. Ninety-five men (92%) were able to identify a high-risk event (HRE) that they thought had led to their HIV seroconversion. Most (70%) reported receptive unprotected anal intercourse (UAI), insertive UAI, or both at their HRE. Sixteen men (16%) reported no UAI in the preceding six months including the HRE. Men were more likely to report receptive UAI at their HRE when they perceived a partner to be HIV-negative as compared with when they perceived a partner to be HIV-positive (P = 0.05). Injection drug use was reported by 22% of the men in the previous six months, and 62% reported intoxication with alcohol (≥5 drinks) or mood altering recreational drug use at the HRE. Conclusions: Gay and bisexual men who have recently seroconverted are highly sexually active and report high rates of unprotected anal intercourse and recreational drug use at the HRE.

Predictors of Unprotected Anal Intercourse Among HIV-Positive Latino Gay and Bisexual Men

2004 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul J. Poppen ◽  
Carol A. Reisen ◽  
Mar�a Cecilia Zea ◽  
Fernanda T. Bianchi ◽  
John J. Echeverry
Keyword(s):  
Gay And Bisexual Men ◽  
Anal Intercourse ◽  
Unprotected Anal Intercourse ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
And Bisexual

HIV testing self-efficacy is associated with higher HIV testing frequency and perceived likelihood to self-test among gay and bisexual men

Sexual Health ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad S. Jamil ◽  
Rebecca J. Guy ◽  
Benjamin R. Bavinton ◽  
Christopher K. Fairley ◽  
Andrew E. Grulich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Gay And Bisexual Men ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
The Past ◽  
Testing Frequency ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
The Future ◽  
Self Test ◽  
And Bisexual

Background Regular testing of individuals at higher-risk of HIV is central to current prevention strategies. The aim of the present study was to examine the extent to which confidence in one’s perceived ability to undertake various aspects of HIV testing and self-testing (self-efficacy) affected HIV testing outcomes. We assessed factors, including self-efficacy, associated with HIV testing frequency and the likelihood to self-test among gay and bisexual men (GBM). Methods: Participants were HIV-negative GBM at an increased risk of HIV (more than five partners or condomless anal intercourse in the previous 3 months) enrolled in a randomised controlled trial of HIV self-testing. The baseline questionnaire captured data regarding sociodemographic characteristics, HIV and/or sexually transmissible infection testing history, sexual behaviour, beliefs and attitudes towards HIV and eight items capturing confidence in HIV testing ability that were combined as a single broad measure of HIV testing self-efficacy (α = 0.81). Factors associated with three or more HIV tests in the past year and the likelihood of self-testing in the future were determined using logistic regression. Results: Of 354 GBM, 34% reported three or more HIV tests in the past year, and 64% reported being ‘very likely’ to self-test. Factors independently associated with three or more HIV tests in the past year were: higher self-efficacy (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.08 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.14; P = 0.004); >10 male partners in the past 6 months (aOR 1.79; 95% CI 1.05–3.04; P = 0.031) and higher optimism regarding the effects of HIV treatments on HIV transmission (aOR 1.14; 95% CI 1.00–1.29; P = 0.044). Only higher self-efficacy was independently associated with reporting a greater likelihood to self-test in the future (aOR 1.10; 95% CI 1.05–1.15; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Improving self-efficacy by enhancing GBM’s knowledge and experience may lead to higher testing frequency. The self-efficacy measure used in the present study could be useful in identifying GBM likely to face difficulties with HIV testing and self-testing.

scholarly journals Impact of victimization during youth on adult high-risk sexual behaviour among gay and bisexual men

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler G. Tulloch
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Sexual Behaviour ◽  
Gay And Bisexual Men ◽  
Anal Intercourse ◽  
Unprotected Anal Intercourse ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
High Risk Sexual Behaviour ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Risk Sexual Behaviour

Based on the minority stress model, this study examines the impact of general and gay-specific childhood teasing on adult high-risk sexual behaviour among gay and bisexual men, mediated by depression and social anxiety. High-risk sexual behaviour was operationalized as the number of acts of unprotected anal intercourse with a partner of opposite or unknown HIV status, and also as the number of partners of opposite or unknown HIV status with whom an individual engaged in unprotected anal intercourse. Depression, social anxiety, and retrospective self-report of childhood teasing were measured at baseline, and sexual behaviour was measured at 6-month follow-up. Results indicate that gay-specific teasing, but not general teasing, was indirectly associated with number of high-risk sex acts via depression. Additionally, both types of teasing were directly associated with number of high-risk sex partners after accounting for depression and social anxiety.

Empirical treatment of asymptomatic contacts of gonorrhoea: patient views

Sexual Health ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 462
Author(s):  
Ruthy McIver ◽  
Sheina Low ◽  
Rick Varma ◽  
Tobias Vickers ◽  
Anna McNulty
Keyword(s):  
Gay And Bisexual Men ◽  
Antimicrobial Treatment ◽  
Empirical Treatment ◽  
Individual Treatment ◽  
Heterosexual Men ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Patient Acceptability ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
And Bisexual

Background The prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhoea) in sexual contacts of gonorrhoea has not been established, but limited data suggest that the majority of contacts are not infected. Contacts of gonorrhoea who receive empirical treatment at the point of testing may receive unnecessary antimicrobial treatment for an infection that is known to have multidrug resistance. This study evaluated patient acceptability of non-empirical treatment.? Methods: We conducted an anonymous cross-sectional survey of patients attending sexual health centres in New South Wales, Australia, on the acceptability of empirical and non-empirical treatment models and patients’ concerns about antimicrobial resistance. Results: Most of the 823 survey participants were willing to wait for treatment until their results were reported; 77% and 53% would agree to wait for treatment if results were available in 2 and 7 days respectively. Participants were less likely to agree to non-empirical treatment if they lived in regional and remote areas compared with those in a major city (odds ratio (OR) 0.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35–0.73). Most participants (70%) were worried about infections becoming resistant to antibiotics, with heterosexual men and women being less likely than gay and bisexual men to be worried (heterosexual men: OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.44–0.94; women: OR 0.64 95%, CI 0.44–0.92). Conclusions: Non-empirical treatment was acceptable to most participants, but patient preference, ability to return for treatment and timeliness of results are factors that should inform individual treatment decisions.

Risky Sexual Behavior in Gay and Bisexual Men

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 595-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Kashubeck-West ◽  
Dawn M. Szymanski
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Risky Sexual Behavior ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Gay And Bisexual Men ◽  
Anal Intercourse ◽  
Unprotected Anal Intercourse ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Use Factors

This study investigated risky sexual behavior in a sample of 209 gay and bisexual men. Using structural equation modeling, the mediating relations of substance use factors (expectations about the sexually enhancing effects of substance use and substance use during sex) between internalized heterosexism (IH) and sensation seeking and unprotected anal intercourse were examined. Expectations that substance use would enhance sexual activity mediated the relationship between IH and risky sexual behavior. Both substance use factors mediated the relationship of sensation seeking to risky sexual behavior. Greater sensation seeking was associated with greater expectations about the sexually enhancing effects of substances, which in turn was associated with greater unprotected anal intercourse. Unexpectedly, less sensation seeking was related to more substance use during sex, which in turn was associated with more risky sexual behavior. Overall, the variables in the model accounted for 66% of the variance in sexual behavior.

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