Improved gonorrhea and chlamydia testing among men who have sex with men living with HIV through implementation of self-collected tests

2021 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Ina U. Park ◽  
Dominique Reminick ◽  
Jeffrey M. Schapiro ◽  
Leo B. Hurley ◽  
Charles Brad Hare ◽  
...  
Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 745
Author(s):  
Rob Stephenson ◽  
Stephen P. Sullivan ◽  
Renee A. Pitter ◽  
Alexis S. Hunter ◽  
Tanaka MD Chavanduka

This paper presents data from an online sample of U.S gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), to explore the factors associated with three dimensions of vaccine beliefs: perception of the likelihood of a COVID-19 vaccine becoming available, perception of when a COVID-19 vaccine would become available, and the likelihood of taking a COVID-19 vaccine. Data are taken from the Love and Sex in the Time of COVID-19 study, collected from November 2020 to January 2021. A sample of 290 GBMSM is analyzed, modeling three binary outcomes: belief that there will be a COVID-19 vaccine, belief that the COVID-19 vaccine will be available in 6 months, and being very likely to take the COVID-19 vaccine. In contrast to other studies, Black/African Americans and GBMSM living with HIV had higher levels of pandemic optimism and were more likely to be willing to accept a vaccine. Men who perceived a higher prevalence of COVID-19 among their friends and sex partners, and those who had reduced their sex partners, were more likely to be willing to take a COVID-19 vaccine. There remained a small percentage of participants (14%) who did not think the pandemic would end, that there would not be a vaccine and were unlikely to take a vaccine. To reach the levels of vaccination necessary to control the pandemic, it is imperative to understand the characteristics of those experiencing vaccine hesitancy and then tailor public health messages to their unique set of barriers and motivations.


2021 ◽  
pp. 095646242199719
Author(s):  
Robert Jeffrey Edwards ◽  
Isshad John ◽  
Selena Todd ◽  
Leon-Omari Lavia ◽  
David Musa ◽  
...  

A chart review study was conducted to determine the prevalence of syphilis and explore the associated risk factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) who attended a large HIV clinic in Trinidad during the period January–December 2019. Patients were routinely screened for syphilis annually, and demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were extracted from the medical records. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed, and factors significantly associated with a syphilis diagnosis were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. During the period, 218 MSM were seen, age range 19–67 years, and median age 34.0 years. The prevalence of syphilis was 41.3% (90/218), and 71.1% (64//90) of these infections were asymptomatic. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression showed that MSM living with HIV in the 30–34 years old-age group (OR, 4.32; 95% CI, 1.04–18.02), and those with a previous history of treated syphilis (OR, 10.18; 95% CI, 4.60–22.53) were more likely to be diagnosed with syphilis. The prevalence of syphilis is high among MSM attending the HIV clinic in Trinidad, and most of these infections were asymptomatic; hence, targeted and sustained interventions to reduce syphilis transmission are urgently required. Repeat episodes of syphilis may play a role in the transmission dynamics of syphilis in MSM.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olusegun A. Adeyemi ◽  
Andrew Mitchell ◽  
Ashley Shutt ◽  
Trevor A. Crowell ◽  
Nicaise Ndembi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Despite the development of a safe and efficacious hepatitis B vaccine in 1982, the hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a public health burden in sub-Saharan Africa. Due to shared risk factors for virus acquisition, men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) living with HIV are at increased risk of HBV. We estimated the prevalence of HBV and associated factors for MSM and TGW living with or without HIV in Nigeria. Methods Since March 2013, TRUST/RV368 has recruited MSM and TGW in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria using respondent driven sampling. Participants with HIV diagnosis, enrollment as of June 2015, and available plasma were selected for a cross-sectional study and retrospectively tested for hepatitis B surface antigen and HBV DNA. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors associated with prevalent HBV infection. Results A total of 717 MSM and TGW had a median age of 25 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 21–27), 5% self-reported HBV vaccination, 61% were living with HIV, 10% had prevalent HBV infection and 6% were HIV-HBV co-infected. HIV mono-infected as compared to HIV-HBV co-infected had a higher median CD4 T cell count [425 (IQR: 284–541) vs. 345 (IQR: 164–363) cells/mm3, p = 0.03] and a lower median HIV RNA viral load [4.2 (IQR: 2.3–4.9) vs. 4.7 (IQR: 3.9–5.4) log10copies/mL, p < 0.01]. The only factor independently associated with HBV was self-report of condomless sex at last anal intercourse (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.3, 3.6). HIV infection was not independently associated with HBV (OR: 1.0, 95% CI: 0.7–1.6). Conclusion HBV prevalence was moderately high but did not differ by HIV in this cohort of MSM and TGW. Recent condomless sex was associated with elevated HBV risk, reinforcing the need to increase communication and education on condom use among key populations in Nigeria. Evaluating use of concurrent HIV antiretroviral therapy with anti-HBV activity may confirm the attenuated HBV prevalence for those living with HIV.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2300
Author(s):  
Han-Chang Ku ◽  
Yi-Tseng Tsai ◽  
Sriyani-Padmalatha Konara-Mudiyanselage ◽  
Yi-Lin Wu ◽  
Tsung Yu ◽  
...  

The incidence of herpes zoster (HZ) in patients infected with HIV is higher than that of the general population. However, the incidence of HZ in HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled incidence rate and risk factors for HZ in the post-ART era. We identified studies assessing the incidence of HZ in the post-ART era between 1 January 2000 and 28 February 2021, from four databases. Pooled risk ratios were calculated from 11 articles using a random-effects model. The heterogeneity of the included trials was evaluated by visually inspecting funnel plots, performing random-effects meta-regression and using I2 statistics. Of the 2111 studies screened, we identified 11 studies that were eligible for final inclusion in the systematic review and 8 studies that were eligible for a meta-analysis. The pooled incidence of HZ in the post-ART era (after the introduction of ART in 1997) was 2.30 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.56–3.05) per 100 person years (PYs). The risks of incidence of HZ among people living with HIV included male sex (AOR: 4.35 (95% CI: 054–2.41)), men who have sex with men (AOR: 1.21 (95% CI: −0.76–1.13)), CD4 count < 200 cells/μL (AOR: 11.59 (95% CI: 0.53–4.38)) and not receiving ART (AOR: 2.89 (95% CI: −0.44–2.56)). The incidence of HZ is substantially lower among HIV infected patients receiving ART than those not receiving ART. Initiating ART immediately after diagnosis to treat all HIV-positive individuals is crucial to minimize the disease burden of HZ.


Author(s):  
Amy K. Johnson ◽  
Román Buenrostro ◽  
Gilberto Soberanis ◽  
Banita McCarn ◽  
Bridget Magner ◽  
...  

AbstractThis manuscript documents the development of an innovative individual-level peer navigation intervention “Salud y Orgullo Mexicano” (SOM) designed to increase linkage and retention to HIV care for Mexican men who have sex with men (MSM) in Chicago, Illinois. The intervention was developed via a modified intervention mapping process. Elements of two existing interventions were combined and refined with input from the Mexican MSM community, including informant interviews, an expert advisory board, and a design team. A manualized transnational intervention was developed via intervention mapping. A peer health navigation intervention “SOM” was created using intervention mapping and input from the focus community. Next steps include implementing and evaluating the intervention to determine acceptability and efficacy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 2119-2129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell Brewer ◽  
Kristina B. Hood ◽  
Mary Moore ◽  
Andrew Spieldenner ◽  
Chris Daunis ◽  
...  

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 217 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Templeton ◽  
Phillip Read ◽  
Rajesh Varma ◽  
Christopher Bourne

Men who have sex with men (MSM) in Australia and overseas are disproportionately affected by sexually transmissible infections (STIs), including HIV. Many STIs are asymptomatic, so regular testing and management of asymptomatic MSM remains an important component of effective control. We reviewed articles from January 2009–May 2013 to inform the 2014 update of the 2010 Australian testing guidelines for asymptomatic MSM. Key changes include: a recommendation for pharyngeal chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) testing, use of nucleic acid amplification tests alone for gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) testing (without gonococcal culture), more frequent (up to four times a year) gonorrhoea and chlamydia testing in sexually active HIV-positive MSM, time required since last void for chlamydia first-void urine collection specified at 20 min, urethral meatal swab as an alternative to first-void urine for urethral chlamydia testing, and the use of electronic reminders to increase STI and HIV retesting rates among MSM.


Author(s):  
Dharma N. Bhatta ◽  
Jennifer Hecht ◽  
Shelley N. Facente

Background: Stigma and discrimination are major challenges faced by people living with HIV (PLWH), and stigma continues to be prevalent among PLWH. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 584 men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV between July 2018 and December 2020, designed to better understand which demographic and behavioral characteristics of MSM living with HIV in San Francisco, California are associated with experience of stigma, so that programs and initiatives can be tailored appropriately to minimize HIV stigma’s impacts. Methods: This analysis was conducted with data from San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF) encompassing services from multiple different locations in San Francisco. Data about the level of HIV-related stigma experienced were collected through a single question incorporated into programmatic data collection forms at SFAF as part of the client record stored in SFAF’s electronic health record. We performed linear regression to determine the associations between self-reported experiences of HIV stigma and other characteristics among MSM living with HIV. Results: HIV stigma was low overall among MSM living with HIV who are actively engaged in HIV care in San Francisco; however, it was significantly higher for the age groups of 13–29 years (adjusted risk difference (ARD): 0.251, 95% CI: 0.012, 0.489) and 30–49 years (ARD: 0.205, 95% CI: 0.042, 0.367) when compared to the age group of 50 years and older, as well as people who were homeless (ARD: 0.844, 95% CI: 0.120, 1.568), unstably housed (ARD: 0.326, 95% CI: 0.109, 0.543) and/or having mental health concerns (ARD: 0.309, 95% CI: 0.075, 0.544), controlling for race, injection history, and viral load. Conclusions: These findings highlight an opportunity to develop culturally, socially, and racially appropriate interventions to reduce HIV stigma among MSM living with HIV, particularly for younger men and those struggling with housing stability and/or mental health.


2021 ◽  
pp. e20200054
Author(s):  
Beatriz E. Alvarado ◽  
Jorge Luis Martinez-Cajas ◽  
Barry D. Adam ◽  
Trevor Hart

This study piloted the GPS (Gay-Positive Sex) Latino program for men who have sex with men (MSM) who immigrated to Canada. GPS Latino is an individual counseling intervention program that involves the provision of information, motivational interviewing, and behavioral skills building to reduce risk behaviors associated with HIV and STI transmission. We designed a pre-post study without control to assess the effects of GPS Latino on depression, loneliness, the self-efficacy of condom use negotiation, and condomless anal sex (CAS). During the study, one HIV-positive peer counselor administered six 2-hour counseling sessions to 11 participants living with HIV and 10 HIV-negative MSM Latino living in Toronto, Canada. A paired t-test and a McNemar test were employed to assess the effects of GPS Latino twelve months after the start of the intervention. Our study shows a reduction in CAS (any partner) from 90% at the baseline to 62% at the 12-month follow-up (p = 0.06). The findings also indicate an increase from 19.2 to 21.5 (p = 0.01) in self-efficacy of negotiating condom use in HIV-negative participants. As a peer-led counseling intervention, GPS Latino may offer an efficient way of concurrently reducing CAS, and increasing condom use negotiation in immigrant Latino men who have sex with men.


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