Risk behaviours of an interrelated syphilis-infected sexual network of men who have sex with men

The objective of a cross sectional study is to describe the situation of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and risk behaviours among 800 men who have sex with men (MSM) in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) from December 2017 to May 2018 using respondent - driven sampling method (RDS). The results showed that the prevalence of any type of HPV infection was 29.8% (33% in HCMC, 26.5% in Hanoi) and the prevalence of any high - risk type of HPV infection was 24.0% (29.0% in HCMC, 19.0% in Hanoi). The risk behaviours to HPV among MSM in both cities included: Alcohol use (69.9%), smoking (30.7%), drug use (8.5%), having frst sexual intercourse under 18 years old (31.8%), having group sex (10.5%), having sex with both men and women (21.7%). The factors which had statistically signifcant differences with HPV status in MSM group included: City, age group, and marital status. These results showed that there is a need for medical interventions for MSM to improve individual health as well as to minimize the transmission of HPV in this population.

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HIV and syphilis and sexual risk behaviours among men who have sex with men attending university in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh18231 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. 554 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Song Fan ◽

Zuyao Yang ◽

Fengsu Hou ◽

Maohe Yu ◽

Zhenzhou Luo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Testing ◽

Sexual Risk ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Male Partner ◽

Anal Intercourse ◽

Hiv Prevalence ◽

Risk Behaviours ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Group Sex ◽

Sexual Risk Behaviours

Background This study was conducted to summarise the HIV epidemic, sexual behaviours and HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM) attending university in China. Methods: Five databases were searched for student MSM information in English and Chinese language publications. Meta-analyses were performed to calculate the pooled prevalence of HIV and syphilis, pooled mean age at first anal intercourse (AFAI) and the rate of other HIV-related behaviours among MSM attending university in China. Univariate meta-regression and subgroup analysis were conducted to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias was measured using Egger’s test. Results: Thirty-three articles representing 31 studies were included in the analysis. The pooled HIV prevalence was 4.1% (95% CI 3.1–5.0%). The estimated AFAI was 18.7 years, but 37.5% of students had their first anal intercourse before 18 years of age. Most (88.2%) had their first sexual intercourse with a male partner. Of the MSM attending university, 4.2% of MSM engaged in commercial sex (either selling or buying sex), 10.3% had ever engaged in group sex, 13.1% had had sex with a female partner in the past month and 10.1% had ever used drugs. Most (77.7%) sought sex partners via geosocial networking gay apps or the Internet, and 42.9% had ever tested for HIV. There was a tendency for an increase in lifetime HIV testing rate from 32% in 2005–07 to 53% in 2014–16. Conclusions: This review found high HIV prevalence, early AFAI and a high prevalence of sexual risk behaviours among MSM attending university in China. Interventions aimed at increasing HIV testing and reducing sexual risk behaviours are urgently needed among this young population.

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Sexual network characteristics of men who have sex with men with syphilis and/or gonorrhoea/chlamydia in Lima, Peru: network patterns as roadmaps for STI prevention interventions

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2018-053865 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 95 (5) ◽

pp. 336-341

Author(s):

Cherie Blair ◽

Ryan Colby Passaro ◽

Eddy R Segura ◽

Jordan E Lake ◽

Amaya G Perez-Brumer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Network Size ◽

Sexual Partners ◽

Sexual Network ◽

Syphilis Infection ◽

Screening Process ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sti Prevention ◽

Network Characteristics ◽

Condomless Anal Intercourse ◽

Sex With Men

ObjectiveWhile men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by Peru’s overlapping HIV and STI epidemics, there are few data on how partnership-level and network-level factors affect STI transmission in Peru. We explored partnership-level and network-level factors associated with gonorrhoea/chlamydia (Neisseria gonorrhoeae and/or Chlamydia trachomatis (NG/CT)) and/or syphilis infection among MSM in Peru.MethodsWe present the results of a cross-sectional secondary analysis of MSM (n=898) tested for syphilis and NG/CT infection as part of the screening process for two STI control trials in Lima, Peru. Participants completed questionnaires on demographics, sexual identity and role, characteristics of their three most recent sexual partners (partner sexual orientation, gender, role, partnership type, partner-specific sexual acts) and 30-day sexual network characteristics (number of sexual partners, partnership types, frequency of anal/vaginal intercourse). Participants were tested for syphilis and urethral, rectal and oropharyngeal NG/CT. Differences in network characteristics were analysed with χ2 and Kruskal-Wallis tests.ResultsApproximately 38.9% of participants had a new STI diagnosis (syphilis (rapid plasma reagin ≥16): 10.6%; NG/CT: 22.9%; syphilis-NG/CT coinfection: 5.4%). Condomless anal intercourse (CAI) was not significantly associated with an STI diagnosis. Gay-identified participants with exclusively homosexual networks had a higher prevalence of STIs (47.4%) than gay-identified MSM with only heterosexual/bisexual partners (34.6%, p=0.04), despite reporting fewer sexual partners (any partners: 2, 1–4 vs 3, 2–6; p=0.001; casual partners: 1, 0–3 vs 2, 1–4; p=0.001) and more stable partnerships (1, 0–1 vs 0, 0–1; p=0.003) in the last month.ConclusionsNetwork size and the number of casual sexual partners were associated with NG/CT infection among MSM in Peru. Despite reporting fewer sexual risk behaviours (smaller network size, more stable partnerships, less CAI), MSM with homosexual-only sexual networks had a higher prevalence of NG/CT and syphilis. These findings suggest network composition among MSM in Peru plays an important role in the risk for STI acquisition.

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Patterns of sexualised recreational drug use and its association with risk behaviours and sexual health outcomes in men who have sex with men in London, UK: a comparison of cross-sectional studies conducted in 2013 and 2016

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2019-054139 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 96 (3) ◽

pp. 197-203 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tyrone J Curtis ◽

Alison J Rodger ◽

Fiona Burns ◽

Anthony Nardone ◽

Andrew Copas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Health ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Risk Behaviours ◽

Hiv Status ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Past ◽

Unknown Status ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Hiv Negative ◽

Hiv Positive Men

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.

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Trends in HIV prevalence and risk behaviours among men who have sex with men from 2013 to 2017 in Nanjing, China: a consecutive cross-sectional survey

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-021955 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. e021955 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Zhengping Zhu ◽

Hongjing Yan ◽

Sushu Wu ◽

Yuanyuan Xu ◽

Wenjiong Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Infection ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Hiv Prevalence ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Risk Behaviours ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Past ◽

Testing Rate ◽

Sex With Men

ObjectiveTo examine the trends of HIV prevalence, risk behaviours and HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nanjing.DesignFive consecutive cross-sectional surveys.SettingNanjing, China.Primary and secondary outcome measuresHIV and syphilis prevalence, HIV testing rate and factors associated with HIV infection; demographic characteristics and behaviours.Results649, 669, 577, 633, 503 MSM were recruited from 2013 to 2017. HIV prevalence was 9.9%, 12.3%, 12.5%, 9.8% and 10.1%, respectively. Syphilis prevalence decreased with a range from 10.6% to 5.6%. Risk behaviours like unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) and unprotected virginal sex in the past 6 months decreased, but multiple sex partners and ever used rush popper rose significantly. MSM tested for HIV in the previous year remained stable from 57.0% to 64.1% (P=0.633). Multivariate analysis showed that tested for HIV in the past year was protective factor against HIV infection. MSM who had UAI in the past 6 months, sex role as receptive and dual, diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the past year and currently syphilis infected were risk factors for HIV infection.ConclusionsWe observed stable high HIV prevalence, a steady HIV testing rate, decreasing syphilis prevalence and UAI among MSM in Nanjing. However, rush popper use rose dramatically. The HIV preventive strategies for MSM including condom promotion, HIV testing expansion and reduction of rush popper use, STDs screening and standardised treatment should be strengthened.

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