Determinants of frequent and infrequent STI testing and STI diagnosis related to test frequency among men who have sex with men in the eastern part of the Netherlands: a 6-year retrospective study

Abstract Background Social networks, norms, and discussions about sexual health may inform sexual practices, influencing risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or sexually transmitted infection (STI) acquisition. To better understand social networks of Peruvian men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (trans women), we examined key social network members (SNMs), participant perceptions of these network members’ opinions toward sexual health behaviors, and associations between network member characteristics and condomless anal intercourse (CAI). Methods In a 2017 cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 565 MSM and trans women with HIV-negative or unknown serostatus was asked to identify three close SNMs; describe discussions about HIV and STI prevention with each; and report perceived opinions of condom use, HIV/STI testing, and partner notification of STIs. Generalized estimating equations evaluated relationships between SNM characteristics, opinions, and discussions and participant-reported CAI. Results Among participants who identified as MSM, 42.3% of key SNMs were perceived to identify as gay. MSM “never” discussed HIV and STI prevention concerns with 42.4% of heterosexual SNMs, but discussed them “at least once weekly” with 16.9 and 16.6% of gay- and bisexual- identifying SNMs, respectively. Among participants who identified as trans women, 28.2% of key SNMs were perceived as heterosexual; 25.9%, as bisexual; 24.7%, as transgender; and 21.2%, as gay. Trans women discussed HIV/STI prevention least with cis-gender heterosexual network members (40.2% “never”) and most with transgender network members (27.1% “at least once weekly”). Participants perceived most of their close social network to be completely in favor of condom use (71.2% MSM SNMs, 61.5% trans women SNMs) and HIV/STI testing (73.1% MSM SNMs, 75.6% trans women SNMs), but described less support for partner STI notification (33.4% MSM SNMs, 37.4% trans women SNMs). Most participants reported CAI with at least one of their past three sexual partners (77.5% MSM, 62.8% trans women). SNM characteristics were not significantly associated with participant-reported frequency of CAI. Conclusions Findings compare social support, perceived social norms, and discussion patterns of Peruvian MSM and trans women, offering insight into social contexts and sexual behaviors. Trial registration The parent study from which this analysis was derived was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT03010020) on January 4, 2017.

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27 years of the HIV epidemic amongst men having sex with men in the Netherlands: An in depth mathematical model-based analysis

Epidemics ◽

10.1016/j.epidem.2010.04.001 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 66-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Daniela Bezemer ◽

Frank de Wolf ◽

Maarten C. Boerlijst ◽

Ard van Sighem ◽

T. Deirdre Hollingsworth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mathematical Model ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Model Based ◽

Hiv Epidemic ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Model Based Analysis

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Regular STI testing amongst men who have sex with men and use social media is suboptimal – a cross-sectional study

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1177/0956462416636780 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 28 (6) ◽

pp. 573-583 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Jamie Frankis ◽

Lisa Goodall ◽

Dan Clutterbuck ◽

Abdul-Razak Abubakari ◽

Paul Flowers

Keyword(s):

Confidence Interval ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Adjusted Odds Ratio ◽

Anal Intercourse ◽

Sex Partners ◽

Transmitted Infection ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Sti Testing ◽

Male Sex ◽

Sex With Men

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) disproportionately affect men who have sex with men, with marked increases in most STIs in recent years. These are likely underpinned by coterminous increases in behavioural risks which have coincided with the development of Internet and geospatial sociosexual networking. Current guidelines advocate regular, annual sexually transmitted infection testing amongst sexually active men who have sex with men (MSM), as opposed to symptom-driven testing. This paper explores sexually transmitted infection testing regularity amongst MSM who use social and sociosexual media. Data were collected from 2668 men in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, recruited via social and gay sociosexual media. Only one-third of participants report regular (yearly or more frequent) STI testing, despite relatively high levels of male sex partners, condomless anal intercourse and high-risk unprotected anal intercourse. The following variables were associated with regular STI testing; being more ‘out’ (adjusted odds ratio = 1.79; confidence interval = 1.20–2.68), HIV-positive (adjusted odds ratio = 14.11; confidence interval = 7.03–28.32); reporting ≥10 male sex partners (adjusted odds ratio = 2.15; confidence interval = 1.47–3.14) or regular HIV testing (adjusted odds ratio = 48.44; confidence interval = 28.27–83.01). Men reporting long-term sickness absence from work/carers (adjusted odds ratio = 0.03; confidence interval = 0.00–0.48) and men aged ≤25 years (adjusted odds ratio = 0.36; 95% confidence interval = 0.19–0.69) were less likely to test regularly for STIs. As such, we identify a complex interplay of social, health and behavioural factors that each contribute to men’s STI testing behaviours. In concert, these data suggest that the syndemics placing men at elevated risk may also mitigate against access to testing and prevention services. Moreover, successful reduction of STI transmission amongst MSM will necessitate a comprehensive range of approaches which address these multiple interrelated factors that underpin MSM's STI testing.

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Myopia progression from wearing first glasses to adult age: the DREAM Study

British Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-316234 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. bjophthalmol-2020-316234

Author(s):

Jan Roelof Polling ◽

Caroline Klaver ◽

Jan Willem Tideman

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Study ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Refractive Error ◽

High Myopia ◽

Prognostic Indicator ◽

Treatment Intensity ◽

Spherical Equivalent ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Myopia Progression ◽

Adult Age

PurposeData on myopia progression during its entire course are scarce. The aim of this study is to investigate myopia progression in Europeans as a function of age and degree of myopia from first prescription to final refractive error.MethodsThe Drentse Refractive Error and Myopia Study assessed data from a branch of opticians in the Netherlands from 1985 onwards in a retrospective study. First pair of glasses prescribed was defined as a spherical equivalent of refraction (SER) ≤−0.5 D to ≥−3.0 D. Subjects with prescriptions at an interval of at least 1 year were included in the analysis.ResultsA total of 2555 persons (57.3% female) met the inclusion criteria. Those with first prescription before the age of 10 years showed the strongest progression (−0.50 D; IQR: −0.75 to −0.19) and a significantly (p<0.001) more negative median final SER (−4.48 D; IQR: −5.37 to −3.42). All children who developed SER ≤−3 D at 10 years were highly myopic (SER ≤−6D) as adults, children who had SER between −1.5 D and −3 D at 10 years had 46.0% risk of high myopia, and children with SER between −0.5 D and −1.5 D had 32.6% risk of high myopia. Myopia progression diminished with age; all refractive categories stabilised after age 15 years except for SER ≤−5 D who progressed up to −0.25 D annually until age 21 years.ConclusionOur trajectories of the natural course of myopia progression may serve as a guide for myopia management in European children. SER at 10 years is an important prognostic indicator and will help determine treatment intensity.

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