P103 HIV/STI testing among men who have sex with men in the Netherlands: attitudes towards home-sampling testing during the Covid-19 pandemic

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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Socio-Sexual Experiences and Access to Healthcare Among Informal PrEP Users in the Netherlands

AIDS and Behavior ◽

10.1007/s10461-020-03085-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mart van Dijk ◽

John B. F. de Wit ◽

Rebecca Kamps ◽

Thomas E. Guadamuz ◽

Joel E. Martinez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Behavior ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Well Being ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Interpretive Description ◽

Sex Partners ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Incorrect Information

AbstractThe aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of informal PrEP users regarding access to PrEP and PrEP-related healthcare, community responses, sexual behavior and well-being. We interviewed 30 men who have sex with men (MSM) in semi-structured online interviews between March and August 2018. Interviews were analyzed using interpretive description. Informal PrEP users were well informed about the use of PrEP, but sometimes did not make use of renal testing. Participants reported a lack of PrEP knowledge among healthcare providers, which limited their access to PrEP and put them at risk, as they received incorrect information. Although some participants reported negative reactions from potential sex partners, most received positive reactions and were sometimes seen as more desirable sex partners. PrEP healthcare services should not only be accessible to formal PrEP users, but also to PrEP users who procure PrEP informally.

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HIV and STI prevalence and testing history among men who have sex with men in Hanoi, Vietnam

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1177/09564624211060185 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 095646242110601

Author(s):

Jane S Chen ◽

Sara N Levintow ◽

Ha V Tran ◽

Teerada Sripaipan ◽

Minh X Nguyen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Stigma ◽

Prevalence Odds Ratio ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Healthcare Settings ◽

Sti Testing ◽

Hiv And Sti Testing ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Simplex Virus ◽

Herpes Simplex Virus 2

Background HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have disproportionately affected communities of men who have sex with men (MSM). We describe HIV and STI prevalence and testing patterns among urban Vietnamese MSM. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional community-based study of MSM in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2016. Participants self-reported experiences of social stigma in healthcare settings and previous HIV and STI testing. STI testing included HIV, herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2), syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Results 205 MSM participated in the study. STI prevalence was HIV (10%), HSV-2 (4%), syphilis (13%), gonorrhea (34%), and chlamydia (19%). More than half (55%) of participants tested positive for at least one STI. Most participants had been previously tested for HIV or another STI (72%), with 24% previously receiving a positive result. Perceived and enacted social stigma in healthcare contexts was negatively associated with previous HIV or STI testing (adjusted prevalence odds ratio (aPOR): 0.22; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.10–0.48). Discussion High prevalence of STIs was observed among Vietnamese MSM, and perceived and enacted stigma was related to HIV and STI testing. Our findings reaffirm the importance of regular STI screening among this population as well as additional outreach to promote safe HIV and STI healthcare engagement.

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