Developing HIV assisted partner notification services tailored to Mexican key populations: a qualitative approach

Abstract Background Assisted partner notification services (APNS) may increase HIV testing, early diagnosis, and treatment, but they are not formally implemented in Mexico, where the HIV epidemic is concentrated in men who have sex with men (MSM) and transwomen (TW). This study aimed to explore the awareness of and need for HIV partner notification, as well as to outline potential strategies for APNS based on identified barriers and facilitators. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews to explore partner notification with MSM, TW, and counselors. Afterwards, brainstorm sessions were carried out to produce strategies for implementing APNS. Results Most participants reported experiences with informal partner notification and serostatus disclosure, but not with APNS. Only one counselor indicated assisting notification systematically. The main barriers for notifying or disclosing mentioned by both MSM and TW included fear of (violent) reactions, discrimination and lacking contact information of casual partners. Participants thought it was easier to inform a formal partner, conditional of being well informed about HIV. Given current stigma and lack of awareness, it was suggested that APNS should be preceded by HIV awareness efforts, and be provided by counselors or peers to mitigate potential rejection or violent reactions. Conclusions While APNS are not formally implemented in Mexico, all participants supported the service, indicating that APNS could potentially enhance early HIV diagnosis in Mexico. Strategies to implement such services need to be flexible addressing the individual needs of participants, guaranteeing the safety of more vulnerable participants.

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Developing HIV Assisted Partner Notification Services Tailored to Mexican Key Populations: A Qualitative Approach

10.21203/rs.3.rs-108692/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Heleen Vermandere ◽

Santiago Aguilera-Mijares ◽

Liliane Martínez-Vargas ◽

M. Arantxa Colchero ◽

Sergio Bautista-Arredondo

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Partner Notification ◽

Essential Elements ◽

Care Providers ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Hiv Diagnosis ◽

Hiv Awareness ◽

Sex With Men ◽

The Individual

Abstract Background. Assisted partner notification services (APNS) may increase HIV testing, early diagnosis, and treatment, but they are not formally implemented in Mexico, where the HIV epidemic is concentrated in men who have sex with men (MSM) and transwomen (TW).Methods. We conducted semi-structured interviews to explore partner notification with MSM, TW and health care providers to identify the essential elements to include in the design and implementation of APNS directed to MSM and TW in Mexico City. Afterwards, brainstorm sessions were carried out to produce strategies for implementing APNS.Results. Most participants reported experiences with informal partner notification, but not with APNS. Only one health care provider indicated assisting notification systematically. The main barriers for notifying mentioned by both MSM and TW included fear of (violent) reactions, discrimination and lacking contact information of casual partners. Participants thought it was easier notifying a formal partner, conditional of being well informed about HIV. Given current stigma and lack of awareness, it was suggested that APNS should be preceded by HIV awareness efforts, and be provided by counsellors or peers to mitigate potential rejection or violent reactions. Conclusions. While APNS are not formally implemented in Mexico, all participants supported the service, indicating that APNS can enhance early HIV diagnosis in Mexico. Strategies to implement such services need to be flexible addressing the individual needs of participants, guaranteeing the safety of more vulnerable participants.

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Developing HIV Assisted Partner Notification Services Tailored to Mexican Key Populations: A Qualitative Approach

10.21203/rs.3.rs-68392/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Heleen Vermandere ◽

Santiago Aguilera-Mijares ◽

Liliane Martínez-Vargas ◽

M. Arantxa Colchero ◽

Sergio Bautista-Arredondo

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Partner Notification ◽

Essential Elements ◽

Care Providers ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Hiv Diagnosis ◽

Hiv Awareness ◽

Sex With Men ◽

The Individual

Abstract Background. Assisted partner notification services (APNS) may increase HIV testing, early diagnosis, and treatment, but they are not formally implemented in Mexico, where the HIV epidemic is concentrated in men who have sex with men (MSM) and transwomen (TW). We conducted semi-structured interviews to explore partner notification with MSM, TW and health care providers to identify the essential elements to include in the design and implementation of APNS directed to MSM and TW in Mexico City. Afterwards, brainstorm sessions were carried out to produce strategies for implementing APNS. Results. Most participants reported experiences with informal partner notification, but not with APNS. Only one health care provider indicated assisting notification systematically. The main barriers for notifying mentioned by both MSM and TW included fear of (violent) reactions, discrimination and lacking contact information of casual partners. Participants thought it was easier notifying a formal partner, conditional of being well informed about HIV. Given current stigma and lack of awareness, it was suggested that APNS should be preceded by HIV awareness efforts, and be provided by counsellors or peers to mitigate potential rejection or violent reactions. Conclusions. While APNS are not formally implemented in Mexico, all participants supported the service, indicating that APNS can enhance early HIV diagnosis in Mexico. Strategies to implement such services need to be flexible addressing the individual needs of participants, guaranteeing the safety of more vulnerable participants.

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Impact of immediate initiation of antiretroviral therapy among men who have sex with men infected with HIV in Chengdu, southwest China: trends analysis, 2008–2018

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10580-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chenyao Wu ◽

Baiyang Zhang ◽

Zhen Dai ◽

Qianwen Zheng ◽

Zhenhua Duan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Southwest China ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Interrupted Time Series ◽

Health Information Systems ◽

Hiv Diagnosis ◽

Annual Percent Change ◽

Percent Change ◽

Hiv Epidemic ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Treat All

Abstract Background Given the rampant HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Chengdu, southwest China, Treat All policy, defined as immediate antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation after HIV diagnosis, was implemented since 2014. Real-world research evaluating impacts of immediate ART on HIV epidemics is needed to optimize policy-making as national and international guidelines have been lowering ART eligibility threshold. The purpose of this study is to: assess temporal trends of the HIV epidemic and impacts of Treat All policy among MSM; and lay foundation for HIV-related policy evaluation using longitudinal routine data from health information systems. Methods Data used in this study were HIV sentinel seroprevalence, annual reported HIV cases and ART coverage rate among MSM in Chengdu from 2008 to 2018, derived from national HIV/AIDS information system. Temporal trends of the HIV epidemic were described using Joinpoint Regression Program. Interrupted time-series method was deployed to evaluate Treat All policy. Results HIV sentinel seroprevalence rose from 11.20% in 2008 to 17.67% in 2013 and Annual Percent Change (APC) was 8.25% (95% CI − 2.40%, 20.07%), then decreased to 5.17% in 2018 (APC = − 19.63%, 95% CI − 27.54%, − 10.86%). Newly reported HIV cases increased from 168 cases in 2008 to 1232 cases in 2015 (APC = 26.99%, 95% CI 21.32%, 32.93%), and reduced to 1014 cases in 2018 (APC = − 8.80%, 95% CI − 18.45%, 2.01%). ART coverage rate has been climbing from 11.11% in 2008 to 92.29% in 2018 and Average Annual Percent Change was 16.09% (95% CI 11.76%, 20.59%). Results of interrupted time-series models showed that compared to an annual increase of 0.87% during pre-policy period, there was a decline of 3.08% (95% CI − 0.0366%, − 0.0250%) per year of HIV sentinel seroprevalence since 2014; and compared to an annual increase of 116 cases before 2014, there was an annual drop of 158 newly reported HIV cases (95% CI − 194.87%, − 121.69%) during the post-policy period. Conclusions Immediate ART after HIV diagnosis could potentially curb HIV transmission at population level among MSM, along with other strategies. Future assessment of HIV prevention and control policy can be carried out using routinely collected longitudinal data from health information systems.

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Understanding the Social Influences on Engaging Key Populations With HIV Prevention: A Qualitative Study With Men Who Have Sex With Men in Three Indonesian Cities

AIDS Education and Prevention ◽

10.1521/aeap.2019.31.3.206 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 206-223 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Elan Lazuardi ◽

Christy E. Newman ◽

Irma Anintya Tasya ◽

Emily Rowe ◽

D. N. Wirawan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Prevention ◽

Service Access ◽

Key Populations ◽

Social Dimensions ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Outreach Workers ◽

Hiv Prevention Strategies ◽

The Social ◽

Sex With Men ◽

The Many

The globally recognized test and treat approach underpins Indonesian national strategies to reduce and prevent HIV among key populations, including men who have sex with men. More comprehensive understanding of how engagement with HIV prevention is shaped by social and community practices will support these efforts. Between 2015 and 2016, focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 54 men who have sex with men in three urban settings in Indonesia to elicit their views on, and experiences of, HIV prevention and care. Focused on data relating to testing, findings documented the important influence of informal peer networks, community-based organizations and outreach workers. Some social dimensions of service access complicated this, particularly fear of stigma or lack of confidentiality in large service settings. The many differences between men challenges assumptions that a single set of HIV prevention strategies will work to engage all men who have sex with men living in Indonesia.

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p4.119 How Can we improve partner notification following hiv diagnosis? – a qualitative study of men who have sex with men in melbourne

10.1136/sextrans-2017-053264.614 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Jane Tomnay ◽

Alana Hulme-Chambers ◽

Jade Bilardi ◽

Christopher Fairley ◽

Sarah Huffam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Partner Notification ◽

Hiv Diagnosis ◽

Sex With Men

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Attitudes About the Use of Geosocial Networking Applications for HIV/STD Partner Notification: A Qualitative Study

AIDS Education and Prevention ◽

10.1521/aeap.2019.31.3.273 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 273-285 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Marielle Goyette Contesse ◽

Rob J. Fredericksen ◽

Dan Wohlfeiler ◽

Jen Hecht ◽

Rachel Kachur ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Partner Notification ◽

Health Department ◽

Sex Partners ◽

Health Departments ◽

Online Focus Groups ◽

Contact Information ◽

Geosocial Networking ◽

Sex With Men

Meeting sex partners through geosocial networking (GSN) apps is common among men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM may choose not to exchange contact information with partners met through GSN apps, limiting their own and health departments' ability to notify partners of HIV/STD exposure through standard notification methods. Using online focus groups (four groups; N = 28), we explored the perspectives of U.S. MSM regarding offer of partner notification features through GSN apps. Most participants were comfortable with HIV/STD partner notification delivered via GSN apps, either by partner services staff using a health department profile or through an in-app anonymous messaging system. While most participants expressed a responsibility to notify partners on their own, app-based partner notification methods may be preferred for casual or hard-to-reach partners. However, participants indicated that health departments will need to build trust with MSM app users to ensure acceptable and effective app-based delivery of partner notification.

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P64 Experiences of men who have sex with men (MSM) when engaging in the partner notification process three months following a HIV diagnosis

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2015-052126.107 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 91 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. A36.3-A37

Author(s):

Jonathan Roberts ◽

Eileen Nixon ◽

Nicky Perry ◽

Nigel Sheriff ◽

Daniel Richardson

Keyword(s):

Partner Notification ◽

Hiv Diagnosis ◽

Sex With Men

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Mapping and Size Estimation of Key Populations on HIV Surveillance in Nepal

Journal of Gandaki Medical College-Nepal ◽

10.3126/jgmcn.v12i1.22611 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 39-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

T Poudel ◽

S Gupta ◽

Rajan Bhattarai ◽

BB Rawal

Keyword(s):

Geographical Area ◽

National Level ◽

Processing System ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Key Populations ◽

Size Estimation ◽

Hiv Epidemic ◽

Key Population ◽

Populations At Risk ◽

Sex With Men

Introduction: The HIV epidemic in Nepal is mainly concentrated among key populations, including people who inject drugs, gay men and other men who have sex with men, transgender people, female sex workers, and male labor migrants and their spouses. In countries with this type of concentrated HIV epidemic, the size of the key population estimation is important to address the national epidemic. Objectives: The study has been designed to estimate the district and national level size of key populations at risk of HIV infection and providing a foundation for policy and programing and to guide the national response to address HIV epidemic. Methods: This is a prospective mapping exercise study done in 44 districts of Nepal. Semi-structured interview were carried out among key populations members as well as non-key population key informants who were familiar with the local situation in and around the high prevalence areas. The study was conducted from August until November 2016. The collected data has been complied on Census and Survey Processing System and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science software package 16 version. Results: The national estimates of key populations were FSW around 54,207, MSM/MSW/TG around 112,150 of which men having sex with men were 67,292. The PWID individuals range around 34,487. Conclusion: To fast track the response to achieve global 90-90-90 targets for the continuum of prevention to care, the country is updating its understanding of key population sizes and risk behaviors in different geographical area.

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Prevalence of HIV among Men who Have Sex with Men (MSM) and Its Associated Factors in Sabah

Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences (BJMS) ◽

10.51200/bjms.vi.1804 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 27

Author(s):

Valentine J. G. ◽

Diane C. ◽

Chua Y. W.

Keyword(s):

Hiv Prevention ◽

Support Services ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Sexual Practices ◽

Key Populations ◽

Legal Environment ◽

Infection Rates ◽

Hiv Epidemic ◽

Care And Support ◽

Sex With Men

Men who have sex with men (MSM) is one of the key populations affected by HIV epidemic with infection rates exceeding five percentages. Due to a strict and prohibitive socio-cultural and legal environment, male-to-male sexual practices are often misunderstood and highly stigmatised, thus creating barriers for MSM to access HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services.

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