A Novel Approach to Prevention for At-Risk HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex With Men: Creating a Teachable Moment to Promote Informed Sexual Decision-Making

Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV prevention involves giving antiretroviral medications to HIV-negative people to prevent seroconversion after HIV exposure. Available literature suggests this intervention is >80% effective. Accordingly, we implemented a nurse-led PEP program in two sexually transmitted and HIV testing clinics. As part of evaluating this project, we undertook semistructured interviews with participants who accessed PEP to understand their experiences. Twelve men participated: all were HIV-negative males who sought PEP for condomless anal sex with men. Unique to this article is the presentation of the participants' descriptions of the “side effects” they experienced. Notably, the main side effect they described related to emotional distress. Simply put, having to take a medication for 28 days forced reflection and introspection on their sexual decision-making. We feel HIV prevention workers should consider this emotional reaction when designing interventions, and ensure they provide adequate preparation and support to patients.

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Evidence of changing sexual behaviours and clinical attendance patterns, alongside increasing diagnoses of STIs in MSM and TPSM

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2020-054588 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. sextrans-2020-054588

Author(s):

Louis MacGregor ◽

Nathan Speare ◽

Jane Nicholls ◽

Lindsey Harryman ◽

Jeremy Horwood ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Health Clinic ◽

Electronic Patient Records ◽

Sexual Decision Making ◽

Sti Testing ◽

Sexual Behaviours ◽

Testing Frequency ◽

Condomless Anal Intercourse ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Hiv Negative

BackgroundDue to rising numbers of STI diagnosis and increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, we explored trends in STI testing frequency and diagnoses, alongside sexual decision making and attitudes concerning condom use and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) at a large urban UK sexual health clinic.MethodsWe examined 66 528 electronic patient records covering 40 321 attendees between 2016 and 2019, 3977 of whom were men who have sex with men or trans persons who have sex with men (MSM/TPSM). We also explored responses from MSM/TPSM attendees sent an electronic questionnaire between November 2018 and 2019 (n=1975) examining behaviours/attitudes towards PrEP. We measured trends in STI diagnoses and sexual behaviours including condomless anal intercourse (CAI), using linear and logistic regression analyses.ResultsTests resulting in gonorrhoea, chlamydia or syphilis diagnoses increased among MSM/TPSM from 13.5% to 18.5% between 2016 and 2019 (p<0.001). The average MSM/TPSM STI testing frequency increased from 1.5/person/year to 2.1/person/year (p=0.017). Gay MSM/TPSM had the highest proportions of attendances resulting in diagnoses, increasing from 15.1% to 19.6% between 2016 and 2019 (p<0.001) compared with bisexual/other MSM/TPSM increasing from 6.9% to 14.5% (p<0.001), alongside smaller but significant increases in non-MSM/TPSM from 5.9% to 7.7% (p<0.001).The proportion of MSM/TPSM clinic attendees reporting CAI in the previous 3 months prior to at least one appointment in a given year increased significantly from 40.6% to 45.5% between 2016 and 2019 (p<0.0001) and average number of partners from 3.8 to 4.5 (p=0.002). Of 617 eligible questionnaire responses, 339/578 (58.7%) HIV-negative and 29/39 (74.4%) HIV-positive MSM/TPSM indicated they would be more likely to have CAI with someone on PrEP versus not on PrEP. 358/578 (61.9%) HIV-negative respondents said that PrEP use would make them more likely to have CAI with HIV-negative partners.ConclusionRising numbers of STI diagnoses among MSM/TPSM are not attributable to increased testing alone. Increased CAI and number of partners may be attributable to evolving sexual decision making among PrEP users and their partners. Proportionally, bisexual/other MSM/TPSM have the steepest increase in STI diagnoses.

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Relationship Power, Sexual Decision Making and Condom Use Among Women at Risk for HIV/STDs

Women & Health ◽

10.1300/j013v36n04_06 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 36 (4) ◽

pp. 69-84 ◽

Cited By ~ 92

Author(s):

S. Marie Harvey ◽

Sheryl Thorburn Bird ◽

Christine Galavotti ◽

Ernestine A. W. Duncan ◽

Donna Greenberg

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

At Risk ◽

Condom Use ◽

Relationship Power ◽

Sexual Decision Making

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Exploring Gender Differences in PrEP Interest Among Individuals Testing HIV Negative in an Urban Emergency Department

AIDS Education and Prevention ◽

10.1521/aeap.2018.30.5.382 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (5) ◽

pp. 382-392 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jessica Ridgway ◽

Ellen Almirol ◽

Jessica Schmitt ◽

Alvie Bender ◽

Grace Anderson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Emergency Department ◽

Hiv Risk ◽

Behavioral Risk ◽

Self Perception ◽

Subjective Risk ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Not At Risk ◽

Urban Emergency Department ◽

Hiv Negative

PrEP is greater than 90% effective at preventing HIV infection, but many people who are vulnerable to HIV choose not to take PrEP. Among women, men who have sex with women (MSW) and men who have sex with men (MSM) who tested HIV negative in our emergency department, we assessed behavioral risk factors, self-perception of HIV risk, and interest in PrEP linkage. Women had lower odds of perceiving any HIV risk versus no risk than MSM, while Whites had greater odds of perceiving themselves as high risk than Blacks. Age and self-perception of risk were not associated with PrEP interest, but patients who were objectively classified as “at risk” had greater odds of interest in PrEP than those not at risk (p < .01). Discordance between HIV risk self-perception and objective risk demonstrates the limitation of relying on patient self-referral for PrEP based on their own subjective risk perception.

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Southern African guidelines for the safe use of pre-exposure prophylaxis in men who have sex with men who are at risk for HIV infection

Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine ◽

10.4102/sajhivmed.v13i2.136 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Southern African HIV Clinicians Society Consensus Committee

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Renal Function ◽

Hiv Prevention ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

Creatinine Clearance ◽

Fixed Dose ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Exposure Prophylaxis ◽

Hiv Negative

Background. The use of oral antiretrovirals to prevent HIV infection among HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) has been shown to be safe and efficacious. A large, randomised, placebo-controlled trial showed a 44% reduction in the incidence of HIV infection among MSM receiving a daily oral fixed-dose combination of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine (Truvada) in combination with an HIV prevention package. Improved protection was seen with higher levels of adherence. Aim. The purpose of this guideline is to: (i) explain what pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is; (ii) outline current indications for its use; (iii) outline steps for appropriate client selection; and (iv) provide guidance for monitoring and maintaining clients on PrEP. Method. PrEP is indicated for HIV-negative MSM who are assessed to be at high risk for HIV acquisition and who are willing and motivated to use PrEP as part of a package of HIV prevention services (including condoms, lubrication, sexually transmitted infection (STI) management and risk reduction counselling). Recommendations. HIV testing, estimation of creatinine clearance and STI and hepatitis B screening are recommended as baseline investigations. Daily oral Truvada, along with adherence support, can then be prescribed for eligible MSM. PrEP should not be given to MSM with abnormal renal function, nor to clients who are unmotivated to use PrEP as part of an HIV prevention package; nor should it be commenced during an acute viral illness. Three-monthly follow-up visits to assess tolerance, renal function, adherence and ongoing eligibility is recommended. Six-monthly STI screens and annual creatinine levels to estimate creatinine clearance are recommended. Hepatitis B vaccination should be provided to susceptible clients. Gastro-intestinal symptoms and weight loss are common side-effects, mostly experienced for the first 4 - 8 weeks after initiating PrEP. There is a risk of the development of antiretroviral resistance among those with undiagnosed acute HIV infection during PrEP initiation and among those with sub-optimal adherence who become HIV infected while on PrEP. Risk compensation (increasing sexual behaviours that can result in exposure to HIV) while on PrEP may become a concern, and clinicians should continue to support MSM clients to continue to use condoms, condom-compatible lubrication and practice safer sex. Research is ongoing to assess optimum dosing regimens, potential long-term effects and alternative PrEP medications. Recommendations for the use of PrEP among other at-risk individuals, and the components of these recommendations, will be informed by future evidence. S Afr J HIV Med 2012;13(2):40-55.

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