scholarly journals Leading by Example: Web-Based Sexual Health Influencers Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Have Higher HIV and Syphilis Testing Rates in China (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Wu ◽  
Weiming Tang ◽  
Haidong Lu ◽  
Tiange P. Zhang ◽  
Bolin Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
College Education ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
Sex Partners ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Syphilis Testing ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
Sex With Men

BACKGROUND The spread of healthy behaviors through social networks may be accelerated by influential individuals. Previous studies have used lay health influencers to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among internet-using men who have sex with men (MSM). However, there is a lack of understanding of the characteristics of this key subset of MSM. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine sociodemographic characteristics, HIV and syphilis testing, and sexual behaviors of Web-based MSM sexual health influencers (SHIs) in China, defined as individuals with relatively stronger influence on spreading HIV and STI information online. METHODS A Web-based survey of MSM was conducted in August 2017 as a final follow-up of a randomized controlled trial promoting HIV testing in 8 Chinese cities. Men were recruited through a gay social networking mobile phone app and were included if they were born biologically male, aged 16 years and above, ever had sex with another man, and HIV negative or with unknown HIV status. Information regarding sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, and HIV and syphilis testing was obtained. We assessed men’s Web-based sexual health influence using a standardized 6-item opinion leadership scale focused on HIV and STI information. Influencers were defined as those whose mean score ranked within the top 13% (a higher score means greater influence). We used multivariable linear and logistic regression models to measure Web-based sexual health influence’s association with HIV and syphilis testing, controlling for intervention trial effects, age, education, income, and marital status. RESULTS Overall, 1031 men completed the survey. Most men were younger than 30 years (819/1031, 79.43%) and had at least college education (667/1031, 64.69%). Influencers were more likely to get tested for HIV (73/132, 55.3% vs 337/899, 37.5%; P<.001) and syphilis (35/132, 26.5% vs 137/899, 15.2%; P=.001) in the last 3 months compared with noninfluencers. There were no significant differences in condomless sex with male partners (26/132, 19.7% vs 203/899, 22.6%; P=.46), mean number of male sex partners (1.32 vs 1.11; P=.16) in the last 3 months, and mainly meeting male sex partners online in the last 12 months (97/132, 73.5% vs 669/899, 74.4%; P=.82) between influencers and noninfluencers. Regression analyses showed that influencers had higher odds of HIV testing (adjusted odds ratio, AOR 2.16, 95% CI 1.48-3.17) and syphilis testing (AOR 1.99, 95% CI 1.28-3.10) in the last 3 months. CONCLUSIONS We identified Web-based SHIs who might be more likely to help promote healthy HIV and syphilis testing behaviors through MSM populations. Leveraging existing influencers may help improve HIV and syphilis testing among their networks.

scholarly journals Leading by Example: Web-Based Sexual Health Influencers Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Have Higher HIV and Syphilis Testing Rates in China

10.2196/10171 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. e10171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Wu ◽  
Weiming Tang ◽  
Haidong Lu ◽  
Tiange P Zhang ◽  
Bolin Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Syphilis Testing ◽  
Sex With Men

scholarly journals Alcohol Use, Stigmatizing/Discriminatory Attitudes, and HIV High-Risk Sexual Behaviors among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meizhen Liao ◽  
Dianmin Kang ◽  
Xiaorun Tao ◽  
Jennifer Huang Bouey ◽  
Muktar H. Aliyu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Sex Partners ◽  
Anal Sex ◽  
The Past ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Hiv Aids

Objective. This research was conducted to assess the correlates of alcohol consumption and HIV/AIDS-related stigmatizing and discriminatory attitudes among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shandong province, China.Methods. A cross-sectional survey provided demographics, sexual behaviors, illicit drug use, alcohol consumptions, and service utilization.Results. Of 1,230 participants, 82.8% were single, 85.7% aged <35 years, 47.2% had college or higher education, and 11.7% drank alcohol >3 times per week in the past six months. The average total score of stigmatizing and discriminatory attitude was 37.4 ± 4.4. More frequent episodes of alcohol use were independently associated with higher levels of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination, unprotected anal sex, bisexual identity, multiple male sex partners, drug use, and lower levels of education. Expressing higher levels of HIV/AIDS-related stigmatizing and discriminatory attitudes was independently associated with alcohol use, unprotected male anal sex, bisexuals, more male sex partners, commercial sex with men, and non-receipt of peer education in the past year.Conclusion. HIV/AIDS-related stigmatizing and discriminatory attitudes are common and associated with alcohol use and unprotected sex among MSM. The finding highlights the needs to develop programs that would reduce HIV/AIDS-related stigmatizing and discriminatory attitudes and strengthen alcohol use prevention and risk reduction initiatives among MSM.

scholarly journals 1253. Sex-on-Premise Venue (SOPV) Attendance Among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Lima, Perú: Results From a Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S450-S451
Author(s):  
Alexander Lankowski ◽  
Hugo Sanchez ◽  
Jose Hidalgo ◽  
Robinson Cabello ◽  
Ann Duerr
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Sexual Risk Behaviors ◽  
Sex Partners ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Prevention Interventions ◽  
Sex With Men

Abstract Background In Perú, where the HIV epidemic is concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM), incidence has not changed appreciably over the last decade despite the rapid scale-up of free antiretroviral treatment (ART). New strategies for delivering effective HIV testing and prevention services to at-risk populations are greatly needed. Because most adult MSM in Perú live at home with family where it may be difficult to bring new sex partners, sex-on-premise venues (SOPVs)—such as saunas, sex clubs, and hourly hotels—might represent opportune sites at which to offer targeted HIV testing and prevention interventions. Methods From November 26, 2018 through April 15, 2019 we conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey using REDCap to assess the prevalence of SOPV attendance and associated sexual risk behaviors among MSM in Lima, Perú. SOPVs were defined as saunas, sex clubs, adult movie theaters, hotels, or bars/discos known to permit sex. We recruited participants by disseminating an anonymous survey link through local gay social media networks, with no monetary incentive to complete the survey. We asked participants how/where they met any sex partners from the prior 3 months, where they went for sex, and about HIV-associated sexual risk factors, including self-reported HIV status. We used the Pearson chi-squared test and Student’s t-test to assess whether the frequency of sexual risk behaviors differed based on SOPV attendance. Results Among n = 324 cis-gender MSM completing the survey, 16% identified as bisexual. Median age was 30 years, 62% lived at home with family, 50% had a university education or higher, and 29% reported being HIV+. 65% of respondents reported attending an SOPV to meet a partner and/or have sex in the prior 3 months. SOPV attendees were significantly more likely to report transactional sex, group sex, sex under the influence of alcohol, popper use, and have a higher number of sex partners (table). Conclusion SOPV attendance is common among MSM in Lima and associated with higher levels of several sexual behavioral risk factors. In light of this, SOPVs warrant further consideration as potential sites of outreach to offer HIV testing and prevention interventions designed to reach MSM at high risk for HIV infection. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals Willingness to Use Mobile Phone Apps for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in London: Web-Based Survey (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
William C Goedel ◽  
Jason W Mitchell ◽  
Paul Krebs ◽  
Dustin T Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Behavioral Characteristics ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Club Drug Use ◽  
Sexual Encounters ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Willingness To Use

BACKGROUND Many men who have sex with men (MSM) use apps to connect with and meet other MSM. Given that these apps are often used to arrange sexual encounters, it is possible that apps may be suitable venues for messages and initiatives related to HIV prevention such as those to increase HIV testing rates among this population. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess willingness to use a new app for reminders of when to be tested for HIV infection among a sample of MSM in London who use apps to arrange sexual encounters. METHODS Broadcast advertisements targeted users of a popular social-networking app for MSM in London. Advertisements directed users to a Web-based survey of sexual behaviors and sexual health needs. Willingness to use apps for reminders of when to be tested for HIV was assessed. In addition, participants responded to items assessing recent sexual behaviors, substance use, and demographic characteristics. Exploratory analyses were undertaken to examine differences in willingness to use an app by demographic and behavioral characteristics. RESULTS Broadcast advertisements yielded a sample of 169 HIV-negative MSM. Overall, two-thirds (108/169, 63.9%) reported willingness to use an app to remind them when to be tested for HIV. There were no significant differences in willingness to use these apps based on demographic characteristics, but MSM who reported recent binge drinking and recent club drug use more frequently reported willingness to use this app compared to their nonusing counterparts. CONCLUSIONS MSM in this sample are willing to use a new app for HIV testing reminders. Given the high levels of willingness to use them, these types of apps should be developed, evaluated, and made available for this population.

Substantial Increases in Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Positivity Unexplained by Changes in Individual-Level Sexual Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in an Australian Sexual Health Service From 2007 to 2013

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric P.F. Chow ◽  
Jane Tomnay ◽  
Glenda Fehler ◽  
David Whiley ◽  
Tim R.H. Read ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Sexual Health Service ◽  
Sex With Men

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

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 573-583 ◽  
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.

Factors Associated With HIV Testing in Teenage Men Who Have Sex With Men

2021 ◽  
pp. 31-39
Author(s):  
Brian Mustanski ◽  
David A. Moskowitz ◽  
Kevirj O. Moran ◽  
H. Jonathon Rendina ◽  
Michael E. Newcomb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Hiv Prevention Intervention ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
Sexual Health Communication ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Regular Doctor

BACKGROUND Adolescent men who have sex with men (AMSM) have a high rate of HIV diagnoses. An estimated 14.5% of HIV infections in the United States are undiagnosed; but among 13- to 24-year-olds, the rate is 51.4%. We describe HIV testing rates and identifies salient individual, family, school, and health care influences among AMSM. METHODS Data were collected as part of SMART, an ongoing pragmatic trial of an online HIV prevention intervention for AMSM (N = 699). Measures included lifetime HIV testing, demographics, sexual behaviors, condom use, HIV education from school and family, sexual health communication with doctors, HIV knowledge, and risk attitudes. RESULTS Only 23.2% of participants had ever had an HIV test. Rates of testing increased with age (5.6% in 13- to 14-year-olds; 15.8% in 15- to 16-year-olds; 37.8% in 17- to 18-year-olds), and sexual experience was a strong predictor of testing (odds ratio: 6.54; 95% confidence interval: 3.95–11.49; P &lt; .001). Most participants had a regular doctor (67.5%), but few had conversations about same-sex sexual behaviors (21.3%), HIV testing (19.2%), or sexual orientation (29.2%). Speaking to a doctor about HIV testing had a large effect (odds ratio: 25.29; confidence interval: 15.91–41.16; P &lt; .001), with 75.4% who had such conversations having been tested, compared to only 10.8% of those who had not had such conversations. CONCLUSIONS Despite higher risk, few participants reported ever having received an HIV test. Data indicate pediatricians are an important, but largely untapped, source of testing and could be integral to achieving testing rates needed to end the epidemic.

scholarly journals Fall in new HIV diagnoses among men who have sex with men (MSM) at selected London sexual health clinics since early 2015: testing or treatment or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)?

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (25) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison E Brown ◽  
Hamish Mohammed ◽  
Dana Ogaz ◽  
Peter D Kirwan ◽  
Mandy Yung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
High Risk Populations ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis

Since October 2015 up to September 2016, HIV diagnoses fell by 32% compared with October 2014–September 2015 among men who have sex with men (MSM) attending selected London sexual health clinics. This coincided with high HIV testing volumes and rapid initiation of treatment on diagnosis. The fall was most apparent in new HIV testers. Intensified testing of high-risk populations, combined with immediately received anti-retroviral therapy and a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programme, may make elimination of HIV achievable.

scholarly journals A Protective Effect of Circumcision Among Receptive Male Sex Partners of Indian Men Who Have Sex with Men

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 350-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A. Schneider ◽  
Stuart Michaels ◽  
Sabitha R. Gandham ◽  
Rachel McFadden ◽  
Chuanhong Liao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protective Effect ◽  
Sex Partners ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
Indian Men ◽  
Sex With Men
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