scholarly journals Internet-based HIV self-testing program to increase HIV testing uptake for men who have sex with men in Brazil (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Brandini De Boni ◽  
Valdilea Gonçalves Veloso ◽  
Nilo M Fernandes ◽  
Flavia Lessa ◽  
Renato Girade Correa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scale Up ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
World Health ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
System P ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Testing Uptake ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Living With Hiv

BACKGROUND Approximately 30% of people living with HIV worldwide are estimated to be unaware of their infection. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a strategy recommended by the World Health Organization which increases access to and uptake of testing among key populations who are at high risk for HIV infection. OBJECTIVE To describe the development and feasibility of a free, anonymous, Internet-based HIV self-testing (HIVST) strategy designed for men who have sex with men (MSM) in Curitiba, Brazil (E-testing). METHODS The project was developed under the scope of the “A Hora é Agora” (Time is now) program. Individuals aiming to request an HIVST package (2 tests each) answered an anonymous 5-minute questionnaire regarding inclusion criteria and sexual risk behavior. Eligible individuals could receive one package every 6 months for free. Website analytics, response to online questionnaires, packages distribution, and return of test results were monitored via a platform-integrated system. RESULTS Between February 2015 and January 2016, the website documented 17,786 unique visitors with 3,218 provided complete answers to the online questionnaires. Most individuals self-reported being white (77%), young (median age was 25 years, interquartile range 22-31), educated (87.3% complete secondary education or more), and had previously tested for HIV (62.5%). Overall, 2,526 HIVST packages were delivered; of those, 542 (21.4%) reported a result online or by mail (23 reactive and 11 invalid). During the study period, 37 individuals reporting to have used E-testing visited the pre-specified health facility for confirmatory testing (30 positive; 7 negative). CONCLUSIONS E-testing proved highly feasible and acceptable in this study, thus supporting scale-up to additional MSM population centers in Brazil.

scholarly journals An Internet-Based HIV Self-Testing Program to Increase HIV Testing Uptake Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Brazil: Descriptive Cross-Sectional Analysis

10.2196/14145 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. e14145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Brandini De Boni ◽  
Valdilea Gonçalves Veloso ◽  
Nilo Martinez Fernandes ◽  
Flavia Lessa ◽  
Renato Girade Corrêa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scale Up ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
World Health ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Testing Uptake ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Living With Hiv

BackgroundApproximately 30% of people living with HIV worldwide are estimated to be unaware of their infection. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a strategy recommended by the World Health Organization to increase access to and uptake of testing among key populations who are at high risk for HIV infection.ObjectiveThis study aimed to describe the development and feasibility of a free, anonymous, internet-based HIVST strategy designed for men who have sex with men in Curitiba, Brazil (electronic testing [e-testing]).MethodsThe project was developed under the scope of the “A Hora é Agora” (The Time is Now) program. Individuals aiming to request an HIVST package (two tests each) answered an anonymous 5-minute questionnaire regarding inclusion criteria and sexual risk behavior. Eligible individuals could receive one package every 6 months for free. Website analytics, response to online questionnaires, package distribution, and return of test results were monitored via a platform-integrated system.ResultsBetween February 2015 and January 2016, the website documented 17,786 unique visitors and 3218 completed online questionnaires. Most individuals self-reported being white (77.0%), young (median age: 25 years, interquartile range: 22-31 years), educated (87.3% completed secondary education or more), and previously tested for HIV (62.5%). Overall, 2526 HIVST packages were delivered; of those, 542 (21.4%) reported a result online or by mail (23 reactive and 11 invalid). During the study period, 37 individuals who reported using e-testing visited the prespecified health facility for confirmatory testing (30 positive, 7 negative).ConclusionsE-testing proved highly feasible and acceptable in this study, thus supporting scale-up to additional centers for men who have sex with men in Brazil.

scholarly journals Rolling out Xpert MTB/RIF® for tuberculosis detection in HIV-positive populations: An opportunity for systems strengthening

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ishani Pathmanathan ◽  
Anand Date ◽  
William L. Coggin ◽  
John Nkengasong ◽  
Amy S. Piatek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scale Up ◽  
World Health ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
High Expectations ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
And Control ◽  
Monitoring Treatment

Background: To eliminate preventable deaths, disease and suffering due to tuberculosis ,improved diagnostic capacity is critical. The Cepheid Xpert MTB/RIF® assay is recommended by the World Health Organization as the initial diagnostic test for people with suspected HIV associatedtuberculosis. However, despite high expectations, its scale-up in real-world settings has faced challenges, often due to the systems that support it.Opportunities for System Strengthening: In this commentary, we discuss needs and opportunities for systems strengthening to support widespread scale-up of Xpert MTB/RIF as they relate to each step within the tuberculosis diagnostic cascade, from finding presumptive patients, to collecting, transporting and testing sputum specimens, to reporting and receiving results, to initiating and monitoring treatment and, ultimately, to ensuring successful and timely treatment and cure. Investments in evidence-based interventions at each step along the cascade and within the system as a whole will augment not only the utility of Xpert MTB/RIF, but also the successful implementation of future diagnostic tests.Conclusion: Xpert MTB/RIF will only improve patient outcomes if optimally implemented within the context of strong tuberculosis programmes and systems. Roll-out of this technology to people living with HIV and others in resource-limited settings offers the opportunity to leverage current tuberculosis and HIV laboratory, diagnostic and programmatic investments, while also addressing challenges and strengthening coordination between laboratory systems, laboratory-programme interfaces, and tuberculosis-HIV programme interfaces. If successful, the benefits of this tool could extend beyond progress toward global End TB Strategy goals, to improve system-wide capacity for global disease detection and control.

scholarly journals Pulmonary tuberculosis screening in anti-retroviral treated adults living with HIV in Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill K. Gersh ◽  
Ruanne V. Barnabas ◽  
Daniel Matemo ◽  
John Kinuthia ◽  
Zachary Feldman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Tuberculosis ◽  
Preventive Therapy ◽  
World Health ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Tuberculosis Screening ◽  
Hiv Positive Adults ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Tuberculosis Prevalence

Abstract Background People living with HIV (PLHIV) who reside in high tuberculosis burden settings remain at risk for tuberculosis disease despite treatment with anti-retroviral therapy and isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT). The performance of the World Health Organization (WHO) symptom screen for tuberculosis in PLHIV receiving anti-retroviral therapy is sub-optimal and alternative screening strategies are needed. Methods We enrolled HIV-positive adults into a prospective study in western Kenya. Individuals who were IPT-naïve or had completed IPT > 6 months prior to enrollment were eligible. We evaluated tuberculosis prevalence overall and by IPT status. We assessed the accuracy of the WHO symptom screen, GeneXpert MTB/RIF (Xpert), and candidate biomarkers including C-reactive protein (CRP), hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio for identifying pulmonary tuberculosis. Some participants were evaluated at 6 months post-enrollment for tuberculosis. Results The study included 383 PLHIV, of whom > 99% were on antiretrovirals and 88% had received IPT, completed a median of 1.1 years (IQR 0.8–1.55) prior to enrollment. The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis at enrollment was 1.3% (n = 5, 95% CI 0.4–3.0%): 4.3% (0.5–14.5%) among IPT-naïve and 0.9% (0.2–2.6%) among IPT-treated participants. The sensitivity of the WHO symptom screen was 0% (0–52%) and specificity 87% (83–90%). Xpert and candidate biomarkers had poor to moderate sensitivity; the most accurate biomarker was CRP ≥ 3.3 mg/L (sensitivity 80% (28–100) and specificity 72% (67–77)). Six months after enrollment, the incidence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis following IPT completion was 0.84 per 100 person-years (95% CI, 0.31–2.23). Conclusions In Kenyan PLHIV treated with IPT, tuberculosis prevalence was low at a median of 1.4 years after IPT completion. WHO symptoms screening, Xpert, and candidate biomarkers were insensitive for identifying pulmonary tuberculosis in antiretroviral-treated PLHIV.

scholarly journals Two diseases, same person: moving toward a combined HIV and tuberculosis continuum of care

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 873-883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reuben Granich ◽  
Somya Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disease Control ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
World Health ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Tb Treatment ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Living With Hiv

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis syndemic remains a global public health threat. Separate HIV and tuberculosis (TB) global targets have been set; however, success will depend on achieving combined disease control objectives and care continua. The objective of this study was to review available policy, budgets, and data to reconceptualize TB and HIV disease control objectives by combining HIV and TB care continua. For 22 World Health Organization (WHO) TB and TB/HIV priority countries, we used 2015 data from the HIV90–90–90watch website, UNAIDS AIDSinfo, and WHO 2016 and 2017 Global TB Reports. Global resources available in TB and HIV/TB activities for 2003–2017 were collected from publicly available sources. In 22 high-burden countries, people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy ranged from 9 to 70%; viral suppression was 38–63%. TB treatment success ranged from 71 to 94% with 14 (81% HIV/TB burden) countries above 80% TB treatment success. From 2003 to 2017, reported global international and domestic resources for HIV-associated TB and TB averaged $2.85 billion per year; the total for 2003–2017 was 43 billion dollars. Reviewing combined HIV and TB targets demonstrate disease control progress and challenges. Using an integrated HIV and TB continuum supports HIV and TB disease control efforts focused on improving both individual and public health.

scholarly journals Acceptability of HIV self-testing is low among men who have sex with men who have not tested for HIV: a study with respondent-driven sampling in Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laio Magno ◽  
◽  
Andrea Fachel Leal ◽  
Daniela Knauth ◽  
Inês Dourado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Respondent Driven Sampling ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
Receptive Anal Sex ◽  
Biological And Behavioral Surveillance ◽  
Hiv Serostatus ◽  
Bisexual And Transgender ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Living With Hiv

Abstract Background Brazil has many people living with HIV (PLWH) who are unaware of their serostatus. The public health system has recently added HIV self-testing (HIVST) for key populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM). This study estimates HIVST acceptability among Brazilian MSM and explores factors associated with acceptability among MSM who have never tested for HIV or who had a previous negative result. Methods Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) was used to recruit 4176 MSM in 12 Brazilian cities in 2016 to this biological and behavioral surveillance study. We excluded from this analysis all MSM who were aware of their positive HIV serostatus. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. Overall proportions were weighted with Gile’s estimator in RDS Analyst software and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The analyses of HIVST acceptability were stratified by prior HIV testing (never or one or more times). Results For this analysis, 3605 MSM were included. The acceptability of HIVST was 49.1%, lower among those who had never tested for HIV (42.7%) compared to those who had a previous HIV negative test (50.1%). In the subgroup of MSM who had never tested for HIV, those who reported discrimination or who had a medical appointment in the last 12 months reported higher HIVST acceptability. Among MSM who had a previous negative HIV test, only those reporting condomless receptive anal sex reported higher HIVST acceptability. In addition, we observed that high levels of knowledge of HIV/AIDS, taking part in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender nongovernmental organizations (LGBT-NGO), or complete secondary or incomplete higher undergraduate education reported higher acceptability. Conclusions The acceptability of HIVST was low among MSM, especially among those who never tested for HIV. Given access to HIVST in Brazil, we point to the need for programs that enhance promotion of testing addressed to MSM.

scholarly journals Repurposing of Chloroquine and Its Derivative, Hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19: Implications for People Living with HIV in Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiagoziem Otuechere
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
World Health ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Confounding Variables ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Proven Efficacy ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Living With Hiv

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pandemic. Unfortunately, finding a vaccine or developing drugs from the scratch is a time-consuming luxury given the widespread and high fatality rates of the virus. In the short term, repurposing of drugs already in use seem to be the most rational step to quickly and effectively curb the virus. Several antiviral agents had been proposed as possible remedies, but the 4-aminoquinolines, Chloroquine (CHQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCHQ) appear to be generating more interest. They are generic, cheaply available and have proven efficacy against malaria parasites in Africa. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), on the other hand, targets the immune system thereby reducing the patient’s ability to fight infections. Sadly, 68% of the global HIV burden occur in Africa. It is therefore anticipated that incidence of severe forms of COVID-19 could occur in Africa because of associated endemic conditions that compromise the immune system. With CHQ and HCHQ being considered for clinical use against COVID-19, there is a need to highlight their potential merits and confounding variables in the subgroup of patients with or without HIV.

scholarly journals Kondisi Psikologi, Sosial, dan Spiritual pada Orang dengan HIV/AIDS Selama Pengobatan Antiretroviral di Komisi Penanggulangan AIDS Kota Bogor Tahun 2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ervan Meidan Ariatama ◽  
Titik Respati ◽  
Eka Nurhayati
Keyword(s):  
Aids Prevention ◽  
World Health ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
World Health Organization Quality ◽  
Organization Quality ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

Penyakit HIV/AIDS selain mengakibatkan dampak kesehatan dapat juga mengakibatkan dampak negatif terhadap psikologi, sosial, dan spiritual pada kualitas hidup orang dengan HIV/AIDS (ODHA). Antiretroviral (ARV) merupakan obat penghambat proses replikasi HIV yang merupakan solusi untuk meningkatkan kualitas hidup dan harapan hidup penderita. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah menggambarkan kondisi psikologi, sosial, dan spiritual ODHA selama menjalani pengobatan ARV di Komisi Penanggulangan AIDS (KPA) Kota Bogor periode bulan Agustus–September 2019. Penelitian ini dilakukan menggunakan metode observasi analitik dengan pendekatan cross sectional. Data diambil menggunakan kuesioner World Health Organization Quality of Life-HIV Instrument (WHOQOL-HIV Instrument) yang terdiri atas 120 pertanyaan dan terbagi menjadi 6 domain (psikologi, sosial, spiritual, fisik, lingkungan hidup, dan tingkat kebebasan). Pada penelitian ini hanya diambil 3 domain, yaitu psikologi, sosial, dan spiritual dengan jumlah pertanyaan 52 butir yang dibagikan kepada 80 responden dan dilaksanakan selama bulan Agustus sampai bulan September 2019. Teknik pengambilan sampel menggunakan non-probability sampling jenis consecutive sampling berdasar atas rumus besar estimasi proporsi dengan presisi absolut. Hasil menunjukkan mayoritas kondisi psikologi, sosial, dan spiritual ODHA selama pengobatan antiretroviral di KPA Kota Bogor tahun 2019 dalam kondisi baik dengan persentase kondisi psikologi 96%, sosial 99%, dan spiritual 70%. Simpulan penelitian ini adalah kondisi psikologi, sosial, dan spiritual pada ODHA di Komisi Penanggulangan AIDS Kota Bogor tahun 2019 mayoritas dalam kondisi baik, walaupun kondisi spiritual ODHA masih terdapat hasil kurang baik. PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL, AND SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS IN PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS DURING ANTIRETROVIRAL TREATMENT AT THE AIDS PREVENTION COMMISSION AT BOGOR CITY IN 2019Apart from having an impact on health, HIV/AIDS can also have a negative psychological, social, and spiritual impact on people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Antiretroviral (ARV) as drugs that inhibits the process of replication of HIV, which is a solution to improve the quality of life and life expectancy of patients. The purpose of this study was to describe the psychological, social, and spiritual conditions of PLWHA during ARV treatment at the AIDS Prevention Commission in Bogor City in August to September 2019. The study was a cross-sectional study. The research material consisted of primary data taken using the World Health Organization-Quality Instrument HIV questionnaire (WHOQOL-HIV Instrument) consisting of 120 questions and divided into six domains (psychological, social, spiritual, physical, environment, degree of freedom). However, in this study, only three domains studied, which are psychological, social, and spiritual, with 52 questions and then distributed to 80 respondents and carried out from August to September. The sampling technique uses non-probability sampling type consecutive sampling based on large formula of proportion estimation with absolute precision. Results showed the psychological, social, and spiritual condition of PLWHA during antiretroviral treatment at the Bogor City AIDS Commission in 2019 shows a good condition. The majority of good psychological, social, and spiritual domain experienced by 96%, 99%, and 70% of respondents, respectively. The conclusion of this research is the psychological, social, and spiritual conditions of PLWHA in the Bogor AIDS prevention commission in 2019 in the good conditions, even though there was a spiritual condition of ODHA that was still not good.

Self-Reported Disability in Persons With HIV-Related Neuropathy Is Mediated by Pain Interference and Depression

2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (12) ◽  
pp. 2174-2185
Author(s):  
David M Kietrys ◽  
James Scott Parrott ◽  
Mary Lou Galantino ◽  
Tracy Davis ◽  
Todd Levin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Neuropathy ◽  
Pain Interference ◽  
World Health ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Disability Assessment ◽  
Painful Neuropathy ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to compare disability in people with HIV and peripheral neuropathy with those without neuropathy and explore how neuropathy and other relevant factors are associated with disability. Methods In this cross-sectional study, participants completed the Brief pain inventory, Beck Depression Inventory II, World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), and a health and demographic questionnaire. Additional data were extracted from the medical record. A raw score of ≥1 on the Subjective Peripheral Neuropathy Screen questions about lower extremity numbness or paresthesia was used to identify peripheral neuropathy. Predictors of disability (as determined by association with World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 scores) were evaluated bivariately and in a multivariable model. Path modeling was used to identify a parsimonious model to elucidate the mediated effects of peripheral neuropathy on disability. Results Participants with peripheral neuropathy had more depression symptoms, more pain (severity and interference), and higher disability scores compared with participants without neuropathy. The relationship between neuropathy and disability was mediated by pain interference and depression (standardized root mean residual = .056). Conclusion In this sample of people with HIV, those with lower extremity peripheral neuropathy reported more severe disability, worse pain, and more depression symptoms than those without neuropathy. The relationship between peripheral neuropathy and disability may be mediated though pain interference and depression. Impact Distal sensory polyneuropathy is a common comorbidity experienced by people living with HIV and frequently causes pain. This study can help providers direct care toward lessening disability experienced among people with HIV and peripheral neuropathy by targeting interventions for treatment of pain and depression. Lay Summary People living with HIV may experience disabling painful neuropathy. Treatment for pain and depression may help reduce the disability associated with painful neuropathy.

scholarly journals Adoption and uptake of the lateral flow urine LAM test in countries with high tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS burden: current landscape and barriers

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane N. Singhroy ◽  
Emily MacLean ◽  
Mikashmi Kohli ◽  
Erica Lessem ◽  
David Branigan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scale Up ◽  
Lateral Flow ◽  
World Health ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Adoption And Implementation ◽  
Testing Algorithms ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Hiv Aids

Background: Since 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a commercially available lateral-flow urine LAM test (Alere-LAM) to assist in the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in severely ill people living with HIV (PLHIV). The test can rapidly detect TB in severely ill PLHIV and can identify PLHIV most at-risk of death, leading to mortality reductions. However, its uptake in countries with high burdens of TB and HIV has been slow. To assess the current use landscape and identify barriers to the adoption of Alere-LAM, we conducted a questionnaire-based study in 31 high TB and HIV/AIDS burden countries. Methods: Between November 2018 and December 2019, we collected responses to a semi-structured questionnaire that had been emailed to staff and affiliates of National TB Programs or HIV/AIDS Programs, Ministries of Health, and TB or HIV institutes of 31 high TB/HIV burden countries. Questions concerned country policies, adoption, and current use of Alere-LAM testing, as well as testing algorithms and barriers preventing Alere-LAM uptake. Results: We received questionnaire responses from 24 out of 31 (77%) high TB/HIV burden countries. Of these 24 countries, 11 (46%) had adopted Alere-LAM policies, with only five (21%) countries currently using Alere-LAM testing. Testing algorithms were generally aligned with WHO recommendations. Fifteen countries (63%) said they were planning to implement Alere-LAM testing in the near future. The most commonly cited constraint to adoption and implementation was budget limitations. Additional barriers to Alere-LAM implementation included lack of country-specific data and piloting, administrative hurdles such as regulatory agency approval, lack of coordination between National TB and HIV programs, and small perceived patient population. Conclusion: Responses to our questionnaire demonstrate the persistent gap between country-level policy and real-world use of Alere-LAM, as well as specific barriers that must be addressed to scale-up testing in PLHIV.

scholarly journals Acceptability of HIV self-testing is low among men who have sex with men who have not tested for HIV: a study with respondent-driven sampling in Brazil

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laio Magno ◽  
Andrea Fachel Leal ◽  
Daniela Knauth ◽  
Ines Dourado ◽  
Mark Guimarães Drew Crosland Guimarães ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Respondent Driven Sampling ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
Receptive Anal Sex ◽  
Biological And Behavioral Surveillance ◽  
Hiv Serostatus ◽  
Bisexual And Transgender ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Living With Hiv

Abstract Background: Brazil has many people living with HIV (PLWH) who are unaware of their serostatus. The public health system has recently added HIV self-testing (HIVST) for key populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM). This study estimates HIVST acceptability among Brazilian MSM and explores factors associated with acceptability among MSM who have never tested for HIV or who had a previous negative result.Methods: Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) was used to recruit 4,176 MSM in 12 Brazilian cities in 2016 to this biological and behavioral surveillance study. We excluded from this analysis all MSM who were aware of their positive HIV serostatus. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. Overall proportions were weighted with Gile’s estimator in RDS Analyst software and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The analyses of HIVST acceptability were stratified by prior HIV testing (never or one or more times).Results: For this analysis, 3,605 MSM were included. The acceptability of HIVST was 49.1%, lower among those had never tested for HIV (42.7%) compared to those who had a previous HIV negative test (50.1%). In the subgroup of MSM who had never tested for HIV, those who reported discrimination or who had a medical appointment in the last 12 months reported higher HIVST acceptability. Among MSM who had a previous negative HIV test, only those reporting condomless receptive anal sex reported higher HIVST acceptability. In addition, we observed that high levels of knowledge of HIV/AIDS, taking part in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender nongovernmental organizations (LGBT-NGO), or complete secondary or incomplete higher undergraduate education reported higher acceptability. Conclusions: The acceptability of HIVST was low among MSM, especially among those who never tested for HIV. Given access to HIVST in Brazil, we point to the need for programs that enhance promotion of testing addressed to MSM.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document