The Importance of Gay Community in the Prevention of HIV Transmission: A Study of Australian Men Who Have Sex with Men*

2004 ◽  
pp. 110-126
Sexual Health ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly-Jean Heymer ◽  
David P. Wilson

Background Discussion is currently taking place among international HIV/AIDS groups around increasing HIV testing and initiating earlier use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people diagnosed with HIV as a method to reduce the spread of HIV. In this study, we explore the expected epidemiological impact of this strategy in a small population in which HIV transmission is predominantly confined to men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: A deterministic mathematical transmission model was constructed to investigate the impacts of strategies that increase testing and treatment rates, and their likely potential to mitigate HIV epidemics among MSM. Our novel model distinguishes men in the population who are more easily accessible to prevention campaigns through engagement with the gay community from men who are not. This model is applied to the population of MSM in South Australia. Results: Our model-based findings suggest that increasing testing rates alone will have minimal impact on reducing the expected number of infections compared to current conditions. However, in combination with increases in treatment coverage, this strategy could lead to a 59–68% reduction in the number of HIV infections over the next 5 years. Targeting men who are socially engaged with the gay community would result in the majority of potential reductions in incidence, with only minor improvements possible by reaching all other MSM. Conclusions: Investing in strategies that will achieve higher coverage and earlier initiation of treatment to reduce infectiousness of HIV-infected individuals could be an effective strategy for reducing incidence in a population of MSM.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (E) ◽  
pp. 789-793
Author(s):  
Purwaningsih Purwaningsih ◽  
Talia Puspita Adianti ◽  
Sylvia Dwi Wahyuni ◽  
Hidayat Arifin

Background: The prevalence of HIV/AIDS transmission caused by the behavior of men who have sex with men (MSM) is still a concern. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with MSM behavior in relation to the prevention of HIV transmission. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design. The total sample was 176 respondents determined using consecutive sampling technique. The variables consist of demographic data, knowledge, attitude, beliefs, the accessibility of the health facilities, health-related skills, peer support, health care provider support and the prevention behavior concerning HIV transmission. The data was obtained using a questionnaire and it was analyzed using Chi-square and ordinal logistic regression. Results: From the sample of 176 MSM, the behavior of the prevention of HIV transmission was 43.75%, which is a moderate level. Through ordinal logistic regression, we found that knowledge [OR:1.171, CI: 0.414-1.929] and peer support [OR: 1.902, CI: 0.721, 3.082] are more likely to prevent HIV transmission. Conclusion: Knowledge and peer support are known to be very important factors concerning the behavior engaged in the prevention of HIV transmission. Increasing the level of knowledge and increasing the youth networks in the form of groups as a form of support can be promoted by nurses, health workers, and the community in order to prevent HIV transmission.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
April M Ballard ◽  
Trey Cardwell ◽  
April M Young

BACKGROUND Internet is becoming an increasingly common tool for survey research, particularly among “hidden” or vulnerable populations, such as men who have sex with men (MSM). Web-based research has many advantages for participants and researchers, but fraud can present a significant threat to data integrity. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate fraud detection strategies in a Web-based survey of young MSM and describe new protocols to improve fraud detection in Web-based survey research. METHODS This study involved a cross-sectional Web-based survey that examined individual- and network-level risk factors for HIV transmission and substance use among young MSM residing in 15 counties in Central Kentucky. Each survey entry, which was at least 50% complete, was evaluated by the study staff for fraud using an algorithm involving 8 criteria based on a combination of geolocation data, survey data, and personal information. Entries were classified as fraudulent, potentially fraudulent, or valid. Descriptive analyses were performed to describe each fraud detection criterion among entries. RESULTS Of the 414 survey entries, the final categorization resulted in 119 (28.7%) entries identified as fraud, 42 (10.1%) as potential fraud, and 253 (61.1%) as valid. Geolocation outside of the study area (164/414, 39.6%) was the most frequently violated criterion. However, 33.3% (82/246) of the entries that had ineligible geolocations belonged to participants who were in eligible locations (as verified by their request to mail payment to an address within the study area or participation at a local event). The second most frequently violated criterion was an invalid phone number (94/414, 22.7%), followed by mismatching names within an entry (43/414, 10.4%) and unusual email addresses (37/414, 8.9%). Less than 5% (18/414) of the entries had some combination of personal information items matching that of a previous entry. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that researchers conducting Web-based surveys of MSM should be vigilant about the potential for fraud. Researchers should have a fraud detection algorithm in place prior to data collection and should not rely on the Internet Protocol (IP) address or geolocation alone, but should rather use a combination of indicators.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 824-824
Author(s):  
Mark Brennan-Ing ◽  
Michael Plankey ◽  
Sabina Haberlen ◽  
Steven Meanley ◽  
Andre Brown ◽  
...  

Abstract Men who have sex with men (MSM) report greater body dissatisfaction compared with heterosexual men, which increases with age. This may result from internalized gay community values regarding ideal physiques and youth. Using structural equation modeling, we examined these relationships among 1,118 MSM men age 40 and older from the Healthy Aging Study (M age=59.9 years/50.1% HIV+/69.8% non-Hispanic White). We hypothesized gay community attachment would be related to self-appraisals (body dissatisfaction/internalized ageism), and that this relationship would be mediated by developmental regulation strategies (physical activity/exercise intentions). The model fit the data well (RMSEA = .048, 90% CI 0.017-0.079). Contrary to our hypothesis, connection to the gay community was related to positive self-appraisals (-.40, p<.001), with significant indirect effects via regulation strategies (-.12, p<.002). Thus, gay community connections are related to positive self-appraisals in older GB men and enhance strategies supporting physical and psychological health. Implications for practice will be discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 823-824
Author(s):  
Mark Brennan-Ing ◽  
Michael Plankey ◽  
Deborah Gustafson

Abstract In 1984, the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) was started to identify factors in the HIV epidemic related to disease risk and treatment progression among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in four urban areas in the US: Baltimore, MD/Washington, D.C.; Chicago, IL; Pittsburgh, PA, and Los Angeles, CA. MACS participants complete biannual study visits involving HIV testing, biometric screenings, and psychosocial data collection. In 2015 a MACS sub-study, the Understanding Patterns of Healthy Aging among MSM Project (HAMSM), was started to better understand resiliencies promoting well-being among MSM age 40 and older, including those with HIV. HAMSM has helped us to understand aging trajectories among MSM, and provides a unique combination of physiological and psychosocial data that can inform efforts to support MSM in healthy aging. This symposium will present emerging findings from the HAMSM study. Our first paper examines the relationships between psychological connection to the gay community (PSOC) and developmental regulatory strategies associated with health behaviors and more positive self-appraisals. The second paper examines how PSOC is related to HIV risk reduction behaviors, and if there are differences in such behaviors based on HIV status. Our third paper considers how self-perceptions of aging (age discrepancy, aging satisfaction) are related to frailty and frailty transitions, and if these relationships differ by HIV status. The final paper examines the relationship of social support to frailty among MSM by HIV status. Implications of these findings for research, policy, and programs targeting MSM will be discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Colasanti ◽  
Jeri Sumitani ◽  
C Christina Mehta ◽  
Yiran Zhang ◽  
Minh Ly Nguyen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Rapid entry programs (REPs) improve time to antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation (TAI) and time to viral suppression (TVS). We assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of a REP in a large HIV clinic in Atlanta, Georgia, serving a predominately un- or underinsured population. Methods The Rapid Entry and ART in Clinic for HIV (REACH) program was implemented on May 16, 2016. We performed a retrospective cohort study with the main independent variable being period of enrollment: January 1, 2016, through May 15, 2016 (pre-REACH); May 16, 2016, through July 31, 2016 (post-REACH). Included individuals were HIV-infected and new to the clinic with detectable HIV-1 RNA. Six-month follow-up data were collected for each participant. Survival analyses were conducted for TVS. Logistic and linear regression analyses were used to evaluate secondary outcomes: attendance at first clinic visit, viral suppression, TAI, and time to first attended provider visit. Results There were 117 pre-REACH and 90 post-REACH individuals. Median age (interquartile range [IQR]) was 35 (25–45) years, 80% were male, 91% black, 60% men who have sex with men, 57% uninsured, and 44% active substance users. TVS decreased from 77 (62–96) to 57 (41–70) days (P < .0022). Time to first attended provider visit decreased from 17 to 5 days, and TAI from 21 to 7 days (P < .0001), each remaining significant in adjusted models. Conclusions This is the largest rapid entry cohort described in the United States and suggests that rapid entry is feasible and could have a positive impact on HIV transmission at the population level.


2008 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 158-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. MacDonald ◽  
J. Humphreys ◽  
H. W Jaffe

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (11.1) ◽  
pp. 122S-127S
Author(s):  
Maryana Sluzhynska ◽  
Olga Denisiuk ◽  
Ruzanna Grigoryan ◽  
Yulia Sereda ◽  
Gennadiy Slabkiy ◽  
...  

Introduction: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are one of the key populations driving HIV/AIDS epidemic globally. To date, MSM is the only population in Ukraine where the prevalence and incidence of HIV is increasing. As HIV-positive MSM might feel uncomfortable to report homosexual intercourses as a possible mode of transmission (MoT) of HIV, they prefer being registered as patients with heterosexual or non-defined MoT. This study aimed to calculate the proportion of misclassified MoT among HIV-positive MSM registered in Lviv oblast, Ukraine, during 2014-2018. Methodology: Cross-sectional study with 127 HIV-positive MSM patients from Lviv region for the period of 2014-2018. Results: Out of 127 HIV-positive MSM included in the study, 110 (86.6%) were from urban areas. In addition, 52 patients (40.9%) were diagnosed with stage 1 HIV, 16 (12.6%) – stage 2, 19 (15%) – stage 3, and 36 (28.3%) – stage 4. CD4 count < 200 cells/μL was found in 35 (27.6%) patients. Mean time from registration to antiretroviral therapy initiation was 80 days. During the first visit to medical doctor out of those 48 patients who had previously reported “other modes” of HIV transmission, 33 patients (68.7%) disclosed homosexual MoT of HIV. The remaining 15 (31.3%) patients disclosed their homosexual MoT of HIV later – during their regular follow-up visits to the doctor. Conclusion: Special measures are needed to improve the reporting of homosexual MoT which can potentially strengthen the HIV care among MSM.


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