Inequities in access to HIV prevention services for transgender men: results of a global survey of men who have sex with men

Abstract Background HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a promising approach to expand HIV testing. HIVST is a process in which a person performs an HIV test and interprets the result. Negative HIVST results may encourage men who have sex with men (MSM) to use HIV prevention services. The objective of this study was to examine behaviors (e.g., facility-based HIV testing, condom use) after a negative HIVST test result among Chinese MSM. Methods We collected data from MSM in eight Chinese cities over a 12-month period. This is a secondary analysis of longitudinal cohort data collected as part of an intervention trial to increase HIV testing. Men completed a survey that described sociodemographic information, sexual behaviors, HIV self-testing, and facility-based HIV testing. Men who completed at least one follow-up survey were included in this analysis. Generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate whether HIVST increased subsequent facility-based HIV testing and consistent condom use. Results We included 1219 men. Most men (78.7%) were under 30 years old and had never been married (87.0%). 755 (61.9%) men tested for HIV and 593 (49.3%) men self-tested during the study period. At baseline, among men who had never been tested for HIV, 44.9% (314/699) initiated HIVST during the study period. HIVST was associated with subsequent facility-based testing (aOR of 1.87, 95% CI: 1.47–2.37). HIVST was also associated with subsequent consistent condom use (aOR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.13–2.06). Conclusion HIVST was associated with subsequent facility-based HIV testing and consistent condom use. HIVST may enhance uptake of related HIV prevention services at facilities, suggesting the need for more implementation research.

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Healthcare providers and community perspectives on expedited partner therapy (EPT) for use with gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2019-054156 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 96 (2) ◽

pp. 101-105 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kristi E Gamarel ◽

Raha Mouzoon ◽

Alejandro Rivas ◽

Rob Stephenson ◽

Okeoma Mmeje

Keyword(s):

Hiv Prevention ◽

Insurance Coverage ◽

National Level ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Cultural Humility ◽

Community Members ◽

Potential Barriers ◽

Prevention Services ◽

Expedited Partner Therapy ◽

Sex With Men

ObjectivesExpedited partner therapy (EPT) is an effective strategy to reduce rates of chlamydia and gonorrhoea infection and ensure sexual partners are treated. Currently, EPT is provided to heterosexual patients; however, EPT is not routinely recommended for use with gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) because of concerns about HIV coinfection. The objective of the qualitative study was to understand provider and community views on the use of EPT with GBMSM.MethodsUsing convenience sampling methods, we recruited a sample of 18 healthcare providers and 21 GBMSM to participate in in-depth, semistructured interviews. Interviews were conducted over the phone and included questions about knowledge, experiences and potential barriers and facilitators to the use of EPT with GBMSM.ResultsMost providers wanted to provide EPT to GBMSM and believed that the potential barriers and concerns to EPT use were not unique to a patient’s sexual orientation. Several providers noted that they were currently providing EPT to GBMSM as part of HIV prevention services. Community members were generally unaware of EPT as a service and most indicated that they would only use EPT if they were in a committed relationship. Barriers included partner allergies and resistance, pharmacy protocols, structural concerns (eg, insurance coverage, pharmacists onsite and transportation) and potential disclosure issues. Facilitators included cultural humility and telemedicine with patients’ partners to overcome these barriers.ConclusionsAcceptability of EPT use for both chlamydia and gonorrhoea was high among providers and community members. Barriers to EPT use, including concerns about patients’ partners’ allergies and resistance, disclosure concerns and linkage to HIV prevention services can be overcome through cultural humility trainings and telemedicine. Changing EPT recommendations at the national level to be inclusive of GBMSM is critical to curtail the rising STI and HIV epidemic.

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The role of patient–provider sexual health communication in understanding the uptake of HIV prevention services among Black men who have sex with men

Culture Health & Sexuality ◽

10.1080/13691058.2017.1375156 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 20 (7) ◽

pp. 761-771 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Alvin J. Rucker ◽

Ashley Murray ◽

Zaneta Gaul ◽

Madeline Y. Sutton ◽

Patrick A. Wilson

Keyword(s):

Hiv Prevention ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Health Communication ◽

Black Men ◽

Prevention Services ◽

Sexual Health Communication ◽

Sex With Men

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Enhancing HIV Prevention Services: Exploring Psychosocial Associations of HIV Antibody Testing Frequency among Sexually Active Men who have Sex with Men

Medical Research Archives ◽

10.18103/mra.v9i4.2356 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Todd Sabato

Keyword(s):

Hiv Prevention ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Internalized Homophobia ◽

Anal Intercourse ◽

Receptive Anal Intercourse ◽

Sexually Active ◽

Antibody Testing ◽

Prevention Services ◽

Testing Frequency ◽

Sex With Men

Despite recommendations of annual HIV testing for high-risk individuals, one-third of infected men who have sex with men (MSM) are unaware of their serostatus. In an effort to improve HIV prevention services and subsequently decrease prevalence, this study aimed to examine the HIV testing patterns and factors associated with testing frequency among MSM. Utilizing eight reliable and validated instruments and a sample of 374 sexually active MSM, this study examined a series of demographic, behavioral and psychosocial associations of antibody testing frequency, including substance use/abuse, depression levels, internalized homophobia, unprotected anal intercourse, sexual regulation and attribution, and HIV knowledge, . MSM who tested for HIV frequently were more likely to be older, have higher levels of educational attainment, and self-identify as gay. Respondents who reported never having been tested and irregularly tested had higher levels of internalized homophobia, depression, and alcohol use and abuse patterns. Respondents who had never been tested or infrequently tested engaged in lower levels of sexual risk, particularly unprotected receptive anal intercourse. Those with no or irregular histories of testing also exhibited greater external sexual loci of control, and were significantly more likely to attribute life events to external, unstable, and pessimistic causes.

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Real-World Strategies to Engage and Retain Racial–Ethnic Minority Young Men Who Have Sex with Men in HIV Prevention Services

AIDS Patient Care and STDs ◽

10.1089/apc.2016.0310 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (6) ◽

pp. 275-281 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Thomas E. Freese ◽

Howard Padwa ◽

Brandy T. Oeser ◽

Beth A. Rutkowski ◽

Marya T. Schulte

Keyword(s):

Hiv Prevention ◽

Ethnic Minority ◽

Real World ◽

Young Men ◽

Prevention Services ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Racial Ethnic

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76. What Do Black and Latino Teen Men Who Have Sex With Men Have to Say About HIV Prevention Services in Their Schools and Community?

Journal of Adolescent Health ◽

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.10.136 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 52 (2) ◽

pp. S58

Author(s):

Elana Morris ◽

Catherine Rasberry ◽

Catherine Lesane ◽

Lisa Carver ◽

LaSamuel Stallworth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Prevention ◽

Prevention Services ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Black And Latino

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HIV Prevention Services and Testing Utilization Behaviors among Men Who Have Sex with Men at Elevated Risk for HIV in Chongqing, China

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2014/174870 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Dayong Huang ◽

Yifei Hu ◽

Guohui Wu ◽

Yujiang Jia ◽

Rongrong Lu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Prevention ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Sexual Debut ◽

Full Time ◽

Syphilis Infection ◽

Prevention Services ◽

The Past ◽

Younger Age ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Hiv Aids

Objective. To investigate barriers and correlates of the use of HIV prevention services and HIV testing behaviors among men who have sex with men in Chongqing.Methods. Three consecutive cross-sectional surveys provided demographic, sexual behavior, HIV/syphilis infection, HIV prevention service, and testing behavior data.Results. Of 1239 participants, 15.4% were infected with HIV, incidence was 12.3 per 100 persons/year (95% CI: 9.2–15.3), 38% of the participants reported ever having unprotected insertive anal sex, 40% ever received free condom/lubricants in the past year, and 27.7% ever obtained free sexually transmitted infection examination/treatment in the past year. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that lower levels of HIV/AIDS related stigmatizing/discriminatory attitudes, full-time jobs, and sex debut with men at a younger age were independently associated with use of free condom/lubricants. Large social networks, higher incomes, and sexual debut with men at a younger age were associated with use of any HIV prevention and HIV testing services. Lower levels of stigmatizing/discriminatory attitudes were also associated with HIV testing. Fearing needles and being unaware of the venues for testing were top barriers for testing service utilization.Conclusion. It is imperative to address HIV/AIDS related stigmatizing/discriminatory attitudes and other barriers while delivering intervention and testing services.

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Reductions in access to HIV prevention and care services are associated with arrest and convictions in a global survey of men who have sex with men

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2015-052386 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 93 (1) ◽

pp. 62-64 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Glenn-Milo Santos ◽

Keletso Makofane ◽

Sonya Arreola ◽

Tri Do ◽

George Ayala

Keyword(s):

Hiv Prevention ◽

Global Survey ◽

Care Services ◽

Sex With Men

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Comparing Provider and Client Preferences for HIV Prevention Services in South Africa among Men Who Have Sex with Men

Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (JIAPAC) ◽

10.1177/2325957417736611 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. 562-571 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

John Shaver ◽

Patrick Sullivan ◽

Aaron Siegler ◽

Alex de Voux ◽

Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Health Care ◽

Hiv Prevention ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Service Providers ◽

Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽

Care Providers ◽

Prevention Services ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Exposure Prophylaxis

Combination prevention efforts are now recommended toward reducing HIV incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM). Understanding the perceptions of both MSM and service providers is critical to informing the development of prevention packages and ultimately improving intervention effectiveness. This study assessed the preferences of MSM and health service providers in the administration of HIV-prevention efforts. Qualitative data were gathered from a series of separate MSM and health care provider focus groups in 2 South African cities. Participants discussed HIV-prevention services and MSM client experiences within South Africa and identified the 3 most important clinic characteristics and 3 most important HIV-prevention services for MSM clients. Priorities indicated by both MSM and health care providers were confidentiality of visit, friendly staff, and condoms, while discrepancies existed between MSM and providers regarding provider consistency and the provision of pre-exposure prophylaxis/post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP/PEP) and lubricant as prevention methods. Effective interventions must address these discrepancies through the design of intervention and provider training to optimally accommodate MSM.

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