Sex,drugs, & rurality: A brief qualitative analysis of rural gay and bisexual men’s substance use sex expectancies

Background: One well documented reason that individuals use alcohol and drugs is the belief that these substances will increase satisfaction of a sexual experience or somehow otherwise enhance the sexual experience. However, the unique experiences of MSM residing in rural areas are not well represented in the scientific literature.

Methods: We conducted 40 interviews with individuals who identified as a man who has sex with men and lived in rural areas in Oklahoma, a primarily rural and socio-politically conservative state in the United States. Data collection continued until thematic saturation was reached.

Results: Three main substances (and themes) were identified by participants: 1) marijuana (focus on the experience/person), alcohol (more open/playful and reduces anxiety), and methamphetamines (stamina and arousal).

Conclusions: While the themes for alcohol and methamphetamines were in line with previous research, this is one of the first studies to identify the sex expectancies of marijuana of increasing the ability to focus on the sexual experience and/or the partner. Taken together, participants endorsed some type of positive substance use sex expectancies. These results highlight the importance of accounting for substance use sex expectancies when developing interventions to reduce substance use and risky sexual behaviors.     

Anogenital HIV RNA in Thai men who have sex with men in Bangkok during acute HIV infection and after randomization to standard vs. intensified antiretroviral regimens

Introduction

HIV transmission risk is highest during acute HIV infection (AHI). We evaluated HIV RNA in the anogenital compartment in men who have sex with men (MSM) during AHI and compared time to undetectable HIV RNA after three-drug versus five-drug antiretroviral therapy (ART) to understand risk for onward HIV transmission.

Methods

MSM with AHI (n=54) had blood, seminal plasma and anal lavage collected for HIV RNA at baseline, days 3 and 7, and weeks 2, 4, 12 and 24. Data were compared between AHI stages: 1 (fourth-generation antigen-antibody combo immunoassay [IA]–, third-generation IA–, n=15), 2 (fourth-generation IA+, third-generation IA–, n=9) and 3 (fourth-generation IA+, third-generation IA+, western blot–/indeterminate, n=30) by randomization to five-drug (tenofovir+emtricitabine+efavirenz+raltegravir+maraviroc, n=18) versus three-drug (tenofovir+emtricitabine+efavirenz, n=18) regimens.

Results

Mean age was 29 years and mean duration since HIV exposure was 15.4 days. Mean baseline HIV RNA was 5.5 in blood, 3.9 in seminal plasma and 2.6 log₁₀ copies/ml in anal lavage (p<0.001). Blood and seminal plasma HIV RNA were higher in AHI Stage 3 compared to Stage 1 (p<0.01). Median time from ART initiation to HIV RNA <50 copies/ml was 60 days in blood, 15 days in seminal plasma and three days in anal lavage. Compared with the three-drug ART, the five-drug ART had a shorter time to HIV RNA <1500 copies/ml in blood (15 vs. 29 days, p=0.005) and <50 copies/ml in seminal plasma (13 vs. 24 days, p=0.048).

Conclusions

Among MSM with AHI, HIV RNA was highest in blood, followed by seminal plasma and anal lavage. ART rapidly reduced HIV RNA in all compartments, with regimen intensified by raltegravir and maraviroc showing faster HIV RNA reductions in blood and seminal plasma.     

新疆乌鲁木齐市男男性行为人群HIV传播动力学的预测和分析

目的建立人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)感染传播动力学模型,评估男男性行为(MSM)人群HIV感染状况,并预测未来十年新疆乌鲁木齐市MSM人群HIV的流行趋势,为制定合适的防控措施提供定量依据。方法利用新疆乌鲁木齐市2009—2017年MSM人群HIV的监测数据,建立HIV传播的动力学模型。通过模型分析得到决定疾病传播与否的基本再生数R0,并用收集和估计的参数对模型进行数值模拟,分析乌鲁木齐市MSM人群HIV的流行状况。结果建立的MSM人群HIV的传播动力学模型拟合效果合理[平均绝对百分比误差(MAPE)=10.89%,均方根百分比误差(RMSPE)=25.74%],基本再生数R0≈0.2616(95%CI:0.2394～0.9299),该模型预测2027年乌鲁木齐市MSM人群HIV的阳性率下降至2%。参数敏感性分析发现,由低危易感者发展成为高危易感者的比例、由HIV感染者发展成为艾滋病患者的比例和高危易感者发展成为低危易感者的比例是影响MSM人群HIV流行的主要因素。结论乌鲁木齐市MSM人群HIV感染呈现持续流行,相关部门应加强对MSM人群的防控,推广安全套的使用,加强宣传教育等综合性干预措施,控制MSM人群HIV的流行。     

Using the Internet to Recruit Rural MSM for HIV Risk Assessment: Sampling Issues

The Internet is an emerging research tool that may be useful for contacting and working with rural men who have sex with men (MSM). Little is known about HIV risks for rural men and Internet methodological issues are only beginning to be examined. Internet versus conventionally recruited samples have shown both similarities and differences in their demographic characteristics. In this study, rural MSM from three sizes of town were recruited by two methods: conventional (e.g. face-to-face/snowball) or Internet. After stratifying for size of city, demographic characteristics of the two groups were similar. Both groups had ready access to the Internet. Patterns of sexual risk were similar across the city sizes but varied by recruitment approach, with the Internet group presenting a somewhat higher HIV sexual risk profile. Overall, these findings suggest the Internet provides a useful and low cost approach to recruiting and assessing HIV sexual risks for rural White MSM. Further research is needed on methods for recruiting rural minority MSM.     

Swab2know: An HIV-Testing Strategy Using Oral Fluid Samples and Online Communication of Test Results for Men Who Have Sex With Men in Belgium

Background

As HIV remains a public health concern, increased testing among those at risk for HIV acquisition is important. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are the most important group for targeted HIV testing in Europe. Several new strategies have been developed and implemented to increase HIV-testing uptake in this group, among them the Swab2know project.

Objective

In this project, we aim to assess the acceptability and feasibility of outreach and online HIV testing using oral fluid samples as well as Web-based delivery of test results.

Methods

Sample collection happened between December 2012 and April 2014 via outreach and online sampling among MSM. Test results were communicated through a secured website. HIV tests were executed in the laboratory. Each reactive sample needed to be confirmed using state-of-the-art confirmation procedures on a blood sample. Close follow-up of participants who did not pick up their results, and those with reactive results, was included in the protocol. Participants were asked to provide feedback on the methodology using a short survey.

Results

During 17 months, 1071 tests were conducted on samples collected from 898 men. Over half of the samples (553/1071, 51.63%) were collected during 23 outreach sessions. During an 8-month period, 430 samples out of 1071 (40.15%) were collected from online sampling. Additionally, 88 samples out of 1071 (8.22%) were collected by two partner organizations during face-to-face consultations with MSM and male sex workers. Results of 983 out of 1071 tests (91.78%) had been collected from the website. The pickup rate was higher among participants who ordered their kit online (421/430, 97.9%) compared to those participating during outreach activities (559/641, 87.2%; P<.001). MSM participating during outreach activities versus online participants were more likely to have never been tested before (17.3% vs 10.0%; P=.001) and reported more sexual partners in the 6 months prior to participation in the project (mean 7.18 vs 3.23; P<.001). A total of 20 participants out of 898 (2.2%) were confirmed HIV positive and were linked to care. Out of 1071 tests, 28 (2.61%) with a weak reactive result could not be confirmed, and were thereby classified as false reactive results. Most of the 388 participants who completed posttest surveys (388/983, 39.5%) were very positive about their experience. The vast majority (371/388, 95.6%) were very satisfied, while 17 out of 388 (4.4%) reported mixed feelings.

Conclusions

Despite a high yield and a considerable number of false reactive results, satisfaction was high among participants. The project helped us to reach the target population, both in numbers of tests executed and in newly diagnosed HIV infections. Further optimization should be considered in the accuracy of the test, the functionalities of the website (including an online counseling tool), and in studying the cost effectiveness of the methodology.     

曲靖市男男性行为人群安全套使用影响因素分析

目的分析曲靖市MSM安全套使用的影响因素。方法 2010~2013年,采用滚雪球的抽样方法对招募的MSM开展行为学问卷调查。结果共调查400人,最近6个月MSM同性肛交、同性商业性行为和异性性行为发生率分别为100%、5.0%~0、23.0%~13.0%;相应的安全套坚持使用率分别为33.0%~83.0%、20.0%~50.0%、9.5%~69.0%;非条件Logistic回归分析显示,样本来源于网络招募(OR=23.228,95%CI:5.279~102.208)、接受干预服务(OR=13.255,95%CI:2.958~59.394)这2个因素是MSM安全套使用的促进因素;而本地居住1年或以上(OR=0.200,95%CI:0.037~0.172)是MSM不使用安全套的危险因素。结论 MSM高危性行为比较普遍,但安全套使用率低,应该充分利用网络平台加强艾滋病健康教育,尤其是加强在本地居住1年及以上的MSM的干预,提高安全套使用率。     

中山市2010-2014年男男性行为人群HIV感染率及相关因素

目的获得中山市男男性行为人群HIV感染率,影响因素及流行趋势,为制定有针对性的干预策略提供依据。方法采用滚雪球抽样法招募MSM进行调查及HIV、梅毒血清学检测。采用SPSS分析数据。结果中山市2010-2014年MSM的HIV感染率分别为10.00%(21/210)、12.56%(27/215)、15.71%(44/280)、11.93%(34/285)和12.35%(31/251);梅毒TRUST阳性者的HIV感染率为20.41%(30/147),是梅毒阴性者HIV感染率11.61%(127/1 094)的1.76倍(95%CI:1.23~2.52);艾滋病知晓率为83.58%~90.95%;最近半年与同性肛交每次均使用安全套的比例为43.58%~57.42%。多因素Logistic回归模型提示,初中及以下文化程度、本地居住时间3个月者具有更高的HIV感染率(AOR分别为2.51和1.72,95%CI分别为:1.52~4.13和1.03~2.89);知晓艾滋病知识、最近一年接受过HIV检测者具有更低的HIV感染率(AOR分别为0.62和0.54,95%CI分别为0.40~0.97和0.37~0.78)。结论中山市MSM艾滋病流行形势严峻,人口流动对其流行具有重要影响。应加强低文化程度者的综合干预,推动更多的MSM接受HIV检测。