Reframing masculinity: structural vulnerability and HIV among black men who have sex with men and women

This paper calls for a critical reframing of masculinity as an intersectional construct in the HIV epidemic and in public health. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with a sample of 56 Black men who have sex with men and women in the San Francisco Bay Area. Men described their sexual identities and practices via complex narratives of masculinity that drew on subordinated and resourceful adaptations to the structural effects of racism, economic marginalisation and homophobia. By focusing on men whose experience of masculinity operates outside fixed identity categories, the paper draws attention to the intersectionality that is, by necessity, constitutive of men’s lived experiences. Findings suggest the value of an integrative framework for understanding Black masculinities as processes and practices simultaneously informed by structural inequalities (racism, economic marginalisation and/or homophobia, in particular) and cultural meanings of gender. By utilising an intersectional approach, public health and sociology can better understand the concurrent resilience and vulnerability of masculinities, while building an interdisciplinary understanding of the symbolic role of Black masculinities in the USA, as well as a means by which to promote health and well-being in and through these gendered contexts.     

Risk perception and vulnerability to STIs and HIV/AIDS among immigrant Latin-American women in Canada

This paper describes the migratory experiences of Latin American migrant women living in Canada, their perceptions of the risk of HIV, AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and barriers to accessing healthcare services. We conducted 25 in-depth interviews with Latin American migrant women living in Montreal, Canada. The majority of participants were permanent residents and refugee status claimants. Women’s experiences in Canada were characterised by uncertainty, deception and fraud, separation from their families and feelings of discrimination. Women’s risk perception of HIV/AIDS/STIs involved relations of gender inequalities of power. Women who did not perceive themselves to be at risk were those who had a stable partner who they felt they could trust. The majority of women reported difficulties in accessing sexual and reproductive health services. Women’s vulnerability to HIV/AIDS/STIs was determined by: experiences during their lifecourse; their migratory status, which was associated with sexual abuse, abuse at work, language barriers and lack of social support networks; and their ability to access health services. The provision of health services to this population must focus on sexual and reproductive health needs and should do so from a multicultural perspective that takes into account the changes associated with the migration process.     

Interest in multipurpose prevention technologies to prevent HIV/STIs and unintended pregnancy among young women in the United States

Objective

High rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy suggest a role for multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) designed to combine contraception and infection prophylaxis into one unified method. This study aims to determine factors associated with interest in MPTs among US women.

Men who have sex with men in Southeastern Europe: Underground and at increased risk for HIV/STIs

This paper reports on research that aimed to identify risk factors and preventive behaviours for HIV/STIs among men who have sex with men in Bulgaria, Kosovo, Macedonia and Romania. Twelve peer researchers conducted interviews on sexual behaviour, condom use and HIV/STI awareness. Data analysis revealed common themes across countries. Sexual activity takes place both in public spaces and private homes. Many men believe that careful partner selection and closing sexual networks to outsiders mitigate risk. Risk behaviours include unprotected sex within multiple partnerships, inconsistent condom use and the use of oil‐based lubricants that compromise the integrity of condoms. Perceived susceptibility for infection is low and misconceptions exist about modes of transmission. Stigma and discrimination force men into clandestine settings and relationships where safer sexual behaviour is difficult. HIV prevention programmes should convey messages through the internet and peer networks, improve access to condoms and water‐based lubricant, raise awareness about STIs, link men who have sex with men to appropriate services and reduce stigma to enable safer behaviour.     

Stigma,discrimination and HIV outcomes among people living with HIV in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil: The intersection of multiple social inequalities

Limited research has examined the social context surrounding stigma and discrimination and HIV outcomes among people living with HIV (PLHIV). We surveyed 900 PLHIV in Brazil and examined the relationship between stigma, discrimination and HIV outcomes utilising multivariable logistic regression. HIV stigma and discrimination were inversely associated with age (AOR Stigma 0.65, 95% CI 0.49–0.88; AOR Discrimination 0.72, 95% CI 0.54–0.95) and income (AOR Stigma 0.74, 95% CI 0.55–0.99; AOR Discrimination 0.62, 95% CI 0.46–0.82). Stigma was inversely associated with education (AOR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52–0.96) and no history of sex work (AOR 0.56, 95% CI 0.35–0.90), and positively associated with having children (AOR 1.71, 95% CI 1.18–2.48). Discrimination was inversely associated with no history of drug use (AOR 0.63, 95% CI 0.42–0.95). Stigma and discrimination were found to be inversely associated with overall health (AOR Stigma 0.54, 95% CI 0.40–0.74; AOR Discrimination 0.71, 95% CI 0.52–0.97). Discrimination was associated with having a sexually transmitted infection since HIV diagnosis (AOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.14–2.32). Findings suggest that future interventions should address multiple social inequalities faced by PLHIV to reduce HIV stigma and discrimination and improve health and HIV outcomes.     

The role of HIV serostatus disclosure on sexual risk behaviours among people living with HIV in steady partnerships in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

Understanding partnership dynamics is a crucial step in the process of HIV serostatus disclosure to partners. This study examines the relational characteristics associated with HIV serostatus disclosure and the role of disclosure on sexual behaviours within steady partnerships among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The overall study surveyed 900 participants from six large public health facilities to investigate psychosocial and structural factors associated with sexual health and well-being. This analysis focuses on 489 individuals reporting being in steady partnerships, 86% of whom reported HIV serostatus disclosure to steady partners. After adjusting for demographic variables, attitudes towards disclosure, having an HIV-positive partner, living with partner and longer relationships were significantly associated with reported disclosure in multivariable logistic regression. Living with partner was negatively associated with partner concurrency. However, having an HIV-positive partner, sex under the influence of drugs or alcohol and experiencing physical aggression by a steady partner were negatively associated with consistent condom use. Interventions supporting PLHIV to safely and voluntarily disclose to partners may be an effective prevention approach between steady partners; however, partner violence and substance use should be addressed in future work.     

HIV risks among women who are married to men who have sex with men in India: a qualitative investigation

In countries such as India, men who have same-sex partnerships may marry women due to cultural pressures regardless of their sexual desires and preferences. The wives of such men may be at risk for HIV but limited existing research addresses this issue. This qualitative study used in-depth interviews to investigate HIV-related risk among married men who have sex with men (n = 34) and women who were aware of their husband’s same-sex behaviour (n = 13) from six research sites in five states and a Union Territory in India: Delhi (Delhi), Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), Hyderabad (Telangana), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Chennai and Madurai (Tamil Nadu). Thematic analysis revealed that wives of men who have sex with men were at risk for HIV from their husbands’ sexual practices, which are often hidden to avoid the potential consequences of stigmatisation, as well as from gender-based inequities that make husbands the primary decision-makers about sex and condom use, even when wives are aware of their husband’s same-sex behaviour. Innovative interventions are needed to address HIV-related risk in couples where wives remain unaware of their husband’s same-sex behaviour, and for wives who are aware but remain within these marriages.     

Men who have sex with men in Southeastern Europe: Underground and at increased risk for HIV/STIs

This paper reports on research that aimed to identify risk factors and preventive behaviours for HIV/STIs among men who have sex with men in Bulgaria, Kosovo, Macedonia and Romania. Twelve peer researchers conducted interviews on sexual behaviour, condom use and HIV/STI awareness. Data analysis revealed common themes across countries. Sexual activity takes place both in public spaces and private homes. Many men believe that careful partner selection and closing sexual networks to outsiders mitigate risk. Risk behaviours include unprotected sex within multiple partnerships, inconsistent condom use and the use of oil-based lubricants that compromise the integrity of condoms. Perceived susceptibility for infection is low and misconceptions exist about modes of transmission. Stigma and discrimination force men into clandestine settings and relationships where safer sexual behaviour is difficult. HIV prevention programmes should convey messages through the internet and peer networks, improve access to condoms and water-based lubricant, raise awareness about STIs, link men who have sex with men to appropriate services and reduce stigma to enable safer behaviour.     

年轻MSM性行为及HIV、梅毒感染分析

目的了解中国城市年轻男男性行为人群(MSM)人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)和梅毒感染状况、艾滋病知识水平及安全套使用频率,为探索针对MSM人群有效的性病艾滋病预防干预措施提供依据。方法采用滚雪球的方法在北京、哈尔滨、郑州和成都市各招募150名年轻MSM进行问卷调查,采集静脉血进行HIV和梅毒抗体血清学检测。结果在所调查的600名年轻MSM中,HIV和梅毒感染率分别为6.7%,8.3%,HIV和梅毒合并感染率为1.5%;肛交时为插入者,被插入者和双重角色的调查对象HIV感染率分别为4.5%,6.3%和8.1%,梅毒感染率分别为11.2%,10.2%和7.8%;不同肛交行为对象艾滋病知识水平、安全套使用、HIV和梅毒感染率差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);HIV阳性调查对象近6个月无保护插入性肛交、被插入性肛交、口交和阴道性交的报告率分别为52.5%,45.0%,87.5%和22.5%,HIV阴性调查对象的报告率分别为31.1%,37.7%,72.9%和14.3%。结论年轻MSM人群HIV和梅毒感染水平较高,感染HIV和梅毒的危险在不同肛交行为中普遍存在。     

A social-ecological perspective on power and HIV/AIDS with a sample of men who have sex with men of colour

This paper applies a social-ecological theory of power to posit that individual HIV-related vulnerability stems from how power is leveraged across situations over time. The current study identified six power domains and explored how the interchangeability of power shapes HIV-related vulnerability among men who have sex with men of colour. Data were collected as part of a mixed-methods study on the social networks and experiences of racial/ethnic and sexual minority status. A total of 35 Asian/Pacific Islander, Black and Latino men who have sex with men were recruited and individual in-depth interviews were conducted. Results showed that men who have sex with men of colour actively traded upon various domains to alter their relative power within a given situation. Results suggest that power interchangeability, or the degree to which power from one domain can be leveraged to gain power in another, may shape HIV-related vulnerability. Findings offer a dynamic understanding of the nature of HIV risk as derived from everyday power exchanges and provide theoretical foundation for future work on individual resilience against HIV-related risks over time.     

青年男男性行为人群艾滋病、梅毒感染的流行病学调查

目的 掌握南京地区近5年青年男男性行为人群（young men who have sex with men,YMSM）艾滋病和梅毒感染率,分析YMSM感染人类免疫缺陷病毒（human immunodeficiency virus,HIV）危险因素。方法 利用2013-2017年南京市MSM人群横断面调查研究,筛选其中16~24周岁YMSM调查资料进行分析。结果 纳入调查的YMSM共1 029名。以未婚、汉族和自我认同为同性恋为主,文化程度大专及以上占73.66%。HIV、现症梅毒和既往梅毒总感染率分别为8.65%、4.18%和8.84%,5年间变化趋势均无统计学意义（均有P>0.05）。YMSM通过网络寻找性伴的比例从63.96%上升至73.86%;最近半年发生无保护性肛交（unprotected anal intercourse,UAI）比例从55.86%下降至36.93%,最近一次肛交安全套使用比例从62.00%上升至80.71%,差异均有统计学意义（均有P<0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,最近半年发生过UAI、YMSM性角色为被插入方和双重角色、现症梅毒感染是YMSM感染HIV的危险因素。结论 南京市YMSM人群HIV和梅毒感染率均处于较高水平,大部分YMSM接受过高等教育,今后应长期持续学校艾滋病性病预防控制综合措施的落实。应积极开发针对YMSM的网络干预措施和方法。坚持使用安全套和及时规范诊疗性病是降低YMSM人群感染HIV的关键措施。     

山东省男男性行为人群单性性行为者与双性性行为者特征及HIV感染相关因素

目的 分析山东省MSM单性性行为者（单性MSM）和双性性行为者（双性MSM）的特征及HIV感染相关因素,为艾滋病防治对策和干预措施提供依据。方法 2018年4-7月在山东省9个MSM哨点监测点,收集当地MSM特征、相关行为信息,采集血样做HIV和梅毒检测。结果 共调查MSM 3 474人,年龄（31.66±9.01）岁,为已婚/同居者1 218人（35.06%）,大专及以上文化程度1 755人（50.52%）,同性恋和双性恋者分别为2 783人（80.11%）和494人（14.22%）;最近6个月与异性发生性行为有586人（16.87%）;吸毒行为有365人（10.51%）;HIV阳性率为2.99%（104/3 474）,梅毒阳性率为2.76%（96/3 474）。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,年龄≥ 35岁、山东省户籍、性取向为异性恋/双性恋/不确定者、最近6个月有商业性行为、最近6个月发生无保护肛交、较少通过互联网/交友软件寻找男性性伴、无吸毒行为的MSM中,双性MSM的比例更高。单性和双性MSM,在最近1周性伴数、最近6个月商业性行为使用安全套、HIV感染、梅毒感染、最近1年患性传播疾病史的差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。MSM的HIV感染相关因素包括年龄≥ 45岁、外省户籍、通过浴池、公园/公厕或者互联网/交友软件寻找男性性伴、最近6个月无保护性肛交、有吸毒行为、梅毒感染。结论 山东省MSM中,双性性行为比例较高,广泛存在危险性行为,存在较高HIV感染风险,应针对不同特征MSM加强监测和干预。     

重庆市男男性接触者艾滋病病毒感染率及其影响因素

目的 了解重庆市男男性接触人群(MSM)艾滋病病毒(HIV)感染率及其影响因素.方法 2007年7-9月在重庆市渝中区、九龙坡区和沙坪坝区通过滚雪球方式招募1044名MSM进行面对面的问卷调查,以HIV感染状况为应变量,人口学特征、艾滋病防治知识知晓水平、性行为状况、接受干预服务、梅毒感染状况等为自变量进行逐步向前法的logistic回归分析与HIV感染相关的因素.结果 调查的1044名MSM中,艾滋病防治知识知晓率高(89.5%),近6个月与男性发生无保护性的肛交比例为63.8%;梅毒感染率为8.5%(89/1044),HIV感染率为12.5%(131/1044).多因素回归分析发现,年龄较大(OR=1.69,95%CI:1.13～2.52)、文化程度在初中以下(OR=1.89,95%CI:1.17～3.05)、首次性行为年龄在18岁以下(OR=3.11,95%CI:1.20～8.02)、近6个月男性性伴数在10个以上(OR=2.24,95%CI:1.24～4.02)、近6个月与女性有性行为史(OR=2.40,95%CI:1.64～3.51)和梅毒感染(OR=4.52,95%CI:2.77～7.38)是HIV感染的独立危险因素.结论 MSM人群无保护性性行为发生率、梅毒和HIV感染率均高.     

HIV自检模式在男男性行为者中的成本效果分析

目的 分析珠海市MSM中HIV自我检测（HIVST）模式和现场HIV快速检测（HIV-RDT）模式的成本效果和支付意愿,为政府合理配置卫生资源提供参考依据。方法 以卫生服务提供者的视角,收集珠海市在2019年1-9月MSM参与两种HIV检测模式的成本投入和效果产出,采用TreeAge Pro 2019软件构建10 000名MSM队列决策树模型,测算成本效果比（CER）和增量成本效果比（ICER）,以敏感性分析模型中各参数的不确定性,绘制成本效果可支付曲线评价策略的可支付性。结果 珠海市男同社会组织通过互联网+社交媒体动员参与HIVST和现场HIV-RDT的MSM人次数为2 303 vs.816,发现HIV筛查阳性者人数为33 vs.35,筛查阳性率为1.7% vs.4.3%。每筛查1例的成本为60.45元vs.240.43元,每发现1例筛查阳性的成本为4 218元vs.5 606元。决策树模型运行结果显示,每检测1例MSM的平均费用为44.67元vs.148.42元,ICER为负值。当发现1例HIV筛查阳性支付意愿低于6 528元时,HIVST更具成本效果的选择;当投入高于该阈值时,现场HIV-RDT是更具成本效果的选择。结论 珠海市现行的HIVST模式是具有经济学价值的公共卫生项目,决策者应加大社会组织扶持力度,推广HIVST在MSM中的应用。     

基于社交媒体的行为干预对促进青年男男性行为人群HIV/梅毒联合检测的效果研究

目的评价基于社交媒体的行为干预能否有效促进青年MSM进行HIV/梅毒联合检测(联检)。方法招募青年MSM作为研究对象, 将符合纳入标准的研究对象按照1∶1的比例随机分为两组:社交媒体干预组和对照组。仅给予对照组自愿咨询检测(VCT)服务, 给予干预组VCT服务并综合利用社交媒体定期发送健康教育和检测信息等手段加强其行为干预。随后对所有研究对象进行为期12个月的随访, 比较干预组和对照组的HIV/梅毒联检次数、检测比例和性病(STD)症状出现情况等指标的差异, 评价干预效果。结果共纳入315例青年MSM(干预组158例, 对照组157例), 共计248人完成12个月随访, 随访率为78.7%, 干预组和对照组基线特征差异无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。干预组联检≥1次的比例略高于对照组(53.2%比48.4%, 率差为4.8%, 95%CI:-7.5%～17.0%, P=0.448), 但差异无统计学意义。最近1次肛交使用安全套的青年MSM亚组中, 干预组联检≥1次的比例高于对照组(63.8%比46.1%, 率差为17.7%, 95%CI:1.5%～32.6%, P=0.035)。...     

Race/ethnic differences in HIV prevalence and risks among adolescent and young adult men who have sex with men

The prevalence of HIV infection is disproportionately higher in both racial/ethnic minority men who have sex with men (MSM) and in men under the age of 25, where the leading exposure category is homosexual contact. Less is known, however, about patterns of HIV prevalence in young racial/ethnic minority MSM. We analyzed data from the Young men’s Survey (YMS), an anonymous, corss-sectional survey of 351 MSM in Baltimore and 529 MSM in New York City, aged 15–22, to determine whether race/ethnicity differences exist in the prevalence of HIV infection and associated risk factors. Potential participants were selected systematically at MSM-identified public venues. Venues and associated time periods for subject selection were selected randomly on a monthly basis. Eligible and willing subjects provided informed consent and underwent an interview, HIV pretest counseling, and a blood draw for HIV antibody testing. In multivariate analysis, adjusted for city of recruitment, and age, HIV seroprevalence was highest for African Americans [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=12.5], intermediate for those of “other/mixed” race/ethnicity (AOR=8.6), and moderately elevated for Hispanics (AOR=4.6) as compared to whites. Stratified analysis showed different risk factors for HIV prevalence in each ethnic group: for African Americans, these were history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and not being in school; for Hispanics, risk factors were being aged 20–22, greater number of male partners and use of recreational drugs; and for those of “other/mixed” race/ethnicity, risk factors included injection drug use and (marginally) STDs. These findings suggest the need for HIV prevention and testing programs which target young racial/ethnic, minority MSM and highlight identified risk factors and behaviors.     

Parenting deficits of mothers living with HIV/AIDS who have young children

The purpose of this study was to examine a model of the relationships between parenting deficits and skills, along with child outcomes, in a sample of mothers living with HIV (MLH) and their 6- to 14-year-old children. Sixty-two MLH (61% Latina, 26% black, 3% white, and 10% multiracial) and their well children (age 6–14) were recruited from the greater Los Angeles, California, region to participate in an intervention (IMAGE: Improving Mothers’ parenting Abilities, Growth, and Effectiveness) designed to assist MLH with parenting and self-care skills. Constructs examined included parenting deficits, parenting skills, and child outcomes. Covariance structural modeling was used for the analyses. Covariance structural modeling confirmed the hypothesized set of construct associations. As predicted, fewer parenting deficits were associated with better parenting skills, which, in turn, were associated with better child outcomes. This study delineated further the parenting issues with which MLH struggle, providing information on the interventions needed for this population. MLH who have little confidence they can enact parenting skills and limited knowledge of basic parenting practices appear to be less likely to provide family routines consistently, monitor their children, or to engender family cohesion or a close parent–child relationship. Such parenting skills were found to be associated with child functioning.