Increasing risk behaviour and high levels of undiagnosed HIV infection in a community sample of homosexual men

OBJECTIVES: To estimate changes in sexual behaviour over time. To examine the proportion of undiagnosed HIV infection in a community sample of homosexual men. To explore the relation between HIV status, diagnosis, and sexual behaviour. METHODS: Five cross sectional surveys of men attending selected gay community venues in London between 1996 and 2000 (n = 8052). Men were recruited in 45 to 58 social venues (including bars, clubs, and saunas) across London. Participants self completed an anonymous behavioural questionnaire. In 2000, participants in community venues provided anonymous saliva samples for testing for anti-HIV antibody. RESULTS: The proportion of men having unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) increased significantly each year from 30% in 1996 to 42% in 2000 (p<0.001). In 2000, 132 of 1206 (10.9%) saliva samples were HIV antibody positive. Of the HIV saliva antibody positive samples, 43/132 (32.5%) were undiagnosed. Around half of both diagnosed and undiagnosed HIV saliva positive men reported UAI in the past year. Of the 83% of men who reported their current perceived HIV status, 4.1% reported an incorrect status. HIV antibody positivity was associated with increasing numbers of UAI partners, and having a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the past year (OR 2.15). CONCLUSIONS: Homosexual men continue to report increasing levels of UAI. HIV prevalence is high in this group, with many infections remaining undiagnosed. The high level of risky behaviour in HIV positive men, regardless of whether they are diagnosed, is of public health concern, in an era when HIV prevalence, antiretroviral resistance, and STI incidence are increasing.     

Viral hepatitis among young men who have sex with men: prevalence of infection,risk behaviors,and vaccination

BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at risk for acquiring hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). GOAL: The goal was to describe the seroprevalence of and risk factors for viral hepatitis, the frequency of vaccination against HAV and HBV, and reasons for lack of vaccination among young MSM. STUDY DESIGN: We performed hepatitis serologies on 833 MSM aged 15 to 29 years who attended public venues in King County, Washington. RESULTS: While 14.6% were HAV-immune due to vaccination, 13.9% had prior HAV infection; 57.9% were susceptible and 13.5% had unclear status. While 24.5% were HBV-immune due to vaccination, 13.3% had prior HBV infection; 44.2% were susceptible and 18.0% had unclear status. Prior HBV infection was associated with prior HAV infection. Men unvaccinated against HAV or HBV were unaware of the vaccines or had never been offered vaccination or perceived themselves at low risk for infection. Among 10 HCV-seropositive men, 70.0% reported injection drug use. CONCLUSION: MSM must be vaccinated at an early age to prevent acquisition of HAV and HBV. Given the frequency of coinfection with HAV and HBV, a combined vaccine would be useful in this population.     

HIV, sexual risk, and ethnicity among men in England who have sex with men

OBJECTIVES: To examine ethnic group differences in HIV testing history and sexual HIV risk behaviours that may account for such differences, among men in England who have sex with men (MSM), in order to inform HIV prevention planning priorities. METHODS: A self completion survey in the summer of 2001 was carried out in collaboration with community based health promoters. Three recruitment methods were used: "gay pride" festivals, health promoter distributed leaflets, internet version advertised with gay service providers. The leaflet was produced with an alternative cover for targeted recruitment of black men. RESULTS: In a sample of 13,369 MSM living in England, 17.0% were from minority ethnic groups and 5.4% had tested HIV positive. Compared to the white British majority, Asian men were 0.32 times as likely to be living with diagnosed HIV infection, while black men were 2.06 times as likely to be doing so. Among men who had not tested HIV positive, Asian men were less likely to have sex with a known HIV positive partner, while black men were more likely to have insertive unprotected anal intercourse both with a partner they knew to be HIV positive and with a partner whose HIV status they did not know. CONCLUSIONS: Among MSM in England, HIV prevalence is higher among black men and lower among Asian men compared with the white British majority. Increased sexual HIV risk behaviour, especially exposure during insertive anal intercourse, accounts for some of this difference. HIV prevention programmes for MSM and African people should both prioritise black MSM.     

Biological and demographic causes of high HIV and sexually transmitted disease prevalence in men who have sex with men

OBJECTIVES: HIV disproportionately affects men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM and heterosexual networks are distinguished by biologically determined sexual role segregation among heterosexual individuals but not MSM, and anal/vaginal transmissibility differences. To identify how much these biological and demographic differences could explain persistent disparities in HIV/sexually transmitted disease prevalence in the United States, even were MSM and heterosexual individuals to report identical numbers of unprotected sexual partnerships per year. METHODS: A compartmental model parameterized using two population-based surveys. Role composition was varied between MSM and heterosexual subjects (insertive-only and receptive-only versus versatile individuals) and infectivity values. RESULTS: The absence of sexual role segregation in MSM and the differential anal/vaginal transmission probabilities led to considerable disparities in equilibrium prevalence. The US heterosexual population would only experience an epidemic comparable to MSM if the mean partner number of heterosexual individuals was increased several fold over that observed in population-based studies of either group. In order for MSM to eliminate the HIV epidemic, they would need to develop rates of unprotected sex lower than those currently exhibited by heterosexual individuals in the United States. In this model, for US heterosexual individuals to have a self-sustaining epidemic, they would need to adopt levels of unprotected sex higher than those currently exhibited by US MSM. CONCLUSIONS: The persistence of disparities in HIV between heterosexual individuals and MSM in the United States cannot be explained solely by differences in risky sexual behavior between these two populations.     

Commercial sex work and risk of HIV infection among young drug-injecting men who have sex with men in San Francisco

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between sex work and HIV infection among young injection drug-using men who have sex with men (MSM-IDU). STUDY DESIGN: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of behavioral and serologic data collected from 227 street-recruited MSM-IDU in San Francisco, California, between January 2000 and November 2001. RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent of participants reported being paid by another man for sex. HIV prevalence was 12% (95% confidence interval, 8-16%); 42% of seropositive participants were unaware of their infection. HIV was independently associated with higher number of paying male partners and history of gonorrhea and inversely associated with number of female partners, education, and syringe-sharing. Consistent condom use overall was 41%, but varied significantly by type of partner. CONCLUSIONS: Among MSM-IDU in San Francisco, sex work with men is strongly associated with HIV infection and the prevalence of condom use is low. HIV prevention among MSM-IDU must be tailored to address the excess risk associated with sex work.     

Demographics, sexual behaviour and STD/HIV prevalence in two groups of men who have sex with men, in Rotterdam, The Netherlands

This study was performed to investigate whether men who have sex with men visiting the sexually transmitted diseases clinic, and those participating in a gay cohort were different with regard to demographic characteristics, sexual behaviour and sexually transmitted diseases (STD)/human immunodeficiency (HIV) virus prevalence. Data from men who have sex with men presenting at the sexually transmitted diseases clinic (group I; n = 318) were compared with data from men participating in a cohort (group II; n = 286). All males underwent a routine venereological examination. Men in group II were more often older (p < 0.0005), of Dutch descent (p < 0.0005) and had more sex partners (p < 0.0005). New cases of HIV infection were detected far more often in group I (p = 0.04). Also, urethral gonococcal infection was significantly more prevalent in group I (p = 0.003). Multivariate analyses showed that males presenting at the STD clinic (group I) were at higher risk for urethral gonorrhoea. The higher prevalence of HIV infection in group I was associated with a higher prevalence of recent STD, more concomitant urethral gonorrhoea infections at the time of visit, over 10 sex partners in the previous 6 months, and non-Dutch descent.     

Differences in HIV risk behaviors among black and white men who have sex with men

OBJECTIVES: Surveillance findings consistently indicate that black men who have sex with men (MSM) experience a disproportionate burden of HIV/AIDS compared with white MSM. This study tested the hypothesis that black MSM engage in greater levels of HIV risk behaviors than white MSM and sought to determine if self-reported HIV serostatus moderated any of the observed differences. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of MSM was conducted by recruiting men from gay-identified venues in a large metropolitan area of the southern United States. Data were collected by face-to-face interview. RESULTS: The hypothesis was only supported for one measure of HIV risk behavior: The average number of main (steady) sex partners in the past year was significantly greater among black men (P < 0.0001). However, black and white MSM did not significantly differ in unprotected sex with serodiscordant partners. Racial differences in sexual risk behavior were found only for HIV-negative men and indicated greater protective behavior for black men. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that fewer black MSM, compared with white MSM, engage in HIV sexual risk behaviors but only among HIV-negative men. Identifying the epidemiologic dynamics driving HIV infection among black MSM that go beyond individual-level risk behaviors may be warranted.     

Don't ask, don't tell: patterns of HIV disclosure among HIV positive men who have sex with men with recent STI practising high risk behaviour in Los Angeles and Seattle

OBJECTIVES: A high incidence of HIV continues among men who have sex with men (MSM) in industrialised nations and research indicates many MSM do not disclose their HIV status to sex partners. Themes as to why MSM attending sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics in Los Angeles and Seattle do and do not disclose their HIV status are identified. METHODS: 55 HIV positive MSM (24 in Seattle, 31 in Los Angeles) reporting recent STI or unprotected anal intercourse with a serostatus negative or unknown partner from STI clinics underwent in-depth interviews about their disclosure practices that were tape recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded, and content analysed. RESULTS: HIV disclosure themes fell into a continuum from unlikely to likely. Themes for "unlikely to disclose" were HIV is "nobody's business," being in denial, having a low viral load, fear of rejection, "it's just sex," using drugs, and sex in public places. Themes for "possible disclosure" were type of sex practised and partners asking/disclosing first. Themes for "likely to disclose" were feelings for partner, feeling responsible for partner's health, and fearing arrest. Many reported non-verbal disclosure methods. Some thought partners should ask for HIV status; many assumed if not asked then their partner must be positive. CONCLUSIONS: HIV positive MSM's decision to disclose their HIV status to sex partners is complex, and is influenced by a sense of responsibility to partners, acceptance of being HIV positive, the perceived transmission risk, and the context and meaning of sex. Efforts to promote disclosure will need to address these complex issues.     

The effect of venue sampling on estimates of HIV prevalence and sexual risk behaviors in men who have sex with men

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate differences in HIV prevalence and sexual risk behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) according to their gay venue visit patterns. METHODS: In a cross-sectional survey, a population-based sample of men aged 18 to 64 years who self-identified as gay or bisexual were interviewed by telephone regarding their sexual behaviors, HIV serostatus, and gay venue visit patterns. RESULTS: A total of 398 men were recruited for the study. The results showed that frequent gay venue visitors were more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors. Among gay venue attendees who visited different types of gay venues, men who visited sex clubs/bathhouses reported the highest rates of 5 or more male sexual partners and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with secondary partners (62.6% and 34.6%, respectively), gay bar/club attendees and cruisers reported higher rates of having sex with women (8.5% and 14.8%, respectively), and circuit party attendees reported the highest HIV prevalence (40.4%) and serodiscordant UAI (30.2%). CONCLUSIONS: MSM who visited different types of gay venues and with varied visit frequency showed marked differences in sexual risk behaviors, and the differences suggest the importance of weighting procedure to obtain unbiased estimates in venue-based studies.     

广州市520名男男性行为者HIV感染情况及影响因素分析

目的:了解广州市男男性行为者(MSM)的艾滋病知识、高危行为以及艾滋病、梅毒感染情况及影响因素,为针对性开展MSM人群艾滋病防治工作提供依据。方法:面对面问卷调查520名MSM人群的艾滋病知识、行为情况,并进行艾滋病、梅毒血清学检测。结果:艾滋病知识知晓率为90.19%(469/520);HIV抗体阳性率为9.23%(48/520),梅毒阳性检出率为5.77%(30/520);最近六个月同性肛交性行为时每次均用安全套比例为53.81%(240/446);多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,感染了性病[OR=3.333,95%CI:(1.146~9.696)]、最近六个月与同性发生肛交性行为使用安全套的频率较少[OR=3.460,95%CI:(1.770~6.763)]是HIV感染的危险因素(P0.05)。结论:广州市MSM人群艾滋病知识知晓率高、安全套使用率低、知行分离严重,艾滋病、梅毒感染率高,应加强有效的干预检测和性病诊治。     

北京市2012年男男性行为者HIV及梅毒感染状况调查

【摘要】 目的 了解北京市男男性行为（MSM）人群HIV及梅毒感染状况,探讨两者之间的相关性。 方法 对北京市艾滋病哨点监测MSM人群600例进行HIV及梅毒实验室检测。用ELISA方法对所有研究对象样本进行HIV初筛,初筛阳性者用免疫印迹方法进行确认;梅毒检测采用快速血浆反应素环状卡片试验（RPR）与梅毒螺旋体明胶凝集试验（TPPA）两种方法同时进行,TPPA阳性者即视为梅毒感染者（包括既往感染与现症感染）;符合条件的HIV阳性血清还接受HIV-1 BED捕获酶联法（BED方法）检测并计算HIV在此人群中的发病率;对MSM人群HIV及梅毒感染状况进行统计学相关性分析。 结果 MSM人群600例,HIV阳性49例,阳性率8.17%;HIV新近感染14例,发病率为4.68%。HIV感染者表现出外地户籍比重大、学历层次相对较高的特点。梅毒RPR与TPPA均阳性51例（8.5%）,感染率（含既往感染）为18.5%（111/600）。 结论 北京市哨点监测MSM人群HIV感染率及发病率、梅毒感染率均维持在较高水平;HIV感染与梅毒感染有显著相关性。     

HIV serodiscordant sex partners and the prevalence of human herpesvirus 8 infection among HIV negative men who have sex with men: baseline data from the EXPLORE Study

OBJECTIVES: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection is common among men who have sex with men (MSM), especially those infected with HIV, and is frequently detected in saliva. We sought to determine whether oral or anogenital contact with HIV discordant, or unknown serostatus sexual partners is associated with HHV-8 seroprevalence among HIV negative MSM. METHODS: HIV negative MSM participating in a behavioural intervention trial for the prevention of HIV infection (the EXPLORE study) were recruited from the Seattle and Denver areas for participation in this cross sectional study. Participants completed detailed questionnaires regarding sexual behaviour, focusing on activities with possible exposure to the oropharynx. Serum samples from study enrollment were tested for the presence of HHV-8 antibodies using whole virus enzyme immunoassay and immunofluorescence assay to latent and lytic proteins. RESULTS: 198/819 MSM (24.3%) were HHV-8 antibody positive. Exposure to saliva with HIV positive and HIV unknown serostatus sex partners was reported by 83% and 90% of all men, respectively. In a multivariate model, reporting more than the median number of lifetime sex partners (OR 2.2, p = 0.03) or lifetime sex partners of unknown HIV status (OR 1.7, p = 0.03), and the performance of oro-anal sex ("rimming") on partners whose HIV status is unknown (OR 2.7, p = 0.04) were independently associated with HHV-8 infection. CONCLUSIONS: The oropharynx may be an important anatomical site in HHV-8 acquisition, and contact with HIV serodiscordant or unknown sex partners is associated with higher HHV-8 seroprevalence among HIV negative MSM.     

深圳市男男性接触人群梅毒合并HIV感染状况及其危险因素分析

目的：了解深圳市近6个月内发生过同性临时性行为的MSM人群梅毒合并HIV感染状况及其相关影响因素。方法：运用滚雪球法和同伴推动抽样法招募MSM进行问卷调查和血清学检测,采用χ2检验和Logistic回归分析梅毒HIV合并感染的相关影响因素。结果：共调查434例MSM,梅毒和HIV感染率分别为16.4%和12.2%,梅毒合并HIV感染率为7.3%。年龄越大（OR=4.0,P=0.0007）、高中/中专文化者（OR=6.5,P=0.0081）、性角色以被动方为主者（OR=12.1,P=0.0017）、多个同性肛交性伴者（OR=1.5,P=0.0455）、不能坚持每次使用安全套者（OR=2.9,P=0.0236）,其梅毒合并HIV感染风险越高。结论：需要采取更大努力来应对该人群的梅毒和HIV双重感染问题。     

Setting typologies and HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men in China: implication for surveillance and intervention

An increasing trend of HIV prevalence has been observed among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. However, the prevalence and its increase varied among MSM recruited from different settings, indicating the highest prevalence and its increase among those MSM from bathhouse or sauna. The findings have important implications for surveillance and interventions in this population.     

Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection and the sexual behaviour of men who have sex with men

BACKGROUND: Rates of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to rise among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the UK. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate factors associated with Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae among MSM attending a genitourinary medicine clinic in inner London. STUDY DESIGN: 599 MSM undergoing testing for STIs were recruited. Specimens for ligase chain reaction (LCR), strand displacement amplification (SDA) assay and culture were collected from the pharynx, urethra and rectum for the detection of C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae. Details regarding demographics, symptoms, signs and sexual behaviour were recorded. Associations of these factors with each infection were tested, adjusting for other risk factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae was 11.0% and 16.0%, respectively. LCR and SDA performed well for the detection of C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae from urethra and rectum. Using either method, compared with our current testing policy, over 18% of those with C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae would not have had their infection diagnosed or treated. Age, sexual behaviour, urethral and rectal symptoms and signs were strongly associated with both infections. A total of 33.7% of men reported at least one episode of unprotected anal intercourse in the previous month. Men reporting multiple episodes were markedly more likely to be HIV positive. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of infection, rates of partner acquisition and unprotected anal intercourse reported among these MSM are alarming. Improved detection of C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae using nucleic acid amplification tests has major public health implications for STI and possibly HIV transmission in this population.     

Nasopharyngeal flora in HIV seropositive men who have sex with men.

OBJECTIVES: To assess, in men who were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and who identified themselves as having had sex with men; the nasopharyngeal prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, N meningitidis, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and candida species; oral sexual behaviour; the relation between oral flora and oral sexual behavior. METHOD: Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken from HIV seropositive men for culture. The men were also asked to complete a self administered questionnaire. RESULTS: 390 men were recruited; 286 (73.3%) provided nasopharyngeal samples and questionnaires; 41 (10.5%) provided nasopharyngeal samples only; 63 (16.2%) provided questionnaires only. From the 327 nasopharyngeal samples N meningitidis was cultured in 49 (15%) and candida species in 165 (50.5%). Cultures for N gonorrhoeae and C diphtheriae were all negative. Data from the 349 completed questionnaires indicated that 285 men were practising oro-penile sex, over 90% did not consistently use condoms; 150 men were practising oro-anal sex, one used dental dams. In those providing both nasopharyngeal samples and sexual behaviour data meningococcal carriage was identified in 40 (17.5%) of the 228 men practising receptive oro-penile sex, compared with one (2.3%) of the 43 non-practisers (p < 0.025); in 21 (20%) of the 105 men practising insertive oro-anal sex, compared with 17 (12.5%) of the 136 non-practisers (p = 0.12). No correlation was identified between yeast carriage and oro-genital sex. Conclusion: Oro-genital sex, usually without barrier protection, is common among HIV infected men who have sex with men. It appears to be associated with increased meningococcal carriage but is autonomous to candida species isolation. Routine screening for nasopharyngeal N gonorrhoeae is not deemed necessary.