HIV vulnerabilities and coercive sex at same-sex sexual debut among men who have sex with men in Beijing,China

Few studies have examined coercive sex and HIV vulnerabilities among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. The present study seeks to compare individual characteristics between MSM who did and did not experience coercive sex at their MSM sexual debut and to identify HIV risk factors correlated with coercive sex at MSM sexual debut. In 2007, we recruited 167 MSM in Beijing, China by peer-referred social network sampling. Each participant then completed self-administered questionnaires regarding their sexual experiences and practices. Results show that 14% of participants reported coercive sex at MSM sexual debut, of whom 48% reported recent unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). Coercive sex at MSM sexual debut was significantly associated with UAI [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 5.38, 95% confidence interval: 1.95–14.87] and lifetime number of male sex partners (AOR: 7.25, 95% CI: 2.39–22.01). Coercive sex is harming MSM in China and should be immediately addressed by researchers, public health officials, and MSM community stakeholders.     

HIV testing and HIV knowledge among men who have sex with men in Natal,Northeast Brazil

Background

Men who have sex with men (MSM) account for the highest prevalence of HIV in Brazil. HIV testing allows to implement preventive measures, reduces transmission, morbidity, and mortality.

Vulnerability to HIV among older men who have sex with men users of dating apps in Brazil

IntroductionThe elderly population is increasingly benefiting from recent technological advances. In this scenario, geolocation-based dating applications provide a viable alternative for finding partners in a practical and timely manner, but may be accompanied by certain risk behaviors for HIV infection. Although there are considerable number of users over 50 on these applications, no studies have addressed this problem. The aim of the present study was to analyze factors of vulnerability to HIV/Aids among the population of men who have sex with men (MSM) age 50 years or older who use dating apps.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional, population-survey-based, analytical study, conducted exclusively online with a sample of 412 MSM. The data was collected from the following apps: Grindr®, Hornet®, Scruff® and Daddy Hunter®.ResultsFactors associated with a higher chance of having HIV were: sexual relations with an HIV-infected partner (ORa = 5.53; 95%CI = 2.23–13.73); chemsex (ORa = 3.97; 95%CI = 1.72–8.92); and, above all, having an HIV-infected partner (ORa = 8.02; 95%CI = 2.01–32.01). The belief that apps increase protection against sexually transmitted infections (ORa = 0.43; 95%CI = 0.19–0.95) and not being familiar with post-exposure prophylaxis (ORa = 0.43; 95%CI = 0.19–0.95) were associated with decreased chances of having HIV.ConclusionsWe highlight some important factors that structure the vulnerability of the MSM surveyed in relation to HIV infection. The findings should be used to customize care for this population, which could bring them in more for health care services.     

不同性取向的男男性接触者行为特征分析

目的通过对不同性取向的男男性接触者(MSM)行为特征进行分析,探索该人群在艾滋病病毒(HIV)传播中的桥梁作用。方法采用符合设计要求的问卷表,对选取的符合要求的MSM进行面对面的问卷调查。结果调查对象的性取向以同性恋者(Gay)和双性恋者(Bi)为主,分别为78.9%和16.7%。其中Gay和Bi过去6个月与女性发生性行为的比例分别为14.1%和66.0%;从未使用安全套比例分别为82.4%和70.1%。过去6个月与男性发生肛交行为中,Gay的接受性肛交行为高于Bi(χ2=18.46,P<0.001),插入性肛交行为低于Bi(χ2=18.38,P<0.001)。安全套坚持使用率为25%～40%,安全套的使用率差别无显著性。16.4%的Gay和21.3%的Bi有商业性行为。59.7%的MSM通过网络寻找性伴,1.7%的MSM有吸毒行为,13.1%的MSM检测过HIV。结论Gay和Bi中拥有很高比例的女性性伴,同时存在传播HIV的高危行为,他们可能在HIV从高危人群向一般人群传播中起桥梁作用。     

男男性行为人群HIV感染者感染状态配对研究

该文综述了国外近年来在男男性行为人群(MSM)艾滋病病毒(HIV)感染者中,开展"感染状态配对"研究的相关文献,阐述了"感染状态配对"在降低HIV新发感染、促进咨询检测和性伴告知方面的积极意义,分析了在MSM HIV感染者中实施"感染状态配对"干预可能存在的问题,为在我国开展类似工作提供了参考信息。     

Acute hepatitis C infection in HIV‐negative men who have sex with men

Acute hepatitis C infection is recognized in HIV‐infected men who have sex with men (MSM), but the risk in HIV‐negative MSM remains unclear. We evaluated a population of MSM with acute hepatitis C. From January 2010 to May 2014, all cases of HCV antibody positive HIV‐negative MSM were identified. European AIDS Network criteria were applied to determine acute infection, and 44 individuals fulfilled the criteria for acute hepatitis C. Ten were RNA negative at baseline and classed as prior spontaneous clearance. 15 (34.1%) had a previously negative HCV antibody within 1 year. 11 (25.0%) had significant elevation in ALT levels, and 18 (40.9%) were clinically diagnosed from risk exposure and history. Median age was 37 years (range 24–75). 41 (93.2%) individuals reported unprotected anal sex, 36 with (87.8%) both insertive and receptive intercourse, 4 (9.8%) with receptive intercourse, 1 (2.4%) with insertive intercourse, and no data were recorded for 3 (7.3%) patients. Individuals had an average of 7.3 reported (median 2, range 1–100) partners. 12 (27.3%) engaged in group sex, 11 (25.0%) practised fisting, 11 (25.0%) admitted using drugs during sexual activity, 16 (36.4%) reported nasal, and 9 (20.5%) reported injection drug use. 14 (31.8)% had unprotected sex whilst under the influence of recreational drugs. 29 individuals were aware of a partner's status. 2 (4.5%) individuals had sexual contact with a known HCV monoinfected partner, 13 (29.5%) with a HIV monoinfected partner and 6 (13.6%) with a HCV/HIV coinfected partner. 9 (20.5%) reported a partner/partners with no known infection. No data were available in 14 (31.8%) individuals. 13 (29.5%) individuals had a coexisting STI at the time of acute HCV diagnosis. 8 (18.2%) received HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) within the 6 months prior to the HCV diagnosis (2 were participants in a HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis trial). 15 (34.1%) individuals achieved spontaneous clearance of HCV, and 11 patients received HCV treatment. Similar to the ongoing epidemic of acute HCV infection in HIV+ MSM, HIV‐negative MSM remain at risk.     

An exploration into the role of depression and self-efficacy on township men who have sex with men's ability to engage in safer sexual practices

Men who have sex with men (MSM) in South Africa remain at particular risk of HIV infection. The Ukwazana baseline survey is the first to explore this risk in relation to psychological factors associated with unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). A cohort of 316 MSM from township peri-urban Cape Town took part in the survey. The survey found that 55.2% had engaged in UAI over the preceding 6 months. Depression was significantly associated with UAI. Respondents with self-efficacy scores less than two standard deviations above the mean were also more likely to have engaged in UAI. A Sobel test for mediation highlighted that the depression–UAI association was partially mediated by self-efficacy, indicating that most of the effect of depression on UAI was not covarying with self-efficacy. This study, therefore, highlights that both depression and self-efficacy should be considered factors to be addressed in HIV-prevention programmes aimed at peri-urban MSM.     

HIV risk and prevention among men who have sex with men in rural South Africa

Rural South African men who have sex with men (MSM) are likely to be underserved in terms of access to relevant healthcare and HIV prevention services. While research in urban and peri-urban MSM populations has identified a range of factors affecting HIV risk in South African MSM, very little research is available that examines HIV risk and prevention in rural MSM populations. This exploratory study begins to address this lack by assessing perceptions of HIV risk among MSM in rural Limpopo province. Using thematic analysis of interview and discussion data, two overarching global themes that encapsulated participants’ understandings of HIV risk and the HIV risk environment in their communities were developed. In the first theme, “community experience and the rural social environment”, factors affecting HIV risk within the broad risk environment were discussed. These included perceptions of traditional value systems and communities as homophobic; jealousy and competition between MSM; and the role of social media as a means of meeting other MSM. The second global theme, “HIV/AIDS knowledge, risk and experience”, focused on factors more immediately affecting HIV transmission risk. These included: high levels of knowledge of heterosexual HIV risk, but limited knowledge of MSM-specific risk; inconsistent condom and lubricant use; difficulties in negotiating condom and lubricant use due to uneven power dynamics in relationships; competition for sexual partners; multiple concurrent sexual partnerships; and transactional sex. These exploratory results suggest that rural South African MSM, like their urban and peri-urban counterparts, are at high risk of contracting HIV, and that there is a need for more in-depth research into the interactions between the rural context and the specific HIV risk knowledge and behaviours that affect HIV risk in this population.     

MSM中HIV抗体阳性率及其影响因素分析

目的了解男男性行为人群（MSM）艾滋病病毒（HIV）的阳性检出率,探讨该人群感染HIV的影响因素。方法2012年1—12月,在武汉市动员MSM参加HIV抗体快速检测,并调查收集人口学和行为学信息,HIV抗体筛查阳性者接受确证检测。结果共有7123名符合条件的MSM参加了检测。分析表明,教育水平、现住址、过去3个月及最近1次肛交性行为安全套使用、找寻性伴地点、检测原因以及是否第1次参加HIV抗体检测,为影响MSM动员检测阳性发现的因素,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。其中,外地、过去3个月有时使用和最近1次没有使用安全套、在浴池找寻性伴、第1次参加检测和感觉不舒服而参加检测的MSM,HIV阳性检出的风险分别是参照组的1．830、3．082、3．530、2．762、1．943和6．141倍。结论需要综合考虑,调整动员检测模式,设计活动及分配资源,注重实际效果,从而最大限度发现地HIV阳性者。     

北京市年轻MSM人群HIV感染情况调查

目的了解年轻男男性行为人群（MSM）艾滋病病毒（HIV）感染情况及其影响因素。方法分别于2009-2011年,采用应答驱动抽样方法（RDS）,在北京市18～25岁年轻MSM中开展横断面调查,采用计算机辅助问卷,调查内容包括社会人口学、性行为特征、HIV检测和对安全性行为的认知等。结果在474名调查对象中,HIV感染率为7.4%,其中2009年、2010年和2011年的感染率分别为6.4%、8.4%和7.5%。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,HIV感染的影响因素为：自报HIV感染状况正确[比值比（OR）=0.06,95%可信区间（CI）：0.02～0.18]、对安全性行为的认知高（OR=0.44,95%CI：0.20～0.98）、近1年有过性病症状（OR=6.78,95%CI：1.92～23.95）和梅毒抗体阳性（OR=4.19,95%CI：1.49～11.80）。对安全性行为的认知量表内部一致性检验克朗巴赫系数为0.92。结论应促进对安全性行为的认知和性病的预防和治疗,以遏制HIV在年轻MSM中的快速传播。     

MSM中HIV阳性者性行为特征及其影响因素的研究进展

男男性行为人群(Men who have sex with men,MSM)艾滋病病毒(Human immunodeficiency virus,HIV)阳性者的性行为和心理特征,与一般的MSM有显著差异,他们的不安全性行为仍然广泛存在,但更倾向于寻找阳性性伴,并选择被动肛交方式来"自我降低传播风险"。针对这一群体的特点,艾滋病防控重点,应该重在阻止二代传播,提高感染者生活质量。     

Accessing HIV testing and treatment among men who have sex with men in China: A qualitative study

Barriers to HIV testing and HIV care and treatment pose significant challenges to HIV prevention among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. We carried out a qualitative study to identify barriers and facilitators to HIV testing and treatment among Chinese MSM. In 2012, seven focus group (FG) discussions were conducted with 49 MSM participants in Nanjing, China. Purposive sampling was used to recruit a diverse group of MSM participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect FG data. Major barriers to testing included gay- and HIV-related stigma and discrimination, relationship type and partner characteristics, low perception of risk or threat, HIV is incurable or equals death, concerns of confidentiality, unaware that testing is offered for free, and name-based testing. Key facilitators of testing included engaging in high-risk sex, sense of responsibility for partner, collectivism, testing as a part of standard/routine medical care, MSM-friendly medical personnel, increased acceptance of gay/bisexual men by the general public, legal recognition and protection of homosexuals, and home self-testing. Barriers to treatment included negative coping, nondisclosure to families, misconceptions of domestically produced antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and the benefits of treatment, and costs associated with long-term treatment. Facilitators of treatment included sense of hopefulness that a cure would be found, the cultural value of longevity, peer social support and professional psychological counseling, affordable and specialized treatment and care, and reduced HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Finally, for both testing and treatment, more educational and promotional activities within MSM communities and among the general public are needed.     

Relationship between illness representations and mental health among HIV-positive men who have sex with men

Illness representations play a significant role on mental health across various health conditions. The present study explores the associations between illness representations of HIV and mental health (suicidal ideation and depression), and the mediation effects of emotional representations on the associations between cognitive representations and mental health among men who have sex with men who were newly diagnosed with HIV (ND-MSM) in China. A total of 225 ND-MSM were recruited from a non-governmental organisation and were invited to complete a cross-sectional survey. Results showed that 48.0% had suicidal ideation since HIV diagnosis and 48.4% scored higher than the cut-off for mild depression or above. Stepwise regression analyses showed that higher levels of emotional representations of HIV and lower levels of treatment control were associated with both suicidal ideation and depression. Emotional representations were shown to mediate the associations between some cognitive representations variables and mental health. Findings suggest that both cognitive and emotional representations of HIV were important factors of mental health among ND-MSM. Interventions to promote the mental health of ND-MSM are warranted and should seek to improve their cognitive and emotional representations of HIV.     

性网络与男男性行为人群的HIV传播

性网络是男男性行为人群(MSM)经性途径传播艾滋病病毒(HIV)的直接通道。网络分析方法可揭示性网络构成与个体感染HIV风险及与群体中HIV传播的动力学关系。为深入探讨MSM HIV传播风险,为预防干预定位提供信息,该文对性网络与MSMHIV传播关系的研究现况做一简要概述。     

Community engagement among men who have sex with men living with HIV/AIDS in Taiwan

Community engagement was developed as a global principle in the provision of HIV/AIDS services, yet evidence-based research of implementation of the principle is lacking in Taiwan. This short report aims to understand factors associated with engagement in two types of activities with varying levels of visibility: HIV-related community events and HIV-related community action, in Taiwanese men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV. A cross-sectional survey was distributed to a purposive sample of participants recruited from AIDS service organizations (ASOs). Among participants (n?=?178), 63.6% were involved in HIV-related community events, while less than half (47.7%) were involved in HIV-related community action. In multivariable analysis, age, involvement in ASOs, and AIDS knowledge were positively associated with engagement in community events, and living in the north of Taiwan, years of infection, and self-stigma were negatively associated with this type of engagement. Few factors, with the exception of involvement in ASOs, were positively associated with engagement in HIV-related community action. To this end, ASOs appear to play a strong role in improving and organizing both types of community engagement in Taiwan. Future studies should evaluate tailored programs delivered through ASOs for strengthening community connectedness among younger, stigmatized, and longer diagnosed MSM living with HIV.     

云南省曲靖市MSM人群艾滋病知识知晓状况调查分析

目的了解曲靖市男男性行为人群(MSM)艾滋病知识知晓状况,以确定健康教育工作的重点。方法采用"滚雪球"的方式接触目标人群,进行一对一问卷调查。结果共收集合格问卷311份,艾滋病知识总体知晓率为83.0%,UNGASS指标问题全部答对者占64.0%;对艾滋病传播和预防知识认识错误者,不同人群间存在差异。结论 MSM人群对艾滋病知识的掌握存在许多不足的方面,应针对他们的特点和存在的问题,实施相应的健康教育措施。     

Behavioral intention to take up different types of HIV testing among men who have sex with men who were never-testers in Hong Kong

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing is an important global prevention strategy but underutilized by local men who have sex with men (MSM). This study investigated the prevalence of behavioral intention to take up HIV testing (specific or any type), in the next six months among MSM who had not been tested for HIV in the last three years (never-testers) in Hong Kong. The data was based on 141 never-testers of 430 MSM who completed the anonymous baseline telephone survey of an ongoing randomized controlled trial from January 2015 to August 2015. Only 17.7% of them showed strong intention to take up any type of HIV testing in the next six months. Adjusted analysis showed that perceived benefit of HIV testing (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 1.66), perceived psychological barriers of HIV testing (AOR: 0.85, 95%CI: 0.73, 1.00), and perceived self-efficacy in taking up HIV testing (AOR: 1.28, 95%CI: 1.07, 1.52) were significantly associated with behavioral intention to take up any HIV testing. Perceived cue to action from non-governmental organization staff was positively associated with a marginal p-value of 0.077 (AOR: 2.37, 95%CI: 0.97, 5.77). It is warranted to strengthen perceived benefit, remove psychological barriers, and increase perceived self-efficacy related to HIV testing. Innovative and effective health promotions are greatly needed to increase HIV testing coverage among never-testers.