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BACKGROUND: Despite high rates of HIV transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Lima, Peru, limited data exist on the sexual network characteristics or risk factors for secondary HIV transmission among MSM with uncontrolled HIV infection. We report the frequency of serodiscordant, condomless anal intercourse (CAI) and associated sexual network characteristics among MSM in Lima with detectable HIV viremia and compare to those with undetectable viremia. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis includes MSM who tested positive for HIV-1 during screening for a trial of partner management and STI control (June 2022-January 2023). Participants were tested for HIV, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and syphilis, and completed questionnaires on their demographic characteristics, sexual identity and behaviour, sexual network structures and engagement in HIV care. FINDINGS: Of 665 MSM, 153 (23%) had detectable (>200 copies/mL) viremia. 75% (499/662) of men living with HIV were previously diagnosed, with 94% (n = 469/499) reporting that they were on ART, and 93% (n = 436/469) virally suppressed. 96% (n = 147/153) of men with detectable viremia reported serodiscordant CAI with at least one of their last three sexual partners, and 74% (n = 106/144) reported the same with all three of their recent partners. In contrast, 62% (n = 302/489) of men with undetectable viral load reported serodiscordant CAI with all of their last three partners (p < 0.01). INTERPRETATION: 23% of men living with HIV in Peru had detectable viremia, of whom almost all (96%) reported recent serodiscordant CAI. The primary gap in the HIV care cascade lies in awareness of HIV serostatus, suggesting that improved access to HIV testing could be a key prevention strategy in Peru. FUNDING: Funding for this study was provided by NIH/NIMH grants R01 MH118973 (PI: Clark) and R25 MH087222 (PI: Clark).

Background: The Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U) message has been promoted since it was demonstrated that viral suppression through HIV treatment prevents sexual transmission between serodiscordant partners (HIV treatment as prevention). Our study assessed familiarity with, perceived accuracy of, and willingness to rely on U=U in a national sample of gay and bisexual men in Australia. Methods: We conducted a national, online cross-sectional survey in April-June 2021. Eligible participants were gay, bisexual and queer men and non-binary people who lived in Australia. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with familiarity, perceived accuracy and willingness to rely on U=U (by having condomless sex with a partner with HIV who has an undetectable viral load). Results: Of 1280 participants, most were familiar with U=U (1006/1280 78.6%), the majority of whom believed U=U was accurate (677/1006 67.3%). Both familiarity and perceived accuracy were higher among participants living with HIV, followed by pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users, HIV-negative participants not taking PrEP, and untested/unknown status participants. Knowing at least one person living with HIV, among other factors, was associated with familiarity and perceived accuracy of U=U and familiarity was associated with perceived accuracy. Among participants familiar with U=U, less than half were willing to rely on U=U (473/1006 47.0%). Familiarity with U=U and knowing at least one person living with HIV were associated with willingness to rely on U=U, among other factors. Conclusions: We found familiarity with U=U was associated with perceived accuracy and willingness to rely upon it. There is an ongoing need to educate gay and bisexual men (particularly HIV-negative men) about U=U and its benefits.

Background: World Health Organization (WHO) reported that there are 6 million new cases of syphilis worldwide per year. The incidence of syphilis in Indonesia has increased over the past few years, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). Purpose: To report a case of secondary syphilis with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) coinfection in MSM, thereby increasing understanding of high-risk sexual behavior among MSM. Case: A 26-year-old man with a chief complaint of rashes on both palms, soles of the feet, and face. The rashes spread with no itching, heat, or pain, which occurred two weeks ago. The patient was diagnosed with HIV in 2019. Physical examination found multiple violaceus macules with clear boundaries, 0.5–1 cm in size, covered with scales. Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) serology titer was 1:16 and Treponema Pallidum Haemagglutination Assay (TPHA) was 1:20.480. The recent CD4 count was 440 with an undetectable HIV RNA viral load. Benzathine penicillin G 2.4 million units was given intramuscularly 3 times at 1-week intervals. The patient experienced clinical improvement and decreased VDRL and TPHA titers. Discussion: Syphilis patients with or without HIV would have similar clinical symptoms. However, syphilis patients with HIV tend to have more extensive lesions. The treatment option with three doses of benzathine penicillin G is still very effective in cases of syphilis with HIV. Conclusion: Syphilis has a higher incidence in MSM patients with extensive clinical manifestations of skin lesions. It can be observed in syphilis patients with HIV; therefore, close monitoring is needed.

Background: Recreational and sexual drug use among men who have sex with men may result in increased risk of poor health. The aim of this study was to better understand drug use and harm reduction techniques among Swedish men who have sex with men traveling to Berlin in order to improve the health of this population and inform public health strategies. Methods: A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with 15 Swedish men aged 23-44 with experience of drug use were recruited through network sampling. Interviews were conducted in Stockholm and Berlin and analysed using content analysis. The interview guide included questions on drug use, context, health and safety. Results: The participants engaged in drug use in both settings and in various contexts. Participants saw themselves as capable of finding a balance between pleasure, safety and risk with the aim to maximize positive effects while minimizing negative ones. The different risks of drug use were known, and participants relied on knowledge, harm reduction strategies and self-defined rules of intake to stay safe and healthy in a broad sense, both short term (i.e. during each session) and long term. Choice of drug and, frequency of intake, multi-use, risk of overdose, risk of HIV, purpose and context of use, how often, etc. were all part of the overall strategy. Knowledge of these methods was spread within the community and on-line rather than from counsellors or other health care providers. However, it did not always translate perfectly into practice and some had experienced overdoses and problematic use. Conclusions: The findings of this study point to the need for increased adoption of harm reduction techniques in this population focusing on mitigating harm and prevention of risk of problematic use or starting injection drugs. Existing traditional services require adaptations to become more accessible and acceptable to sub-groups of drug users, including low-threshold services providing non-judge

Introduction: Depression is the most frequently observed psychiatric disorder among HIV patients. The effect of depression on adherence among men who have sex with men (MSM) HIV patients has not been well studied in the Philippines. Depression is commonly undiagnosed and consequently untreated, which leads to a negative influence on antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. Other risk factors such as HIV-related stigma, self-body image satisfaction, and nutritional status are recognized as potential barriers to access HIV prevention and treatment services issues and poor adherence. Methods: Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) was used to screen depressive symptoms during scheduled clinic visits. ART adherence was self-reported using a visual analog scale questionnaire covering the last 30 days. Structured questionnaires were used for measuring risk factors and socio-demographic data. Anthropometry was conducted and body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results: One-hundred and ninety-three participants were recruited from the SHIP clinic between 7th March and 30th September 2018, of whom, 42 (21.8%) screened positive for depression (HADS score ≥ 8) and 24 (12.4%) were non-adherent to ART (<95% of medication taken as prescribed). The most common reported reason for non-adherence was simply forgotten (18 out of 42, 42.9%). Increasing depressive symptoms were associated with non-adherence [crude odds ratio (OR) = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.02–1.26]. Social family support (SFS) and body image (BI) scores were also associated with non-adherence, but were not statistically significant in multivariable models. Factors significantly associated with depressive symptoms (but not non-adherence) included the following: using intravenous drugs, being in a relationship, anxiety, self-esteem, and stigma scores. Conclusions: Increased depression symptoms, low social family support, and body image dissatisfaction may be interconnected risk factors for ART, Frontiers in Public Health, 9, art. no. 644438; 2021

Despite increased availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), PrEP uptake has remained low. To promote uptake, factors related to PrEP interest among relevant target populations warrant investigation. The aim of this study was to provide an analysis of PrEP interest among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Netherlands, while taking study recruitment strategies into account. We recruited 154 MSM from an LGBT research panel (AmsterdamPinkPanel) and 272 MSM from convenience sampling. Both samples were part of the Flash! PrEP in Europe Survey and were compared on their PrEP interest, usage intentions, and sexual behavior. We conducted logistic regression analyses to discover variables associated with PrEP interest and intentions. Participants from the AmsterdamPinkPanel were less likely to use PrEP, had less knowledge of PrEP, and were less interested in PrEP than participants from convenience sampling. Significant covariates of PrEP interest were being single, more prior PrEP knowledge, sexual risk behaviors, such as not having used a condom during last sex and having ever used drugs in a sexual context, and not participating in the AmsterdamPinkPanel. Adding the recruitment strategy to the regression increased explained variance on top of predictors already described in the literature. Increased sexual risk behavior is related to increased PrEP interest and it helps to identify PrEP target groups. Recruitment strategies have a substantial impact on findings regarding PrEP interest and usage intentions. This study emphasizes the importance of using multiple strategies for recruiting participants to obtain a more comprehensive view of MSM’s attitudes toward PrEP. © 2020, The Author(s).

Men who have sex with men (MSM) remain at high risk of HIV infection globally. In Vietnam, HIV prevalence, understanding of risk factors, and barriers to testing and treatment among MSM are poorly understood. This thesis aimed to determine the prevalence of infectious syphilis, HIV, and HIV testing and associated factors among male sex workers (MSWs) and MSM, estimate the cascade of care, and identify barriers to treatment for HIV-positive MSM in Hanoi. Data from the first wave of baseline recruitment for the HIM-Hanoi study, and the Hanoi arm of the SHEATH study, together with in-depth interview with HIV-positive MSM were utilised. Syphilis prevalence (21.2%) among 316 MSWs was high and independently associated with recent STI testing, HIV positive status, longer duration of sex work, and recent oral sex with non-client male partners. Weighted HIV prevalence among 796 MSM was 10.9%, and independently associated with lifetime sex with male clients, recent condomless anal intercourse (CLAI) with non-commercial male partners, three or more recent non-commercial anal sex partners, recent group sex with party drugs, STI symptoms, syphilis infection, and past/current hepatitis B infection. HIV testing uptake was suboptimal, with 33.1% never tested, 11.7% tested >12 months ago, and 55.2% tested ≤ 12 months. Non-recent testers were older, less educated, and less likely to receive free condoms than recent testers. Never testers were less engaged with the MSM community, less likely to disclose their homosexuality and to have been diagnosed with an STI, but more likely to report recent CLAI with male clients. Among 79 HIV-positive MSM, 35.2% were aware of their status, 27.9% were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 17.1% were virally suppressed. Qualitative interviews revealed barriers to ART uptake including inadequate preparation for a positive diagnosis, dual stigmatisation of homosexuality and HIV, confusion about treatment access, failure to protect confidentiality, and

Background: Binge drinking (BD) is common in Peru, but may not be routinely detected by standard assessments of hazardous drinking. Objectives: We describe prevalence and risk behaviors of men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) in Peru who met criteria for BD as compared with those who met criteria for hazardous drinking. Methods: In a cross-sectional sample of MSM and TW from Lima (2012-2014), we calculated prevalence of BD (consuming ≥6 alcoholic drinks per occasion by AUDIT-3 criteria), conducted bivariate analyses of associations of BD with demographic and behavioral characteristics, and compared prevalence and behaviors of BD to those of hazardous drinkers (identified by AUDIT-10 criteria). Results: Of 1,520 MSM (n = 1,384) and TW (n = 137) with median age 27 years, 74.4% of MSM and 86.9% of TW met criteria for BD. Among MSM, BD was associated with a greater likelihood of using alcohol (41.6% vs. 13.8%; p < .01) or drugs (7.8% vs. 2.8%; p < .01) prior to a recent sexual contact. Among TW, BD was associated with greater frequency of alcohol use (44.9% vs. 11.1%; p < .01) or unprotected anal intercourse (58.8% vs. 33.3%; p = .04) during ≥1 of their three most recent sexual contacts. There was a higher prevalence of BD (75.5%) than hazardous drinking (53.2%) in our sample, with binge drinkers exhibiting similar sexual risk behaviors to hazardous drinkers. Conclusions: Binge drinking is common among MSM and TW in Lima, associated with risky sexual behavior, and may not be adequately captured by AUDIT-10 criteria.

To improve understanding of factors associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) and explore its role in sexually transmitted infection (STI) acquisition, we analyzed partnership-level correlates of IPV among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) in Peru. In a 2017 cross-sectional study of rectal STI screening and HIV prevention, MSM/TW completed a sociobehavioral survey addressing demographic characteristics, sexual risk behaviors, and substance use, and were tested for rectal gonorrhea and chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV. Generalized estimating equations estimated individual- and partner-level correlates of IPV. Of 576 participants (median age, 27 years), 7.9% (36/456) of MSM and 15.0% (18/120) of TW reported IPV with ≥ 1 of their last three partners. MSM/TW reporting IPV were more likely to meet criteria for an alcohol use disorder (74.1%) than participants reporting no IPV (56.7%; p < .01). Physical violence (4.5% MSM; 9.2% TW) was associated with stable partnerships (aPR 3.79, 95% CI 1.79-8.04), partner concurrency (4.42, 1.19-16.40), and participant alcohol (4.71, 1.82-12.17) or drug use (5.38, 2.22-13.02) prior to sex. Psychological violence (4.5% MSM; 5.0% TW) was associated with stable partnerships (2.84, 1.01-7.99). Sexual IPV was reported by 1.1% of MSM and 5.0% of TW. Physical, psychological, and sexual IPV were reported in sexual partnerships of Peruvian MSM and TW, particularly with stable partners and in conjunction with substance use.

Personalized cognitive counseling (PCC) is an evidence-based intervention designed to modify HIV-related risk behavior. We assessed the impact of PCC on sexual behavior, drinking expectancy, and incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in a 6-month randomized controlled trial among 153 HIV-uninfected men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) in Peru. Study retention was ≥ 90%, with three HIV infections (3 Control) and 19 cases of GC/CT (10 Control, 9 PCC) at 6 months. There was a decline in condomless receptive anal intercourse in the Control (0.74, 95% CI 0.60-0.91; p < 0.01) and PCC arms (0.72, 0.55-0.94; p = 0.02) at 6-month follow-up. There was a decrease in drinking expectancy at 6 months among participants endorsing alcohol use in the PCC arm (0.89, 0.83-0.96; p < 0.01), versus no change in the Control arm (0.98, 0.92-1.04; p = 0.54). PCC was efficacious in reducing drinking expectancy and HIV risk among MSM and TW in Peru.

BACKGROUND: Condomless anal intercourse (CAI) appears to be increasing among men who have sex with men (MSM) globally, and is reported to be as high as 70% in recent studies in Peru. To improve understanding of the evolving context of CAI among MSM in Peru, we studied associations between partner type, substance use, and condomless anal intercourse (CAI) in locations where MSM commonly report having sexual encounters. METHODS: In a 2017 cross-sectional study of rectal STI screening and HIV prevention, a convenience sample of MSM recruited from community venues in Lima completed a survey of demographic characteristics and sexual risk behavior with their three most recent partners. Generalized estimating equations estimated correlations of CAI with location of last sexual contact, participant substance use prior to sex, and negotiation of condom use before or during sex. The network data integration application, Cytoscape, mapped intersections of partner type, sexual orientation, substance use, and CAI by four types of locations where sex occurred: 1) Home, 2) Hotel, 3) Sauna or Internet Cabin, and 4) Public Spaces. RESULTS: Of 447 MSM (median age 27 years), 76.9% reported CAI with ≥1 of their last three partners. Participants reported sex with casual partners most commonly in homes (64.6%) and hotels (60.4%), and with anonymous partners most often in saunas/Internet cabins (57.5%) and public spaces (52.6%). CAI was less commonly reported in hotels (aPR, 95% CI: 0.85, 0.75-0.97) compared to homes. Participants who used marijuana before sex at home were more likely to report CAI than MSM who did not use marijuana (1.36, 1.01-1.92). Partner alcohol use before sex was associated with CAI in saunas/Internet cabins (3.17, 1.45-6.91) and public spaces (2.65, 1.41-4.98). In the sexual network maps, almost all MSM who used drugs prior to their sexual encounters used drugs with more than one of their last three partners. CONCLUSIONS: CAI was common and associated with differen

This study aimed to determine the incidence of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) in Sweden since 2004 and to study in detail a consecutive number of Chlamydia trachomatis cases in men who have sex with men (MSM) during a 10 month period (September 2014 to July 2015). LGV increased from sporadic import cases in 2004 to comprise a spread within Sweden in 2016. Initially, only the L2b ompA genotype was detected, but in 2015 half of the genotyped LGV cases were L2 genotype. The changing genotype distribution in Sweden is linked to increased LGV spread in Europe. High-resolution multilocus sequence typing of 168 C. trachomatis cases from MSM in 2015 resulted in 29 sequence types, of which 3 accounted for 49% of cases. The increased rates and different genotypes of LGV indicate that more concern for high-risk taking MSM is needed to avoid further spread of this invasive infection.

INTRODUCTION: There are limited data characterizing the burden of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Malawi. Epidemiologic research and access to HIV prevention, treatment and care services have been traditionally limited in Malawi by criminalization and stigmatization of same-sex practices. To inform the development of a comprehensive HIV prevention intervention for Malawian MSM, we conducted a community-led assessment of HIV prevalence and correlates of infection. METHODS: From April 2011 to March 2012, 338 MSM were enrolled in a cross-sectional study in Blantyre, Malawi. Participants were recruited by respondent-driven sampling methods (RDS), reaching 19 waves. Trained staff administered the socio-behavioural survey and HIV and syphilis voluntary counselling and testing. RESULTS: Crude HIV and syphilis prevalence estimates were 15.4% (RDS-weighted 12.5%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 7.3-17.8) and 5.3% (RDS-weighted 4.4%, 95% CI: 3.1-7.6), respectively. Ninety per cent (90.4%, unweighted) of HIV infections were reported as being previously undiagnosed. Participants were predominantly gay-identified (60.8%) or bisexually identified (36.3%); 50.7% reported recent concurrent relationships. Approximately half reported consistent condom use (always or almost always) with casual male partners, and proportions were relatively uniform across partner types and genders. The prevalence of perceived and experienced stigma exceeded 20% for almost all variables, 11.4% ever experienced physical violence and 7% were ever raped. Current age >25 years (RDS-weighted adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.9, 95% CI: 1.2-12.7), single marital status (RDS-weighted AOR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1-0.8) and age of first sex with a man <16 years (RDS-weighted AOR: 4.3, 95% CI: 1.2-15.0) were independently associated with HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate that MSM represent an underserved, at-risk population for HIV services in Malawi and merit comprehensive HIV prevention service

Men who have sex with men are a hidden population in India. This study explores the psychological violence such men are exposed to in Puducherry, India. Eleven in-depth interviews probe experiences of blackmail, discrimination, and rejection. Some informants modified their behaviors or appearances to avoid harassment and safeguard their families' reputations. Others told how Indian men accepted their behaviors, but rejected their identities. Social pressure to marry was also a recurring theme. Understanding the factors behind these violent experiences may facilitate their amelioration.

Despite decades of prevention and treatment efforts, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a global pandemic, with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) among the leading causes of death for children and adults in developing countries. HIV/AIDS disproportionately affects men who have sex with men (MSM), including in the United States, where MSM account for over half of all new HIV infections. Existing HIV prevention tools have not been sufficient to curb the pandemic, and biomedical prevention strategies, such as circumcision and microbicides, had not been shown to be effective in preventing HIV infection in MSM until 2010, when the multi-national iPrEx study found that daily oral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) using antiretroviral therapy (emtricitabine/tenofovir, or FTC/TDF) prevented HIV infection among MSM and transgender women. Although the success of FTC/TDF PrEP in such trials has given new hope to the HIV prevention field, excitement has been tempered by concerns about low adherence to daily pill use among trial participants. Adherence, as measured by self-reported pill use, was high among participants in the iPrEx trial, but testing for evidence of the drug in blood specimens from a subset of participants indicated that actual pill use was much lower than reported pill use. Adherence is critical for PrEP effectiveness; iPrEx participants in whom antiretroviral drug was detected in blood experienced a substantially greater reduction in HIV risk than was seen overall. The iPrEx results suggest that low adherence may be a barrier to successful implementation of PrEP as an HIV prevention strategy among MSM. Identification of effective strategies for supporting the consistent use of prophylactic medications could provide much needed guidance in the development of interventions to support adherence to PrEP.In addition to concerns about adherence, there is a widespread concern that PrEP could result in an increase in sexual risk behaviors by lowe

The cost burden associated with providing effective treatment for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and implementing appropriate prevention strategies to stop further spread of the virus has become a significant global challenge. In this thesis, four studies were conducted using mathematical modelling and economic evaluation methodology to better understand, prioritise, and optimise a number of HIV initiatives. First, a mathematical model was developed to evaluate the likely epidemiological impact of expanding prevention efforts in Thailand to include the provision of the partially efficacious HIV vaccine used in the RV144 trials. This study found that due to the short duration of protection the vaccine provides, limited epidemiological impact is expected from a single round of mass vaccination. However, significant public health benefit could be achieved from a high level of coverage, sustained implementation, and re-vaccination. The second study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of expanding HIV prevention efforts in Australia to include pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to men who have sex with men (MSM). Pre-exposure prophylaxis was not found to be cost-effective when targeting the general MSM population, however, this study illustrated that targeting MSM at higher risk of infection improved the cost-effectiveness of PrEP. The third study investigated the cost-effectiveness of expanding treatment management to include viral load (VL) monitoring and second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-infected children in Thailand. This study illustrated that VL monitoring and access to second-line ART has substantial clinical benefit. However, the costs associated with second-line therapies remain a barrier to its economic feasibility. The final study considers the attrition of standard of care second-line ART in low- and middle-income settings and the economic feasibility of introducing a new alternative second-line therapy, raltegravir (RAL). The

"A Time for Change: Why the MSM Lifetime Deferral Policy Should be Amended," discusses the need to amend the men who have sex with men (MSM) Lifetime Deferral to blood donations enforced by the Food and Drug Administration. This comment reviews the current policy within the current legal and cultural landscape and argues for the immediate need for reform.

Despite decades of prevention and treatment efforts, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a global pandemic, with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) among the leading causes of death for children and adults in developing countries. HIV/AIDS disproportionately affects men who have sex with men (MSM), including in the United States, where MSM account for over half of all new HIV infections. Existing HIV prevention tools have not been sufficient to curb the pandemic, and biomedical prevention strategies, such as circumcision and microbicides, had not been shown to be effective in preventing HIV infection in MSM until 2010, when the multi-national iPrEx study found that daily oral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) using antiretroviral therapy (emtricitabine/tenofovir, or FTC/TDF) prevented HIV infection among MSM and transgender women. Although the success of FTC/TDF PrEP in such trials has given new hope to the HIV prevention field, excitement has been tempered by concerns about low adherence to daily pill use among trial participants. Adherence, as measured by self-reported pill use, was high among participants in the iPrEx trial, but testing for evidence of the drug in blood specimens from a subset of participants indicated that actual pill use was much lower than reported pill use. Adherence is critical for PrEP effectiveness; iPrEx participants in whom antiretroviral drug was detected in blood experienced a substantially greater reduction in HIV risk than was seen overall. The iPrEx results suggest that low adherence may be a barrier to successful implementation of PrEP as an HIV prevention strategy among MSM. Identification of effective strategies for supporting the consistent use of prophylactic medications could provide much needed guidance in the development of interventions to support adherence to PrEP.In addition to concerns about adherence, there is a widespread concern that PrEP could result in an increase in sexual risk behaviors by lowe

"A Time for Change: Why the MSM Lifetime Deferral Policy Should be Amended," discusses the need to amend the men who have sex with men (MSM) Lifetime Deferral to blood donations enforced by the Food and Drug Administration. This comment reviews the current policy within the current legal and cultural landscape and argues for the immediate need for reform.

The CDC’s first multi-year estimates from its national HIV incidence surveillance find that overall, the annual number of new HIV infections in the United States was relatively stable at approximately 50,000 new infections each year between 2006 and 2009. However, HIV infections increased among young men who have sex with men (MSM) between 2006 and 2009, driven by alarming increases among young, black MSM – the only subpopulation to experience a sustained increase during the time period. The new estimates were published today in the online scientific journal PLoS ONE. The incidence estimates are based on direct measurement of new HIV …

Among MSM in 2009, white MSM represented the largest number of new HIV infections (11,400),followed closely by black/African American MSM(10,800) and Hispanic MSM (6,000). Among all men in 2009, MSM accounted for 86% of new infections among white men, 73% of new infectionamong black/African American men and 81% of new infections among Hispanic men. Young black/African American MSM aged 13-29 are especially affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. While HIV incidence was relatively stable among MSM overall from 2006 through 2009, CDC estimates that new HIV infections among black/African American MSM aged 13 to 29 increased 48% during that four-year time period, with a statistically significant 12.2% estimated annual percentage increase.

Unlike other studies investigating online sex-seeking and HIV risk, the e-male project is the first to investigate the social aspects of men who have sex with men’s (MSM’s) online practices in relation to HIV prevention. The study has a unique focus on the social capital associated with MSM’s online and offline social networks. Here we report preliminary findings from the study, focusing on a) characteristics of MSM’s online and offline friendships, b) the overlap between online and offline friendships and c) levels of trust, reciprocity and reliability (social capital) associated with these relationships. The implications of our findings for online intervention efforts are discussed.

Gay Community Periodic Surveys surveys are regularly conducted in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth to monitor changes in sexual and other risk practices over time among Australian gay men who are gay community attached, recruited from gay sex-on-premises venues, social sites and clinics.