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Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at risk for sexually-transmitted hepatitis C (HCV). Evidence for HCV infection in the context of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use in North America is limited. We sought to characterize baseline HCV prevalence and incidence in MSM receiving PrEP in British Columbia (BC), Canada., Methods: We followed individuals in the BC PrEP program from January 2018 to August 2019. We evaluated baseline prevalence and incident seroconversions (newly positive HCV antibody). A multivariable logistic regression model was performed in MSM for factors associated with HCV prevalence at enrollment, including reported prior sexually transmitted infection (STI), HIV Incidence Risk Index for MSM score, PrEP use because of a partner living with HIV, and location of residence., Results: The median age of the cohort was 33 years, 98.3% male, with 3058 person years (PY) of follow-up. Baseline HCV prevalence was 0.82% (31/3907 MSM enrollees) and HCV incidence (n = 3) was 0.15 per 100 PY (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.03-0.45). In multivariable analysis, initiating PrEP because of a partner living with HIV (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.02; 95% CI 1.87-13.47) and prior STI (aOR 2.34; 95% CI 1.04-5.24) were associated with positive HCV status., Conclusions: Baseline HCV prevalence and incidence was low amongst MSM in a population-based PrEP program in BC, Canada. HCV was associated with bridging from populations living with HIV and evidence of a reported prior STI as a PrEP indicator condition amongst MSM. PrEP initiation may be an opportunity for linkage to HCV screening and treatment., (© 2022 John Wiley & Sons A/S . Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

We report on the highlights ofthe 24th International AIDS Conference, held in Montreal in 2022. We address three main themes: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) targets and cascades, HIV and sexually transmitted infection prophylaxis, and HIV treatment, including the use of antiretroviral therapy in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disproportionately affect young gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and transgender women of colour. We explored the experiences of community‐based peer navigators ('Community Navigators') who participated in Impact Triad, a bilingual multilevel intervention developed by our community‐based participatory research partnership to reduce STIs and HIV and address social determinants of health (e.g., employment, education, social support and discrimination) among young GBMSM and transgender women of colour. Methods: Individual in‐depth interviews were conducted with 15 Community Navigators who participated in Impact Triad. Themes were identified through constant comparison. Results: Community Navigators' mean age was 31.4 years. Seven were self‐identified as African American/Black, 5 as Latine, 2 as multiracial/multiethnic, 1 as Asian American, 10 as cisgender men, 4 as transgender women and 1 as gender nonbinary. Thirteen themes emerged in three domains: (1) key aspects of the Community Navigator role (e.g., desire to serve as a community resource, the importance of being part of the communities in which one was working, the value of having an official role, being connected to other Community Navigators to problem‐solving and sustaining intervention aspects long‐term); (2) experiences implementing Impact Triad (e.g., engaging community members, meeting prioritized needs, building trust, using social media, increasing awareness and knowledge and challenges related to COVID‐19) and (3) lessons learned for future interventions (e.g., facilitating access to broader resources, building additional skills and increasing interactions among Community Navigators). Conclusion: Interviews identified important learnings about serving as Community Navigators and implementing Impact Triad that can guide future efforts to address STI/HIV disparities and social determinants of health through community‐based peer navigation. Patient or Public Contribution: Throughout this intervention trial, our partnership worked collaboratively with a study‐specific community advisory board (CAB) comprised primarily of young GBMSM and transgender women of colour. Members of this CAB participated in all aspects of the trial including trial design, intervention development, recruitment and retention strategies, data collection and analysis, interpretation of findings and dissemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human immune deficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and syphilis are the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) worldwide, as well as in China. The objective of this study is to describe the trend of spatial and temporal variation of HIV/AIDS and syphilis in mainland China from 2007 to 2017. Stratified analysis was conducted according to age and the GDP per capita. Estimated Annual Percentage Change (EAPC) was calculated and spatial autocorrelation analysis was used to evaluate the epidemiology and identify clusters. The morbidity of new HIV infection increased from 2.5034/100 000 in 2007 to 6.9247/100 000 in 2017, with an EAPC of 9.84 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.07–10.60). From 2007 to 2017, the morbidity of syphilis presented a significant upward trend from 15.8834/100 000 to 34.4867/100 000 (EAPC = 6.48, 95% CI: 4.23–8.73). The number of new HIV infections (205 084) and syphilis (921 279) were highest in the 20–30 years old group, where the incidence decreased with age over 20 years. In general, HIV and syphilis infection had the same incidence trend according to age and time stratification. The morbidity of new HIV infection was mainly reported from Xinjiang and southwestern China. As for syphilis, the highest was found in Zhejiang in Xinjiang and southeast coastal areas. Both HIV and syphilis infection showed a nonrandom positive correlation by Moran's I value. The High‐High cluster areas of HIV infection were concentrated in southwestern and eastern China due to syphilis. A highly significant positive correlation was found between gross domestic product per capita and syphilis infection (p < 0.05) but was not associated with HIV infection. The incidence of AIDS/HIV and syphilis is increasing year by year, and a higher prevalence is found in younger individuals. More attention should be paid to HIV infection in the southwest, syphilis in southeast coastal areas, and both the two diseases in Xinjiang. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]