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Background and Objectives: Over the past few years in Québec, Canada, exclusion criteria for blood donation and plasma donation for fractionation have been modified. Héma‐Québec, the institution responsible for blood products, has made changes to allow more inclusive access to blood and plasma donation, in accordance with evolving scientific data concerning donation safety. The study, conducted before those changes were implemented, aimed to assess acceptability of recipients and parents of recipients of plasma‐derived products for men who have sex with men (MSM) to become eligible to donate plasma for fractionation. Materials and Methods: Eight qualitative interviews (4 focus groups, 4 individual) were conducted with a total of 17 plasma product recipients and parents of children needing plasma‐derived products. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Participants were rather favourable regarding acceptability of MSM as potential donors. Participants viewed this change as necessary and beneficial. They also felt they must rely on trust in Héma‐Québec, conferred automatically or by default. However, some participants raised concerns about donation safety and reported feeling helpless regarding inclusion of MSM. The importance of being informed and that recipients' safety be prioritized first and foremost were also mentioned. Conclusion: Despite their nuanced attitudes, recipients showed high levels of acceptability of including MSM in plasma donation for fractionation. Actions can be taken to reduce concerns regarding the safety of products received. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Several blood services might eventually interview donors with gender‐neutral questions on sexual behaviors to improve the inclusivity of blood donation. We tested two ways (i.e., "scenarios") of asking donors about their recent sexual behaviors. Materials and Methods: The study comprised 126 regular source plasma donors and 102 gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM), including 73 cis‐gbMSM (i.e., the "cis‐gbMSM subgroup," which excluded nonbinary, genderqueer, and trans individuals). In Scenario 1, participants were asked if, in the last 3 months, they "have [...] had a new sexual partner or more than one sexual partner." In Scenario 2, they were asked "Have you had a new sexual partner?" and "have you had more than one sexual partner?". Validation questions included more specific questions on the type of partners and sexual activity. Results: Among plasma donors, sensitivity was 100.0% for both scenarios; specificity was 100.0% and 99.1% for Scenarios 1 and 2, respectively. Among gbMSM, sensitivity was 74.5% and 82.9% for Scenarios 1 and 2, respectively; specificity was 100.0% for both scenarios. Among cis‐gbMSM, sensitivity was 88.6% and 100.0% for Scenarios 1 and 2, respectively; specificity was 100.0% for both scenarios. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of Scenario 2 was significantly higher than that of Scenario 1 among gbMSM and in the cis‐gbMSM subgroup (all p <.05). Conclusion: Scenario 2 questions performed well among plasma donors and cis‐gbMSM, but less so in the broader gbMSM population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Several approaches are currently under study to contribute to efforts to allow men who have sex with men (MSM) to donate blood. One of these approaches involves implementing a programme of plasma donation for fractionation, with a quarantine period. The goal of this article is to identify the determinants of intention to participate in the plasma donation programme among MSM in Montreal, Canada. Materials and methods: Based on the theory of planned behaviour, a questionnaire was developed to measure MSM's intention to donate plasma and identify influencing factors. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify the determinants of intention to donate plasma. Results: Respondents' (N = 933) intention to donate plasma in the next six months was moderate. The multiple linear regression model explained 55% (P < 0·001) of the variation of intention. Intention was predicted by attitudes (β = 0·34, P < 0·001), perceived behavioural control (β = 0·28, P < 0·001), aged under 35 years (β = 0·26, P < 0·001), history of blood donation (β = 0·24, P < 0·001), subjective norm (β = 0·21, P < 0·001), income above $40,000 (β = 0·20, P < 0·001), moral norm (β = 0·18, P < 0·001) and higher level of involvement in various issues LGBTQ+ communities are fighting for (β = 0·09, P < 0·001). Conclusion: Our analyses show that intention to donate plasma within the proposed programme is associated with personal, social and structural factors, but more strongly predicted by factors related to the theory of planned behaviour. Our results also highlight the importance of involving MSM; community acceptability of the plasma donation programme would probably be higher if MSM felt respected and party to the decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about the public health benefits of community-based, non-medicalized rapid HIV testing offers (CBOffer) specifically targeting men who have sex with men (MSM), compared with the standard medicalized HIV testing offer (SMOffer) in France. This study aimed to verify whether such a CBOffer, implemented in voluntary counselling and testing centres, could improve access to less recently HIV-tested MSM who present a risk behaviour profile similar to or higher than MSM tested with the SMOffer. Method: This multisite study enrolled MSM attending voluntary counselling and testing centres’ during opening hours in the SMOffer. CBOffer enrolees voluntarily came to the centres outside of opening hours, following a communication campaign in gay venues. A self-administered questionnaire was used to investigate HIV testing history and sexual behaviours including inconsistent condom use and risk reduction behaviours (in particular, a score of “intentional avoidance” for various at-risk situations was calculated). A mixed logistic regression identified factors associated with access to the CBOffer. Results: Among the 330 participants, 64% attended the CBOffer. Percentages of inconsistent condom use in both offers were similar (51% CBOffer, 50% SMOffer). In multivariate analyses, those attending the CBOffer had only one or no test in the previous two years, had a lower intentional avoidance score, and met more casual partners in saunas and backrooms than SMOffer enrolees. Conclusion: This specific rapid CBOffer attracted MSM less recently HIV-tested, who presented similar inconsistent condom use rates to SMOffer enrolees but who exposed themselves more to HIV-associated risks. Increasing entry points for HIV testing using community and non-medicalized tests is a priority to reach MSM who are still excluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article determines temporal trends in unprotected anal intercourse among men who have sex with men in Montreal, Quebec from 1997 through 2003. Trends were analyzed using generalized estimating equation for length of cohort membership and by calendar time for all visits per type of sexual partner. The study suggests continuous trend analysis to implement intervention strategies that may help to stop or reduce the present trend.