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Barebacking has been defined as condomless anal intercourse (CLAI) in the presence of HIV risk among men who have sex with men. As HIV risk contexts are evolving due to advancements in biomedical HIV treatment and prevention, we need to examine previous assumptions about risk behaviour. The present study compares correlates of risk-taking, risk reduction and pleasure and intimacy among (n = 256) self-identified barebackers (barebacker group), men who engaged in condomless sex with partners of unknown or positive serostatus (CLAI group) and men reporting neither identity nor behaviour in Canada and the U.S (non-CLAI group). Barebacker identity was associated with sexual sensation-seeking, perceived benefits of barebacking, pleasure interference with condoms, chatting about barebacking online and use of seroadaptive strategies. Participants in the CLAI group used more seroadaptive strategies yet were higher in STI vulnerability. Condomless anal sex is likely a significant aspect of self-concept in barebackers. HIV-prevention efforts that focus on enhancing efficacy of seroadaptation is more appropriate for this population rather than promoting condom use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People living with HIV are disproportionately affected by food and housing insecurity. We assessed factors associated with experiencing food and/or housing insecurity among women living with HIV (WLHIV) in Canada. In our sample of WLHIV (N = 1403) 65% reported an income less than $20,000 per year. Most (78.69%) participants reported food and/or housing insecurity: 27.16% reported experiencing food insecurity alone, 14.26% reported housing insecurity alone, and 37.28% reported experiencing food and housing insecurity concurrently. In adjusted multivariable logistic regression analyses, experiencing concurrent food and housing insecurity was associated with: lower income, Black ethnicity versus White, province of residence, current injection drug use, lower resilience, HIV-related stigma, and racial discrimination. Findings underscore the urgent need for health professionals to assess for food and housing insecurity, to address the root causes of poverty, and for federal policy to allocate resources to ameliorate economic insecurity for WLHIV in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Women living with HIV (WLHIV) experience stigma and elevated exposure to violence in comparison with HIV‐negative women. We examined the mediating role of experiencing recent violence in the relationship between stigma and depression among WLHIV in Canada. Methods: We conducted a cohort study with WLHIV in three Canadian provinces. Recent violence was assessed through self‐reported experiences of control, physical, sexual or verbal abuse in the past three months. At Time 1 (2013‐2015) three forms of stigma were assessed (HIV‐related, racial, gender) and at Time 2 (2015‐2017) only HIV‐related stigma was assessed. We conducted structural equation modelling (SEM) using the maximum likelihood estimation method with Time 1 data to identify direct and indirect effects of gender discrimination, racial discrimination and HIV‐related stigma on depression via recent violence. We then conducted mixed effects regression and SEM using Time 1 and Time 2 data to examine associations between HIV‐related stigma, recent violence and depression. Results: At Time 1 (n = 1296), the direct path from HIV‐related stigma (direct effect: β = 0.200, p < 0.001; indirect effect: β = 0.014, p < 0.05) to depression was significant; recent violence accounted for 6.5% of the total effect. Gender discrimination had a significant direct and indirect effect on depression (direct effect: β = 0.167, p < 0.001; indirect effect: β = 0.050, p < 0.001); recent violence explained 23.15% of the total effect. Including Time 1 and Time 2 data (n = 1161), mixed‐effects regression results indicate a positive relationship over time between HIV‐related stigma and depression (Acoef: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.06, p < 0.001), and recent violence and depression (Acoef: 1.95, 95% CI: 0.29, 4.42, p < 0.05), controlling for socio‐demographics. There was a significant interaction between HIV‐related stigma and recent violence with depression (Acoef: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.07, p < 0.05). SEM analyses reveal that HIV‐related stigma had a significant direct and indirect effect on depression over time (direct effect: β = 0.178, p < 0.001; indirect effect: β = 0.040, p < 0.001); recent violence experiences accounted for 51% of the total effect. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that HIV‐related stigma is associated with increased experiences of recent violence, and both stigma and violence are associated with increased depression among WLHIV in Canada. There is an urgent need for trauma‐informed stigma interventions to address stigma, discrimination and violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Intersectional stigma research examining pathways to HIV outcomes is limited. • Adapted conceptual frameworks to examine intersectional stigma and health outcomes. • Stigma interacted with social/institutional support to increase depression. • Depression led to maladaptive coping, lowering adherence and CD4 count. • Argues for multi-level strategies, including women-centred HIV care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]