Search

Population-level estimates of sexual network mixing for parameterizing prediction models of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) effectiveness are needed to inform prevention of HIV transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM). Estimates obtained by egocentric sampling are vulnerable to information bias due to incomplete respondent knowledge.We estimated patterns of serosorting and PrEP sorting among MSM in the United States using data from a 2017-2019 egocentric sexual network study. Respondents served as proxies to report the HIV status and PrEP use of recent sexual partners. We contrasted results from a complete-case analysis (unknown HIV and PrEP excluded) versus a bias analysis with respondent-reported data stochastically reclassified to simulate unobserved self-reported data from sexual partners.We found strong evidence of preferential partnering across analytical approaches. The bias analysis showed concordance between sexual partners of HIV diagnosis and PrEP use statuses for MSM with diagnosed HIV (39%; 95% simulation interval: 31, 46), MSM who used PrEP (32%; 21, 37), and MSM who did not use PrEP (83%; 79, 87). The fraction of partners with diagnosed HIV was higher among MSM who used PrEP (11%; 9, 14) compared with MSM who did not use PrEP (4%; 3, 5). Comparatively, across all strata of respondents, the complete-case analysis overestimated the fractions of partners with diagnosed HIV or PrEP use.We found evidence consistent with HIV and PrEP sorting among MSM, which may decrease the population-level effectiveness of PrEP. Bias analyses can improve mixing estimates for parameterization of transmission models.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) often change sexual behaviors following HIV diagnosis. This systematic review examined such changes, including sero-adaptive behaviors (i.e., deliberate safer-sex practices to reduce transmission risk) to better understand the magnitude of their association with HIV diagnosis. We searched four databases (1996–2017) and reviewed references from other systematic reviews. We included studies conducted in the United States that compared sexual behavior among HIV-infected “aware” versus “unaware” MSM. We meta-analytically pooled RRs and associated 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random-effects models, and assessed risk of bias and evidence quality. Twenty studies reported k = 131 effect sizes on sexual practices outcomes, most of which reported changes in unprotected sex (k = 85), and on sex with at-risk partners (k = 76); 11 reported sero-adaptive behaviors. Unprotected anal intercourse with an HIV-uninfected/unknown-status partner was less likely among aware MSM (insertive position: k = 2, RR 0.26, 95% CI 0.17, 0.41; receptive position: k = 2, RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.37, 0.77). Risk of not always serosorting among aware MSM (k = 3) was RR = 0.92 (0.83, 1.02). Existing evidence, although low-quality, suggests that HIV-infected MSM tend to adopt safer sexual practices once aware of their diagnosis. Variation in reporting of outcomes limits their comparability. Sero-adaptive behavior data are sparse.

Objectives. To create causal loop diagrams that characterize intersectional stigma experiences among Black, gay, bisexual, same gender–loving, and other men who have sex with men and to identify intervention targets to reduce stigma and increase testing and prevention access. Methods. Between January and July 2020, we conducted focus groups and in-depth interviews with 80 expert informants in New York City, which were transcribed, coded, and analyzed. These qualitative insights were developed iteratively, visualized, and validated in a causal loop diagram (CLD) using Vensim software. Results. The CLD revealed 3 key feedback loops—medical mistrust and HIV transmission, serosorting and marginalization of Black and gay individuals, and family support and internalized homophobia—that contribute to intersectional HIV and related stigmas, homophobia, and systemic racism. On the basis of these results, we designed 2 novel intervention components to integrate into an existing community-level anti-HIV stigma and homophobia intervention. Conclusions. HIV stigma, systemic racism, and homophobia work via feedback loops to reduce access to and uptake of HIV testing, prevention, and treatment. Public Health Implications. The CLD method yielded unique insights into reciprocal feedback structures that, if broken, could interrupt stigmatization and discrimination cycles that impede testing and prevention uptake. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(S4):S444–S451. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306725 )

BACKGROUND: Young Black Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men (YBMSM) are disproportionally affected by HIV. Seroadaptive strategies—modification of sexual behavior based on an individual’s perceived serostatus, the perceived status of the partner, and/or HIV transmission risk by type of sex act—are often employed to reduce the risk of HIV transmission or acquisition. METHODS: We used demographic, behavioral, and clinical data from Ele[MEN]t, a prospective cohort study of YBMSM aged 18–29 years in Atlanta, GA conducted during 2015–2019. The prevalence of seroadaptive strategies at baseline was reported and latent class analysis was used to identify the latent classes of strategies for both YBMSM known and not known to be living with HIV. Latent classes were compared by key behavioral and clinical characteristics to validate our findings. RESULTS: In a four-class model, the most common latent class of YBMSM not known to be living with HIV (32.4%) was characterized by all individuals reporting only having sex with men not perceived to be living with HIV. The most common latent class of YBMSM known to be living with HIV (48.2%) was characterized by a combination of serosorting strategies, including using condoms for anal sex with partners not known to be living with HIV and avoiding sex with men not known to be living with HIV. CONCLUSIONS: YBMSM use various patterns of strategies to reduce their HIV transmission or acquisition risk. Our study highlights the need for targeted HIV prevention recommendations based on individual behaviors.

BACKGROUND: The extent to which uptake of biomedical HIV prevention strategies has impacted population-level sexual behavior and sexually transmitted infections (STI) among men who have sex with men (MSM) is not well understood. METHODS: We collected data as part of routine care from MSM attending the municipal STI clinic in Seattle, Washington, 2002–2018. MSM were asked about condom use in the prior 12 months. We classified behaviors into four mutually exclusive categories: no anal sex; consistent condom use for anal sex; serosorting (condomless anal sex [CAS] only with HIV-concordant partners); and CAS with serodiscordant/unknown-status partners. STI/HIV testing was performed per routine clinic protocol. RESULTS: There were 45,656 and 6,987 visits by MSM without HIV and MSM with HIV, respectively. Use of antiretroviral therapy and pre-exposure prophylaxis increased substantially during the study period, to 94% and 50%, respectively, by 2018. CAS with serodiscordant/unknown-status partners decreased through 2013 but increased thereafter (to 40% among MSM without HIV; 68% among MSM with HIV). Serosorting increased among MSM without HIV, but declined after 2013 among MSM with HIV. Consistent condom use declined for all MSM (from 35% to 11% among MSM without HIV; from 20% to 5% among MSM with HIV). HIV test positivity declined substantially (3.5% to 0.5%) while STI test positivity increased over time. CONCLUSIONS: Since 2013, CAS with HIV-discordant/unknown-status partners increased substantially concurrent with declining HIV test positivity and increasing STI test positivity. This highlights the success of biomedical HIV prevention strategies to reduce HIV incidence while affirming the need for new approaches to STI prevention.

A scoping literature review to identify the multilevel HIV serosorting related elements was developed. Articles from EBSCO, PubMed, PsyNET and Science Direct with serosort* or serosorting at the tittle or abstract, written in English or Spanish were included. No restriction in type of population or design were applied. 239 records were retrieved after duplicates removed, but 181 references were extracted for full-text review. Individual level: HIV knowledge, serostatus, risk perceptions, abilities to disclose and for condom use negotiation, motivations, use of drugs, stigma, attitudes toward condom use, and perceptions/beliefs about the HIV and related treatments, HIV infection rates/testing and behavioral factors. Interpersonal level: social networks, abilities (sexual behavior negotiation, and communication). Community level: stigma, social norms, access to HIV related services. Structural level: political context, HIV related funding and public policies. HIV Serosorting is not solely an interpersonal behavior it involves multilevel elements that must be acknowledged by professionals and stakeholders. Resumen Se desarrolló una revisión de alcance de la literatura para identificar elementos multinivel relacionados a la seroclasificación de VIH. Se incluyeron artículos de EBSCO, PubMed y Science Direct con serosort* o serosorting en título o resumen, escritos en Inglés o Español. No se aplicaron restricciones por tipo de población y diseño. Después de remover duplicados, se recuperaron 239 records, solo 181 referencias se extrajeron para revisión a texto completo. Nivel individual: Conocimiento del VIH, seroestado, percepciones de riesgo, habilidades para develar el seroestado y negociar el condón, motivaciones, uso de drogas, estigma, actitudes sobre uso del condón, y percepciones/ creencias acerca del VIH y tratamientos, tasas de infección y tamizaje de VIH, factores conductuales. Nivel interpersonal: redes sociales, habilidades (negociación de la conducta sexual, y comunicación). Nivel comunitario: Estigma, normas sociales, acceso a servicios de VIH. Nivel estructural: contexto político, políticas públicas y financiamiento relacionado al VIH. La seroclasificación de VIH no es solamente una conducta interpersonal, incluye elementos multinivel que deben ser reconocidos por los profesionales de salud y tomadores de decisiones.

The PrEP Cascade is a dominant framework for investigating barriers to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), an HIV prevention tool. We interviewed 37 PrEP users and 8 non-PrEP users in Ontario and British Columbia, Canada, about their decision-making through the Cascade. Participants were HIV-negative gay, bisexual, and queer men (GBQM). The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. PrEP decision-making was based on pragmatic considerations (logistics, costs, and systemic barriers), biomedical considerations (efficacy, side-effects, and sexually transmitted infections), and subjective considerations (identity, politics, and changing sexual preferences). Affective attachments to established versions of “safer sex” (condoms and serosorting) made some GBQM less likely to try PrEP. Some GBQM expressed increased social expectations to use PrEP, have condomless sex, and serodifferent sex. These findings support offering PrEP at no-cost, offering individualized counseling and community-based opportunities to discuss PrEP use and changing sexual practices, and improving communication on the manageability of PrEP side-effects.

With the global emergence of the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), questions have emerged on which ways the social identity formation process among gays, bisexuals and other men who have sex with men on PrEP arise and constitute beyond exclusive sexual orientation expressions. We conducted a content analysis with thematic categories in a PrEP online group guided by group-web affiliation and individualization approaches. Individuals identify themselves as PrEPsters as part of a PrEP club, while dealing with conflicts on serosorting sexual partners and stigmatizing reactions towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH). Self-worth and othering discourses towards PLWH emerged as complex themes in men’s production of identity processes across four overlapping domains: (1) self-worth as a strategy to challenge individual HIV-acquisition-related anxiety and fear, (2) group-worth and group empowerment, (3) body control and reclaiming power on sexual health, and (4) othering discourses, HIV/AIDS stigma and criminalization of PLWH. Paradoxically, internal and external discourses to the group constitute and challenge identity differentiation; individuals on PrEP claim to fight against the HIV/AIDS stigma, while this reverberates alongst HIV-related discriminatory expressions in their discourses. Resumo Com o avanço global da Profilaxia Pré-exposição ao HIV (PrEP) questões sobre a formação do processo (bio)identitário de gays, bissexuais e outros homens que fazem sexo com homens usuários de PrEP complexificam-se para além de expressões de orientação sexual. Realizamos uma análise de conteúdo com categorias temáticas em um grupo online de usuários de PrEP orientada por abordagens de redes sociais e individualização social. Os indivíduos veem-se como PrEPsters como parte de um clube de PrEP, enquanto lidam com conflitos nas relações sexuais soro-discordantes. Discursos de autovalorização e de estigma contra pessoas que vivem com HIV/Aids (PVHA) surgiram como temas complexos na produção dos processos de identidade em quatro domínios interconectados: (1) autovalorização como uma estratégia para minorar ansiedade e o medo relacionados à aquisição de HIV, (2) valorização de grupo e expressões de empoderamento individual, (3) controle do corpo e poder de decisão sobre saúde sexual, e (4) discursos de diferenciação, estigma e criminalização das PVHA. Paradoxalmente, discursos internos e externos ao grupo constituem e desafiam a diferenciação de identidade; indivíduos em PrEP afirmaram lutar contra o estigma do HIV/Aids, enquanto reproduzem expressões discriminatórias relacionadas a HIV/Aids em seus discursos.

Background: HIV infected children survive to adolescence because of anti retroviral therapy, however, only a small proportion know their diagnosis.\ud \ud Disclosure is critical to long-term disease management, yet little is known about if, how, and when disclosure takes place and the barriers associated with it, and its impact on children in resourcelimited settings.\ud \ud \ud Objective: This study set out to determine the process of and barriers to HIV disclosure in children as well as the immediate impact of this on children and their caregivers.\ud \ud \ud Methods: A cross-sectional study was done June-July 2016 using a structured questionnaire, convenience sampling and quantitative methods at the infectious disease clinics of National Hospital Abuja. A sample of 164 caregivers of HIV positive children aged 5 to 16 years receiving antiretroviral therapy for at least one year were enrolled. Results: Prevalence of full disclosure was 24.5%, partial 22.7% with overall prevalence of 47.2%. Main barrier to disclosure was child’s age and fear of informing others. The impact of disclosure on caregivers was relief in 45.5% but emotional and difficult for others. Immediate reactions by children were sadness; tearfulness and worry in 28.6%, some showed no reaction while others even expressed relief. On a longer term, disclosure had several effects. Main predictors of disclosure on regression were the child’s age and caregiver’s opinion on disclosure.\ud \ud \ud Conclusion: The prevalence of full disclosure is low and several barriers affect disclosure. Caregiver’s and HCWs need empowerment and support with culturally appropriate skills and platforms to deal with the barriers, process and impact of disclosure.

Using cross-sectional survey data (Engage, 2017–2018) from 1,137 men who have sex with men, ≥16 years old, in Montreal, we compared observed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconcordance in previous-6-months’ sexual partnerships with what would have been observed by chance if zero individuals serosorted. Of 5 recent partnerships where both individuals were HIV-negative, we compared observed concordance in preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use with the counterfactual if zero individuals selected partners based on PrEP use. We estimated the concordance by chance using a balancing-partnerships approach assuming proportionate mixing. HIV-positive respondents had a higher proportion of HIV-positive partners (66.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 64.0, 68.6) than by chance (23.9%, 95% CI: 23.1, 24.7). HIV-negative respondents (both on and not on PrEP) had higher proportions of HIV-negative partners (82.9% (95% CI: 81.1, 84.7) and 90.7% (95% CI: 89.6, 91.7), respectively) compared with by chance (76.1%, 95% CI: 75.3, 76.9); however, those on PrEP had a higher proportion of HIV-positive partners than those not on PrEP (17.1% (95% CI: 15.3, 18.9) vs. 9.3% (95% CI: 8.3, 10.4). Those on PrEP also had a higher proportion of partners on PrEP among their HIV-negative partners (50.6%, 95% CI: 42.5, 58.8) than by chance (28.5%, 95% CI: 27.5, 29.4). The relationship between PrEP and sexual-mixing patterns demonstrated by less population-level serosorting among those on PrEP and PrEP-matching warrants consideration during PrEP roll-out.

Background In Benin, the burden of HIV is disproportionately high among female sex workers (FSWs). HIV testing and knowledge of status are starting points for HIV treatment and prevention interventions. Despite the importance given to testing services in HIV control, its uptake among FSWs remains suboptimal in Benin. HIV self-testing (HIVST) may be useful for increasing testing rates in FSWs. Methods We conducted a pilot study of the distribution of saliva-based HIVST among FSWs in Cotonou and its surroundings, Benin. The HIVST promotion and distribution model included three complementary strategies: community-based, facility-based and secondary distribution. In this qualitative study, we explored the elements influencing HIVST implementation, distribution and use among FSWs. We assessed HIVST acceptability and feasibility in this population. We conducted 29 semi-structured individual interviews with FSWs. Data were interpreted with a thematic analysis method, using the Theoretical Domains Framework. Results Only two FSWs (6.9%) were aware of HIVST before participating in the study. All participants were interested in using HIVST if available in Benin. Many advantages of HIVST were mentioned, including: autonomy, privacy, accessibility, time saving, and the fact that it is a painless test. Barriers to the use of HIVST included: the fear of unreliability, the lack of psychological support and medical follow-up and the possibility of result dissimulation. Participants thought HIVST was easy to use without assistance. HIVST enabled linkage to care for a few FSWs in denial of their HIV-positive status. No case of suicide or violence associated with HIVST was reported. HIVST secondary distribution within FSWs social network was well received. FSWs’ boyfriends and clients showed interest in using the device. Some FSWs reported using HIVST to practice serosorting or to guide their decisions regarding condom use. Conclusions Our study shows a very high level of acceptability for HIVST among FSWs in Cotonou and its surroundings. Results also demonstrate the feasibility of implementing HIVST distribution in Benin. HIVST should be implemented in Benin quickly and free of charge for all individuals at risk of HIV. HIVST offer should be integrated with comprehensive sexual health and prevention services.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are more likely to use drugs and other substances compared to their heterosexual peers. No studies have evaluated patterns of substance use among MSM adults in Mexico. We used latent class analysis (LCA) to identify MSM subgroups with specific substance use patterns and their associations with sexual behaviors. Methods: Data from 1850 adult MSM were collected at HIV clinics in Mexico City between September 2018 and December 2019. The structural equation modeling approach was used to estimate a LC model to identify patterns of substance use by self-report of substance use (i.e., cigarette smoking, alcohol, and drugs). To evaluate LC membership, we included HIV status, condomless anal sex (CAS), and serosorting, while controlling for demographic variables. Results: 30.3% were under the age of 22. Alcohol use in last 30 days (76.2%), binge drinking (29.2%), marijuana (29.4%), sex-drugs (23.9%), stimulants (13.7%), and depressants (6.3%). MSM reported engaging in CAS (55.9%) and serosorting (13.5%) behaviors, and 40% reported being HIV positive. LCA indicated three general categories of MSM substance users: Class 1 (49.0%), Class 2 (29.8%), and Class 3 (20.4%). Members of Class 3 were younger: 23–28 age years (aOR = 1.86) and 29–33 age years (aOR = 1.86), more educated: completed graduate studies (aOR = 1.60), had a high probability of polysubstance use and were more likely to engage in CAS and serosorting. Conclusions: Attempts to detect alcohol and problematic use of substances are needed for MSM followed by culturally competent approaches that address alcohol and drug use disorders.

Objectives: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may change serosorting patterns. We examined the influence of serosorting on the population-level HIV transmission impact of PrEP, and how impact could change if PrEP users stopped serosorting. Design: We developed a compartmental HIV transmission model parameterized with bio-behavioural and HIV surveillance data among men who have sex with men in Canada.Methods: We separately fit the model with serosorting and without serosorting (counterfactual; sero-proportionate mixing (random partner-selection proportional to availability by HIV-status)), and reproduced stable HIV epidemics with HIV-prevalence 10.3%-24.8%, undiagnosed fraction 4.9%-15.8%, and treatment coverage 82.5%-88.4%. We simulated PrEP-intervention reaching stable pre-specified coverage by year-1 and compared absolute difference in relative HIV-incidence reduction ten-years post-intervention (PrEP-impact) between: models with serosorting vs. sero-proportionate mixing; and counterfactual scenarios when PrEP users immediately stopped vs. continued serosorting. We examined sensitivity of results to PrEP-effectiveness (44%-99%; reflecting varying dosing or adherence levels) and coverage (10%-50%).Results: Models with serosorting predicted a larger PrEP-impact than models with sero-proportionate mixing under all PrEP-effectiveness and coverage assumptions (median (inter-quartile-range): 8.1%(5.5%-11.6%)). PrEP users’ stopping serosorting reduced PrEP-impact compared with when PrEP users continued serosorting: reductions in PrEP-impact were minimal (2.1%(1.4%-3.4%)) under high PrEP-effectiveness (86%-99%); however, could be considerable (10.9%(8.2%-14.1%)) under low PrEP effectiveness (44%) and high coverage (30%-50%). Conclusions: Models assuming sero-proportionate mixing may underestimate population-level HIV-incidence reductions due to PrEP. PrEP-mediated changes in serosorting could lead to programmatically-important reductions in PrEP-impact under low PrEP-effectiveness. Our findings suggest the need to monitor sexual mixing patterns to inform PrEP implementation and evaluation.

Seroadaptive behaviors help reduce HIV risk for some men who have sex with men (MSM), and have been well documented across MSM populations. Advancements in biomedical prevention have changed the contexts in which seroadaptive behaviors occur. We thus sought to estimate and compare the prevalence of four stages of the "seroadaptive cascade" by PrEP use in the recent era: knowledge of own serostatus, knowledge of partner serostatus; serosorting (matching by status), and condomless anal intercourse. Serosorting overall appeared to remain common, especially with casual and one-time partners. Although PrEP use did not impact status discussion, it did impact serosorting and the likelihood of having condomless anal intercourse. For respondents not diagnosed with HIV and not on PrEP, condomless anal intercourse occurred in just over half of relationships with HIV-positive partners who were not on treatment. Biomedical prevention has intertwined with rather than supplanted seroadaptive behaviors, while contexts involving neither persist.Los comportamientos seroadaptivos ayudan a reducir el riesgo de VIH en algunos hombres que tienen sexo con otros hombres (HSH) y han sido bien documentados en varias comunidades de HSH. Los avances en prevención biomédica han cambiado los contextos de los comportamientos seroadaptivos. Por ello buscamos estimar y comparar la prevalencia de cuatro fases de la ‘cascada seroadaptiva’ mediante el uso de PrEP en la era reciente: conocimiento del seroestatus personal, conocimiento del seroestatus del compañero, serosorting (emparejamiento por estatus) y coito anal sin condón. En general, el serosorting parece seguir siendo común especialmente con parejas casuales o de una noche. A pesar de que el uso de PrEP no impactó la discusión sobre el estatus, sí impactó el serosorting y la probabilidad de coito anal sin condón. Los encuestados no diagnosticados con VIH y sin PrEP tuvieron coito anal sin condón en la mitad de las relaciones con parejas VIH-positivo que no estaban bajo tratamiento. La prevención biomédica se ha entremezclado en lugar de suplantar los comportamientos seropositivos, mientras persisten los contextos en los que no aparece ninguno.

Background: Rectal douching (RD) is widely practiced by men who have sex with men (MSM), and is associated with increased risk of HIV infection. However, the mechanism of how RD increases the risk of HIV infection is not well understood, and there is limited data on RD behavior in MSM practicing anal sex in China. We examine the purpose of RD, its timing in relation to anal sex, the types of RD products used, and risky sexual behaviors among MSM reporting anal sex.Methods: Between August 2017 and December 2018, a cross-sectional study was conducted among adult MSM in Shenyang, China. Data were collected on demographics, sexual behaviors, and RD for the most recent sexual intercourse by means of interviewer-administered face-to-face questionnaires. Blood samples were collected to test for antibodies to HIV and syphilis. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the risk factors associated with HIV infection.Results: A total of 515 eligible MSM participated in this survey (median age: 31 years). During the most recent anal intercourse, 28.3% (146/515) had condomless receptive anal intercourse (CRAI), 21.4% (110/515) practiced serosorting, and more than half (61.6%, 317/515) reported RD before or after anal sex. Of those practicing RD, 96.8% (307/317) conducted RD before sex, while 62.5% (198/317) conducted RD after sex. The douching devices used were primarily shower hoses (85.3%, 262/307), and relatively few MSM used commercial RD products (8.1%, 25/307) before sex. The prevalence of HIV-1 and syphilis was 11.7% and 13.2%, respectively. HIV infection was positively associated with RD (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 2.8; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.4-5.5), practicing RD before sex (AOR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2–4.3), practicing RD after sex (AOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.0–3.1), using a shower hose for RD (AOR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.1–13.0), CRAI (AOR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.6–5.5), and an interaction effect of RD and CRAI (AOR = 4.2; 95 % CI, 2.2- 8.1) in the most recent anal intercourse.Conclusions: RD is popular among Chinese MSM. Improper noncommercial RD tools use (such as shower hose), the interaction effect between RD and CRAI associated with HIV infection. Public health workers and the MSM community should publicize scientific knowledge and prevention approaches relating to RD and HIV transmission to MSM. We recommend that further studies should be conducted to understand the detailed mechanism between RD and increased HIV prevalence.

Despite proven effectiveness in reducing HIV transmission, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use remains low among those who meet the recommended CDC guidance for PrEP use. Data are from a U.S. national cohort of men and trans persons who have sex with men (2017–2018). Logistic regression analyses were used to determine individual and partner factors associated with intentions to use PrEP among non-PrEP-using participants reporting a main partner (n = 1,671). Prior PrEP use among participants (14.2%) and their partners (7.7%) was low. Participants’ prior PrEP use and main partner's HIV-positive status were both positively associated with intentions to use PrEP. HIV prevention interventions incorporating main partners may be effective in increasing PrEP use.

BACKGROUND Seroadaptive behaviors refer to a wide range of harm reduction practices to decrease HIV transmission risk. Effective implementation of seroadaptive behaviors is dependent on knowledge of one's own serostatus and that of one's sexual partners. Partner-level and environmental-level attributes may affect seroadaptation practices. We assessed factors associated with seroadaptive behaviors. METHODS Men who have sex with men and transgender women were recruited from an HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis clinical trial (iPrEx) with study sites in the US, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Thailand, and South Africa. Partnership-level data were collected at the baseline visit for the 3 most recent partners. Participants were considered to have practiced seroadaptive behaviors if: (1) they believed their partner to be HIV-negative, that is, serosorting; or (2) no condomless receptive sex occurred with an HIV-positive or unknown status partner, that is, seropositioning. RESULTS Of 2331 participants, 41% always practiced seroadaptive behaviors, 36% sometimes did, and 23% never did. Participants enrolled at study sites in the US (P < 0.001) and Peru/Ecuador (P < 0.001) were more likely to practice seroadaptive behaviors, whereas transgender women were less likely to do so (P < 0.001). Seroadaptive behaviors were more likely to occur in relationships with steady partners (P = 0.005) and emotionally close relationships (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS Seroadaptive behaviors were more frequently observed among iPrEx participants from the US, Peru, and Ecuador study sites and among participants in relationships with partners who they were more committed to and felt emotionally close to. Our findings suggest that seroadaptive behaviors may be influenced by social norms that vary geographically and culturally.

We assessed attitudes to disclosure to new sexual partners and association with sexual behaviours among HIV-diagnosed gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in the UK Antiretrovirals, Sexual Transmission Risk and Attitudes (ASTRA) study in 2011-12. Among 1373 GBMSM diagnosed with HIV for ≥3 months and reporting sex in the past three months (84% on antiretroviral therapy (ART), 75% viral load (VL) ≤50c/mL), 56.3% reported higher sexual disclosure ("agree" or "tend to agree" with "I'd expect to tell a new partner I'm HIV-positive before we have sex"). GBMSM on ART with self-reported undetectable VL had lower disclosure than those on ART without self-reported undetectable VL and those not on ART. Higher sexual disclosure was associated with higher prevalence of CLS in the past three months; this was due to its association with CLS with other HIV-positive partners. Higher sexual disclosure was more common among GBMSM who had CLS with other HIV-positive partners only (72.1%) compared to those who had higher-risk CLS with HIV-serodifferent partners (55.6%), other CLS with HIV-serodifferent partners (45.9%), or condom-protected sex only (47.6%). Findings suggest mutual HIV-disclosure and HIV-serosorting were occurring in this population. Knowledge of VL status may have impacted on disclosure to sexual partners.

Background HIV testing plays a central role in the combat against HIV. We aimed to determine if the availability of HIV self-testing (HIVST) would increase the frequency of testing among men who have sex with men (MSM) attending university in China. Methods A stepped wedge randomized controlled trial will be conducted in 4 provinces in China: Chongqing, Guangdong, Shandong, and Tianjin. Eligibility assessment will include (1) male, aged 16 years or older, (2) university student (technical diploma and undergraduate students), (3) MSM (sexual behaviors including mutual masturbation, oral sex, and anal sex), (4) HIV negative, and (5) willing to provide informed consent. Participants will be randomly allocated to HIV self-testing intervention with free HIVST kits in every 30 days according to the intervention waiting lists with a computer-generated randomized sequence. All participants will complete a self-administrated online questionnaire onsite at baseline and 12-month follow-up and complete an online questionnaire at 4- and 8-month. The primary outcome is the effect of HIVST on HIV testing frequency. Secondary outcomes include the change in sexual behaviors and HIV incidence. Discussion No previous study had measured the effect of social media based HIVST intervention on the change in HIV testing behaviors, sexual behaviors and incident HIV infection among MSM attending university in China. Findings from this study will provide evidence for further interventional practice promotions and prevention strategies scale-up, including HIV testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and sexual partner serosorting. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1900020645. Registered 11 January 2019.

The expanding HIV risk reduction toolkit increases options for men who have sex men (MSM), but increasing options in combination with different preferences may complicate promoting risk reduction. To investigate what strategies MSM prefer, data of 3310 participants in the online survey “Men & Sexuality” (Median age = 37 years, 320 (9.7%) HIV positive) was analysed. Questions assessed attitudes towards HIV risk reduction strategies. Participants had the most positive attitudes regarding PrEP and HIV testing, while withdrawal and strategic positioning were least preferred (all p’s

HIV/STI risk varies by sexual positioning practices; however, limited data have characterized the behavioral profiles of men who have sex with men (MSM) in France. This study used latent class analysis (LCA) to explore sexual risk profiles among MSM in Paris, France. LCA was used to classify sexual positioning and serosorting profiles among MSM in Paris (n = 496). Age, HIV status, relationship status, substance use, group sex, and PrEP history were used in a multinomial regression model predicting class membership. Three latent classes were identified: majority top/serosorters, versatile/low partners, and majority bottom/some serosorters. Majority top/serosorters had the highest probability of condomless serosorting; majority bottom/some serosorters had the highest mean number of partners (~ 12 partners) for condomless receptive anal intercourse. HIV-positive MSM were more likely to be classified as majority bottom/some serosorters than versatile/low partners (AOR 7.61; 95% CI 2.28, 25.3). Findings support the need for tailored and targeted interventions for highest-risk individuals.

Earlier HIV diagnosis allows for improved treatment outcomes and secondary prevention. It is recommended that all individuals know their HIV status and that those at higher risk test more frequently. Using a representative community sample of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), we aimed to: (1) determine the proportion of GBMSM who have tested in the past 2 years, (2) determine reasons for testing and never having tested, and (3) explore correlates of testing. Of 535 eligible participants, 80.0% reported having had an HIV test in the past 2 years, most commonly as part of a regular testing schedule. The most common reason for not testing was low perceived HIV risk. Bisexual and older GBMSM, as well as those who lived outside of Vancouver, were less likely to have tested in the past 2 years. Rapid point-of-care testing may help improve testing rates and was shown to effectively engage some hard-to-reach GBMSM (e.g., those who had not tested for other STIs) in this sample.

BACKGROUND Despite continued reductions in the number of HIV cases reported among San Francisco men who have sex with men (MSM) and the HIV-prevention potential offered by pharmaceutical tools such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), there are uncertainties, particularly given reported decreases in consistent condom use. A key uncertainty is what groups of MSM should be targeted. This study estimates the distribution of behavioral patterns before infection among San Francisco MSM newly infected with HIV in 2014. METHODS We used a novel modeling approach. The approach uses estimates from the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System for MSM, the Medical Monitoring Project, 2 trials of PrEP, and a meta-analysis of per-act risks of HIV infection. RESULTS The modeling study suggests that 76% of newly HIV-infected MSM in 2014 were individuals with no discernible strategy in the 6 months before infection: that is, they had condomless receptive anal intercourse with one or more partners not perceived to be HIV uninfected. An estimated 7% of newly infected MSM were serosorters before infection. CONCLUSIONS Prevention efforts in San Francisco must reach HIV-uninfected MSM with no discernible behavioral strategy, a group that constitutes 8% of HIV-uninfected MSM in the city. Our study suggests that if all HIV-uninfected, San Francisco MSM with no discernible strategy had been on PrEP in 2014, there would have been 70% fewer HIV infections among San Francisco MSM. Uncertainty analysis suggests that PrEP's impact may be maximized by encouraging PrEP persistence and concomitant reductions in sexual risk behaviors.

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between serosorting and HIV infection among HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM). Compared to no condomless anal sex (i.e., consistent condom use or no anal sex), serosorting was associated with increased HIV risk (RR = 1.64, 95% CI 1.37-1.96). Compared to condomless discordant anal sex, serosorting was associated with reduced HIV risk (RR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.33-0.65). Serosorting may be an important harm reduction strategy when condoms are not consistently used, but can be harmful if HIV-negative MSM who consistently use condoms shift to using serosorting as their primary prevention strategy. The protective effects of serosorting and ways in which MSM are operationalizing serosorting are becoming more complex as additional factors affecting risk are considered (e.g., durable viral load suppression, PrEP). Understanding the potential risk and benefit of serosorting continues to be important, particularly within the context of other prevention strategies.

BackgroundLife expectancy of people living with HIV (PLWH) is increasing. Effective biomedical prevention methods (treatment as prevention and preexposure prophylaxis) are being widely implemented in high-income nations. Therefore, research into quality of life, including sexual adjustment, is of increasing importance to HIV care. Yet, sexual adjustment of PLWH has been neglected in past research. We propose a new model of sexual adjustment to HIV which explores the dynamic process, facilitators and barriers characterising sexual life of PLWH overtime.MethodThirty PLWH (19 male, 11 female) recruited from two HIV treatment centres as well as community groups, completed semi-structured interviews which were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim for analysis using grounded theory.ResultsThe model of sexual adjustment to HIV is the first to establish how undue fears of transmission of HIV during sex and/or fear of rejection by sexual partners determine initial sexual behaviour after diagnosis and also sexual adjustment over time. Within the model, sexual adjustment to HIV is facilitated by factors which assist PLWH to overcome such fears, including: partner acceptance, peer, community and health professional support, and accurate knowledge of risk of transmission including of undetectable viral load and pre-exposure prophylaxis. Adjustment is inhibited when undue fears of transmission and of rejection persist long term, resulting in maladaptive behaviours to cope with such fears including avoidance of sex and problematic drug and alcohol use.ConclusionThis model offers clear directions for promoting sexual adjustment to HIV. Health professionals should: (a) assess and intervene for sexual quality of life (not just risk) among PLWH; (b) be aware that serosorting facilitates adjustment in the short to medium term, but may interfere with adjustment long-term, (c) promote opportunities for positive connection between PLWH, and (d) intervene directly with PLWH and HIV negative sexual partners to promote accurate risk of transmission knowledge, including how this applies to their own sexual practices, and whether they are experiencing undue fear of transmission over time.

Objective We aimed to characterise gonorrhoea transmission patterns in a diverse urban population by linking genomic, epidemiological and antimicrobial susceptibility data. Methods Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from patients attending sexual health clinics at Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK, during an 11-month period underwent whole-genome sequencing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. We combined laboratory and patient data to investigate the transmission network structure. Results One hundred and fifty-eight isolates from 158 patients were available with associated descriptive data. One hundred and twenty-nine (82%) patients identified as male and 25 (16%) as female; four (3%) records lacked gender information. Self-described ethnicities were: 51 (32%) English/Welsh/Scottish; 33 (21%) white, other; 23 (15%) black British/black African/black, other; 12 (8%) Caribbean; 9 (6%) South Asian; 6 (4%) mixed ethnicity; and 10 (6%) other; data were missing for 14 (9%). Self-reported sexual orientations were 82 (52%) men who have sex with men (MSM); 49 (31%) heterosexual; 2 (1%) bisexual; data were missing for 25 individuals. Twenty-two (14%) patients were HIV positive. Whole-genome sequence data were generated for 151 isolates, which linked 75 (50%) patients to at least one other case. Using sequencing data, we found no evidence of transmission networks related to specific ethnic groups (p=0.64) or of HIV serosorting (p=0.35). Of 82 MSM/bisexual patients with sequencing data, 45 (55%) belonged to clusters of ≥2 cases, compared with 16/44 (36%) heterosexuals with sequencing data (p=0.06). Conclusion We demonstrate links between 50% of patients in transmission networks using a relatively small sample in a large cosmopolitan city. We found no evidence of HIV serosorting. Our results do not support assortative selectivity as an explanation for differences in gonorrhoea incidence between ethnic groups.

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text., Background: Serosorting among men who have sex with men (MSM) is common, but recent data to describe trends in serosorting are limited. How serosorting affects population-level trends in HIV and other sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk is largely unknown. Methods: We collected data as part of routine care from MSM attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic (2002–2013) and a community-based HIV/sexually transmitted disease testing center (2004–2013) in Seattle, WA. MSM were asked about condom use with HIV-positive, HIV-negative, and unknown-status partners in the prior 12 months. We classified behaviors into 4 mutually exclusive categories: no anal intercourse (AI); consistent condom use (always used condoms for AI); serosorting [condom-less anal intercourse (CAI) only with HIV-concordant partners]; and nonconcordant CAI (CAI with HIV-discordant/unknown-status partners; NCCAI). Results: Behavioral data were complete for 49,912 clinic visits. Serosorting increased significantly among both HIV-positive and HIV-negative men over the study period. This increase in serosorting was concurrent with a decrease in NCCAI among HIV-negative MSM, but a decrease in consistent condom use among HIV-positive MSM. Adjusting for time since last negative HIV test, the risk of testing HIV positive during the study period decreased among MSM who reported NCCAI (7.1%–2.8%; P= 0.02), serosorting (2.4%–1.3%; P = 0.17), and no CAI (1.5%–0.7%; P = 0.01). Serosorting was associated with a 47% lower risk of testing HIV positive compared with NCCAI (adjusted prevalence ratio = 0.53; 95% confidence interval: 0.45 to 0.62). Conclusions: Between 2002 and 2013, serosorting increased and NCCAI decreased among Seattle MSM. These changes paralleled a decline in HIV test positivity among MSM.

Objectives Rates of chlamydia and gonorrhoea have been rising in urban centres in Canada, particularly among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). Our objective was to identify behavioural risk factors for diagnosis with chlamydia and gonorrhoea in this population, with a focus on the HIV status of sexual partners. Methods The OHTN Cohort Study follows people in HIV care across Ontario. We restricted the analysis to 1997 MSM who completed questionnaires in 2010–2013 at one of seven clinics that submit all chlamydia and gonorrhoea tests to the provincial public health laboratory; we obtained test results via record linkage. We estimated cumulative incidences using Kaplan–Meier methods and identified risk factors for diagnosis of a composite outcome (chlamydia or gonorrhoea infection) using Cox regression. Results At follow-up, there were 74 new chlamydia/gonorrhoea diagnoses with a 12-month cumulative incidence of 1.7% (95% CI 1.1% to 2.2%). Risk factors for chlamydia/gonorrhoea diagnosis were: 5+ HIV-positive partners (HR=3.3, 95% CI 1.4 to 7.8; reference=none) and recreational drug use (HR=2.2, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.9). Conclusions Heightened risks with recreational drug use and multiple HIV-positive partners suggest that chlamydia/gonorrhoea may have achieved high prevalence in certain sexual networks among HIV-positive MSM. Interventions to promote safer sex and timely testing among MSM are needed.

It has become popular for men who have sex with men (MSM) to use mobile-phone geosocial networking applications (mobile apps) to find sex partners. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Taiwan to compare the sexual and substance-use behaviors of MSM seeking sex partners through the internet and mobile apps. Of the 1060 participants, 65.8% used the internet via computer and 37.7% used a mobile app to find sexual partners, while 30.3% used recreational drugs or alcohol in the previous 6 months. MSM who exclusively used mobile apps to seek sex partners were significantly more likely than MSM seeking sex via computer to be older, to have used recreational drugs or alcohol, and to have sex with HIV-positive partners. Additionally, using mobile apps to seek sex partners was significantly associated with having sex with online partners through either mobile apps or computer-based internet use (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 7.12 [3.87-13.11]), self-reporting as HIV-positive (AOR, 2.24 [1.12-4.12]), using recreational drugs (AOR, 1.67 [1.21-2.32]), having disclosed HIV status to sexual partners (AOR, 1.44 [1.03-2.02]), and having sex with HIV-positive partners (AOR, 1.81 [1.06-3.10]). In conclusion, the mobile apps may serve as a feasible platform for HIV-positive MSM to find other HIV-positive partners.

BACKGROUND In Switzerland, the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) rose 18-fold between 1998 and 2011. We aimed to evaluate transmission risk factors, awareness, and seroprevalence of HCV among MSM in southwest Switzerland. METHODS From 1st June 2011 to 31st August 2012, trained health care professionals invited individuals attending (1) MSM screening clinics and (2) indoor and outdoor meeting areas to complete an anonymous questionnaire. Consenting participants were rapid tested for HCV (OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test). RESULTS Of 918 MSM approached, 654 agreed to participate, most of whom (536, 82%) were enrolled via MSM screening clinics. Of 654 participants, 21 (3.2%) disclosed being HIV positive; 140 (21%) had unknown HIV status. In the preceding 12 months, 357 (55%) of 654 participants reported unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) and 321 (49%) of 654 participants reported UAI with partners of different/unknown HIV status. Not HIV serosorting was reported more frequently among HIV-positive individuals (76%, P < 0.001). Three hundred two participants (46%) were aware of HCV, awareness being higher among clinic than meeting area participants (49% vs. 33%, P = 0.04). One individual (of 654; 0.2%), with a negative HIV test result 18 months previously was newly diagnosed as being HCV positive on rapid testing. CONCLUSIONS In this sample of predominantly HIV-negative MSM, half the participants were aware of HCV and HCV seroprevalence was low. However, high rates of UAI and of UAI without HIV serosorting were reported. Given the increasing incidence of HCV among HIV-positive men, we propose that HCV counseling should be offered to MSM regardless of HIV status, with testing offered to those at high risk.

Serosorting (i.e., choosing partners of the same HIV serostatus to reduce the risk of transmission with unprotected sex) and other forms of seroadaptation (i.e., engaging in diverse behaviors according to a hierarchy of risk by type of sex and partner serostatus) are phenomena widely described for men who have sex with men (MSM) in the developed world. We assessed seroadaptive behaviors among MSM surveyed in Yangon, Myanmar in 2013-2014. Among HIV-negative MSM, 43.1 % engaged in some form seroadaptation including serosorting (21.8 %), using condoms with potentially serodiscordant anal sex (19.3 %), and seropositioning (1.7 %). Among HIV-positive MSM, 3.5 % engaged in serosorting, 36.0 % in using condoms with potentially serodiscordant anal sex, 7.0 % in seropositioning, and 46.5 % in any form of seroadaptation. For HIV-negative and HIV-positive MSM, seroadaptation was more common than consistent condom use (38.0 and 26.7 %, respectively). MSM in Myanmar are engaging in seroadaptive behaviors in magnitude and ways similar to MSM in industrialized countries.

Undiagnosed HIV infection results in delayed access to treatment and increased transmission. Self-tests for HIV may increase awareness of infection among men who have sex with men (MSM).To evaluate the effect of providing HIV self-tests on frequency of testing, diagnoses of HIV infection, and sexual risk behaviors.This 12-month longitudinal, 2-group randomized clinical trial recruited MSM through online banner advertisements from March through August 2015. Those recruited were at least 18 years of age, reported engaging in anal sex with men in the past year, never tested positive for HIV, and were US residents with mailing addresses. Participants completed quarterly online surveys. Telephone call notes and laboratory test results were included in the analysis, which was completed from August 2017 through December 2018.All participants had access to online web-based HIV testing resources and telephone counseling on request. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the control group or a self-testing (ST) group, which received 4 HIV self-tests after completing the baseline survey with the option to replenish self-tests after completing quarterly surveys. At study completion, all participants were offered 2 self-tests and 1 dried blood spot collection kit.Primary outcomes were HIV testing frequency (tested ≥3 times during the trial) and number of newly identified HIV infections among participants in both groups and social network members who used the study HIV self-tests. Secondary outcomes included sex behaviors (eg, anal sex, serosorting).Of 2665 participants, the mean (SD) age was 30 (9.6) years, 1540 (57.8%) were white, and 443 (16.6%) had never tested for HIV before enrollment. Retention rates at each time point were more than 54%, and 1991 (74.7%) participants initiated 1 or more follow-up surveys. More ST participants reported testing 3 or more times during the trial than control participants (777 of 1014 [76.6%] vs 215 of 977 [22.0%]; P .01). The cumulative number of newly identified infections during the trial was twice as high in the ST participants as the control participants (25 of 1325 [1.9%] vs 11 of 1340 [0.8%]; P = .02), with the largest difference in HIV infections identified in the first 3 months (12 of 1325 [0.9%] vs 2 of 1340 [0.1%]; P .01). The ST participants reported 34 newly identified infections among social network members who used the self-tests.Distribution of HIV self-tests provides a worthwhile mechanism to increase awareness of HIV infection and prevent transmission among MSM.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02067039.