1. Changes in risky sexual behaviours among West African MSM enrolled in a quarterly HIV testing and counselling prevention programme (CohMSM ANRS 12324 - Expertise France).
- Author
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Coulaud PJ, Sagaon-Teyssier L, Mimi M, Maradan G, Mora M, Bourrelly M, Dembélé Keita B, Keita AA, Anoma C, Yoro SB, Dah ETT, Coulibaly C, Mensah E, Agbomadji S, Palvadeau P, Bernier A, Rojas Castro D, Couderc C, Laurent C, and Spire B
- Subjects
- Adult, Age Factors, Bisexuality, Burkina Faso epidemiology, Cohort Studies, Condoms statistics & numerical data, Cote d'Ivoire epidemiology, Depression, Gender Identity, HIV Infections diagnosis, Humans, Intimate Partner Violence statistics & numerical data, Logistic Models, Male, Mali epidemiology, Risk Reduction Behavior, Self Concept, Sex Work statistics & numerical data, Sexually Transmitted Diseases epidemiology, Social Stigma, Togo epidemiology, Young Adult, Counseling, HIV Infections prevention & control, Health Risk Behaviors, Sexual Behavior statistics & numerical data, Sexual and Gender Minorities, Unsafe Sex statistics & numerical data
- Abstract
Objectives: Whether regular HIV testing and counselling reduce risky sexual behaviours in African men who have sex with men (MSM) is still a matter for debate. We aimed to identify behavioural trajectories based on HIV risk exposure (HRE) and factors affecting their evolution., Methods: Data were collected from 621 HIV-negative West African MSM (Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Togo) included in a community-based cohort providing quarterly HIV testing and counselling. Sociobehavioural data were collected every 6 months. HRE was defined as reporting inconsistent condom use during receptive anal sex with male partners of unknown HIV status in the previous 6 months. Using 18-month follow-up data, group-based trajectory modelling helped identify behavioural trajectories and determine the factors associated with their evolution. HIV seroconversions (n=67) were specified in each group trajectory., Results: Two distinct group trajectories were identified: medium-risk exposure MSM (ME-MSM) (61%, 6.4% of whom having seroconverted) and high-risk exposure MSM (HE-MSM) (39%, 17.5% of whom having seroconverted). A significant declining trend in the probability of reporting HRE over time ((95% CI)) was observed for HE-MSM (from 0.59 (0.48 to 0.70) at M0 to 0.31 (0.22 to 0.41) at M18), while it remained constant for ME-MSM (0.034 (0.0 to 0.079)). This can be explained by a progressive use of risk reduction strategies (less receptive anal sex, better knowledge of their partners' status and increasing condom use). Being younger, living in Burkina Faso, self-considering both a man and a woman and reporting a higher level of depression were all associated with HE membership. Among HE-MSM, HRE was higher in those practising transactional or group sex and those experiencing psychological harassment., Conclusions: Quarterly HIV testing and counselling seem to reduce risky sexual behaviours in HIV-negative MSM at greatest risk of infection. Specific support for young MSM, focusing on identity and mental health, is needed to strengthen HIV prevention in West African MSM., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)
- Published
- 2020
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