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Background: Rectal sexually transmitted infections (STI) are highly prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW), but reticence to provider-collected rectal swabs has been reported [...]

Introduction Globally and in Canada, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) are at high?risk for HIV infection [1]. In British Columbia (BC), Canada, GBMSM comprise [...], Introduction: Awareness and knowledge of treatment as prevention (TasP) was assessed among HIV?positive and HIV?negative gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in Vancouver, Canada. Methods: Baseline cross?sectional survey data were analyzed for GBMSM enrolled, via respondent?driven sampling (RDS), in the Momentum Health Study. TasP awareness was defined as ever versus never heard of the term ?TasP.? Multivariable logistic regression identified covariates of TasP awareness. Among those aware of TasP, men's level of knowledge of TasP was explored through an examination of self?perceived knowledge levels, risk perceptions and short?answer definitions of TasP which were coded as ?complete? if three TasP?related components were identified (i.e. HIV treatment, viral suppression and prevention of transmission). Information source was also assessed. Analyses were stratified by HIV status and RDS adjusted. Results: Of 719 participants, 23% were HIV?positive, 68% Caucasian and median age was 33 (Interquartile range (IQR) 26,47). Overall, 46% heard of TasP with differences by HIV status [69% HIV?positive vs. 41% HIV?negative GBMSM (p Conclusions: Nearly half of GBMSM in this study reported having heard of TasP, yet only 14% demonstrated complete understanding of the concept. Variations in TasP awareness and knowledge by HIV status, and key socio?demographic, behavioural and clinical factors, highlight a need for health communication strategies relevant to diverse communities of GBMSM in order to advance overall TasP health literacy.

Table 1: Survey results Which places for HIV testing do you know? % N Which places for HIV testing did you use? % N Which places for HIV testing would [...], Introduction: HIV testing opportunities in Italy are frequently limited to the hospital setting. Experiences in other countries show that offering HIV testing in other facilities could improve HIV testing uptake. Methods: An internet?based survey was conducted between March 10 and April 3, 2014. Results: A total number of 348 questionnaires were collected. Responders were 88% male. Most represented age groups were 25?34 (35%) and 35?44 (25%). Most of the responders identify themselves as homosexual (81%) or bisexual (9%). Half of responders had an HIV test within 2 years (56%) while 18% never tested for HIV. Among all responders, 61% had more than 2 sexual partners in the past year. Reported condom use in the past year was: always 39%, always but once 11%, sometimes 27%, never 14%. Most known places to have an HIV test is the hospital (95%), STI clinic (58%) and chemical analysis laboratory (54%); most used places are hospital (73%), STI clinic (30%), laboratory (22%) while 5 responders reported having had a self?test at home. Preferred places where to have an HIV test is self?testing at home (53%), hospital (36%), pharmacy (32%) and headquarter of an organization (31%). Most known testing method is draw blood from vein (97%), which is also most used (80%) but the least preferred (31%) while saliva (65%) and finger prick (56%) are the preferred choices. Most responders know that physicians (84%) and nurses (77%) are those who perform HIV tests and most of them had an HIV test with them (60% and 65% respectively). Physicians are the preferred operators (54%) followed by self?testing (46%), nurses (46%) and peer?volunteers (39%). The ideal HIV test should be: reliable (86%), with no medical prescription (75%), free (63%), rapid (55%), with no personal information collected (45%), with the opportunity to speak with a peer?counsellor (36%). Conclusions: Changing HIV testing policies in Italy is urgently needed in order to grant a better access to the service: waiting for the results and bureaucratic obligations represent the major barriers to be removed. Home?testing and community?based testing seem to be among the best ways to offer new opportunities though they may require a change in the legal, social and cultural context to be implemented and home testing will not allow any kind of support for newly diagnosed people.