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The clinical trial ANRS-IPERGAY investigated the efficacy of sexual activity-based (i.e. on demand) HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Using a qualitative method, we analysed the role of adherence as one of the main elements for PrEP effectiveness and its associated determinants. Data were collected in various French ANRS-IPERGAY sites during the double-blind (2012–2014) and open-label study (2015–2016) phases, through two individual interviews per participant, collective interviews and focus groups. A total of 83 participants participated in the present study. Our analysis included 32 individual interviews (with 16 participants), 13 collective interviews (n = 45) and 8 focus groups (n = 33). We investigated adherence to on-demand pill-intake schedule, focusing especially on PrEP integration into daily life. PrEP intake was regulated through coping strategies to simplify implementation and avoid stigmatizing reactions. We considered self-care and pharmaceuticalization of prevention as specific features of sexual activity-based PrEP. As PrEP is a prophylaxis for seronegative people, it is contributing to the emergence of a new identity in the HIV field. Health-care professionals should take into account the practical implementation of PrEP schedules into daily life, assist PrEP users in personal management of pill intake and, more generally, improve adherence to the prophylaxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ANRS-IPERGAY was a community-based randomized trial investigating the efficacy of sexual activity-based HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in a population of males and transgender females who had sex with men and were at high risk of HIV infection. We qualitatively analyzed the support provided to participants by community-based health workers (CBHW) throughout the trial's double-blind and open-label extension phases. In particular, we showed that the relationship between participants and CBHW strongly influenced self-managed pill intake. The delicate construction of this relationship, balanced between trust and dependence, played an important role in PrEP adherence. CBHW had to deal with various issues surrounding participants' feelings of empowerment regarding their role in the trial, as well as related tensions between various logics and rationalities. They were essential to participants' continued involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is one of the most important milestones in HIV prevention for high-risk HIV-negative people. The introduction of PrEP into the HIV prevention package has raised the question of possible risk compensation, and in particular, a reduction in condom use. Although open-label extension (OLE) studies have enabled investigators to examine risk compensation in more real-life settings, results to date have been inconclusive regarding PrEP-induced behavioral changes. We aimed to identify behavioral trajectories over time for PrEP and condom use, and to investigate the link between these trajectories. Group-based trajectory modeling using logistic specification was implemented. Data of the 332 individuals participating in the double-blind and OLE phases of ANRS IPERGAY were used. Four distinct group trajectories were identified: 49.7% of the participants had "systematic adherence to PrEP," 19% had "high adherence to PrEP, 15.3% had "declining adherence to PrEP," and 16% had "low adherence to PrEP." Two condom trajectories were identified: 53% (n = 176) of the 332 participants were "low-level users" of condoms, and 47% were "high-level users." Among the former, 24.4% also belonged to the "low adherence to PrEP" group. This most-at-risk group represented 13% of all the participants. The effectiveness of offering sexual activity-based PrEP as part of the French HIV prevention package in the ANRS IPERGAY clinical trial is demonstrated by the relatively small proportion of participants that offset their low-level condom use with PrEP adherence. The results from this work may help in the future development of tailored prevention programs for high-risk HIV-negative people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of the study were to determine the level of satisfaction ofmen who have sex withmen (MSM) participatingin twocommunity-basednon-medicalized counseling and testingprograms(ANRS-DRAG andANRS-COM'TEST) offering HIV rapid tests (hereafter CBOffer), and to identify factors associated with satisfaction. Between 2009 and 2011, 436 participants voluntarily benefited from a CBOffer in the two programs. They completed self-administered questionnaires before and after testing. Psychosocial scores were constructed using principal component analyses to reflect the following dimensions: post-test satisfaction, avoidance of at-risk situations as a HIV risk-reduction strategy, and attitudes towards condom use. Logarithmic regression of the post-test satisfaction score was performed on these scores and on other selected explanatory variables, including the variable "self-identification as homosexual or bisexual". Post-test satisfaction ranged between 90-99 and below 90 for 50% and 25% of the participants, respectively. Post-test satisfaction with the CBOffer was independently associated with self-defined sexuality, meeting place for sexual partners, participants' attitudes about being HIV-positive, and condom use. The very high level of satisfaction was associated with both personal and socio-behavioral factors. Vulnerable MSM could be targeted better and, accordingly, could use this offer more frequently as a combined prevention tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: People living with HIV (PLHIV) who may have experienced biographical disruptions in their life trajectory may have a vulnerability to risk that differs from the general population, particularly in the context of an infectious health crisis. This study aimed to understand the factors associated with concerns about being infected with COVID-19 among PLHIV during the first period of the health crisis., Methods: This was an online cross-sectional study using an online self-administered questionnaire in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic in France among a population of PLHIV. The recruitment was done via social networks and through various actors in the fight against HIV. The self-questionnaire was available from July 2020 to September 2020., Results: The ACOVIH study collected 249 responses, 202 men and 47 women, with a mean age of 46.6 ± 12.9 years. The most represented socio-professional categories were employees (n=73.29%), followed by managers, professionals and artists (n=59.24%). The PLHIV most worried about being infected by COVID-19 had a level of education lower than or equal to the baccalaureate, family difficulties related to HIV and a deterioration in the relationship of trust with the HIV medical team., Conclusion: Feelings of anxiety can have a health and psychosocial impact on PLHIV. It is necessary to consider these negative factors by proposing adapted support and by carrying out preventive actions aiming in particular at improving the literacy of the PLHIV.

Introduction: While current research on sexuality and health often explores sexual behaviours among heterosexual and gay cisgender individuals, little is known about the sexualities of transgender people, especially transmasculine people. When data are available, sexual health is often reduced to risk exposure, not considering in detail social context and determinants that could contribute to a more comprehensive approach, such as general health, class, race, exposure to violence or social representations. Recognising this gap, identified in both national (French) and international scientific literature, this study aims to explore the sexual health of transmasculine people, employing an intersectional approach and considering both positive and negative health determinants., Methods: This 2-year research based in the disciplinary field of social psychology, with a gender perspective, and will apply qualitative methods. We adopt a community-based research approach, integrating one university and one community-based organisation in the coordination of the study. In a triangulation perspective, two rounds of semistructured interviews will be performed with key informants (medical practitioners, community-based support services workers, etc) and with people self-identifying as transmasculine. Focus groups will complement data collection., Ethics and Dissemination: FOREST protocol was approved by the Comité d'Évaluation Éthique (CEEI) de l'Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (CEEI/International Review Board 00003888). The research adopts the principles of open science, and findings will be published assuring participants' confidentiality. Informative flyers and videos will be elaborated to communicate study findings to participants, stakeholders and the transcommunities at large, and data will be stored in lasting archives., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Two challenges were identified to improve the place of PEP in combined prevention: (1) improvement of healthcare professionals’ knowledge, practices and attitudes; and (2) revision of the guidelines concerning first-line prescription, the conditions for access to PEP, and sexual health support..