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(1) | INTRODUCTION Evidence of emergent HIV epidemics and prevalence estimates greater than 10% point to a disproportionate burden of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) and [...], Introduction: In Myanmar, men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) are disproportionately affected by HIV, despite national HIV program scale-up. However, limited HIV surveillance capacity prevents monitoring of epidemic trends and program impact. This study aimed to estimate HIV prevalence and incidence and explore associated sexual risk behaviours among MSM and TW clients attending HIV testing clinics in Myanmar. Methods: An electronic data management system was implemented in two community-based, MSM and TW -tailored HIV testing clinics in Myanmar in August 2016. Unique client identifiers enabled prospective monitoring of service engagement, testing frequency and outcomes. We estimated HIV incidence and rate of HIV diagnosis at baseline testing visit among clients over a 15 month period. Correlates of HIV diagnoses were identified using multivariable logistic regression. Results: 2794 MSM and TW were tested for HIV. At their baseline test, 38% of clients reported any previous testing and 93% reported being sexually active over the previous three months, with 74% reporting sex with casual male partners and 28% reporting consistent condom use with casual partners. 291 clients tested positive for HIV for the first time at baseline (10.4%; 95% CI: 9.3 to 11.6). Twelve incident cases were detected among 279 clients receiving [greater than or equal to]2 tests (incidence = 10.1 per 100 person-years; 95% CI: 5.73 to 17.8). HIV diagnosis at baseline was significantly associated with being a transgender woman or a non-openly disclosing man who has sex with men, age 26 to 39 years, and reporting no testing history. Conclusions: High HIV incidence and new diagnoses being associated with reporting no testing history points to undiagnosed HIV driving transmissions in Myanmar. Repeat testing was uncommon. HIV programs in Myanmar must focus on promoting frequent HIV testing alongside adequate coverage of education and primary prevention interventions among MSM and TW. Keywords: HIV prevention; men who have sex with men; transgender women; Myanmar; HIV epidemiology; HIV testing

Introduction Demonstration that early antiretroviral therapy (ART) can result in up to 96% reduction in HIV transmission [1] has led to a global goal to increase early identification and engagement [...], Introduction: Global effort to increase early diagnosis and engagement in HIV care emphasize the importance of developing novel approaches to reaching those missed by traditional methods. Such needs are particularly great for men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender women (TW), and other populations who face stigma. Myanmar's HIV epidemic is concentrated among key populations and the revised National Strategy aims to reduce late diagnosis and barriers to care to curb HIV incidence among these groups. HIV self-testing (HIVST) may be one method to improve testing and diagnosis among key populations, by placing HIV testing and disclosure within the individual's control. Methods: Formative, qualitative research including in-depth interviews with adult MSM (N = 12) and TW (N = 13) and focus group discussions with MSM, TW, and community key informants (N = 35) were conducted in June-September 2015 in Yangon, Myanmar. To inform a subsequent HIV care continuum intervention, including HIVST, participants' opinions and perceptions about HIVST were elicited. Results: The confidentiality and privacy of HIVST, particularly as it related to disclosure of HIV status and sexual behaviour, was widely recognized among participants. These major advantages were further supported by the opportunity to avoid stigma, convenience of self-testing (reduced need for transportation and time to go to clinics), and the availability of a pain-free testing option. Participants weighed these benefits against perceived disadvantages of HIVST, the majority of which centred on the perception that HIVST does not include counselling. Participants were concerned that potential lack of counselling would result in poor mental health outcomes, inadequate linkage to HIV care and surveillance, and reductions in disclosure of HIV status. Participants did not view these disadvantages as an impediment, but provided suggestions for future implementation of HIVST in Myanmar. Conclusions: MSM and TW are optimistic about the confidentiality and privacy afforded by HIVST but wanted HIV counselling and linkage to appropriate services. The domestic reprioritization of HIV and opening of the country to international support has substantially increased the availability of HIV treatment and provides new opportunities, like HIVST, to potentially improve the HIV response for key populations who are at risk for HIV acquisition. Keywords: men who have sex with men; transgender women; HIV test; Myanmar

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant public health challenge in Guinea, with an estimated 22 000 TB cases in 2020; an estimated 6125 (28%) cases went undetected. We evaluated an intensified TB case finding strategy in Guinea which targeted customers who bought cough suppressants from pharmacies or drug outlets., Methods: We involved 25 pharmacies and 25 drug outlets in Matoto, Conakry, Guinea. Pharmacists or outlet owners identified and referred all customers with TB symptoms who were purchasing cough suppressants to healthcare workers for sputum collection either at the pharmacy or drug outlet or at a nearby TB diagnosis and treatment centre (CDT); sputum was subjected to bacteriological testing with acid fast bacilli smear or Xpert MTB/RIF. We assessed factors associated with eventual TB diagnosis using logistic regression and time to TB diagnosis using cox regression and used microcosting to estimate the cost of the intervention in 2020 US$., Results: From November 2019 to June 2020, we screened 916 people referred from pharmacies or drug outlets with TB symptoms, with median age of 31 years (54% male). Overall, 126 (14%) had bacteriologically confirmed TB. Odds of TB diagnosis were significantly lower with increasing age (adjusted OR (aOR) per additional year=0.98; 95% CI 0.97 to 0.99) and higher among males (aOR=1.57; 95% CI 1.04 to 2.39) and those with symptoms. Those identified at drug outlets had significantly faster time to presentation from symptom onset than pharmacies (adjusted HR=1.73; 95% CI 1.50 to 1.99). The total cost of the intervention per person referred was US$32.66 and per person diagnosed and treated for TB disease of US$237.45., Conclusion: Intensified TB case finding through pharmacies and drug outlets is a feasible and effective way to increase TB detection in settings where self-medicating is common, and TB is under-detected., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© World Health Organization 2024. Licensee BMJ.)