Risk Perception and sexual risk behaviors among HIV-positive men on antiretroviral therapy

Sero-prevalence of syphilis infection among people living with HIV in Sierra Leone: a cross-sectional nationwide hospital-based study

BACKGROUND

Globally, there were an estimated 7.1 million new syphilis infections in 2020, with more than 30% of these new infections reported in African countries such as Sierra Leone. Despite this, there is no HIV-specific syphilis screening program in Sierra Leone. Thus, data are needed to inform public health practice. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of syphilis seropositivity and factors associated with syphilis seropositivity among people living with HIV (PLHIV).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at 10 health facilities in Sierra Leone, among adults with HIV, aged 18 years or older, from September 2022 to January 2023. Parameters of interest were collected including age, sex, marriage, antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen, HIV viral load, duration of ART treatment, and hospital level of care. The syphilis antibody was detected by a rapid test based on immunochromatography assay. Data were analyzed using R-software version 4.2.3 (R Core Team, Vienna, Austria). Pearson's χ2 test, Fisher's exact test and Kruskal-Wallis H test were applied to assess the differences in syphilis seropositivity between groups as appropriate. Univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with syphilis seropositivity. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Of the 3082 PLHIV individuals in our study, 2294 (74.4%) were female and 2867 (93.0%) were receiving ART. With a median age of 36 years, 211 (6.8%, 95% CI 6.0-7.7) were positive for syphilis. The prevalence of syphilis was highest in people aged 60 years and over (21.1%, 95%CI 14.7-29.2), followed by people aged 50-60 years (15.5%, 95%CI 11.9-19.9) and in the widowed population (11.9%, 95%CI 8.9-15.8). There were no differences in syphilis seropositivity between gender, ART status, ART regimen, duration of ART, HIV viral load and hospital level of care. Older age (50-60 years: adjusted OR 3.49, 95%CI 2.09-5.85 P < 0.001; 60-100 years: adjusted OR 4.28, 95%CI 2.21-8.17, P < 0.001) was an independent predictor of seropositive syphilis.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed a high prevalence of syphilis among PLHIV. Older people and widowed population have higher syphilis seropositivity. Older age was an independent predictor of syphilis positivity. Therefore, we call for the integration of syphilis screening, treatment and prevention in HIV services.

Measuring Sexual Risk-Taking: A Systematic Review of the Sexual Delay Discounting Task

The Sexual Delay Discounting Task (SDDT; Johnson & Bruner, 2012) is a behavioral economic task that assesses sexual risk-taking by measuring likelihood of immediate and delayed condom use. The SDDT is ecologically valid and has been used to test effects of various substances on sexual risk-taking. However, considerable variety in implementation, analysis, and reporting of the SDDT may limit rigor and reproducibility of findings. The current review synthesized studies that used the SDDT to evaluate these possible variabilities systematically. A two-step search (citation-tracking and keyword-based search) was conducted to identify studies that met inclusion criteria (i.e., used the SDDT). Eighteen peer-reviewed articles met inclusion criteria. The SDDT has been implemented primarily in three populations: individuals who use cocaine, men who have sex with men, and college students. Comparable results across diverse populations support the SDDT's validity. A few studies administered substances before the SDDT. Evidence suggests that while cocaine and alcohol increased sexual risk-taking under some conditions, buspirone decreased preference for immediate condomless sex. There was also heterogeneity in the determination of data orderliness (i.e., outliers) and inconsistent reporting of task design and analysis. Considerable differences present in methodologic approaches could influence results. Reducing variation in the administration, analysis, and reporting of the SDDT will enhance rigor and reproducibility and maximize the task's tremendous potential.

Unsafe Sexual Behavior Among Gay/Bisexual Men in the Era of Combination Antiretroviral Therapy (cART)

The aim of this study was to determine the association between psychosocial determinants of unprotected receptive anal intercourse (URAI) and unprotected insertive anal intercourse (UIAI). Data from 417 HIV positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study from April 1999 to March 2012 were analyzed and adjusted odds were calculated. It was found that 66% (n = 277) and 72% (n = 299) reported any UIAI or URAI over follow-up, respectively. Cumulative cART-years (median = 5.30 years) was associated with 33 and 47% increases in UIAI and URAI, respectively. Not having reduced concern about HIV transmission (UIAI: OR 0.37, p-value = 0.0004; URAI: OR 0.57, p-value = 0.04), increased safe sex fatigue (UIAI: OR 2.32, 95% p-value = 0.0002; URAI: OR 1.94, p-value = 0.003), and sexual sensation seeking (UIAI: OR 1.76, p-value = 0.002; URAI: OR 1.56, p-value = 0.02) were associated with UIAI and URAI. Serosorting was associated with UIAI (OR 6.11, p-value < 0.0001) and URAI (OR 6.80, p-value < 0.0001). Findings suggest that negative attitudes about HIV transmission are sustained among older men who have sex with men.

A double-edged sword: does highly active antiretroviral therapy contribute to syphilis incidence by impairing immunity to Treponema pallidum?

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS

Recently, the world has experienced a rapidly escalating outbreak of infectious syphilis primarily affecting men who have sex with men (MSM); many are taking highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for HIV-1 infection. The prevailing hypothesis is that HAART availability and effectiveness have led to the perception among both individuals who are HIV-1 infected and those who are uninfected that HIV-1 transmission has become much less likely, and the effects of HIV-1 infection less deadly. This is expected to result in increased sexual risk-taking, especially unprotected anal intercourse, leading to more non-HIV-1 STDs, including gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis. However, syphilis incidence has increased more rapidly than other STDs. We hypothesise that HAART downregulates the innate and acquired immune responses to Treponema pallidum and that this biological explanation plays an important role in the syphilis epidemic.

METHODS

We performed a literature search and developed a mathematical model of HIV-1 and T. pallidum confection in a population with two risk groups with assortative mixing to explore the consequence on syphilis prevalence of HAART-induced changes in behaviour versus HAART-induced biological effects.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Since rising syphilis incidence appears to have outpaced gonorrhoea and chlamydia, predominantly affecting HIV-1 positive MSM, behavioural factors alone may be insufficient to explain the unique, sharp increase in syphilis incidence. HAART agents have the potential to alter the innate and acquired immune responses in ways that may enhance susceptibility to T. pallidum. This raises the possibility that therapeutic and preventative HAART may inadvertently increase the incidence of syphilis, a situation that would have significant and global public health implications. We propose that additional studies investigating the interplay between HAART and enhanced T. pallidum susceptibility are needed. If our hypothesis is correct, HAART should be combined with enhanced patient management including frequent monitoring for pathogens such as T. pallidum.

Multiplayer games and HIV transmission via casual encounters

Population transmission models have been helpful in studying the spread of HIV. They assess changes made at the population level for different intervention strategies. To further understand how individual changes affect the population as a whole, game-theoretical models are used to quantify the decision-making process. Investigating multiplayer nonlinear games that model HIV transmission represents a unique approach in epidemiological research. We present here 2-player and multiplayer noncooperative games where players are defined by HIV status and age and may engage in casual (sexual) encounters. The games are modelled as generalized Nash games with shared constraints, which is completely novel in the context of our applied problem. Each player's HIV status is known to potential partners, and players have personal preferences ranked via utility values of unprotected and protected sex outcomes. We model a player's strategy as their probability of being engaged in a casual unprotected sex encounter (USE), which may lead to HIV transmission; however, we do not incorporate a transmission model here. We study the sensitivity of Nash strategies with respect to varying preference rankings, and the impact of a prophylactic vaccine introduced in players of youngest age groups. We also study the effect of these changes on the overall increase in infection level, as well as the effects that a potential prophylactic treatment may have on age-stratified groups of players. We conclude that the biggest impacts on increasing the infection levels in the overall population are given by the variation in the utilities assigned to individuals for unprotected sex with others of opposite HIV status, while the introduction of a prophylactic vaccine in youngest age group (15-20 yr olds) slows down the increase in HIV infection.

HIV-transmission-related risk behavior in HIV+ African American men: Exploring biological, psychological, cognitive, and social factors

OBJECTIVES

To identify factors associated with HIV-transmission-related risk behavior among HIV+ African American men.

METHOD

We examined biological, psychological, cognitive, and social factors and recent HIV-transmission-related risk behavior (i.e., needle sharing, unprotected sex, exchange sex) among a sample of HIV+ African American men.

RESULTS

A binary logistic regression showed that individuals under age 50 (OR=4.2), with clinically-elevated masochism scores (OR=3.9) on the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III), current substance abuse/dependence (OR=2.6), and higher sensation-seeking (OR=1.3) were more likely to report recent risk behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

Reducing substance use, addressing self-defeating attitudes, and improving self-control may be avenues for future prevention and intervention research among HIV+ African American men engaging in HIV-transmission-related risk behavior.

Sexual behavior, risk perception, and HIV transmission can respond to HIV antiviral drugs and vaccines through multiple pathways

There has been growing use of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) for HIV and significant progress in developing prophylactic HIV vaccines. The simplest theories of counterproductive behavioral responses to such interventions tend to focus on single feedback mechanisms: for instance, HAART optimism makes infection less scary and thus promotes risky sexual behavior. Here, we develop an agent based, age-structured model of HIV transmission, risk perception, and partner selection in a core group to explore behavioral responses to interventions. We find that interventions can activate not one, but several feedback mechanisms that could potentially influence decision-making and HIV prevalence. In the model, HAART increases the attractiveness of unprotected sex, but it also increases perceived risk of infection and, on longer timescales, causes demographic impacts that partially counteract HAART optimism. Both HAART and vaccination usually lead to lower rates of unprotected sex on the whole, but intervention effectiveness depends strongly on whether individuals over- or under-estimate intervention coverage. Age-specific effects cause sexual behavior and HIV prevalence to change in opposite ways in old and young age groups. For complex infections like HIV-where interventions influence transmission, demography, sexual behavior and risk perception-we conclude that evaluations of behavioral responses should consider multiple feedback mechanisms.

The association between HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and perception of risk for infection: a systematic review

This systematic review tries to elucidate the association between what people know about HIV/AIDS and how they perceive their risk of infection. The initial search for articles yielded 1,595 abstracts, 16 of which met the inclusion criteria. Five studies found a positive correlation, four reported a negative correlation and seven found no association between knowledge and risk perception. It was found that the existing psychometrically sound measure of HIV/AIDS risk perception had not been used in any of the studies. The context in which the risk is assessed is pivotal to whether an association between knowledge and the perceived risk is found. Biases in judgement such as optimistic bias, psychological distancing, anchoring bias and overconfidence also explain how knowledge may fail to predict risk perception. It was concluded that the association between HIV/AIDS knowledge and risk perception might follow a continuum from positive to no association and finally to negative. The hypothesis, however, still needs to be studied further.

Relationship between social cognitive theory constructs and self-reported condom use: assessment of behaviour in a subgroup of the Safe in the City trial

OBJECTIVES

Previous studies have found social cognitive theory (SCT)-framed interventions are successful for improving condom use and reducing sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We conducted a secondary analysis of behavioural data from the Safe in the City intervention trial (2003-2005) to investigate the influence of SCT constructs on study participants' self-reported use of condoms at last intercourse.

METHODS

The main trial was conducted from 2003 to 2005 at three public US STI clinics. Patients (n=38,635) were either shown a 'safer sex' video in the waiting room, or received the standard waiting room experience, based on their visit date. A nested behavioural assessment was administered to a subsample of study participants following their index clinic visit and again at 3 months follow-up. We used multivariable modified Poisson regression models to examine the relationships among SCT constructs (sexual self-efficacy, self-control self-efficacy, self-efficacy with most recent partner, hedonistic outcome expectancies and partner expected outcomes) and self-reported condom use at last sex act at the 3-month follow-up study visit.

RESULTS

Of 1252 participants included in analysis, 39% reported using a condom at last sex act. Male gender, homosexual orientation and single status were significant correlates of condom use. Both unadjusted and adjusted models indicate that sexual self-efficacy (adjusted relative risk (RRa)=1.50, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.84), self-control self-efficacy (RRa=1.67, 95% CI 1.37 to 2.04), self-efficacy with most recent partner (RRa=2.56, 95% CI 2.01 to 3.27), more favourable hedonistic outcome expectancies (RRa=1.83, 95% CI 1.54 to 2.17) and more favourable partner expected outcomes (RRa=9.74, 95% CI 3.21 to 29.57) were significantly associated with condom use at last sex act.

CONCLUSIONS

Social cognitive skills, such as self-efficacy and partner expected outcomes, are an important aspect of condom use behaviour.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00137370).

Where does treatment optimism fit in? Examining factors associated with consistent condom use among people receiving antiretroviral treatment in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In the era of highly active antiretrovirals, people living with HIV (PLWH) have resumed sexual activity in the context of longer and healthier lives, and thus the chances of transmitting the HIV virus, as well as the potential to be re-infected also increase. HIV treatment optimism has been found to be associated with sexual risk behaviors among PLWH in different settings. A cross sectional survey was conducted to examine the relationship between treatment optimism, safer sex burnout and consistent condom use as well as variables associated with treatment optimism in a sample of PLWH on antiretrovirals (ARVs) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (n = 604). Seventy-two percent of participants always used a condom in the last 6 months. Homosexual, bisexual, transexual persons were less likely to use condoms consistently than heterosexuals (AOR .58 CI .42-.78). Those who were treatment optimistic (AOR .46 CI .25-.88) were more likely not use a condom consistently in the past 6 months, as were participants who reported safer sex burnout (AOR .58 CI .36-.90). Sexual orientation, safer sex burnout, and lower education levels were significantly associated with higher treatment optimism in multivariate analysis. Study findings highlight the need to address psychosocial factors such as treatment optimism and safer sex burnout associated with lower consistent condom use among PLWH in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Past present: Relationship dynamics may differ among discordant gay male couples depending on HIV infection history

Discordant couples are unique because neither partner shares the same serostatus. Yet research overlooks how they became discordant, mistakenly assuming that they have always been that way and, by extension, that being discordant impacts the relationship in a similar manner. This study examines HIV infection history and its impact on relationship dynamics using qualitative data from 35 discordant gay male couples. Most couples met discordant (69%); however, many did not (31%). Those couples that met discordant felt being discordant had a lesser impact on their sexual and relational satisfaction, while those that did not meet discordant felt it had a greater impact, reporting sexual frustration and anxiety over seroconverting. This suggests that relationship dynamics may differ for discordant couples depending on HIV infection history. HIV prevention and counseling services for discordant couples can be better tailored and more effective when differences in HIV infection history are recognized.

Changing risk behaviours and the HIV epidemic: a mathematical analysis in the context of treatment as prevention

Background

Expanding access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has become an important approach to HIV prevention in recent years. Previous studies suggest that concomitant changes in risk behaviours may either help or hinder programs that use a Treatment as Prevention strategy.

Analysis

We consider HIV-related risk behaviour as a social contagion in a deterministic compartmental model, which treats risk behaviour and HIV infection as linked processes, where acquiring risk behaviour is a prerequisite for contracting HIV. The equilibrium behaviour of the model is analysed to determine epidemic outcomes under conditions of expanding HAART coverage along with risk behaviours that change with HAART coverage. We determined the potential impact of changes in risk behaviour on the outcomes of Treatment as Prevention strategies. Model results show that HIV incidence and prevalence decline only above threshold levels of HAART coverage, which depends strongly on risk behaviour parameter values. Expanding HAART coverage with simultaneous reduction in risk behaviour act synergistically to accelerate the drop in HIV incidence and prevalence. Above the thresholds, additional HAART coverage is always sufficient to reverse the impact of HAART optimism on incidence and prevalence. Applying the model to an HIV epidemic in Vancouver, Canada, showed no evidence of HAART optimism in that setting.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that Treatment as Prevention has significant potential for controlling the HIV epidemic once HAART coverage reaches a threshold. Furthermore, expanding HAART coverage combined with interventions targeting risk behaviours amplify the preventive impact, potentially driving the HIV epidemic to elimination.

Relationship characteristics associated with sexual risk behavior among MSM in committed relationships

Understanding situations that increase HIV risk among men who have sex with men (MSM) requires consideration of the context in which risky behaviors occur. Relationships are one such context. This study examines the presence and predictors of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in the past 3 months among 566 MSM couples. A majority of couples allowed sex with outside partners. Overall, 65% of the sample engaged in UAI with primary partner, including nearly half of discordant couples. Positive relationship factors, such as attachment and intimacy, were associated with an increased likelihood of UAI with primary partner. Meanwhile, 22% of the sample engaged in at least one episode of UAI with an outside partner, half of whom were discordant or unknown HIV status outside partners. Higher levels of HIV-specific social support, equality, and sexual agreement investment were significantly associated with a decreased likelihood of engaging in UAI with a discordant or unknown HIV status outside partner. HIV-positive men in discordant relationships had two and one half times the odds of having UAI with a discordant or unknown HIV status outside partner as their HIV-negative partners. Many MSM in relationships, including some in serodiscordant ones, engage in UAI with primary partners. Potential explanations include relationship closeness, relationship length, and agreement type. In addition, relationship context appears to have a differential impact upon UAI with primary and outside partners, implying that prevention messages may need to be tailored for different types of couples. Prevention efforts involving MSM couples must take into account relationship characteristics as couples balance safer sex and HIV risk with intimacy and pleasure.

HIV treatment optimism and sexual risk behaviors among HIV positive African American men who have sex with men

The association between HIV treatment optimism--beliefs about susceptibility to transmit HIV, motivation to use condoms, and severity of HIV--and sexual risk behavior was examined among HIV-positive African American men who have sex with men (MSM). Participants were 174 men recruited in four major metropolitan areas of the United States to participate in a weekend HIV risk reduction intervention. Baseline results revealed that beliefs in less susceptibility to transmit HIV and less motivation to use condoms were significantly associated with more unprotected anal intercourse among serodiscordant casual partners. Less motivation to use condoms also predicted more unprotected insertive and receptive anal sex and was more important than susceptibility beliefs in predicting these behaviors. Suggestions are offered of ways to better inform HIV-positive African American MSM about their misperceptions about HIV treatment and how their level of optimism about HIV treatment may diminish or encourage condom use.

Disclosure of HIV status to sex partners among HIV-infected men and women in Cape Town, South Africa

This study examines factors influencing HIV sero-status disclosure to sex partners among a sample of 630 HIV-infected men and women with recent sexual contact attending anti-retroviral therapy (ART) clinics in Cape Town, South Africa, with a focus on sex partner type, HIV-related stigma, and ART as potential correlates. About 20% of the sample had not disclosed their HIV status to their most recent sex partners. HIV disclosure to sex partner was more likely among participants who had a steady sex partner [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.6-4.6], had a partner with known-HIV status [AOR = 7.8; 95% CI: 3.2-18.7]; perceived less stigma [AOR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2-2.9]; and were on ART [AOR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1-2.3]. Stratified analyses by the type of sex partner further reveals that stigma and ART were significantly associated with HIV disclosure within steady relationships but were not significant correlates of HIV disclosure with casual sex partners. The findings support a positive prevention strategy that emphasizes increased access to ART, and behavioral interventions to reduce casual sex partnerships for persons who are HIV-positive. Mitigating the influence of HIV stigma on HIV status disclosure particularly within steady sex partnerships is also important and may be accomplished through individual and couple counseling.

Beliefs about transmission risk and vulnerability, treatment adherence, and sexual risk behavior among a sample of HIV-positive men who have sex with men

Advances in HIV treatment have generated optimistic beliefs about HIV transmission risk and sexually transmitted infection vulnerability, which can influence motivation to practice safer sex. This study sought to better understand the relationships between these beliefs and different types of sexual risk behavior. A second objective was to determine the association between treatment adherence and sexual risk behaviors. Data collected from 842 HIV-positive men who have sex with men on treatment were examined. Eleven questions measured beliefs regarding HIV transmission risk and vulnerability to other infections or negative health outcomes. The main outcomes were concordant and discordant unprotected anal sex with main and non-main male partners. Thirty-four percent reported concordant and 41% reported discordant unprotected anal sex in the past three months: 26% reported discordant insertive unprotected anal sex. In all multivariate logistic regression models predicting sexual risk behaviors, at least one belief item remained statistically significant. Different patterns of associations between beliefs and sexual risk were observed across partner type and serostatus. Compared to transmission risk beliefs, more vulnerability beliefs were associated with sexual risk. Missing at least one treatment dose in the past month was associated with concordant and discordant sexual risk with non-main partners, while intentionally missing a dose was associated with only discordant risk with non-main partners. Post hoc moderator analysis explored potential interaction between beliefs and adherence. The belief that a low viral load lowers transmission risk was positively associated with discordant sex with non-main partners only among those who missed a dose intentionally. These results underscore the complex relationship between HIV transmission risk and vulnerability beliefs and sexual behavior with different types of partners. Prevention programs should carefully consider how to craft and tailor messages about medical advances while at the same time reinforcing the need for continued sexual safety.

Potential impact of vaginal microbicides on HIV risk among women with primary heterosexual partners

This article explores the potential public health consequences of anti-HIV microbicide adoption among women in high-risk communities, using data from an exploratory study to illustrate key points. A brief quantitative survey was administered to 71 drug-using women with primary heterosexual partners in New York City. Only 37% of women reported recent condom use with a primary male partner. A total of 86% expressed willingness to use a microbicide with a primary partner. Among women using condoms, 50% believed they would decrease condom use if they started using a vaginal microbicide. Although overall condom use and intended condom migration was low among women with HIV-infected partners, universal promotion of microbicides could nonetheless lead to an increase in HIV risk among specific subgroups of women, indicating the importance of promoting continued condom use. Further research is needed to inform public policy decisions before the availability of the first commercial microbicide.

Adapting positive prevention interventions for international settings: applying U.S. evidence to epidemics in developing countries

HIV prevention efforts with people living with HIV are critical, and Positive Prevention (PP) interventions have expanded globally to address this growing need. This article provides an overview of U.S. PP literature addressing evidence-based interventions. It continues by looking at the prevention needs and care issues of people living with HIV in Mozambique and the larger African context, and then discusses which U.S. PP models may be best suited for adaptation and use in Mozambique. The research suggests that the lessons learned from these U.S.-developed interventions can be modified to develop theoretically sound interventions. These interventions must be culturally specific and include a collaborative approach for best results.

Treatment to prevent transmission of HIV-1

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has the potential to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission by reducing the concentration of HIV in blood and genital secretions. Indeed, mathematical models with favorable assumptions suggest the potential of ART to stop the spread of HIV infection. Empirical results from ecological and population-based studies and from several short-term observational studies involving HIV status-discordant heterosexual couples suggest that ART reduces the rate of HIV transmission. A multinational, randomized, controlled trial (National Institutes of Health HPTN052) examining the reliability and durability of ART as prevention of transmission in HIV status-discordant couples is under way. The latter and other studies also consider sexual risk-taking behavior and transmission of HIV-resistant variants when ART is used as prevention. Early HIV detection and treatment (ie, test and treat) are being considered as an important prevention strategy. In this article, we review the data supporting the use of ART to prevent HIV transmission and critically examine the public health implications of this strategy.

HIV treatment optimism and unsafe anal intercourse among HIV-positive men who have sex with men: findings from the positive connections study

This study was designed to examine the impact of HIV treatment optimism on sexual risk among a racially diverse sample of HIV-positive MSM. Survey data were collected from 346 racially diverse HIV-positive MSM.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

18 years of age, male, at least one incident of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in the last year, currently on treatment. Other variables included demographics, sexual risk, depression, internalized homonegativity, HIV treatment history, alcohol/drug use and beliefs about HIV treatments (Susceptibility to transmit HIV, Severity of HIV infection and Condom Motivation). Those with lower income were more likely to report that HIV was less transmissible. A self-reported decrease in condom motivation was associated with being White, well-educated and increased alcohol/drug use. A decrease in Severity of HIV was associated with better mental health, being non-White and undetectable viral load. Sexual risk appears related to beliefs about how treatment affects the transmissibility of HIV. Race, socioeconomic status, alcohol/drug use, mental health and viral load were also associated with treatment beliefs.

Development of a treatment optimism scale for HIV-positive gay and bisexual men

Potential items to be included in an HIV Treatment Optimism scale were reviewed by 17 HIV-positive gay and bisexual men (GBM), resulting in a 21-item test instrument. After pilot testing, data were collected from a multi-city sample of high-risk HIV-positive GBM (n=346), who were currently on treatment and were recruited to attend a two-day sexual health seminar. The scale items were analyzed utilizing Principal Components Analysis and reliability testing. The factor analysis resulted in the development of three separate scales. The Susceptibility scale contained 10 items associated with a belief that HIV is less transmissible while on HIV treatment. The Condom Motivation scale contained five items addressing a decreased motivation to use condoms while on treatment and the Severity scale contained four items associated with a decreased sense of the severity of an HIV diagnosis. Reliability coefficients (alpha) and mean inter-item correlations (M) for the three scales were acceptable (Susceptibility, alpha = 0.86, M=0.39; Condom Motivation, alpha = 0.84, M = 0.50; Severity, alpha = 0.71, M=0.37). Combined as one scale,the reliability coefficient was respectable (alpha = 0.76), but the mean inter-item correlation was 0.14. Based on this analysis, use of a single measure was not supported and three separate scales were developed. The scales were equivalent across racial groups except White men were more like to report a decreased motivation to use condoms compared to Black or Latino men. Three separate scales addressing beliefs about the transmissibility of HIV while on treatment (Susceptibility), the quality of life while on HIV treatment (Severity) and the motivation to use condoms consistently while on treatment (Condom Motivation) may be better markers for assessing optimistic beliefs about HIV treatment among HIV-positive GBM.

Changes in at-risk behavior for HIV infection among HIV-positive persons in Italy

Many HIV-positive persons reportedly continue to engage in at-risk behavior. We compared the sexual and drug-using practices of HIV-positive persons before and after the diagnosis of HIV infection to determine whether their behavior had changed. To this end, in 2006, we conducted a cross-sectional study involving clinical centers in five Italian cities. Each center was asked to enroll 100 persons aged 18 years or older who had a diagnosis of HIV infection that dated back at least 2 years. Data were collected with a specifically designed questionnaire, administered during a structured interview. The McNemar chi2 test was used to compare the data before and after the diagnosis. A total of 497 persons participated (65.5% males; median age of 40 years; age range, 34-45 years). The most common exposure categories were: heterosexual contact (43.4%), homosexual contact (27.2%), and injecting drug use (20.6%). Although the percentage of drug users significantly decreased after diagnosis, 32.4% of injectors continued to use drugs, and approximately half of them exchanged syringes. Regarding sexual behavior, after diagnosis there was a significant decrease in the number of sexual partners and in stable relationships and an increase in condom use, both for persons with stable partners and those with occasional partners, although the percentage varied according to the specific sexual practice. These results indicate that though at-risk behavior seems to decrease after the diagnosis of HIV infection, seropositive persons continue to engage in at-risk practices, indicating the need for interventions specifically geared toward HIV-positive persons.

Use of viral load to negotiate condom use among gay men in Sydney, Australia

Using two cohort studies (Health in men-HIM and positive health-PH) and repeated large cross-sectional surveys (Gay Community Periodic Survey-GCPS) of gay men in Sydney, Australia, we examined the association between viral load and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) between HIV sero-discordant regular partners. Between 2001 and 2007, we conducted 243 interviews with 102 HIV-negative gay men in HIM and 148 interviews with 99 HIV-positive gay men in PH who were in regular relationships with HIV sero-discordant partners. During the same time period, 437 HIV positive men with HIV sero-discordant regular partners completed questionnaires for the GCPS. All completed interviews or questionnaires during that time period were used for these analyses. Amongst the HIV-negative respondents, sero-discordant UAI was more likely to be reported when the men believed their HIV-positive regular partner had an undetectable rather than a detectable viral load (P = 0.002). Amongst the HIV-positive respondents, sero-discordant UAI was as likely to be reported when they themselves reported having an undetectable or a detectable viral load. Use of viral load in negotiating condom use between sero-discordant gay couples may be understood very differently by the HIV-negative and HIV-positive men within those partnerships.

Safe sex fatigue, treatment optimism, and serosorting: new challenges to HIV prevention among men who have sex with men

As the HIV epidemic enters its third decade in the United States, there have been few changes in the demographics of the populations most affected by HIV. Twenty years of HIV has resulted in changing attitudes toward prevention and infection in the population of men who have sex with men (MSM). This article presents a review of the recent research regarding HIV risks and attitudes among MSM and reports on several trends that have repeatedly emerged from the literature. Concepts such as safe sex, treatment optimism, and serosorting have recently become common among MSM communities and present a challenge to all who work in HIV prevention. Suggestions are made regarding implications for nursing and areas for future research.

Factors associated with sexual risk behavior among persons living with HIV: gender and sexual identity group differences

Factors associated with HIV transmission risk may differ between subgroups of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This study examined such factors in a sample of PLWHA recruited in 3 US metropolitan areas. Sexually active participants were categorized as gay or bisexual men (GBM) (n = 545), heterosexual men (HSM, n = 223), or women (n = 214). Of 982 participants, 27.1% reported serodiscordant unprotected anal or vaginal sex (SDUAV). SDUAV was associated with multiple (2 or more) partners, using poppers, and lower safer sex self-efficacy among GBM. SDUAV was associated with multiple partners among HSM. Among women, factors examined were not associated with SDUAV. These findings are consistent with prior research and facilitate our ability to target those who may be most at risk for transmitting HIV among HIV-positive GBM. More research must be conducted to identify factors associated with risk behavior among HSM and women.

Integrating HIV care and HIV prevention: legal, policy and programmatic recommendations

Since the start of the HIV epidemic we have witnessed significant advances in our understanding of the impact of HIV disease worldwide. Furthermore, breakthroughs in treatment and the rapid expansion of HIV care and treatment programmes in heavily impacted countries over the past 5 years are potentially critical assets in a comprehensive approach to controlling the continued spread of HIV globally. A strategic approach to controlling the epidemic requires continued and comparable expansion and integration of care, treatment and prevention programmes. As every new infection involves transmission, whether vertically or horizontally, from a person living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), the integration of HIV prevention into HIV care settings has the potential to prevent thousands of new infections, as well as to improve the lives of PLWHA. In this paper, we highlight how to better utilize opportunities created by the antiretroviral roll-out to achieve more effective prevention, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. We offer specific recommendations for action in the domains of healthcare policy and practice in order better to utilize the advances in HIV treatment to advance HIV prevention.

It's not just what you say: relationships of HIV dislosure and risk reduction among MSM in the post-HAART era

In the post-HAART era, critical questions arise as to what factors affect disclosure decisions and how these decisions are associated with factors such as high-risk behaviors and partner variables. We interviewed 1,828 HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM), of whom 46% disclosed to all partners. Among men with casual partners, 41.8% disclosed to all of these partners and 21.5% to none. Disclosure was associated with relationship type, perceived partner HIV status and sexual behaviors. Overall, 36.5% of respondents had unprotected anal sex (UAS) with partners of negative/unknown HIV status. Of those with only casual partners, 80.4% had >1 act of UAS and 58% of these did not disclose to all partners. This 58% were more likely to self-identify as gay (versus bisexual), be aware of their status for <5 years and have more partners. Being on HAART, viral load and number of symptoms were not associated with disclosure. This study - the largest conducted to date of disclosure among MSM and one of the few conducted post-HAART - indicates that almost 1/5th reported UAS with casual partners without disclosure, highlighting a public health challenge. Disclosure needs to be addressed in the context of relationship type, partner status and broader risk-reduction strategies.

Long-term psychosocial challenges for people living with HIV: let's not forget the individual in our global response to the pandemic

Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, people living with HIV have faced numerous psychological and behavioral challenges. With the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART) there have been dramatic shifts in some of these key challenges and new ones have come to the forefront. This paper highlights several critical psychological and behavioral aspects of HIV disease, a few of which require focused attention, including mental health, stigma and disclosure, adherence, and sexual behavior. Although the focus is primarily on adults living with HIV, we also comment on some of the additional challenges for children and young people. Our critical examination in these areas draws upon the lessons learned in contexts in which ART has been available for a decade, and we explore what is currently happening in settings with more recent treatment access. In the end we offer our insights into what we may expect in the future, and provide recommendations for ongoing prevention and care initiatives with adults, children, and young people affected by this disease.

Determinants of perceived barriers to condom use among HIV-infected middle-aged and older African-American men

AIM

This paper is a report of a study to describe which determinants best predict perceived barriers to condom use during sexual encounters among human immunodeficiency virus human immunodeficiency virus-infected African-American men, middle-aged and older, living in the United States of America.

BACKGROUND

While the global epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome infection is a well-documented phenomenon with national and international implications, prevalence statistics indicate that middle-aged and older African-American (non-Hispanic) men have not benefited from the prevention efforts implemented during the past two decades.

METHOD

A cross-sectional design using a survey and convenience sampling was adopted between September 2003 and July 2004 to recruit n = 130 middle-aged human immunodeficiency virus-infected African-American men from infectious disease clinics from the Mid-Atlantic region in the United States of America. The survey covered demographics, perceived health beliefs, spiritual well-being and symptoms related to human immunodeficiency virus.

FINDINGS

Stepwise multiple regression showed having fewer human immunodeficiency virus-related symptoms associated with the human immunodeficiency virus (P = 0.004) and being single (P = 0.05) were perceived as barriers to condom use during sexual encounters (R(2) = 0.029, P = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

Tailored interventions are needed for African-American men, middle-aged and older, infected with human immunodeficiency virus nationally and worldwide that are designed to decrease perceived barriers in order to increase condom use.

Medication adherence and sexual risk behavior among HIV-infected adults: implications for transmission of resistant virus

As more people are living long-term with HIV there are growing concerns about specific behaviors that can affect both personal and the public health. This study examined the relationship between antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and sexual risk behavior and their association with psychosocial and health factors among a diverse sample of 2,849 HIV-infected adults. Only 8.5% of the sample reported both non-adherence and sexual risk. Individuals were 46% more likely to report one of these risk outcomes when the other one was present and the presence of both outcomes was associated with an increased likelihood of having a detectable viral load. A simultaneous polytomous regression analysis revealed complex relationships among a range of psychosocial variables and the two primary behavioral risk outcomes. There is a need for targeted interventions and integration of mental health and substance use services into primary HIV care settings.

Behavioral aspects of HIV care: adherence, depression, substance use, and HIV-transmission behaviors

A variety of psychosocial stressors are involved in living with HIV, maintaining a regimen of highly active antiretroviral therapy, and negotiating necessary self-care behaviors. Because health care providers are in regular contact with HIV-infected individuals in care, these contacts allow for the opportunity to assess and intervene on important variables related to quality of life and HIV outcomes. This article reviews information about four important behavioral aspects of HIV care: treatment adherence, depression, high-risk sex, and substance abuse. Efforts by health care providers to address these factors may result in better treatment outcomes, enhanced quality of life among HIV patients, and decreased HIV transmission.

The impact of HIV treatment on risk behaviour in developing countries: A systematic review

In developing countries, access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is improving as HIV treatment becomes a greater priority in the global fight against AIDS. While ART has clearly beneficial clinical effects, increased access to treatment may also affect sexual behaviour. To examine the strength of evidence for the impact of medical treatment for HIV-positive individuals on behavioural outcomes in developing countries, we conducted a comprehensive search of the peer-reviewed literature. Studies were included if they provided clinical treatment to HIV-positive individuals in a developing country, compared behavioural, psychological, social, care, or biological outcomes related to HIV-prevention using a pre/post or multi-arm study design, and were published between January 1990 and January 2006. Only three studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria. All were conducted in Africa, utilized before/after or multi-arm study designs, and relied on self-reported behaviour. In all three studies, a majority of HIV-infected individuals reported being sexually abstinent, and access to ART was not associated with an increase in HIV-related risky sexual behaviours. However, one cross-sectional study found that ART patients were more likely to report STD treatment. The available evidence indicates a significant reduction in risk behaviour associated with ART in developing countries. However, there are few existing studies and the rigor of these studies is weak. More studies are needed to build an evidence base on which to make programmatic and policy decisions.

Integrating HIV prevention activities into the HIV medical care setting: a report from the NYC HIV Centers Consortium

With the maturing of the HIV epidemic and availability of potent antiretroviral therapies in the US, priorities for HIV prevention have shifted from general population approaches to case finding, treatment, risk reduction and relapse prevention activities among those at greatest risk for acquiring or transmitting HIV infection. The challenges of this approach include ensuring access and adherence to HIV care and treatment and appropriate prevention activities to ensure adequate and sustained sexual and drug use risk reduction across diverse populations. Experience with approaches to address these issues, particularly in the context of primary care, has been limited. An agenda for future research and practice includes continued development and evaluation of interventions that can address this next generation of health care issues.