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May T, Towler L, Smith LE, Horwood J, Denford S, Rubin GJ, Hickman M, Amlôt R, Oliver I, Yardley L. Mpox knowledge, behaviours and barriers to public health measures among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in the UK: a qualitative study to inform public health guidance and messaging. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2265. [PMID: 37978506 PMCID: PMC10655366 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17196-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 2022-23 mpox epidemic is the first-time sustained community transmission had been reported in countries without epidemiological links to endemic areas. During that period, the outbreak almost exclusively affected sexual networks of gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and people living with HIV. In efforts to control transmission, multiple public health measures were implemented, including vaccination, contact tracing and isolation. This study examines knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of mpox among a sample of GBMSM during the 2022-23 outbreak in the UK, including facilitators for and barriers to the uptake of public health measures. METHODS Interviews were conducted with 44 GBMSM between May and December 2022. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Positive and negative comments pertaining to public health measures were collated in a modified version of a 'table of changes' to inform optimisations to public health messages and guidance. RESULTS Most interviewees were well informed about mpox transmission mechanisms and were either willing to or currently adhering to public health measures, despite low perceptions of mpox severity. Measures that aligned with existing sexual health practices and norms were considered most acceptable. Connections to GBMSM networks and social media channels were found to increase exposure to sexual health information and norms influencing protective behaviours. Those excluded or marginalized from these networks found some measures challenging to perform or adhere to. Although social media was a key mode of information sharing, there were preferences for timely information from official sources to dispel exaggerated or misleading information. CONCLUSIONS There are differential needs, preferences, and experiences of GBMSM that limit the acceptability of some mitigation and prevention measures. Future public health interventions and campaigns should be co-designed in consultation with key groups and communities to ensure greater acceptability and credibility in different contexts and communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom May
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Lauren Towler
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Louise E Smith
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response, King's College London, London, UK
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jeremy Horwood
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Sarah Denford
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - G James Rubin
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response, King's College London, London, UK
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew Hickman
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Richard Amlôt
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response, King's College London, London, UK
- United Kingdom Health Security Agency, Chief Scientific Officer's Group, London, UK
| | - Isabel Oliver
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- United Kingdom Health Security Agency, Chief Scientific Officer's Group, London, UK
| | - Lucy Yardley
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Rotsaert A, Nöstlinger C, Van Landeghem E, Vanbaelen T, Wouters E, Buffel V, Scheerder G, Schim van der Loeff M, Vuylsteke B, Reyniers T. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Users' Attitudes About Sexually Transmitted Infections and Its Influence on Condom Use: A Mixed-Method Study in Belgium. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2022; 36:483-492. [PMID: 36484763 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2022.0172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Incidence rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are rising among men who have sex with men (MSM). Since the rollout of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), promoting condom use to prevent the spread of STIs has become more challenging. Using a mixed-method design, we explored MSM PrEP users' attitudes toward STIs, condoms, and condom use with nonsteady partners to prevent STIs. We triangulated data from 22 in-depth interviews conducted at a large HIV/STI clinic between August 2021 and January 2022 and an online survey among 326 PrEP users between September 2020 and January 2022. Interviews were analyzed iteratively using a thematic analysis approach. We used bivariate and multi-variate ordered logistic regression to analyze the online survey data. Themes identified in the qualitative data influencing condom use decisions to prevent STIs were as follows: (1) awareness (i.e., perceived severity of and susceptibility to STIs, condom counseling), (2) motivation (i.e., concerns about STIs, sexual pleasure and protection of own health), and (3) perceived social norms and practices (e.g., reduced condom use at community level). Overall, 10.7% of survey respondents consistently used condoms with nonsteady partners. Survey respondents who reported high or moderate levels of willingness to use condoms to prevent acquiring STIs were significantly more likely to use condoms for anal sex with nonsteady partners; those who initiated PrEP 6-12 months ago were less likely to use condoms. We found a wide variation in attitudes toward condom use for the prevention of STIs among MSM using PrEP. We recommend client-centered approaches, taking into account PrEP users' values and priorities toward STI prevention to help reduce the spread of STIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Rotsaert
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Ella Van Landeghem
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Thibaut Vanbaelen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Edwin Wouters
- Department of Sociology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Veerle Buffel
- Department of Sociology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Gert Scheerder
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Maarten Schim van der Loeff
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research and Prevention, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity (AII), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute (APH), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bea Vuylsteke
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Thijs Reyniers
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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Williams ADN, Wood F, Gillespie D, Couzens Z, Hughes K, Hood K. The relationship between HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, sexually transmitted infections, and antimicrobial resistance: a qualitative interview study of men who have sex with men. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:2222. [PMID: 36447181 PMCID: PMC9708133 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14645-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that prevents the acquisition of HIV. It has been targeted towards men who have sex with men (MSM). Since its introduction there have been concerns raised around changes in sexual behaviour such as increased condomless anal intercourse (CAI), leading to an elevation in sexually transmitted infections (STIs). With antimicrobial resistant strains of STIs rising, there are concerns that PrEP may be contributing to this growth. This study aims to understand how MSM conceptualise the relationship between PrEP, STIs and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). METHODS Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted online using Zoom. Participants include a mix of PrEP related experiences (never used, currently use, previously used). Reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken by the lead author with 10% of transcripts double coded. RESULTS MSM in Wales have positive views and a good knowledge of PrEP and awareness of bacterial STIs. PrEP is perceived by many to lead to a reduction in condom use and increase in STIs but reported condom use behaviours presented to be stable in terms of PrEP initiation. PrEP use is influenced by increased concern for HIV and minimal concern for bacterial STIs. Awareness of AMR STIs was lacking. CONCLUSIONS There is a belief that PrEP use will lead to an increase in STI rates through reduced condom use, despite reported behaviours often being stable in relation to PrEP initiation, PrEP stigma may be influencing this dichotomy. Concern and awareness for resistant STIs is low, with little association to PrEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Dale Newman Williams
- Centre for Trials Research, School of Medicine, College of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Wales, UK.
| | - Fiona Wood
- Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Wales, UK
| | - David Gillespie
- Centre for Trials Research, School of Medicine, College of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Wales, UK
| | | | - Kathryn Hughes
- Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Wales, UK
| | - Kerenza Hood
- Centre for Trials Research, School of Medicine, College of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Wales, UK
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De Baetselier I, Vuylsteke B, Reyniers T, Smet H, Van den Bossche D, Kenyon C, Crucitti T. Worryingly high prevalence of resistance-associated mutations to macrolides and fluoroquinolones in Mycoplasma genitalium among men who have sex with men with recurrent sexually transmitted infections. Int J STD AIDS 2022; 33:385-390. [DOI: 10.1177/09564624211070704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Men who have sex with men (MSM) using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) recurrently infected with STIs are playing a pivotal role in contemporary Sexually transmitted infections (STI) epidemics. Our aim was to assess whether these individuals had more Mycoplasma genitalium ( M. genitalium) infections and more resistance to macrolides and fluoroquinolones of M. genitalium compared to those who were not recurrently infected with STIs. Methods The study was performed on 179 Belgian MSM PrEP users that were followed up for 18 months. STIs including M. genitalium were detected quarterly. Detection of resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) to macrolides and fluoroquinolones was performed via Sanger sequencing of the 23S rRNA gene and parC gene (conferring mutations at position 83/87 in ParC). Differences in M. genitalium positivity rate and presence of RAMs between both groups were assessed using mixed-effects logistic regression. Results A total of 91 new M. genitalium infections were detected among 70 participants. MSM experiencing recurrent STIs have significantly more M. genitalium infections compared to those without (11.7% vs. 4.7% OR: 2.69). Importantly, the prevalence of RAMs to macrolides (95.2% vs. 77.4%) and fluoroquinolones (35.7% vs. 12.9%) was much higher among individuals with recurrent STIs. The difference was only statistically significant for macrolides (OR 5.83, p = .036). Conclusions MSM recurrently infected with STIs play a central role in the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in M. genitalium. The use of macrolides and fluoroquinolones should preferably be minimized in this population in order to avoid further emergence of multi-resistant M. genitalium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irith De Baetselier
- Clinical Reference Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Bea Vuylsteke
- HIV/STI Unit, Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Thijs Reyniers
- HIV/STI Unit, Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Hilde Smet
- Clinical Reference Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Dorien Van den Bossche
- Clinical Reference Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Chris Kenyon
- STI Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Tania Crucitti
- Experimental Bacteriology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
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