1
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Sharma A, Gandhi M, Sallabank G, Merrill L, Stephenson R. Study Evaluating Self-Collected Specimen Return for HIV, Bacterial STI, and Potential Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Adherence Testing Among Sexual Minority Men in the United States. Am J Mens Health 2022; 16:15579883221115591. [PMID: 35950608 PMCID: PMC9380227 DOI: 10.1177/15579883221115591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Web-based HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention studies are
increasingly requesting gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men
(GBMSM) to return self-collected specimens for laboratory processing. Some
studies have solicited self-collected extragenital swabs for gonorrhea and
chlamydia testing, but to date, none have solicited self-collected hair samples
for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) adherence testing. Project Caboodle! offered
100 racially/ethnically diverse GBMSM aged 18 to 34 years residing across the
United States a choice to self-collect at home and return by mail any of the
following: a finger-stick blood sample (for HIV testing), a pharyngeal swab, a
rectal swab and a urine specimen (for gonorrhea and chlamydia testing), and a
hair sample (to visually assess its adequacy for PrEP drug level testing).
Despite not incentivizing specimen return, 51% mailed back at least one type of
specimen within 6 weeks (1% returned three specimens, 11% returned four
specimens and 39% returned all five specimens). The majority of returned
specimens were adequate for laboratory processing. Significantly more
participants without a college education (p = .0003) and those
who were working full-time or part-time (p = .0070) did not
return any specimens. In addition, lower levels of HIV-related knowledge
(p = .0390), STI-related knowledge (p =
.0162), concern about contracting HIV (p = .0484), and concern
about contracting STIs (p = .0108) were observed among
participants who did not return any specimens. Self-collection of specimens
holds promise as a remote monitoring strategy that could supplement testing in
clinical settings, but a better understanding of why some GBMSM may choose to
fully, partially, or not engage in this approach is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshay Sharma
- Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Monica Gandhi
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gregory Sallabank
- Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Leland Merrill
- Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rob Stephenson
- Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Systems, Populations and Leadership, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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2
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Sharma A, Paredes-Vincent A, Kahle EM. Awareness, Utilization, and Preferences for Traditional and Contemporary HIV Prevention Strategies Among Facebook and Instagram-Using MSM in the United States. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care 2021; 20:23259582211024770. [PMID: 34132144 PMCID: PMC8212379 DOI: 10.1177/23259582211024770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV prevention research among men who have sex with men (MSM) has traditionally
focused on individual risk reduction strategies. Our study evaluated awareness,
utilization, and preferences for 10 complementary HIV prevention strategies
among 1,286 MSM recruited via Facebook and Instagram from June-August 2018. Ages
ranged from 18-85 years, and the majority were non-Hispanic white (n = 1,019,
79.24%), college-educated (n = 819, 63.69%), gay-identifying (n = 1,074,
83.51%), and partnered (n = 808, 62.83%). Post-exposure prophylaxis was the
least familiar option, and engaging in sexual activities other than anal sex was
the most utilized option. Progressively older and bisexual-identifying MSM were
less likely, but those with higher educational levels and easy access to local
HIV resources were more likely to be aware of and to be utilizing a greater
number of strategies. Additionally, Hispanic MSM were less likely to be aware
of, and those in a “closed” relationship were less likely to be utilizing a
greater number of strategies. In a subset of 775 multiple strategy users,
pre-exposure prophylaxis, regularly testing for HIV, and limiting the number of
sex partners emerged as the most preferred options. Combination intervention
packages for MSM should be tailored to personal circumstances, including sexual
orientation, relationship characteristics and access to local HIV resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshay Sharma
- Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ariana Paredes-Vincent
- Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Erin M Kahle
- Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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3
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McCormack H, Nathan S, Varma R, Haire B. Dissonances in communication with sexual health consumers in an inner-Sydney sexual health clinic in relation to health literacy: A mixed-methods study. Health Promot J Austr 2020; 32 Suppl 1:133-142. [PMID: 33002246 DOI: 10.1002/hpja.429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
ISSUES ADDRESSED This study examined the navigation of health care interactions by health consumers attending Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC), an inner-city sexual health clinic in Sydney, Australia. We aimed to assess the accessibility and appropriateness of communications between SSHC and patients in the context of health literacy. METHODS We conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with health consumers, assessed health literacy using the Short Health Literacy Assessment for English-Speaking Adults (SAHL-E) and conducted a focus group with clinical staff. RESULTS We identified dissonances around assumed knowledge in communications between health professionals and health consumers, which were most apparent when lack of knowledge about sexual health, HIV and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) intersected with poor English fluency. SO WHAT?: This study suggests that existing models of access for HIV treatment and PrEP in Australia have been developed for high health literacy and may not support consumers who experience communication barriers due to low health literacy. The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care recommends addressing health literacy systemically, including embedding assessment of health literacy into organisational systems and policies. We recommend developing tools to assess knowledge levels of consumers accessing sexual health services and incorporating health literacy into clinician training on working with patients from non-English-speaking backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather McCormack
- Sydney Sexual Health Centre, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sally Nathan
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rick Varma
- Sydney Sexual Health Centre, New South Wales, Australia.,The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bridget Haire
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
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4
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Kolstee J, Holt M, Jin J, Hammoud MA, Degenhardt L, Maher L, Lea T, Prestage G. Characteristics of gay and bisexual men who rarely use HIV risk reduction strategies during condomless anal intercourse: Results from the FLUX national online cohort study. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233922. [PMID: 32479519 PMCID: PMC7263606 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To understand the characteristics of a minority of Australian gay and bisexual men (GBM) who, despite an increase in the number and availability of HIV risk reduction strategies, do not consistently use a strategy to protect themselves from HIV. Methods This analysis is based on data from 2,920 participants in a national, online, prospective observational cohort study. GBM who never or rarely used HIV risk reduction strategies (NRR) were compared with two groups using multivariate logistic regression: i) GBM using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and ii) GBM frequently using risk reduction strategies (FRR) other than PrEP. Results Compared to PrEP users, NRR men were younger (p<0.0001), less socially engaged with gay men (p<0.0001) and less likely to have completed a postgraduate (p<0.05) or undergraduate degree (p<0.05). They were also less likely to have recently used amyl nitrite (p<0.05), erectile dysfunction medication (p<0.05) and cocaine (p<0.05) in the previous 6 months. Compared with FRR men, NRR men were less likely to have completed a postgraduate (p<0.0001) or undergraduate degree (p<0.05), scored higher on the sexual sensation-seeking scale (p<0.0001) and were more likely to identify as versatile (p<0.05), a bottom (p<0.05) or very much a bottom (p<0.05) during anal sex. Conclusions NRR men were largely similar to other Australian GBM. However, our analysis suggests it may be appropriate to focus HIV prevention interventions on younger, less socially engaged and less educated GBM, as well as men who prefer receptive anal intercourse to promote the use of effective HIV risk reduction strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann Kolstee
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Martin Holt
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Jeff Jin
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Lisa Maher
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Toby Lea
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
- German Institute for Addiction and Prevention Research, Catholic University of Applied Sciences, Cologne, Germany
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5
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HIV Testing and Risks of Sexual Behavior among HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex with Men in Ningbo, China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17041322. [PMID: 32092851 PMCID: PMC7068381 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17041322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing is confirmed as a preventive strategy for HIV control. However, the testing rate and risk behaviors of HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) remain unclear. We aimed to examine factors associated with HIV testing and high-risk behaviors among HIV-negative MSM. From July 2016 to June 2017, participants were recruited by snowball sampling from WeChat groups, bars, and other venues. HIV testing was performed to exclude HIV-positive MSM. Face-to-face questionnaires regarding HIV testing and high-risk behaviors were conducted; 988 MSM were included, and 57.1% of participants underwent HIV testing in the past year. The proportion of high-risk behaviors was 49.9%. Factors associated with HIV testing were bisexual orientation, substance use to adjust psychiatric disorders, and receiving acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) interventions. Being married, bisexual orientation, and receiving AIDS interventions were risk factors for high-risk sexual behaviors, while college or higher degree was a protective factor. We determined that HIV transmission factors are widespread, and the rate of HIV testing is relatively low. Attention should be given to marital status, using substances to adjust psychiatric disorders, or bisexual HIV-negative MSM, and AIDS interventions should be strengthened to promote HIV testing and reduce high-risk behaviors.
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6
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Kahle EM, Suarez N, Sharma A, Sullivan S, Stephenson R. Threat and impact of HIV compared to other health conditions among an online sample of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in the U.S. AIDS Care 2019; 32:608-615. [PMID: 31167542 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1626341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) experience greater health disparities, and concern about other health conditions may decrease engagement in HIV prevention. This study assessed perceived threat and impact of HIV relative to other health concerns among GBMSM. Data were from a national online survey of GBMSM conducted between August and September 2015. Participants ranked concern about contracting HIV and impact of HIV on their health compared with other health conditions. The association of HIV threat and impact with recent condomless anal sex (CAS) and HIV testing were assessed using regression models. Among 466 participants, threat and impact of HIV were ranked lower compared to cancer, Alzheimer's and heart disease. Concern about getting HIV was associated with greater odds of recent HIV testing (adjOR 1.1, 95%CI 1.02-1.18) and lower CAS (adjOR 0.86, 95%CI 0.78-0.94). Among GBMSM, other health conditions may be perceived as a greater threat and higher impact on health compared with HIV. Integrating complex health care concerns with HIV prevention strategies may increase engagement in prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M Kahle
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nicholas Suarez
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Akshay Sharma
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Stephen Sullivan
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rob Stephenson
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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7
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Sharma A, Stephenson R, Sallabank G, Merrill L, Sullivan S, Gandhi M. Acceptability and Feasibility of Self-Collecting Biological Specimens for HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infection, and Adherence Testing Among High-Risk Populations (Project Caboodle!): Protocol for an Exploratory Mixed-Methods Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2019; 8:e13647. [PMID: 31045502 PMCID: PMC6521211 DOI: 10.2196/13647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States experience a disproportionate burden of HIV and bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. Screening levels among MSM remain inadequate owing to barriers to testing such as stigma, privacy and confidentiality concerns, transportation issues, insufficient clinic time, and limited access to health care. Self-collection of specimens at home and their return by mail for HIV and bacterial STI testing, as well as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) adherence monitoring, could be a resource-efficient option that might mitigate some of these barriers. OBJECTIVE Project Caboodle! is a mixed-methods study that explores the acceptability and feasibility of self-collecting and returning a bundle of 5 different specimens for HIV and bacterial STI testing, as well as PrEP adherence monitoring, among sexually active HIV-negative or unknown status MSM in the United States aged 18 to 34 years. METHODS Participants will be recruited using age, race, and ethnicity varied advertising on social networking websites and mobile gay dating apps. In Phase 1, we will send 100 participants a box containing materials for self-collecting and potentially returning a finger-stick blood sample (for HIV testing), pharyngeal swab, rectal swab, and urine specimen (for gonorrhea and chlamydia testing), and hair sample (to assess adequacy for potential PrEP adherence monitoring). Specimen return will not be incentivized, and participants can choose to mail back all, some, or none of the specimens. Test results will be delivered back to participants by trained counselors over the phone. In Phase 2, we will conduct individual in-depth interviews using a video-based teleconferencing software (VSee) with 32 participants from Phase 1 (half who returned all specimens and half who returned some or no specimens) to examine attitudes toward and barriers to completing various study activities. RESULTS Project Caboodle! was funded in May 2018, and participant recruitment began in March 2019. The processes of designing a study logo, creating advertisements, programming Web-based surveys, and finalizing step-by-step written instructions accompanied by color images for specimen self-collection have been completed. The boxes containing 5 self-collection kits affixed with unique identification stickers are being assembled, and shipping procedures (for mailing out boxes to participants and for specimen return by participants using prepaid shipping envelopes) and payment procedures for completing the surveys and in-depth interviews are being finalized. CONCLUSIONS Self-collection of biological specimens at home and their return by mail for HIV and bacterial STI testing, as well as PrEP adherence monitoring, might offer a practical and convenient solution to improve comprehensive prevention efforts for high-risk MSM. The potentially reduced time, expense, and travel associated with this approach could facilitate a wider implementation of screening algorithms and remote monitoring strategies. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/13647.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshay Sharma
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Rob Stephenson
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Systems, Population and Leadership, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Gregory Sallabank
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Leland Merrill
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Stephen Sullivan
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Monica Gandhi
- Division of HIV, Infectious Disease, and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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8
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Giannou F, Nikolopoulos GK, Pantavou K, Benetou V, Kantzanou M, Sypsa V, Williams LD, Friedman SR, Hatzakis A. Knowledge, Normative Beliefs and Attitudes Related to Recent HIV Infection among People who Inject Drugs in Athens, Greece. Curr HIV Res 2019; 15:386-395. [PMID: 29173178 DOI: 10.2174/1570162x15666171122165636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite great improvements in prevention over the last years, much has to be done to reduce new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. Substantial evidence shows that the six-month period of recent HIV infection contributes disproportionately to HIV transmission. OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate knowledge, normative beliefs, and attitudes of people who inject drugs (PWID) regarding recent HIV infection. METHODS People who inject drugs in Athens, Greece were recruited in the fifth round of a respondent- driven sampling program (ARISTOTLE). The participants were tested for HIV and answered a structured questionnaire, which also included items on knowledge, normative beliefs, and attitudes regarding recent infection to address needs of the social network-based Transmission Reduction Intervention Project. The multivariable analyses included logistic regression models, which produced odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS In total, 1,407 people (mean age: 36.3 ± 7.9 years old; males: 81.9%) took part in the fifth round of ARISTOTLE. Of these, 61.5% knew that HIV-infected people who are not on treatment are more likely to transmit HIV during the first six months of their infection and 58.4% reported that people in their network would react positively towards a recently HIV-infected person. People who inject drugs who were knowledgeable of recent HIV infection were more likely to disagree with statements such as that one should avoid all contact with a person recently infected by HIV (adjusted OR: 1.510, 95% CI: 1.090, 2.091) or more likely to agree with statements such as that an HIV+ person is much less likely to transmit HIV when h/she is on combination antiretroviral treatment (adjusted OR: 2.083, 95% CI: 1.231, 3.523). CONCLUSION A considerable proportion of PWID in Athens, Greece, were aware of the high HIV transmission risk of recent HIV infection, although improvement is needed for some population segments. People who inject drugs who were knowledgeable of the role of recent HIV infection were more likely to have normative beliefs and attitudes that favor behaviors that could help rather than harm or stigmatize people who have recently been infected with HIV. Interventions that are based on the role of recent HIV infection in HIV transmission could be important to HIV prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Foteini Giannou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Vassiliki Benetou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Kantzanou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vana Sypsa
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Leslie D Williams
- Institute for Infectious Diseases Research, National Development and Research Institutes, New York, United States
| | - Samuel R Friedman
- Institute for Infectious Diseases Research, National Development and Research Institutes, New York, United States
| | - Angelos Hatzakis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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9
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Sharma A, Kahle EM, Sullivan SP, Stephenson R. Birth Cohort Variations Across Functional Knowledge of HIV Prevention Strategies, Perceived Risk, and HIV-Associated Behaviors Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States. Am J Mens Health 2018; 12:1824-1834. [PMID: 30051744 PMCID: PMC6199423 DOI: 10.1177/1557988318790875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in the United States remain heavily impacted by HIV. The purpose of this study was to describe intergenerational differences in functional knowledge of HIV prevention strategies, perceived risk, recent condomless anal sex (CAS), and HIV testing behavior. Eight hundred sexually active GBMSM were recruited via Facebook from August to September 2015, and administered a Web-based survey which included 12 multiple-choice questions to elicit data regarding functional knowledge of different HIV prevention approaches (e.g., condom use, pre-exposure prophylaxis post-exposure prophylaxis, treatment as prevention, circumcision). Cumulative logit and multivariable logistic models were formulated to examine birth cohort variations across four analytic outcomes. Younger generations were significantly more knowledgeable, as were GBMSM with higher education. Non-Hispanic non-White GBMSM and those reporting a bisexual/other sexual orientation had lower functional knowledge. Younger generations were equally concerned about contracting HIV as their older counterparts. Perceived risk was significantly higher among non-Hispanic non-White and Hispanic GBMSM, but lower among those with higher education and those in a relationship. Finally, birth cohort variations with respect to engaging in CAS with ≥2 men in the past 3 months and testing for HIV in the past year were not markedly pronounced. Younger GBMSM might be more knowledgeable about HIV prevention strategies compared to their predecessors, but are equally concerned about contracting HIV. Researchers and practitioners should consider intergenerational and other demographic differences while designing multifaceted HIV prevention programs for GBMSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshay Sharma
- 1 Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,2 Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Erin M Kahle
- 1 Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,2 Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Stephen P Sullivan
- 1 Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,2 Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rob Stephenson
- 1 Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,2 Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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10
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Kahle EM, Sharma A, Sullivan SP, Stephenson R. HIV Prioritization and Risk Perception Among an Online Sample of Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States. Am J Mens Health 2018; 12:676-687. [PMID: 29781331 PMCID: PMC6131427 DOI: 10.1177/1557988318776581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Men who have sex with men (MSM) may prioritize interpersonal and structural
factors, such as LGBTQ-related inequalities, housing instability, financial
insecurity, and relationship seeking, over HIV prevention. The aim of this study
was to assess how MSM prioritize HIV relative to other factors and the
association between HIV prioritization, HIV testing and sexual risk behavior,
and perceived risk. Data were collected from a national online survey of MSM in
the United States assessing HIV knowledge and prioritization. Participants
ranked HIV prevention relative to LGBTQ-related concerns and life issues (e.g.,
housing, job, relationship). Adjusted regression models were conducted to assess
the association of HIV prioritization with HIV testing and condomless anal sex
(CAS) and to evaluate associations between perceived risk and HIV risk behavior.
Among 516 participants, HIV prevention was ranked significantly higher among MSM
reporting recent CAS (p = .04) and HIV testing within the past
(p = .02); HIV prevention was prioritized higher relative
to life issues among MSM reporting last HIV test more than 1 year ago
(p = .02). Perceived HIV risk was significantly associated
with higher HIV prioritization relative to LGBTQ concerns (p =
.001) and life issues (p = .001). Higher HIV perceived risk was
associated with lower odds of any CAS (p < .001) and higher
odds of having an HIV test in the past year (p < .001). In
this online study, HIV prioritization was identified as differentially
associated with HIV testing, sexual risk behavior, and perceived HIV risk. HIV
prevention programs should integrate strategies to address social and structural
inequalities based on priority needs of MSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M Kahle
- 1 Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing and The Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Akshay Sharma
- 1 Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing and The Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Stephen P Sullivan
- 1 Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing and The Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rob Stephenson
- 1 Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing and The Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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