Measurement of sexual health outcomes among people who inject drugs: pilot study in Catalonia, Spain and Barnaul, Russia.

BACKGROUND: The main objective of this study was to test some of the draft sexual health indicators developed by the World Health Organization as part of a comprehensive indicator framework to monitor progress in universal access to reproductive health. METHODS: Cross-sectional studies among people who inject drugs were conducted in Catalonia (n = 734) and Barnaul (n = 500). 'Sexual competency' was measured using three indicators: sexual satisfaction, sexual safety, and sexual autonomy. Individual social norms on sexuality were also collected. The construct validity of the sexual safety and sexual autonomy items were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression models explored factors associated with sexual dissatisfaction. RESULTS: In Catalonia, sexual competency was higher among males than females who inject drugs (60.4% versus 33.3%). In both Catalonia and Barnaul, differences by sex in social norms on sexuality were seen. Mean scores on sexual safety (4.15 in Catalonia and 3.54 in Barnaul) were lower among participants who reported not using condoms. Mean scores on sexual autonomy (4.42 in Catalonia and 3.97 in Barnaul) were lower among those who had experienced some form of sexual assault. Perceived sexual safety, sexual autonomy, and social norms on sexuality were associated with sexual dissatisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The sexual health indicators tested are valid, feasible, and reliable tools to monitor and evaluate sexual health programs and activities. The results confirm that sexual satisfaction depends on safe sexual experiences, free from coercion and violence. Social norms and individual perceptions about sexual health need to be considered when developing national disease prevention programs.

Quantifying unmet prevention needs among MSM in Europe through a multi-site bio-behavioural survey.

IntroductionThe HIV epidemic represents an important public health issue in Europe particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). Global AIDS Monitoring indicators (GAM) have been widely and jointly promoted as a set of crucial standardised items to be adopted for monitoring and responding to the epidemic.MethodsThe Sialon II study, implemented in 13 European cities (2013-14), was a complex multi-centre integrated bio-behavioural cross-sectional survey targeted at MSM, with a concomitant collection of behavioural and biological (oral fluid or blood specimens) data. Rigorous sampling approaches for hard-to-reach populations were used (time-location sampling and respondent-driven sampling) and GAM indicators were calculated; sampling frames were adapted to allow weighted estimates of GAM indicators.Results4,901 MSM were enrolled. HIV prevalence estimates ranged from 2.4% in Stockholm to 18.0% in Bucharest. When exploring city-level correlations between GAM indicators, prevention campaigns significantly correlated with levels of condom use and level of HIV testing among MSM.ConclusionThe Sialon II project has made an important contribution to the monitoring and evaluation of the HIV epidemic across Europe, integrating the use of GAM indicators within a second generation HIV surveillance systems approach and in participatory collaboration with MSM communities. It influenced the harmonisation of European data collection procedures and indicators via GAM country reporting and contributed essential knowledge informing the development and implementation of strategic, evidence-based HIV prevention campaigns for MSM.

Determinants of HIV infection among female sex workers in two cities in the Republic of Moldova: the role of injection drug use and sexual risk.

In 2009-2010, females who reported having vaginal, anal or oral sex in exchange for money in the previous year, ≥16 years, and living in either Chisinau (n = 299) or Balti (n = 359), Moldova, were recruited into a respondent driven sampling survey. One fifth reported ever injecting drugs and over 30 % ever had sexual intercourse with men who inject drugs. In both cities, condom use with permanent and casual partners was much lower than condom use with commercial partners. In Chisinau, 6.9 % and in Balti, 24.7 % tested positive for HIV; 18 and 23.7 % had antibodies to hepatitis C; 9.1 and 8.9 % had antibodies to HBV; and, 8.4 and 6.1 % tested positive for syphilis. HIV seropositive FSW in either city were more likely to have ever injected drugs and to be infected with HCV. Limited government initiative and drastic reductions in international funding will likely impact urgently needed HIV prevention and harm reduction services targeting FSW in Moldova.

Prevalence of Antiretroviral Drug Resistance Mutations Among Pretreatment and Antiretroviral Therapy-Failure HIV Patients in Uzbekistan.

To evaluate the national prevalence of antiretroviral therapy (ART)-resistant HIV-1 viruses among both ART-initiators (pretreatment drug resistance, PDR) and ART-failure HIV patients in Uzbekistan. A nation-wide, cross-sectional active HIV-1 PDR surveillance was conducted in Uzbekistan from 2015 to 2016. In total, 713 blood plasma samples from adults were collected, including samples from ART-naive patients initiating ART and ART-failure HIV patients. HIV-1 genome polregion viral sequences were obtained from 309 patients, of those 106 on ART and 203 on ART-initiators. Analysis of HIV-1 subtypes and drug resistance mutations (DRMs) to HIV protease and reverse transcriptase inhibitors was performed. Among all the viruses studied, HIV-1 CRF 02_AG recombinant was the most common-57% (176/309). The second major group was represented by A1-40.5% (125/309). Two viruses were found to be recombinants formed by subtypes A1 and CRF02_AG sequences. ART-naive cohort I (PDR) included six samples that contained at least one surveillance drug resistance mutation (SDRM) (2.96%), with the most common being K103N mutation (4/6). In ART-experienced patients, cohort II, 77.4% (82/106) of viruses contained at least one mutation against PIs, NRTIs, or NNRTIs, with the most common mutations of M184V/I (49.1%; 52/106), K65R (18.9%; 20/106), K103N (23.6%; 25/106), and G190S (22.6%; 24/106). The significant difference in frequency of mutations was found between two dominant subtypes, A1 and CRF02_AG. The molecular epidemiological profile of HIV infection in Uzbekistan has changed toward a predominance of CRF02_AG viruses. In the first national-scale study of the PDR prevalence, it was found to be relatively low (2.96%). The DR mutations in failure patients correspond to the main therapy regimens (NRTI/NNRTI) adopted in the country. The observations provide new evidence for differences in ART efficacy and resistance profiles for different subtypes.

Estimating HIV incidence in eastern European country of Georgia: 2010-2012.

The knowledge of HIV incidence is essential to better understand patterns of HIV transmission. We estimated HIV incidence over 2010-2012 in the eastern European country of Georgia. Mathematical modeling using Spectrum software and assay-based recent infection testing algorithm were applied. The study included 1155 HIV patients newly diagnosed in 2010-2012 (84% of total diagnoses). Of them, 231 were determined to be recently infected on the recent infection testing algorithm. The proportion of recent cases did not differ between 2010, 2011 and 2012 (20.4% vs. 19.4% vs. 20.2%, p = 0.94). Both study methods derived comparable estimates ranging from 0.2 to 0.3%, which is up to twice as high as rates of new diagnosis reported in the same period. Despite the relatively stable HIV incidence over 2010-2012, the epidemic continues to grow because of the increasing gap between HIV-infected and diagnosed persons. Increased efforts are needed to reduce the number of people with undiagnosed HIV.

A meta-analytic review of HIV behavioral interventions for reducing sexual risk behavior of men who have sex with men.

This meta-analysis examines the efficacy of international HIV prevention interventions designed to reduce sexual risk behavior of men who have sex with men (MSM). We performed a comprehensive search of published and unpublished English-language reports of HIV prevention interventions that focus on MSM and evaluated changes in risky sexual behavior or biologic outcomes related to sexual risk. Data from 33 studies described in 65 reports were available as of July 2003. Studies with insufficient data to calculate effect sizes were excluded from the meta-analysis. Interventions were associated with a significant decrease in unprotected anal intercourse (odds ratio [OR] = 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65-0.92) and number of sexual partners (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.61-0.94) and with a significant increase in condom use during anal intercourse (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.16-2.22). Interventions successful in reducing risky sexual behavior were based on theoretic models, included interpersonal skills training, incorporated several delivery methods, and were delivered over multiple sessions spanning a minimum of 3 weeks. Behavioral interventions provide an efficacious means of HIV prevention for MSM. To the extent that proven HIV prevention interventions for MSM can be successfully replicated in community settings and adapted and tailored to different situations, the effectiveness of current HIV prevention efforts can be increased.