First They Came for Us All: Responding to Anti-Transgender Structural Violence With Collective, Community-Engaged, and Intersectional Health Equity Research and Advocacy.

This article is a call for collective action across health equity researchers and advocates to build a more just world. We attempt to make sense of senseless structural and interpersonal brutality in the context of the current political climate across the United States, whereby the spectrum of gender nonconformity has been and continues to be stigmatized. From drag performance to transgender identities to gender-affirming health care, extremists have instrumentalized primary levers of democracy-the courts, legislatures, and social media-to attempt to outlaw and eradicate gender expansiveness and those who provide forms of support and care, including gender-affirming medical care, to transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive (TNBGE) individuals.

Associations of adverse and protective childhood experiences with thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and suicide risk among sexual minority men.

BACKGROUND: Sexual minority men (SMM) experience higher suicidal ideation and suicide attempts than the general population. We examined the associations of adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and protective and compensatory childhood experiences (PACES) with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in adulthood via thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness among SMM. METHODS: Data are from the UNITE study, a national longitudinal cohort study of HIV-negative SMM from the 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. Between 2017 and 2019, participants (N = 6303) completed web-based assessments at baseline and 12-month follow-up. ACES and PACES occurring before the age of 18, and current symptoms of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness were assessed at baseline. Past-week suicidal ideation and past-year suicide attempt were assessed at follow-up. RESULTS: 424 (6.7%) participants reported past-week suicidal ideation and 123 (2.0%) reported a past-year suicide attempt. The results of our multivariate model suggest that each additional adverse childhood experience was prospectively associated with 14% higher odds of past-week suicidal ideation (AOR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.09-1.19) and 19% higher odds of past-year suicide attempt (AOR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.11-1.29). Each additional protective childhood experience was prospectively associated with 15% lower odds of past-week suicidal ideation (AOR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.81-0.90) and 11% lower odds of past-year suicide attempt (AOR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.82-0.98). Perceived burdensomeness partially mediated these prospective associations. CONCLUSION: To reduce suicide, screening and treating perceived burdensomeness among SMM with high ACES may be warranted. PACES may decrease perceived burdensomeness and associated suicide risk.

Intersecting Structural Oppression and Suicidality Among Black Sexual Minority Male Adolescents and Emerging Adults.

This study examined associations between structural racism, anti-LGBTQ policies, and suicide risk among young sexual minority men (SMM). Participants were a 2017-2018 Internet-based U.S. national sample of 497 Black and 1536 White SMM (ages 16-25). Structural equation modeling tested associations from indicators of structural racism, anti-LGBTQ policies, and their interaction to suicide risk factors. For Black participants, structural racism and anti-LGBTQ policies were significantly positively associated with depressive symptoms, heavy drinking, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, self-harm, and suicide attempt. There were significant interaction effects: Positive associations between structural racism and several outcomes were stronger for Black participants in high anti-LGBTQ policy states. Structural racism, anti-LGBTQ policies, and their interaction were not significantly associated with suicide risk for White SMM.

Attachment buffers against the association between childhood sexual abuse, depression, and substance use problems among transgender women: a moderated-mediation model.

Previous research shows a greater prevalence of substance use among childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors. Transgender women experience CSA at a significantly higher rate compared to the general population. Previous studies show a high prevalence of substance use and find that CSA predicts increased drug use among transgender women. It is proposed that the process through which CSA influences substance use behaviour, is mediated by depression. Further, research has shown that secure attachment may buffer against these associations.Participants were 213 transgender women participating in a behavioural intervention to reduce sexual risk and substance use. A moderated mediation model, including a three-way interaction, examined the indirect effect of CSA, through depression, on both substance use problems and alcohol use disorder, as well as the protective effect of secure attachment on these pathways. Findings from the moderated mediation analysis provide evidence to support our hypothesis that depression mediates the pathways from CSA to both substance use problems and alcohol use disorder for transgender women. We also observed a significant three-way interaction (e.g. attachment anxiety x attachment avoidance x CSA) indicating that secure attachment buffered against the association between CSA and symptoms of depression, as well as CSA and substance use problems.

Sexual Shame and Emotion Dysregulation: Key Roles in the Association between Internalized Homonegativity and Sexual Compulsivity.

Sexual minority men (SMM) are at increased risk for mental health problems due to effects of sexual minority stigma (e.g., internalized homonegativity (IH)). Both IH and emotion dysregulation are contributors to sexual compulsivity; however, the role of feelings of sexual shame have not been examined in this association. A sample of 982 HIV-negative SMM completed online surveys (Mage = 42.4, SD = 13.74). Path analyses indicated significant direct effects of IH on sexual shame (ß = 0.44, p < .001), emotion dysregulation (ß = 0.19, p < .001), and sexual compulsivity (ß = 0.22, p < .001). Modeled simultaneously, the association between sexual shame and sexual compulsivity (ß = 0.26, p < .001) was significant, as was the association between emotion dysregulation and sexual compulsivity (ß = 0.27, p < .001). Finally, an indirect effect of IH on sexual compulsivity through both sexual shame (p < .001) and emotion dysregulation (p < .001) was significant, and the association between IH and sexual compulsivity was reduced to non-significant (ß = 0.01, p = .74). Targeting feelings of sexual shame and emotion dysregulation in clinical interventions may help reduce the negative health impact of sexual compulsivity among SMM.

Examining inequities in rates of undiagnosed HIV and rectal STIs in a large nationwide cohort study of sexual minority men.

OBJECTIVE: Sexual minority men (SMM) of colour are disproportionately impacted by HIV and bacterial STIs (bSTIs). To better understand within-group heterogeneity and differential risk factors by race and ethnicity, we sought to examine rates of undiagnosed HIV and rectal bSTI at the intersection of racial and ethnic identity with other sociodemographic factors. METHODS: We examined data from 8105 SMM conducting home-based self-testing at enrolment in a nationwide cohort study collected from November 2017 to August 2018. We conducted analyses stratified by racial and ethnic groups to examine within-group (ie, subgroup) unadjusted rates of HIV and rectal bSTI infection across a range of characteristics. RESULTS: Rates of undiagnosed HIV were highest among Black (4.3%, n=39) and Latino (2.4%, n=38) SMM, with lower rates among those identified as multiracial (1.6%, n=15), white (1.3%, n=56) and other races (1.3%, n=6). Across the stratified analyses of HIV infection, 15 significant associations emerged showing that age, region, insurance type, sexual positioning and incarceration history had differential impacts across racial and ethnic groups. In particular, private and public insurance were protective against HIV for white but not Black and Latino SMM, and incarceration was associated with substantially higher rates of HIV infection for Black and Latino SMM relative to white SMM. We found significant co-occurrence of HIV and bSTI rates for participants who identified as Latino (OR=7.5, 95% CI 2.12 to 26.54), white (OR=3.19, 95% CI 1.14 to 8.98) and multiracial (OR=5.5, 95% CI 1.08 to 27.90), but not those who identified as Black (OR=0.82, 95% CI 0.10 to 6.56) or other races (OR=3.56 95% CI 0.31 to 40.80). CONCLUSIONS: Stratified analyses showed differential rates of HIV infection at the intersection of racial and ethnic groups with other characteristics, particularly insurance status and incarceration history, pointing to structural inequities rather than individual behaviours underlying disproportionately high rates of HIV for Black and Latino SMM.

Longitudinal associations between childhood sexual abuse-related PTSD symptoms and passive and active suicidal ideation among sexual minority men.

BACKGROUND: Sexual minority men report high rates of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and adulthood suicidality. However, mechanisms (e.g., PTSD symptoms) through which CSA might drive suicidality remain unknown. OBJECTIVE: In a prospective cohort of sexual minority men, we examined: (1) associations between CSA and suicidal thoughts and behaviors; (2) prospective associations between CSA-related PTSD symptoms and suicidal ideation; and (3) interpersonal moderators of these associations. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Participants included 6305 sexual minority men (Mage = 33.2, SD = 11.5; 82.0% gay; 53.5% White) who completed baseline and one-year follow-up at-home online surveys. METHODS: Bivariate analyses were used to assess baseline demographic and suicidality differences between CSA-exposed participants and non-CSA-exposed participants. Among CSA-exposed participants, multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to regress passive and active suicidal ideation at one-year follow-up on CSA-related PTSD symptoms at baseline. Interactions were examined between CSA-related PTSD symptoms and interpersonal difficulties. RESULTS: CSA-exposed sexual minority men reported two-and-a-half times the odds of suicide attempt history compared to non-CSA-exposed men (95% CI = 2.15-2.88; p < 0.001). Among CSA-exposed sexual minority men, CSA-related PTSD symptoms were prospectively associated with passive suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.19; 1.61). Regardless of CSA-related PTSD symptom severity, those with lower social support and greater loneliness were at elevated risk of active suicidal ideation at one-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: CSA-related PTSD symptom severity represents a psychological mechanism contributing to CSA-exposed sexual minority men's elevated suicide risk, particularly among those who lack social support and report loneliness.

Intersecting Structural Oppression and Black Sexual Minority Men's Health.

INTRODUCTION: Although evidence indicates that Black gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men experience vast psychological and behavioral health inequities, most research has focused on individual rather than structural drivers of these inequities. This study examines the associations between structural racism and anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer policies and the psychological and behavioral health of Black and White sexual minority men. METHODS: Participants were an Internet-based U.S. national sample of 1,379 Black and 5,537 White sexual minority men during 2017-2018. Analysis occurred in 2019-2020. Structural equation modeling tested the associations from indicators of structural racism, anti‒lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer policies, and their interaction to anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, perceived burdensomeness, heavy drinking, and HIV testing frequency. Separate models for Black and White sexual minority men adjusted for contextual and individual covariates. RESULTS: For Black participants, structural racism was positively associated with anxiety symptoms (ß=0.20, SE=0.10, p=0.04), perceived burdensomeness (ß=0.42, SE=0.09, p<0.001), and heavy drinking (ß=0.23, SE=0.10, p=0.01). Anti‒lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer policies were positively associated with anxiety symptoms (ß=0.08, SE=0.04, p=0.03), perceived burdensomeness (ß=0.20, SE=0.04, p<0.001), and heavy drinking (ß=0.10, SE=0.04, p=0.01) and were negatively associated with HIV testing frequency (ß= -0.14, SE=0.07, p=0.04). Results showed significant interaction effects, such that the positive associations between structural racism and both perceived burdensomeness (ß=0.38, SE=0.08, p≤0.001) and heavy drinking (ß=0.22, SE=0.07, p=0.003) were stronger for individuals living in states with high levels of anti‒lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer policies. Neither of the oppression variables nor their interaction was significantly associated with outcomes for White sexual minority men. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight the intersectional nature of structural oppression and suggest that racist and anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer policies must be repealed to rectify health inequities facing Black sexual minority men.

Leveraging Technology to Blend Large-Scale Epidemiologic Surveillance With Social and Behavioral Science Methods: Successes, Challenges, and Lessons Learned Implementing the UNITE Longitudinal Cohort Study of HIV Risk Factors Among Sexual Minority Men in the United States.

The use of digital technologies to conduct large-scale research with limited interaction (i.e., no in-person contact) and objective endpoints (i.e., biological testing) has significant potential for the field of epidemiology, but limited research to date has been published on the successes and challenges of such approaches. We analyzed data from a cohort study of sexual minority men across the United States, collected using digital strategies during a 10-month period from 2017 to 2018. Overall, 113,874 individuals were screened, of whom 26,000 were invited to the study, 10,691 joined the study, and 7,957 completed all enrollment steps, including return of a human immunodeficiency virus-negative sample. We examined group differences in completion of the steps towards enrollment to inform future research and found significant differences according to several factors, including age and race. This study adds to prior work to provide further proof-of-concept for this limited-interaction, technology-mediated methodology, highlighting some of its strengths and challenges, including rapid access to more diverse populations but also potential for bias due to differential enrollment. This method has strong promise, and future implementation research is needed to better understand the roles of burden, privacy, access, and compensation, to enhance representativeness and generalizability of the data generated.

Treatment Is More Than Prevention: Perceived Personal and Social Benefits of Undetectable = Untransmittable Messaging Among Sexual Minority Men Living with HIV.

Research suggests that the science of undetectable viral load (VL) status and HIV transmission-conveyed with the slogan "Undetectable = Untransmittable" or "U = U"-has gaps in acceptance despite robust scientific evidence. Nonetheless, growing acceptance of U = U creates conditions for a shift in the sociopolitical and personal implications of viral suppression. We conducted an online survey over a 23-month period in 2018 and 2019 among 30,361 adolescent and adult (aged 13-99) sexual minority men living with HIV (SMM-LHIV) across the United States. We examined the impact of U = U on self-image, potential for changing societal HIV stigma, whether SMM-LHIV had ever spoken with a provider about viral suppression and HIV transmission, and primary sources of hearing about U = U. Approximately 80% of SMM-LHIV reported that U = U was beneficial for their self-image and societal HIV stigma, 58.6% reported it made them feel "much better" about their own HIV status, and 40.6% reporting it had the potential to make HIV stigma "much better." The most consistent factors associated with these beliefs centered around care engagement, particularly self-reported viral suppression and excellent antiretroviral therapy adherence. Two-thirds reported ever talking to a provider about VL and HIV transmission, although the primary sources for having heard about U = U were HIV and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) news media and personal profiles on networking apps. These findings demonstrate the significant personal and social importance of U = U for SMM-LHIV that go above-and-beyond the well-documented health benefits of viral suppression, suggesting that providers should consider routinely initiating conversations with patients around the multifaceted benefits (personal health, sexual safety and intimacy, increased self-image, and reduced social stigma) of viral suppression.

Evaluation of a Stepped-Care eHealth HIV Prevention Program for Diverse Adolescent Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol for a Hybrid Type 1 Effectiveness Implementation Trial of SMART.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent men who have sex with men (AMSM), aged 13 to 18 years, account for more than 80% of teen HIV occurrences. Despite this disproportionate burden, there is a conspicuous lack of evidence-based HIV prevention programs. Implementation issues are critical as traditional HIV prevention delivery channels (eg, community-based organizations, schools) have significant access limitations for AMSM. As such, eHealth interventions, such as our proposed SMART program, represent an excellent modality for delivering AMSM-specific intervention material where youth are. OBJECTIVE: This randomized trial aimed to test the effectiveness of the SMART program in reducing condom-less anal sex and increasing condom self-efficacy, condom use intentions, and HIV testing for AMSM. We also plan to test whether SMART has differential effectiveness across important subgroups of AMSM based on race and ethnicity, urban versus rural residence, age, socioeconomic status, and participation in an English versus a Spanish version of SMART. METHODS: Using a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial design, we will evaluate the impact of a stepped-care package of increasingly intensive eHealth interventions (ie, the universal, information-based SMART Sex Ed; the more intensive, selective SMART Squad; and a higher cost, indicated SMART Sessions). All intervention content is available in English and Spanish. Participants are recruited primarily from social media sources using paid and unpaid advertisements. RESULTS: The trial has enrolled 1285 AMSM aged 13 to 18 years, with a target enrollment of 1878. Recruitment concluded in June 2020. Participants were recruited from 49 US states as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Assessments of intervention outcomes at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months are ongoing. CONCLUSIONS: SMART is the first web-based program for AMSM to take a stepped-care approach to sexual education and HIV prevention. This design indicates that SMART delivers resources to all adolescents, but more costly treatments (eg, video chat counseling in SMART Sessions) are conserved for individuals who need them the most. SMART has the potential to reach AMSM to provide them with a sex-positive curriculum that empowers them with the information, motivation, and skills to make better health choices. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03511131; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03511131. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/19701.

Sociodemographic and behavioural factors associated with testing for HIV and STIs in a US nationwide sample of transgender men who have sex with men.

OBJECTIVES: Transgender men who have sex with men (TMSM) represent an understudied population in relation to screening for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We examined HIV and STI testing prevalence among TMSM along with the factors associated with testing in a diverse US nationwide sample of TMSM. METHODS: Data from a cross-sectional online convenience sample of 192 TMSM were analysed using multivariable binary logistic regression models to examine the association between sociodemographic and behavioural factors and lifetime testing for HIV, bacterial STIs and viral STIs, as well as past year testing for HIV. RESULTS: More than two-thirds of TMSM reported lifetime testing for HIV (71.4%), bacterial STIs (66.7%), and viral STIs (70.8%), and 60.9% had received HIV testing in the past year. Engaging in condomless anal sex with a casual partner whose HIV status is different or unknown and having fewer than two casual partners in the past 6 months were related to lower odds of lifetime HIV, bacterial STI, viral STI and past year HIV testing. Being younger in age was related to lower probability of testing for HIV, bacterial STIs and viral STIs. Furthermore, TMSM residing in the South were less likely to be tested for HIV and viral STIs in their lifetime, and for HIV in the past year. Finally, lower odds of lifetime testing for viral STIs was found among TMSM who reported no drug use in the past 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that a notable percentage of TMSM had never tested for HIV and bacterial and viral STIs, though at rates only somewhat lower than among cisgender MSM despite similar patterns of risk behaviour. Efforts to increase HIV/STI testing among TMSM, especially among those who engage in condomless anal sex, are needed.

Intersectional social control: The roles of incarceration and police discrimination in psychological and HIV-related outcomes for Black sexual minority men.

RATIONALE: Although Black gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men face disproportionately high levels of incarceration and police discrimination, little research examines how these stressors may drive HIV and psychological health inequities among these men. OBJECTIVE: In this study we examined associations between incarceration history, police and law enforcement discrimination, and recent arrest with sexual HIV risk, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) willingness, and psychological distress among Black sexual minority men. METHOD: Participants were a U.S. national sample of 1172 Black sexual minority men who responded in 2017-2018 to self-report measures of incarceration history, past year police and law enforcement discrimination, recent arrests, sexual HIV risk, PrEP willingness, and psychological distress. We used structural equation modeling to examine direct and indirect pathways from incarceration, police and law enforcement discrimination, and arrests to sexual HIV risk, PrEP willingness, and psychological distress. RESULTS: Past-year police and law enforcement discrimination prevalence was 43%. Incarceration history was positively associated with later police and law enforcement discrimination, which, in turn, was positively associated with recent arrest. Incarceration and recent arrest and were associated with greater sexual HIV risk; incarceration and police and law enforcement discrimination were associated with lower PrEP willingness; and police and law enforcement discrimination was associated with higher psychological distress. Mediation analyses showed that the effects of incarceration were partially mediated by police and law enforcement discrimination. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest police discrimination may be a mechanism of mass incarceration and fundamental driver of health inequities among Black sexual minority men.

Use of the Bio-Rad Geenius HIV-1/2 supplemental assay for the testing of oral fluids for the presence of HIV antibody.

There is currently an absence of products which are cleared by the FDA to provide supplemental testing for oral fluid for HIV antibody. We created a procedure for the use of the BioRad Geenius HIV-1/2 as a supplemental antibody test for oral fluid specimens. The modified procedure was evaluated for its ability to detect HIV-1 antibody in oral fluid in specimens that were found to be repeatedly reactive for HIV-1 antibody by way of the Avioq HIV-1 enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Evaluated were oral fluid specimens analyzed at a local public health laboratory which were stored frozen and oral fluid specimens collected prospectively. Prospectively collected specimens were from patients whose HIV status was subsequently assessed through blood-based testing. For retrospective specimens found repeatedly EIA reactive, and positive by Western blot, the modified Geenius was found positive in 37/38 instances (97.4 %). Those specimens with a mean EIA signal-to-cutoff (S/CO) greater than 3.00 were found to be positive by Geenius in 34/34 (100 %) of instances. For specimens found repeated reactive by EIA and positive by Western blot with mean S/CO less than or equal to 3.00, the Geenius was positive in 4/5 instances (80 %) of instances. For prospectively collected specimens, the Geenius accurately confirmed infection in 22/24 cases (92 %) while prospective specimens found repeatedly reactive by EIA without supplemental Geenius testing were confirmed positive in 29/37 instances (78 %). A modified usage of the Geenius HIV-1/2 Supplemental Assay antibody test may provide utility in the supplementation of testing of oral fluid for the presence of HIV-1 antibody.

Intersectional discrimination, positive feelings, and health indicators among Black sexual minority men.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined psychological and sexual health indicators associated with positive feelings and discrimination at the intersection of race and gender among Black gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men (SMM). METHOD: Participants were a national sample of 1,064 Black SMM (Mdn age = 28) who responded to self-report measures of positive feelings and discrimination associated with being a Black man, psychological distress, self-efficacy, emotional awareness, and sexual HIV risk and protective behavior. Using structural equation modeling, we examined associations between the positive feelings and discrimination scales and the psychological and sexual health indicators. We also tested age as a moderator of these associations. RESULTS: Our results indicated that positive feelings about being a Black man were significantly positively associated with self-efficacy (b = 0.33), emotional awareness (b = 0.16), and sexual protective behavior (b = 0.93) and negatively associated with psychological distress (b = -0.26) and sexual risk behavior (b = -0.93). Except for emotional awareness and sexual protective behavior, discrimination as a Black man was also associated with these variables, though to a lesser magnitude for positive health indicators. Moderation results showed that, except for the association between positive feelings and emotional awareness, younger men generally had stronger associations between health indicators and the positive feelings and discrimination scales. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that positive feelings, in addition to discrimination, at the intersection of race and gender play an important role in the psychological and sexual health of Black SMM, especially earlier in their lives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Growing Acceptability of Undetectable = Untransmittable but Widespread Misunderstanding of Transmission Risk: Findings From a Very Large Sample of Sexual Minority Men in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated no linked HIV transmissions in serodifferent sexual encounters where the partner with HIV has an undetectable viral load. As a result, awareness and dissemination of treatment as prevention, and movements such as "Undetectable = Untransmittable" (U = U), has grown. SETTING: We conducted an online cross-sectional survey from November 2017 through September 2018 to gather data from a total of 111,747 sexual minority men (SMM) in the United States. METHODS: Participants provided sociodemographic data and answered questions regarding biomedical status, HIV and STI prevention behaviors, drug use, condomless anal sex, and perceived accuracy of the U = U message. We conducted analyses to understand factors associated with perceived accuracy of U = U stratified by HIV status. RESULTS: Overall, 53.2% of the sample perceived U = U as accurate, with the highest rates among HIV-positive SMM (83.9%), followed by HIV-negative (53.8%) and status-unknown (39.0%) SMM. Multivariable models showed accuracy beliefs were, on average, 1-2% higher for each consecutive month of recruitment. Consistent with previous work, there was greater heterogeneity among HIV-negative and unknown men, with several factors differentiating perceived accuracy, compared with SMM with HIV. Perceived transmission risk levels with undetectable partners were skewed well above accurate levels, and greater perceived transmission risk was associated with lower perceived accuracy of U = U. CONCLUSIONS: Public confidence in treatment as prevention and U = U is growing, but clear, unequivocal messaging about the effectiveness of U = U is critical. Owing to misunderstandings of risk, language that focuses on protective benefits rather than transmission risks may reach more people and allow for better comparisons with PrEP and condoms.

Does HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis use lead to a higher incidence of sexually transmitted infections? A case-crossover study of men who have sex with men in Los Angeles, California.

BACKGROUND: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective method for reducing HIV incidence among at-risk populations. However, concerns exist over the potential for an increase in STIs following PrEP initiation. The objective of this study is to compare the STI incidence before and after PrEP initiation within subjects among a cohort of men who have sex with men in Los Angeles, California. METHODS: The present study used data from patients who initiated PrEP services at the Los Angeles LGBT Center between October 2015 and October 2016 (n=275). A generalised linear mixed model was used with a case-crossover design to determine if there was a significant difference in STIs within subjects 365 days before (before-PrEP period) and 365 days after PrEP initiation (after-PrEP period). RESULTS: In a generalised linear mixed model, there were no significant differences in urethral gonorrhoea (P=0.95), rectal gonorrhoea (P=0.33), pharyngeal gonorrhoea (P=0.65) or urethral chlamydia (P=0.71) between periods. There were modest increases in rectal chlamydia (rate ratio (RR) 1.83; 95% CI 1.13 to 2.98; P=0.01) and syphilis diagnoses (RR 2.97; 95% CI 1.23 to 7.18; P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: There were significant increases in rectal chlamydia and syphilis diagnoses when comparing the periods directly before and after PrEP initiation. However, only 28% of individuals had an increase in STIs between periods. Although risk compensation appears to be present for a segment of PrEP users, the majority of individuals either maintain or decrease their sexual risk following PrEP initiation.

Sexual and Gender Minority Health Curricula and Institutional Support Services at U.S. Schools of Public Health.

Limited research has examined the ways in which public health training programs equip students to address health disparities affecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community and other sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations. This study outlines the availability of public health curricula on SGM health topics, and the prevalence of LGBT and SGM-inclusive institutional support services across CEPH-accredited U.S. schools of public health. Content analysis of all course offerings related to gender and sexuality revealed a limited focus on sexual and gender minority health: just 4.7% of courses contained keywords indicating that LGBT or SGM health topics were covered. Similar analysis of institutional support services available at U.S. schools of public health found that only 25% of schools had LGBT student organizations, and just 19% had an office of diversity that specifically advertised LGBT or SGM-inclusive programming or services on the institution's Web site. Finally, only two of 52 schools offered an educational certificate centered on LGBT health. These findings illustrate a significant need for enhanced curricular content and institutional support services that equip public health students to address SGM health disparities. Improvement in this area may encourage future health care professionals to work to reduce these disparities, to improve SGM persons' experiences in health care settings, and to generate further research in this area.