Concomitant Utilization of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Meningococcal Vaccine (MenACWY) Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in Los Angeles County, California.

Recent outbreaks of serogroup C meningococcal disease in Southern California have led the California Department of Public Health to recommend the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in Southern California. High-risk GBMSM have also been advised to utilize pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. Data collected from a community-based sample of HIV-negative GBMSM in Los Angeles County (N = 476) were used in a multinomial logit regression analysis to identify patterns in MenACWY and PrEP usage and evaluate factors associated with use of both, one, or neither of these prevention methods. More than half (56%) of participants had neither been vaccinated nor used PrEP. A smaller percentage (34%) had either been vaccinated or were PrEP users, leaving 10% who had concomitant PrEP and MenACWY use. Higher education, more recent sex partners, illicit drug use, and recent receptive condomless anal sex (CAS) were significantly associated with greater odds of using both prevention methods relative to neither. Higher education, prior sexually transmitted infection diagnosis, more recent sex partners, and recent receptive CAS were significantly associated with greater odds of just PrEP use relative to neither. Higher education was the only factor significantly associated with greater odds of just MenACWY immunization relative to neither. Findings highlight important gaps in immunization among PrEP users and opportunities to screen for PrEP eligibility among GBMSM in conjunction with immunization. Public health practitioners should consider the ways in which strategies to increase PrEP and vaccine-preventable illnesses among GBMSM may complement one another.

Alcohol Use and HIV Risk Within Social Networks of MSM Sex Workers in the Dominican Republic.

To examine how alcohol-related HIV risk behaviors within MSM sex workers' social networks (SN) may be associated with individual risk behaviors, respondent-driven and venue-based sampling were used to collect demographic, behavioral and SN characteristics among MSM sex workers in Santo Domingo and Boca Chica (N = 220). The majority of participants reported problem drinking (71.0%) or alcohol use at their last sexual encounter (71.4%). Self-reported problem drinking was associated with SN characteristics (at least one member who recently got drunk aOR = 7.5, no religious/spiritual adviser aOR = 3.0, non-sexual network density aOR = 0.9), while self-reported alcohol use at last sex was associated with individual (drug use at last sex aOR = 4.4) and SN characteristics (at least one member with previous HIV/STI testing aOR = 4.7). Dominican MSM sex workers reported high alcohol use, which may increase their risk for HIV. A better understanding of SN factors associated with individual risk behaviors can help guide appropriate intervention development.

Neighborhood, family and individual characteristics related to adolescent park-based physical activity.

BACKGROUND: Local parks are an important community resource that may influence levels of physical activity among youth. However, few population-based studies have investigated park-based physical activity among youth. PURPOSE: This study examines sociodemographic, family, and neighborhood characteristics associated with park-based physical activity among adolescents. METHODS: Data were from the 2007 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), a population-based survey of California households, and were analyzed in 2012-2013 and 2015. This study examined individual (age, gender, race/ethnicity, and nativity), family (household income, parental education, and nativity), and neighborhood characteristics (urbanicity, perceived park availability, perceived park safety, neighborhood income, and racial composition) associated with engaging in park-based physical activity among adolescents. RESULTS: In California, 71% of adolescents reported being physically active the last time they visited a park. In adjusted multinomial logistic regression analyses, older adolescents and females were less likely to be physically active in parks. Adolescents with a park within walking distance of home and those with a safe park nearby were more likely to be physically active during a park visit. CONCLUSIONS: Park availability and perceptions of park safety are important predictors of engaging in park-based physical activity among adolescents. These findings provide information that can help inform interventions intended to increase physical activity among youth. Strategies that increase availability and safety of parks and other recreation spaces may be particularly effective.

Disparities In Uptake Of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Among California Medicaid Enrollees.

One of the pillars of efforts in the US to curb HIV incidence is pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). We examined racial/ethnic and sex disparities in PrEP uptake among California Medicaid enrollees. Claims data from 2019 identified enrollees and PrEP users in each racial/ethnic, sex, and age group, yielding crude uptake rates. We then predicted age-adjusted uptake rates from multivariable logit regressions and divided PrEP uptake estimates by each group's number of new HIV diagnoses to estimate PrEP-to-need ratios. Predicted uptake was highest for White (0.29 percent) and Black (0.23 percent) males and lowest (0.16 percent) for Hispanic males. Rates for males exceeded those for females; however, Black females had twice the rate of PrEP uptake of White females. Black males and females and Hispanic males had PrEP-to-need ratios that were less than one-third (4.0-6.3) those of Asian and White males and females (14.4-19.9). Low PrEP use rates and disparities in uptake threaten efforts to end the HIV epidemic. Policy makers must craft the rollout of innovations such as PrEP in a manner that narrows HIV disparities instead of widening them.

Informing California's Plan to Enhance HIV Screening in the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative.

The CDC recommends that everyone have at least one HIV test in their lifetime. However, analyses of California Health Interview Survey data showed that in 2017 only half of Californians had ever received an HIV test. Non-Hispanic Black (64.8%) and Hispanic adults (54.7%) had higher lifetime testing rates than non-Hispanic White adults (48.8%). In multivariable analyses non-Hispanic African American adults had twice and Hispanic adults 1.2 times the odds of lifetime HIV testing as non-Hispanic White adults. The CDC recommends annual HIV testing for higher-risk individuals. Independent of race/ethnicity, heterosexual men with multiple sex partners had lower annual testing rates than other high-risk individuals. Annual testing was unrelated to education level and poverty, but was related to number of doctor visits. HIV screening rates among heterosexual men with multiple partners could be increased by targeting HIV screening to non-medical settings in California's eight Ending the HIV Epidemic counties.

Associations Between Physical Distancing and Mental Health, Sexual Health and Technology Use Among Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Physical distancing measures, designed to limit the spread of COVID-19, have been implemented globally. We sought to understand how physical distancing impacts gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), a group disproportionately affected by poor health outcomes. A cross-sectional online survey on Hornet, a networking application (N = 10,079), measured sociodemographics, physical distancing, mental health outcomes, and sexual behavior. Nearly two-thirds of participants (63%) reported only leaving their home for essentials. Those who practiced physical distancing were more likely to feel anxious (aOR = 1.37), feel lonely (aOR = 1.36), to report their sex life being impacted (aOR = 2.95), and less likely to be satisfied with their current sex life (aOR = 0.76). Those who practiced physical distancing were more likely to use social technologies to stay in touch with others. Risk reduction and telehealth opportunities may alleviate health challenges for GBMSM in the COVID-19 era.

Social networks and condomless intercourse with female partners among male sex workers in the Dominican Republic.

Male sex workers (MSW) in the Dominican Republic (DR) have multiple sexual partners, including personal and client-relationships, and are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We examined the prevalence of condomless anal and/or vaginal intercourse (CI) among MSW in the DR as a function of social network factors. Self-report surveys and social network interviews were administered to MSW recruited through venue-based sampling (N = 220). A generalized linear model was used to complete a Poisson Regression model and identify variables significantly associated with the outcome of interest. CI was more common with female (28.3%) than with male partners (4.9%). Factors associated with CI with the last female partner included older age of MSW, CI with the last male partner, having a stable female partner (a consistent or main partner), and having ≥1 family member in the participants' social network. Partner and social network characteristics associated with CI among MSW suggest the utility of dyadic and network interventions to reduce HIV risk.

The Effect of Hospice on End-of-Life Costs for Terminal Medicare Patients With HIV.

One-quarter of annual Medicare expenses in the traditional program (non-Medicare Advantage) are expended for 5% of Medicare enrollees, with much of this expenditure occurring in the last year of life. Hospice use may reduce end-of-life costs. However, evidence has been inconclusive due to sample selection and differences in insurance coverage for hospice. Claims data for HIV-positive Californians enrolled in Medicare who died in the period 2008 to 2010 were used to examine the relationship between hospice use and costs in the last 6 months of life. Logit estimates related hospice use to sickness levels and demographics. Inpatient and outpatient costs were analyzed separately. Logit regressions examined hospitalization probability. Robust regressions were used to examine the determinants of conditional inpatient costs and non-inpatient costs. Bootstrapped post-estimates were then used to determine the marginal probability of costs for the sample by hospice use. Hospice users have greater disease burden and are less likely to be African American. Controlling for disease burden, hospice users would have non-inpatient costs that were $14 771 greater than hospice non-users, but inpatient costs that were $20 522 lower. Thus, hospice reduces costs on net. Hospice is chosen by patients with more comorbidities. Controlling for these comorbidities, hospice use is associated with lower inpatient costs, greater non-inpatient costs and reduced end-of-life costs.

Quadrivalent Meningococcal Vaccine Uptake Among Men Who Have Sex With Men During a Meningococcal Outbreak in Los Angeles County, California, 2016-2017.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to assess meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine uptake among men who have sex with men (MSM) during an ongoing, invasive meningococcal disease outbreak in Southern California. This research was important to inform future vaccination uptake interventions for this high-priority population. METHODS: We conducted venue-based sampling to recruit and enroll MSM living in Los Angeles County, California, from December 2016 through February 2017. We conducted bivariate and multivariable analyses to evaluate associations between MenACWY vaccine uptake and other predetermined factors. RESULTS: Of 368 participants, 138 (37.5%) reported receiving the MenACWY vaccine. In multivariable analyses, older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-5.03), previous diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection (aOR = 2.22; 95% CI, 1.14-4.30), belief that MenACWY vaccine is important (aOR = 3.49; 95% CI, 1.79-6.82), confidence in the MenACWY vaccine (aOR = 5.53; 95% CI, 3.11-9.83), and knowing someone who had been vaccinated (aOR = 5.82; 95% CI, 3.05-11.12) were significantly associated with MenACWY vaccine uptake. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reflect low uptake of the recommended MenACWY vaccine among MSM after a local outbreak, despite public health efforts. In addition to ongoing, widespread campaigns to inform MSM about local outbreaks and vaccination recommendations, MSM may be responsive to direct outreach from peers who have been vaccinated.

Factors Associated with Immunization Opinion Leadership among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Los Angeles, California.

We sought to identify the characteristics of men who have sex with men (MSM) who are opinion leaders on immunization issues and to identify potential opportunities to leverage their influence for vaccine promotion within MSM communities. Using venue-based sampling, we recruited and enrolled MSM living in Los Angeles (N = 520) from December 2016 to February 2017 and evaluated characteristic differences in sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, and technology use among those classified as opinion leaders versus those who were not. We also asked respondents about their past receipt of meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, and Y (MenACWY) and meningococcal B (MenB) vaccines, as well as their opinions on the importance of 13 additional vaccines. Multivariable results revealed that non-Hispanic black (aOR = 2.64; 95% CI: 1.17⁻5.95) and other race/ethnicity (aOR = 2.98; 95% CI: 1.41⁻6.29) respondents, as well as those with a history of an STI other than HIV (aOR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.10⁻3.48), were more likely to be opinion leaders. MenACWY (aOR = 1.92; 95% CI: 1.13⁻3.25) and MenB (aOR = 3.09; 95% CI: 1.77⁻5.41) vaccine uptake, and perceived importance for these and seven additional vaccines, were also associated with being an opinion leader. The results suggest that the co-promotion of vaccination and other health promotion initiatives via opinion leaders could be a useful strategy for increasing vaccination among MSM.

Development of a measure to assess vaccine confidence among men who have sex with men.

BACKGROUND: Recent serogroup C meningococcal disease outbreaks led to meningococcal vaccine recommendations for Southern California men who have sex with men (MSM). Assessment of vaccine confidence is critical to improving vaccine coverage in the context of disease outbreaks wherein immunization(s) are recommended. METHODS: We surveyed MSM using venue-based sampling and began development of the vaccine confidence index (VCI) with 30 survey items corresponding to trust- and safety-related perceptions. We performed exploratory factor analyses and computed the Cronbach's alpha coefficient to assess internal consistency of the VCI. We created a categorical confidence variable (low, medium, and high confidence) and conducted bivariate and multivariate analyses to evaluate associations with reported confidence and immunization uptake. RESULTS: Ten survey items were included in the final VCI and formed the confidence measure. Participants with low confidence had the lowest levels of reported uptake for both meningococcal vaccines. Confidence differed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) between MSM who indicated they received vaccines recommended within the context of the outbreak and those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Our VCI is sensitive to a number of issues that may influence vaccine confidence. It is useful for assessing MSM trust and acceptance of recommended immunizations and may be used to inform intervention development.

Technology Use and Preferences for Mobile Phone-Based HIV Prevention and Treatment Among Black Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Exploratory Research.

BACKGROUND: Black young men who have sex with men (BYMSM) experience higher human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence than their white and Latino counterparts. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to understand BYMSM's preferences for mobile phone-based HIV prevention and treatment in order to inform culturally tailored interventions to reduce the spread of HIV and improve HIV treatment outcomes in this population. METHODS: Qualitative focus groups (N=6) with BYMSM aged 18-29 years (N=41; 46%, 19/41 HIV-positive) were conducted to elucidate their preferences for the design and delivery of mobile phone-based HIV prevention and treatment interventions. A modified grounded theory approach to data analysis was undertaken using ATLAS.ti textual analysis software. RESULTS: Participants preferred holistic health interventions that did not focus exclusively on HIV prevention and treatment. Issues of privacy and confidentiality were paramount. Participants preferred functionality that enables discreet connections to culturally competent health educators and treatment providers who can address the range of health and psychosocial concerns faced by BYMSM. CONCLUSIONS: Mobile phone-based HIV prevention has the potential to increase engagement with HIV prevention and treatment resources among BYMSM. For these approaches to be successful, researchers must include BYMSM in the design and creation of these interventions.

Psychological distress, health protection, and sexual practices among young men who have sex with men: Using social action theory to guide HIV prevention efforts.

The present study addresses gaps in the literature related to theory development for young men who have sex with men (YMSM) sexual practices through the application and modification of Social Action Theory. Data come from the Healthy Young Men study (N = 526), which longitudinally tracked a diverse cohort of YMSM ages 18-24 to characterize risk and protective factors associated with drug use and sexual practices. Structural equation modeling examined the applicability of, and any necessary modifications to a YMSM-focused version of Social Action Theory. The final model displayed excellent fit (CFI = 0.955, TLI = 0.947, RMSEA = 0.037) and suggested concordance between social support and personal capacity for sexual health promotion. For YMSM, practicing health promotion and avoiding practices that may put them at risk for HIV was associated with both social isolation and psychological distress (ß = -0.372, t = -4.601, p<0.001); psychological distress is an internalized response to environmental and cognitive factors and sexual practices are an externalized response. Results point to the utility of Social Action Theory as a useful model for understanding sexual practices among YMSM, the application of which shows health protective sexual practices are a function of sociocognitive factors that are influenced by environmental contexts. Social Action Theory can help prevention scientists better address the needs of this vulnerable population.

Facilitators and Barriers to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Willingness Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men Who Use Geosocial Networking Applications in California.

While correlates of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake have been explored among older men who have sex with men (MSM), less is known about the facilitators and barriers that encourage uptake among younger MSM (YMSM). This study explores the association between willingness to take PrEP and demographic characteristics, sexual risk, and substance use, and attitudinal factors among YMSM in California who use geosocial networking applications (GSN apps). Based on survey data from YMSM recruited through GSN apps (n = 687), PrEP willingness was positively associated with Hispanic ethnicity [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.73; confidence interval (CI): 1.01-2.98; p = 0.046], concerns about drug effects (aOR: 0.46; CI: 0.33-0.65; p < 0.001), medical mistrust (aOR: 0.71; CI: 0.53-0.96; p < 0.001), and concerns about adherence (aOR: 0.65; CI: 0.49-0.89; p = 0.005). PrEP willingness was positively associated with medium (aOR: 1.87; CI: 1.14-3.07; p = 0.014) and high concern (aOR: 1.84; CI: 1.13-3.01; p < 0.001) about contracting HIV and perceived benefits of taking PrEP (aOR: 2.59; CI: 1.78-3.78; p < 0.001). In addition to emphasizing the benefits of using PrEP, campaigns that address concerns regarding adherence and side effects may increase interest in and demand for PrEP among YMSM. More opportunities are needed to educate YMSM about PrEP, including addressing their concerns about this new prevention strategy. Providers should speak openly and honestly to YMSM considering PrEP about what to do if side effects occur and how to handle missed doses. Outreach using GSN apps for PrEP education and screening may be an effective way to reach YMSM.

Defining the expression hierarchy of latent T-cell epitopes in Epstein-Barr virus infection with TCR-like antibodies.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a gamma herpesvirus that causes a life-long latent infection in human hosts. The latent gene products LMP1, LMP2A and EBNA1 are expressed by EBV-associated tumors and peptide epitopes derived from these can be targeted by CD8 Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte (CTL) lines. Whilst CTL-based methodologies can be utilized to infer the presence of specific latent epitopes, they do not allow a direct visualization or quantitation of these epitopes. Here, we describe the characterization of three TCR-like monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the latent epitopes LMP1(125-133), LMP2A(426-434) or EBNA1(562-570) in association with HLA-A0201. These are employed to map the expression hierarchy of endogenously generated EBV epitopes. The dominance of EBNA1(562-570) in association with HLA-A0201 was consistently observed in cell lines and EBV-associated tumor biopsies. These data highlight the discordance between MHC-epitope density and frequencies of associated CTL with implications for cell-based immunotherapies and/or vaccines for EBV-associated disease.