Unnecessary antibiotic use in men who have sex with men (MSM) with anogenital symptoms attending a sexual health clinic: a retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the amount of unnecessary antibiotics, in particular ceftriaxone, given to men who have sex with men (MSM) with anogenital symptoms as part of presumptive management in an urban sexual health clinic and examine factors associated with unnecessary ceftriaxone. METHODS: This is a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of electronic records from all visits involving MSM reporting symptoms of bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) and who received presumptive antibiotics at Sydney Sexual Health Centre. The following variables were extracted: demographic and sexual behaviour data, presenting symptoms, prior STI diagnoses, use of anoscopy, use of point-of-care microscopy, prescriptions of antibiotics and subsequent nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) results for chlamydia and gonorrhoea in all anatomical sites (urethra, pharynx and rectum). We defined unnecessary antibiotic as an agent prescribed to treat an STI organism that was subsequently not detected. RESULTS: Among 1061 visits in this analysis, 41.8% yielded negative NAAT results for both chlamydia and gonorrhoea in all anatomical sites. There were 44.3% of visits which had positive gonorrhoea NAAT result in at least one anatomical site. There were 187 courses of ceftriaxone prescribed in patients who tested negative for gonorrhoea in all anatomical sites and therefore were unnecessary. Unnecessary ceftriaxone prescribing occurred in 50.2% of visits with anorectal symptoms, 19.6% of scrotal symptoms and 7.3% of urethral symptoms. Microscopy was associated with significantly less unnecessary ceftriaxone in urethral but not anorectal or scrotal presentations. In multivariable analysis, the following factors were associated with a higher likelihood of unnecessary ceftriaxone use: anorectal symptoms, scrotal symptoms, gonorrhoea in the preceding year, contact of a bacterial STI and living with HIV. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the significant amount of unnecessary ceftriaxone used for STI symptoms in MSM. A new pathway incorporating rapid point-of-care molecular testing in symptomatic patients may improve the precision of antibiotic prescribing and reduce unnecessary use.

Understanding Risk Factors for Oropharyngeal Gonorrhea Among Sex Workers Attending Sexual Health Clinics in 2 Australian Cities: Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: The risk factors for oropharyngeal gonorrhea have not been examined in sex workers despite the increasing prevalence of gonorrhea infection. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the risk factors for oropharyngeal gonorrhea in female and gender-diverse sex workers (including cisgender and transgender women, nonbinary and gender fluid sex workers, and those with a different identity) and examine kissing, oral sex, and mouthwash practices with clients. METHODS: This mixed methods case-control study was conducted from 2018 to 2020 at 2 sexual health clinics in Melbourne, Victoria, and Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. We recruited 83 sex workers diagnosed with oropharyngeal gonorrhea (cases) and 581 sex workers without (controls). Semistructured interviews with 19 sex workers from Melbourne were conducted. RESULTS: In the case-control study, the median age of 664 sex workers was 30 (IQR 25-36) years. Almost 30% of sex workers (192/664, 28.9%) reported performing condomless fellatio on clients. Performing condomless fellatio with clients was the only behavior associated with oropharyngeal gonorrhea (adjusted odds ratio 3.6, 95% CI 1.7-7.6; P=.001). Most participants (521/664, 78.5%) used mouthwash frequently. In the qualitative study, almost all sex workers reported kissing clients due to demand and generally reported following clients' lead with regard to kissing style and duration. However, they used condoms for fellatio because they considered it a risky practice for contracting sexually transmitted infections, unlike cunnilingus without a dental dam. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that condomless fellatio is a risk factor for oropharyngeal gonorrhea among sex workers despite most sex workers using condoms with their clients for fellatio. Novel interventions, particularly targeting the oropharynx, will be required for oropharyngeal gonorrhea prevention.

Chlamydia retesting remains low among young women in Australia: an observational study using sentinel surveillance data, 2018-2022.

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia remains the most notified bacterial sexually transmissible infection in Australia with guidelines recommending testing for re-infection at 3months post treatment. This paper aimed to determine chlamydia retesting and repeat positivity rates within 2-4months among young women in Australia, and to evaluate what factors increase or decrease the likelihood of retesting. METHODS: Chlamydia retesting rates among 16-29-year-old women were analysed from Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance of sexually transmissible infection and bloodborne virus (ACCESS) sentinel surveillance data (n =62 sites). Among women with at least one positive test between 1 January 2018 and 31 August 2022, retesting counts and proportions within 2-4months were calculated. Logistic regression was performed to assess factors associated with retesting within 2-4months. RESULTS: Among 8758 women who were positive before 31 August 2022 to allow time for follow up, 1423 (16.2%) were retested within 2-4months, of whom 179 (12.6%) tested positive. The odds of retesting within 2-4months were 25% lower if tested in a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-9) pandemic year (2020-2022) (aOR=0.75; 95% CI 0.59-0.95). Among 9140 women with a positive test before 30 November 2022, 397 (4.3%) were retested too early (within 7days to 1month) and 81 (20.4%) of those were positive. CONCLUSIONS: Chlamydia retesting rates remain low with around a sixth of women retested within 2-4months in line with guidelines. Re-infection is common with around one in eight retesting positive. An increase in retesting is required to reduce the risk of reproductive complications and onward transmission.

Keeping the frogs in the wheelbarrow: how virtual onboarding creates positive team-enabling cultures.

INTRODUCTION: The post-COVID-19 great resignation puts both employee retention and the onboarding of employees in the spotlight. In an effort to maintain workforce levels, healthcare leaders are turning their attention to both recruitment (ie, bringing new frogs into the wheelbarrow) and practices that create positive, team-enabling, cultures (ie, keeping frogs in the wheelbarrow). METHODS: In this paper, we illustrate our experience in building an employee onboarding programme as an efficient mechanism not only to immerse new professionals into existing teams but also to improve workplace culture and reduce team turnover. Key to its effectiveness, and in contrast with traditional large-scale culture change programmes, is that our programme provided a local cultural context via videos of our existing workforce in action. RESULTS: This online experience, primed new joiners in cultural norms, helping them navigate critical early period of socialisation into their new environment.

Renal impairment associated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for antiretroviral therapy and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: An observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is associated with adverse renal outcomes when prescribed for HIV infection. There are few data concerning real-world renal outcomes amongst patients prescribed TDF for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). METHODS AND FINDINGS: Data were extracted from 52 sexual health clinics across Australia from 2009-2019. All patients prescribed TDF-containing antiretroviral therapy and PrEP were included. Rates of renal impairment (a fall in eGFR to <60 ml/min/1·73m2) were calculated for people living with HIV (PLWHIV) prescribed TDF and HIV negative PrEP-users. Risk factors were assessed using Cox-proportional hazards models. Sensitivity analysis of risk using 1:1 propensity-score matching to adjust for potential imbalance in HIV and PrEP cohorts was conducted. 5,973 patients on PrEP and 1,973 PLWHIV were included. There were 39 (0.7%) instances of renal impairment in the PrEP group and 81 (4.1%) in the PLWHIV cohort (hazard ratio [HR]:0.35 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22-0.56). Rates of renal impairment were 4.01/1000 person-years (95%CI:2.93-5.48) in the PrEP cohort and 16.18/1000 person-years (95%CI:13.01-20.11) in the PLWHIV cohort (p<0.001). Predictors of renal impairment were: older age (40-49 years (HR:5.09 95%CI: 2.12-12.17) and 50-82 years (HR:13.69 95%CI: 5.92-31.67) (compared with 30-39 years) and baseline eGFR<90ml/min (HR:61.19 95%CI: 19.27-194.30). After adjusting for age and baseline eGFR the rate of renal impairment remained lower in the PrEP cohort (aHR:0.62 95%CI: 0.40-0.94, p = 0.023). In propensity-matched analysis using 1,622 patients per cohort the risk of renal impairment remained higher in the PLWHIV cohort (log-rank p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients prescribed TDF-based PrEP had lower rates of renal impairment than patients prescribed TDF for HIV infection. In propensity analysis, after matching for some risk factors, rates of renal impairment remained higher amongst patients with HIV.

Experiences of recently HIV-diagnosed gay and bisexual migrants in Australia: Implications for sexual health programmes and health promotion.

Gay and bisexual migrants from low- and middle-income countries living in high-income countries are disproportionately diagnosed with HIV. Most research focuses on preventing HIV acquisition among HIV-negative migrant gay and bisexual men (GBM). This study is uniquely positioned to report on migrant GBM's experiences and needs at and after an HIV diagnosis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 migrant GBM diagnosed at sexual health clinics in Australia from 2017 onwards. Interviews were analysed using a codebook thematic analysis. Due to the stigma of HIV and homosexuality in their countries of origin, about half of participants had poor HIV knowledge prior to diagnosis. Absorbing diagnosis information was consequently difficult, and feelings of shame, hopelessness, lost sexual opportunities and infectiousness were common. However, many were thankful for the comprehensive clinical support they received and believed that over time life would 'normalise' with sustained undetectable viral load. None reported that their clinician stigmatised them, but the anticipation of stigma nonetheless infused their experiences after diagnosis. Many were selective about HIV disclosure, and some mentioned that clinic systems posed a risk to confidentiality. Non-permanent residents were concerned about the impacts of HIV status on future visa applications. We recommend that newly HIV-diagnosed migrant GBM receive referral to legal and culturally appropriate migration services to help absorb what a diagnosis might mean for their health and visa status. We also recommend sexual health clinics continue to assess confidentiality in their systems. Health promotion initiatives should highlight to migrant GBM that high-HIV caseload sexual health clinicians provide confidential and comprehensive care.

Chemsex questions: what are we actually asking?

Among men who have sex with men (MSM), sexualised drug use (SDU) is related to high risk sexual behaviour and a higher chance of contracting STIs. Chemsex, a subset of SDU, has a particularly high risk factor for STIs. We describe the implementation of a new question about Chemsex for first time clients attending Sydney Sexual Health Centre through a retrospective review of electronic medical records. Between 1 December 2018 and 30 November 2019, 227 MSM reported engaging in 'Chemsex'. 74 respondents (33%) had a specific drug used during sex noted. Of these, the majority (52, 70%; 95% CI 60-81) used a drug commonly associated with Chemsex (crystal methamphetamine, gamma-hydroxybutyrate, or mephedrone), however, a sizeable minority (22, 30%; 95% CI 19-40) only described a drug not commonly associated with Chemsex. The question asked appeared to be more broadly interpreted as SDU. Broad SDU questions, not just questions on Chemsex, may be more appropriate for identifying risk behaviours in MSM in clinical contexts.

Syphilis, HIV and other STI positivity in clients presenting as contacts of syphilis at Sydney Sexual Health Centre.

There is a paucity of contemporary data pertaining to sexually transmitted infection test positivity of people presenting as contacts of syphilis. Over a 12 month period in 2018, within a sexual health service, we identified 191 (92% men who have sex with men) presentations, 7.8% were diagnosed with syphilis (three primary, four secondary, six early latent and two late latent infections). A total of 20.8% (38/183) were diagnosed with one or more STI including 54 non-syphilis infections: two (1.1%) new HIV; 26 (14.2%) Chlamydia trachomatis; and 24 (13.1%) Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Although syphilis test positivity in contacts is low, this population requires comprehensive STI screening and HIV prevention discussion.

Mycoplasma genitalium: test positivity in syndromic presentations and clinicians' adherence with treatment guidelines at Sydney Sexual Health Centre.

Mycoplasma genitalium (M.genitalium) is associated with urethritis, cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, proctitis and epididymitis. Its treatment is complicated by antimicrobial resistance. To assess clinicians' adherence to M.genitalium diagnostic testing recommendations for syndromic presentations, as well as resistance-guided management of M.genitalium at Sydney Sexual Health Centre, we reviewed patients presenting between August and December 2018. 349/372 (94%) syndromic presentations were tested for M.genitalium with 16% M.genitalium test positivity and 81% macrolide resistance. 16/27 (59%) macrolide-sensitive infections and 65/77 (84%) macrolide-resistant infections received resistance-guided treatment. Tests of cure (TOCs) were unnecessarily ordered for 82% macrolide-sensitive cases, while 88% macrolide-resistant cases were correctly ordered TOCs. Co-existing STIs at the time of macrolide-sensitive (p = 0.30) or macrolide-resistant M.genitalium (p = 0.94) diagnosis did not significantly affect adherence to treatment guidelines. This study confirms the expected prevalence of M.genitalium and macrolide resistance in syndromic presentations while our real-world data highlight the decision-making challenges involved with managing M.genitalium, offering insights for further research.

Low Awareness of Mycoplasma genitalium in Men Who Have Sex With Men in Sydney, Australia.

OBJECTIVES: Mycoplasma genitalium (M. genitalium) is a sexually transmitted infection of importance because of the high prevalence rates and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional analysis was carried out on MSM who presented rectally asymptomatic at a central Sydney sexual health clinic or a community site for routine testing. Between March and May 2017, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire before testing. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with awareness and concern toward M. genitalium and AMR. RESULTS: Overall, 692 (92.5%) of 746 (95% confidence interval [CI], 90.7-94.5) MSM had no prior awareness of M. genitalium; 512 (68.6%) of 746 (95% CI, 65.2-72.0) were not concerned or were neutral about the infection; and 234 (31.4%) of 746 (95% CI, 28.0-34.8) were a little, somewhat, or very concerned. High partner numbers (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.2; 95% CI, 2.1-8.2) and inconsistent condom users (AOR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.2-8.2) and no condoms used (AOR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.2-12.6) were associated with awareness of the infection. Time since arrival in Australia of more than 10 years (AOR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.09-2.75), more than 12 months (AOR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.31-2.79), and recreational drug use (AOR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.17-3.24) were associated with concern around having M. genitalium. Overall, 61.6% (458/744; 95% CI, 58.2-65.3) MSM reported that they would increase condom use (38.6% agreed and 23.1% strongly agreed) after reading about AMR. Among the remaining 38.4% (286/744), 28.4% indicated a neutral response to increasing their condom use. Relative to MSM born in Australia, Latin American (AOR, 7.3; 95% CI, 2.9-18.4) or Asian MSM (AOR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.4-3.3), were significantly more likely to increase condom use after reading a statement on AMR. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of M. genitalium remains low among MSM. Targeted messages using AMR and treatment difficulties with M. genitalium is unlikely to change behavior for a large proportion of MSM.

Dissonances in communication with sexual health consumers in an inner-Sydney sexual health clinic in relation to health literacy: A mixed-methods study.

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.

Renal impairment: an unnecessary barrier to HIV prevention.

The use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in combination with emtricitabine, prescribed for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), is highly effective at reducing incident sexually transmissible HIV infection among those at risk. TDF is associated with proteinuria, Fanconi syndrome and chronic kidney disease, and is not recommended for use in patients with an estimated creatinine clearance <60 mL min-1. There are currently no Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)-funded PrEP options for patients at risk of HIV infection with moderate renal impairment in Australia. This report describes the case of a patient who acquired HIV soon after PrEP was suspended due to moderate renal impairment. The various clinical and regulatory issues this case raises are discussed.

Provider attitudes to the empiric treatment of asymptomatic contacts of gonorrhoea.

Background In the current era of antimicrobial stewardship, the availability of highly sensitive assays and faster turnaround times, the practice of empiric treatment of asymptomatic contacts of gonorrhoea needs review. The views of clinicians in a range of settings across Australia and clinic costs associated with a change of practice was examined. METHODS: An online anonymous survey for nurses and doctors working in public sexual health clinics and general practices in urban, regional and rural Australia was developed. Information on the relative importance of a range of factors influencing delivery of empiric treatment was collected. Participants were asked whether current guidelines should change. RESULTS: Surveys were distributed to 468 healthcare providers and 188 (40.2%) fully completed the survey. Most of the participants worked in public practice (84.9%) and 86 (43.2%) were doctors. Factors influencing provision of empiric treatment were: if the patient was unable to return (95.9%) or may not return (95.3%); risk of transmission to others (93.3%); likelihood of infection (88.6%); and patient request (82.9%). Respondents were evenly split as to whether current guidelines should change, with providers in private practice being less likely to support guideline change (P = 0.03). The model of empiric treatment of all asymptomatic sexual contacts was 34% more expensive than a model of testing and treatment of those with a positive result. CONCLUSION: Currently, the majority of clinicians provide empiric treatment for asymptomatic contacts in Australia. There was significant support for a change in guidelines with specific scenarios requiring individualised responses.

Proctitis in gay and bisexual men. Are microscopy and proctoscopy worthwhile?

OBJECTIVES: We explored the association between nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) and rectal microscopy/proctoscopy findings and correlates of rectal STIs among 150 gay and bisexual men (GBM) diagnosed with proctitis at the Sydney Sexual Health Centre from March 2016 to October 2017. METHODS: From case files, we analysed risk behaviours, microscopy, proctoscopy and NAAT results for rectal STIs (Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, herpes simplex virus type 1/2, lymphogranuloma venereum and syphilis). χ2 test assessed the association between microscopy/proctoscopy findings and NAAT results. Linear regression assessed the association between NAAT positivity and correlates of rectal STIs. RESULTS: The mean age was 32.5 (9.8) years, 43% (65/150) were taking pre-exposure prophylaxis, 17% (26/150) were HIV positive and 24% (36/147) had multiple rectal STIs.Among GBM with documented proctoscopy findings (n=113), 58% (65/113) had discharge, 36% (41/113) had anorectal erythema and 25% (28/113) had bleeding. A quarter of GBM (28/113) had negative proctoscopy findings.Discharge found on proctoscopy (p=0.001), positive HIV status (p=0.030) and time since last receptive anal intercourse (p=0.028) were independently associated with NAAT positivity for any rectal STI. Discharge had a positive likelihood ratio of 1.6 (95% CI 1.0 to 2.4).Among those with documented microscopy findings (n=69), 59% (41/69) and 41% (28/69) were NAAT positive and negative, respectively. Among NAAT-positive GBM, 27 (66%) had polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) (mean number of PMNs, 10 (SD 9) cells per oil immersion field), 1 (2%) had Gram-negative intracellular diplococci and 11 (27%) had negative findings. There was no significant association between microscopy findings and NAAT results (p=0.651) or the number of rectal STI (p=0.279). CONCLUSION: Microscopy does not reliably provide information necessary to tailor the management of GBM diagnosed with proctitis. Discharge found during proctoscopy may identify GBM with rectal STI. Services should consider recommendations to perform these investigations.

Prevalence of rectal Mycoplasma genitalium and macrolide resistance in men who have sex with men attending Sydney Sexual Health Centre.

Background Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) have been increasing in men who have sex with men (MSM) in recent years; however, few studies have investigated the prevalence or antimicrobial resistance in rectal Mycoplasma genitalium in this group. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of rectal M. genitalium in MSM attending an urban sexual health service in Sydney, Australia, namely the Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC), as well as estimate the rate of macrolide resistance. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted of rectally asymptomatic MSM having a rectal swab collected as part of their routine care. Participants self-collected a rectal swab to be tested for M. genitalium and completed a 14-item questionnaire that provided information on behavioural risk factors. The prevalence of rectal M. genitalium was determined and multivariate analysis was performed to assess the associations for this infection. Positive specimens then underwent testing for macrolide-resistant mutations (MRMs) using the ResistancePlus MG assay (SpeeDx, Eveleigh, NSW, Australia). RESULTS: In all, 742 patients were consecutively enrolled in the study. The median age was 31 years (interquartile range 27-39 years), with 43.0% born in Australia. Overall, 19.0% of men were bisexual, 22.9% were taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and 4.3% were HIV positive. The prevalence of rectal M. genitalium was 7.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) 5.3-9.1) overall and 11.8% in those taking PrEP. On multivariate analysis, PrEP use was significantly associated with having rectal M. genitalium (odds ratio 2.01; 95% CI 1.09-3.73; P = 0.01). MRMs were detected in 75.0% (36/48; 95% CI 60.4-86.4%) of infections. CONCLUSION: Rates of rectal M. genitalium infection were high among asymptomatic MSM attending SSHC and MRMs were detected in 75% of infections. PrEP use was found to be significantly associated with rectal M. genitalium infection. These data contribute to the evidence base for screening guidelines in MSM.

Empirical treatment of asymptomatic contacts of gonorrhoea: patient views.

Background The prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhoea) in sexual contacts of gonorrhoea has not been established, but limited data suggest that the majority of contacts are not infected. Contacts of gonorrhoea who receive empirical treatment at the point of testing may receive unnecessary antimicrobial treatment for an infection that is known to have multidrug resistance. This study evaluated patient acceptability of non-empirical treatment.? METHODS: We conducted an anonymous cross-sectional survey of patients attending sexual health centres in New South Wales, Australia, on the acceptability of empirical and non-empirical treatment models and patients' concerns about antimicrobial resistance. RESULTS: Most of the 823 survey participants were willing to wait for treatment until their results were reported; 77% and 53% would agree to wait for treatment if results were available in 2 and 7 days respectively. Participants were less likely to agree to non-empirical treatment if they lived in regional and remote areas compared with those in a major city (odds ratio (OR) 0.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35-0.73). Most participants (70%) were worried about infections becoming resistant to antibiotics, with heterosexual men and women being less likely than gay and bisexual men to be worried (heterosexual men: OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.44-0.94; women: OR 0.64 95%, CI 0.44-0.92). CONCLUSIONS: Non-empirical treatment was acceptable to most participants, but patient preference, ability to return for treatment and timeliness of results are factors that should inform individual treatment decisions.

Characteristics of recently arrived Asian men who have sex with men diagnosed with HIV through sexual health services in Melbourne and Sydney.

OBJECTIVES: Asian men who have sex with men (MSM) who have recently arrived in Australia are an emergent risk group for HIV; however, little is known about how they compare to Australian MSM diagnosed with HIV. This study compared the characteristics of these two groups. METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional study of MSM diagnosed with HIV between January 2014 and October 2017 in Melbourne and Sydney public sexual health clinics. Asian MSM were those who had arrived in Australia within 4 years of diagnosis. RESULTS: Among 111 Asian men, 75% spoke a language other than English, 88% did not have Medicare and 61% were international students. Compared with Australian men (n=209), Asian men reported fewer male sexual partners within 12 months (median 4 versus 10, p<0.001), were less likely to have tested for HIV previously (71% versus 89%, p<0.001) and had a lower median CD4 count (326 versus 520, p<0.001). Among Asian men, HIV subtype CRF01-AE was more common (55% versus 16%, p<0.001) and subtype B less common (29% versus 73%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Asian MSM diagnosed with HIV reported lower risk and had more advanced HIV. Implications for public health: HIV testing and preventative interventions supporting international students are required.

Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy for people newly diagnosed with HIV infection in Australia: trends and predictors, 2004-2015.

OBJECTIVES: To determine trends in and predictors of early treatment for people newly diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Australia. DESIGN, SETTING: Retrospective cohort analysis of routinely collected longitudinal data from 44 sexual health clinics participating in the Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance (ACCESS) program. PARTICIPANTS: Patients diagnosed with HIV infections, January 2004 - June 2015. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Commencement of antiretroviral therapy within 6 months of HIV diagnosis (early treatment); demographic, clinical, and risk group characteristics of patients associated with early treatment; trends in early treatment, by CD4+ cell count at diagnosis. RESULTS: 917 people were diagnosed with HIV infections, their median age was 34 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 27-43 years), and 841 (92%) were men; the median CD4+ cell count at diagnosis was 510 cells/µL (IQR, 350-674 cells/µL). The proportion of patients who received early treatment increased from 17% (15 patients) in 2004-06 to 20% (34 patients) in 2007-09, 34% (95 patients) in 2010-12, and 53% (197 patients) in 2013-15 (trend, P < 0.001). The probability of early treatment, which increased with time, was higher for patients with lower CD4+ cell counts and higher viral loads at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of people newly diagnosed with HIV in sexual health clinics in Australia who received treatment within 6 months of diagnosis increased from 17% to 53% during 2004-2015, reflecting changes in the CD4+ cell count threshold in treatment guidelines. Nevertheless, further strategies are needed to maximise the benefits of treatment to prevent viral transmission and morbidity.