"What if I get sick, where shall I go?": a qualitative investigation of healthcare engagement among young gay and bisexual men in Nairobi, Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Globally, young gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (YMSM) experience a disproportionate burden of disease compared to young heterosexual men and older MSM. However, YMSM experience major inequities in access and use of health services. We sought to gain a detailed understanding of YMSM's healthcare engagement experiences across public, private, tertiary institution-based and MSM-friendly health facilities in Nairobi, Kenya, to inform development of interventions to improve access and use of health services by YMSM. METHODS: In September 2021, in-person qualitative in-depths interviews were conducted among 22 YMSM purposively sampled from 248 YMSM who had previously participated in a respondent-driven sampling integrated bio-behavioral survey. Interviews were done in English, transcribed verbatim and analyzed descriptively using NVivo version 12. RESULTS: Participants were 18-24 years old, all identified as cisgender male, three-quarters as gay and a quarter as bisexual. Themes that were defined from the analysis included: YMSM's experiences during healthcare seeking in various clinical settings, priority health needs, desired healthcare provider (HCP) characteristics, and the potential role of digital health interventions in improving access and use of health services. Participants relayed experiences of prejudice, stigma and discrimination when seeking services in public and institution-based health facilities, unlike in community pharmacies, private and MSM-friendly health facilities where they felt they were handled with dignity. Health needs prioritized by YMSM centered on prevention and control of HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), depression and substance abuse. Participants desired HCPs who were empathetic, non-judgmental and knowledgeable about their unique health needs such as management of anorectal STIs. Participants highlighted the usefulness of digital media in offering telehealth consultations and health education on subjects such as HIV/STIs prevention. CONCLUSION: During engagement with healthcare, YMSM experience various barriers that may cause them to postpone or avoid seeking care hence resulting in poor health outcomes. There is need to equip HCPs with knowledge, skills and cultural competencies to enable them offer equitable services to YMSM. Considerations should also be made for use of digital health interventions that may help YMSM circumvent some of the aforementioned barriers to service access and use.

HIV prevalence and associated risk factors among young tertiary student men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nairobi, Kenya: a respondent-driven sampling survey.

BACKGROUND: Young men who have sex with men (MSM), are a key population at higher risk of HIV infection yet they are underrepresented in research. We conducted a bio-behavioral survey to estimate HIV prevalence and associated risk factors among tertiary student MSM (TSMSM) in Nairobi, Kenya. METHODS: Between February and March 2021, 248 TSMSM aged ≥ 18 years who reported sex with another man in the past year participated in a respondent-driven sampling (RDS) based cross-sectional survey. Participants completed an electronically self-administered behavioral survey and provided a blood sample for HIV antibody testing, alongside urine, anorectal and oropharyngeal swabs for pooled testing of sexually transmitted infections using a multiplex nucleic acid amplification test. RDS-Analyst v.0.72 and Stata v.15 software were used for data analysis. Differences in proportions were examined using chi-square (χ2) test, and unweighted multivariate logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with HIV infection. RESULTS: HIV prevalence among study participants was 8.3%, whereas the weighted prevalence was 3.6% (95% CI: 1.3-6.0%). Median ages of participants, and at self-reported first anal sex with a man were 21(interquartile range [IQR] 20-22) and 18 (IQR 17-19) years, respectively. A majority (89.3%) of TSMSM owned a smart phone, 46.5% had ever used a geosocial networking app for MSM such as Grindr ® to find a sex partner, and a third (33.6%) met their last sex partner online.  Almost three-quarters (71.3%) had > 1 male sex partner in the year before the survey. A third (34.3%) did not use condoms with their last sex partner, 21.2% received money from their last sex partner and 40.9% had taken alcohol/another drug during their last sexual encounter. HIV infection was associated with studying in private institutions (adjusted odds ratio[AOR] = 6.0; 95% confidence intervals [CI] : 1.2-30.0, p = 0.027), preferring a sex partner of any age-younger, same or older (AOR = 5.2; 95 CI: 1.1-25.2, p = 0.041), last sex partner being > 25 years (AOR = 6.4; 95% CI: 1.2-34.6, p = 0.030), meeting the last sex partner online (AOR = 4.2; 95% CI; 1.1-17.0, p = 0.043) and testing positive for Neisseria gonorrhea (AOR = 7.8; 95% CI: 2.0-29.9, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: HIV prevalence among TSMSM in Nairobi is alarmingly high, demonstrating a need for tailored prevention and control interventions for this young key population.

"We must help them despite who they are ": healthcare providers' attitudes and perspectives on care for young gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Nairobi, Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Compared to young heterosexual men, young gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (YMSM) face a disproportionate burden of sexual health conditions. This disparity is occasioned by factors such as criminalization and stigmatization of same-sex practices, YMSM's limited access to non-judgmental and non-discriminatory health services, and challenges associated with healthcare delivery. We explored the attitudes and perspectives of tertiary academic institution-based healthcare providers (HCPs) toward provision of services to YMSM in Nairobi, Kenya. METHODS: In September 2021, six in-person focus group discussions (FGDs) were held with 36 HCPs drawn from six public tertiary academic institutions within the Nairobi metropolis. HCPs were drawn from six cadres: front office staff, nurses, clinicians, counsellors, laboratory technologists, and pharmaceutical technologists. Discussions were conducted in English, transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using NVivo version 12. RESULTS: Analysis showed that despite expressing disapproval of same-sex practices, HCPs recognized their professional duty to provide care to YMSM, voiced challenges they experienced when providing care to YMSM, and suggested possible strategies for improving care for YMSM. Disapproval of same-sex practices mainly stemmed from HCPs' personal values, societal norms and religious beliefs, though some HCPs identified religious principles such as the golden rule of "treating others as one would want to be treated" as motivation to providing care to YMSM. HCPs did not perceive criminalization of same-sex practices as a barrier to providing care to YMSM. Healthcare delivery challenges included inadequate knowledge and skills, a desire to "convert" YMSM's perceived deviant homosexual to the normative heterosexual orientation, secondary stigma from other HCPs, and healthcare settings that did not support YMSM to disclose same-sex practices. Suggestions for improving care comprised sensitization and training of HCPs, encouraging more HCP-YMSM interaction, providing YMSM-friendly and inclusive services, and advocacy for YMSM services. CONCLUSION: There is need for interventions to improve HCPs' knowledge of YMSM's health needs, build skills to respond to these needs, and foster affirming attitudes toward same-sex practices. By so doing, YMSM can hopefully be able to access services that meet their needs, and are non-discriminatory, non-stigmatizing and non-judgmental.

Prevalence of five curable sexually transmitted infections and associated risk factors among tertiary student men who have sex with men in Nairobi, Kenya: a respondent-driven sampling survey†.

BACKGROUND: Young men who have sex with men (MSM) are a key population at high risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We conducted a respondent-driven sampling (RDS) bio-behavioural survey to estimate the prevalence of five curable STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, trichomoniasis and Mycoplasma genitalium infection, and associated risk factors among tertiary student MSM (TSMSM) in Nairobi, Kenya. METHODS: Between February and March 2021, we recruited 248 TSMSM aged ≥18years who self-reported engaging in anal and/or oral sex with another man in the past year. Samples collected included urine, anorectal and oropharyngeal swabs for pooled Chlamydia trachomatis , Mycoplasma genitalium , Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis testing using multiplex nucleic acid amplification tests, and venous blood for serological Treponema pallidum screening and confirmation of current infection. Participants self-completed a behavioural survey on a REDCap digital platform. Data analysis was done using RDS-Analyst (v0.72) and Stata (v15). Differences in proportions were examined using the chi-squared (χ 2 ) test, and unweighted multivariate logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with STI prevalence. RESULTS: RDS-adjusted prevalence rates of at least one of the five STIs, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, Mycoplasma genitalium infection, trichomoniasis and latent syphilis were 58.8%, 51.0%, 11.3%, 6.0%, 1.5% and 0.7%, respectively. Factors independently associated with STI prevalence were inconsistent condom use (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.89, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-3.47, P =0.038) and the last sex partner being a regular partner (AOR=2.35, 95% CI: 1.12-4.92, P =0.023). CONCLUSION: STI prevalence among TSMSM in Nairobi, Kenya, is disturbingly high, demonstrating urgent need for tailored testing, treatment and prevention interventions for this population.

Understanding Adherence to Daily and Intermittent Regimens of Oral HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Kenya.

A qualitative assessment of Kenyan men who have sex with men taking daily and intermittent oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) found stigma, sex work, mobility, and alcohol impacted adherence. We analyzed quantitative data from the same cohort to explore different definitions of intermittent adherence. Volunteers were randomized to daily emtricitabine/tenofovir or placebo, or intermittent (prescription: Mondays/Fridays/after sex, maximum 1 dose/day) emtricitabine/tenofovir or placebo (2:1:2:1), and followed for 4 months. By electronic monitoring, median adherence for daily dosing was 80 %. Median adherence for intermittent dosing was 71 % per a "relaxed" definition (accounting for off-prescription dosing) and 40 % per a "strict" definition (limited to the prescription). Factors associated with lower adherence included travel, transactional sex, and longer follow-up; higher adherence was associated with daily dosing and an income. The definition of intermittent dosing strongly affects interpretation of adherence. These findings suggest interventions should address challenges of mobility, sex work, and long-term PrEP.

"My Friends Would Believe My Word": Appropriateness and Acceptability of Respondent-Driven Sampling in Recruiting Young Tertiary Student Men Who Have Sex with Men for HIV/STI Research in Nairobi, Kenya.

(1) Background: We conducted formative research to assess the appropriateness and acceptability of respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in recruiting tertiary student men who have sex with men (TSMSM) into a prospective human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infection (HIV/STI) biobehavioral survey in Nairobi, Kenya. (2) Methods: Between September and October 2020, semi-structured qualitative interviews were held with service providers from organizations that serve MSM (n = 3), and TSMSM (n = 13). Interviews were conducted in English, audio-recorded and transcribed, then thematically analyzed using NVivo version 11. (3) Results: Service providers reflected that RDS was appropriate due to the large though concealed networks of TSMSM. TSMSM perceived RDS to be acceptable based on their large social network sizes and the trust that existed amongst themselves. TSMSM were concerned about participating due to the risk of being outed as MSM and hence emphasized that researchers needed to assure them of their confidentiality and include MSM as part of the study team to encourage participation. (4) Conclusions: RDS was perceived as both an appropriate and acceptable sampling method. Use of RDS should be considered as a strategy for recruiting young, marginalized populations for HIV/STI research.

Experiences of and response to the COVID-19 pandemic at private retail pharmacies in Kenya: a mixed-methods study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess experiences of and response to the COVID-19 pandemic at community pharmacies in Kenya. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a mixed-methods study conducted from November 2020 to April 2021, targeting service providers in three counties (Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu), selected purposively to represent the main urban centres; pharmacies were selected randomly from a list of licensed pharmacies. RESULTS: Of 195 sampled pharmacies, 108 (55%) completed a questionnaire and 103 (53%) received a simulated client call; 18 service providers were interviewed. The initial weeks of the pandemic were characterised by fear and panic among service providers and a surge in client flow. Subsequently, 65 (60%) of 108 pharmacies experienced a dip in demand to below prepandemic levels and 34 (31%) reported challenges with unavailability, high price and poor quality of products. Almost all pharmacies were actively providing preventive materials and therapies; educating clients on prevention measures; counselling anxious clients; and handling and referring suspect cases. Fifty-nine pharmacies (55% (95% CI 45% to 65%)) reported receiving a client asking for COVID-19 testing and a similar proportion stated they would support pharmacy-based testing if implemented. For treatment of simulated clients, most pharmacies (71%, 73 of 103) recommended alternative therapies and nutritional supplements such as vitamin C; the rest recommended conventional therapies such as antibiotics. While 52 (48%) of 108 pharmacies had at least one staff member trained on COVID-19, a general feeling of disconnection from the national programme prevailed. CONCLUSIONS: Private pharmacies in Kenya were actively contributing to the COVID-19 response, but more deliberate engagement, support and linkages are required. Notably, there is an urgent need to develop guidelines for pharmacy-based COVID-19 testing, a service that is clearly needed and which could greatly increase test coverage. Pharmacy-based COVID-19 programmes should be accompanied with implementation research to inform current and future pandemic responses.

Testing strategies to detect acute and prevalent HIV infection in adult outpatients seeking healthcare for symptoms compatible with acute HIV infection in Kenya: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

BACKGROUND: Detection of acute and prevalent HIV infection using point-of-care nucleic acid amplification testing (POC-NAAT) among outpatients with symptoms compatible with acute HIV is critical to HIV prevention, but it is not clear if it is cost-effective compared with existing HIV testing strategies. METHODS: We developed and parametrised a decision tree to compare the cost-effectiveness of (1) provider-initiated testing and counselling (PITC) using rapid tests, the standard of care; (2) scaled-up provider-initiated testing and counselling (SU-PITC) in which all patients were tested with rapid tests unless they opted out; and (3) opt-out testing and counselling using POC-NAAT, which detects both acute and prevalent infection. The model-based analysis used data from the Tambua Mapema Plus randomised controlled trial of a POC-NAAT intervention in Kenya, supplemented with results from a stochastic, agent-based network model of HIV-1 transmission and data from published literature. The analysis was conducted from the perspective of the Kenyan government using a primary outcome of cost per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) averted over a 10-year time horizon. RESULTS: After analysing the decision-analytical model, the average per patient cost of POC-NAAT was $214.9 compared with $173.6 for SU-PITC and $47.3 for PITC. The mean DALYs accumulated per patient for POC-NAAT were 0.160 compared with 0.176 for SU-PITC and 0.214 for PITC. In the incremental analysis, SU-PITC was eliminated due to extended dominance, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) comparing POC-NAAT to PITC was $3098 per DALY averted. The ICER was sensitive to disability weights for HIV/AIDS and the costs of antiretroviral therapy. CONCLUSION: POC-NAAT offered to adult outpatients in Kenya who present for care with symptoms compatible with AHI is cost-effective and should be considered for inclusion as the standard of HIV testing in this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Tambua Mapema ("Discover Early") Plus study (NCT03508908) conducted in Kenya (2017-2020) i.e., Post-results.

Project BESPOKE (Integrated Bio-Behavioral Assessment of HIV and STI Among Young Tertiary Student Men Who Have Sex With Men in Nairobi, Kenya): A Respondent-Driven Sampling Survey Protocol.

Introduction: Globally, men who have sex with men (MSM) are a key population for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. Among MSM, young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). However, there is a dearth of research and interventions targeting HIV/STI prevention among YMSM. In Kenya, there is paucity of knowledge on the burden of HIV/STI and related factors among YMSM, including tertiary student men who have sex with men (TSMSM). The barriers TSMSM experience in accessing and utilizing health services in their learning institutions have seldom been explored. In the context of healthcare providers (HCP) working in tertiary institutions, little is known about their knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward providing services to TSMSM. Methods: The aims of the study are to: estimate prevalence and correlates of HIV/STI among TSMSM; estimate population size of TSMSM; explore experiences of TSMSM with access and utilization of health services; and assess HCP knowledge of, attitudes toward, and practices in provision of services to TSMSM. A mixed-methods approach will be used in three phases: Phase I-formative qualitative research will be conducted to understand TSMSM social networks, select "seeds", and explore strategies for implementing a respondent-driven sampling (RDS) survey. Interviews will be conducted with at least three staff who work in community based/non-governmental organizations (CBO/NGO) that serve MSM and at least 10 TSMSM. Phase II-an integrated bio-behavioral assessment (IBBA) will be conducted, where 200 TSMSM recruited by RDS will be offered HIV/STI testing, complete a behavioral survey, and provide information for population size estimation (PSE). Phase III-in-depth interviews will be held with 20 TSMSM selected from 200 TSMSM in phase II, to explore their experiences with access and utilization of healthcare services. Focus group discussions (FGD) will be conducted with HCP working in tertiary institutions to assess their knowledge of, attitudes toward, and practices in providing services to TSMSM. Data collection started in September 2020 and is expected to end by September 2021. Discussion: Findings from this study will be useful in informing HIV/STI prevention programming for TSMSM, by policy makers such the Kenyan ministries of health and education, tertiary education institutions, service providers, advocacy groups, and other interested stakeholders.