Brazilian Portuguese Translation and Validation of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-IUGA revised.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Condition-specific sexual questionnaires are important patient-reported outcome measures. The aim of this study was to translate and validate the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-International Urogynecology Association Revised (PISQ-IR) into Brazilian Portuguese and to clinically validate it in a Brazilian Portuguese-speaking population. METHODS: Translation and validation of the PISQ-IR was performed according to the International Urogynecological Association-recommended process and guidelines. For external validity, PISQ-IR subscales were compared with the clinical measures, Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system (POP-Q) stage, pelvic floor muscle tone, and Oxford Grading Scale (Pearson correlations). Descriptive statistics, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient), and test-retest reliability (interclass correlation coefficient) were calculated for all PISQ-IR subscales. RESULTS: A total of 120 sexually active and 106 not sexually active women were enrolled in the study between March 2015 and July 2019. Internal consistency was acceptable, with Cronbach's alpha values 0.60-0.80, except for the sexual arousal and orgasm, sexual arousal and partner-related issues, sexual arousal and condition-specific issues, global rating of sexual quality and condition impact subscales. PISQ-IR demonstrated good reliability (α > 0.6, CIC = 0.996). The agreement for each individual questionnaire item also individually presented substantial agreement between the assessments (κ 0.61-0.8). There was a correlation between PISQ-IR and POP, mixed, stress and fecal incontinence diagnosis and a positive correlation with pelvic floor muscle function according to the Oxford Scale in sexually active women. For sexually inactive women there was a correlation between PISQ-IR and mixed urinary symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian Portuguese version of PISQ-IR is a reliable and valid tool that can be easily used for the identification and assessment of sexual function in Brazilian Portuguese-speaking women with pelvic floor disorders.

Transactional sex and risky sexual practices in Jamaica.

BACKGROUND: Transactional sex relationships (TSRs) create financial and emotional support for men and women, as well as an increased sexual risk. Studies have reported high HIV and STI transmission rates among young women in transactional sex relationships. However, little is known about TSR prevalence in Jamaica and risky sexual practices among participants. This study investigates the sexual behaviour of Jamaicans in TSR. METHODS: Secondary data analysis of a national survey revealed that 586 participants (38%) self-reported being in at least one TSR in the last 12 months. We also identified a third category called "Benefluids", who play both roles of benefactor and beneficiary in transactional sex relationships. RESULTS: 59 percent of male Benefluids had two to five transactional sex relationship partners in the last 12 months, compared to 40% of female Benefluids. Twenty-eight percent of female Benefluids reported sexually transmitted infection symptoms in the last 12 months compared to 13.5% of male Benefluids. While females reported more sexually transmitted infection symptoms, young men had the highest sexual risk precursors. CONCLUSIONS: People in transactional sex relationships often play the role of beneficiaries and benefactors to meet material and sexual needs but this increases the risk of STI symptoms.

Association of Body Image and Genital Self-Image with Female Sexual Function: A Systematic Review.

The aim of this study was to identify, through a systematic review, how perceptions of genital and body self-image can influence the sexual function of young adult women. A systematic review was performed in which 704 studies were selected. After analyzing the articles, only 10 articles were included, from which the data for this research were extracted. The studies showed that there is an association between body and genital image and sexual function. However, those perceptions carry independent and distinct values depending on the associated condition and the audience being evaluated.

Portuguese version of the Short-Form Condom Attitude Scale and psychometric properties among undergraduate students.

The condom use can be influenced by psychological and sociocultural aspects, which can be modulated by individual's attitudes. The aim was to propose a Brazilian Portuguese version of the Short-Form Condom Attitude Scale (Short-Form CAS), describing all procedures of translation, transcultural adaptation, and psychometric properties evaluation when applied to undergraduate students. A cross sectional study was conducted among students enrolled at University of São Paulo (USP), Campus Ribeirão Preto (n = 491; 61.2% female; average age: 22 years; standard deviation: four years). Confirmatory factor analysis was performed. A one-factor model with seven items exhibited good factorial validity and reliability, suggesting to be a better factorial solution of the Short-Form CAS in the sample. Few studies have been carried out on the behavioral factors associated with condom use in key populations, which can be exacerbated by a lack of appropriate scales. Therefore, the main contribution of the present study was to propose a simplified and transculturally adapted version of the Short-form CAS with some psychometric properties verified. Since the use of condoms is a component of the study of sexual risk behavior, this scale might be an option to be applied in various Brazilian population segments for this purpose.

Measurement invariance of the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 across country, ethnicity, sex, and sexual orientation: A cross-cultural study between Brazil and the U.S.

Intuitive eating is defined as being connected to internal hunger, satiety, and appetitive cues and flexibly using these cues to determine when, what, and how much to eat. The Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2) is a widely used measure of facets of intuitive eating. However, the scale has shown unstable factor structure in several validation studies and there is a lack of studies investigating the measurement invariance of the IES-2 beyond sex. We aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the IES-2, testing several factor structures among Brazilian and U.S. samples of men and women; to test measurement invariance across country of origin, ethnicity, sex, and sexual orientation; and to evaluate its internal consistency. Three models of the latent structure of the IES-2 were tested using confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) in a total of 1072 young adults (452 Brazilians and 620 Americans), aged 18-35 years. Results demonstrated that only a 3-factor solution with 11 items of the IES-2 showed adequate fit to the data for both countries. This model demonstrated scalar invariance across sex and sexual orientation, but only configural invariance was found across country of origin and ethnicity. Good internal consistencies were found for both the Brazilian and American samples. The present study provides support for a 3-factor solution with 11 items of the IES-2, to Brazilian and American samples. The study also offers evidence of internal consistency, and invariance between sex (i.e., male and female) and sexual orientation (i.e., heterosexual participants and sexual minority participants).

Do Sex and Gender Have Separate Identities?

The largely binary nature of biological sex and its conflation with the socially constructed concept of gender has created much strife in the last few years. The notion of gender identity and its differences and similarities with sex have fostered much scientific and legal confusion and disagreement. Settling the debate can have significant repercussions for science, medicine, legislation, and people's lives. The present review addresses this debate though different levels of analysis (i.e., genetic, anatomical, physiological, behavioral, and sociocultural), and their implications and interactions. We propose a rationale where both perspectives coexist, where diversity is the default, establishing a delimitation to the conflation between sex and gender, while acknowledging their interaction. Whereas sex in humans and other mammals is a biological reality that is largely binary and based on genes, chromosomes, anatomy, and physiology, gender is a sociocultural construct that is often, but not always, concordant with a person' sex, and can span a multitude of expressions.

Conductas sexuales protectoras en estudiantes universitarios de primer año de una universidad de Chillán, Chile / Protective Sexual Behaviors in First-Year University Students at a University in Chillán, Chile

Objetivo: Determinar las conductas sexuales protectoras en estudiantes de una universidad de Chillán, Chile. Métodos: Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo con un muestreo probabilístico por conveniencia de 234 estudiantes universitarios, para los criterios de inclusión destaca haber iniciado actividad sexual. La recolección de datos fue a través de Google forms. El instrumento utilizado fue "Cuestionario de conducta sexual segura". Resultados: Del total de los alumnos encuestados el 64,1 % son mujeres. En cuanto al estado civil, el 93,5 % se identifica soltero. Solo el 47,4 % detiene la actividad sexual para utilizar condón. El 80,8 % evita relaciones sexuales en la primera cita, un 81,6 % nunca tienen relaciones anales sin condón, y el 99,6 % nunca ha tenido sexo con personas que utilizan drogas. Se encontró que la media para conducta sexual protectora es de 70,2 %. Conclusión: Los encuestados presentan conductas sexuales protectoras(AU)

Objective: To determine protective sexual behaviors in students at a university in Chillán, Chile. Methods: Quantitative, descriptive study with a probability sampling by convenience of 234 university students, for the inclusion criteria it stands out to have initiated sexual activity. Data collection was through Google form. The instrument used was the "Safe sexual behavior questionnaire". Results: Of the total students surveyed, 64.1% are women. Regarding marital status, 93.5% identify themselves as single. Only 47.4% stop sexual activity to use a condom. 80.8% avoid sexual relations on the first date, 81.6% never have anal relations without a condom, and 99.6% have never had sex with people who use drugs. It was found that the mean for protective sexual behavior is 70.2 %. Conclusion: The respondents present protective sexual behaviors(AU)

Función sexual y síndrome climatérico en mujeres de 45 a 64 años / Sexual function and climacteric syndrome in women from 45 to 64 years old

Objetivo: Analizar la función sexual y el síndrome climatérico en mujeres de 45 a 64 años residentes de la Región de Ñuble. Métodos: Se realizó un muestreo no probabilístico a conveniencia con 251 mujeres. Se utilizaron dos instrumentos, Menopause Rating Scale y Female Sexual Function Index. El análisis estadístico incluyó pruebas descriptivas, ANOVA y correlación de Pearson. Resultados: El grupo etario más frecuente fue de 45 a 49 años. En síntomas climatéricos, se destacan molestias moderadas en lo somático. La función sexual evaluada por la escala Female Sexual Function Index, muestra variabilidad. La correlación entre Menopause Rating Scale y Female Sexual Function Index indica que un mayor puntaje en el primero se relaciona con menor función sexual. Conclusiones: Existe una prevalencia significativa de síntomas climatéricos en mujeres, con molestias moderadas en lo somático y leves en lo psicológico y urogenital. Variabilidad en la función sexual; puntajes más altos en dolor y más bajos en lubricación y orgasmo. Existe una correlación inversa entre las escalas Menopause Rating Scale y el Female Sexual Function Index(AU)

Objective: To analyze sexual function and climacteric syndrome in women aged 45 to 64 years residing in the Ñuble Region. Methods: A non-probabilistic convenience sampling was carried out with 251 women. Two instruments were used, Menopause Rating Scale and Female Sexual Function Index. Statistical analysis included descriptive tests, ANOVA and Pearson correlation. Results: The most common age group was 45 to 49 years. In climacteric symptoms, moderate somatic discomfort stands out. Sexual function, assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index scale, shows variability. The correlation between Menopause Rating Scale and Female Sexual Function Index indicates that a higher Menopause Rating Scale score is related to lower sexual function. Conclusions: There is a significant prevalence of climacteric symptoms in women, with moderate somatic discomfort and mild psychological and urogenital discomfort. Variability in sexual function; higher scores on pain and lower on lubrication and orgasm. There is an inverse correlation between the Menopause Rating Scale and Female Sexual Function Index scales(AU)

Sociobehavioral Risk Factors and Clinical Implications of Late Presentation Among People Living with HIV in the Brazilian Amazon Region.

This study aimed to analyze the prevalence, sociobehavioral factors and clinical-laboratory consequences of late presentation among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Brazilian Amazon region. In total, 402 HIV + individuals treated at reference units in Belém city (Pará, Brazil) between 2018 and 2019 were evaluated. Late presentation was defined as a first-collection LTCD4+ count below 350 cells/µL. Sociodemographic, behavioral and clinical data were obtained from questionnaires or medical records. Th1, Th2 and Th17 cytokine profiles were evaluated by flow cytometry. Longitudinal data on viral load, T lymphocytes, and antiretroviral therapy administration were obtained from control and logistic databases. Approximately 52.73% of the participants were late presenters and sought medical care 7-12 + months after their primary HIV diagnosis. Sociobehavioral factors associated with late presentation included illicit drug use for more than 5 years, polyamory, no alcohol consumption, homosexuality, and sexual inactiveness after HIV diagnosis. Clinically, late presentation was associated with coinfection rate; polysymptomatology; high IFN-É£, IL-6 and IL-10 levels; nonresponse to antiretroviral therapy; and virological failure- and tuberculosis coinfection-motivated changes to therapy. In summary, the prevalence of late presentation in Pará in the Brazilian Amazon region is high. Delays in seeking specialized care after a primary HIV diagnosis cause medium/long-term changes in the life expectancy and health of PLHIV.

Condom Failure Among HIV-Negative Men in Serodiscordant Relationships in Australia, Brazil, and Thailand.

Condoms continue to be used by many gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) to reduce the risk of HIV transmission. However this is impacted by condom failure events, defined here as condom breakage and slippage. In a prospective, observational cohort study of 343 HIV serodiscordant male couples recruited through high HIV caseload clinics and hospitals between 2012 and 2016 in Australia, Brazil, and Thailand, condom failure rates and associated factors were analysed, including with the study partner versus other sexual partners. There were 717 reported instances of condom failure from an estimated total of 25,831 sex acts with condoms, from over 588.4 participant years of follow up. Of the HIV-negative partners (n = 343) in the study, more than a third (n = 117, 36.7%) reported at least one instance of condom failure with any partner type during study follow-up. Condom failure with their study partner was reported by 91/343 (26.5%) HIV-negative partners, compared with 43/343 (12.5%) who reported condom failure with other partners. In total, there were 86 events where the HIV-negative partner experienced ano-receptive condom failure with ejaculation, representing 12.0% of all failure events. In multivariable analysis, compared to Australia, HIV-negative men in Brazil reported a higher incidence risk rate of condom failure (IRR = 1.64, 95%CI 1.01-2.68, p = 0.046) and HIV-negative men who reported anal sex with other partners reported an increased risk of condom failure compared with men who only had sex with their study partner (IRR = 1.89, 95%CI 1.08-3.33, p = 0.025). Although at least one event of condom failure was reported by a significant proportion of participants, overall condom failure events represented a small proportion of the total condom protected sex acts.

Evaluation of Sexual Function of Transgender Individuals.

PURPOSE: The current study sought to evaluate the sexual function of transgender men and women and to identify associated factors. METHODS: Trans individuals who were outpatients at our gender incongruence (GI) center for follow-up of gender-affirming hormone therapy with age ranging 27 to 50 years were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Clinical data were collected from the medical records. Two scales, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Male Sexual Function Index (MSFI), were administered to all females (n = 50) and all males (n = 58). Each participant also responded to a semi-structured questionnaire that assessed feelings regarding being transgender and satisfaction with sexual life. RESULTS: Relative to trans women, trans men had a higher total FSFI score, and higher scores in the FSFI domains of arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction (all p < 0.01), and in the total MSFI score, and higher scores in the MFSI domains of arousal, erection, orgasm, and satisfaction (all p < 0.01). A separate semi-structured evaluation indicated that more than half of the trans men and almost half of the trans women were satisfied or very satisfied with their sexual life. CONCLUSIONS: The total scores from the FSFI and MSFI indicated a high risk of sexual dysfunction in trans men and especially, in trans women. However, the semi-structured evaluation showed that more than half of the trans men and almost half of the trans women were satisfied with their sexual life.

Validity of the Brazilian online version of the Sexual Desire Inventory 2.

OBJECTIVE: The Sexual Desire Inventory 2 is a self-report instrument for assessing sexual desire in men and women. In Brazil, there is no validated sexual desire self-report for the adult population. The aim of this study was to determine the evidence of validity for the content and construct of the Brazilian online version of the Sexual Desire Inventory 2. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with Brazilian men and women. The sample size was calculated using the criterion of more than 20 participants per item. The invitation to participate in the study was conducted online by the platform Survey Monkey®. The Sexual Desire Inventory 2 was evaluated for content, construct, reliability, and invariance. RESULTS: A total of 818 female and male adults participated in the study. The two-dimensional factorial solution represented 71% of the total variance explained by the model, and the factorial loads of the model were ≥0.40; commonalities presented values ≥0.23. Reliability was measured by the coefficients of Cronbach's alpha with a total score of 0.87, McDonald's of 0.87, Omega, and greatest lower bound with a total score of 0.95. The metric invariance was tested for the sex variables ΔCFI (comparative fit index) and ΔRMSEA (root mean square error of approximation) with a total score of 0.01. CONCLUSION: The analyses indicate evidence of robust validity in the Brazilian online version of the Sexual Desire Inventory 2.

HIV vulnerabilities and psychosocial health among young transgender women in Lima, Peru: results from a bio-behavioural survey.

INTRODUCTION: Peruvian young transgender women (YTW) ages 16-24 years are a critical but understudied group for primary HIV prevention efforts, due to sharp increases in HIV prevalence among TW ages 25 years and older. METHODS: Between February and July 2022, a cross-sectional quantitative study with YTW ages 16-24 years in Peru (N = 211) was conducted consisting of a bio-behavioural survey accompanied by laboratory-based testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Bivariate and multivariable Poisson regression models were used to estimate prevalence ratios between socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics and HIV status. RESULTS: HIV prevalence was 41.5% (95% CI: 33.9-49.4%), recent syphilis acquisition 19.4% (95% CI: 12.7-28.4), chlamydia 6.3% (95% CI: 3.1-11.1) and gonorrhoea 12.3% (95% CI: 7.9-18.7). Almost half (47.9%) reported condomless anal sex in the past 6 months, 50.7% reported sex work in the past 30 days and 13.7% reported accepting more money for condomless sex. There were no significant differences in reported sexual behaviours by HIV status. Only 60.8% of participants reported ever having been tested for HIV, and 25.6% reported a past 6-month STI test. More than two-thirds (67.8%) had not heard of antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and only 4.7% had taken PrEP in the past month. Current moderate-to-severe psychological distress was endorsed by 20.3%, 10.0% reported attempting suicide in the past 6 months and 85.4% reported alcohol misuse. CONCLUSIONS: Findings show that the HIV epidemic for YTW in Lima, Peru is situated in the context of widespread social exclusion, including economic vulnerabilities, violence victimization and the mental health sequelae of transphobic stigma that starts early in life. Future research should aim to further understand the intersection of these vulnerabilities. Moreover, there is an urgent necessity to design and evaluate HIV prevention programmes that address the root systems driving HIV vulnerabilities in YTW and that focus on developmentally specific clusters of stigma-related conditions.

Adolescent health-risk behaviours in Uruguay: Patterns from national cross-sectional school surveys conducted in 2006, 2012 and 2019.

BACKGROUND: There are no trend studies on various health risk behaviours among adolescents in Uruguay. Therefore, this study looked at trends in a number of health-risky behaviours among adolescents in Uruguay from three separate surveys. METHODS: Data from 9272 adolescents (age range: 11-16 years), who took part in three cross-sectional national in-school surveys in Uruguay in 2006, 2012 and 2019 were analysed. A self-administered survey was used to evaluate 24 health risk behaviours. By using logistic regression analyses to treat the study year as a categorical variable and adjusting food insecurity and age, linear trends were examined. RESULTS: We found a significant increase in the prevalence of being overweight, having obesity, inadequate fruit intake, sedentary behaviour in leisure-time, physical inactivity, bullying victimisation, loneliness, suicidal ideation, and sexual activity. We found a significant decrease in current cigarette use, physical fighting and current alcohol use. Among males, a significant increase of non-condom use, and a decrease in current other tobacco use (other than cigarettes), being physically attacked and the number of sexual partners. Among females, we found an increase in food insecurity, trouble from alcohol use, multiple sexual partners, and sleep problems. CONCLUSION: Overall, from 2006 to 2019, there was a decrease in seven health risk behaviours among boys and/or girls. Among boys, there was an increase in 10 health risk behaviours and among girls, 15 health risk behaviours increased, highlighting adolescent girls' greater vulnerability, thereby perpetuating further gendered health inequalities. In Uruguay, school health programmes for adolescents are recommended.

Impact of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PREP) on health-related quality of life (QOL) of patients followed up at a reference center in São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: HIV Pre-Exposure Pophylaxis (PrEP) is provided free of charge by the Brazilian national health system. Though effective in preventing HIV infection, little is known about its impact on the health-related Quality of Life (QoL) of users. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed at assessing the impact of PrEP on the QoL of its users. METHODS: Prospective cohort study with 114 HIV-negative participants aged 18 years or older. Participants' QoL was assessed before starting PrEP and after 7 months of use, using the self-responsive WHOQOL-bref questionnaire. Sociodemographic and behavioral aspects were described and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Improvement was seen in QoL scores for the environment domain (p = 0.02), which addresses feeling of physical safety, access to information and health services, and participation in leisure activities. Furthermore, participants reported improved satisfaction with their sex life, when questioned about the social relationships domain. There was no statistically significant change in the global QoL score, in the global health score, in the physical and psychological domains, nor in the total score for the social relationships domain. As for their socio-demographic profile, most participants were white and highly educated young cisgender men who have sex with men. 76.3% had unprotected sex in the 3 months before starting PrEP. 60.5% had reported substance use: marijuana (42.1%), club drugs (35.1%), and poppers (20.2%). CONCLUSIONS: This study unveiled that PrEP benefited our cohort beyond its effectiveness in preventing HIV infection, having improved environmental aspects of QoL and self-satisfaction with sex life.

Sexual counseling for people with acute coronary syndrome: educational video development.

OBJECTIVE: to assess validity evidence of an educational video on safe sexual activity after acute coronary syndrome. METHOD: study in three phases: video development; content validity analysis by 11 experts; and analysis of validity based on response processes by seven people with coronary disease. The content validity ratio (CVR) was calculated with critical values for the second phase of 0.63 and for the third of 1.0. RESULTS: the video addressed the importance of resuming sexual activity and positions that consume less energy, clinical warning signs, the importance of adhering to treatment and a welcoming environment for sexual practice. A CVR above the critical value was obtained with a total of 4 minutes and 41 seconds. CONCLUSION: the educational video brings together adequate content validity evidence and can be used as a tool for patients after acute coronary syndrome.

Factors associated with the health and reproductive autonomy of Quilombola women in Brazil.

Objective: To verify the association between reproductive autonomy and sociodemographic, sexual, and reproductive characteristics in Quilombola women (a term indicating the origin of politically organized concentrations of Afro-descendants who emancipated themselves from slavery). Methods: Cross-sectional and analytical study with 160 women from Quilombola communities in the southwest of Bahia, Brazil. Data were collected using the Reproductive Autonomy Scale and the questionnaire from the National Health Survey (adapted). Results: Out of the 160 participating women, 91.9% declared themselves as black, one out of every three were aged ≤ 23 years, 53.8% were married or had a partner, 38.8% had studied for ≤ 4 years, over half (58.1%) were unemployed, only 32.4% had a monthly income > R$ 430 (80 US dollars), 52.5% had their first menstruation at the age of 12, 70.7% had not accessed family planning services in the last 12 months, and over half used some method to avoid pregnancy (59.0%). The women had a high level of reproductive autonomy, especially in the "Decision-making" and "Freedom from coercion" subscales with a score of 2.53 and 3.40, respectively. A significant association (p<0.05) was found between the "Total reproductive autonomy" score and marital status, indicating that single or unpartnered women had higher autonomy compared to married or partnered women. Conclusion: The association of social determinants of health such as marital status, education, and age impacts women's reproductive choices, implying risks for sexual and reproductive health. The intergenerational reproductive autonomy of Quilombola women is associated with sociodemographic and reproductive factors.

A Moderated Mediation Analysis of HIV and Intersectional Stigmas and Antiretroviral Adherence in People Living with HIV in the Dominican Republic.

Experiencing HIV and intersectional stigmas in healthcare settings may affect antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence among people with HIV (PWH), given their need for frequent interactions with clinical settings and healthcare providers. Considering the importance of reducing stigmas to promote well-being and the need to elucidate how stigma influences health across various settings, we examined how experienced HIV stigma in Dominican Republic healthcare settings impacts ART adherence through internalized HIV stigma and whether race or sexual orientation stigma moderates this relationship. Participants were 471 PWH (aged 17-71) who were recruited from two HIV clinics in the Dominican Republic in 2021-2022. Results revealed a significant mediation effect (B=-0.10, SE = 0.05, CI [-0.234, - 0.014]) after adjusting for effect of age and time since HIV diagnosis, suggesting that experienced HIV stigma in healthcare settings was associated with more internalized HIV stigma (B = 0.39, SE = 0.11, p = .001), subsequently linked to lower ART adherence (B=-0.26, SE = 0.11, p = .016). The indirect effect was significant at low levels of race stigma (B=-0.16, SE = 0.09, CI [-0.369, - 0.001]) but not at high levels of race stigma (B=-0.06, SE = 0.05, CI [-0.175, 0.038]). This indirect effect was also significant at low levels of sexual orientation stigma (B=-0.19, SE = 0.10, CI [-0.401, - 0.023]) but not at high levels of sexual orientation stigma (B=-0.04, SE = 0.06, CI [-0.160, 0.074]). These findings suggest that addressing experienced HIV stigma in Dominican Republic healthcare settings, along with various dimensions of HIV-related stigma (e.g., internalized stigma) and intersecting stigmas (e.g., race, sexual orientation), is vital for improving health outcomes, such as optimal ART adherence.

RESUMEN: Experimentar estigmas relacionados con el VIH e interseccionales en entornos de atención médica puede afectar la adherencia al tratamiento antirretroviral (TAR) entre las personas que viven con VIH (PVVIH), dado que necesitan interacciones frecuentes con entornos clínicos y proveedores de atención médica. Considerando la importancia de reducir los estigmas para promover el bienestar y la necesidad de esclarecer cómo el estigma influye en la salud en diversos contextos, examinamos cómo el estigma del VIH experimentado en entornos de atención médica en la República Dominicana impacta la adherencia al TAR a través del estigma internalizado del VIH y si el estigma racial o de orientación sexual modera esta relación. Los participantes fueron 471 PVVIH (de 17 a 71 años) que fueron reclutados de dos clínicas de VIH en la República Dominicana en 2021­2022. Los resultados revelaron un efecto de mediación significativo (B=-0.10, SE = 0.05, CI [-0.234, − 0.014]) después de ajustar por el efecto de la edad y el tiempo desde el diagnóstico de VIH, sugiriendo que el estigma del VIH experimentado en entornos de atención médica estaba asociado con un mayor estigma internalizado del VIH (B = 0.39, SE = 0.11, p = .001), vinculado posteriormente a una menor adherencia al TAR (B=-0.26, SE = 0.11, p = .016). El efecto indirecto fue significativo en niveles bajos de estigma racial (B=-0.16, SE = 0.09, CI [-0.369, − 0.001]) pero no en niveles altos de estigma racial (B=-0.06, SE = 0.05, CI [-0.175, 0.038]). Este efecto indirecto también fue significativo en niveles bajos de estigma por orientación sexual (B=-0.19, SE = 0.10, CI [-0.401, − 0.023]) pero no en niveles altos de estigma por orientación sexual (B=-0.04, SE = 0.06, CI [-0.160, 0.074]). Estos hallazgos sugieren que abordar el estigma del VIH experimentado en entornos de atención médica en la República Dominicana, junto con diversas dimensiones del estigma relacionado con el VIH (por ejemplo, estigma internalizado) y estigmas interseccionales (por ejemplo, raza, orientación sexual), es vital para mejorar los resultados de salud, como la adherencia óptima al TAR.

Perceived risk for HIV acquisition and sexual HIV exposure among sexual and gender minorities: a systematic review.

We conducted a systematic review to explore the relationship between perceived risk for HIV acquisition and sexual HIV exposure among sexual and gender minorities. We included 39 studies divided into (i) correlations or associations, (ii) models using sexual HIV exposure as the outcome, and (iii) models using perceived risk for HIV acquisition as the outcome. The sample size range was from 55 to 16,667 participants, primarily cisgender men who have sex with men (73.3%) and White (51.3%). Sexual HIV exposure and perceived risk for HIV acquisition assessments and recall time frames across studies differed markedly. Most of studies (84.6%) found significant correlations, comparisons, or associations between different levels of perceived risk for HIV acquisition and high sexual HIV exposure. In addition, 51.3% of studies reported other variables associated with high sexual HIV exposure (i.e., misuse of substances or alcohol) or with high perceived risk for HIV acquisition (i.e., younger age). In conclusion, the association between perceived risk for HIV acquisition and sexual HIV exposure has shown to be consistent. However, the assessment for perceived risk for HIV acquisition should include more components of perception (i.e., an affective component), or for sexual HIV exposure should consider the different estimated sexual per-acts probability of acquiring HIV.

HIV Treatment Optimism Moderates the Relationship between Sexual Risk Behavior and HIV Risk Perception among Urban HIV-negative Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men who have Sex With Men.

Using baseline data of the Engage Cohort Study, a Canadian study of sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM), we evaluated the association between sexual behavior and risk perception among HIV-negative participants and whether HIV treatment optimism moderated this relationship. Participants were recruited by respondent-driven-sampling (RDS). We defined high-risk sexual behavior in the past six months as any condomless anal sex with a casual partner (i.e. not the participant's main partner) with either unknown HIV-status where neither used pre-exposure prophylaxis or with a partner living with HIV having detectable/unknown viral load. We assessed HIV treatment optimism-skepticism using a 12-item scale. RDS-II-weighted adjusted logistic regression models examined associations with risk perception measured by the question "How would you assess your current risk of getting HIV?" (response options were on a 6-point Likert-scale ranging from "very unlikely" to "very likely", dichotomized into "No Perceived Risk" (very unlikely/unlikely) and "Perceived Risk" (somewhat likely/likely/very likely/I think I already have HIV). Of 1961 participants, engagement in high-risk sexual behavior was reported by 155 (17.0%), 62 (12.4%), 128 (17.2%) of participants in Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver, respectively. High-risk sexual behavior increased the odds of perceived HIV risk (pooled adjusted odds ratio = 2.9, 95%CI = 2.2-3.8). HIV treatment optimism-skepticism scores moderated the relationship: for GBM engaging in high-risk sexual behavior, higher HIV treatment optimism-skepticism scores increased perceived HIV risk. Promoting awareness around advances related to HIV prevention and treatment is important for appropriate risk assessment and for increased engagement in prevention interventions.

RESUMEN: Evaluamos la asociación entre el comportamiento sexual y la percepción de riesgo entre los participantes VIH negativos y si el optimismo sobre el tratamiento del VIH moderó esta asociación. Definimos comportamiento sexual de alto riesgo en los últimos seis meses como cualquier sexo anal sin condón con una pareja casual con un estado de VIH desconocido donde ninguno utilizó profilaxis previa a la exposición o con una pareja que vive con el VIH y que tiene una carga viral detectable/desconocida. Se evaluó el optimismo sobre el tratamiento del VIH mediante una escala de 12 ítems. Los modelos de regresión logística ajustados examinaron las asociaciones con la percepción del riesgo ("Riesgo no percibido" vs. "Riesgo percibido"). De 1961 participantes, 155 (17,0%), 62 (12,4%), 128 (17,2%) de los participantes en Montreal, Toronto y Vancouver, informaron comportamiento sexual de alto riesgo. El comportamiento sexual de alto riesgo se mostró asociado con riesgo percibido. El optimismo sobre el tratamiento modero la asociación. Promover la conciencia sobre los avances relacionados con la prevención y el tratamiento del VIH es importante para una evaluación adecuada de los riesgos y una mayor participación en las intervenciones de prevención.