More than prevention: early adoption of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) by gay and bisexual men in New Zealand.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) minimises HIV risk and New Zealand was one of the first countries to publicly fund PrEP in 2018. However, no studies have explored in-depth the experience and meaning of living 'on PrEP' among individuals at elevated risk of HIV, such as gay and bisexual men. This qualitative study builds on findings from the NZPrEP demonstration project of early PrEP-adopting gay and bisexual men in Auckland, New Zealand. We interviewed 10 of the 150 NZPrEP participants using an ethnicity equity quota (five European ethnicities and five non-European ethnicities). A phenomenologically-inspired thematic analysis was conducted. We identified three themes. The first, Trusting in the Pill, focuses on the relationship between PrEP and its user, while the second theme, A Liberation of Sorts, details the freedom PrEP offered men, sexually, mentally and socially. The final theme, Reframing Risk, explores the risk perceptions and the conflicting discourses surrounding gay and bisexual men using PrEP. This first qualitative study in New Zealand about the experiences of PrEP early-adopters suggests that the role of PrEP extends well beyond HIV prevention and, for many, involves redefining safe sex even in a country with historically high levels of condom promotion and low HIV incidence.

Late presentation of HIV infection among adults in New Zealand from 2011 to 2020.

OBJECTIVES: Early diagnosis of HIV is essential for successful treatment and controlling HIV spread in a population. We examined the frequency and characteristics of adults diagnosed late with HIV in New Zealand from 2011-2020. METHODS: Routine surveillance data were analysed. Those previously diagnosed overseas or as part of immigration screening, or with missing CD4 count were excluded. 'Late presentation' was defined as a CD4 count <350 cells/µL or an AIDS-defining event. 'Advanced HIV disease' were those with a CD4 count <200 cells/µL or an AIDS-defining event. Relative risks were calculated using Poisson regression. RESULTS: Of 1145 people, 40.5% presented late; 24.9% had advanced HIV disease. Of the 464 late diagnoses, 65.5% occurred among men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM), 26.1% among heterosexuals, 8.4% among others. Heterosexual men and women were more likely to present late (55.3%) compared to MSM (35.6%). Amongst MSM, those who were older, of an ethnicity other than European, acquired HIV overseas, tested because symptomatic, or had their last negative test >2 years prior were more likely to present late and have advanced disease. Amongst heterosexuals, older age, tested because symptomatic, and Pacific ethnicity were associated with late presentation, and Maori, Pacific and Asian people were more likely to have advanced disease. CONCLUSIONS: There continues to be a high proportion of people diagnosed late with HIV. Identifying barriers for testing, missed opportunities for screenings and other factors that delay HIV diagnosis could help develop effective strategies to reduce this burden of late presentation - particularly among heterosexual individuals, non-Europeans, and older people.

PrEP awareness and protective barrier negotiation among transgender people attracted to men in Aotearoa New Zealand.

INTRODUCTION: Internationally, trans women are disproportionately impacted by HIV, encounter specific barriers navigating safer sex and face inequities accessing HIV prevention, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Aotearoa/New Zealand (hereafter Aotearoa) was one of the first countries internationally to publicly fund PrEP in 2018, including for trans people. However, few data exist on PrEP awareness or sexual negotiation among trans populations to guide implementation. We present the first Aotearoa data on trans people's ability to negotiate barrier protection and awareness of PrEP efficacy and availability. METHODS: We used data from a large, diverse community-based nationwide survey of trans (including non-binary) people in Aotearoa: Counting Ourselves (N = 1178) conducted from 21 June to 30 September 2018. Generalized regression analyses were carried out among participants who have had sex (n = 704; Mage = 32.5) to identify associations between demographic factors (age, gender and sexual attraction, ethnicity, income, education qualification and current sex work involvement) and the Trans-Specific Barrier Negotiation Self-Efficacy (T-Barrier) Scale and PrEP awareness. RESULTS: The mean value of a 40-point T-Barrier Scale was 33.45 (SD: 6.89), suggesting a relatively high perceived ability among our participants to negotiate protective barrier usages in different situations. Asian participants scored 3.46 points lower compared to Pakeha (White) participants, and trans women attracted to men (cisgender and/or trans men) scored 2.40 points higher than trans women not attracted to men. Three-fifths (59.7%) were aware that PrEP reduced HIV risks and did not prevent sexually transmitted infections (STI) transmission, and only two-fifths (40.2%) knew PrEP was publicly funded for trans people. In multivariate models, we found participants who were older, trans women or those with lower education qualifications were less likely to have increased levels of PrEP awareness. CONCLUSIONS: Participants attracted to men have a higher potential need for PrEP and were more likely to report PrEP awareness and that they could negotiate protective barrier usage. However, trans women and those with lower educational qualifications reported lower levels of PrEP awareness. More trans-competent sexual health education, drawing on the newly released PrEP guidelines, is needed to promote the benefits of PrEP in the Aotearoa HIV epidemic context, particularly for trans women.

Adherence, Sexual Behavior and Sexually Transmitted Infections in a New Zealand Prospective PrEP Cohort: 12 Months Follow-up and Ethnic Disparities.

Inequities in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) experiences will impede HIV epidemic elimination among gay and bisexual men (GBM). Ethnicity is a strong marker of inequity in the United States, but evidence from other countries is lacking. We investigated experiences on-PrEP to 12 months follow-up in a prospective cohort of 150 GBM in Auckland, New Zealand with an equity quota of 50% non-Europeans. Retention at 12 months was 85.9%, lower among Maori/Pacific (75.6%) than non-Maori/Pacific participants (90.1%). Missed pills increased over time and were higher among Maori/Pacific. PrEP breaks increased, by 12 months 35.7% of Maori/Pacific and 15.7% of non-Maori/Pacific participants had done so. Condomless receptive anal intercourse partners were stable over time. STIs were common but chlamydia declined; 12-month incidence was 8.7% for syphilis, 36.0% gonorrhoea, 46.0% chlamydia, 44.7% rectal STI, 64.0% any STI. Structural interventions and delivery innovations are needed to ensure ethnic minority GBM gain equal benefit from PrEP.Clinical trial number ACTRN12616001387415.

Population rates of HIV, gonorrhoea and syphilis diagnoses by sexual orientation in New Zealand.

INTRODUCTION: Globally, gay and bisexual men (GBM) are over-represented in HIV, syphilis and gonorrhoea cases. However, surveillance systems rarely provide meaningful measures of inequity, such as population-specific rates, due to a lack of sexual orientation denominators. HIV, gonorrhoea and syphilis are legally notifiable diseases in New Zealand (NZ); we calculate rates by sexual orientation for the first time. METHODS: We analysed 2019 national surveillance data on HIV, syphilis and gonorrhoea notifications disaggregated by sexual orientation. Unique health records identified duplicate notifications and reinfections. Missing data were imputed from known cases. We used the NZ Health Survey 2014/2015 to estimate population sizes by sexual orientation, measured in two ways (current sexual identity, sexual contact in the previous 12 months with men, women or both). We calculated notification rates per 100 000 for each sexual orientation subgroup and rate ratios. RESULTS: In 2019, GBM accounted for 76.3%, 65.7% and 39.4% of HIV, syphilis and gonorrhoea notifications, respectively. Population rates per 100 000 for HIV were 158.3 (gay/bisexual men) and 0.5 (heterosexuals); for syphilis, population rates per 100 000 were 1231.1 (gay/bisexual men), 5.0 (lesbian/bisexual women) and 7.6 (heterosexuals); for gonorrhoea (imputed), population rates per 100 000 were 6843.2 (gay/bisexual men), 225.1 (lesbian/bisexual women) and 120.9 (heterosexuals). The rate ratios for GBM compared with heterosexuals were: 348.3 (HIV); 162.7 (syphilis); and 56.6 (gonorrhoea). Inequities remained in sensitivity analysis (substituting sexual identity with sexual behaviour in the previous 12 months). CONCLUSION: GBM in NZ experience profound inequities in HIV, syphilis and gonorrhoea. Rate ratios by sexual orientation provide useful 'at-a-glance' measures of inequity in disease incidence.

Chlamydia Testing in New Zealand: Analysis of the 2014/2015 National Health Survey.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis rates of Chlamydia trachomatis are high in New Zealand; 1.3% of men and 3.7% of women aged 15 to 29 years were diagnosed in 2016. Because testing rates are also higher in women, we sought to understand chlamydia testing by demographic and behavioral characteristics. METHODS: Chlamydia testing in the past year, sexual behavior, and demographic characteristics were reported in the population-based 2014/2015 New Zealand Health Survey. Those aged 16 to 44 years who had a sexual partner in the past year were included. Testing prevalence was calculated, and associations were modeled. RESULTS: A total of 1677 men and 2323 women participated (89% response rate). Of these, 5.6% (95% confidence interval, 4.3%-7.2%) of men and 16.6% (14.7%-18.7%) of women were tested in the past year. Likelihood of testing in men was associated with having multiple partners and any condomless sex (adjusted relative risk, 11.93; 95% confidence interval, 5.70-24.98) and multiple partners with consistent condom use (3.77, 1.40-10.15) compared with one sexual partner and consistent condom use, and with Maori ethnicity (1.87, 1.05-3.31) compared with European/other. Among women, testing was associated with multiple partners with and without condomless sex (3.61 [2.69-4.85] and 2.81 [1.95-4.05], respectively), pregnancy (1.61, 1.18-2.18), and Asian ethnicity (0.52, 0.30-0.89). CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms that New Zealand men are much less likely to be tested than women, a potential reason for ongoing high chlamydia incidence among both sexes. The high testing rate in women includes many at low risk, and this divergence from recommendations is another issue to address.

National trends in sexual health indicators among gay and bisexual men disaggregated by ethnicity: repeated cross-sectional behavioural surveillance in New Zealand.

OBJECTIVES: To assess trends in sexual health outcomes among men who have sex with men (MSM) disaggregated by ethnicity. DESIGN: Repeated cross-sectional. SETTING: Behavioural surveillance data from 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2014 were collected in-person and online across Aotearoa New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS: Eligible participants were self-identified men aged 16 years or older who reported sex with another man in the past 5 years. We classified 10 525 participants' ethnicities: Asian (n=1003, 9.8%), Maori (Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand, n=1058, 10.3%), Pacific (n=424, 4.1%) and European (n=7867, 76.8%). OUTCOME MEASURES: The sexual health outcomes examined were >20 recent (past 6 months) male sexual partners, past-year sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, past-year STI diagnosis, lifetime and past-year HIV testing, lifetime HIV-positive diagnosis and any recent (past 6 months) condomless anal intercourse with casual or regular partners. RESULTS: When disaggregated, Indigenous and ethnic minority groups reported sexual health trends that diverged from the European MSM and each other. For example, Asian MSM increased lifetime HIV testing (adjusted OR, AOR=1.31 per survey cycle, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.47) and recent HIV testing (AOR=1.14, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.28) with no changes among Maori MSM or Pacific MSM. Condomless anal intercourse with casual partners increased among Maori MSM (AOR=1.13, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.28) with no changes for Asian or Pacific MSM. Condomless anal intercourse with regular partners decreased among Pacific MSM (AOR=0.83, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.99) with no changes for Asian or Maori MSM. CONCLUSIONS: Population-level trends were driven by European MSM, masking important differences for Indigenous and ethnic minority sub-groups. Surveillance data disaggregated by ethnicity highlight inequities in sexual health service access and prevention uptake. Future research should collect, analyse and report disaggregated data by ethnicity to advance health equity.

Ethnicity classification systems for public health surveys: experiences from HIV behavioural surveillance among men who have sex with men.

BACKGROUND: Race and ethnicity classification systems have considerable implications for public health, including the potential to reveal or mask inequities. Given increasing "super-diversity" and multiple racial/ethnic identities in many global settings, especially among younger generations, different ethnicity classification systems can underrepresent population heterogeneity and can misallocate and render invisible Indigenous people and ethnic minorities. We investigated three ethnicity classification methods and their relationship to sample size, socio-demographics and sexual health indicators. METHODS: We examined data from New Zealand's HIV behavioural surveillance programme for men who have sex with men (MSM) in 2006, 2008, 2011, and 2014. Participation was voluntary, anonymous and self-completed; recruitment was via community venues and online. Ethnicity allowed for multiple responses; we investigated three methods of dealing with these: Prioritisation, Single/Combination, and Total Response. Major ethnic groups included Asian, European, indigenous Maori, and Pacific. For each classification method, statistically significant associations with ethnicity for demographic and eight sexual health indicators were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, 10,525 MSM provided ethnicity data. Classification methods produced different sample sizes, and there were ethnic disparities for every sexual health indicator. In multivariable analysis, when compared with European MSM, ethnic differences were inconsistent across classification systems for two of the eight sexual health outcomes: Maori MSM were less likely to report regular partner condomless anal intercourse using Prioritisation or Total Response but not Single/Combination, and Pacific MSM were more likely to report an STI diagnosis when using Total Response but not Prioritisation or Single/Combination. CONCLUSIONS: Different classification approaches alter sample sizes and identification of health inequities. Future research should strive for equal explanatory power of Indigenous and ethnic minority groups and examine additional measures such as socially-assigned ethnicity and experiences of discrimination and racism. These findings have broad implications for surveillance and research that is used to inform public health responses.

Injecting drug use among gay and bisexual men in New Zealand: Findings from national human immunodeficiency virus epidemiological and behavioural surveillance.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Gay and bisexual men (GBM) who inject drugs are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) because of dual transmission risks. New Zealand has a progressive history of harm reduction and was the first country to publicly fund needle exchange programs in 1988 for people who inject drugs (PWID). We combine national HIV epidemiological and bio-behavioural surveillance data to understand HIV risk among this subpopulation. DESIGN AND METHODS: We examine trends in new HIV diagnoses 1996-2018 by mode of transmission, and compare HIV cases attributed to sex between men (MSM-only), MSM/injecting drug use (IDU) and IDU-only. IDU among GBM in a national HIV behavioural surveillance survey was also examined. We compare GBM by IDU status (never, 'recent', previous) and identified predictors of recent IDU. RESULTS: Of 1653 locally-acquired HIV diagnoses 1996-2018, 77.4% were MSM-only, 1.5% MSM/IDU, 1.4% IDU-only and 14.2% heterosexual mode of transmission. On average, just one HIV diagnosis attributed to MSM/IDU and IDU, respectively, occurred per annum. MSM/IDU cases were more likely than MSM-only cases to be indigenous Maori ethnicity. Of 3163 GBM survey participants, 5.4% reported lifetime IDU and 1.2% were recent IDU. Among GBM, HIV positivity was 20% among recent IDU and 5.3% among never injectors. Predictors of recent IDU were: age under 30; more than 20 male partners; female partner; condomless intercourse; HIV positivity. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: New Zealand has averted high endemic HIV rates seen among GBM and PWID in other countries and results have been sustained over 30 years.

Corrigendum to: Enumerating the population eligible for funded HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in New Zealand.

Background:Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) became publicly funded in New Zealand (NZ) on 1 March 2018. PrEP could have a substantial population-level effect on HIV transmission if scaled up rapidly. An accurate estimate of the size of the PrEP-eligible population would guide implementation. Methods: We drew on nine sources to estimate the PrEP-eligible population, namely Statistics NZ data, Pharmaceutical Management Agency (PHARMAC) data on adults receiving funded antiretroviral treatment (ART), expert advice, estimates of the HIV care cascade, surveillance of undiagnosed HIV in a community sample of gay and bisexual men (GBM), surveillance of HIV diagnoses, NZ Health Survey data on sexual orientation among males, behavioural surveillance among GBM and behavioural data among people living with HIV (PLWH) from the HIV Futures NZ study. From these sources we derived three estimates relating to GBM, non-GBM and total eligible population. Sensitivity analyses examined different assumptions (GBM denominators, proportion PLWH diagnosed, proportion of diagnosed PLWH treated). Results: We estimated that 17.9% of sexually active HIV-negative GBM would be eligible for PrEP, equating to 5816 individuals. We estimated that 31 non-GBM individuals would be eligible for PrEP. Thus, in total, 5847 individuals would be eligible for PrEP, comprising 99.5% GBM and 0.5% non-GBM. Sensitivity analyses ranged from 3062 to 6718 individuals. Conclusions: Policy makers can use enumeration to monitor the speed and scale in coverage as implementation of publicly funded PrEP proceeds. Sexual health and primary care services can use enumeration to forecast PrEP demand and plan accordingly. Better quality data, especially on transgender adults in NZ, would improve the accuracy of estimates.

Enumerating the population eligible for funded HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in New Zealand.

Background Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) became publicly funded in New Zealand (NZ) on 1 March 2018. PrEP could have a substantial population-level effect on HIV transmission if scaled up rapidly. An accurate estimate of the size of the PrEP-eligible population would guide implementation. METHODS: We drew on nine sources to estimate the PrEP-eligible population, namely Statistics NZ data, Pharmaceutical Management Agency (PHARMAC) data on adults receiving funded antiretroviral treatment (ART), expert advice, estimates of the HIV care cascade, surveillance of undiagnosed HIV in a community sample of gay and bisexual men (GBM), surveillance of HIV diagnoses, NZ Health Survey data on sexual orientation among males, behavioural surveillance among GBM and behavioural data among people living with HIV (PLWH) from the HIV Futures NZ study. From these sources we derived three estimates relating to GBM, non-GBM and total eligible population. Sensitivity analyses examined different assumptions (GBM denominators, proportion PLWH diagnosed, proportion of diagnosed PLWH treated). RESULTS: We estimated that 17.9% of sexually active HIV-negative GBM would be eligible for PrEP, equating to 5816 individuals. We estimated that 31 non-GBM individuals would be eligible for PrEP. Thus, in total, 5847 individuals would be eligible for PrEP, comprising 99.5% GBM and 0.5% non-GBM. Sensitivity analyses ranged from 3062 to 6718 individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Policy makers can use enumeration to monitor the speed and scale in coverage as implementation of publicly funded PrEP proceeds. Sexual health and primary care services can use enumeration to forecast PrEP demand and plan accordingly. Better quality data, especially on transgender adults in NZ, would improve the accuracy of estimates.

Baseline characteristics of gay and bisexual men in a HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis demonstration project with equity quotas in Auckland, New Zealand.

Background In New Zealand, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) should target gay and bisexual men (GBM), and equity is an important principle. Baseline characteristics of GBM offered PrEP in a demonstration project with an enrolment quota of 50% non-Europeans are described. METHODS: An open-label, single-arm treatment evaluation study design ('NZPrEP') was used. The settings were four publicly funded sexual health clinics in Auckland in 2017. The study population was 150 GBM recruited from clinics, community sources and social media. Participants self-completed an online questionnaire about PrEP awareness, attitudes and sexual risk behaviour in the last 3 months. Baseline characteristics are described and examined to determine whether these were associated with PrEP initiation status (self-referral vs doctor/nurse recommendation). RESULTS: In total, 150 GBM of whom half (52%) were non-European, including 21.3% Maori, 19.3% Asian and 8.7% Pacific, were enrolled into the study. Two-thirds (65.3%) self-referred for PrEP and one-third (34.7%) were recommended PrEP by the doctor/nurse. Participants reported a high number of male condomless receptive anal intercourse partners (MenAICLR) (median 3, range 0-50), with 10% reporting 10 or more MenAICLR and 45.3% reporting group sex. In the previous year, 65.3% had a sexually transmissible infection (STI); 18% had rectal chlamydia or gonorrhoea at enrolment. Almost half (47.7%) had recently used drugs with sex, including 8.1% who used methamphetamine. Participants recommended PrEP had lower education, lived less centrally and had a higher STI prevalence than PrEP self-referrers, but their risk behaviour was similar. CONCLUSIONS: Early PrEP adopters in New Zealand have high HIV risk. Demonstration projects should consider equity mechanisms so that minorities can participate meaningfully.

Frequent condom use with casual partners varies by sexual position among younger gay and bisexual men in New Zealand: national behavioural surveillance 2006-2011.

UNLABELLED: Background Condom promotion remains a cornerstone of HIV/STI control, but must be informed by evidence of uptake and address disparities in use. This study sought to determine the prevalence of, and demographic, behavioural and relational factors associated with, condom use during insertive and receptive anal intercourse with casual partners among younger gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (YMSM) in New Zealand. METHODS: The 2006-2011 national HIV behavioural surveillance data for YMSM aged 16-29 years was pooled. Separately for each sexual position, frequent (always/almost always) versus infrequent condom use was regressed onto explanatory variables using manual backward stepwise multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Three-quarters of YMSM reported frequent condom use during insertive (76.0%) and receptive (73.8%) anal intercourse. YMSM who were exclusively insertive were more likely to report frequent condom use than versatile YMSM. Factors positively associated with frequent condom use, irrespective of sexual position were: in-person versus web-based recruitment, testing HIV negative versus never testing or testing HIV positive, having no recent sex with women, reporting two to five versus one male sexual partner in the past 6 months, reporting no current regular partner, but if in a regular relationship, reporting a boyfriend-type versus fuckbuddy-type partner, and frequent versus infrequent regular partner condom use. Pacific ethnicity and less formal education were negatively associated with frequent condom use only during receptive anal intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study demonstrate that condom norms can be actively established and maintained among YMSM. Condom promotion efforts must increase YMSM's capacity, agency and skills to negotiate condom use, especially for the receptive partner.

Respondent-driven sampling among gay and bisexual men: experiences from a New Zealand pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is a method of approximating random sampling of populations that are difficult to locate and engage in research such as gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM). However, its effectiveness among established urban gay communities in high-income countries is largely unexplored outside North America. We conducted a pilot study of RDS among urban GBM in Auckland, New Zealand to assess its local applicability for sexual health research. FINDINGS: Pre-fieldwork formative assessment explored RDS suitability among local GBM. Highly-networked initial participants ("seeds") and subsequent participants completed a questionnaire, took a rectal swab for chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing, and were asked to recruit up to three eligible peers over the subsequent 2 weeks using study coupons. Compensation was given for participating and for each peer enrolled. Feedback on the pilot was obtained through questionnaire items, participant follow-up, and a focus group. Nine seeds commenced recruitment, directly enrolling 10 participants (Wave One), who in turn enrolled a further three (Wave Two). Two of the 22 participants (9 %) had undiagnosed rectal chlamydia. The coupon redemption rate (23 %) was lower than the expected rate (33 %) for this population. Participants were motivated by altruism above financial incentives; however, time, transport and reluctance recruiting peers were perceived as barriers to enrolment. DISCUSSION: Slow recruitment in our pilot study suggests that RDS might not be an effective or efficient method of sampling gay men in all high-income urban settings. However those who participated in the pilot were willing to provide anal swabs and information on their sexual behaviour, and also on the size of their GBM social network which is necessary to weight data in RDS. Refinements and adaptations such as reducing the transaction costs of taking part (e.g. offering online participation) could improve responses but these have their own drawbacks (higher set-up costs, difficulty collecting biological specimens).

General practitioner awareness of sexual orientation among a community and internet sample of gay and bisexual men in New Zealand.

INTRODUCTION: General practitioners (GPs) can improve HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, vaccination and wellbeing among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM) if they are aware of a patient's sexual orientation. AIM: To estimate GP awareness of their GBM patients' sexual orientation and examine whether HIV and STI screening was associated with this. METHODS: We analysed anonymous, self-completed data from 3168 GBM who participated in the community-based Gay Auckland Periodic Sex Survey (GAPSS) and Internet-based Gay men's Online Sex Survey (GOSS) in 2014. Participants were asked if their usual GP was aware of their sexual orientation or that they had sex with men. RESULTS: Half (50.5%) believed their usual GP was aware of their sexual orientation/behaviour, 17.0% were unsure, and 32.6% believed he/she was unaware. In multivariate analysis, GP awareness was significantly lower if the respondent was younger, Asian or an 'Other' ethnicity, bisexual-identified, had never had anal intercourse or had first done so very recently or later in life, and had fewer recent male sexual partners. GBM whose GP was aware of their sexual orientation were more likely to have ever had an HIV test (91.5% vs 57.9%; p<0.001), specific STI tests (91.7% vs 68.9%; p<0.001), and were twice as likely to have had an STI diagnosed. DISCUSSION: Lack of sexual orientation disclosure is resulting in missed opportunities to reduce health inequalities for GBM. More proactive, inclusive and safe environments surrounding the care of sexual orientation minorities are needed in general practice to encourage disclosure.

Younger Gay and Bisexual Men's Condom Use With Main Regular Sexual Partner in New Zealand.

Main partners are a common source of new HIV infections among men who have sex with men (MSM). National behavioral surveillance data (2006-2011) for younger MSM (YMSM, aged 16-29) in New Zealand were analyzed to investigate condom use during anal intercourse with a regular partner (boyfriend/fuckbuddy) by sexual position (insertive/receptive). Backward-stepwise multivariate multinomial logistic regression was used to identify demographic, relational, behavioral, and cognitive factors associated with condom use frequency (high, medium, low). Most YMSM who reported a current regular partner (n=1,221) classified them as a boyfriend (59.5%) versus fuckbuddy (40.5%), though condom use was higher with the latter partner type. Condom use or nonuse was habitual across partners, although insertive sexual position was positively associated with condom use. YMSM who believed condoms reduce sensitivity reported lower condom use. Condoms remain the leading HIV/STI prevention tool for YMSM; efforts to improve condom use must consider sexual position and relationship factors.

Trends in web-based HIV behavioural surveillance among gay and bisexual men in New Zealand: complementing location-based surveillance.

Most HIV behavioural surveillance programmes for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) sample from location-based (offline) or web-based (online) populations, but few combine these two streams. MSM sampled online have been found to differ demographically and behaviourally from those sampled offline, meaning trends identified in one system may not hold for the other. The aim was to examine trends among MSM responding to supplementary repeat online behavioural surveillance surveys who had not participated in offline surveillance earlier that year in the same city, to see whether trends were parallel, converged or diverged. We recruited a total of 1613 MSM from an Internet dating site in Auckland, New Zealand in 2006, 2008 and 2011 using identical questionnaires and eligibility criteria to offline surveillance. Condom use was stable over time, HIV testing rates rose, the proportion reporting over 20 recent male partners declined, and anal intercourse rates increased, consistent with trends in offline surveillance conducted concomitantly and reported elsewhere. Variant trends included greater stability in condom use with casual partners among online-recruited MSM, and a rise in regular fuckbuddy partnering not identified among offline-recruited MSM. Among MSM recruited online, the frequency of checking Internet dating profiles increased between 2008 and 2011. In conclusion, supplementary web-based behavioural surveillance among MSM generally corroborates trends identified in offline surveillance. There are however some divergent trends, that would have been overlooked if only one form of surveillance had been conducted. As MSM populations increasingly shift their socialising patterns online and diversify, multiple forms of HIV behavioural monitoring may be required.

Thirty years of condom-based HIV prevention by gay men in New Zealand.

Three decades after the first government-funded HIV prevention campaign in 1985, gay and bisexual men (GBM) remain the population most at risk of infection in New Zealand. We review the major determinants of the elevated HIV risk for GBM, describe New Zealand's prevention response over the first 30 years, and summarise the public health record. HIV incidence among GBM is driven by the heightened biological efficiency of HIV transmission during unprotected anal intercourse, dense sexual partnering networks, and endemic HIV prevalence. Responses in New Zealand have emphasised evidence-based primary prevention by condom use, which were implemented in communities and supported by comprehensive public health action. New Zealand has a good international HIV prevention record among GBM, however HIV diagnosis rates are now higher than they were during the epidemic nadir of the late 1990s. Lessons from the first three decades must underpin future HIV control efforts.