Trends in Belief That HIV Treatment Prevents Transmission Among Gay and Bisexual Men in Australia: Results of National Online Surveys 2013-2019.

We have tracked belief in the effectiveness of HIV treatment as prevention (TasP) among Australian gay and bisexual men (GBM) since 2013. National, online cross-sectional surveys of GBM were conducted every 2 years during 2013-2019. Trends and associations were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Data from 4,903 survey responses were included. Belief that HIV treatment prevents transmission increased from 2.6% in 2013 to 34.6% in 2019. Belief in the effectiveness of TasP was consistently higher among HIV-positive participants than other participants. In 2019, higher levels of belief in TasP were independently associated with university education, being HIV-positive, using pre-exposure prophylaxis, knowing more HIV-positive people, being recently diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and use of post-exposure prophylaxis. Belief that HIV treatment prevents transmission has increased substantially among Australian GBM, but remains concentrated among HIV-positive GBM, those who know HIV-positive people, and GBM who use antiretroviral-based prevention.

Targeting cancer prevention and screening interventions to LGBTQ communities: A scoping review.

Although some people within LGBTQ communities are at risk of developing some cancers at higher rates than non-LGBTQ people, there is limited evidence of the outcomes of targeted cancer prevention and screening interventions for these communities. This scoping review examined key findings regarding the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of evaluated intervention studies conducted in high income settings and published in peer reviewed literature (2014-2020) by combining evidence of both cancer risk-reducing behavioural interventions and screening and preventative practice interventions. While there is limited evidence of stronger outcomes from targeted interventions with cohorts of gender and sexuality diverse communities, compared with the use of mainstream or untailored interventions, there is stronger evidence that targeted interventions are more acceptable to these communities and may be more feasible in some contexts. Thus, there is benefit in understanding what targeting entails in these interventions, and to understand what influences acceptability, to inform the design and delivery of such interventions.

Access to Subsidized Health Care Affects HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Uptake Among Gay and Bisexual Men in Australia: Results of National Surveys 2013-2019.

BACKGROUND: We assessed willingness to use HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and current PrEP use among gay and bisexual men (GBM) in Australia. METHODS: National, online cross-sectional surveys of GBM were conducted in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019. Willingness to use PrEP was measured on a previously validated scale. Trends and associations with key measures were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: During 2013-2019, 4908 surveys were completed. Among HIV-negative and untested men not currently using PrEP, willingness to use PrEP increased from 23.0% in 2013 to 36.5% in 2017 (P < 0.001) but then plateaued at 32% in 2019 (P = 0.13). The proportion of current PrEP users increased significantly from 2.5% in 2015 to 38.5% in 2019 (P < 0.001). In 2019, factors independently associated with being a current PrEP user (compared with non-PrEP users who were willing to use PrEP) included having subsidized health care (Medicare), knowing HIV-positive people, being recently diagnosed with an STI other than HIV, having higher numbers of recent male sexual partners, recent condomless sex with casual and regular partners, and frequent PrEP sorting. CONCLUSION: Willingness to use PrEP has plateaued as its use has rapidly increased among GBM in Australia. PrEP use is concentrated among more sexually active men with access to subsidized health care. Free or low cost access schemes may facilitate broader access among GBM who want or need PrEP but lack access to subsidized health care.

HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Cascades to Assess Implementation in Australia: Results From Repeated, National Behavioral Surveillance of Gay and Bisexual Men, 2014-2018.

BACKGROUND: HIV prevention cascades can assist in monitoring the implementation of prevention methods like preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). We developed 2 PrEP cascades for Australia's primary HIV-affected population, gay and bisexual men. METHODS: Data were drawn from 2 national, repeated, cross-sectional surveys (the Gay Community Periodic Surveys and PrEPARE Project). One cascade had 3 steps, and the other had 7 steps. Trends over time were assessed using logistic regression. For the most recent year, we identified the biggest drop between steps in each cascade and compared the characteristics of men between the 2 steps using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Thirty-nine thousand six hundred and seventy non-HIV-positive men participated in the Periodic Surveys during 2014-2018. PrEP eligibility increased from 28.1% (1901/6762) in 2014 to 37.3% (2935/7878) in 2018 (P < 0.001), awareness increased from 29.6% (563/1901) to 87.1% (2555/2935; P < 0.001), and PrEP use increased from 3.7% (21/563) to 45.2% (1155/2555; P < 0.001). Of 1038 non-HIV-positive men in the PrEPARE Project in 2017, 54.2% (n = 563) were eligible for PrEP, 97.2% (547/563) were aware, 67.6% (370/547) were willing to use PrEP, 73.5% (272/370) had discussed PrEP with a doctor, 78.3% (213/272) were using PrEP, 97.2% (207/213) had recently tested, and 75.8% (157/207) reported reduced HIV concern and increased pleasure because of PrEP. The break point analyses indicated that PrEP coverage was affected by geographical availability, education level, employment, and willingness to use PrEP. CONCLUSIONS: PrEP eligibility, awareness, and use have rapidly increased among Australian gay and bisexual men. The cascades identify disparities in uptake by eligible men as a result of socioeconomic factors and PrEP's acceptability.

Trends in Attitudes to and the Use of HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis by Australian Gay and Bisexual Men, 2011-2017: Implications for Further Implementation from a Diffusion of Innovations Perspective.

Using repeated, national, online, cross-sectional surveys of Australian gay and bisexual men (GBM), we analysed trends related to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Specifically, we analysed trends in PrEP use, willingness to use PrEP, and concern about using PrEP during 2011-2017. We assessed support for GBM using PrEP and willingness to have sex with men taking PrEP between 2015 and 2017. For time-based analyses, we used multivariate logistic regression, controlling for sampling variations over time. We constructed new scales assessing reduced concern about HIV among PrEP users and non-users in 2017, and used multivariate logistic regression to identify independent correlates of PrEP use (vs. non-use). The analyses included 4567 HIV-negative and untested participants (2011-2017). PrEP use increased from 0.5% in 2011 to 25.5% in 2017 (p < 0.001). Willingness to use PrEP increased from 27.9% in 2011 to 36.5% in 2017 (p < 0.001) while concern about using PrEP fell (52.1-36.1%, p < 0.001). Support for GBM using PrEP remained stable (52.5% in 2015, 51.9% in 2017, p = 0.62), and willingness to have sex with men taking PrEP increased from 34.9% in 2015 to 49.0% in 2017 (p < 0.001). In 2017, 22.8% of non-PrEP-users had reduced HIV concern because of PrEP, while 73.6% of PrEP users had reduced HIV concern and greater sexual pleasure because of PrEP. The analysis of PrEP users vs. non-users in 2017 indicated that PrEP users were more sexually active and reported higher risk sexual practices, were more likely to live in New South Wales and Victoria, and to be in full-time employment. They were also more likely to know HIV-positive people and other PrEP users. Diffusion of Innovations theory suggests that future PrEP users in Australia may be less adventurous and require greater reassurance about PrEP's efficacy and legitimacy, to sustain rollout and address current disparities in uptake.