When prevention is the best remedy: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among adolescents gays and transgender women in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil.

Based on the incorporation of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as an HIV prevention strategy and considering the need to comprehend the use of medication among young people, this article analyzes narratives of gay men and transgender women from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, participating in the PrEP1519 study. This is a qualitative research, based on the interpretative anthropology, developed by 10 in-depth interviews with PrEP users followed-up for at least three months between October and November 2019. The results showed that the drug was seen as the main motivation for participating in the study and as a strategy combined with the use of condoms, whether as additional prevention, or assuming the leading role. The medication revealed signs built by the gender performances and their relation to other medications, especially the experience of trans girls in hormonal therapy. Regarding the socialization of the use of PrEP, the narratives showed that there was no secret between the couples, which did not meant that stigmas on the association with HIV did not exist, mainly in the virtual context. In the family environment, they reported questions about the preventive function of the medication and the voluntary nature of the participation in the study. The youth's narratives revealed plural meanings of the medication and its social use, composing both the boys' and girls' performances. The signs attributed to the medication indicated that in addition to maintenance of health, the medication improves life and sexual freedom.

Prevalence of syphilis and sexual behavior and practices among adolescents MSM and TrTGW in a Brazilian multi-center cohort for daily use of PrEP.

Syphilis has reemerged as a serious public health problem in Brazil and worldwide, disproportionately affecting men who have sex with men (MSM) and travestis and transgender women (TrTGW). Studies on sexually transmitted infections (STI) in adolescents from these key populations are relatively scarce. This is a Brazilian multi-center, cross study with prevalence analysis, using as baseline the PrEP1519 cohort of sexually active MSM and TrTGW adolescents, recruited from April 2019 to December 2020. Analyses were made using the dimensions of vulnerability to STI/HIV and logistic regression models were conducted to estimate the odds ratios of the association between the predictor variables and positive treponemal test for syphilis at the moment of entry in the study. In total, 677 participants were analyzed; participants' median age was 18.9 years (IQR: 18.1-19.5); 70.5% (477) self-declared as black; 70.5% (474), as homosexuals/gays; and 48 (7.1%), as trans women or travestis. The baseline prevalence of syphilis was 21.3%. In the final logistic regression model, higher chance of syphilis was associated with: self-reported episode of STI in the last 12 months (OR = 5.92; 95%CI: 3.74-9.37), sex worker (OR = 3.39; 95%CI: 1.32-8.78), and < 11 years of schooling (OR = 1.76; 95%CI: 1.13-2.74). The prevalence of syphilis among MSM/TrTGW adolescents aged from 15 to 19 years was alarming, much higher than the described for the general population within this age range and associated with vulnerability factors. This reinforces the urgent need to strengthen public health programs to debate about race, gender, sexuality, and prevention.

Interdisciplinarity in HIV prevention research: the experience of the PrEP1519 study protocol among adolescent MSM and TGW in Brazil.

At the end of 2017, Brazil adopted HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as part of a combination prevention strategy for the most at-risk populations. However, Brazil does not have specific guidelines for PrEP use among adolescents aged < 18 years. Therefore, researchers from different health disciplines conducted PrEP1519, the first PrEP demonstration cohort study, ongoing in three Brazilian cities - Salvador, Belo Horizonte, and São Paulo - among adolescent men who have sex with men and transgender women, aged 15-19 years. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of PrEP in real-world settings. Quantitative and qualitative methods were integrated to obtain data on PrEP acceptability, uptake, use, and adherence. Moreover, comprehensive services and friendly environments were implemented in the PrEP1519 clinics. This study aims to describe the collaborative efforts of interdisciplinary practices in the development of the PrEP1519 study. The articulation of researchers from different institutions and areas is challenging; but it also allows for a broader outlook on questions regarding the direction of the research, while enriching the decisions needed to be taken during the interactions and negotiations among the different individuals, including the youth team and participants. Furthermore, it reflects on the communication process between cultures and languages considering the trans-epistemic arena of knowledge production about HIV, sexually transmitted infections, PrEP, and other combination prevention strategies for adolescents.

Aceitabilidade ao autoteste de HIV entre adolescentes Homens que fazem Sexo com Homens, travestis e mulheres transexuais em três capitais brasileiras / Acceptability of HIV self-test among adolescent Men who have Sex with Men, travestis and transgender women in Brazil

RESUMO Introdução: O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a aceitabilidade do autoteste de HIV entre adolescentes Homens que fazem Sexo com Homens e mulheres travestis e transexuais em três capitais brasileiras. Método: estudo qualitativo, com 6 Grupos Focais e 37 Entrevistas em profundidade, envolvendo 58 participantes, nas cidades de Belo Horizonte, Salvador e São Paulo, cuja análise temática de conteúdo orientou-se pelo Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Resultados: boa aceitabilidade do autoteste de HIV, ainda que não homogênea entre participantes. Entre os aspectos positivos dos testes estão, por exemplo, a agilidade, a privacidade, a autonomia no monitoramento da própria saúde e a gestão emocional e de estigma. Em outra direção tem-se a preocupação em como lidar com um eventual resultado reagente e o questionamento do autoteste como estratégia de prevenção. O local de dispensação do autoteste é decisivo para potencializar ou não o uso, a depender da competência cultural para acolher a diversidade sexual e de identidade de gênero de adolescentes. Conclusão: Este estudo identificou o autoteste de HIV como uma estratégia fundamental para o incremento da autonomia e autocuidado entre adolescentes. Estas devem ser consideradas para maior adequação às culturas juvenis locais e, consequentemente, maior adesão à testagem.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The objective of this study is to analyze the acceptability of the HIV self-test among male adolescents who have sex with male and transgender women in three Brazilian capitals. Method: qualitative study, with 6 focus groups and 37 in-depth interviews with 58 participants, from the cities of Belo Horizonte, Salvador and São Paulo, whose thematic analysis was based on the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Results: the HIV self-test had good acceptability, although it was not homogeneous among participating adolescents. Positive aspects include, for example, agility, privacy, autonomy, monitoring one's health, and emotional and stigma management. In another direction are concerns about how to deal with an eventual reactive result and whether self-testing is a prevention strategy. The place where self-tests are given out is decisive to improving their use, which depends on cultural competence to accommodate sexual and gender diversities of adolescents. Conclusion: This study has shown that HIV self-testing is a fundamental strategy to increase adolescent autonomy and self-care. These should be considered to better adapt the test to local youth cultures and, consequently, achieve better compliance.

Prevalence of syphilis and sexual behavior and practices among adolescents MSM and TrTGW in a Brazilian multi-center cohort for daily use of PrEP / Prevalência de sífilis e comportamento e práticas sexuais entre adolescentes HSH e travestis e mulheres transgênero em um estudo de coorte multicêntrico brasileiro sobre uso diário de PrEP / Prevalencia de sífilis, comportamiento sexual y prácticas entre adolescentes HSH y TrTGW en una cohorte multicéntrica brasileña para el uso diario de PrEP

Syphilis has reemerged as a serious public health problem in Brazil and worldwide, disproportionately affecting men who have sex with men (MSM) and travestis and transgender women (TrTGW). Studies on sexually transmitted infections (STI) in adolescents from these key populations are relatively scarce. This is a Brazilian multi-center, cross study with prevalence analysis, using as baseline the PrEP1519 cohort of sexually active MSM and TrTGW adolescents, recruited from April 2019 to December 2020. Analyses were made using the dimensions of vulnerability to STI/HIV and logistic regression models were conducted to estimate the odds ratios of the association between the predictor variables and positive treponemal test for syphilis at the moment of entry in the study. In total, 677 participants were analyzed; participants' median age was 18.9 years (IQR: 18.1-19.5); 70.5% (477) self-declared as black; 70.5% (474), as homosexuals/gays; and 48 (7.1%), as trans women or travestis. The baseline prevalence of syphilis was 21.3%. In the final logistic regression model, higher chance of syphilis was associated with: self-reported episode of STI in the last 12 months (OR = 5.92; 95%CI: 3.74-9.37), sex worker (OR = 3.39; 95%CI: 1.32-8.78), and < 11 years of schooling (OR = 1.76; 95%CI: 1.13-2.74). The prevalence of syphilis among MSM/TrTGW adolescents aged from 15 to 19 years was alarming, much higher than the described for the general population within this age range and associated with vulnerability factors. This reinforces the urgent need to strengthen public health programs to debate about race, gender, sexuality, and prevention.

A sífilis reemergiu enquanto problema sério de saúde pública no Brasil e no mundo, afetando de maneira desproporcional homens que fazem sexo com homens (HSH), travestis e mulheres transgênero. São relativamente escassos os estudos sobre infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST) entre adolescentes pertencentes a essas populações-chave. O estudo transversal multicêntrico brasileiro analisou a prevalência de sífilis na linha de base da coorte PrEP15-19 de HSH, travestis e mulheres transgênero adolescentes, sexualmente ativos, recrutados entre abril de 2019 e dezembro de 2020. As análises foram realizadas com as dimensões de vulnerabilidade a ISTs/HIV, e modelos de regressão logística foram construídos para estimar as razões de chances da associação entre as variáveis preditoras e um teste treponêmico positivo para sífilis na entrada do estudo. Foram analisados 677 participantes. A idade mediana era 18,9 anos (IIQ: 18,1-19,5), 70,5% (477) se autoidentificaram como pretos, 70,5% (474) como homossexuais/gays e 48 (7,1%) como mulheres trans ou travestis. A prevalência de sífilis na linha de base era 21,3%. No modelo final de regressão logística, as seguintes variáveis estiveram associadas com chances maiores de sífilis: autorrelato de episódio de IST nos últimos 12 meses (OR = 5,92; IC95%: 3,74-9,37), profissional do sexo (OR = 3,39; IC95%: 1,32-8,78) e menos de 11 anos de escolaridade (OR = 1,76; IC95%: 1,13-2,74). A prevalência de sífilis entre HSH, travestis e mulheres transgênero adolescentes entre 15 e 19 anos de idade foi alarmante, muito acima da taxa relatada na população geral nesta faixa etária, e esteve associada a fatores de vulnerabilidade. Os achados reforçam a necessidade urgente de fortalecer os programas de saúde pública com a discussão sobre raça, gênero, sexualidade e prevenção.

La sífilis ha resurgido como un problema serio de salud pública en Brasil y en todo el mundo, afectando desproporcionadamente a hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH), travestis y mujeres transgénero (TrTGW). Los estudios de las enfermedades trasmitidas sexualmente (ETS) en adolescentes de estas poblaciones clase son relativamente escasos. Se trata de un estudio transversal brasileño multicéntrico, con análisis de prevalencia de la base de referencia de la cohorte PrEP1519 de hombres activos sexualmente que mantienen sexo con hombres y adolescentes TrTGW, reclutados desde abril de 2019 a diciembre de 2020. Se hicieron análisis, usando las dimensiones de vulnerabilidad a las ETS/VIH, y se realizaron modelos de regresión logística para estimar las odds ratios de la asociación entre las variables predictoras y la prueba treponémica positiva para la sífilis al comenzar el estudio. Se analizaron a 677 participantes. La media de edad fue 18,9 años (IQR: 18,1-19,5), 70,5% (477) se autodeclararon como negros, 70,5% (474) como homosexuales/gays y 48 (7,1%) como mujeres trans o travestis. La base de referencia de prevalencia de sífilis fue 21,3%. En el modelo final de regresión logística, se asociaron con una posibilidad más alta de sífilis: un episodio autoinformado de ETS en los últimos 12 meses (OR = 5,92; IC95%: 3,74-9,37), trabajadores sexuales (OR = 3,39; IC95%: 1,32-8,78) y < 11 años de estudio (OR = 1,76; IC95%: 1,13-2,74). La prevalencia de sífilis entre adolescentes HSH/TrTGW con edades de 15 a 19 años fue alarmante, mucho más que lo descrito para la población general en este rango de edad y asociado con factores de vulnerabilidad. Esto refuerza la urgente necesidad de fortalecer los programas de salud pública, discutiendo cuestiones de raza, género, sexualidad y prevención.

Interdisciplinarity in HIV prevention research: the experience of the PrEP1519 study protocol among adolescent MSM and TGW in Brazil / Interdisciplinaridade na pesquisa sobre prevenção do HIV: a experiência do protocolo de estudo PrEP1519 entre HSH adolescentes e mulheres trans no Brasil / Interdisciplinariedad en la investigación de la prevención del VIH: la experiencia del protocolo de estudio PrEP1519 entre adolescentes HSH y TGW en Brasil

At the end of 2017, Brazil adopted HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as part of a combination prevention strategy for the most at-risk populations. However, Brazil does not have specific guidelines for PrEP use among adolescents aged < 18 years. Therefore, researchers from different health disciplines conducted PrEP1519, the first PrEP demonstration cohort study, ongoing in three Brazilian cities - Salvador, Belo Horizonte, and São Paulo - among adolescent men who have sex with men and transgender women, aged 15-19 years. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of PrEP in real-world settings. Quantitative and qualitative methods were integrated to obtain data on PrEP acceptability, uptake, use, and adherence. Moreover, comprehensive services and friendly environments were implemented in the PrEP1519 clinics. This study aims to describe the collaborative efforts of interdisciplinary practices in the development of the PrEP1519 study. The articulation of researchers from different institutions and areas is challenging; but it also allows for a broader outlook on questions regarding the direction of the research, while enriching the decisions needed to be taken during the interactions and negotiations among the different individuals, including the youth team and participants. Furthermore, it reflects on the communication process between cultures and languages considering the trans-epistemic arena of knowledge production about HIV, sexually transmitted infections, PrEP, and other combination prevention strategies for adolescents.

No final de 2017, Brasil adotou a profilaxia pré-exposição do HIV (PrEP) como parte de uma estratégia de prevenção combinada para as populações com maior risco de infecção. Entretanto, o país não dispõe de diretrizes específicas para o uso da PrEP entre adolescentes abaixo de 18 anos de idade. Assim, pesquisadores de diferentes disciplinas de saúde realizaram o PrEP1519, o primeiro estudo de coorte de demonstração da PrEP, atualmente em andamento em três cidades brasileiras - Salvador, Belo Horizonte e São Paulo - entre homens adolescentes que fazem sexo com homens e mulheres transgênero, entre 15 e 19 anos de idade. O estudo busca avaliar a efetividade da PrEP em contextos da vida real. Foram integrados métodos quantitativos e qualitativos para obter dados sobre a aceitabilidade, adoção, uso e adesão à PrEP. Além disso, foram implementados serviços integrados e ambientes acolhedores nas clínicas PrEP1519. O estudo busca descrever os esforços colaborativos das práticas interdisciplinares no desenvolvimento do estudo PrEP1519. A articulação de pesquisadores de diferentes instituições e áreas representa um desafio, mas permite um olhar mais abrangente sobre questões relativas à direção da pesquisa, ao mesmo tempo em que enriquece as decisões necessárias durante as interações e negociações entre diferentes indivíduos, inclusive a equipe de jovens e os participantes. Além disso, reflete o processo de comunicação entre culturas e linguagens, considerando a arena trans-epistêmica da produção de conhecimento sobre HIV, infecções sexualmente transmissíveis, PrEP e outras estratégias de prevenção combinada para adolescentes.

A finales de 2017, Brasil adoptó la profilaxis previa a la exposición al VIH (PrEP) como parte de una estrategia de prevención combinada para las poblaciones de mayor riesgo. Sin embargo, Brasil no tiene directrices específicas para el uso de la PrEP entre los adolescentes < 18 años. Por lo tanto, investigadores de diferentes disciplinas sanitarias llevaron a cabo el PrEP1519, el primer estudio de cohorte de demostración de la PrEP, en curso en tres ciudades brasileñas -Salvador, Belo Horizonte y São Paulo- entre hombres adolescentes que tienen relaciones con hombres y mujeres transexuales, de entre 15 y 19 años. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la eficacia de la PPrE en entornos reales. Se integraron métodos cuantitativos y cualitativos para obtener datos sobre la aceptabilidad, la aceptación, el uso y la adherencia de la PrEP. Además, se implementaron servicios integrales y entornos amigables en las clínicas de PrEP1519. Este estudio pretende describir los esfuerzos de colaboración de las prácticas interdisciplinarias en el desarrollo del estudio PrEP1519. La articulación de investigadores de diferentes instituciones y áreas supone un reto; pero también permite ampliar la visión de las cuestiones relativas a la dirección de la investigación, a la vez que enriquece las decisiones que debían tomarse durante las interacciones y negociaciones entre los diferentes individuos, incluyendo el equipo de jóvenes y los participantes. Además, reflexiona sobre el proceso de comunicación entre culturas y lenguas teniendo en cuenta el ámbito trans-epistémico de la producción de conocimiento sobre el VIH, las infecciones de transmisión sexual, la PrEP y otras estrategias de prevención combinada para adolescentes.

When prevention is the best remedy: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among adolescents gays and transgender women in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil / Quando a prevenção é o melhor remédio: profilaxia pré-exposição do HIV (PrEP) entre adolescentes gays e mulheres transgênero em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil / Cuando la prevención es el mejor remedio: profilaxis previa a la exposición al VIH (PrEP) entre adolescentes gays y mujeres transgénero en Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Based on the incorporation of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as an HIV prevention strategy and considering the need to comprehend the use of medication among young people, this article analyzes narratives of gay men and transgender women from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, participating in the PrEP1519 study. This is a qualitative research, based on the interpretative anthropology, developed by 10 in-depth interviews with PrEP users followed-up for at least three months between October and November 2019. The results showed that the drug was seen as the main motivation for participating in the study and as a strategy combined with the use of condoms, whether as additional prevention, or assuming the leading role. The medication revealed signs built by the gender performances and their relation to other medications, especially the experience of trans girls in hormonal therapy. Regarding the socialization of the use of PrEP, the narratives showed that there was no secret between the couples, which did not meant that stigmas on the association with HIV did not exist, mainly in the virtual context. In the family environment, they reported questions about the preventive function of the medication and the voluntary nature of the participation in the study. The youth's narratives revealed plural meanings of the medication and its social use, composing both the boys' and girls' performances. The signs attributed to the medication indicated that in addition to maintenance of health, the medication improves life and sexual freedom.

Com base na incorporação da profilaxia pré-exposição (PrEP) como estratégia para a prevenção do HIV, e considerando a necessidade de compreender o uso da medicação entre jovens, o artigo analisa as narrativas de homens gays e mulheres transgênero da cidade de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, participantes no estudo PrEP1519. A pesquisa qualitativa, baseada na antropologia interpretativa, foi desenvolvida através de 10 entrevistas em profundidade com usuários de PrEP acompanhados durante pelo menos três meses entre outubro e novembro de 2019. Os resultados mostraram que o medicamento era visto como a principal motivação para participar no estudo e como estratégia combinada com o uso de preservativos, seja como prevenção adicional ou assumindo o papel principal. A medicação revelou sinais elaborados pelas performances de gênero e sua relação com outros medicamentos, principalmente a experiência de meninas trans em uso de hormonioterapia. Quanto à socialização do uso da PrEP, as narrativas mostraram que não havia segredo entre os casais, o que não significava a inexistência de estigma em relação à associação com HIV, principalmente no contexto virtual. No ambiente familiar, os participantes relatavam questões sobre a função preventiva da medicação e a natureza voluntária da participação no estudo. As narrativas dos jovens revelaram sentidos plurais atribuídos à medicação e ao seu uso social, compondo as performances tanto dos meninos quanto das meninas. Os sinais atribuídos à medicação indicaram que além da manutenção da saúde, a medicação melhora a vida e a liberdade sexual dos usuários.

Basado en la incorporación de la profilaxis previa a la exposición (PrEP) como una estrategia de prevención contra el VIH, y considerando la necesidad de entender el uso de medicación entre gente joven, este artículo analiza narrativas de hombres gais y mujeres transgénero de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, que participan en el estudio PrEP1519. Esta es una investigación cualitativa, basada en la antropología interpretativa, desarrollada por 10 entrevistas en profundidad con usuarios de PrEP, a quienes se les realizó un seguimiento durante al menos tres meses entre octubre y noviembre de 2019. Los resultados mostraron que la medicación fue considerada como la principal motivación de participar en el estudio y como una estrategia combinada con el uso de condones, ya sea como prevención adicional, o asumiendo el papel principal. La medicación reveló signos de estar construida por el desempeño del género y su relación con otros medicamentos, especialmente la experiencia de las chicas trans en la terapia hormonal. Respecto a la socialización del uso del PrEP, las narrativas mostraron que no había secretos entre las parejas, lo cual no significó que no existieran estigmas en la asociación con el VIH, principalmente en contexto virtual. En el ambiente familiar, se informó de cuestiones sobre la función preventiva de la medicación y la naturaleza voluntaria de participar en el estudio. Las narrativas de ellos jóvenes revelaron significados plurales de la medicación y su uso social, formando parte del desempeño tanto de los chicos como de las chicas. Los signos atribuidos a la medicación indicaron que además de mantener la salud, la medicación mejora la vida y la libertad sexual.

Prevalence of syphilis and sexual behavior and practices among adolescents MSM and TrTGW in a Brazilian multi-center cohort for daily use of PrEP / Prevalência de sífilis e comportamento e práticas sexuais entre adolescentes HSH e travestis e mulheres transgênero em um estudo de coorte multicêntrico brasileiro sobre uso diário de PrEP / Prevalencia de sífilis, comportamiento sexual y prácticas entre adolescentes HSH y TrTGW en una cohorte multicéntrica brasileña para el uso diario de PrEP

Syphilis has reemerged as a serious public health problem in Brazil and worldwide, disproportionately affecting men who have sex with men (MSM) and travestis and transgender women (TrTGW). Studies on sexually transmitted infections (STI) in adolescents from these key populations are relatively scarce. This is a Brazilian multi-center, cross study with prevalence analysis, using as baseline the PrEP1519 cohort of sexually active MSM and TrTGW adolescents, recruited from April 2019 to December 2020. Analyses were made using the dimensions of vulnerability to STI/HIV and logistic regression models were conducted to estimate the odds ratios of the association between the predictor variables and positive treponemal test for syphilis at the moment of entry in the study. In total, 677 participants were analyzed; participants' median age was 18.9 years (IQR: 18.1-19.5); 70.5% (477) self-declared as black; 70.5% (474), as homosexuals/gays; and 48 (7.1%), as trans women or travestis. The baseline prevalence of syphilis was 21.3%. In the final logistic regression model, higher chance of syphilis was associated with: self-reported episode of STI in the last 12 months (OR = 5.92; 95%CI: 3.74-9.37), sex worker (OR = 3.39; 95%CI: 1.32-8.78), and < 11 years of schooling (OR = 1.76; 95%CI: 1.13-2.74). The prevalence of syphilis among MSM/TrTGW adolescents aged from 15 to 19 years was alarming, much higher than the described for the general population within this age range and associated with vulnerability factors. This reinforces the urgent need to strengthen public health programs to debate about race, gender, sexuality, and prevention.

A sífilis reemergiu enquanto problema sério de saúde pública no Brasil e no mundo, afetando de maneira desproporcional homens que fazem sexo com homens (HSH), travestis e mulheres transgênero. São relativamente escassos os estudos sobre infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST) entre adolescentes pertencentes a essas populações-chave. O estudo transversal multicêntrico brasileiro analisou a prevalência de sífilis na linha de base da coorte PrEP15-19 de HSH, travestis e mulheres transgênero adolescentes, sexualmente ativos, recrutados entre abril de 2019 e dezembro de 2020. As análises foram realizadas com as dimensões de vulnerabilidade a ISTs/HIV, e modelos de regressão logística foram construídos para estimar as razões de chances da associação entre as variáveis preditoras e um teste treponêmico positivo para sífilis na entrada do estudo. Foram analisados 677 participantes. A idade mediana era 18,9 anos (IIQ: 18,1-19,5), 70,5% (477) se autoidentificaram como pretos, 70,5% (474) como homossexuais/gays e 48 (7,1%) como mulheres trans ou travestis. A prevalência de sífilis na linha de base era 21,3%. No modelo final de regressão logística, as seguintes variáveis estiveram associadas com chances maiores de sífilis: autorrelato de episódio de IST nos últimos 12 meses (OR = 5,92; IC95%: 3,74-9,37), profissional do sexo (OR = 3,39; IC95%: 1,32-8,78) e menos de 11 anos de escolaridade (OR = 1,76; IC95%: 1,13-2,74). A prevalência de sífilis entre HSH, travestis e mulheres transgênero adolescentes entre 15 e 19 anos de idade foi alarmante, muito acima da taxa relatada na população geral nesta faixa etária, e esteve associada a fatores de vulnerabilidade. Os achados reforçam a necessidade urgente de fortalecer os programas de saúde pública com a discussão sobre raça, gênero, sexualidade e prevenção.

La sífilis ha resurgido como un problema serio de salud pública en Brasil y en todo el mundo, afectando desproporcionadamente a hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH), travestis y mujeres transgénero (TrTGW). Los estudios de las enfermedades trasmitidas sexualmente (ETS) en adolescentes de estas poblaciones clase son relativamente escasos. Se trata de un estudio transversal brasileño multicéntrico, con análisis de prevalencia de la base de referencia de la cohorte PrEP1519 de hombres activos sexualmente que mantienen sexo con hombres y adolescentes TrTGW, reclutados desde abril de 2019 a diciembre de 2020. Se hicieron análisis, usando las dimensiones de vulnerabilidad a las ETS/VIH, y se realizaron modelos de regresión logística para estimar las odds ratios de la asociación entre las variables predictoras y la prueba treponémica positiva para la sífilis al comenzar el estudio. Se analizaron a 677 participantes. La media de edad fue 18,9 años (IQR: 18,1-19,5), 70,5% (477) se autodeclararon como negros, 70,5% (474) como homosexuales/gays y 48 (7,1%) como mujeres trans o travestis. La base de referencia de prevalencia de sífilis fue 21,3%. En el modelo final de regresión logística, se asociaron con una posibilidad más alta de sífilis: un episodio autoinformado de ETS en los últimos 12 meses (OR = 5,92; IC95%: 3,74-9,37), trabajadores sexuales (OR = 3,39; IC95%: 1,32-8,78) y < 11 años de estudio (OR = 1,76; IC95%: 1,13-2,74). La prevalencia de sífilis entre adolescentes HSH/TrTGW con edades de 15 a 19 años fue alarmante, mucho más que lo descrito para la población general en este rango de edad y asociado con factores de vulnerabilidad. Esto refuerza la urgente necesidad de fortalecer los programas de salud pública, discutiendo cuestiones de raza, género, sexualidad y prevención.

Interdisciplinarity in HIV prevention research: the experience of the PrEP1519 study protocol among adolescent MSM and TGW in Brazil / Interdisciplinaridade na pesquisa sobre prevenção do HIV: a experiência do protocolo de estudo PrEP1519 entre HSH adolescentes e mulheres trans no Brasil / Interdisciplinariedad en la investigación de la prevención del VIH: la experiencia del protocolo de estudio PrEP1519 entre adolescentes HSH y TGW en Brasil

At the end of 2017, Brazil adopted HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as part of a combination prevention strategy for the most at-risk populations. However, Brazil does not have specific guidelines for PrEP use among adolescents aged < 18 years. Therefore, researchers from different health disciplines conducted PrEP1519, the first PrEP demonstration cohort study, ongoing in three Brazilian cities - Salvador, Belo Horizonte, and São Paulo - among adolescent men who have sex with men and transgender women, aged 15-19 years. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of PrEP in real-world settings. Quantitative and qualitative methods were integrated to obtain data on PrEP acceptability, uptake, use, and adherence. Moreover, comprehensive services and friendly environments were implemented in the PrEP1519 clinics. This study aims to describe the collaborative efforts of interdisciplinary practices in the development of the PrEP1519 study. The articulation of researchers from different institutions and areas is challenging; but it also allows for a broader outlook on questions regarding the direction of the research, while enriching the decisions needed to be taken during the interactions and negotiations among the different individuals, including the youth team and participants. Furthermore, it reflects on the communication process between cultures and languages considering the trans-epistemic arena of knowledge production about HIV, sexually transmitted infections, PrEP, and other combination prevention strategies for adolescents.

No final de 2017, Brasil adotou a profilaxia pré-exposição do HIV (PrEP) como parte de uma estratégia de prevenção combinada para as populações com maior risco de infecção. Entretanto, o país não dispõe de diretrizes específicas para o uso da PrEP entre adolescentes abaixo de 18 anos de idade. Assim, pesquisadores de diferentes disciplinas de saúde realizaram o PrEP1519, o primeiro estudo de coorte de demonstração da PrEP, atualmente em andamento em três cidades brasileiras - Salvador, Belo Horizonte e São Paulo - entre homens adolescentes que fazem sexo com homens e mulheres transgênero, entre 15 e 19 anos de idade. O estudo busca avaliar a efetividade da PrEP em contextos da vida real. Foram integrados métodos quantitativos e qualitativos para obter dados sobre a aceitabilidade, adoção, uso e adesão à PrEP. Além disso, foram implementados serviços integrados e ambientes acolhedores nas clínicas PrEP1519. O estudo busca descrever os esforços colaborativos das práticas interdisciplinares no desenvolvimento do estudo PrEP1519. A articulação de pesquisadores de diferentes instituições e áreas representa um desafio, mas permite um olhar mais abrangente sobre questões relativas à direção da pesquisa, ao mesmo tempo em que enriquece as decisões necessárias durante as interações e negociações entre diferentes indivíduos, inclusive a equipe de jovens e os participantes. Além disso, reflete o processo de comunicação entre culturas e linguagens, considerando a arena trans-epistêmica da produção de conhecimento sobre HIV, infecções sexualmente transmissíveis, PrEP e outras estratégias de prevenção combinada para adolescentes.

A finales de 2017, Brasil adoptó la profilaxis previa a la exposición al VIH (PrEP) como parte de una estrategia de prevención combinada para las poblaciones de mayor riesgo. Sin embargo, Brasil no tiene directrices específicas para el uso de la PrEP entre los adolescentes < 18 años. Por lo tanto, investigadores de diferentes disciplinas sanitarias llevaron a cabo el PrEP1519, el primer estudio de cohorte de demostración de la PrEP, en curso en tres ciudades brasileñas -Salvador, Belo Horizonte y São Paulo- entre hombres adolescentes que tienen relaciones con hombres y mujeres transexuales, de entre 15 y 19 años. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la eficacia de la PPrE en entornos reales. Se integraron métodos cuantitativos y cualitativos para obtener datos sobre la aceptabilidad, la aceptación, el uso y la adherencia de la PrEP. Además, se implementaron servicios integrales y entornos amigables en las clínicas de PrEP1519. Este estudio pretende describir los esfuerzos de colaboración de las prácticas interdisciplinarias en el desarrollo del estudio PrEP1519. La articulación de investigadores de diferentes instituciones y áreas supone un reto; pero también permite ampliar la visión de las cuestiones relativas a la dirección de la investigación, a la vez que enriquece las decisiones que debían tomarse durante las interacciones y negociaciones entre los diferentes individuos, incluyendo el equipo de jóvenes y los participantes. Además, reflexiona sobre el proceso de comunicación entre culturas y lenguas teniendo en cuenta el ámbito trans-epistémico de la producción de conocimiento sobre el VIH, las infecciones de transmisión sexual, la PrEP y otras estrategias de prevención combinada para adolescentes.

When prevention is the best remedy: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among adolescents gays and transgender women in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil / Quando a prevenção é o melhor remédio: profilaxia pré-exposição do HIV (PrEP) entre adolescentes gays e mulheres transgênero em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil / Cuando la prevención es el mejor remedio: profilaxis previa a la exposición al VIH (PrEP) entre adolescentes gays y mujeres transgénero en Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Based on the incorporation of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as an HIV prevention strategy and considering the need to comprehend the use of medication among young people, this article analyzes narratives of gay men and transgender women from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, participating in the PrEP1519 study. This is a qualitative research, based on the interpretative anthropology, developed by 10 in-depth interviews with PrEP users followed-up for at least three months between October and November 2019. The results showed that the drug was seen as the main motivation for participating in the study and as a strategy combined with the use of condoms, whether as additional prevention, or assuming the leading role. The medication revealed signs built by the gender performances and their relation to other medications, especially the experience of trans girls in hormonal therapy. Regarding the socialization of the use of PrEP, the narratives showed that there was no secret between the couples, which did not meant that stigmas on the association with HIV did not exist, mainly in the virtual context. In the family environment, they reported questions about the preventive function of the medication and the voluntary nature of the participation in the study. The youth's narratives revealed plural meanings of the medication and its social use, composing both the boys' and girls' performances. The signs attributed to the medication indicated that in addition to maintenance of health, the medication improves life and sexual freedom.

Com base na incorporação da profilaxia pré-exposição (PrEP) como estratégia para a prevenção do HIV, e considerando a necessidade de compreender o uso da medicação entre jovens, o artigo analisa as narrativas de homens gays e mulheres transgênero da cidade de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, participantes no estudo PrEP1519. A pesquisa qualitativa, baseada na antropologia interpretativa, foi desenvolvida através de 10 entrevistas em profundidade com usuários de PrEP acompanhados durante pelo menos três meses entre outubro e novembro de 2019. Os resultados mostraram que o medicamento era visto como a principal motivação para participar no estudo e como estratégia combinada com o uso de preservativos, seja como prevenção adicional ou assumindo o papel principal. A medicação revelou sinais elaborados pelas performances de gênero e sua relação com outros medicamentos, principalmente a experiência de meninas trans em uso de hormonioterapia. Quanto à socialização do uso da PrEP, as narrativas mostraram que não havia segredo entre os casais, o que não significava a inexistência de estigma em relação à associação com HIV, principalmente no contexto virtual. No ambiente familiar, os participantes relatavam questões sobre a função preventiva da medicação e a natureza voluntária da participação no estudo. As narrativas dos jovens revelaram sentidos plurais atribuídos à medicação e ao seu uso social, compondo as performances tanto dos meninos quanto das meninas. Os sinais atribuídos à medicação indicaram que além da manutenção da saúde, a medicação melhora a vida e a liberdade sexual dos usuários.

Basado en la incorporación de la profilaxis previa a la exposición (PrEP) como una estrategia de prevención contra el VIH, y considerando la necesidad de entender el uso de medicación entre gente joven, este artículo analiza narrativas de hombres gais y mujeres transgénero de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, que participan en el estudio PrEP1519. Esta es una investigación cualitativa, basada en la antropología interpretativa, desarrollada por 10 entrevistas en profundidad con usuarios de PrEP, a quienes se les realizó un seguimiento durante al menos tres meses entre octubre y noviembre de 2019. Los resultados mostraron que la medicación fue considerada como la principal motivación de participar en el estudio y como una estrategia combinada con el uso de condones, ya sea como prevención adicional, o asumiendo el papel principal. La medicación reveló signos de estar construida por el desempeño del género y su relación con otros medicamentos, especialmente la experiencia de las chicas trans en la terapia hormonal. Respecto a la socialización del uso del PrEP, las narrativas mostraron que no había secretos entre las parejas, lo cual no significó que no existieran estigmas en la asociación con el VIH, principalmente en contexto virtual. En el ambiente familiar, se informó de cuestiones sobre la función preventiva de la medicación y la naturaleza voluntaria de participar en el estudio. Las narrativas de ellos jóvenes revelaron significados plurales de la medicación y su uso social, formando parte del desempeño tanto de los chicos como de las chicas. Los signos atribuidos a la medicación indicaron que además de mantener la salud, la medicación mejora la vida y la libertad sexual.

Noncompliance with Therapeutic Guidelines for Chronic Hepatitis B Patients in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Standardized treatment regimens for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) are crucial in suppressing viral replication, disease progression and the development of complications. However, information on routine compliance with such therapeutic recommendations in medical practice is rare. Aim: To evaluate the application of Brazilian therapeutic guidelines for CHB within the scope of the Unified Health System in Minas Gerais state. Four key recommendations from the national guidelines were compared with data from treated patients: (i) eligibility to start treatment; (ii) type of treatment applied; (iii) rescue antiviral therapy; and (iv) monitoring of virological response. Most physicians (69.8%) declared to adopt these guidelines, while 10 of them were unaware. However, according to the criteria established by the guidelines, only 39.5% of treated patients should have been considered "truly" eligible to start treatment and only 67.6% of these underwent the recommended pharmacological treatment. The virological response was laboratory monitored in just over a third of patients. Rescue therapy was adequately supplanted in 41.2% of patients previously treated with lamivudine. There was low compliance with national guidelines by public service physicians in Brazil, highlighting the need to raise awareness of the importance of its adherence to expand the control of CHB. Thus, increasing the adherence of health professionals to this tool is a current challenge for health institutions and managers.

Low eligibility for hepatitis B treatment in the Brazilian public health system.

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) affects 257 million people worldwide. However, the proportion of patients eligible for treatment in the public health system has not been established. This study describes the clinical and laboratory profiles of untreated CHB patients and estimates the eligibility rate for antiviral therapy in accordance with the Brazilian Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines. METHODS: Records of 670 CHB patients were collected from May 2012 to September 2013 in Minas Gerais. Data from each patient were analyzed by hepatitis B virus (HBV) management. RESULTS: 461 CHB patients were treatment-naive. Of these, 23 were HBeAg-positive, 352 were HBeAg-negative, and 14 were clinically diagnosed with cirrhosis. Periodic monitoring was performed in only three patients. However, 9.3% of untreated patients met the eligibility criteria for HBV treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Few CHB patients were active carriers and eligible candidates for antiviral therapy. This study revealed inadequate pre-treatment conduct in the Brazilian public health system, emphasizing the need for regular laboratory follow-up for patients initially not eligible for treatment. Such information may indirectly subsidize the planning and improvement of actions and services related to optimal HBV management in the public sphere.

HIV/Aids and COVID-19 in Brazil: in four decades, two antithetical approaches to face serious pandemics.

In the space of four decades, Brazil has faced two serious pandemics: human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The country's response to HIV/AIDS was coordinated by several stakeholders and recognised the importance of scientific evidence in guiding decision-making, and a network offering monitoring and antiretroviral treatment was provided through coordinated efforts by the country's universal health system. Conversely, the lack of a centrally coordinated strategy and misalignment between government ministries regarding the COVID-19 pandemic response, together with the denial of scientific evidence, promotion of ineffective treatments and insufficient vaccination efforts, have all led to the uncontrolled spread of infection, the near-total collapse of the health system and excess deaths.

Profile of drug-drug interactions and impact on the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy among patients living with HIV followed at an Infectious Diseases Referral Center in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

HIV infection may be considered a chronic condition for people living with HIV with access to antiretrovirals and this has effectively increased survival. Moreover, this has also facilitated the emergence of other comorbidities increasing the risk for drug-drug interactions and polypharmacy. The profile of these interactions as well as their consequences for people living with HIV are still not completely elucidated. The objectives of this study were to describe the profile of these interactions, their prevalence and their classification according to the potential for significant or non-significant drug-drug interactions. From June 2015 to July 2016, people living with HIV on follow-up at an Infectious Diseases Referral Center in Belo Horizonte, Brazil have been investigated for the presence of drug-drug interactions. A total of 304 patients were included and the majority (75%) had less than 50 years of age, male (66.4%), and 37.8% self-defined as brown skinned. Approximately 24% were on five or more medications and half of them presented with drug-drug interactions. Patients older than 50 years had a higher frequency of antiretrovirals drug-drug interactions with other drugs compared to younger patients (p=0.002). No relationship was found between the number of drug-drug interactions and the effectiveness of antiretrovirals. As expected, the higher the number of non-HIV medications used (OR=1.129; 95%CI 1.004-1.209; p=0.04) was associated with an increase in drug-drug interactions. The high prevalence of drug-drug interactions found and the data collected should be useful to establish measures of quaternary prevention and to increase the medication security for people living with HIV.

Profile of drug-drug interactions and impact on the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy among patients living with HIV followed at an Infectious Diseases Referral Center in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

ABSTRACT HIV infection may be considered a chronic condition for people living with HIV with access to antiretrovirals and this has effectively increased survival. Moreover, this has also facilitated the emergence of other comorbidities increasing the risk for drug-drug interactions and polypharmacy. The profile of these interactions as well as their consequences for people living with HIV are still not completely elucidated. The objectives of this study were to describe the profile of these interactions, their prevalence and their classification according to the potential for significant or non-significant drug-drug interactions. From June 2015 to July 2016, people living with HIV on follow-up at an Infectious Diseases Referral Center in Belo Horizonte, Brazil have been investigated for the presence of drug-drug interactions. A total of 304 patients were included and the majority (75%) had less than 50 years of age, male (66.4%), and 37.8% self-defined as brown skinned. Approximately 24% were on five or more medications and half of them presented with drug-drug interactions. Patients older than 50 years had a higher frequency of antiretrovirals drug-drug interactions with other drugs compared to younger patients (p = 0.002). No relationship was found between the number of drug-drug interactions and the effectiveness of antiretrovirals. As expected, the higher the number of non-HIV medications used (OR = 1.129; 95%CI 1.004-1.209; p = 0.04) was associated with an increase in drug-drug interactions. The high prevalence of drug-drug interactions found and the data collected should be useful to establish measures of quaternary prevention and to increase the medication security for people living with HIV.

Urban Waste Collectors in Belo Horizonte, Brazil: Their Perceptions of Occupational Health Risk.

Frequent contact with hazardous materials makes waste collection a potentially unhealthy activity. This article assesses the perception of waste management workers regarding work-related accidents in domestic and health service contexts in Brazil. Six focus groups were performed between June 2014 and August 2015. The aims of this study were to apprehend different aspects of the participants' health, workers' experiences of work-related accidents and perception of risks. Cuts and puncture injuries were reported most frequently in the line of work and were often considered as irrelevant. Immunization against hepatitis B was not common among all workers, which increases the risk of infection for those individuals. Finally, it is considered urgent to consolidate an inclusive space in which workers can have discussions on their health.

Lipid accumulation product index in HIV-infected patients: a marker of cardiovascular risk

ABSTRACT The lipid accumulation product (LAP) index is an emerging cardiovascular risk marker. We aimed to assess the accuracy of this index as a marker of cardiovascular risk in HIV-infected patients. A cross-sectional study of 133 HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral drugs and 20 non-infected controls was conducted at the outpatient clinic of a referral center of infectious and parasitic diseases. Evaluations included LAP index, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, glucose tolerance test, and cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Body mass index (BMI) was similar in both groups; however, waist circumference was greater in the HIV-infected patients. Triglyceride levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001) and HDL cholesterol levels were lower in HIV-infected patients (p < 0.001). Plasma glucose (p = 0.01) and insulin (p = 0.005) levels two hours after a glucose load, HOMA-IR index (p < 0.001) and LAP index (p < 0.001) were higher in the HIV-infected patients. A positive and significant correlation was found between HOMA-IR index and LAP (r = 0.615; p < 0.01), BMI (r = 0.334; p < 0.01) and waist circumference (r = 0.452; p < 0.01) in the HIV-infected patients. In male HIV-infected patients and controls, ROC curve analyses revealed that the best cut-off value of LAP to define the presence of insulin resistance was 64.8 (sensitivity 86%, specificity 77% and area under the curve 0.824). These results confirm that insulin resistance is more common in HIV-patients on antiretroviral drugs than in HIV-negative controls. A positive and significant correlation was found between the LAP index and the HOMA index, with LAP ≥ 64.8 constituting an additional risk factor for cardiovascular disease in male HIV patients.