Trends in HIV prevalence and risk factors among men who have sex with men in Mozambique: implications for targeted interventions and public health strategies.

BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with Men (MSM) are known to contribute to increased HIV prevalence as an integral part of key populations with high vulnerability to HIV/AIDS due to their sexual behaviours. Mozambique conducted two rounds of bio-behavioral surveys (BBS) in this population with the main objective of estimating HIV prevalence and associated risk behaviors among MSM in Mozambique. The present study aims to estimate the trend of HIV prevalence and determine the correlations of HIV infection among MSM. METHODS: A repeated cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from secondary data from the first and second rounds of BBS in Mozambique conducted in 2011 and 2020-2021 respectively. Each round used a similar methodology which allowed for comparison between the two surveys. Chi-square test and logistic regression was used to compare the HIV prevalence between the BBS rounds, identify factors associated with HIV, and assess changes in HIV prevalence across selected risk factors. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in HIV prevalence among MSM (7.1-14.9%), living in Maputo (9.3-14.7%), uncircumcised (11.7-25.1%), and those who reported two sexual partners in the last year (5.2-14.4%). In contrast, there was a decrease in prevalence among adult MSM aged between 25 and 29 years (24.7-13.9%), aged 30 years or older (45.7-27.7%), married (29.1-16.8%), with higher education (16.7-5.9%) and moderate perception of HIV risk (10.9-3.4%). Multivariable analysis showed that factors such as age, marital status, religion, sexual identity, circumcision, and the use of lubrication during anal sex are significantly associated with the risk of HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the continuing need for HIV prevention and education efforts. The rise in prevalence among specific population segments and the sustained presence of risk factors emphasize the requirement for holistic strategies tailored to the unique requirements of each subgroup. Understanding trends and risk factors is crucial to guiding public health policies and designing efficacious prevention programs that aim to curtail HIV transmission while enhancing the well-being of those impacted by the condition.

Evaluation of the HIV drug resistance surveillance system in Mozambique, 2017-2018.

In the past ten years, the prevalence of primary Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) drug resistance has ranged from zero to 25%, with higher and increasing rates in countries with access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), a specific case in Mozambique. World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that countries implement and routinely evaluate representative HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) research to monitor the emergency and transmission of HIV drug resistance mutations. This study aimed to describe the functioning of the system and also to identify gaps in the sensitivity, representativeness and quality of the data using the WHO methodology for Pre-Treatment and Acquired Approaches. We conducted a descriptive evaluation of the information system for surveillance of HIVDR in Mozambique in 2017-2018, based on updated guidelines for evaluating of public health surveillance systems from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The evaluation was conducted in all provinces using secondary data extracted from a cross-sectional survey database on HIVDR, with HIV positive cases at the beginning of ART aged ≥15 years. The system was described through informal conversations with HIVDR stakeholders and the simplicity, data quality and representativeness attributes were evaluated. With 322 positive cases at the beginning of ART (mean age=32.5 years, SD±11.1), about 63.0% (203/322) cases were women and 37.6% (121/322) men. The system was implemented in 25 health facilities distributed across all 11 Mozambican provinces and was considered representative. The system used two data collection instruments, the ART book and the form accompanying samples sent to the reference laboratory. The ART form, with 27 variables, was sent offline at two levels (health facility and National Institute of Health (NHI)), accompanied by dried blood spot samples for viral load testing and genotyping in the NHI virology laboratory, and was considered simple according to the standardized criteria. The system´s data quality was considered regular at 79.9%, with about 59.8% (1156/1932) of variable fields completed and 100% (1932/1932) consistency. The system used a single national laboratory to measure the prevalence of resistance to HIV drugs and was considered simple, with regular quality and representative data. We recommended public health efforts such as conducting genotyping tests be expanded to the provincial level, and periodic monitoring of system´s data collection procedures using forms.

Barreiras e Facilitadores no Cumprimento da Quarentena e Isolamento Obrigatório em Pessoas Expostas e Diagnosticadas com SARS-CoV-2/ COVID-19 na Cidade e Província de Maputo, Moçambique / Barriers and Facilitators in Compliance with Quarantine and Mandatory Isolation in People Exposed to and Diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 in Maputo City and Province, Mozambique

A 30 de Janeiro de 2020, o Director-geral da Organização Mundial de Saúde determinou que a COVID-19 constitui uma preocupação de saúde pública de emergência internacional. Objectivo: Identificar as barreiras e facilitadores para o cumprimento da quarentena e do isolamento obrigatório em pessoas expostas e diagnosticadas com COVID-19 em Maputo. Material e Métodos: Foram realizadas entrevistas em profundidade durante os meses de Maio a Julho de 2020 com 30 pessoas expostas e diagnosticadas com COVID-19. Os participantes foram selecionados usando uma amostragem aleatória sistemática. Resultados: A maioria dos participantes mencionaram a redução de salário mensal/horas extras, a interdição de bens e serviços e, o apoio familiar e dos profissionais de saúde como factores condicionantes para o cumprimento adequado da quarentena e isolamento. Conclusão: As condições sócio-económicas jogam um papel fundamental para que as pessoas cumpram a quarentena ou isolamento.

Introduction: On January 30, 2020, the Director-General of the World Health Organization determined that COVID-19 is an international emergency public health concern. Objective: To identify barriers and facilitators for non-compliance with quarantine and mandatory isolation in people exposed and diagnosed with COVID-19 in Maputo. Material and Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted from May to July 2020 with 30 people exposed and diagnosed with COVID-19. Participants were selected using systematic random sampling. Results: Most participants mentioned the reduction of monthly wages/extra hours, the ban on goods and services and the support of family and health professionals as conditioning factors for the proper compliance with quarantine and isolation. Conclusion: Socio-economic conditions play a fundamental role for people to comply with quarantine or isolation.