Quantifying unmet prevention needs among MSM in Europe through a multi-site bio-behavioural survey.
Euro Surveill
; 23(49)2018 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30621823
ABSTRACT
IntroductionThe HIV epidemic represents an important public health issue in Europe particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). Global AIDS Monitoring indicators (GAM) have been widely and jointly promoted as a set of crucial standardised items to be adopted for monitoring and responding to the epidemic.MethodsThe Sialon II study, implemented in 13 European cities (2013-14), was a complex multi-centre integrated bio-behavioural cross-sectional survey targeted at MSM, with a concomitant collection of behavioural and biological (oral fluid or blood specimens) data. Rigorous sampling approaches for hard-to-reach populations were used (time-location sampling and respondent-driven sampling) and GAM indicators were calculated; sampling frames were adapted to allow weighted estimates of GAM indicators.Results4,901 MSM were enrolled. HIV prevalence estimates ranged from 2.4% in Stockholm to 18.0% in Bucharest. When exploring city-level correlations between GAM indicators, prevention campaigns significantly correlated with levels of condom use and level of HIV testing among MSM.ConclusionThe Sialon II project has made an important contribution to the monitoring and evaluation of the HIV epidemic across Europe, integrating the use of GAM indicators within a second generation HIV surveillance systems approach and in participatory collaboration with MSM communities. It influenced the harmonisation of European data collection procedures and indicators via GAM country reporting and contributed essential knowledge informing the development and implementation of strategic, evidence-based HIV prevention campaigns for MSM.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Sexual Behavior
/
AIDS Serodiagnosis
/
HIV Infections
/
Population Surveillance
/
Homosexuality, Male
/
Needs Assessment
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
/
Screening_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Euro Surveill
Journal subject:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
Year:
2018
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Italy