Risk Factors Associated With HIV Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) in Ecuador

Abstract

The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS estimates that between 0.3% and 0.7% of adults aged 15 to 49 years were living with HIV in Ecuador in 2013. However, very little is known about the HIV prevalence rate among men who have sex with men (MSM) in that country. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HIV/AIDS as well as to estimate the prevalence of HIV among MSM in one of the cities with high HIV prevalence rates in Ecuador. In this study, questionnaires were administered to 307 adult MSM. An HIV prevalence of 10% was observed. Knowledge about HIV was high; 91% of participants could identify how HIV is transmitted. Although consistent condom use for anal sex was relatively high (89%) among participants who reported having pay-for-service clients, only 64% reported using a condom during oral sex with a client. Participants who had multiple male sexual partners (i.e., their stable male partners plus other partner[s]) had 3.7 times higher odds of testing positive for HIV compared with those who did not. They also had reduced odds of condom use. Participants who were forced to have anal receptive sex had 3 times higher odds of testing positive for HIV. Despite the finding that participants exhibited high knowledge about HIV/AIDS, a high prevalence rate of HIV was observed, which warrants targeted behavioral interventions. These data are consistent with MSM being one of the highest at-risk population groups for HIV in this region of Ecuador.

Syphilis and HIV/Syphilis Co-infection Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) in Ecuador

“…This report is part of a study conducted on MSM recruited from a city with a high HIV prevalence rate in the Northwest Region of Ecuador, described elsewhere ( I. Hernandez et al, 2016 ). A cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals registered in the local MSM association and their partners/contacts.…”

“…A total of 291 participants were included in this analysis based on their HIV and syphilis test results (i.e., all participants who had HIV/syphilis co-infection, syphilis mono-infection or no infection were included). Participants with HIV mono-infections ( n = 15) were excluded from this analysis but included in an HIV-focused analysis, which has previously been reported ( I. Hernandez et al, 2016 ). A representative of the local MSM association helped locate the selected individuals and coordinated their travel to the research location.…”

<p>Increased incidences of noninfectious comorbidities among aging populations living with human immunodeficiency virus in Ecuador: a multicenter retrospective analysis</p>

“…The HIV epidemic in Ecuador has been reported to be concentrated among high risk populations. Previous research conducted in two major cities of Ecuador estimated the prevalence of HIV among MSM to be 14.5% in Quito and 27.8% in Guayaquil,17 meanwhile in Esmeraldas MSM estimated a prevalence of 10%18 and among Female Commercial Sex Workers (FCSW) 0.7% 19…”

A qualitative view of the HIV epidemic in coastal Ecuador

“…Prior research has primarily focused on specific populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and commercial sex workers (Bautista et al, 2008; Cabezas et al, 2015; Grant et al, 2014; Gutiérrez et al, 2006a; Gutiérrez et al, 2006b; Hernandez et al, 2016; Jacobson et al, 2014; Sánchez-Gómez et al, 2015; Solomon, Smith & del Rio, 2008). While several studies of HIV knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors have been conducted elsewhere in the country, little is known about rural, coastal regions where prevalence rates are among the highest in the country, and general healthcare is less readily available (Cabezas et al, 2013; Chedraui et al, 2007; Dearborn, Lewis & Mino, 2010; PAHO, 2012; Park et al, 2002).…”