Social vulnerability and HIV testing among South African men who have sex with men

Abstract

This study examined whether social vulnerability is associated with HIV testing among South African men who have sex with men (MSM). A community-based survey was conducted with 300 MSM in Pretoria in 2008. The sample was stratified by age, race and residential status. Social vulnerability was assessed using measures of demographic characteristics, psychosocial determinants and indicators of sexual minority stress. Being black, living in a township and lacking HIV knowledge reduced MSM's likelihood of ever having tested for HIV. Among those who had tested, lower income and not self-identifying as gay reduced men's likelihood of having tested more than once. Lower income and internalized homophobia reduced men's likelihood of having tested recently. Overall, MSM in socially vulnerable positions were less likely to get tested for HIV. Efforts to mitigate the effects of social vulnerability on HIV testing practices are needed in order to encourage regular HIV testing among South African MSM.

Fatores associados ao baixo conhecimento sobre HIV/AIDS entre homens que fazem sexo com homens no Brasil

“…Estudos realizados em outros países avaliaram o conhecimento sobre HIV, especificamente entre os HSH, e encontraram resultados relevantes que mostraram os seguintes fatores associados com o baixo conhecimento sobre HIV: menor escolaridade; idade menor que 25 anos e maior do que 50; grupo racial não branco; nunca ter realizado teste para HIV; HSH com resultado negativo para HIV; não usar preservativos na última relação sexual e menor número de parceiros sexuais 15,16,17,18,19 .…”

HIV Treatment Cascades that Leak: Correlates of Drop-off from the HIV Care Continuum among Men who have Sex with Men Worldwide

“…These gaps are particularly true for MSM as evidenced by persistently high HIV prevalence and incidence rates. For MSM, HIV responses at the country level continue to be seriously hampered by daily experiences of stigma, discrimination, violence and criminalization [17][18][19][20]. MSM who live in countries that criminalize homosexuality have higher mean scores on perceived homophobia scales and decreased access to basic HIV services, including access to ART, compared to MSM who live in countries with more supportive legal frameworks [21].…”

Southern African guidelines for the safe use of pre-exposure prophylaxis in men who have sex with men who are at risk for HIV infection

“…Of the subjects, 10 were infected with HIV at enrollment (in their 'window' period), and 100 became infected during follow-up (36 in the Truvada group and 64 in the placebo group). In the modified intent-to-treat analysis (excluding those who were infected at enrolment and those with no follow-up HIV test results), an overall 44% reduction in the incidence of HIV infection (95% confidence interval 15 …”

“…13 High-risk sexual practices (including unprotected anal intercourse, multiple and concurrent partnerships, and sex work) and limited knowledge about HIV and substance use (alcohol, methamphetamines and heroin) have been associated with increased risk for HIV infection among MSM in South Africa. 2,[9][10][11][14][15][16] Many MSM also have female sexual partners. Almost half (49%) of the participants in a Soweto-based MSM study reported recent female sexual partners.…”