Vulnerability and factors associated with HIV and syphilis among men who have sex with men, Belo Horizonte, MG

Abstract

Introduction: The HIV epidemic in Brazil is characterized as concentrated on key populations, incluiding men Who have sex with men (MSM). However, monitoring and evaluation indicators are not well known at Municipal or State levels. Objective: To describe risk behaviors and HIV and syphilis prevalences among MSM in Belo Horizonte, MG. Methods: Cross-sectional study part of a national multicenter study among adult MSM in Brazil. The sample was recruited using Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) technique. Semistructure interviews and serological exams for HIV and syphilis were conducted. Resultads: A total of 274 MSM were recruited in Belo Horizonte. Participants were mostly young, with high education, social classes A/B, self-reported as gay or homosexual and with high proportion of irregular use of condoms. Weighted prevalence of HIV infection and syphilis were, respectively, 10.3% and 13.9%. Age, color, sharing with their mother or father their sexual orientation, prior HIV and syphilis testing, and previous diagnosis of syphilis or other STDs were statistically associated with both infections (p<0.05). Marital status, family disapproval or indifference of their sexual orientation, better HIV/Aids knowledge, not knowing their chances of acquiring HIV were statistically associated only with HIV and social class only with syphilis. Conclusion: These results indicate the severity of the HIV epidemic amongthe MSM population in Belo Horizonte. Public policies at the municipal and state levels must be implemented and/or revised urgently. RESUMO Introdução: a epidemia do HIV no Brasil caracteriza-se como concentrada em populações-chave, incluindo homens que fazem sexo com homens (HSH). No entanto, são pouco conhecidos os indicadores de monitoramento e avaliação da epidemia em nível estadual ou municipal destas populações. Objetivo: descrever comportamentos de risco e prevalências de HIV e sífilis em população de HSH em Belo Horizonte, MG. Métodos: estudo de corte transversal parte de estudo multicêntrico nacional entre HSH adultos. A amostra foi recrutada pela técnica Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS). Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas e exames para HIV e sífilis. Resultados: foram recrutados 274 HSH em Belo Horizonte. Os participantes eram principalmente indivíduos jovens, com alta escolaridade, de classes sociais A/B, que se autorreferiram gay ou homossexual e tinham alta proporção do uso irregular de preservativos. As prevalências ponderadas da infecção pelo HIV e de sífilis foram, respectivamente, 10,3 e 13,9%. Idade, cor, contar para a mãe ou pai sobre a orientação sexual, testagem prévia para o HIV ou sífilis, diagnóstico prévio de sífilis ou de outras DSTs foram estatisticamente associados a ambas as infecções (p<0,05). Estado civil, família ser indiferente ou desaprovar a opção sexual, Vulnerabilidade e fatores associados a HIV e sífilis em homens que fazem sexo com homens, Belo Horizonte, MG Vulnerability and factors associated with HIV and syphilis among men who have sex with men, Belo Horizonte, MG

Epidemiological and Molecular Characteristics of HIV-1 Infection in a Sample of Men Who Have Sex With Men in Brazil: Phylogeography of Major Subtype B and F1 Transmission Clusters

“…As reported elsewhere (Guimarães et al, 2018;Rocha et al, 2020), high frequencies of risky sexual behaviors were observed among MSM studied. Indeed, receptive anal intercourse and history of STI were factors independently associated with HIV-1 exposure, which are consistent with data found in other MSM populations (Carneiro et al, 2003;Guimarães et al, 2013). Mucosal lesions caused by anal intercourse have been associated with transmission of HIV-1 and other STI; especially by unprotect anal intercourse (Arien et al, 2011).…”

Health of sexual minorities in north-eastern Brazil: representations, behaviours and obstacles

“…However, scientifi c evidence showed that, despite having knowledge about STDs and ways of transmission and prevention, high rates of unprotected sex were reported among sexual minorities, particularly among gay and transgender individuals 21,22 . Still concerning the vulnerability of LGBT individuals to STDs, subjects mentioned the use of alcohol and drugs as an aggravating factor, since the marginalisation experienced by the group was identifi ed as a condition that enhanced the chances of unsafe behaviour.…”

Soroprevalência em testagem itinerante para sífilis, hiv e hepatites

“…It is reported that the weighted prevalence of HIV and syphilis infection were 10.3% and 13.9%, respectively, corroborating the premise that the HIV epidemic in Brazil is characterized as concentrated in key populations, including men who have sex with men (MSM). 21 It is pointed out that, when analyzing HIV prevalence and vulnerability profile of 1,405 homeless users of host institutions in São Paulo (SP) from 2006 to 2007, HIV prevalence was 4.9% ( 17.4% of them also presented positive serology for syphilis). 22 It should be noted that, for this population, the result was well above that obtained in this study.…”