Transcript poster 25
FAQ IT! : A venue based HIV prevalence study among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) in Flanders, Belgium W Vanden Berghe 1, C Nöstlinger1 ,A Buvé1 ,G Beelaert ², K Fransen ², M Laga 1 1Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), HIV/STI Epidemiology and Control Unit , Antwerp, Belgium ²Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), AIDS Reference Lab, Antwerp, Belgium Funding : Flemish government /ITM funding Introduction and background • Rising HIV diagnoses among MSM in most Western countries • A need for more targeted HIV prevalence estimations among MSM • Evidence-base for prevention efforts Research objectives • HIV prevalence estimates in different venues where MSM meet • HIV/STI testing behaviour • Frequency of sexual risk behaviour Methods Study design and procedures Biological sampling • Time-space sampling •Interviewer-assisted fingerprick •Amount of blood on filterpaper •Analysis by ITM lab : tested for HIV antibodies (confirmed) • Selection of three types of venues: N1 = Cruising bars and sauna’s (n=4) N2 = (Dance) Clubs where sexual contact is not possible (n=2) N3 = Party’s, clubs targeting younger MSM (<25 years old) (n=3) • Data collection was carried out between 10/2009 – 03/2010 by PI and volunteers from the MSM community • The study was approved by the ethics committee of ITM and Antwerp University hospital + A linked self-administered anonymous questionnaire • Socio-demographical background • Sexual behaviour (last 12 months /last encounter) • Drug and alcohol use • HIV/STI testing history and behaviour Statistical analysis Data analysis was performed using SPPS 16.0. • Voluntary participation after obtaining informed consent Results HIV prevalence estimations (based on biological data): Table 1: sample/socio-demographic/health characteriSTIcs according to subsample Total respondents Questionnaire only Participation rates % Mean age n(years old) Partners Steady male partner 12 m n(%) Steady male partner + casual partners 12m n(%) Median n partners 12m n(median value) Anal sex 12m n(%) HIV status self report HIV status self report : unknown n(%) HIV status self report : positive n(%) n 658 49 HIV prevalence (bio sample) % 100 7,5 20,0% 18,0% 16,0% 14,0% 12,0% 10,0% 8,0% 6,0% 4,0% 2,0% ,0% N1 58 161(38,5) N2 75 215(30,6) 147(45,6) 70(50) 159(>10) 196(49) 246(37,8) 117(35) 118(31,4) 207(2 to 5) 251(2 to 5 ) 157(84,1) 161(16,1) 161(16,1) 212(89,2) 206(17,5) 206(5,8) N3 70 255(27,5) HIV+ 14,5% 4,9% 1,8% N1=152 HIV + : 3,2%-31,8% N2=205 Subsample N3=221 HIV + : 0,9%-7,1% 14,3% of HIV + MSM is unaware of their status HIV/STI testing behaviour: • Ever tested : Over 90% was for HIV, over 80 % for STI’s 254(81,5) • Tested during the last 12 months : About 50% was tested for HIV, about 60% for STI’s 246(26) 246(3,3) Condom use at last sexual encounter: Study limitations • Results are not representative of the general population of MSM in Flanders • Behavioural data are self-reported and voluntary participation may have biased study results • 2 in 3 of MSM in a steady relationship and 3 in 4 with casual partners used a condom during the last encounter • 55,9% of HIV + MSM did not use a condom during the last encounter with casual partners Conclusions • The HIV prevalence in Flemish MSM venues range from 14,5% in cruising bars/sauna’s, to 4,9 in gay (dancing) clubs, to 1.8% at events/party’s for younger MSM • 14,3 % of HIV + MSM is unaware of their status • High rates of HIV/STI testing and condom use in the general MSM population • Less condom use among HIV + MSM • Venues where HIV prevalence is high => more STI’s and drug use • These results already form the basis for new targeted interventions and a baseline for future evaluation research Contact: [email protected] Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp Nationalestraat 155, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium Tel. +32-3-247.07.12 Fax. +32-3-247.65.32 www.itg.be Acknowledgements: Our volunteers !!! Sensoa (www.sensoa.be) Çavaria (www.cavaria.be)