Cinta Folch

Reemergence of the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men in North America, Western Europe, and Australia, 1996-2005.

PURPOSE To describe and contextualize changes in rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) notifications in men who have sex with men (MSM) in eight countries (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, and United States) from 1996-2005. METHODS We analyzed trends in HIV notification rates from 1996-2000 and 2000-2005 by generalized linear regression and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in rates of HIV notifications. To interpret trends, we visually examined graphs of primary and secondary syphilis reports among MSM and the prevalence of recent HIV testing. RESULTS The rate of HIV notifications among MSM declined 5.2% per year (95% confidence interval [CI]: -5.8%, -4.7%) from 1996-2000, and increased 3.3% per year (95% CI: +2.9%,+3.7%) from 2000-2005. During the period of increasing HIV diagnoses, increases in primary and secondary syphilis diagnoses occurred among MSM, but recent HIV testing among MSM did not seem to increase. CONCLUSIONS After declining in the second half of the 1990s, HIV notification rates for MSM increased beginning in 2000. Increased HIV notifications in MSM are not wholly explained by changes in HIV testing. Urgent efforts are required to develop effective HIV prevention interventions for MSM, and implement them broadly in these countries.

Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae and risk factors for sexually transmitted infections among immigrant female sex workers in Catalonia, Spain.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) among immigrant female sex workers (FSW) according to their geographic area of origin and identify possible risk factors independently associated with current infection with CT and/or NG. Study Design: Cross-sectional study of 357 FSW in Catalonia in 2005. Information on sociodemographic and sex work characteristics, use of alcohol and drugs, sexual practices, and the use of social and health care services was collected. Oral fluid and urine samples were collected to determine the prevalence of HIV and CT/NG, respectively. Factors independently associated with CT/NG were assessed using multivariate logistic regression models. Results: A total of 36.4% of women were from Eastern Europe, 34.5% from Latin America, and 29.1% from Africa. Overall CT and NG prevalence were 5.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.7–8.9] and 0.6% (95% CI: 0.1–2.0), respectively. No differences were observed by geographic origin. Three African women were HIV positive (overall HIV prevalence was 0.8%, 95% CI: 0.2–2.4). In multivariate analysis, younger age and unprotected sex with clients were associated with the presence of CT/NG. Conclusions: The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among FSW in Catalonia was lower than in other European countries. Even though the prevalence of HIV was only 0.8%, it could increase in the future given the high vulnerability of these women and their wide geographic mobility. It is necessary to continue with the work carried out by nongovernmental organizations (harm reduction programs, outreach programs, and safe sex workshops) as well as to facilitate the access to health centers, especially for the youngest women.

Correlates of intensive alcohol and drug use in men who have sex with men in Catalonia, Spain

BACKGROUND The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of alcohol and drug use before or during sex among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Catalonia during 2006, and to identify factors associated with variables of intensive alcohol and drug use. METHODS Cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaires. Men were recruited in saunas, sex shops, bars and a public park and by mail to all the members of the Catalonia Gay Federation. RESULTS 19.6% of men said they were frequent users of alcohol, some type of drug (21.7%), or that they were multidrug users (18%) in the last 12 months. The multivariate analysis showed an association between having suffered discrimination and frequent alcohol and multidrug use. Being human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive was associated with frequent use of drugs and multidrug use. Associations between substance use and sexual risk behaviour also emerged. CONCLUSION The high percentage of MSM who use alcohol and drugs before and during sex and association between these substances and sexual risk behaviours reveals the need to intensify interventions to reduce their levels of use and/or to reduce the associated damage and risks. These programs must try to cover MSM-specific psychosocial aspects and include prevention for HIV-positive men.

Evolución de la prevalencia de infección por el VIH y de las conductas de riesgo en varones homo/bisexuales

Objetivos: Describir las tendencias de la prevalencia de infeccion por VIH, las conductas de riesgo asociadas con su transmision y el conocimiento y las actitudes respecto a los antirretrovirales (ARV) en el colectivo de hombres que tienen relaciones sexuales con hombres (HSH) seleccionados en Barcelona durante el periodo 1995-2002. Metodos: Estudios transversales bianuales desde 1993. La seleccion tuvo lugar en saunas, sex-shops, un parque publico y por correo a los socios de la Coordinadora Gay-Lesbiana, mediante un cuestionario anonimo y autoadministrado. Desde 1995 se recogieron muestras de saliva para determinar la prevalencia de infeccion por el VIH. Resultados:La prevalencia de la infeccion por el Virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana VIH se mantuvo constante de un 14,2% en 1995 a un 18,3% en 2002 (p > 0,05). Se observo una tendencia creciente en el porcentaje de HSH que tuvieron > 10 contactos sexuales en el ultimo ano (del 45,2% en 1995 al 55,7% en 2002; p 0,05). Conclusiones: Se sigue manteniendo una elevada prevalencia de VIH y de conductas de riesgo en los HSH en Barcelona. Reducir las ocasiones en las que se produce la PANP entre 2 varones serodiscordantes debe continuar siendo un objetivo estrategico para el control de esta epidemia.

Incremento en la prevalencia del VIH y en las conductas de riesgo asociadas en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres: 12 años de encuestas de vigilancia conductual en Cataluña

OBJECTIVES To describe trends in HIV prevalence, in risk behaviors associated with HIV transmission, and in knowledge and attitudes related to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited in Catalonia between 1995 and 2006. METHODS Biannual cross-sectional surveys were performed. An opportunistic sample of MSM was recruited in saunas, sex shops, bars and a cruising site in a public park. In addition, an anonymous self-administered questionnaire was sent by mail to all members of a gay and lesbian association (Coordinadora Gai-Lesbiana). Oral fluid samples were collected to determine HIV prevalence. Linear trends in proportions were assessed by the chi(2) test, stratified by age. RESULTS The overall prevalence of HIV infection increased from 8.5% (1995) to 14.1% (2006) among men aged less than 30 years old (p=0.162) and from 18.2% (1995) to 21.2% (2006) among those aged 30 years old or more (p=0.07). Consistent condom use in anal intercourse with occasional partners decreased from 72.9% to 58.7% in men aged less than 30 years old (p <0.05) and from 77.2% to 65.6% in those aged 30 years old or more (p<0.001). The proportion of men who reported they chose riskier behaviors because of ART increased from 9.2% to 19.4% in men aged less than 30 years old and from 8.3% to 16.7% in those aged 30 years old or more (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS An increasing trend in the prevalence of HIV and associated risk behaviors was found in Catalonia among MSM. Therefore, preventive programs targeting this population should be intensified and should include new risk reduction strategies, as well as other educational messages about ART.

Detection of hepatitis C virus antibodies in oral fluid specimens for prevalence studies

Within the framework of hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence monitoring, we evaluated oral fluid (OF), which is richer in IgG than whole saliva, as a possible alternative to serum for the detection of HCV antibodies. Paired OF and serum samples were collected from 90 individuals, including 45 HCV-positives and 45 HCV-negatives. The detection of HCV antibodies in both serum and OF was performed using the Ortho HCV 3.0 SAVe enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc., Raritan, NJ), but a modified, more sensitive protocol was used to process OF. The sensitivity and specificity of this assay were 86.67% (95% confidence interval (CI): 72.51–94.46%) and 100% (95% CI: 90.20–99.80%) in OF and 100% in serum. The correlation obtained between both types of clinical specimens was excellent (k: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.66–1.07). However, the negative predictive value (NPV) of the assay in OF decreased with the prevalence of HCV infection in the population studied. Our results suggest that the modified Ortho HCV 3.0 SAVe ELISA is suitable for the detection of HCV antibodies in OF for epidemiological studies. Using this assay, we observed an unadjusted anti-HCV prevalence of 78.6% among a population of intravenous drug users; when adjusted to account for assay sensitivity, this prevalence may be closer to 90%.

Undiagnosed HIV infection in a population of MSM from six European cities: results from the Sialon project

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this article is to assess the distribution of undiagnosed HIV infection in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Southern and Eastern European countries, to describe the differences in epidemiology and behaviour between undiagnosed, diagnosed HIV-positive and HIV-negative MSM and to identify factors associated with undiagnosed HIV infection in the study population. METHODS A multi-centre biological and behavioural cross-sectional study was conducted in 2008. Time-location sampling was used to recruit men attending different venues. A self-administered questionnaire was completed and oral fluid samples were collected to estimate HIV prevalence. RESULTS HIV prevalence was 17% in Barcelona, 12% in Verona, 6% in Bratislava, 5% in Ljubljana, 5% in Bucharest and 3% in Prague while undiagnosed HIV infection was 47, 62, 67, 83, 85 and 57%, respectively. Diagnosed HIV-positive men reported more casual partners than HIV-negative MSM (mean: 19 and 9, respectively) (P < 0.001), and they were more likely to self-reported condyloma in the last year than undiagnosed HIV-positive and HIV-negative men (15, 1 and 3%, respectively) (P < 0.001). Factors associated with undiagnosed HIV infection included attending sex-focused venues (OR = 2.49), reporting syphilis in the previous 12 months (OR = 2.56), using poppers at last sexual intercourse (OR = 3.36) and having had an HIV test in the previous year (OR = 2.00). CONCLUSIONS Many HIV infections remain undiagnosed, and there is evidence of the persistence of frequent risk behaviours and sexually transmitted infections (STI) despite knowledge of HIV-positive status, emphasising the need for a multidimensional approach to HIV/STI prevention. Access to HIV testing should be considered a priority in prevention programs targeted at MSM, especially in Eastern Europe.

High Prevalence and Incidence of HIV and HCV Among New Injecting Drug Users With a Large Proportion of Migrants—Is Prevention Failing?

ABSTRACT Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess differences in the prevalence of HIV and HCV infection and associated risk factors between new (injecting for ≤5 years) and long-term injectors and to estimate HIV/HCV incidence among new injectors. Methods: Cross-sectional study among people who inject drugs (PWID) who attended harm reduction centers in Catalonia in 2010–11. Anonymous questionnaires and oral fluid samples were collected. Poisson regression models were applied to determine the association between HIV/HCV infection and risk factors. Results: Of the 761 participants, 21.4% were new injectors. New injectors were younger than long-term injectors (mean age = 31.6 vs. 37.8) and were more likely to be immigrants (59.0% vs. 33.4%). HIV and HCV prevalence was 20.6% and 59.4% among new injectors, and estimated HIV and HCV incidence 8.7 and 25.1 /100 person-years, respectively. Among new injectors, HIV infection was associated with homelessness (PR = 3.10) and reporting a previous sexually transmitted infection (PR = 1.79). Reporting front/backloading (PR = 1.33) and daily injection (PR = 1.35) were risk-factors for HCV infection. For long-term injectors, HIV risk factors were: having shared syringes (PR = 1.85), having injected cocaine (PR = 1.38), reporting front/backloading (PR = 1.30) and ever having been in prison (PR = 2.03). Conclusion: A large proportion of PWID in Catalonia are new injectors, a subgroup with a high level of both sexual and parenteral exposure and a high incidence rate of HIV/ HCV infections. It is important to improve early diagnosis of these infections among this group, in particular among migrants. To identify and address risk factors for homelessness PWID should be a priority.

Gender differences in HIV risk behaviours among intravenous drug users in Catalonia, Spain

OBJECTIVE To describe gender differences in injection and sexual risks behaviours, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C (HCV) prevalence among injecting drug users (IDU) in Catalonia, Spain. METHODS Cross-sectional studies in 2008-2009 (n=748) and 2010-2011 (n=597) in the network of harm reduction centres. Face to face interviews were conducted and oral fluid samples were collected to estimate HIV/HCV prevalence. RESULTS Female were more likely than male IDU to have had a steady sexual partner (68.2% versus 44.9%), to have had an IDU steady sexual partner (46.6% versus 15.1%) and to have exchanged sex for money or drugs in the last 6 months (25.5% versus 2.3%). There were no gender differences in injecting risk behaviours. HIV prevalence was 38.7% (91/235) in women and 31.5% (347/1103) in men (p=0.031). HIV prevalence among female IDU who reported having exchange sex for money or drugs was 53.3% (32/60). The prevalence of HCV was 67.4% (159/236) and 73.6% (810/1101) in female and male IDU, respectively (p=0.053). After adjustment by immigrant status, age and years of injection, differences among HIV/HCV prevalence by gender were not significant. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated differences in sexual risk behaviours between male and female IDU, but failed to find gender differences in injecting risk behaviours. Apart from that, the higher prevalence of HIV among women than among men, together with a lower prevalence of HCV, provides evidence that sexual transmission of HIV is important among female IDU. Additional studies are needed to analyze in-depth these specific risk factors for women in order to develop appropriate prevention and health education programs.

Diferencias en las características sociales, conductas de riesgo y prevalencia de infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana e infecciones de transmisión sexual entre trabajadoras del sexo españolas e inmigrantes en Cataluña

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To describe and compare the social characteristics, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoae prevalences, and risk behaviours among immigrant female sex workers (FSW) according to their geographical area of origin. MATERIAL AND METHOD Cross-sectional study in an opportunistic sample of FSW in Catalonia in 2005 using an anonymous questionnaire. Oral fluid and urine samples were collected to determine the prevalence of HIV and C. trachomatis/N. gonorrhoeae, respectively. RESULTS Four hundred women participated in the study; 10.8% from Spain, 32.5% from Eastern Europe, 30.7% from Latin America, and 26% from Africa. The majority of them (95.5%) always used condoms during vaginal intercourse with clients, but only 12.4% with steady partners. Overall HIV, C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae prevalences were 1.8%, 5.5% and 0.6%, respectively. Spanish women injected drugs more frequently (9.3%), and used condoms less commonly (85.7% used condoms consistently) (p < 0.05). We observed differences in HIV prevalence only (9.3% among Spanish FSW; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS To insist on consistent condom use with clients and steady partners has to become a prevention strategy. Spanish FSW need special attention because they reported less use of condoms and highest HIV prevalences.