Meanings and vulnerability to HIV/AIDS among long-distance truck drivers in Brazil

OBJECTIVE To understand the meanings assigned by long-distance truck drivers to HIV/AIDS and its transmission and prevention, bearing in mind different contexts of vulnerability. METHODS Qualitative research with 22 truck drivers. Semi-structured interviews and participant observation were conducted in highways of the state of Bahia in 2013. We selected male truck drivers, with one year or more of work experience in long-distance routes. We carried out the thematic analysis of the interviews, to identify different contexts of vulnerability. RESULTS The results showed that the insertion of truck drivers in contexts of high social vulnerability (poor working conditions, violence on the roads, and use of alcohol and other drugs) along with the advances in access and effectiveness of treatment for AIDS promote a reduced perception of the risk and severity of this disease. In addition, the notion of “risk group” and the symbolic division between “home space” (protected) and “street space” (unprotected) intensified a restricted and specific use of condoms, guided by the opposition between “woman of the street” (unknown women, prostitutes, among others) and “woman of the house” (wives, girlfriends). CONCLUSIONS The meanings assigned by truckers to AIDS incorporated elements of recent transformations of the expanded social context, such as the development of health technologies (especially anti-retroviral drugs) and the guarantee of free access to treatment in the Brazilian public health system; but also incorporated old elements of social vulnerability context – such as the poor working conditions on Brazilian highways.OBJETIVO Compreender os significados atribuídos pelos caminhoneiros de rota longa ao HIV/aids e à sua transmissão e prevenção, tendo em vista diferentes contextos de vulnerabilidade. MÉTODOS Pesquisa qualitativa com 22 caminhoneiros. Foram realizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas e observação participante em rodovias do estado da Bahia em 2013. Foram selecionados caminhoneiros do sexo masculino, com um ano ou mais de experiência de trabalho em rotas de longa distância. Realizou-se análise temática das entrevistas, orientada para identificação de diferentes contextos de vulnerabilidade. RESULTADOS Os resultados mostraram que a inserção dos caminhoneiros em contextos de alta vulnerabilidade social (más condições de trabalho, violência nas estradas e uso de álcool e outras drogas) e os avanços no acesso e efetividade do tratamento para aids favorecem a minimização da percepção de risco e gravidade dessa doença. Além disso, a noção de “grupo de risco” e a divisão simbólica entre “espaço da casa” (protegido) e “espaço da rua” (desprotegido) intensificaram um uso restrito e específico do preservativo, orientado pela oposição entre “mulher do mundo” (desconhecidas, prostitutas, entre outros) e “mulher de casa” (esposas, namoradas). CONCLUSÕES Os significados atribuídos pelos caminhoneiros à aids incorporaram elementos de transformações recentes do contexto social ampliado, como o desenvolvimento de tecnologias em saúde (com destaque para os antirretrovirais) e a garantia de acesso gratuito ao tratamento no sistema público de saúde no Brasil; mas também incorporaram antigos elementos do contexto de vulnerabilidade social – a exemplo das más condições de trabalho nas estradas brasileiras

Comparing HIV risk-related behaviors between 2 RDS national samples of MSM in Brazil, 2009 and 2016

Introduction: Periodic monitoring of sociobehavior characteristics at a national level is an essential component of understanding the dynamics the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic worldwide, including Brazil. Methods: This paper compares descriptive sociobehavior characteristics in 2 national cross-sectional HIV biological behavioral surveillance surveys (BBSS) conducted in 2009 and 2016 among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Brazil. Respondent driven sampling (RDS) was used for recruitment in both years. Overall proportions were weighted according to Gile’s estimator using RDS Analyst Software and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for comparisons between the 2 periods. Further comparisons were stratified by age groups (<25 and 25+ years old). Results: Overall, 3749 and 4176 MSM were recruited in 2009 and 2016, respectively. In 2016, participants were younger than 25 years old (58.3%), with 12 or more years of education (70.4%), with higher socioeconomic status (40.7%), and had a higher proportion of whites (31.8%), as compared to 2009. Also, participants in 2016 reported less alcohol use and binge drinking, but used illicit drugs more frequently. There was an increase among MSM who self-reported their HIV risk as low and had low HIV knowledge while the proportion of those who were never tested for HIV dropped from 49.8% in 2009 to 33.8% in 2016. Although more than three-quarters received free condoms in both years, STD counseling remained low (32% and 38% for 2009 and 2016, respectively). Sexual risk behavior remained at high levels, especially unprotected anal receptive sex and sex with multiple partners. Younger MSM (<25 years old) showed riskier sexual practices than those 25+ years old, when comparing 2016 to 2009. Conclusions: Our results indicate a worrisome risk behavior trend among Brazilian MSM, especially among younger ones. These results can contribute for a better understanding of the HIV epidemics in Brazil, with timely shift in strategies so improved effectiveness in public health prevention efforts can be achieved

Factors associated with self-reported discrimination against men who have sex with men in Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To estimate self-reported discrimination due to sexual orientation among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Brazil and to analyze associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 3,859 MSM recruited in 2008–2009 with respondent driven sampling. Data collection conducted in health centers in 10 Brazilian cities. A face-to-face questionnaire was used and rapid HIV and syphilis tests conducted. Aggregated data were weighted and adjusted odds ratio estimated to measure the association between selected factors and self-reported discrimination due to sexual orientation. RESULTS: The sample was predominantly young, eight plus years of schooling, pardo (brown), single, low-income, and identified themselves as gay or homosexual. The prevalence of self-reported discrimination due to sexual orientation was 27.7% (95%CI 26.2–29.1). Discrimination was independently associated with: age &lt; 30 years, more years of schooling,community involvement and support, history of sexual and physical violence, suicidal thoughts, and unprotected receptive anal intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of self-reported discrimination among MSM in Brazil is high. These results challenge the assumptions that MSM-specific prevention and support programs are not required or that health professionals do not need special training to address MSM needs

Factores asociados al uso inconsistente del preservativo con las parejas comerciales entre los hombres que tienen sexo con hombres en Brasil

O objetivo foi analisar os fatores associados ao uso inconsistente de preservativo com parceiros comerciais entre homens que fazem sexo com homens (HSH) no Brasil. Foi feito um estudo transversal, com HSH adultos, recrutados por meio da técnica respondent-driven sampling (RDS), em 12 capitais brasileiras, em 2016. Os HSH responderam a um questionário sociocomportamental, que incluía questões sobre o comportamento sexual. O uso inconsistente de preservativo com parceiros comerciais foi mensurado por meio das relações sexuais anais insertivas e receptivas, ocorridas nos últimos seis meses e na última relação sexual. A associação entre as variáveis independentes e o uso inconsistente de preservativo foi mensurada utilizando o modelo de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta, com estimação de razões de prevalência ajustadas (RPa). Foram analisados dados de 461 HSH. A prevalência de uso inconsistente de preservativo com parceiros comerciais foi de 26% (IC95%: 19,0-34,3, n = 123). Pertencer às classes econômicas mais baixas (D/E), ter médio ou baixo conhecimento sobre HIV, ter praticado sexo anal insertivo e receptivo e nunca ter realizado teste para HIV na vida são fatores que estiveram associados ao uso inconsistente de preservativo com parceiros comerciais. As variáveis associadas ao uso inconsistente indicaram que o sexo comercial está sendo praticado em um contexto de maior vulnerabilidade à infecção pelo HIV. Nesse sentido, são necessárias intervenções biomédicas e comportamentais, com foco no acesso e na utilização de estratégias de prevenção, aliadas a políticas públicas para a redução de desigualdades socioeconômicas entre HSH que praticam sexo comercial.We aimed to analyze the factors associated with inconsistent condom use among men who have sex with men (MSM) and their commercial sexual partners in Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study with adult MSM who were recruited via respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in 12 Brazilian capitals in 2016. MSM answered a sociobehavioral questionnaire which included questions on their sexual behavior. The inconsistent use of condoms with their clientele was measured via insertive and receptive anal sex in the six months prior to our research and in their last sexual intercourse. The association between independent variables and the inconsistent use of condoms was measured via a Poisson regression model with robust variance and estimation of adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR). Data from 461 MSM were analyzed. We found a 26% prevalence of inconsistent condom use with their clientele (95%CI: 19.0-34.3, n = 123). Belonging to the lowest economic classes (D/E), having medium or low knowledge about HIV, having practiced insertive and receptive anal sex, and having never tested for HIV throughout their lives were associated with inconsistent use of condoms with their clientele. The variables associated with inconsistent use indicated that commercial sex is practiced in a context of greater vulnerability to HIV infection, referring to the need for biomedical and behavioral interventions which focus on access to and use of prevention strategies together with public policies to reduce socioeconomic inequalities among MSM who practice commercial sexual.El objetivo fue analizar los factores asociados al uso inconsistente del preservativo con las parejas comerciales entre los hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) en Brasil. Estudio transversal, con HSH adultos, reclutados a través de la técnica respondent-driven sampling (RDS), en 12 capitales brasileñas, en 2016. Los HSH respondieron a un cuestionario sociocomportamental que incluía preguntas sobre el comportamiento sexual. El uso inconsistente del preservativo con parejas comerciales se midió por las relaciones anales insertivas y receptivas que se produjeron en los últimos seis meses y por la última relación sexual. La asociación entre las variables independientes y el uso inconsistente del preservativo se midió mediante el modelo de regresión de Poisson con varianza robusta, con estimación de las razones de prevalencia ajustadas (RPa). Se analizaron los datos de 461 HSH. La prevalencia del uso inconsistente del preservativo con las parejas comerciales fue del 26% (IC95%: 19,0-34,3, n = 123). Pertenecer a las clases económicas más bajas (D/E), tener un conocimiento medio o bajo sobre el VIH, haber practicado sexo anal tanto insertivo como receptivo y no haberse sometido nunca a la prueba del VIH en su vida se asociaron con el uso inconsistente del preservativo con las parejas comerciales. Las variables asociadas al uso inconsistente indicaron que el sexo comercial se está practicando en un contexto de mayor vulnerabilidad a la infección por el VIH, refiriendo la necesidad de intervenciones biomédicas y conductuales, con un enfoque en el acceso y uso de estrategias de prevención, junto con políticas públicas para reducir las desigualdades socioeconómicas entre los HSH que practican el sexo comercial

Acceptability of HIV self-testing is low among men who have sex with men who have not tested for HIV : a study with respondent-driven sampling in Brazil

Background: Brazil has many people living with HIV (PLWH) who are unaware of their serostatus. The public health system has recently added HIV self-testing (HIVST) for key populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM). This study estimates HIVST acceptability among Brazilian MSM and explores factors associated with acceptability among MSM who have never tested for HIV or who had a previous negative result. Methods: Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) was used to recruit 4176 MSM in 12 Brazilian cities in 2016 to this biological and behavioral surveillance study. We excluded from this analysis all MSM who were aware of their positive HIV serostatus. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. Overall proportions were weighted with Gile’s estimator in RDS Analyst software and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The analyses of HIVST acceptability were stratified by prior HIV testing (never or one or more times). Results: For this analysis, 3605 MSM were included. The acceptability of HIVST was 49.1%, lower among those who had never tested for HIV (42.7%) compared to those who had a previous HIV negative test (50.1%). In the subgroup of MSM who had never tested for HIV, those who reported discrimination or who had a medical appointment in the last 12months reported higher HIVST acceptability. Among MSM who had a previous negative HIV test, only those reporting condomless receptive anal sex reported higher HIVST acceptability. In addition, we observed that high levels of knowledge of HIV/AIDS, taking part in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender nongovernmental organizations (LGBTNGO), or complete secondary or incomplete higher undergraduate education reported higher acceptability. Conclusions: The acceptability of HIVST was low among MSM, especially among those who never tested for HIV. Given access to HIVST in Brazil, we point to the need for programs that enhance promotion of testing addressed to MSM

Implicación en organizaciones no gubernamenntales y participación en acciones de prevención contra el VIH/sida de hombres que practican sexo con hombres en Brasil

A epidemia do HIV no Brasil é concentrada em populações-chave. Organizações não governamentais (ONGs) que atuam em defesa dos direitos da população LGBT e de pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento de políticas de prevenção. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o envolvimento em ONGs e analisar sua associação com a participação individual em ações de educação em saúde, testagem e prevenção às infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST) e ao HIV, como parte de um estudo nacional de vigilância biológica e comportamental entre homens que fazem sexo com homens (HSH). Trata-se de estudo transversal utilizando respondent driven sampling (RDS) em 12 cidades brasileiras. A magnitude da associação do envolvimento em ONGs com cada ação foi avaliada pela estimativa de odds ratio por meio de regressão logística por amostragem complexa, considerando cada cidade como um estrato e ponderando pelo estimador de Gile. Foi estimada a proporção relativa atribuída ao envolvimento em ONGs para cada evento avaliado. Dentre 4.176 participantes, a maioria tinha menos de 25 anos (56,5%) e baixo nível econômico (56,7%). Um quarto dos HSH referiu se envolver em ONGs, que foi significativamente associado com as ações avaliadas: receber preservativo e gel lubrificante, participar de palestra, receber material educativo e aconselhamento em IST, conhecimento de profilaxia pós-exposição (PEP) e profilaxia pré-exposição (PrEP), testagem para sífilis e HIV, ter aceitação do autoteste e saber onde realizar teste para HIV. ONGs têm um papel histórico na resposta à epidemia de HIV no Brasil e, apesar de terem sofrido significativa redução de recursos nos últimos anos, mantêm relevante atuação nas ações de saúde pública.The HIV epidemic in Brazil is concentrated in key populations. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) working in defense of LGBT rights and the rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS can contribute to the development of prevention policies. The current study’s objectives are to assess involvement in NGOs and analyze the association with individual participation in health education, testing, and STI and HIV prevention activities as part of a national study on biological and behavioral surveillance in men who have sex with men (MSM). This is a cross-sectional study using respondent-driven sampling in 12 Brazilian cities. The magnitude of the association between involvement in NGOs and each activity was assessed with estimation of odds ratios via logistic regression with complex sampling, considering each city as a stratum and weighting by the Gile estimator. The relative proportion attributed to involvement in NGOs was estimated for each event. Among 4,176 participants, the majority were under 25 years of age (56.5%) and with low socioeconomic status (56.7%). One-fourth of MSM reported being involved in NGOs, which was associated significantly with the target activities: receiving free condoms and lubricant gel, participating in talks on STIs, receiving educational materials and counseling on STIs, prior knowledge of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), testing for syphilis and HIV, acceptance of HIV self-testing, and knowing where to get an HIV test. NGOs play a historical role in the response to the HIV epidemic in Brazil, and despite a significant cutback in resources in recent years, they have maintained relevant work in public health activities.La epidemia de VIH en Brasil se concentra en poblaciones clave. Organizaciones no gubernamentales (ONGs) que actúan en defensa de los derechos de la población LGBT, y de personas viviendo con VIH/sida, pueden contribuir al desarrollo de políticas de prevención. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la implicación en ONGs y analizar su asociación con la participación individual en acciones de educación en salud, pruebas y prevención frente a las IST y al VIH, como parte de un estudio nacional de vigilancia biológica y comportamental entre hombres que practican sexo con hombres (HSH). Se trata de un estudio transversal, utilizando respondent driven sampling en 12 ciudades brasileñas. Se evaluó la magnitud de la asociación de la implicación en ONGs con cada acción mediante la estimación de odds ratio, a través de una regresión logística por muestra compleja, considerando cada ciudad como un estrato, y ponderando por el estimador de Gile. Se estimó la proporción relativa atribuida a la implicación en ONGs para cada evento evaluado. De entre los 4176 participantes, la mayoría tenía menos de 25 años (56,5%) y bajo nivel económico (56,7%). Un cuarto de los HSH mencionó estar implicado en ONGs, lo que estuvo significativamente asociado con las acciones evaluadas: recibir preservativo y gel lubrificante, participar en ponencias, recibir material educativo y consejo en IST, conocimiento de profilaxia pos-exposición (PEP) y profilaxia pre-exposición (PrEP), pruebas de sífilis y VIH, haber aceptado el autotest y saber donde realizar el test para el VIH. Las ONGs tienen un papel histórico en la respuesta a la epidemia de VIH en Brasil y, a pesar de haber sufrido una significativa reducción de recursos en los últimos años, mantienen una relevante actuación en las acciones de salud pública

Evaluating the impact of social determinants, conditional cash transfers and primary health care on HIV/AIDS: Study protocol of a retrospective and forecasting approach based on the data integration with a cohort of 100 million Brazilians.

BACKGROUND: Despite the great progress made over the last decades, stronger structural interventions are needed to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC). Brazil is one of the largest and data-richest LMIC, with rapidly changing socioeconomic characteristics and an important HIV/AIDS burden. Over the last two decades Brazil has also implemented the world's largest Conditional Cash Transfer programs, the Bolsa Familia Program (BFP), and one of the most consolidated Primary Health Care (PHC) interventions, the Family Health Strategy (FHS). OBJECTIVE: We will evaluate the effects of socioeconomic determinants, BFP exposure and FHS coverage on HIV/AIDS incidence, treatment adherence, hospitalizations, case fatality, and mortality using unprecedently large aggregate and individual-level longitudinal data. Moreover, we will integrate the retrospective datasets and estimated parameters with comprehensive forecasting models to project HIV/AIDS incidence, prevalence and mortality scenarios up to 2030 according to future socioeconomic conditions and alternative policy implementations. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will combine individual-level data from all national HIV/AIDS registries with large-scale databases, including the "100 Million Brazilian Cohort", over a 19-year period (2000-2018). Several approaches will be used for the retrospective quasi-experimental impact evaluations, such as Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD), Random Administrative Delays (RAD) and Propensity Score Matching (PSM), combined with multivariable Poisson regressions for cohort analyses. Moreover, we will explore in depth lagged and long-term effects of changes in living conditions and in exposures to BFP and FHS. We will also investigate the effects of the interventions in a wide range of subpopulations. Finally, we will integrate such retrospective analyses with microsimulation, compartmental and agent-based models to forecast future HIV/AIDS scenarios. CONCLUSION: The unprecedented datasets, analyzed through state-of-the-art quasi-experimental methods and innovative mathematical models will provide essential evidences to the understanding and control of HIV/AIDS epidemic in LMICs such as Brazil

HIV/AIDS knowledge among MSM in Brazil : a challenge for public policies

Introdução: Alto nível de conhecimento sobre HIV/aids é necessário para uma efetiva adoção de estratégias preventivas. Objetivo: Avaliar o nível de conhecimento sobre HIV/aids entre homens que fazem sexo com homens (HSH) de 12 cidades brasileiras. Metodologia: O método Respondent-Driven Sampling foi utilizado para recrutamento. O conhecimento sobre HIV/aids foi avaliado por meio de 12 perguntas e analisados pela Teoria de Resposta ao Item. Foram estimados os parâmetros de dificuldade e discriminação e o escore de conhecimento categorizado em três níveis: alto, médio e baixo. Regressão logística foi utilizada para a análise. Resultados: Do total de 4.176 HSH, a proporção de alto nível de conhecimento foi de 23,7%. Estiveram associados positivamente (p < 0,05) com o alto conhecimento: idade 25+ anos, escolaridade 12+ anos, cor da pele branca, ter plano de saúde, ter sofrido discriminação devido à orientação sexual, ter realizado teste para sífilis e recebido material educativo nos últimos 12 meses. Ter recebido dinheiro por sexo esteve negativamente associado. Conclusões: A proporção de apenas 23,7% de alto nível de conhecimento sobre HIV/ aids foi baixa. Destaca-se que a única potencial fonte formal de aquisição de conhecimento associada com alto nível de conhecimento foi receber material educativo. Este estudo aponta a necessidade de expandir as políticas públicas de prevenção focadas no segmento HSH e com estratégias de comunicação mais eficazes, incluindo o desenvolvimento de conhecimento que envolva motivação e habilidade para um comportamento mais seguro.Introduction: High level of HIV/Aids knowledge is necessary for an effective adoption of preventive strategies. Objective: To assess HIV/Aids knowledge among men who have sex with men (MSM) in 12 Brazilian cities. Methods: Respondent-Driven Sampling method was used for recruitment. HIV/Aids knowledge was assessed by Item Response Theory. Difficulty and discrimination parameters were estimated and the knowledge score was categorized in three levels: high, medium and low. Logistic regression was used for analysis. Results: Among 4,176 MSM, the proportion of high level of knowledge was 23.7%. The following variables were positively associated with high knowledge (p < 0.05): age 25+ years old, 12+ years of education, white skin color, having health insurance, having suffered discrimination due to sexual orientation, having had a syphilis test and having received educational material in the previous 12 months. Exchanging sex for money was negatively associated. Conclusions: The proportion of only 23,7% of high HIV/Aids knowledge was low. We should note that the only potential source of knowledge acquisition associated with high level of knowledge was receiving educational material. This study indicates the need for expansion of public prevention policies focused on MSM and with more effective communication strategies, including the development of knowledge that involves motivation and abilities for a safer behavior