Trends and emerging directions in HIV risk and prevention research in the Philippines: A systematic review of the literature.

BackgroundThe Philippines is experiencing one of the fastest growing epidemics globally. Evidence-based public health policies are needed. To describe the public health literature on HIV risk groups and prevention approaches in the Philippines, we reviewed published empirical studies with HIV-related outcomes.MethodsBased on an a priori systematic review protocol, we searched PubMed, PsycINFO and CINAHL databases for quantitative studies conducted in the Philippines that reported on HIV risk groups factors and interventions to prevent HIV. The search included studies published as of April 2018.ResultsWe identified 755 records, screened 699 unique titles and abstracts, and conducted full text review of 122 full reports of which 51 articles met inclusion criteria. The majority were cross-sectional studies describing HIV and STI prevalence and risk factors in samples recruited from the Philippines. Four HIV prevention programs conducted in the Philippines were identified, all of which reported improvements on HIV knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Overall, female sex workers (FSWs) constituted the primary study population, and few studies reported data from men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWIDs), and youth. No studies reported on transgender populations. Most studies were focused on examining condom use-related outcomes and STI history, few had biomarkers for HIV, and none addressed biomedical HIV prevention strategies.ConclusionThis review identifies an agenda for future HIV research that is needed to address the growing and shifting nature of the HIV epidemic in the Philippines

Correlates of geosocial networking applications (GSN Apps) usage among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Nigeria, Africa

Geosocial networking applications (GSN apps) are widely utilized by gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) to meet potential sexual/romantic partners, foster friendships, and build community. However, GSN apps usage has been linked to elevated levels of HIV sexual risk behavior among GBMSM. Little is known about how GSN apps can facilitate HIV sexual risk behaviors, especially among GBMSM in Africa. To fill this gap in research, the present study aimed to characterize the frequency of GSN apps usage and its association with sociodemographic characteristics, sexual health, healthcare access, psychosocial problems, and substance use in a large multicity sample of community-recruited GBMSM in Nigeria (N = 406). Bivariate and multivariable ordinal logistic regression procedures were used to examine factors associated with GSN apps usage. We found that 52.6% of participants reported recent (≤ 3 months) GSN apps use to meet sexual partners. Factors associated with increased odds of GSN apps usage included: being single, having a university degree or higher, reporting higher recent receptive anal sexual acts, being aware of PrEP, having a primary care provider, and reporting higher levels of identity concealment. HIV-related intervention delivered through GSN apps may help curb the spread of HIV among Nigerian GBMSM

Sword and Shield: Perceptions of law in empowering and protecting HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Manila, Philippines

Legal protections for people living with HIV (PLHIV) are important for protecting human rights and combatting stigma. While much focus has been on the pernicious impacts of criminalisation of HIV transmission or nondisclosure, little research has accounted for the ways in which perception of protective laws may affect the everyday lives of PLHIV. The Philippines has the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the Asia & Pacific region, with HIV-positive men-who-have-sex-with-men (HIV+ MSM) bearing the majority of cases, and has recently revised their legal protections for PLHIV. We present findings from interviews with 21 HIV+ MSM in Manila, Philippines. Overall, participants viewed legal protections as both empowering and protective. Empowerment was achieved as protections helped participants manage internalised stigma, feel as if they had a weapon to fight discrimination, and perceive a more equitable climate around HIV within broader society. While participants felt as though the law sent positive signals that the government wanted to protect PLHIV, they doubted the actual legal process of bringing suits, leading to harms. Overall, this research presents ways in which legal protections can considered in interventions to empower PLHIV and also identifies opportunities to improve research and advocacy in settings with similarly protective laws