Examining a syndemic framework for HIV and sexually transmitted infections Risk in Cali, Colombia.

Objetivo: Examinar el papel desempeñado por cuatro afecciones psicosociales: sexo forzado, iniciación sexual temprana, uso inadecuado de alcohol y drogas ilícitas en el riesgo de VIH e infecciones de transmisión sexual, en Cali-Colombia entre 2013-2015. Métodos: Utilizando datos de una campaña de consejería y pruebas de VIH en Cali, Colombia, probamos el efecto de la acumulación e interacciones de las cuatro condiciones psicosociales en la positividad al VIH y la positividad a otras enfermedades de transmisión sexual. Resultados: 604 participantes de las principales comunidades afectadas: hombres que tienen sexo con hombres, mujeres transgénero y trabajadoras sexuales. 733 participantes mujeres y hombres heterosexuales. Solo, abuso de drogas se asoció con positividad VIH (Razón de prevalencia = 2.3, IC 95%: 1.3–4.1), mientras que, todas las condiciones psicosociales se asociaron con historia de infecciones de transmisión sexual. La acumulación de condiciones sindémicas se relacionó con mayor probabilidad de historia de infecciones de transmisión sexual. Ninguna interacción probada fue significativa. Conclusiones: Nuestros hallazgos resaltan la importancia de intervenciones integrales de salud mental para abordar la epidemia de VIH en Colombia.Objective: We examined the role played by four psychosocial conditions: forced sex, early sexual initiation, and misuse of alcohol and illicit drugs on the risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections in Cali-Colombia between 2013 and 2015. Methods: Using data from an HIV counseling and testing campaign in Cali, Colombia, we tested the effect of the accumulation and interactions of the four psychosocial conditions on both outcomes. Results: A total of 604 participants were representative subjects from key affected communities: men who have sex with men, transgender women and female sex workers. A total of 733 participants were heterosexual women and men. Only drug abuse was associated with HIV positivity (Prevalence ratio=2.3, CI 95%: 1.3–4.1), while all psychosocial conditions were associated with sexually transmitted infection history. The accumulation of the syndemic conditions was related to a higher likelihood of sexually transmitted infection history. None of the interactions tested was significant. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of comprehensive mental health interventions in addressing HIV epidemics in Colombia

HIV Testing and Counselling in Colombia: Local Experience on Two Different Recruitment Strategies to Better Reach Low Socioeconomic Status Communities

HIV testing rates remain very low in Colombia, with only 20% of individuals at risk ever tested. In order to tackle this issue, the Corporacion de Lucha Contra el Sida (CLS) has implemented a multidisciplinary, provider-initiated, population-based HIV testing/counselling strategy named BAFI. In this report, we describe the experience of CLS at reaching populations from low socioeconomic backgrounds in 2008-2009. Two different approaches were used: one led by CLS and local health care providers (BAFI-1) and the other by CLS and community leaders (BAFI-2). Both approaches included the following: consented HIV screening test, a demographic questionnaire, self-reported HIV knowledge and behaviour questionnaires, pre- and posttest counselling, confirmatory HIV tests, clinical follow-up, access to comprehensive care and antiretroviral treatment. A total of 2085 individuals were enrolled in BAFI-1 and 363 in BAFI-2. The effectiveness indicators for BAFI-1 and BAFI-2, respectively, were HIV positive-confirmed prevalence = 0.29% and 3.86%, return rate for confirmatory results = 62.5% and 93.7%, return rate for comprehensive care = 83.3% and 92.8%, and ART initiation rate = 20% and 76.9%. Although more people were reached with BAFI-1, the community-led BAFI-2 was more effective at reaching individuals with a higher prevalence of behavioural risk factors for HIV infection