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JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2021 Apr 13;9(4):e19511. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.

Background: eHealth interventions based on risk stratification have not been extensively applied for HIV behavioral interventions among HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM).

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a mobile phone intervention based on an HIV risk prediction tool in promoting HIV testing and reducing high-risk behavior among HIV-negative MSM in China.

Methods: We performed a mobile phone-based randomized controlled clinical trial for 12 weeks. Read More

Curr HIV Res 2021 Apr 11. Epub 2021 Apr 11.

Department of Health Informatics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto. Japan.

Background: Sexual minorities, such as men who have sex with men (MSM), are dis-proportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS compared to heterosexual men . The increased prevalence of HIV/AIDs among this group of individuals is associated with increased participation in HIV-related risk behavior, such as multiple sexual partnerships and in-jection drug use. However, very little is known about the prevalence of HIV and the risk behaviors related to HIV infection among MSM in Iran. Read More

J Obes 2021 18;2021:1272316. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

Department of Psychology and Education, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã 6200-209, Portugal.

Background: With the growing recognition of overweight and obesity as significant, international public health concerns, the body of research investigating the relationship between body mass index (BMI), sexual health, and sexual functioning in sexual minority men is still scarce.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess sexual health determinants (sexual behavior and sexual functioning) in relation to normal weight, overweight, and obesity among gay and bisexual men.

Methods And Materials: The survey included four categories of questions/measurements, encompassing sociodemographic information, protected/unprotected sexual behaviors, sexual functioning, and BMI. Read More

Health Educ Behav 2021 Apr 3:10901981211000312. Epub 2021 Apr 3.

Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) increasingly use internet-based websites and geospatial apps to seek sex. Though these platforms may be useful for public health intervention, evaluations of such interventions are rare. We sought to evaluate the online behavior of young MSM of color in Philadelphia and the effectiveness of using ads to link them to DoYouPhilly. Read More

Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 2021 Apr 1. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Alcohol use is a key risk factor for HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM), primarily because it interferes with condom use. However, little is known about the cognitive-emotional mechanisms through which alcohol influences decisions to use condoms with high-risk partners among MSM. In this study, we tested whether alcohol-related deficits in inhibitory control and attention bias toward sexual cues (vs. Read More

J Med Internet Res 2021 Mar 24;23(3):e25107. Epub 2021 Mar 24.

The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, United States.

Background: HIV disproportionately affects young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in the United States. Uptake of evidence-based prevention strategies, including routine HIV testing and use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), is suboptimal in this population. Novel methods for reaching YMSM are required. Read More

J Am Coll Health 2021 Mar 24:1-10. Epub 2021 Mar 24.

Department of Economics, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA.

To determine the impact of fraternity and sorority membership on condom use during sex. Utilizing data from The American College Health Association (ACHA) National College Health Assessment from 2016-2018, we estimated a linear probability, logistic, and instrumental variable model to determine the relationship between fraternity and sorority membership and the frequency of condom use during sex. Compared to non-fraternity members, fraternity members experience an increase in sex without a condom for both oral sex (13. Read More

Soc Sci Med 2021 Mar 12;272:111655. Epub 2018 Mar 12.

School of Public Health, 50 University Hall, #7360, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-7360, USA. Electronic address:

Rationale: Female sex workers (FSW) across the world are at high risk for HIV infection and much work is needed to scale up HIV prevention programs among this group. Conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs have been used successfully in recent years to encourage behavior change. We report the results of a CCT intervention among FSW in Tanzania. Read More

BMJ Sex Reprod Health 2021 Mar 11. Epub 2021 Mar 11.

MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.

Background: The initial response to COVID-19 in the UK involved a rapid contraction of face-to-face sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and widespread use of remote workarounds. This study sought to illuminate young people's experiences of accessing and using condoms and contraception in the early months of the pandemic.

Methods: We analysed data, including open-text responses, from an online survey conducted in June-July 2020 with a convenience sample of 2005 16-24-year-olds living in Scotland. Read More

Health Educ Behav 2021 Apr;48(2):190-198

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

. African American adolescents and young adults have an increased likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behaviors. With rising rates of sexually transmitted infections among this population, deeper consideration is now being focused on using social media to engage, educate, and improve sexual behavior in this group. Read More

Lancet HIV 2021 03;8(3):e175-e180

Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA.

There is widespread unawareness and disbelief regarding the evidence-based conclusion that people who have a sustained undetectable HIV viral load cannot sexually transmit HIV-ie, undetectable=untransmittable (U=U). Long-standing, misguided fear about HIV transmission persists; consequently, so does the policing of sexual expression and the penalisation of pleasure faced by people with HIV. Many people with HIV with an undetectable viral load have unnecessarily abstained from condomless sex, avoided serodifferent partnering, and had anxiety about onward sexual transmission due to perceived HIV risk that is now known to be non-existent. Read More

J Sex Res 2021 Mar 3:1-10. Epub 2021 Mar 3.

School of Nursing, University of Hong Kong.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) use dating applications (apps) to explore various romantic and sexual relationships. This qualitative study aimed to describe HIV-negative MSM's experiences with app usage, the sexual activities arranged accordingly and their experiences in using dating apps to arrange sexual encounters. Thirty-one MSM who were sexually active and who used dating apps were recruited. Read More

AIDS Behav 2021 Feb 25. Epub 2021 Feb 25.

Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Cisgender men who have sex with transgender women face elevated risk for HIV, yet are understudied in prevention research. We conducted in-depth interviews with 19 men who have sex with transgender women in Baltimore, Maryland and Atlanta, Georgia to explore perspectives on HIV prevention. Participants used several strategies to reduce HIV risk: condoms, frequent HIV testing, communication about HIV status with partners, and limiting the types of sex acts performed. Read More

Afr J AIDS Res 2021 Mar 25;20(1):42-52. Epub 2021 Feb 25.

Human and Social Capabilities Programme, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa.

Voluntary counselling and testing is one of the effective prevention strategies against the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This study investigated the psychosocial determinants of the intention to be tested for HIV among young men in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province using the theory of planned behaviour as the guiding framework. A facilitator-administered questionnaire was used to collect data among 350 isiZulu-speaking men between the ages of 18 and 35. Read More

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 2021 Feb;42(2):278-283

Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology of National Health Commision (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.

To understand the current status of HIV self-testing reagent use in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and related factors in men who have sex with men (MSM). From December 2018 to December 2019, "Gold data" online platform (www.jinshuju. Read More

Lancet HIV 2021 04 19;8(4):e206-e215. Epub 2021 Feb 19.

MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK; HIV Prevention Trials Network Modelling Centre, Imperial College London, London, UK; Abdul Latif Jameel Institute for Disease and Emergency Analytics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, men who have sex with men (MSM) in the USA have reported similar or fewer sexual partners and reduced HIV testing and care access compared with before the pandemic. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use has also declined. We aimed to quantify the potential effect of COVID-19 on HIV incidence and HIV-related mortality among US MSM. Read More

J Adolesc Health 2021 Apr 11;68(4):686-695. Epub 2021 Feb 11.

Behavioral Health and Research Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based comprehensive sexual health curriculum (FLASH) on high-school students' sexual behavior and related outcomes.

Methods: A cohort of 1,597 9th and 10th grade students representing 20 schools from two regions in the U.S. Read More

J Am Coll Health 2021 Feb 12:1-7. Epub 2021 Feb 12.

Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA.

This study gathered preliminary data on the impact of the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic on the substance use, sexual behavior, and general well-being of U. Read More

J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2021 Feb 8. Epub 2021 Feb 8.

PolicyLab, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Division of Adolescent Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Study Objective: Nonadherence in sexual risk reduction interventions might be common among adolescents. We compared intervention completion rates among adolescent and young adult women with and without a previous pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection (STI) participating in a program to improve contraceptive continuation.

Design: Secondary data analysis from a feasibility study of a health-coaching intervention to improve contraceptive continuation. Read More

Int J STD AIDS 2021 Mar 11;32(4):361-367. Epub 2021 Feb 11.

Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, 546354Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Data regarding disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners among perinatally acquired HIV-infected (PHIV) youth are limited, particularly from Asian countries. This cross-sectional study assessed the patterns of, attitudes about, and factors associated with HIV disclosure to sexual partners among PHIV youth aged 15-24 years who attended a pediatric HIV clinic in Thailand. Participants were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire designed to elicit demographic and sexual behavior information. Read More

Pediatrics 2021 Mar 10;147(3). Epub 2021 Feb 10.

Center for Innovative Public Health Research, San Clemente, California.

Background: Although lesbian, gay, bisexual and other sexual minority (LGB+) girls are more likely than heterosexual girls to be pregnant during adolescence, relevant pregnancy prevention programming is lacking.

Methods: A national randomized controlled trial was conducted with 948 14- to 18-year-old cisgender LGB+ girls assigned to either Girl2Girl or an attention-matched control group. Participants were recruited on social media between January 2017 and January 2018 and enrolled over the telephone. Read More

AIDS Care 2021 Feb 10:1-7. Epub 2021 Feb 10.

Department of Epidemiology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.

Despite the development of targeted interventions for men who have sex with men, this population continues to comprise the majority of new HIV diagnoses. Though condoms are highly efficacious, some sexually active MSM use sero-sorting as a method of HIV prevention. This study aimed to characterize: (1) differences between partner sero-status and condom use likelihood, and (2) demographic, behavioral, and knowledge-related factors influencing condom use likelihood with varying sero-status partners. Read More

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2021 29;63:e4. Epub 2021 Jan 29.

Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ciências da Saúde, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

Syphilis, an infectious disease considered a global public health concern, can cause stillbirths and neonatal deaths. This highlights the importance of continuous surveillance studies among women of reproductive age. A cross-sectional study was carried out to analyze the prevalence and risk factors associated with Treponema pallidum infection in women assisted by primary health care units in Dourados, a city located in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, which borders Paraguay. Read More

Pan Afr Med J 2021 5;38. Epub 2021 Jan 5.

Department of Public Health Technology, School of Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri Imo State, Nigeria.

Introduction: globally young people constitute one quarter of the population. They are the most vibrant and productive sector, but they are also prone to more risky sexual behaviour (RSB) with attendant negative consequences. In the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, persistent conflicts and socioeconomic difficulty predisposes young people to risky conducts including RSB. Read More

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2021 May;87(1):652-662

Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe; and.

Introduction: Young women who sell sex (YWSS) are at disproportionate risk of HIV. Reducing YWSS' vulnerability requires engaging their male sexual partners. To achieve this, we need to understand the characteristics and dynamics of their sexual partnerships to inform effective interventions. Read More

BMC Public Health 2021 Jan 26;21(1):221. Epub 2021 Jan 26.

Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan, 250012, Shandong Province, China.

Background: In China, non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) is not a conventional service yet and nPEP related studies are very few. Recently, China's 13th Five Year Action Plan for HIV/AIDS Containment and Prevention examines the feasibility of including nPEP as one of the national strategies for HIV prevention. However, there is a concern that nPEP use might exacerbate high-risk sexual activities. Read More

Women Health 2021 Mar 24;61(3):294-302. Epub 2021 Jan 24.

College of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.

Low contraceptive knowledge may limit contraception initiation or continuation and, consequently, could represent an important, modifiable cause of unintended pregnancy. The objective of this analysis was to identify correlates of knowledge among women at risk of unintended pregnancy. We analyzed data from a study of 222 young women attending a public clinic in Kingston in November 2018 to March 2019. Read More