Search

Background. The Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U) message has been promoted since it was demonstrated that viral suppression through HIV treatment prevents sexual transmission between serodiscordant partners (HIV treatment as prevention). Our study assessed familiarity with, perceived accuracy of, and willingness to rely on U=U in a national sample of gay and bisexual men in Australia. Methods. We conducted a national, online cross-sectional survey in April-June 2021. Eligible participants were gay, bisexual and queer men and non-binary people who lived in Australia. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with familiarity, perceived accuracy and willingness to rely on U=U (by having condomless sex with a partner with HIV who has an undetectable viral load). Results. Of 1280 participants, most were familiar with U=U (1006/1280; 78.6%), the majority of whom believed U=U was accurate (677/1006; 67.3%). Both familiarity and perceived accuracy were higher among participants living with HIV, followed by pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users, HIV-negative participants not taking PrEP, and untested/unknown status participants. Knowing at least one person living with HIV, among other factors, was associated with familiarity and perceived accuracy of U=U; and familiarity was associated with perceived accuracy. Among participants familiar with U=U, less than half were willing to rely on U=U (473/1006; 47.0%). Familiarity with U=U and knowing at least one person living with HIV were associated with willingness to rely on U=U, among other factors. Conclusions. We found familiarity with U=U was associated with perceived accuracy and willingness to rely upon it. There is an ongoing need to educate gay and bisexual men (particularly HIV-negative men) about U=U and its benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Condoms have been the primary form of HIV prevention for gay and bisexual men (GBM) for most of the HIV epidemic. The introduction of biomedical HIV prevention may have changed attitudes towards condoms. Data from repeated national online surveys of GBM in Australia were used to examine how attitudes towards condoms and confidence discussing condoms with partners changed in the period 2011-2019. The proportion of all participants who reported a positive experience in using condoms remained low and unchanged (9.6% in 2011 to 6.0% in 2019). Confidence in discussing condoms with partners decreased over time (from 72.2% in 2011 to 56.6% in 2019). Confidence in discussing condoms was associated with concern about sexually transmitted infections, and more consistent condom use. Sustaining confidence in using condoms may be more challenging as biomedical prevention methods become more commonly used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gay and bisexual migrants from low‐ and middle‐income countries living in high‐income countries are disproportionately diagnosed with HIV. Most research focuses on preventing HIV acquisition among HIV‐negative migrant gay and bisexual men (GBM). This study is uniquely positioned to report on migrant GBM's experiences and needs at and after an HIV diagnosis. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 24 migrant GBM diagnosed at sexual health clinics in Australia from 2017 onwards. Interviews were analysed using a codebook thematic analysis. Due to the stigma of HIV and homosexuality in their countries of origin, about half of participants had poor HIV knowledge prior to diagnosis. Absorbing diagnosis information was consequently difficult, and feelings of shame, hopelessness, lost sexual opportunities and infectiousness were common. However, many were thankful for the comprehensive clinical support they received and believed that over time life would 'normalise' with sustained undetectable viral load. None reported that their clinician stigmatised them, but the anticipation of stigma nonetheless infused their experiences after diagnosis. Many were selective about HIV disclosure, and some mentioned that clinic systems posed a risk to confidentiality. Non‐permanent residents were concerned about the impacts of HIV status on future visa applications. We recommend that newly HIV‐diagnosed migrant GBM receive referral to legal and culturally appropriate migration services to help absorb what a diagnosis might mean for their health and visa status. We also recommend sexual health clinics continue to assess confidentiality in their systems. Health promotion initiatives should highlight to migrant GBM that high‐HIV caseload sexual health clinicians provide confidential and comprehensive care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: HIV prevention cascades can assist in monitoring the implementation of prevention methods like preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). We developed 2 PrEP cascades for Australia's primary HIV-affected population, gay and bisexual men. Methods: Data were drawn from 2 national, repeated, crosssectional surveys (the Gay Community Periodic Surveys and PrEPARE Project). One cascade had 3 steps, and the other had 7 steps. Trends over time were assessed using logistic regression. For the most recent year, we identified the biggest drop between steps in each cascade and compared the characteristics of men between the 2 steps using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Thirty-nine thousand six hundred and seventy non--HIVpositive men participated in the Periodic Surveys during 2014-2018. PrEP eligibility increased from 28.1% (1901/6762) in 2014 to 37.3% (2935/7878) in 2018 (P, 0.001), awareness increased from 29.6% (563/1901) to 87.1% (2555/2935; P, 0.001), and PrEP use increased from 3.7% (21/563) to 45.2% (1155/2555; P, 0.001). Of 1038 non--HIV-positive men in the PrEPARE Project in 2017, 54.2% (n = 563) were eligible for PrEP, 97.2% (547/563) were aware, 67.6% (370/547) were willing to use PrEP, 73.5% (272/370) had discussed PrEP with a doctor, 78.3% (213/272) were using PrEP, 97.2% (207/213) had recently tested, and 75.8% (157/207) reported reduced HIV concern and increased pleasure because of PrEP. The break point analyses indicated that PrEP coverage was affected by geographical availability, education level, employment, and willingness to use PrEP. Conclusions: PrEP eligibility, awareness, and use have rapidly increased among Australian gay and bisexual men. The cascades identify disparities in uptake by eligible men as a result of socioeconomic factors and PrEP's acceptability [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]