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Factor de impacto: 3,390 Q2 Factor de impacto: 3,390 Q2 Alcohol-related harm decreases as socioeconomic position increases, although sometimes the opposite happens with alcohol intake. The objective was to know the educational gradient in monthly measures of drinking amount and heavy episodic drinking (HED) among people aged 25-64 years in Spain from 1997-2017. Such gradient was characterized with the relative percent change (PC) in drinking measures per year of education from generalized linear regression models after adjusting for age, year, region, marital status and immigration status. Among men, the PCs were significantly positive (p < 0.05) for prevalence of 40 g/day (-6.0%) and ≥4 HED days (-3.2%), while among women they ranged from 3.6% to 5.7%. The gradient in prevalences of >40 g/day (men) and >20 g/day (women) was greatly attenuated after additionally adjusting for HED, while that of ≥4 HED days was only slightly attenuated after additionally adjusting for drinking amount. Among women, the gradients, especially in HED measures, seem steeper in 2009-2017 than in 1997-2007. Educational inequality remained after additional adjustment for income and occupation, although it decreased among women. These results can guide preventive interventions and help explain socioeconomic inequalities in alcohol-related harm. This study was funded by the Delegación del Gobierno para el Plan Nacional sobre Drogas (DGPNSD) [grant number 2021I034], Instituto de Salud Carlos III–ISCIII [grant numbers ENPY397/18-PFIS and PI18CIII/00047] and Instituto Mixto de Investigación UNED-Escuela Nacional de Sanidad [grant number IMIENS-2021-003-PII]. Sí

Introduction We assessed poor linkage to HIV care in a sample of HIV positive men who have sex with men (MSM) diagnosed in Spain. Methods From 2012 to 2013 we recruited a sample of MSM mainly through gay-dating websites. Poor linkage to care was defined as receiving the first CD4 count >3 months after HIV diagnosis. We performed a logistic regression analysis to estimate factors associated with poor linkage to care and analyzed the underlying reasons. Results Some 9.4% self-reported poor linkage to care. Those diagnosed in clinical settings other than sexual health clinics or in non-clinical settings presented increased odds of poor linkage to care. The most common reason was being assigned an appointment for first CD4 count >3 months after initial HIV diagnosis. Conclusion Poor linkage to care was very low, but for further improvements fast-track referral pathways should be created, especially in contexts outside sexual health clinics.

Incluye versión en español e inglés Factor de impacto: 2,979 Q3 [ES] El objetivo es describir y discutir los métodos y asunciones para estimar la mortalidad atribuible a alcohol en España en 2001-2017. Se estimó el nº medio anual de muertes atribuibles a alcohol (MAAs) basándose en 19 grupos de causas de muerte relacionadas con alcohol (18 parcialmente atribuibles y uno directamente atribuible), y 20 fracciones atribuibles poblacionales al alcohol (FAPs) para cada grupo de causas, resultantes de combinar sexo, 5 grupos de edad, y los períodos 2001-2009 y 2010-2017. Las muertes por causa se obtuvieron del Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Para las causas parcialmente atribuibles se calcularon FAPs específicas para España, usando la fórmula de Levin con datos de exposición al alcohol procedentes de encuestas de salud y estadísticas de ventas, y riesgos relativos procedentes de metanálisis internacionales. Se consideraron las prevalencias anuales de exbebedores y de siete niveles de consumo diario de alcohol. Se corrigió la subestimación del consumo medio diario autoinformado con respecto a las estadísticas de venta, multiplicando por un factor de 1,58-3,18, dependiendo del año-calendario. Se calcularon tasas de MAA y porcentajes de la mortalidad general atribuibles a alcohol estandarizados por edad, según sexo, grupo de edad, periodo-calendario, tipo de bebedor y comunidad autónoma. Se realizaron análisis de sensibilidad observando cómo cambiaban las estimaciones de MAA al hacerlo algunas opciones metodológicas, como el criterio de exbebedor o la introducción de un período de latencia. The objective is to describe and discuss methods and assumptions to estimate the mortality attributable to alcohol in Spain in 2001-2017. [EN] The annual mean number of deaths attributable to alcohol (DAAs) was estimated based on 19 groups of alcohol-related causes of death (18 partially attributable and one directly attributable), and 20 alcohol population-attributable fractions (PAFs), resulting from combining sex, 5 age groups, and the periods 2001-2009 and 2010-2017, for each cause group. Deaths from causes were obtained from the Spanish National Institute of Statistics. For partially attributable causes, Spain-specific PAFs were calculated using the Levin formula with alcohol exposure data from health surveys and sales statistics, and relative risks from international meta-analyses. Annual prevalences of ex-drinkers and seven levels of daily alcohol consumption were considered. The underestimation of self-reported daily average consumption with respect to the sales statistics was corrected by multiplying by a factor of 1.58-3.18, depending on the calendar year. DAA rates standardized by age and standardized proportions of general mortality attributable to alcohol, according to sex, age group, calendar period, type of drinker and autonomous community were calculated. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess how the DAA estimates changed when changing some methodological options, such as the ex-drinker criterion or the introduction of a latency period. Este artículo es un producto de trabajos realizados en el marco de un proyecto de investigación financiado por la Delegación del Gobierno para el Plan Nacional sobre Drogas (DGPNSD) [Nº Exp: 2015I040] y del apoyo con recursos humanos del Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Contrato ISCIII-PFIS, Nº Expediente: ENPY-397/18-PFIS). Sí

We assessed previous knowledge about the existence of HIV self-testing of stakeholders in Spain, as well as their personal position towards this methodology. We also assessed their views on potential users' (PU) opinions towards several key operational aspects surrounding self-testing, and compared them to those expressed by a sample of PU comprised of men who have sex with men. In 2017, we recruited three types of stakeholders: public health professionals and policy makers (PHPPM) (n = 33), clinical providers (n = 290) and community-based/non-governmental organization (CBO/NGO) workers (n = 55). Data on PU (n = 3537) were collected in 2016. Previous knowledge about the existence of self-testing was higher in stakeholders than in PU, but being in favor was less frequent. PUs' willingness to pay 25-30 euros for a self-test was higher than that which stakeholders considered. According to clinical providers and PHPPM, pharmacies would be PUs' preferred place to obtain a self-test, which was in line with PUs' actual choice. CBO/NGO workers on the other hand thought it would be CBO/NGOs. PHPPM and clinical providers considered primary care as PUs' preferred setting to confirm a reactive self-test and CBO/NGO chose CBO/NGOs, but PUs preferred an HIV/STI testing service or clinic. Stakeholders' opinions significantly differed from those of PUs. This divergence needs to be brought up to stakeholders as it could vary their position towards self-testing as well as the actions taken in the implementation of a testing option with the potential of increasing testing frequency. This research was funded by Consumers, Health and Food Executive Agency, grant number CHAFEA: 20131101 and Acción Estratégica Intramural, grant number PI17CIII/00037. Sí

Background & Aims: Free treatments for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with direct-acting antivirals became widespread in Spain in April 2015. We aimed to test whether, after this intervention, there was a more favorable change in population mortality from HCV-related than from non-HCV-related causes. Approach & Results: Post-intervention changes in mortality were assessed using uncontrolled before-after and single-group interrupted time series designs. All residents in Spain during 2001-2018 were included. Various underlying death causes were analyzed: HCV infection, other HCV-related outcomes (hepatocellular carcinoma, liver cirrhosis, and HIV disease); and non-C hepatitis, other liver diseases, and non-hepatic causes as control outcomes. Changes in mortality after the intervention were first assessed by rate ratios (RR) between the post and pre-intervention age-standardized mortality rates. Subsequently, using Quasi-Poisson segmented regression models, we estimated the annual percent change (APC) in mortality rate in post- and pre-intervention periods. All mortality rates were lower during the post-intervention period, although RRs were much lower for HCV [0.53, 95% Confidence Interval -95%CI-: 0.51, 0.56] and HIV disease than other causes. After the intervention there was a great acceleration of the downward mortality trend from HCV, whose APC went from -3.2% [95%CI: -3.6%, -2.8%] to -18.4% [95%CI: -20.6%, -16.3%]. There were also significant accelerations in the downward trends in mortality from hepatocellular carcinoma and HIV disease, while they remained unchanged for cirrhosis and slowed or reversed for other causes. Conclusions: These results suggest that the favorable changes in HCV-related mortality observed for Spain after April 2015 are attributable to scaling up free treatment with direct-acting antivirals and reinforce that HCV eradication is on the horizon. This research was funded by Acción Estratégica Intramural, grant numbers PI18CIII/00047 and PI17CIII/00037.

Background We analyse unprotected anal intercourses (UAI) self-reported by a sample of men who have sex with men (MSM), by their future testing intentions and past testing history to identify undertested subpopulations that could be contributing to onward transmission. Methods We recruited MSM through gay dating websites in Spain from September 2012 to April 2013. For MSM at risk of acquiring or unknowingly transmitting HIV (at risk hereafter) we calculate time at risk, number of UAI in the last 12 months and last 5 years by testing intention (low intention (LI), Medium intention (MI), high intention (HI)) and past testing history. For never testers we analyse the reasons for not having been tested. Results Of 3272 MSM at risk, 19.8% reported LI of testing. MSM with LI reported the longest period at risk (8.49 years (p p p p = 0.006). Conclusion We identified a group of high risk and undertested MSM that could be behind a substantial proportion of the UAIs with potential of transmission/acquisition of HIV. Given their low willingness to seek an HIV test and low risk perception, they constitute a population that will probably require approaches other than client initiated strategies.

BackgroundWe assessed to what extent HIV self-testing would be incorporated by men who have sex with men (MSM) with previous testing history as their exclusive testing option and describe what actions they would take in the case of obtaining a reactive self-test.MethodsWe conducted an online survey among Spanish resident MSM recruited mainly in gay dating apps and analyze 6171 ever tested individuals. We used Poisson regression to estimate factors associated with the incorporation of self-testing as the exclusive testing option. Among those who would incorporate self-testing as their exclusive option, we described actions taken if obtaining a reactive self-test by number of tests in the past.ResultsNearly half of the participants (48.3%) were > =35 years old, 84.6% were born in Spain, 57.9% had attained a university degree, 55.1% lived in a municipality of ≤500.000 and 86.4% self-identified as homosexual. For 37.2%, self-testing would become their exclusive testing option. The incorporation of self-testing as the exclusive option increased with age 25–34 (PR:1.1, 95%CI:1.0–1.3), 35–44 (PR:1.3, 95%CI:1.2–1.5), 45–49 (PR:1.5, 95%CI:1.3–1.7) and > 50 (PR:1.5, 95%CI:1.3–1.8) and in those who reported unprotected anal intercourse (PR:1.1, 95%CI:1.0–1.2) or having paid for sex (PR:1.2, 95%CI:1.0–1.3) in the last 12 months. It was also associated with having had ConclusionHIV self-testing could become the exclusive testing option for more than a third of our participants. It was chosen as the exclusive option especially by older, at risk and under-tested MSM. Self-testing strategies need to especially consider the linkage to care process. In this sense, only a small fraction would not know how to react and virtually nobody reported taking no action if obtaining a reactive result.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the capacity of HIV self-testing to promote testing among untested men who have sex with men (MSM) and determined the most benefited subpopulations. METHODS: An online questionnaire was disseminated on several gay websites in Spain from September 2012 to April 2013. We used Poisson regression to estimate factors associated with the intention to use self-testing if already available. Among those who reported intention of use, we assessed several aspects related to the testing and linkage to care process by type of barrier reported: low perceived risk (LR), structural barriers (SB) and fear of testing positive (FTP). RESULTS: Of 2589 never-tested MSM, 83% would have used self-testing if already available. Intention of use was associated with age ≥30 (adj.PR, 95%CI: 1.05, 1.01-1.10), having had protected (adj.PR, 95%CI: 1.15, 1.02-1.30) or unprotected (adj.PR, 95%CI: 1.21, 1.07-1.37) anal intercourse and reporting FTP (adj.PR, 95%CI: 1.12, 1.05-1.20) or SB to access HIV testing (adj.PR, 95%CI: 1.23, 1.19-1.28). Among those who reported intention of using a self-testi, 78.3% declared it their preferred option (83.8% in the SB group; p

To estimate the relationship of the degree of urbanization to cardiovascular mortality and to risk behaviours before, during and after the 2008 economic crisis in Spain Methods In three areas of residence – large urban areas, small urban areas and rural areas – we calculated the rate of premature mortality (0–74 years) from cardiovascular diseases before the crisis (2005–2007), during the crisis (2008–2010 and 2011–2013) and after the crisis (2014–2016), and the prevalence of risk behaviours in 2006, 2011 and 2016. In each period we estimated the mortality rate ratio (MRR) and the prevalence ratio, taking large urban areas as the reference. Results In men, no significant differences were observed in mortality between the two urban areas, while the MRR in rural areas went from 0.92 [95% confidence interval, 0.90–0.94) in 2005–2007 to 0.94 (0.92–0.96) in 2014–2016. In women, no significant differences were observed in mortality between the rural and large urban areas, whereas the MRR in small urban areas decreased from 1.11 (1.08–1.14) in 2005–2007 to 1.06 (1.02–1.09) in 2014–2016. The rural areas had the lowest prevalence of smoking, obesity and physical inactivity in men, and of obesity in women. No significant differences were observed in smoking or physical inactivity by area of residence in women. Conclusion The pattern of cardiovascular mortality by degree of urbanization was similar before and after the crisis, although in women the excess mortality in small urban areas with respect to large urban areas was smaller after the crisis. The different pattern of risk behaviours in men and women, according to area of residence, could explain these findings, This work was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI16/00455) y el European Regional Development Fund

Introduction The objective was to assess changes in drug- and alcohol-related mortality by educational attainment during the last financial crisis in Spain. Methods Data came from the 2001 Census Longitudinal Study. We included 22.2 million residents in Spain aged ≥35 at census date followed-up until December 2011. Outcomes were drug-related mortality (DRM) and deaths directly attributable to alcohol (DDA). Mortality risks before and during the crisis were assessed using age-standardized rates and educational inequalities by estimating age-adjusted Rate Ratios (RR) and Relative Indexes of inequality (RII) between educational groups. Results During the first four year of the crisis, DRM and DDA in men and women increased in all educational subgroups except for DRM in men with tertiary studies (−15%). The increase in mortality was larger in those with higher educational status, with women with tertiary studies experiencing the largest increases in DRM (+100%) and DDA (+114%). Mortality risks for both outcomes followed an educational gradient before and during the crisis in men and women, with those with primary studies being at higher risk. Absolute and relative measures of inequality decreased during the crisis, except for DRM in men. Conclusions DRM and DDA follow an inverse educational gradient, with those with primary studies being at higher risk. During the last financial crisis, DRM decreased only in men with tertiary studies, with DRM and DDA increasing in all other groups. The increase was larger in those with higher educational status, reducing inequalities in all groups except of DRM in men.

Introduction Contact with the healthcare system by a sample of seropositive men who have sex with men (MSM) prior to their HIV diagnosis are analysed, and missed opportunities (MO) for an earlier HIV diagnosis are identified. Methodology Between 2012 and 2013, an online survey was conducted among HIV-positive MSM, mainly recruited from gay websites. Those who were diagnosed with HIV between 2010 and 2013 were analysed. MO were defined as episodes prior to the HIV diagnosis in which the healthcare system was contacted due to an indicator condition of HIV infection and the test was not suggested. The proportion of missed opportunities was compared according to the type of indicator condition, the department consulted and the healthcare professional's knowledge that the patient was MSM. Results Overall, 639 participants (66% of 966) reported 1145 episodes with some indicator condition, the majority of these being identified in primary care (n = 527; 46%). The highest percentage of MOs is also observed in primary care (63%). Although the indicator condition with the highest number of MOs was STIs (n = 124), the highest percentage of MOs was observed in consultations due to diarrhoea with no known cause (69.8%). The percentage of MOs when the doctor knew that the patient was MSM was 40 vs. 70% when the doctor did not know. Conclusion The majority of HIV-positive MSM analysed in this study went to healthcare services for HIV-infection indicator conditions prior to their HIV diagnosis. Primary care was the most-frequently-visited department and is also where the most opportunities were missed to perform an HIV test, even when it was known that the patient was a MSM.