Background A dramatic increasing trend of HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) was observed in China from 2000. Most previous investigations were based on convenience sampling and none of them differentiated money boys (MB) from other MSMs. The objectives of this study was to determine the prevalence of HIV infection and its risk factors among MSMs in Shenzhen, China, using approximate probability sampling methods; and to interpret HIV transmission pattern among MSMs with both phylogenetical and epidemiological information. / Conclusions The prevalence of MV infection in Shenzhen MSMs was similar to the national rate in MSMs. HIV infection and related characteristics in Mf3s and other MSMs were different, indicating that a separate analysis was necessary. TLS could provide information on venue comparisons for venue-based MSMs and RDS could recruit more hidden subjects. Results from this study suggest that venue-specific intervention approaches should be developed and provided to different venues. / Results HIV prevalence was 5.5% among MSMs in Shenzhen. A significantly lower HIV infection was observed in MBs (4.5%) compared with other MSMs (7.0%). The HIV infection rate among MSMs was 5.7% by TLS and 4.6% by RDS, which were not significantly different. Factors related to HIV infection in MSMs included syphilis infection, occupation, sexual orientation, venue for recruitment and hometown HIV prevalence. HIV rate and social-behavioral characteristics were found to vary with venues, with significantly higher rates in family clubs, parks and saunas, than entertainment venue. Molecular phylogenetical analysis showed that genetic clusters were related to receptive anal intercourse, short stay in Shenzhen, early age of first sex, and high hometown HIV prevalence. Venue-specific transmission chains were observed in 60% of the subjects. / Subjects and Methods A total of 2143 MSMs were recruited in Shenzhen from 2008 to 2009, including 1651 persons from time-location sampling (TLS) and 492 from respondent-driven sampling (RDS). A separate recruitment of MBs and other MSMs was applied in TLS surveys and a mixed sample of MSMs was applied in RDS. All subjects were interviewed and had blood tests for HIV and syphilis. HIV positive samples were further used for phylogenetic analysis. / Zhao, Jin / Adviser: Mingliang He. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-02, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 161-177). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Tam, Ka Po. / Thesis submitted in: September 2008. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 151-161). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgement --- p.vi / Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Human Immunodeficiency Virus --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Sexual Transmission of HIV --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- HIV Prevalence in MSM Worldwide --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4 --- Risk Factors for Homosexual Men --- p.8 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Individual Factors --- p.8 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Societal Factors --- p.12 / Chapter 1.5 --- HIV Prevalence of MSM in Hong Kong --- p.17 / Chapter 2 --- Literature Review --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1 --- The Literature Search --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2 --- Results --- p.25 / Chapter 2.3 --- Reasons to Conduct Social Network Study --- p.26 / Chapter 2.4 --- Review on Methodologies --- p.29 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Data Source --- p.29 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Sampling Methods --- p.30 / Chapter 2.5 --- Review on Major Findings --- p.33 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Individual Characteristics --- p.33 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Partnerśة Characteristics --- p.34 / Chapter 2.5.3 --- Network Characteristics --- p.38 / Chapter 2.6 --- Critique --- p.40 / Chapter 2.7 --- Implication --- p.46 / Chapter 3 --- Methods --- p.49 / Chapter 3.1 --- Study Design --- p.49 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Sampling --- p.50 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Terminology --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2 --- Instruments --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Self-administered Questionnaire --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Demographics --- p.57 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Setting of Infection --- p.57 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Partnership Pattern --- p.59 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Semi-structured Interviewing Guide --- p.61 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Last Sexual Episode --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Sexual Role --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- Partner Selection --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2.9 --- Bem Sex-Role Inventory --- p.64 / Chapter 3.3 --- Data Analysis --- p.66 / Chapter 3.4 --- Ethical Considerations --- p.70 / Chapter 4 --- Results --- p.74 / Chapter 4.1 --- Sampling --- p.74 / Chapter 4.2 --- Characteristics of Respondents --- p.75 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Demographics --- p.75 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Settings of Infection --- p.77 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- HIV Test --- p.79 / Chapter 4.3 --- Partnership Pattern --- p.82 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Partner Types --- p.83 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Location for Partner Sourcing --- p.84 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Characteristics of Sex Partners --- p.86 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Sexual Behavioural Pattern --- p.87 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- The Influence of Partner Types --- p.92 / Chapter 4.3.6 --- Last Sex with Lover(s) and/or Regular Partner(s) --- p.95 / Chapter 4.3.7 --- Sexual Role in Anal Intercourse --- p.98 / Chapter 4.4 --- Networking Pattern --- p.103 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Individual Network --- p.104 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Cluster Analysis (with 2-mode correspondence analysis) --- p.108 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Social Network Analysis --- p.115 / Chapter 5 --- Discussion --- p.122 / Chapter 5.1 --- Possible Existence of 2 Sexual Networks in Hong Kong --- p.123 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Network Configuration --- p.123 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Network-related Behaviours --- p.128 / Chapter 5.2 --- Impact of Partnership Pattern on HIV Transmission --- p.129 / Chapter 5.3 --- The Importance of Sexual Role --- p.135 / Chapter 5.4 --- Limitations --- p.136 / Chapter 5.5 --- Implications --- p.141 / Appendices --- p.145 / Chapter A --- Self-administered Questionnaire --- p.145 / Bibliography --- p.151

Homens que fazem sexo com homens (HSH) são uma população desproporcionalmente mais afligidos pela infecção do HIV. A alta prevalência da infecção entre essa população, evidencia a necessidade de acompanhar novos comportamentos, no qual se destaca o uso das redes sociais móveis para agilizar o ato sexual ocasional. Assim, nosso estudo teve como objetivo analisar as vulnerabilidades de homens que fazem sexo com homens, usuários de aplicativos geossociais de encontro, à infecção por HIV. Para isso foram realizadas duas etapas sequenciais: 1ª- Revisão integrativa da literatura e 2ª - Estudo descritivo e exploratório. A pesquisa obedeceu as diretrizes éticas sobre pesquisas com seres humanos, reguladas pela resolução 466/12 e aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa da Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto /USP (1.921.265/2017). A revisão foi guiada pela questão: o uso de aplicativos de geossociais de encontro para encontrar parceiros sexuais aumenta o comportamento de risco para a infecção pelo HIV por HSH? Pesquisamos as bases de dados PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL e LILACS, considerando estudos primários publicados até dezembro de 2015, sem restrições de tempo. O conhecimento sintetizado guiou a estruturação e interpretação da próxima etapa. O estudo exploratório objetivou avaliar o conhecimento de homens que fazem sexo com homens usuários de aplicativo de encontro baseado em geolocalização, sobre o HIV/aids e implicações no estabelecimento de parcerias. Realizou-se entrevistas com 30 usuários do Hornet® recrutados no aplicativo pela técnica Time-Location Sampling (TLS). Os depoimentos gerados tiveram tratamento estatístico no software IRaMuTeQ, posteriormente analisados pela Classificação Hierárquica Descendente. A coleta de dados foi propiciada pela TLS modificada a realidade virtual. Na coleta de dados utilizouse a técnica Computer-Assisted Interview (CASI). A coleta foi realizada por dois pesquisadores devidamente treinados, que se registraram no aplicativo para ter acesso aos usuários e criaram um perfil público. Foram abordados os primeiros usuários online, que registraram em seu perfil o status sorológico atual para o HIV/aids. Usuários de aplicativos possuem conhecimento insuficiente sobre medidas de prevenção do HIV/aids, principalmente quando se descarta o preservativo masculino. O sexo com os parceiros encontrados por meio de aplicativos foi caracterizado como ocasional, imediato, desprotegido, associado ao uso de drogas e sem informações sobre o status de HIV dos parceiros. As relações estabelecidas pelos aplicativos revelam novos padrões de comportamento e relacionamento, colocando HSH frente a situações com alto risco de infecção pelo HIV e diferentes formas de proteção, que podem ocorrer simultaneamente / Men who have sex with men (MSM) are a population disproportionately more afflicted by HIV infection. The high prevalence of infection among this population evidences the need to follow new behaviors, in which the use of mobile social networks is emphasized to accelerate the occasional sexual act. Thus, our study aimed to analyze the vulnerabilities of men who have sex with men, users of geossocial applications against HIV infection. For this, two sequential steps were performed: 1st - Integrative literature review and 2nd - Descriptive and exploratory study. The research obeyed the ethical guidelines on research with human beings, regulated by resolution 466/12 and approved by the Committee of Ethics and Research of the School of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto/USP (1.921.265/2017). The review was guided by the question: does using geossocial dating applications to find sexual partners increase the risk behavior for HIV infection by MSM? We searched the databases PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL and LILACS, considering primary studies published until December 2015, without time restrictions. The synthesized knowledge guided the structuring and interpretation of the next step. The exploratory study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of men who have sex with men using geolocation-based dating software, about HIV/aids and implications for establishing partnerships. Interviews were conducted with 30 Hornet® users recruited in the application using the Time-Location Sampling (TLS) technique. The statements generated had statistical treatment in the IRaMuTeQ software, later analyzed by the Descending Hierarchical Classification. The data collection was provided by the modified TLS virtual reality. The Computer-Assisted Interview (CASI) technique was used for data collection. The collection was performed by two properly trained researchers, who registered in the application to have access to the users and created a public profile. The first online users, who recorded the current HIV/aids serological status in their profile, were discussed. Application users have insufficient knowledge about HIV/aids prevention measures, especially when discarding the male condom. Sex with partners found through applications was characterized as casual, immediate, unprotected, associated with drug use, and without information about partners\' HIV status. The relationships established by the applications reveal new patterns of behavior and relationships, placing MSM in situations of high risk of HIV infection and different forms of protection, which may occur simultaneously

This thesis presents data on two separate areas relevant to the prevention of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission in homosexual men. These data arise from the community-based Health in Men (HIM) cohort of HIV-negative homosexual men in Sydney. First, the association of circumcision status with HIV and STIs was examined. Older age, ethnicity and country of birth were demographic factors independently associated with circumcision status. Self-report was a valid measure of circumcision status in this population. Overall, being circumcised was associated with a non-significant reduced risk of HIV seroconversion in the HIM cohort (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.41-1.41, p=0.381). Among the one-third of participants predominantly practising the insertive role in anal intercourse (AI), being circumcised was associated with a significantly reduced risk of HIV infection (HR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03-0.80, p=0.026). Circumcised HIM participants also had a lower risk of incident syphilis (HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.15-0.84, p=0.019), however circumcision status had no significant effect on the remainder of prevalent and incident STIs examined. Second, risk factors for pharyngeal gonorrhoea and chlamydia were investigated. The BD ProbeTec nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) had a positive predictive value (PPV) for pharyngeal gonorrhoea diagnosis of only 30.4% (95% CI 25.2-36.1%) when compared to a previously validated NAAT targeting the gonococcal porA pseudogene. Pharyngeal gonorrhoea was common in HIM, mostly occurred without concurrent anogenital infection and may frequently spontaneously resolve. Infection was independently associated with younger age (p-trend=0.001), higher number of male partners (p-trend=0.002), contact with gonorrhoea (p<0.001) and insertive oro-anal sex with casual partners (p-trend=0.044). Pharyngeal chlamydia was less common but a high prevalence/incidence ratio suggested that infection may persist in the pharynx for long periods. Pharyngeal chlamydia was independently associated with receptive penile-oral sex with casual partners (p-trend=0.009). In conclusion, circumcision may have a role as an HIV prevention intervention among the subgroup of homosexual men who predominantly practise insertive rather than receptive AI. Regular screening of the pharynx including a validated supplemental NAAT for gonorrhoea diagnosis may prevent much transmission to anogenital sites, whereas chlamydia occurs too infrequently in the pharynx to recommend routine screening in homosexual men.

This qualitative study, informed by narrative and social constructionist theory, aimed to engage with the tensions and complexities emerging from the narratives of six white, South African homosexual men, of two different age-groups (older and younger). The intention was to assess the extent to which time-constrained understandings of homosexuality - as sin, sickness and adaptive choice - have impacted on the lived experience of these homosexuals. It was found that all-independent of era - refer to internalised homophobia. It was discovered, however, that due to freedom of the press, and psychologisation, while the younger participants testify to the complexity of their lived experience, they do have more recourse and agency in constructing and negotiating their sex lives, and their place in their gay communities. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

This thesis presents data on two separate areas relevant to the prevention of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission in homosexual men. These data arise from the community-based Health in Men (HIM) cohort of HIV-negative homosexual men in Sydney. First, the association of circumcision status with HIV and STIs was examined. Older age, ethnicity and country of birth were demographic factors independently associated with circumcision status. Self-report was a valid measure of circumcision status in this population. Overall, being circumcised was associated with a non-significant reduced risk of HIV seroconversion in the HIM cohort (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.41-1.41, p=0.381). Among the one-third of participants predominantly practising the insertive role in anal intercourse (AI), being circumcised was associated with a significantly reduced risk of HIV infection (HR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03-0.80, p=0.026). Circumcised HIM participants also had a lower risk of incident syphilis (HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.15-0.84, p=0.019), however circumcision status had no significant effect on the remainder of prevalent and incident STIs examined. Second, risk factors for pharyngeal gonorrhoea and chlamydia were investigated. The BD ProbeTec nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) had a positive predictive value (PPV) for pharyngeal gonorrhoea diagnosis of only 30.4% (95% CI 25.2-36.1%) when compared to a previously validated NAAT targeting the gonococcal porA pseudogene. Pharyngeal gonorrhoea was common in HIM, mostly occurred without concurrent anogenital infection and may frequently spontaneously resolve. Infection was independently associated with younger age (p-trend=0.001), higher number of male partners (p-trend=0.002), contact with gonorrhoea (p<0.001) and insertive oro-anal sex with casual partners (p-trend=0.044). Pharyngeal chlamydia was less common but a high prevalence/incidence ratio suggested that infection may persist in the pharynx for long periods. Pharyngeal chlamydia was independently associated with receptive penile-oral sex with casual partners (p-trend=0.009). In conclusion, circumcision may have a role as an HIV prevention intervention among the subgroup of homosexual men who predominantly practise insertive rather than receptive AI. Regular screening of the pharynx including a validated supplemental NAAT for gonorrhoea diagnosis may prevent much transmission to anogenital sites, whereas chlamydia occurs too infrequently in the pharynx to recommend routine screening in homosexual men.

Thesis (M.A. History)--University of Waikato, 2007. / Title from PDF cover (viewed April 9, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 127-140)

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Dec. 19, 2005). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 145-148). Also issued as print manuscript.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, 2005. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Nov. 30, 2006). Includes bibliographical references (p. 491-509).

Submitted by Maria Creuza Silva (mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-05-31T13:20:09Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Sandra Brignol. 2013.pdf: 4356092 bytes, checksum: 8471a9d9b8dbdafaeb02e20e0c99bfa4 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Creuza Silva(mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-05-31T13:20:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Sandra Brignol. 2013.pdf: 4356092 bytes, checksum: 8471a9d9b8dbdafaeb02e20e0c99bfa4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-05-31T13:20:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Sandra Brignol. 2013.pdf: 4356092 bytes, checksum: 8471a9d9b8dbdafaeb02e20e0c99bfa4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / A epidemia da infecção por HIV na população dos homens que fazem sexo com homens (HSH) continua a crescer em várias regiões do mundo, em parte devido à existência de homofobia e desrespeito aos direitos Humanos. Diante destas evidências e ausência de dados sobre a epidemia do HIV em Salvador, nós estimamos a prevalência do HIV, descrevemos e identificamos os fatores de vulnerabilidade associados a esta infecção. Analisamos e classificamos as redes sociais dos participantes, redes de parceiros sexuais e potenciais contatos sexuais via rede de afiliação formada indiretamente via frequência a locais para busca de parceiros sexuais. Este estudo de corte transversal faz parte da pesquisa multicêntrica “Comportamento, atitudes, práticas e prevalência de HIV e sífilis entre homens que fazem sexo com homens (HSH) em 10 cidades brasileiras”, em que analisamos os dados dos 383 HSH que participaram da pesquisa em Salvador. Utilizou-se a metodologia de recrutamento indicada para populações de difícil acesso ou escondidas, a Respondet Driven Sampling (RDS), para a seleção dos participantes. Utilizou-se a Regressão Logística Exata devido à baixa frequência da infecção por HIV e pequeno tamanho da amostra para estimar a associação do HIV e fatores de vulnerabilidade. E sob a perspectiva da Teoria das Redes Sociais Complexas, analisou-se as redes sociais de interesse dos HSH. A prevalência do HIV foi de 6,3%(IC95%=4%-9%), e a análise descritiva mostrou que os HSH estão em situação de vulnerabilidade com proporções expressivas de indivíduos com baixa escolaridade(33%), de classe social mais baixas(75%), desempregados(37%) e com experiências com algum tipo de discriminação (57%). A sífilis na vida teve uma prevalência de 9,7% (IC95%= 7%-13%). 20% dos HSH tiveram mais de oito parceiros sexuais, sexo anal desprotegido com ultimo parceiro casual e fixo foi similar (41%). Não fizeram o teste para sífilis na vida 79%, não tiveram acesso ao gel lubrificante 88% dos HSH. Os fatores que se associaram à infecção pelo HIV foram: não realizar teste de sífilis alguma vez na vida (OR=3,07; IC95%=1,29-7,31), ter mais de oito parceiros sexuais (OR=3,34;IC95%=1,38-8,07), início da vida sexual antes do 15 anos de idade (OR=2,36; IC95%=0,95-5,85) e não contou para alguém que sente atração por homens (OR=2,69; IC95%=0,95-7,58). A rede de relações pessoais dos HSH apresenta características de uma rede livre escala e mundo pequeno, onde os HSH estão muito próximos, alguns deles com alto grau de conexão ocupando áreas centrais e estratégicas na rede. Concluímos que há uma situação de vulnerabilidade social, individual e programática dos HSH que participaram da pesquisa em Salvador e alta prevalência do HIV. Confirmamos a importância da realização do teste de sífilis na vida. Há uma perda de oportunidade para testagem para HIV, pois verificamos uma alta proporção de testes da sífilis que contrastou com uma baixa testagem para HIV. Não contar para alguém que sente atração por homem poder ser reflexo de um alto grau de estigma social. Além disso, encontramos uma alta porcentagem de HSH com experiência com discriminação. As ações de prevenção devem focar os HSH mais conectados nas redes pessoais de relacionamento. / Salvador