High burden of STI and HIV in male sex workers working as internet escorts for men in an observational study: a hidden key population compared with female sex workers and other men who have sex with men

Verhaegh-Haasnoot, Amanja; Dukers-Muijrers, Nicole H. T. M.; Hoebe, Christian J. P. A.

doi:10.1186/s12879-015-1045-2

Cited by 40 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 21 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…As already described, if considering subjects at high risk for STI transmission, such as sex workers or MSM with multiple sexual partners, CT infection prevalence can easily exceed 10-15 % (Petrovay et al, 2009;Mejuto et al, 2013;Yang et al, 2014;Verhaegh-Haasnoot et al, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chlamydia trachomatis infection prevalence and serovar distribution in a high-density urban area in the north of Italy

Foschi

Nardini

Banzola

et al. 2016

Journal of Medical Microbiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The aim of this study was to assess Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection prevalence and serovar distribution in a high-density urban area in the north of Italy, by comparing different groups of subjects divided on the basis of the type of care provider they referred to (STI Clinic, gynaecologists or general practitioners). From January 2011 to May 2014, all the specimens submitted to the Microbiology Laboratory of St Orsola Hospital in Bologna for CT detection were tested by PCR assay. For positive specimens, molecular genotyping based on RFLP analysis was performed. Total prevalence of CT infection was 8.1 %, with significant differences between subgroups (P<0.01) but stable during the study period. The STI Clinic was mainly responsible for CT diagnosis, whereas the lowest infection prevalence was detected in gynaecological clinics, despite the high number of tests performed. Extra-genital samples were almost exclusively collected from males at the STI Clinic. Interestingly, 13.3 % of patients providing extra-genital specimens were positive for CT on rectal and/or pharyngeal swabs, and 4.4 % of cases would have been missed if extra-genital sites had not been tested. The most common serovar was E, and serovar distribution was influenced by gender (P<0.01), age (P<0.01), care provider (P=0.01) and anatomical site (P<0.01). The L2 serovar was detected only in extragenital samples from males at the STI Clinic. Knowledge about care providers' contributions in CT testing and diagnosis is essential for infection control. CT typing is crucial for appropriate management of specific infections, such as lymphogranuloma venereum in extra-genital samples of high-risk populations.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chlamydia trachomatis infection prevalence and serovar distribution in a high-density urban area in the north of Italy

Foschi

Nardini

Banzola

et al. 2016

Journal of Medical Microbiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…age [22], education [22]), individual risk factors (e.g. condomless anal intercourse [4,22,36], HIV knowledge [22], sexually transmitted infections (STI) history [52,53], higher number of sexual partners [1,2], substance use [54]), and social level factors (e.g., forced sex, harassment and violence [1,2,4,36]). Alternately, social cohesion among MSM who sell sex has been identified as a protective factor [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social-ecological factors associated with selling sex among men who have sex with men in Jamaica: results from a cross-sectional tablet-based survey

Logie

Lacombe‐Duncan

Kenny

et al. 2018

Global Health Action

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Globally, men who have sex with men (MSM) experience social marginalization and criminalization that increase HIV vulnerability by constraining access to HIV prevention and care. People who sell sex also experience criminalization, rights violations, and violence, which elevate HIV exposure. MSM who sell sex may experience intersectional stigma and intensified social marginalization, yet have largely been overlooked in epidemiological and social HIV research. In Jamaica, where same sex practices and sex work are criminalized, scant research has investigated sex selling among MSM, including associations with HIV vulnerability. Objective: We aimed to examine social ecological factors associated with selling sex among MSM in Jamaica, including exchanging sex for money, shelter, food, transportation, or drugs/alcohol (past 12 months). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with a peer-driven sample of MSM in Kingston, Ocho Rios, and Montego Bay. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate intrapersonal/individual, interpersonal/social, and structural factors associated with selling sex. Results: Among 556 MSM, one-third (n = 182; 32.7%) reported selling sex. In the final multivariable model, correlates of selling sex included: individual/intrapersonal (lower safer sex self-efficacy [AOR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.77, 0.94]), interpersonal/social (concurrent partnerships [AOR: 5.52, 95% CI: 1.56, 19.53], a higher need for social support [AOR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.12], lifetime forced sex [AOR: 2.74, 95% 1.65, 4.55]) and structural-level factors (sexual stigma [AOR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.15], food insecurity [AOR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.41, 4.02], housing insecurity [AOR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.16, 3.26], no regular healthcare provider [AOR: 2.72, 95% CI: 1.60, 4.64]). Conclusions: This study highlights social ecological correlates of selling sex among MSM in Jamaica, in particular elevated stigma and economic insecurity. Findings suggest that MSM in Jamaica who sell sex experience intensified social and structural HIV vulnerabilities that should be addressed in multi-level interventions to promote health and human rights.

show abstract

“…(35,36). Additionally, MSW may not identify as sex workers nor perceive themselves to be at risk of HIV and other STIs (3,34,37). These factors may account for the low testing norms, low selfefficacy and poor uptake of HIV testing we observed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Kenya, a study found low prevalence (26%) of recent HIV testing among MSW(33). Work done in the Netherlands also found that majority of MSW (63%) reported no recent history of HIV or STI testing compared with compared to 32% FSW and 35% MSM(34). MSW are hidden key sub-population largely invisible to HIV programs(34).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Work done in the Netherlands also found that majority of MSW (63%) reported no recent history of HIV or STI testing compared with compared to 32% FSW and 35% MSM(34). MSW are hidden key sub-population largely invisible to HIV programs(34). Entrenched social stigma, healthcare discrimination and criminalization of sex work limit access to, and uptake of, testing services…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

HIV and Syphilis Testing Behaviors among Heterosexual Male Sex Workers in Uganda

Muhindo

Mujugira²,

Castelnuovo³

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background : Few studies have described STI and HIV testing practices among heterosexual male sex workers (MSW) in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our study aimed to assess recent HIV and syphilis screening practices among MSW in Uganda. Methods : Between August and December 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional study among 100 MSW and 240 female sex workers (FSW). Participants were enrolled through snowball sampling, and an interviewer-administered questionnaire used to collect data on HIV and syphilis in the prior 12 months. Integrated change model constructs were uses to assessed intentions, attitudes, social influences, norms and self-efficacy of 3-monthly Syphilis and 6-monthly HIV testing. Predictors of HIV and syphilis recent testing behaviors were estimated using negative binomial regression. Results : We enrolled 340 sex workers of whom 100 (29%) were MSW. The median age was 27 years (interquartile range [IQR] 25–30) for MSW and 26 years [IQR], (23–29) for FSW. The median duration of sex work was 36 and 30 months for MSW and FSW, respectively. MSW were significantly less likely than FSW to have tested for HIV in the prior 12 months (50% vs 86%; p = 0.001). For MSW, non-HIV testing was associated with higher education (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-2.50), poor intention to seek HIV testing (aPR 1.64; 95% CI: 1.35-2.04), perception that 6-monthly HIV testing was not normative (aPR 1.33; 95% CI: 1.09-1.67) and low self-efficacy (aPR 1.41; 95% CI: 1.12-1.79). Non-syphilis testing was associated with low intention to seek testing (aPR 3.13; 95% CI: 2.13-4.55), low self-efficacy (aPR 2.56; 95% CI: 1.35-4.76), negative testing attitudes (aPR 2.33; 95% CI: 1.64-3.33), and perception that regular testing was not normative (aPR 1.59; 95% CI: 1.14-2.22). Conclusions : Non-testing for HIV and syphilis was common among heterosexual MSW relative to FSW. Future studies should evaluate strategies to increase testing uptake for this neglected sub-population of sex workers.

show abstract

High burden of STI and HIV in male sex workers working as internet escorts for men in an observational study: a hidden key population compared with female sex workers and other men who have sex with men

Cited by 40 publications

References 21 publications

Chlamydia trachomatis infection prevalence and serovar distribution in a high-density urban area in the north of Italy

Chlamydia trachomatis infection prevalence and serovar distribution in a high-density urban area in the north of Italy

Social-ecological factors associated with selling sex among men who have sex with men in Jamaica: results from a cross-sectional tablet-based survey

HIV and Syphilis Testing Behaviors among Heterosexual Male Sex Workers in Uganda

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About