HIV/AIDS knowledge among MSM in Brazil: a challenge for public policies

Abstract

Introduction: High level of HIV/AIDS knowledge is required for an effective adoption of preventive strategies. Objective: To assess HIV/AIDS knowledge among men who have sex with men (MSM) in 12 Brazilian cities. Methods: Respondent-Driven Sampling method was used for recruitment. HIV/AIDS knowledge was assessed by Item Response Theory. Difficulty and discrimination parameters were estimated, and the knowledge score was categorized in three levels: high, medium, and low. Logistic regression was used for analysis. Results: Among 4,176 MSM, the proportion of high level of knowledge was 23.7%. The following variables were positively associated with high knowledge (p < 0.05): age 25+ years old, 12+ years of schooling, white skin color, having health insurance, having suffered discrimination due to sexual orientation, having had a syphilis test, and having received educational material in the previous 12 months. Exchanging sex for money was negatively associated. Conclusions: The proportion of only 23.7% of high HIV/AIDS knowledge was low. We should note that the only potential source of knowledge acquisition associated with high level of knowledge was receiving educational materials. Our study indicates the need for expansion of public prevention policies focused on MSM and with more effective communication strategies, including the development of knowledge that involves motivation and abilities for a safer behavior.

How heterogeneous are MSM from Brazilian cities? An analysis of sexual behavior and perceived risk and a description of trends in awareness and willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis

“…Overall, median age was 29 years (IQR: [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36]. The age distribution of the participants was shifted towards younger MSM (18-24 years) in most of cities in the North, Northeast and Central-west regions, representing almost half of responders from Manaus (46.5%) and Belém (43.1%), the two largest urban areas in the North.…”

“…A Brazilian study conducted in 2008/9 evaluated HIV knowledge among MSM from 10 Brazilian cities and found that 41% of the sample had lower than average knowledge with participants still reporting beliefs in incorrect modes of HIV transmission such as through the use of a public restroom [33]. In another study conducted in 2016 [34], knowledge was found to vary by region with an overall prevalence of high level of knowledge of 24% that ranged from 5% in Fortaleza to 34% in São Paulo. Importantly, low HIV perceived risk may be a barrier to PrEP uptake [35].…”

How heterogeneous are MSM from Brazilian cities? An analysis of sexual behavior and perceived risk and a description of trends in awareness and willingness to use PrEP.

“…A Brazilian study conducted in 2008/9 evaluated HIV knowledge among MSM from 10 Brazilian cities and found that 41% of the sample had lower than average knowledge with participants still reporting beliefs in incorrect modes of HIV transmission such as through the use of a public restroom (33). In another study conducted in 2016 (34), knowledge was found to vary by region with an overall prevalence of high level of knowledge of 24% that ranged from 5% in Fortaleza to 34% in São Paulo. Importantly, low HIV perceived risk may be a barrier to PrEP uptake (35).…”

Acceptability of HIV self-testing is low among MSM who have not tested: a study with respondent-driven sampling in Brazil

“…there are medicines for HIV-negative people to take to prevent HIV; an HIV-infected person who is taking AIDS medication has a lower risk of transmitting the virus, etc. ), as described in Guimarães et al [39]; (6) perception of risk (low, middle and high), in response to the question: "how do you assess your chance of becoming infected with HIV during your lifetime? "; (7) participation in an…”