HIV Prevalence and Demographic Determinants of Unprotected Anal Sex and HIV Testing Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Beirut, Lebanon

Abstract

The limited epidemiological data in Lebanon suggest that HIV incident cases are predominantly among men who have sex with men (MSM). We assessed the prevalence of HIV and demographic correlates of condom use and HIV testing among MSM in Beirut. Respondent-driven sampling was used to recruit 213 participants for completion of a behavioral survey and an optional free rapid HIV test. Multivariate regression analysis was used to examine demographic correlates of unprotected anal sex and any history of HIV testing. Nearly half (47%) were under age 25 years and 67% self-identified as gay. Nearly two-thirds (64%) reported any unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with men in the prior 3 months, including 23% who had unprotected anal intercourse with men whose HIV status was positive or unknown (UAIPU) to the participant. Three men (1.5% of 198 participants tested) were HIV-positive; 62% had any history of HIV testing prior to the study and testing was less common among those engaging in UAIPU compared to others (33% vs. 71%). In regression analysis, men in a relationship had higher odds of having UAI but lower odds of UAIPU and any university education was associated with having UAI; those with any prior history of HIV testing were more likely to be in a relationship and have any university education. HIV prevention efforts for MSM need to account for the influence of relationship dynamics and promotion of testing needs to target high-risk MSM.

HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men in Istanbul

“…However, it should be stressed that the authors did not consider those two studies truly representative of MSM in Beirut and indicated the need for additional epidemiological data to better delineate the actual HIV prevalence in this population. 18 In Central Asia, the majority of the information on HIV prevalence in MSM has been derived from national surveillance, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) reports, and UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) indicators. 19 Accordingly, HIV prevalence in the region ranges between 1% and 2% in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, and is 6.8% in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.…”

Social, Relational and Network Determinants of Unprotected Anal Sex and HIV Testing Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Beirut, Lebanon

“…Participants were given $30 for completing the interview and were told that they would receive $10 for each peer recruit (up to 4) who enrolled in the study; hence a total of up to $70 could be earned by each participant. Further details of the study procedures and sample descriptives have been published elsewhere (Wagner et al, 2014). The study protocol was approved by Institutional Review Boards at the RAND Corporation and Lebanese American University.…”

“…However, we have opted to only use unadjusted (raw data) estimates in our analysis because of evidence suggesting that the weighted estimates were not reliable, as explained in greater detail elsewhere (Wagner et al, 2014). …”

Communicable Diseases Among Refugees with a Focus on the Middle East

“…Results revealed that a total of four (2.7%) participants tested positive for HIV [24]. The National AIDS Program at the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) reveals a slight increase in the number of newly reported cases of HIV/AIDS from 93 in 2010 to 109 in 2014 with a few being refugees, about 10 cases being reported [25].…”