Playing and Never Testing: Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Among App-Using MSM in Southeast Asia

Weiss, Kevin M; Jonas, Kai J.; Guadamuz, Thomas E.

doi:10.1097/olq.0000000000000624

Cited by 12 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…All studies were cross-sectional; 17 were conducted in the United States, five in China, and one each in Australia, Thailand and India. Ten studies recruited MSM through apps [ 5 , 21 , 22 , 26 , 30 , 34 , 36 , 38 , 42 , 43 ]. Other studies applied a variety of recruitment methods, including gay websites, fixed venues, and social service organizations serving MSM.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The use of geosocial networking smartphone applications and the risk of sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis

et al. 2018

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BackgroundGeosocial networking smartphone applications (apps) are popular tools for seeking sexual partners among men who have sex with men (MSM). We evaluated app use and risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in app-using MSM (app-users) by a systematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsA literature search for relevant studies was performed. We extracted date of STIs (ever being diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia) and sexual behavior (e.g., number of app-met partners, unprotected anal/oral sex, HIV testing) from the eligible studies. Pooled proportions and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated.ResultsTwenty-five studies were included. The self-reported prevalence of prior diagnosis of HIV among app-users ranged from 2.2 to 37.7%, and the pooled prevalence of HIV infection was 6% (95% CI, 4–11%). Compared with non-users, app-users were more likely to have gonorrhea (OR = 2.36; 95% CI, 2.07–2.70) and chlamydia (OR = 2.22; 95% CI, 1.92–2.56). The two groups were similar in terms of diagnoses of HIV (OR = 0.89, 95% CI, 0.68–1.16) and syphilis (OR = 1.92; 95% CI, 0.91–4.03). However, when one study that caused substantial heterogeneity was omitted, the pooled OR for app-users to contract syphilis became 3.00 (95% CI, 1.84–4.91) .ConclusionsMSM who seek sexual partners using apps may be more likely to have STIs as than are non-users.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-018-6092-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Data collection year of MSM ranged from 2009 to 2015. Most studies ( n = 20, 80.0%) evaluated sexual behaviors/characteristics of app-users [ 3 – 6 , 13 , 21 – 23 , 26 – 31 , 33 , 35 – 42 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of geosocial networking smartphone applications and the risk of sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis

et al. 2018

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“…We found that participants who met their male sexual partners online were more likely to have been tested for both HIV and other STIs. One prior study that recruited MSM in Bangkok who used mobile applications to find sexual partners found higher testing uptake than was observed in our overall study population, with about two-thirds reporting prior testing for HIV and three-quarters reporting prior testing for other STIs [ 64 ]. In Thailand and much of Southeast Asia, smartphones and high-speed internet are frequently used to socialize and find sexual partners [ 64 – 66 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

“…One prior study that recruited MSM in Bangkok who used mobile applications to find sexual partners found higher testing uptake than was observed in our overall study population, with about two-thirds reporting prior testing for HIV and three-quarters reporting prior testing for other STIs [ 64 ]. In Thailand and much of Southeast Asia, smartphones and high-speed internet are frequently used to socialize and find sexual partners [ 64 – 66 ]. These digital platforms can be leveraged to connect vulnerable populations to HIV and STI testing services.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Factors associated with testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in men who have sex with men and transgender women in Bangkok, Thailand

et al. 2022

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Background Routine screening for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) facilitates early diagnosis and treatment, thereby preventing morbidity and onward transmission. We estimated the prevalence of prior HIV/STI testing among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in Bangkok, Thailand, and identified factors associated with prior testing. Methods Cross-sectional analyses were performed using data collected at enrollment into an HIV incidence cohort. From April to October 2017, MSM and TGW were enrolled if they were aged 18–35 years, reported anal intercourse with a male or TGW partner, and reported behavioral vulnerability to HIV. Participants answered questions about demographics, sexual behaviors, and lifetime HIV/STI testing history. Multivariable robust Poisson regression was used to estimate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors potentially associated with prior testing. Results Among 1,014 participants, 348 (34.3%) were TGW and the median age was 21.6 (interquartile range 20.0-24.8) years. Prior testing for HIV was reported by 421 (41.5%) and for other STIs by 268 (26.4%). HIV testing was more common among participants aged ≥ 22 years (RR 1.37 [95% CI 1.13–1.67]), with college education as compared to secondary or less (RR 1.37 [95% CI 1.08–1.72]), and who met male sexual partners online (RR 1.52 [95% CI 1.24–1.85]), but lower among participants attracted to both men and women as compared to men only (RR 0.64 [95% CI 0.51–0.81]) and who met male sexual partners in bars (RR 0.83 [95% CI 0.72–0.97]). Similar associations were observed with prior testing for other STIs, including increased testing among participants with college education (RR 1.52 [95% CI 1.11–2.09]) and who met male sexual partners online (RR 1.73 [95% CI 1.30–2.31]), but lower among participants attracted to both men and women (RR 0.70 [95% CI 0.51–0.96]) and who met male sexual partners in bars (RR 0.67 [95% CI 0.54–0.83]). Conclusions Despite behavioral vulnerability, prior testing for HIV and other STIs was uncommon. Online engagement strategies may be effectively reaching Thai MSM and TGW who meet sexual partners online, but new interventions are needed to encourage testing among younger, less educated, and bisexual MSM and TGW.

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Patterns of Chemsex Substance Use and Its Association with HIV Transmission Risk Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Thailand: A Latent Class Analysis

Cheung,

Samoh,

Jonas

et al. 2024

Arch Sex Behav

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Sexualized substance use or “chemsex” may contribute to the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Thailand. Specific patterns of chemsex use may be associated with different HIV/STI transmission risks. We examined typologies and correlates of sexualized substance use among a sample of high-risk MSM (n = 532) who had attended a private sex party or circuit party in the past three years using latent class analysis. Multinomial regression was used to adjust for variables associated with the 3-class latent class model. We identified a 3-class model as the best fitting model, which included: (1) “negligible sexualized substance users” (36.7%), who had never engaged in chemsex in the past six months; (2) “sexualized substance users” (13.9%), who had a high level of sexualized alcohol use and a wide range of other substances before or during sex in the past six months; and (3) “exclusive chemsex users” (49.4%), who predominantly used crystal methamphetamine, amyl nitrite, and erectile dysfunctional drugs before or during sex in the past six months. Compared to negligible sexualized substance users, exclusive chemsex users were more likely to be HIV-positive, more likely to have six or more sexual partners in the past six months, less likely to have condom use at last anal intercourse, and more likely to have provided sex work. Relative to negligible sexualized substance users, sexualized substance users reported more frequent online sex-seeking behaviors. These subgroups of Thai MSM have unique substance use patterns and HIV-related risk profiles, underscoring the importance of targeted HIV prevention strategies.

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Playing and Never Testing: Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Among App-Using MSM in Southeast Asia

Cited by 12 publications

References 29 publications

The use of geosocial networking smartphone applications and the risk of sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The use of geosocial networking smartphone applications and the risk of sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Factors associated with testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in men who have sex with men and transgender women in Bangkok, Thailand

Patterns of Chemsex Substance Use and Its Association with HIV Transmission Risk Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Thailand: A Latent Class Analysis

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