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- Title
Factors associated with testing for HIV and hepatitis C among behaviorally vulnerable men in Germany: a cross-sectional analysis upon enrollment into an observational cohort.
- Authors
Crowell, Trevor A.; Qian, Haoyu; Tiemann, Carsten; Lehmann, Clara; Boesecke, Christoph; Stoehr, Albrecht; Hartikainen, Jukka; Esser, Stefan; Bickel, Markus; Spinner, Christoph D.; Schneeweiß, Stephan; Cordes, Christiane; Brockmeyer, Norbert; Jessen, Heiko; Robb, Merlin L.; Michael, Nelson L.; Jansen, Klaus; Streeck, Hendrik
- Abstract
Background: HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) have shared routes of transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM). Routine testing facilitates early diagnosis and treatment, thereby preventing morbidity and onward transmission. We evaluated factors associated with HIV and HCV testing in a behaviorally vulnerable cohort of predominantly MSM. Methods: From June 2018 through June 2019, the BRAHMS study enrolled adults at ten German outpatient clinics that serve gender and sexual minority populations. Participants completed behavioral questionnaires that captured prior experience with HIV and HCV testing. Multivariable robust Poisson regression was used to evaluate factors potentially associated with testing in the previous 6 months. Results: Among 1017 participants with median age 33 (interquartile range 28–39) years, 1001 (98.4%) reported any lifetime history of HIV testing and 787 (77.4%) reported any HCV testing, including 16 (1.6%) known to be living with HCV. Testing within the last 6 months was reported by 921 (90.6%) and 513 (50.4%) for HIV and HCV, respectively. Recent HIV testing was more common among participants with higher education level and recent HCV testing. Recent HCV testing was more common among participants with non-cisgender identity, lifetime history of illicit drug use, hepatitis B immunity or infection, and recent HIV testing. Conclusion: Prior testing for HIV was common in this cohort, but interventions are needed to improve HCV risk stratification and access to testing. HIV testing infrastructure can be successfully leveraged to support HCV testing, but differentiated preventive care delivery is needed for some vulnerable populations.
- Subjects
GERMANY; DIAGNOSIS of HIV infections; HEPATITIS C diagnosis; HEPATITIS B; SEX counseling; MEN'S health; HEALTH services accessibility; CROSS-sectional method; MULTIPLE regression analysis; MEDICAL screening; EARLY detection of cancer; PREVENTIVE health services; AT-risk people; SEXUAL minorities; QUESTIONNAIRES; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; IMMUNITY; MEN who have sex with men; DRUGS of abuse; RISK management in business; LONGITUDINAL method; POISSON distribution; EARLY diagnosis; EARLY medical intervention
- Publication
AIDS Research & Therapy, 2021, Vol 18, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
1742-6405
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1186/s12981-021-00378-4