Quantifying unmet prevention needs among MSM in Europe through a multi-site bio-behavioural survey

Massimo Mirandola, Lorenzo Gios, Nigel Sherriff, U. Marcus, Igor Toskin, M. Rosinska, Susanne Schink, Sharon Kühlmann-Berenzon, Barbara Suligoi, C. Folch, Christiana Nöstlinger, Sonia Dias, Danica Stanekova, Irena Klavs, Saulius Caplinskas, Alexandru Rafila, Carolina Marin, Ivailo Alexiev, Lev Zohrabyan, Teymur NooriCinthia Menel-Lemos

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Introduction: The HIV epidemic represents an important
    public health issue in Europe particularly among
    men who have sex with men (MSM). Global AIDS
    Monitoring indicators (GAM) have been widely and
    jointly promoted as a set of crucial standardised items
    to be adopted for monitoring and responding to the
    epidemic. Methods: The Sialon II study, implemented
    in 13 European cities (2013-14), was a complex multicentre
    integrated bio-behavioural cross-sectional
    survey targeted at MSM, with a concomitant collection
    of behavioural and biological (oral fluid or blood
    specimens) data. Rigorous sampling approaches for
    hard-to-reach populations were used (time-location
    sampling and respondent-driven sampling) and GAM
    indicators were calculated; sampling frames were
    adapted to allow weighted estimates of GAM indicators.
    Results: 4,901 MSM were enrolled. HIV prevalence
    estimates ranged from 2.4% in Stockholm to
    18.0% in Bucharest. When exploring city-level correlations
    between GAM indicators, prevention campaigns
    significantly correlated with levels of condom use
    and level of HIV testing among MSM. Conclusion: The
    Sialon II project has made an important contribution
    to the monitoring and evaluation of the HIV epidemic
    across Europe, integrating the use of GAM indicators
    within a second generation HIV surveillance systems
    approach and in participatory collaboration with
    MSM communities. It influenced the harmonisation of
    European data collection procedures and indicators
    via GAM country reporting and contributed essential
    knowledge informing the development and implementation
    of strategic, evidence-based HIV prevention
    campaigns for MSM.
    Original languageEnglish
    Article number1800097
    JournalEurosurveillance
    Volume23
    Issue number49
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 6 Dec 2018

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