Background

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use in Brazil remains low despite free national access. We explored associations of HIV knowledge and internalized homonegativity with PrEP use among PrEP-eligible men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods

Brazilian Hornet users completed an online, cross-sectional survey in February-March 2020. We included cis-men ≥18 years old who reported recent sex with men and were PrEP-eligible per the following: condomless anal intercourse, partner(s) living with HIV, transactional sex, and/or sexually transmitted infection. Our outcome was current PrEP use, defined by the response, "I am currently taking PrEP." Key predictors included the HIV/AIDS Knowledge Assessment (HIV-KA) and Reactions to Homosexuality Scale (RHS); higher scores indicate greater knowledge and greater internalized homonegativity, respectively. Scales were standardized for analysis. Associations with current PrEP use were estimated using adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

Findings

Among 2398 PrEP-eligible MSM, n = 370 (15·4%) reported current PrEP use. Increasing HIV-KA scores were associated with greater odds of PrEP use (aOR 1·70 [95%CI 1·41-2·04], p < 0·001), and increasing RHS scores with lower odds of PrEP use (aOR 0·83 [95%CI 0·73-0·96], p = 0·010). PrEP use was lower among 18-24 versus 40+-years-old MSM (aOR 0·43 [95%CI 0·27-0·69], p = 0·005), and in Black versus White/Asian respondents (aOR 0·51 [95%CI 0·31-0·85], p = 0·040).

Interpretation

Among PrEP-eligible Brazilian MSM, HIV knowledge was associated with increased PrEP use and internalized homonegativity with decreased use. Wider dissemination of HIV prevention knowledge and addressing stigma experienced by MSM could promote increased PrEP use.

Funding

National Institute of Mental Health, Fiocruz, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico.

We evaluated COVID-19's impact on HIV care indicators among INI/FIOCRUZ's HIV Clinical Cohort in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: (1) Adequate care visits: two visits ≥ 90 days apart; (2) Adequate viral load monitoring: ≥ 2 viral load results ≥ 90 days apart; (3) Consistent viral suppression: all viral loads < 40 copies/mL; and (4) ART medication possession ratio (MPR) ≥ 95%. Chi-square tests compared the fraction of participants meeting each indicator per period: pre-pandemic (3/1/2019-2/29/2020) and post-pandemic (3/1/2020-2/28/2021). Logistic regression models were used to assess disparities in adequate care visits. Among 906 participants, care visits and viral load monitoring decreased pre-pandemic to post-pandemic: 77.0-55.1% and 36.6-11.6% (both p < 0.001), respectively. The optimal MPR rate improved from 25.5 to 40.0% (p < 0.001). Post-pandemic period (aOR 0.33, CI 0.28-0.40), transgender women (aOR 0.34, CI 0.22-0.53), and those aged 18-24 years (aOR 0.67, CI 0.45-0.97) had lower odds of adequate care visits. COVID-19 disrupted care access disproportionately for transgender women and younger participants.

Background and objective

An important barrier to HIV prevention among transgender women (TGW) is the concern that oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) negatively affects the efficacy of feminizing hormone therapy (FHT). We aimed to assess the impact of PrEP on FHT pharmacokinetics (PK) among TGW from Brazil.

Methods

We performed a drug-drug interaction sub-study among TGW enrolled in a daily oral PrEP demonstration study (PrEParadas, NCT03220152). Participants had a first PK assessment (PK1) 15 days after FHT (estradiol valerate 2-6 mg plus spironolactone 100-200 mg) initiation and then started PrEP (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg). A second PK evaluation was performed 12 weeks later (PK2). Blood samples were collected prior and after the directly observed dosing (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 hours). Pharmacokinetic parameters of estradiol, spironolactone, and metabolites were estimated by non-compartmental analysis (Monolix 2021R2, Lixoft^®) and compared as geometric mean ratios (GMRs, 90% confidence interval [CI]).

Results

Among 19 TGW who completed the substudy, median age was 26 years (interquartile range: 23-27.5). Estradiol area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC_τ) and trough concentrations did not differ between PK1 and PK2 evaluations (GMR [90% CI]: 0.89 [0.76-1.04] and 1.06 [0.94-1.20], respectively). Spironolactone and canrenone AUC_τ were statistically lower at PK2 than PK1 (0.76 [0.65-0.89] and 0.85 [0.78-0.94], respectively). Canrenone maximum concentration was also lower at PK2 than PK1 (0.82 [0.74-0.91]).

Conclusion

Estradiol PK was not influenced by PrEP concomitant use. The small differences observed in some spironolactone and canrenone PK parameters should not prevent the concomitant use of estradiol-based FHT and PrEP.

Trial registration

This trial (NCT03220152) was registered on July 18, 2017.

BACKGROUND: Interpersonal violence-related physical injury (IPVRPI) is a leading cause of death in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), yet reliable data relating socioeconomic status (SES) and IPVRPI in these settings are lacking. We analyzed existing literature on associations between SES and IPVRPI in LMICs to understand how SES is measured in these contexts and synthesize data relating markers of SES to IPVRPI at the individual-level in order to inform future hospital-based IPVRPI prevention efforts. METHODS: We searched Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Global Health databases in January 2022 for analytical studies from LMICs that explored individual-level associations between IPVRPI and markers of SES. Studies about intimate partner violence, suicide, or children < 12 years old were excluded, as were population-level studies. Markers of SES considered were educational attainment, employment, and household wealth. Collated data relating these SES indicators with IPVRPI were presented in forest plots. RESULTS: A total of 34 studies from 20 LMICs were included. Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa were the most represented countries. Studies were mostly cross-sectional (n = 23), and data were typically from patient hospital records (n = 17) or population surveys (n = 12). Included studies explored associations between IPVRPI and education (n = 26), employment (n = 26), and household wealth (n = 19). Categorizations, particularly for employment and wealth, were highly variable between studies. Among the studies that performed multivariable analyses, IPVRPI was found to be significantly associated with lower educational attainment (n = 6), unemployment (n = 4), and lower household wealth (n = 6). CONCLUSIONS: Numerous studies have explored individual-level associations between IPVRPI and markers of SES among LMIC populations. Across a variety of LMIC contexts, we found that IPVRPI tended to be associated with markers of lower SES. Further conclusions were limited by the heterogeneity of SES measure categorizations, varied IPVRPI case definitions, and lack of adjusted analyses. Future research should ensure SES measures utilized in LMICs are comprehensive and comparable, focus more specifically on IPVRPI from community violence, and consider hospital-based interventions to reduce risk of IPVRPI in LMIC settings.

BACKGROUND: HIV incidence estimation is critical for monitoring the HIV epidemic dynamics and the effectiveness of public health prevention interventions. We aimed to identify sexual and gender minorities (SGM) with recent HIV infections, factors associated with recent HIV infection, and to estimate annualised HIV incidence rates. METHODS: Cross-sectional multicentre study in HIV testing services in Brazil and Peru (15 cities). Inclusion criteria: 18+ years, SGM assigned male at birth, not using pre-/post-exposure prophylaxis. We identified recent HIV infection using the Maxim HIV-1 LAg-Avidity EIA assay as part of a recent infection testing algorithm (RITA). Annualized HIV incidence was calculated using the UNAIDS/WHO incidence estimator tool. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate factors associated with recent HIV infection. Trial registration: NCT05674682. FINDINGS: From 31-Jan-2021 to 29-May-2022, 6899 individuals participated [Brazil: 4586 (66.5%); Peru: 2313 (33.5%)]; 5946 (86.2%) cisgender men, 751 (10.9%) transgender women and 202 (2.9%) non-binary/gender diverse. Median age was 27 (IQR: 23-34) years. HIV prevalence was 11.4% (N = 784/6899); 137 (2.0%) SGM were identified with recent HIV infection. The overall annualized HIV incidence rate was 3.88% (95% CI: 2.86-4.87); Brazil: 2.62% (95% CI: 1.78-3.43); Peru: 6.69% (95% CI: 4.62-8.69). Participants aged 18-24 years had higher odds of recent HIV infection compared to those aged 30+ years in both countries. INTERPRETATION: Our results highlight the significant burden of HIV epidemic among SGM in large urban centres of Brazil and Peru. Public health policies and interventions to increase access to effective HIV prevention methods such as PrEP are urgently needed in Latin America. FUNDING: Unitaid, WHO (Switzerland), Ministry of Health from Brazil and Peru.