Fridae

Reports reveal that MSM globally are faced with high levels of homophobia, stigma and discrimination, which are significantly associated with difficulties in accessing condoms and lubricant, HIV and STI testing, and HIV treatment.

Extremely concerned by their findings, investigators recommend that healthcare providers, policy makers and communities of gay men need to make plans for screening and treating pre-cancerous anal lesions.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) was approved in the US in July 2012, following trials showing its efficacy in preventing sexual transmission of HIV. But, as Gus Cairns finds out, it remains a controversial addition to the HIV prevention options available to gay men in the US.

An analysis of an online and gay-venue survey of white, British-born, gay and bisexual men in the UK has found no association between whether they were circumcised and whether they had HIV, even among men who were mainly or exclusively ‘tops’ (who take the insertive role in anal intercourse).

In the last two years, three internet surveys in Europe, the USA and Asia asked over 200,000 gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) about sex, safety and stigma. Gus Cairns looks at some of the data, and finds a mix of the expected and unexpected and some challenging findings for HIV prevention.

A large, randomised sample of 21-year-old Thai men has found that by far the largest risk factor for HIV infection is gay identity. Scientists found that compared with exclusive 'tops', 'versatile' gay men were 6.8 times more likely to have HIV and exclusive 'bottoms' 8.6 times more likely.

According to a study of Australian gay men, HIV optimism remains a useful indicator of one's likelihood to take risks during sex and one's beliefs about HIV transmission risk in particular may reflect willingness to pursue pleasure over risk, or, alternatively, morbid fear of any risk.

Anal cancer is around 50 times more common in gay men with HIV than it is in the general population. Should we be demanding screening and vaccinations? Gus Cairns investigates.

Researchers found that the use of some rectal lubricant products might increase susceptibility to rectal STIs and make users more vulnerable to HIV. Four (out of six) Astroglide lubricants which appear to increase viral replication were the only ones containing a compound called polyquaternium-15 which, when tested, was found to be the cause.

Launched on 30 January, the 'Trust the condom' campaign is aimed squarely at HIV and STI prevention among gay men and MSM (men having sex with men).