Characterizing Awareness of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention in Manila and Cebu, Philippines: Web-Based Survey of Filipino Cisgender Men Who Have Sex With Men.

Background: The Philippines is experiencing an HIV crisis and is considering implementing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a national public health strategy for HIV prevention for cisgender men who have sex with men (cis-MSM). However, critical information on the awareness of PrEP among cis-MSM is needed to roll out this public health initiative.

Objective: This study aims to assess PrEP awareness and related correlates (ie, sociodemographic variables, social factors, and health care access and use) among Filipino cis-MSM.

Differences in HIV risk and healthcare engagement factors in Filipinx transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men who reported being HIV negative, HIV positive or HIV unknown.

Introduction: Understanding HIV risk and healthcare engagement of at-risk individuals by HIV status is vital to informing HIV programmes in settings where the HIV epidemic is rapidly expanding like the Philippines. This study examined differences in HIV risk and healthcare engagement factors among Filipinx transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men (trans-WSM and cis-MSM respectively) who self-reported being HIV negative, HIV positive or HIV unknown.

Methods: Between 2018 and 2019, we conducted Project #ParaSaAtin, an online cross-sectional survey that examined the structural, social and behavioural factors impacting HIV services among Filipinx trans-WSM and cis-MSM (n = 318).

Using structural equation modelling to characterise multilevel socioecological predictors and mediators of condom use among transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men in the Philippines.

Background: Risks for condomless sex among transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men (trans-WSM and cis-MSM, respectively) in the Philippines, where HIV recently became a national public health crisis, are shaped and exacerbated by various risk factors across multiple levels.

Methods: Between June 2018 and August 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional online study with 318 trans-WSM and cis-MSM respondents from Manila and Cebu cities. Structural equational modelling procedures were performed to determine direct, indirect and overall effects between condom use and latent variables across multiple socioecological levels: personal (ie, condom self-efficacy), social (ie, social capital), environmental (ie, barriers to condom and HIV services) and structural (ie, structural violence, antidiscrimination policies).

Gender affirmative HIV care framework: Decisions on feminizing hormone therapy (FHT) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) among transgender women.

Background: Integration of feminizing hormone therapy (FHT) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) is critical in providing gender-affirming HIV care for transgender (trans) women living with HIV. However, interpersonal communications with HIV providers who are not competent with FHT may complicate this integration.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with trans women (n = 9) who self-reported as HIV-positive and their HIV providers (n = 15) from community-based venues (e.

Barriers and facilitators to uptake of condoms among Filipinx transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men: A situated socio-ecological perspective.

Transgender women (TW) and cisgender men who have sex with men (cis-MSM) are disproportionately impacted by the national HIV crisis in the Philippines, where the HIV incidence has, in large part, been attributed to condomless sex. This study sought to qualitatively examine the socio-ecological factors that contribute to low condom uptake among Filipinx TW and cis-MSM communities in Manila. Between July and August 2017, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 30 TW and cis-MSM participants ( = 23 and 7, respectively).

Prioritizing HIV Services for Transgender Women and Men Who Have Sex With Men in Manila, Philippines: An Opportunity for HIV Provider Interventions.

Transgender women (TW) and men who have sex with men (MSM) are highly affected by the rising HIV epidemic in the Philippines. HIV providers are essential to curbing the epidemic. Between July and August 2017, we conducted one-on-one qualitative interviews with 15 HIV providers in Manila, Philippines.

Collective Coping Strategies for HIV-Related Challenges Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Manila, Philippines.

Contextual factors, such as cultures of collectivism versus individualism, shape HIV coping strategies; despite this, little research regarding collective coping strategies applied to HIV exists. This may be important for the growing HIV epidemic in the Philippines, which has a collectivistic culture and where men who have sex with men (MSM) account for a majority of the cases. Fifteen semistructured, in-depth interviews with HIV-positive MSM and 6 interviews with community-based organization workers were conducted between June and August 2017.

Trends and emerging directions in HIV risk and prevention research in the Philippines: A systematic review of the literature.

Background: The Philippines is experiencing one of the fastest growing epidemics globally. Evidence-based public health policies are needed. To describe the public health literature on HIV risk groups and prevention approaches in the Philippines, we reviewed published empirical studies with HIV-related outcomes.

"An Evil Lurking Behind You": Drivers, Experiences, and Consequences of HIV-Related Stigma Among Men Who Have Sex With Men With HIV in Manila, Philippines.

The Philippines has a rapidly growing HIV epidemic, with men who have sex with men (MSM) accounting for a majority of known cases. Currently, there is little understanding about MSM's experiences of HIV-related stigma in the Philippines and how they influence behavior and quality of life. Twenty-one interviews with MSM living with HIV and with communitybased organization workers were conducted in Manila from June to August 2017.

A human rights-focused HIV intervention for sex workers in Metro Manila, Philippines: evaluation of effects in a quantitative pilot study.

Objectives: This study evaluated a brief human rights-focused HIV community mobilization intervention for sex workers in the Philippines, a country with one of the fastest rising number of HIV cases worldwide.

Methods: Five single-session group interventions to reduce sexual risk and increase HIV testing among 86 sex workers in Manila were evaluated with pre-post-test data via Wilcoxon's signed-ranks and Mann-Whitney tests. The 4-h intervention, Kapihan (August-November, 2013), integrated human rights with HIV skill-building.

Social and structural factors associated with consistent condom use among female entertainment workers trading sex in the Philippines.

This paper examined socio-structural factors of consistent condom use among female entertainment workers at high risk for acquiring HIV in Metro Manila, Quezon City, Philippines. Entertainers, aged 18 and over, from 25 establishments (spa/saunas, night clubs, karaoke bars), who traded sex during the previous 6 months, underwent cross-sectional surveys. The 143 entertainers (42% not always using condoms, 58% always using condoms) had median age (23), duration in sex work (7 months), education (9 years), and 29% were married/had live-in boyfriends.