Assessing the Effectiveness of an mHealth Intervention to Support Men Who Have Sex With Men Engaging in Chemsex (Budd): Single-Case and Pre-Post Experimental Design Study.

Background: This study focuses on the Budd app, a mobile health intervention designed for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men who participate in chemsex. Chemsex, the use of psychoactive drugs in a sexual context, presents substantial health risks including increased HIV transmission and mental health issues. Addressing these risks requires innovative interventions tailored to the unique needs of this population.

Chemsex and its impact on gay and bisexual men who have sex with men: Findings from an online survey in Belgium.

Objectives: The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of sexualized drug use, or chemsex, in a wide group of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) in Belgium. It examined which drugs gbMSM used before and during sex, the frequency with which they used it, whether they experienced non-consensual sex, and evaluated the impact of chemsex on the health and professional and social lives of respondents.

Methods: We conducted an online survey among Belgian gbMSM.

Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men and transgender women in Belgium: awareness, use and antimicrobial resistance concerns in a cross-sectional online survey.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the awareness, willingness to use and use of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in Belgium. Additionally, we aimed to identify factors associated with doxyPEP use and concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Methods: Cross-sectional online survey among MSM and TGW in Belgium in April 2024.

The HepHIV 2023 Madrid conference: A call to action for political leadership in reaching the sustainable development goals on earlier testing and linkage to care for HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections.

Introduction And Objectives: The HepHIV 2023 Conference, held in Madrid in November 2023, highlighted how Europe is not on track to meet the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals and Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) targets. This article presents the outcomes of the conference, which focus on ways to improve testing and linkage to care for HIV, viral hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted infections. HIV-related stigma and discrimination, a major barrier to progress, was a key concept of the conference and on the agenda of the Spanish Presidency of the European Union.

Measuring the prevalence of autistic traits in a cohort of adults living with HIV or taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and mapping safer-sex barriers and facilitators: a study protocol.

Introduction: Autistic individuals identify with a wider range of sexual orientations than non-autistic individuals, including higher rates of bisexual orientation in autistic men. Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men are at greater risk for HIV. Prevalence data of autistic traits in people living with HIV or using Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV are lacking so far.

Drug behaviors, sexually transmitted infection prevention, and sexual consent during chemsex: insights generated in the Budd app after each chemsex session.

Chemsex refers to the intentional use of drugs before or during sex in a specific context, typically involving prolonged sex sessions with multiple partners. Engaging in chemsex is associated with a wide range of health risks and related risk behaviors. We developed a mobile phone application ('Budd-app') to support and inform chemsex participants, reduce potential negative impacts associated with chemsex (e.

Using Intervention Mapping to Develop an mHealth Intervention to Support Men Who Have Sex With Men Engaging in Chemsex (Budd): Development and Usability Study.

Background: Chemsex refers to the intentional use of drugs before or during sex among men who have sex with men (MSM). Engaging in chemsex has been linked to significant negative impacts on physical, psychological, and social well-being. However, no evidence-based support tools have addressed either these harms or the care needs of MSM who engage in chemsex.

Sexually Transmitted Infections and Associated Risk Factors Among Male Clients of Sex Workers: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Project in Antwerp, Belgium.

Introduction: Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is increasing in Belgium in recent years. Clients of sex workers form a key population for acquisition of STIs, due to their sexual relations, with or without a condom, with sex workers. STI testing uptake is low among clients of sex workers, and prevalence of STIs remains to be investigated in Belgium.

Self-Control as Conceptual Framework to Understand and Support People Who Use Drugs During Sex.

Few theory-informed interventions to support people who use drugs during sex have been conceptualized and developed. We conceptualize sexualized drug use, also referred to as chemsex or pharmacosex, as a self-control challenge, and draw on extant theory and research to propose intervention approaches that can be tailored to meet the differing needs of people who engage in sexualized drug use. We draw on a continuum perspective of sexualized drug use, in particular chemsex, and discuss the role of reasoned and automatic processes in behavioral decisions, as well as critical components of effective self-control of behavior.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of HIV infections in a representative transgender and non-binary population in Flanders and Brussels (Belgium): Protocol for a community-based, cross-sectional study using time-location sampling.

Introduction: HIV prevalence and sexual risk have been estimated very high for transgender people. However, the limited sampling and data collection methods used in current research on transgender people potentially led to overrepresentation and generalisation of people at risk for HIV. Current HIV prevalence estimates in transgender populations are generalised from studies mainly focusing on transgender women engaging in sex work.

Recurrent Sexually Transmitted Infections Among a Cohort of Men Who Have Sex With Men Using Preexposure Prophylaxis in Belgium Are Highly Associated With Sexualized Drug Use.

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) experiencing recurrent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may play a crucial role in the STI epidemic. However, there is limited understanding of what kind of behavior leads to recurrent STIs.

Methods: A total of 179 MSM using preexposure prophylaxis were followed up for 18 months and were screened quarterly for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis from 2015 to 2018 in Belgium.

The impact of physical restriction measures imposed during the two waves of COVID-19 on chlamydia and gonorrhea diagnoses in Belgium. Results of an sexually transmitted infection clinic.

During the first two waves of COVID-19, several physical restriction measurements were imposed in Belgium. Our aim was to explore the impact of these restriction measures on the number of tests and positivity rate of (CT) (NG) before, during, and after the two lockdowns in Belgium. molecular data of a Belgian STI clinic were extracted for 2019 and 2020, and both years were divided into four periods (pre-lockdown 1, lockdown 1, after lockdown 1, and lockdown 2).

Harm Reduction Practices and Needs in a Belgian Chemsex Context: Findings from a Qualitative Study.

Chemsex is a growing public health concern, with little evidence-based care and support available. The aim of this study is to understand current risk reduction practices, and the information and care needs of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) who engage in chemsex. Between January and March 2020, semi structured in-depth interviews with drug-using GBMSM ( = 20) were conducted.

Impact of PrEP on a STI clinic in a Belgian context: a provider's perspective.

: To assess the impact of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to avoid HIV infection as an additional service in a routine Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) clinic.: We used routinely obtained retrospective data to estimate the increased workload on the existing facilities. We focussed on STI registration through the laboratory registration system and put this in a national perspective.

Outreach HIV testing using oral fluid and online consultation of the results: Pilot intervention in Catalonia.

Introduction: The aim of the intervention was to describe the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of offering HIV testing in outreach interventions and subsequent consultation of the results through a secure web page.

Methods: The HIV test was offered "in situ" to men who have sex with men (MSM), migrant sex workers and trans women recruited in places of leisure and sex. Four collaborating NGOs recruited the participants and assisted them to register on the study website (www.

[HIV screening in leisure spaces in Barcelona and Sitges in men who have sex with men].

Description of the implementation of the field work of a pilot intervention whose objective was to promote the early diagnosis of HIV infection by offering a screening test for HIV in gay venues and cruising areas (outdoor sexual contact areas) frequented by men who have sex with men (MSM) in the city of Barcelona and Sitges, and consulting the result through the project website. The pilot intervention was viable and counted with the acceptability of the target group.

Increases in condomless chemsex associated with HIV acquisition in MSM but not heterosexuals attending a HIV testing center in Antwerp, Belgium.

Background: It has been speculated that the prevalence of chemsex is increasing in men who have sex with men and that this may be playing a role in the spread of HIV.

Methods: We assessed if the prevalence of reported chemsex was increasing and if chemsex was associated with HIV infection in clients attending the 'Helpcenter', Antwerp, between 2011 and 2017. This is a HIV/STI testing center that offers HIV/STI testing to HIV-uninfected individuals from key populations including MSM.

Sexual Behavior and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Swingers: Results From an Online Survey in Belgium.

Swingers are couples practicing consensual extradyadic heterosexual relations. This subculture is defined by venues and online communities. This study aimed to assess swingers' lifestyle, sexual health, and history of testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and to review risk factors for sexual risk behavior and STI transmission.

Acceptability of a Community-Based Outreach HIV-Testing Intervention Using Oral Fluid Collection Devices and Web-Based HIV Test Result Collection Among Sub-Saharan African Migrants: A Mixed-Method Study.

Background: Late human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis is common among sub-Saharan African migrants. To address their barriers to HIV testing uptake and improve timely HIV diagnoses and linkage to care, the outreach HIV testing intervention, "swab2know," was developed. It combined a community-based approach with innovative testing methods: oral fluid self-sampling and the choice between Web-based HIV test result collections using a secured website or post-test counseling at a sexual health clinic.

COBA-Cohort: a prospective cohort of HIV-negative men who have sex with men, attending community-based HIV testing services in five European countries (a study protocol).

Introduction: Community-based voluntary counselling and testing (CBVCT) services for men who have sex with men (MSM) can reach those most-at-risk and provide an environment for gay men that is likely to be non-stigmatising. Longitudinal data on the behaviour of HIV-negative MSM are scarce in Europe. The aim of this protocol, developed during the Euro HIV Early Diagnosis And Treatment (EDAT) project, is to implement a multicentre community-based cohort of HIV-negative MSM attending 15 CBVCT services in 5 European countries.

Implementation and Operational Research: Computer-Assisted Intervention for Safer Sex in HIV-Positive Men Having Sex With Men: Findings of a European Randomized Multi-Center Trial.

Objective: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are the key population most affected by HIV in Europe. We performed the first European multicenter, simple-randomized parallel-group study to test the effectiveness of a theory-guided computer-assisted intervention to improve safer sex among HIV-positive men who have sex with men.

Methods: Between February, 2011 and February, 2013, 112 participants were enrolled in 8 different European HIV-care settings.

Swab2know: An HIV-Testing Strategy Using Oral Fluid Samples and Online Communication of Test Results for Men Who Have Sex With Men in Belgium.

Background: As HIV remains a public health concern, increased testing among those at risk for HIV acquisition is important. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are the most important group for targeted HIV testing in Europe. Several new strategies have been developed and implemented to increase HIV-testing uptake in this group, among them the Swab2know project.

Development of a theory-guided pan-European computer-assisted safer sex intervention.

HIV is a growing public health problem in Europe, with men-having-sex-with-men and migrants from endemic regions as the most affected key populations. More evidence on effective behavioral interventions to reduce sexual risk is needed. This article describes the systematic development of a theory-guided computer-assisted safer sex intervention, aiming at supporting people living with HIV in sexual risk reduction.