Uptake and service preferences of human papillomavirus vaccination in men who have sex with men.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination could reduce HPV infection in men who have sex with men (MSM), but the published statistics on HPV vaccination uptake in MSM were scarce globally. This study estimated the uptake and profiled the service preferences of HPV vaccination of Chinese MSM in Hong Kong. Adult MSM were recruited through non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and online channels for completing an online baseline survey.

Population Behavior Changes Underlying Phasic Shifts of SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Settings Across 3 Omicron Epidemic Waves in Hong Kong: Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Exposure risk was shown to have affected individual susceptibility and the epidemic spread of COVID-19. The dynamics of risk by and across exposure settings alongside the variations following the implementation of social distancing interventions are understudied.

Objective: This study aims to examine the population's trajectory of exposure risk in different settings and its association with SARS-CoV-2 infection across 3 consecutive Omicron epidemic waves in Hong Kong.

Self-sampled multi-anatomic site testing for uncovering the community burden of undiagnosed Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection in men who have sex with men.

Purpose: To detect otherwise undiagnosed asymptomatic sexually transmitted infection (STI), and for estimating prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: In this community-based study in Hong Kong, adult MSM were recruited. After completion of an online survey, free multi-anatomic sites self-sampling kits (urine specimens, pharyngeal and rectal swabs) for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) tests were delivered to requesting participants.

Dynamicity of HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Usage Pattern and Association with Executed Adherence in MSM: An Implementation Study in Hong Kong.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use has been shown to be effective for HIV prevention in men who have sex with men (MSM). PrEP use coverage aside, maintenance of high PrEP adherence is crucial in ensuring the achievement of HIV prevention. In this PrEP implementation study in Hong Kong, we examined the patterns of PrEP use in MSM and evaluated their association with prevention-effective adherence for HIV prevention.

Implementation Cascade of a Social Network-Based HIV Self-testing Approach for Men Who Have Sex With Men: Cross-sectional Study.

Background: HIV testing is the cornerstone of strategies for achieving the fast-track target to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Self-testing has been proven to be an effective health intervention for men who have sex with men (MSM). While social network-based approaches for distributing HIV self-tests are recommended by the World Health Organization, their implementation consists of multiple steps that need to be properly evaluated.

Temporal Changes in Sexually Transmitted Infections in a Cohort of Men Who Have Sex with Men Living with HIV: Sex Partner Seeking and Behavioral Correlates.

With "undetectable equals untransmittable," continued engagement in condomless sex has prolonged STI risk in people living with HIV. This study examined the pattern and relationship between STI diagnosis and sex partner-seeking practice over time in a cohort of men who have sex with men (MSM) attending the HIV specialist clinic in Hong Kong. Participants' STI diagnosis record since HIV diagnosis was retrieved and their frequency of seeking sex partners (A) before, (B) after HIV diagnosis, and (C) following extended period (5-10 years), through eight different settings, was assessed in two rounds of survey, along with their risk behavioral profile.

Regular Testing of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections With Self-Collected Samples From Multiple Anatomic Sites to Monitor Sexual Health in Men Who Have Sex With Men: Longitudinal Study.

Background: Regular HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing for men who have sex with men (MSM) is an important means of infection prevention, the adoption of which remains suboptimal in the community.

Objective: On the hypothesis that engagement plays an important role in sexual health monitoring, this study aimed to pilot-test internet-based HIV and STI testing with self-sampling to enhance engagement of MSM with regular testing.

Methods: This 1-year cohort study was conducted on HIV-negative MSM aged 18 years or older.

Mass Screening of SARS-CoV-2 With Rapid Antigen Tests in a Receding Omicron Wave: Population-Based Survey for Epidemiologic Evaluation.

Background: The COVID-19 Omicron BA.2 epidemic wave in Hong Kong peaked in the first quarter of 2022. Following the implementation of stringent public health measures, the daily number of reported cases fell from over 50,000 to below 2000.

Enforcement of the Use of Digital Contact-Tracing Apps in a Common Law Jurisdiction.

Digital contact-tracing systems have been widely implemented worldwide with different system designs and implementation policies for the purpose of tracking potentially exposed individuals. The use of a digital contact-tracing app in Hong Kong has been mandated for visiting certain premises by legislations. This paper reviewed the regulations promulgated specifically for the prevention and control of COVID-19 and identified those associated with the digital contact-tracing system.

The differential impacts of early detection and accelerated antiretroviral therapy on the epidemiologic trend of sexually acquired HIV infection in Hong Kong.

Objectives: To assess impacts of early detection and prompt antiretroviral therapy (ART) on the latest epidemiologic situation to inform intervention strategy.

Methods: We analysed data from two clinical cohorts in Hong Kong where sexual transmission accounted for the majority of HIV infections. The two cohorts comprised patients newly diagnosed in 2007-2008 and 2016-2018 respectively.

User Experience and Usability of Neumorphism and Gamification User Interface Designs in an HIV Self-Test Referral Program for Men Who Have Sex With Men: Prospective Open-Label Parallel-Group Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Digital interventions have been applied for promoting HIV prevention and care among men who have sex with men (MSM). As user interface (UI) design plays a role in determining usability and user experience (UX), the intervention outcome could be affected.

Objective: In this study, we hypothesized that 2 UI design styles, namely gamification and neumorphism, could impact usability and be differentially preferred by distinct groups of MSM.

Hepatitis C Co-infection in People Living With HIV-Epidemiologic Differences Between Men Who Have Sex With Men MSM and Non-MSM.

People living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) constitute a unique group at higher risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection. In light of the diverse profiles of PLHIV, we differentiated between men who have sex with men (MSM) and non-MSM in the characterization of the epidemiologic features of HIV/HCV co-infection. Clinical data of HCV co-infection patients from the HIV specialist clinic in Hong Kong were retrospectively collected in conjunction with their HIV subtypes and HCV genotypes.

Shifts of SARS-CoV-2 exposure settings in the transmission clusters of 2 epidemic waves in Hong Kong.

Exposure setting is crucial in the formation and propagation of SARS-CoV-2 transmission clusters. In this cohort study, transmission networks of 2 waves were differentiated by exposure setting using territory-wide surveillance data with clinical and laboratory records in Hong Kong. Characteristically, the first wave had resulted from imported cases followed by local transmissions, while the second wave was constituted primarily by local infections.

Awareness of HIV functional cure and willingness in participating in related clinical trials: comparison between antiretroviral naïve and experienced men who have sex with men living with HIV.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) functional cure is a novel biomedical strategy characterized by sustained viral suppression without the need for life-long medications. The attitude of people living with HIV (PLHIV) towards functional cure and clinical trials are understudied. We aimed to examine the awareness and levels of anticipation for HIV functional cure among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV, and their willingness to join trials as differentiated by their antiretroviral treatment status.

What makes an optimal delivery for PrEP against HIV: A qualitative study in MSM.

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective means of HIV prevention for men who have sex with men (MSM), a key population whose engagement is crucial for achieving effective public health outcomes. An optimal service model would be important in planning the implementation of PrEP in places where such service has not been established.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted to delineate the attributes of an optimal PrEP service model for MSM in Hong Kong, a city where no formal PrEP programs existed.

Mining relationships between transmission clusters from contact tracing data: An application for investigating COVID-19 outbreak.

Objective: Contact tracing of reported infections could enable close contacts to be identified, tested, and quarantined for controlling further spread. This strategy has been well demonstrated in the surveillance and control of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) epidemics. This study aims to leverage contact tracing data to investigate the degree of spread and the formation of transmission cascades composing of multiple clusters.

Settings of virus exposure and their implications in the propagation of transmission networks in a COVID-19 outbreak.

Background: Transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 varied by the settings of virus exposure. Understanding the inter-relationship between exposure setting and transmission networks would provide a basis for informing public health control strategies.

Methods: Surveillance and clinical data from the first wave of COVID-19 outbreaks in Hong Kong were accessed.

Review on the molecular epidemiology of sexually acquired hepatitis C virus infection in the Asia-Pacific region.

Introduction: Sexual acquisition has emerged as a transmission route for hepatitis C virus (HCV) of growing importance among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive populations. In Western countries, HCV epidemics have been increasingly detected among men who have sex with men (MSM). This review describes the molecular epidemiology of sexually acquired HCV infection in the Asia-Pacific region.

Pervasive and non-random recombination in near full-length HIV genomes from Uganda.

Recombination is an important feature of HIV evolution, occurring both within and between the major branches of diversity (subtypes). The Ugandan epidemic is primarily composed of two subtypes, A1 and D, that have been co-circulating for 50 years, frequently recombining in dually infected patients. Here, we investigate the frequency of recombinants in this population and the location of breakpoints along the genome.

Failure of pre-exposure prophylaxis with daily tenofovir/emtricitabine and the scenario of delayed HIV seroconversion.

Failure of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine may occur despite perfect adherence, although this is uncommon. Failure results in breakthrough HIV infection. Delayed seroconversion associated with antiretroviral use may complicate the picture, causing uncertainties in interpreting adherence patterns for establishing the true cause of PrEP failure.

Incorporation of information diffusion model for enhancing analyses in HIV molecular surveillance.

Molecular surveillance of infections is essential in monitoring their transmission in the population. In this study, newly diagnosed HIV patients' phylogenetic, clinical and behavioural data were integrated, and an information diffusion model was incorporated in analysing transmission dynamics. A genetic network was constructed from HIV sequences, from which transmission cascades were extracted.

Delineation of chemsex patterns of men who have sex with men in association with their sexual networks and linkage to HIV prevention.

Background: Previous studies have shown that men who have sex with men (MSM) and who engage in drug use in sexualized contexts (chemsex) were more likely to be HIV positive. Their social networks and adoption of HIV prevention measures have, however, not been fully investigated. We aim to compare the sexual behavior, HIV prevention efforts and social networks of MSM by the intensity and patterns of their drug use.

Bridging Awareness and Acceptance of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men and the Need for Targeting Chemsex and HIV Testing: Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is currently an important tool for HIV prevention, especially in communities with higher risk of infection, notably men who have sex with men (MSM). To date, PrEP has remained generally unavailable in many cities around the world. In the planning of strategies for PrEP targeting MSM, community assessment is crucial to understand members' responses to the new intervention.