OBJECTIVE: HIV diagnoses are increasing in Australia, mostly among men who have sex with men (MSM). Similar to many countries, Australia's HIV prevention strategies emphasize a "seek, test, treat" approach including enhancing HIV testing frequency. We describe HIV testing among MSM and correlates of returning for testing within 12 months in the context of new HIV prevention paradigms. METHODS: Testing and behavioral data (2007-2013) contributed by MSM aged ≥ 16 years were included. Total HIV tests by calendar year and repeat tests within 12 months were described, alongside negative binomial regression for trend. A 2-level mixed-effects logistic regression model examined correlates of testing within 12 months. Median (days) between HIV tests was compared between MSM diagnosed with HIV and persistently HIV-negative MSM. RESULTS: The study included 46,060 tests from 17,904 MSM. There was an increase in annual tests (P < 0.01), repeat tests within 12 months (P < 0.01), and the proportion of tests within 12 months of an index test (P < 0.01), although only to 53.3% in 2013. Return rates were higher in MSM aged 16-29 years (adjusted odds ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval: 1.1 to 1.5) and those reporting higher numbers of partners (adjusted odds ratio 3.5, 95% confidence interval: 3.0 to 4.0). Median time between tests among MSM diagnosed with HIV (233 days) was greater than for HIV-negative MSM (189 days) (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Although testing has increased, testing frequency among many MSM remains suboptimal. To optimize "seek, test, treat"-based HIV prevention strategies, new approaches to increase testing uptake and early HIV detection among MSM are needed.
OBJECTIVE: HIV diagnoses are increasing in Australia, mostly among men who have sex with men (MSM). Similar to many countries, Australia's HIV prevention strategies emphasize a "seek, test, treat" approach including enhancing HIV testing frequency. We describe HIV testing among MSM and correlates of returning for testing within 12 months in the context of new HIV prevention paradigms. METHODS: Testing and behavioral data (2007-2013) contributed by MSM aged ≥ 16 years were included. Total HIV tests by calendar year and repeat tests within 12 months were described, alongside negative binomial regression for trend. A 2-level mixed-effects logistic regression model examined correlates of testing within 12 months. Median (days) between HIV tests was compared between MSM diagnosed with HIV and persistently HIV-negative MSM. RESULTS: The study included 46,060 tests from 17,904 MSM. There was an increase in annual tests (P < 0.01), repeat tests within 12 months (P < 0.01), and the proportion of tests within 12 months of an index test (P < 0.01), although only to 53.3% in 2013. Return rates were higher in MSM aged 16-29 years (adjusted odds ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval: 1.1 to 1.5) and those reporting higher numbers of partners (adjusted odds ratio 3.5, 95% confidence interval: 3.0 to 4.0). Median time between tests among MSM diagnosed with HIV (233 days) was greater than for HIV-negative MSM (189 days) (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Although testing has increased, testing frequency among many MSM remains suboptimal. To optimize "seek, test, treat"-based HIV prevention strategies, new approaches to increase testing uptake and early HIV detection among MSM are needed.
Authors: David Leitinger; Kathleen E Ryan; Graham Brown; Alisa Pedrana; Anna L Wilkinson; Claire Ryan; Margaret Hellard; Mark Stoové Journal: AIDS Behav Date: 2018-01
Authors: Richard T Gray; David P Wilson; Rebecca J Guy; Mark Stoové; Margaret E Hellard; Garrett P Prestage; Toby Lea; John de Wit; Martin Holt Journal: J Int AIDS Soc Date: 2018-04 Impact factor: 5.396
Authors: Kathleen E Ryan; Anne Mak; Mark Stoove; Brian Price; Christopher K Fairley; Simon Ruth; Luxshimi Lal; Jason Asselin; Carol El-Hayek; Long Nguyen; Colin Batrouney; David Wilson; John Lockwood; Dean Murphy; Vincent J Cornelisse; Norman Roth; Jeff Willcox; Christina C Chang; Judy Armishaw; Ban K Tee; Matthew Penn; George Forgan-Smith; Christopher Williams; Jeff Montgomery; Kat Byron; Alison Coelho; Brent Allen; Jeremy Wiggins; Jenny Kelsall; Olga Vujovic; Michael West; Anna B Pierce; Daniel Gallant; Charlotte Bell; John B F de Wit; Jennifer F Hoy; Steve L Wesselingh; Robert M Grant; Edwina J Wright Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2018-05-29
Authors: Kathleen E Ryan; Alisa Pedrana; David Leitinger; Anna L Wilkinson; Peter Locke; Margaret E Hellard; Mark Stoové Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2017-10-10 Impact factor: 2.655