Msm, Hiv, Gay and Bisexual Men

Evidence related to the burden of violence against sexual minorities and its far-reaching implications on their well-being is quite limited. This study attempts to investigate the likelihood of violence against men having sex with men (MSM) across six selected metro cities in India. About 300 participants aged 18 years and above participated in this study and shared their lived experiences as gays or bisexuals. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and binary logistic regression models were used for data analysis. More than 50% of MSM ever suffered from verbal or physical violence. The odds of violence among bisexuals was significantly low as compared to gays. Men who reported to be 'out regarding their sexuality in public were significantly more victimised than their counterparts. Given India's commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (2016-
2030), investing in the health and well-being of all citizens without leaving anyone behind should be the mantra for inclusive development.

In 2011, the emergence of "slam", designating drug injection among gay men in a sexual context was taken up by health stakeholders. As slam is rarely documented, a qualitative research was carried out by AIDES, a French HIV/Aids community-based association, in collaboration with other health institutions (Sidaction, the gay doctors association and the Health and medical research national institute). The objective was to take stock of this phenomenon regarding definitions, products used, effects, connection with sexuality, harm reduction strategies implemented as well as prevention and medical needs as declared by slam practitioners.
In 2012, a multidisciplinary team (an anthropologist, two sociologists, a dermato-venereologist, a health psychologist and an insider) conducted a rapid assessment process (RAP). This ethnographic approach insists on the role of the insider, a gay man practicing slam, who ensures the appropriateness of questions and facilitates the rapport researchers-interviewees. The team worked collectively during the whole process (constructing the interview guide, conducting the interviews, analysis and report writing). 23 people from different cities of France were interviewed 17 current and ex- slammers and 6 key informants (clinicians, addictologists and members of NGOs) having an expertise on drug use and gay sexuality.
Slam was defined as the injection of products (méphédrone and derivatives, crystal, cocaine) in a sexual context. This sexual context does usually involve two or more people. Most people slamming were HIV+, variable ages (25-59), practicing hard sex (e.g. fisting) and were employed. Physical and psychological complications (including addiction) were observed in some of them. Some strategies, like not learning to inject themselves were implemented in order to better control the drug use. They declared not attending specialized services because they do not identify as typical injecting drug users. As a matter of fact, this was one of the main barriers to have a more ease access to materials and preventive information, not only because the refuse to ask for help in specialized services but also because HIV practitioners do not perceive their gay patients as potential drug users. Interviewees asked for physicians to be at least informed about slam and drug consumption in general, in order to ensure a more effective linkage to care if needed (including just thinking of asking about drug consumption). Finally, even the large already existing evidence about the relationship among sex and drug use, a lack of preventive actions and discourses considering both behaviors became manifest.
Although qualitative research regarding injecting drug use among gay men is scarce, it is a rich source of information about this phenomenon and can help develop adequate and appropriate political, institutional and associative responses.

An inner Sydney sexual health service introduced the option to gay and bisexual men of receiving a negative HIV result by SMS to mobile phone one business day after venipuncture (rapid SMS). Men could also choose one of the other options: a point-of-care-test (POCT), by phone, or in-person (clinicians could also require in-person). We followed-up patients choosing the rapid SMS method to ascertain their satisfaction. During 12 months, 473 men had 591 HIV tests. Of these tests, 5.4% were POCTs, 9.1% were in-person, 24% were by phone, and 62% were rapid SMS. HIV POCTs declined from being 22% of result methods in the pre-study period to 5.4% during the rapid SMS intervention period (odds ratio 0.20, 95% CI 0.13–0.32, P < 0.0001). Phone/in-person results declined from 78% to 33% (odds ratio 0.14, 95% CI 0.10–0.20, P < 0.0001). SMS was sent by the next business day in 95% of cases; 96% of men were satisfied; and 95% would choose this method for their next test. Of 77 men who previously had an HIV POCT, 56 (73%) elected a rapid SMS result rather than having another POCT. The higher accuracy of conventional serology was commonly expressed as the reason for choosing rapid SMS for results.