Barcelona 2013
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| Abstract #151 - Co-infection | ||||
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Session: 8.2: Co-infection (Parallel) on Monday @ 11.00-13.00 in Mirador Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Dr Wendy van der Veldt - Public Health Service Amsterdam, Netherlands |
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| Additional Authors: Dr Jordi Casabona, Sra Cristina Sanclemente, Dra Anna Esteve, Dra Victoria Gonzalez, y Grupo HIVITS-TS, | ||||
| Aim: Since 2000 hepatitis C virus (HCV) is emerging as a sexually transmitted disease among HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM), which causes serious medical and psychosocial complications. Specifically, the rate of reinfection with HCV among MSM is remarkably high. This indicates that problems with implementation of risk reduction behaviour exist and primary prevention of HCV transmission is insufficient. The main objective of this study is to identify barriers and motives for implementing and maintaining risk reduction strategies in (previously) HCV-infected MSM. | ||||
| Method / Issue: Qualitative interviews were carried out with 20 MSM who had (recently) been diagnosed with HCV, of whom 19 were HIV co-infected (between 2011-2012). Transcripted interviews were analysed qualitatively using Grounded Theory. | ||||
| Results / Comments: A substantial proportion of the MSM did not report high risk behaviour associated with sexually transmitted HCV, such as fisting or group sex, etc. Following HCV diagnosis, participants reported that they had reduced (unprotected) anal intercourse and use of drugs and alcohol. This reduction was highly influenced by side-effects of HCV treatment. During therapy sexual activity declined and motivation to implement risk reduction strategies was high. In the period following HCV treatment participants experienced barriers to maintain risk reduction strategies. Reported barriers to implementing risk reduction strategies included disadvantages related to condom use, occurrences of depression, resisting established sex practices in the HIV-positive MSM scene, asking sexual partners about their HCV status, drug and alcohol use and general barriers to changing sexual behaviour such as risk lapses in which old habits emerge again. | ||||
| Discussion: This study illustrates that confrontation with an HCV-positive diagnoses and treatment had far-reaching implications that motivate the men to change their sexual risk behaviour. Despite this initial impact, over time, a complexity of barriers is reported that undermine maintaining of risk reduction strategies. These insights will contribute to the development and adaption of targeted interventions for MSM with and for those at risk of HCV (re-)infection. | ||||
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