Results Introduction and background Rising HIV diagnoses among MSM in most Western countries A need for more targeted HIV prevalence estimations among MSM Evidence-base for prevention efforts Research objectives HIV prevalence estimates in different venues where MSM meet HIV/STI testing behaviour Frequency of sexual risk behaviour Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp Nationalestraat 155, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium Tel Fax Statistical analysis Data analysis was performed using SPPS Methods Study design and procedures Time-space sampling Selection of three types of venues:  N1 = Cruising bars and sauna’s (n=4)  N2 = (Dance) Clubs where sexual contact is not possible (n=2)  N3 = Party’s, clubs targeting younger MSM (<25 years old) (n=3) Data collection was carried out between 10/2009 – 03/2010 by PI and volunteers from the MSM community The study was approved by the ethics committee of ITM and Antwerp University hospital Voluntary participation after obtaining informed consent FAQ IT! : A venue based HIV prevalence study among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) in Flanders, Belgium W Vanden Berghe 1, C Nöstlinger 1,A Buvé 1,G Beelaert ², K Fransen ², M Laga 1 1 Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), HIV/STI Epidemiology and Control Unit, Antwerp, Belgium ² Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), AIDS Reference Lab, Antwerp, Belgium Funding : Flemish government /ITM funding A linked self-administered anonymous questionnaire Socio-demographical background Sexual behaviour (last 12 months /last encounter) Drug and alcohol use HIV/STI testing history and behaviour HIV prevalence estimations (based on biological data): HIV/STI testing behaviour: Ever tested : Over 90% was for HIV, over 80 % for STI’s Tested during the last 12 months : About 50% was tested for HIV, about 60% for STI’s Condom use at last sexual encounter: 2 in 3 of MSM in a steady relationship and 3 in 4 with casual partners used a condom during the last encounter 55,9% of HIV + MSM did not use a condom during the last encounter with casual partners Conclusions The HIV prevalence in Flemish MSM venues range from 14,5% in cruising bars/sauna’s, to 4,9 in gay (dancing) clubs, to 1.8% at events/party’s for younger MSM 14,3 % of HIV + MSM is unaware of their status High rates of HIV/STI testing and condom use in the general MSM population Less condom use among HIV + MSM Venues where HIV prevalence is high => more STI’s and drug use These results already form the basis for new targeted interventions and a baseline for future evaluation research Study limitations Results are not representative of the general population of MSM in Flanders Behavioural data are self-reported and voluntary participation may have biased study results Contact: Biological sampling Interviewer-assisted fingerprick Amount of blood on filterpaper Analysis by ITM lab : tested for HIV anti- bodies (confirmed) + 14,3% of HIV + MSM is unaware of their status Table 1: sample/socio-demographic/health characteriSTIcs according to subsample Acknowledgements: Our volunteers !!! Sensoa ( Çavaria (