HIV/AIDS Epidemics Among MSM In Developing Countries AMFAR: HIV Prevention among MSM August 17, 2006 Toronto Chris Beyrer MD, MPH The Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Introduction HIV epidemic spread among MSM is occurring in both high and low income settings in 2006 Developing country epidemics are underway in Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe/FSU, and Africa Many MSM epidemics are occurring in “hidden” contexts of discrimination, stigma, criminalization, limited HIV surveillance US and UK MSM epidemics are significantly more severe among Black MSM—”The Global South”

Global HIV Prevalence Trends in MSM

Source: Wade et al. 2005; Girault et al. 2004; van Grievsven et al. 2005; Action for AIDS Singapore, 2006, Go et al. 2004; Pando et al. 2006; UNAIDS, 2006; Caceres et al, 2005, Strathdee, et al, CENSIDA, CA State Office of AIDS; Patterson et al, IAS, 2006; Strathdee et al, pers. comm; Viani et al, 2006 HIV prevalence among MSM in low prevalence settings

HIV prevalence among MSM, Bangkok, Thailand Age (years) ≤ ≥29 N = 194/1,121; 113/399 p-values all < 0.05 Overall Source: Van Griensven, et al, MMWR HIV Prevalence (%)

HIV prevalence among MSM, Bangkok, Thailand 2003 – 2005, by recruitment venue Entertainment Sauna % HIV infected Park Overall Recruitment venue

HIV prevalence (%) among female sex workers and MSM in Latin America, 1999–2002 Provinces (7 cities) La Paz Santa Cruz Border cities with Argentina Santiago Bogotá Argentina Bolivia Chile Colombia 0.0 % HIV prevalence Buenos Aires Quito Guayaquil Other city ports (4) Asunción + 4 cities Lima Provinces Montevideo Border cities with Brazil Isla Margarita Ecuador Paraguay Peru Uruguay Venezuela 0.0 % HIV prevalence Female sex workers MSM Source: Montano SM et al., JAIDS (2005).

HIV prevalence in selected high risk groups: Mexico-U.S. Border States Sources: CENSIDA, CA State Office of AIDS; Patterson et al, IAS, 2006; Strathdee et al; Viani et al, % 14.5% 8% 1% MSMMale CSWFemale CSWIDUPregnant women 6%

HIV Prevalence Trends in the US: Black MSM at Risk

Estimated Number of HIV/AIDS Diagnoses, by Transmission Category — 33 States, 2001–2004. * Statistically significant Source: Espinoza, CDC, 2005

HIV/AIDS and MSM in the U.S.

HIV Prevalence and Proportion with Undiagnosed HIV Infection in MSM in 5 Cities – NHBS, (48) 217 (25) Total Undiagnosed HIV Infection N (%) HIV Prevalence N (%) Total Tested Characteristic Race White Black Hispanic API NA/AN Multiracial/Other Age ≥ < (18) (67) (48) (29) (100) (52) <10 13 (21) (46) (17) (7) (29) (20) <10 25 (79) (70) (49) (30) (34) (14) (17) (29) (37) (31) MMWR: 2005; 54(24)

Black MSM in the US: Hypotheses for higher HIV rates Not Supported –More high-risk sex –Less “gay” identified → more risk –More drug use, more IDU risk Supported –More STI: Syphilis, GC, NGU –Less often HIV tested, less likely to know status Insufficient data –circumcision –sexual Networks may increase risks (1 + study) –incarceration → more HIV risk (1 + study) Source: Millett, et al, AJPH 2006

Prevalence of Noninjection Amphetamine or Methamphetamine Drug Usage in the Preceding 12 Months, by Race/Ethnicity and HIV Serostatus Drake A, CDC, Toronto, 2006

Racial Differences in HIV Seroprevalence among MSM in developed nations Source : CDC, 2005; Dougan et al. STI, 2005

Risk Factors Driving MSM Epidemics

Individual Level Associations for HIV among MSM Sources Beyrer et al. 2005, Ferreira et al. 2006, Bautista et al. 2004, Wade et al. 2005, Girault et al. 2004, Koblin et al. 2006, Harawa et al. 2004, Buchbinder et al, 2005 Unprotected Anal Intercourse - Thailand Unprotected Anal Intercourse - Brazil Uncircumcised - US Frequency of Partners (>3/week) - Peru Lifetime Partners (>10) - Senegal Lifetime Partners (>10) - Cambodia Injection Drug Use - Brazil Black/African American - US Methamphetamines - US Poppers - US

MSM structural risk contexts Criminalization and stigma limit MSM access to HIV prevention, treatment and care MSM understudied in emerging contexts: MSM not included in national HIV surveillance in Thailand, Vietnam, Senegal Only one African study (Wade, et al) of MSM risk and HIV rates Fewer than 1 in 10 MSM worldwide have access to necessary prevention services Sources: UNAIDS; USAID, 2004; Wade 2005; Go 2006 personal communication; HRW; UNAIDS 2006

MSM Risk and Rights Contexts “Vulnerability to HIV infection is dramatically increased where sex between men is criminalized.” –UNAIDS, 2006 Criminalization and homophobia limit MSM access to HIV prevention information commodities, treatment and care. –USAID, 2004 MSM behavior is criminalized in more than half of all African States 2006 review of the literature found no African studies of the prevalence of MSM behavior, and that few behavioral studies included questions on MSM –Caceres, et al, STI 2006 Faced with legal or social sanction MSM are excluded, or exclude themselves from sexual health and welfare –UNAIDS 2006

India May Scrap Gay Sex Law Over HIV Fear NIRMALA GEORGE (AP, July 26, 2006) Health authorities call for repeal of law that makes gay sex a crime, fearing it is causing HIV spread The National AIDS Control Organization, NACO, argued law creates a public health risk "So long as the gay community is forced to go underground, it limits the access to them and makes it difficult for the AIDS prevention campaign to reach them," --Sujatha Rao, NACO 1861 law makes consensual sex between same-sex adults punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Prosecutions rare under the law, but activists say police use it to harass NACO : estimated 8% of India's MSM HIV infected in 2005 In May, 2006 UNAIDS reports India has the world's largest number of people living with HIV: 5.7 million

Ecological Model for HIV Risk in MSM Unprotected Receptive Anal Intercourse, GUD, Lack of circumcision, frequency of male partners, high lifetime partners, IDU, poppers, meth, Black/African American Individual Risks for HIV Infection Widening Risk Contexts for HIV Infection

MSM Epidemics in 2006 HIV continues to disproportionately affect MSM in high and low income settings, and among minority men in US/UK MSM outbreaks in Africa, Asia and Latin America are occurring against low backgrounds of HIV infection in general populations and are markedly understudied UNAIDS estimates that less than 1 in 10 MSM worldwide have access to necessary prevention services