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Risks for HIV infection among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Baral, S; Sifakis, F; Peryskina, A; Mogilnii, V; Masenior, NF; Sergeyev, B; Deobald, I; Wirtz, AL; Beyrer, C
Published in: AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses
August 2012

The majority of early cases of HIV in Russia were among men who have sex with men (MSM). Despite this and the current resurgence of HIV among MSM globally, little systematic work has been done to assess current HIV risks. We conducted a rapid assessment of HIV and associated risk behaviors among MSM in Russia. An anonymous, cross-sectional study was performed among MSM in Moscow and St. Petersburg (January 2008). Participants were enrolled by local NGO partners via peer-recruitment, underwent a brief behavioral survey, and were offered rapid, oral HIV screening. Factors associated with HIV infection were assessed using logistic regression. A total of 401 participants were enrolled. HIV prevalence was comparable in the two cities (6.0% in Moscow, 5.5% in St. Petersburg). Approximately half (49.3%) were under age 25, 75.1% of all men reported unprotected anal intercourse (UAI), and 21.5% reported engaging in unprotected exchange sex in the prior 12 months. HIV infection was the highest (7.7%) among the youngest MSM, those aged 18-22 years. Never having tested for HIV (AOR=6.2; 95% CI: 1.8, 21.9) and ever injecting drugs (AOR=11.3; 95% CI: 2.6, 50.4) were independently associated with HIV infection. We found significant overall HIV prevalence among MSM in Moscow and St. Petersburg, particularly among the youngest men. The majority of men reported ongoing high-risk behaviors, indicating the potential for further spread. HIV prevention efforts need to specifically focus on urban MSM in Russia, encourage testing, and target injection risks to address this epidemic.

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Published In

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses

DOI

EISSN

1931-8405

Publication Date

August 2012

Volume

28

Issue

8

Start / End Page

874 / 879

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Virology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Russia
  • Risk-Taking
  • Risk Factors
  • Prevalence
  • Male
  • Humans
 

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MLA
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Baral, S., Sifakis, F., Peryskina, A., Mogilnii, V., Masenior, N. F., Sergeyev, B., … Beyrer, C. (2012). Risks for HIV infection among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses, 28(8), 874–879. https://doi.org/10.1089/AID.2011.0264
Baral, Stefan, Frangiscos Sifakis, Alena Peryskina, Vladimir Mogilnii, Nicole F. Masenior, Boris Sergeyev, Irina Deobald, Andrea L. Wirtz, and Chris Beyrer. “Risks for HIV infection among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia.AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 28, no. 8 (August 2012): 874–79. https://doi.org/10.1089/AID.2011.0264.
Baral S, Sifakis F, Peryskina A, Mogilnii V, Masenior NF, Sergeyev B, et al. Risks for HIV infection among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2012 Aug;28(8):874–9.
Baral, Stefan, et al. “Risks for HIV infection among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia.AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses, vol. 28, no. 8, Aug. 2012, pp. 874–79. Pubmed, doi:10.1089/AID.2011.0264.
Baral S, Sifakis F, Peryskina A, Mogilnii V, Masenior NF, Sergeyev B, Deobald I, Wirtz AL, Beyrer C. Risks for HIV infection among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2012 Aug;28(8):874–879.
Journal cover image

Published In

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses

DOI

EISSN

1931-8405

Publication Date

August 2012

Volume

28

Issue

8

Start / End Page

874 / 879

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Virology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Russia
  • Risk-Taking
  • Risk Factors
  • Prevalence
  • Male
  • Humans