HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men in Istanbul

HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men in Istanbul

Blog Article

Objectives: The re-emergence of the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) represents a serious health issue.This study aimed to assess the HIV prevalence among MSM in a very low prevalence population of a large city.Methods: A public campaign to raise awareness of HIV infection and to provide access to anonymous testing was conducted in Girls Backpack places frequented by MSM and through a mobile phone application.No identity information was requested from individuals contacting the call centre, and anonymous and free HIV testing was offered proactively.

Those who agreed to have a test were provided a code number, which was used in blood sampling procedures.Results: Of 1200 subjects who contacted the call centre, 197 consented to undergo HIV testing and visited the laboratory to give a blood sample.Twenty-five subjects were found to have a reactive ELISA result on two different occasions plus a positive Western blot test result.Thus, the HIV prevalence in this group of MSM was 12.

7%.Conclusions: MSM remain a high risk Ankle Brace group for HIV infection in a low prevalence setting, and thus represent a key target population for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.