A study released today recommends eight ways to reduce transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among men who meet male sex partners online.
Owners of popular dating and “hook-up” websites and users of those websites, along nwith HIV and STD program directors, agreed that a few simple measures could have a major impact on the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Among the online measures supported by a majority of those surveyed:
• Including “safe sex” as a profile option and allowing users to search for partners by such characteristics
• Providing directories of STD testing locations
• Sending automatic reminders to get an HIV or STD test at regular intervals chosen by users
• Having chat-rooms and other areas for HIV-positive men looking for other HIV positive men
• Providing e-cards to notify partners of a potential exposure to STDs
• Posting videos that show men discussing safe sex, HIV status, and related issues
• Providing access to sexual health experts
“Finding sex and love online is here to stay,” said Dan Wohlfeiler, one of the study’s authors working with the California HIV/STD Prevention Training Center for this project. “This study shows how we can work with website owners to turn the Internet into a force for their users’ health.”
More than 3000 users, 82 state and local HIV and STD Program directors and 18 owners of dating and “hook-up” websites completed the survey.
Jen Hecht, Education Director at STOP AIDS Project and co-author, said “Since all three groups agree these strategies are important, can be done, and would be used, we need to be getting them online now.”
The study also found a number of strategies with less support. Website owners expressed skepticism about health department staff going online to notify users that they might have been exposed to an STD. In contrast, a majority of HIV and STD prevention directors and users thought this strategy was important. The authors are planning follow-up meetings with owners to further understand their concerns. In California, gay and bisexual men who were diagnosed with syphilis or gonorrhea most frequently reported the Internet as where they met sex partners.
“We have rising rates of STDs among gay and bisexual men and turning that around means everyone needs to take responsibility for their sexual health,” said Bill Smith, Executive Director of the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD). “This study shows how public health professionals, as well the users and owners of sex seeking websites, can band together to make a real difference in securing the sexual health of gay men.”
The study, entitled “How Can We Improve HIV and STD Prevention Online for MSM” funded by amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, was co-authored by H. Fisher Raymond and Willi McFarland at the San Francisco Department of Public Health. The results have been posted here.
Get the following STD tests every three to six months, if you’re sexually active, regardless of how often you use condoms during sex and even if you’re having no symptoms (since many STDs, including HIV, can cause no symptoms):
* A test for HIV, if your last test was negative or you’ve never been tested.
* A blood test for syphilis.
* A test of your urethra for gonorrhea and chlamydia, if you’ve had insertive anal sex or received oral sex in the past year (or since your last test). The urethra is the tube that takes urine through the penis. In the past, testing meant inserting a swab into the urethra. These days, fortunately, all it takes is a urine sample. The best tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia are called NAATs, pronounced like “gnats” and short for “nucleic acid amplification tests.” Ask for them.
* A test of your rectum for gonorrhea and chlamydia, if you’ve had receptive anal sex in the past year (or since your last test). This is done with a (painless!) swab that’s inserted into your rectum. It should be tested with NAATs.
* A test of your throat for gonorrhea, if you’ve given oral sex in the past year (or since your last test). This is also done with a swab. This can be a bit uncomfortable if you’ve got a strong gag reflex, since the swab hits the back of your throat. But it’s not too bad, and it only lasts a second or two. Then it’s tested with NAATs. (Note that CDC doesn’t specifically recommend chlamydia tests of the throat, but in practice most NAATs test for chlamydia and gonorrhea at the same time.)
You should also discuss with your doctor whether blood tests for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and herpes simplex virus type 2 are right for you.
It is our hope that this forum will challenge us to take the microscope off of the individual, and really begin to zoom in on the institutions and institutional policies that impact the sexual health of the Black MSM population.
The Policy and Advocacy Committee of the Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus (CBGMC), with support from the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), will host an unprecedented Community Input Forum to discuss the development of HIV/STI Prevention and Treatment Guidelines for Black men who have sex with men (MSM) in Chicago during Black Pride Weekend.
A collaborative effort with Chicago Windy City Black Pride and Windy City Black Pride, the forum will be held Wednesday, June 30th from 6p – 8p at the opening receptions of both pride organizations, Club Escape (1530 E. 75th Street) and Sidetrack (3349 N. Halsted), respectively. The forum will simulcast live from both locations to afford attendees the opportunity to participate in an interactive dialogue and witness what is happening at the other via large screen TVs.
“Black Pride Weekend is a key time in the City of Chicago to address and find solutions to issues that are affecting the African American LGBT community,” said Keith Green, chair of the CBGMC Policy and Advocacy Committee. “We are excited to work with the Black Pride organizations to bring forth this groundbreaking platform on one of the most pressing issues within our community – HIV and STI prevention and treatment. This is exciting stuff!”
The urgent need to establish HIV/STI Prevention and Treatment Guidelines for Black MSM in Chicago became apparent when, in 2009, the Chicago Department of Public Health released a report that found alarmingly higher rates of HIV in Black MSM compared to White and Latino MSM, despite the fact that there were no differences in how often they used condoms or how regularly they tested for HIV.
“There is obviously something going on at the community level that we as advocates and service providers have not tapped into,” said CBGMC Co-Chair Ariq Cabbler. It is our hope that this forum will challenge us to take the microscope off of the individual, and really begin to zoom in on the institutions and institutional policies that impact the sexual health of the Black MSM population. Though the Guidelines are being developed specifically for providers who encounter and work with Black MSM, they will also be made available to Black MSM through various mediums, to equip these men with information necessary for taking ownership of our own sexual health.”
Confirmed panelists include: Rodney Perkins, RN, MSN (Clinic Coordinator for the Gay Men’s Health and Wellness Clinic at the Whitman Walker Clinic in Washington, DC), Jim Pickett (Director of Advocacy for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago), Anthony Galloway (Prevention Manager at Test Positive Aware Network), Lora Branch, MS (Director of Administration for the Chicago Department of Public Health STI/HIV Division), Beau Gratzer, MPP (Director of Community Health at the Howard Brown Health Center) and “Aruba” Tommy Bennett (Of The Tom Joyner Morning Show and host of “He Say, He Say” on WVON).
[The mission of the Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus is to mobilize and empower Black gay men and their allies to identify solutions to prevent new HIV infections by addressing the well-being of Black men who have sex with men. It is a coalition of public and private providers, business owners, club managers, promoters, and community activists dedicated to improving health outcomes for African American gay and bisexual men.]
DCfukit.org, a Washington D.C. based all volunteer safer sex advocacy group and distributor of the free safer sex kit, FUK!T, has just released their second explicit safer sex education PSA featuring adult film star, Brent Corrigan. This PSA focuses on the sexually transmitted diseases that gay and bi men are most at risk for and explains how best to prevent them. LifeLube recommends repeated viewings, just to make sure you really, really get it...
Gay businesses in London and Brighton are to take part in a pilot scheme to encourage staff and customers to protect their sexual health.
The Everywhere Project is a collaboration between HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust and the University of Brighton and is designed to be a Europe-wide code of good practice for businesses creating a safer environment for gay men’s sexual health. Participating businesses will get a ‘seal’ of good practice to show they are committed to the sexual health of their customers and staff.
Health organizations launch citywide campaign to mark National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and increase awareness, availability of female condoms
In a way, it’s unfortunate that it is called the female condom since it is really a tool for the receptive partner, and is a great prevention option during anal sex for both women and men.
CHICAGO, IL – An ubiquitous nugget of pop culture advice (“Put a ring on it!”) is the tagline of a new public awareness campaign launched today by a coalition of health organizations that aims to increase the use of a new-and-improved female condom among both women and men.
Timed to coincide with the observance of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (March 10), the initiative is the brainchild of the Chicago Female Condom Campaign, a coalition of HIV/AIDS, reproductive justice, women’s health, and gay men’s health organizations that is working to boost awareness, accessibility and availability of female condoms.
The female condom is currently the only barrier method that can be controlled by the receptive partner, allowing both women and men to take control of their health in preventing unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
This kind of prevention option is urgently needed to keep Chicagoans healthy as numbers for STIs continue to rise. Cook County ranks first, second, and third nationwide for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis, respectively, and reported approximately 1,500 new HIV cases in 2008, state health figures show.
African Americans comprise just 15 percent of the Illinois population yet account for 54 percent of the state’s total HIV infections, according to state health data. Just as gay men of color bear the brunt of the HIV epidemic, African-American women are disproportionately impacted by HIV, accounting for 68 percent of all Illinois women diagnosed with HIV in 2008, while Latinas account for 10 percent.
“For many women and men, condom negotiation in the bedroom isn’t an option,” said AIDS Foundation of Chicago policy manager Jessica Terlikowski, who leads the female condom campaign. “The campaign is working to ensure that Chicagoans know about this highly effective safer sex tool and that service providers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to effectively promote it. The way we see it, five little words could save your life: Put a ring on it!”
The female condom is lubricated, and shaped like an open-ended tube, with a removable inner ring and an attached outer ring. The inner ring stays anchored to the cervix during vaginal sex. When used for anal sex, the inner ring can be left in, or taken out, depending on individual preference. The outer ring then covers the surface area around the vaginal or anal opening, providing increased protection against STIs that are spread by skin-to-skin contact. These unique features gave birth to the campaign’s hip tagline.
Like male condoms, there has been no research on the effectiveness of female condoms for anal sex. The Chicago Female Condom Campaign, however, as well as many leading public health organizations, confidently promotes the use of female condoms for safer anal sex.
“In a way, it’s unfortunate that it is called the female condom since it is really a tool for the receptive partner, and is a great prevention option during anal sex for both women and men,” said advocate Zoe Lehman of the Chicago Women’s AIDS Project, a founding organization of the campaign.
“Both women and men engage in anal sex and the female condom is a great prevention tool to keep both partners safe and satisfied.”
In May 1993, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first generation of the female condom, known as FC1 (Female Condom 1). The current, second-generation version known as FC2, was approved by the FDA in February 2009, and is made of a more affordable, hypo-allergenic synthetic rubber (instead of latex), making it a viable option for people with latex allergies. FC2 is also 30 percent cheaper than FC1.
The campaign has partnered with agencies across the city to distribute female condoms for free, and is currently reaching out to public health clinics, health care providers, family planning centers, and other community-based organizations to encourage bulk purchasing. Female condoms can be purchased in bulk through the campaign, at a cost of $.75 each, an incentive that campaign organizers hope will spur greater availability of the product.
“Female condoms provide a sense of power for women because they are able to choose to protect themselves. You don’t need to leave it to the guy,” said Dolores Benton, female condom enthusiast, and case manager for the Pediatric AIDS Chicago Prevention Initiative, a member organization of the campaign. “It’s not difficult to put it in. It’s a piece of cake.”
In the meantime, the Chicago Female Condom Campaign continues to take its message on the road. Through in-person trainings, campaign members equip service providers with the skills to positively promote female condoms, including knowledge of the correct ways to use them and where to access them.
Fox News (Chicago) coverage:
Three in-person trainings are scheduled to take place this week.
The 411 on Female Condoms: Training for Case Managers and Prevention Educators
Wednesday, March 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
AIDS Foundation of Chicago, 200 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 2200, Chicago, IL
Protect Your Success
Wednesday, March 10 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Young Women's Leadership Charter School, 2641 S. Calumet Blvd., Chicago, IL
How 2 Get Down Political Education Training
Friday, March 12 at 12:30 p.m.
Lincoln Library, 326 S. 7th St., Springfield, IL
Condom Hunt & Demonstration
Friday, March 10 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
1823 W. 17th Street, Chicago, IL
In recent years it has become evident that HCV sexual transmission is more common than previously believed, with several outbreaks among HIV-positive gay and bisexual men in Europe and the U.S. Reported risk factors include fisting, "rough sex," group sex, and nasal drug use. About one-third of HIV-positive people are coinfected with HCV.
"I found out I was hep C coinfected about three years ago, but I was likely infected sexually more than 20 years ago," said task force co-chair and longtime HIV/AIDS public policy advocate Randy Allgaier. "I was never considered in an 'at risk' category, so my doctor and I never talked about an HCV test. Even I thought hep C was a disease associated with injection drug use. I am very open about my AIDS, but when I was diagnosed as hep C positive I had a hard time telling people – there was a great deal of stigma that I had to deal with."
[Hepatitis C is one type of hepatitis - a liver disease - caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It usually spreads through contact with infected blood. It can also spread through sex with an infected person and from mother to baby during childbirth.]
Circumcision protects HIV-negative gay men from infection with syphilis, Australian investigators report in the December 15th edition of the Journal of Infectious Diseases. However, circumcision did not affect the risk of acquiring any other sexually transmitted infection.
The study was conducted by investigators from the Health in Men (HIM) study. This is the same group of investigators who recently reported that circumcision may protect gay men with a “preference” for insertive anal sex from HIV.
Gay men are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections and new methods of preventing them are required.
Observational studies conducted in heterosexuals have suggested that circumcision is protective against ulcerative sexually transmitted infections, including genital herpes and syphilis. In addition, the Rakai randomised controlled trial showed that circumcision protected against genital herpes, but not syphilis.
Play Hard and Play Safe is the M.O. at Steamworks - a bathhouse chain with a branch right here in Sweeeeet Home Chicago. Playing Hard is a given - and as for Safe...
You can interact with outreach workers from 5 different local organizations AND get that HIV status updated with a rapid HIV test - or get screened for sexually transmitted diseases - 6 sexy nights of the week. See the schedule below.
You might also want to check out Mr. Sexx on Fridays - who sets up shop and offers one-on-one completely confidential counseling - for whatever you want/need to talk about, from 7p - 10p.
Tuesdays 4p-7p
HIV/STD Screening and treatment open to the public and members provided by Howard Brown
Tuesdays 7p-10p
Oraquick HIV Rapid Testing, STD and Hep C screening from BEHIV for members
Wednesdays and Sundays 3:30-6:30p
Outreach and Oraquick HIV Rapid Testing from CALOR for members
Thursdays 8p-11pm
Outreach and Oraquick HIV Rapid Testing from Howard Brown for members
Fridays 7p-10p Mr. Sexx offers one-on-one confidential counseling for members PLUS Outreach and HIV Rapid Testing provided by TPAN
Fridays 10p-1a
Outreach and Oraquick HIV Rapid Testing from CALOR for members
Saturdays 10p-2a
Outreach and Oraquick HIV Rapid Testing provided by Chicago House for members
HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust is launching a new campaign today teaching gay men just how HIV is passed on during unprotected anal sex.
With little or no sex education relevant to young gay men in schools this new campaign gives a valuable biology lesson to fill these important knowledge gaps.
The ‘Biology of Transmission’ campaign [did we mention that we love this, and that it's very hot, and very clear, non-judgmental, and that we love it?], aimed especially at younger men and others new to gay sex, gets vital HIV transmission information across using three striking ‘bottom’ themed images; the sponge – illustrating how the lining of the rectum absorbs semen and pre-cum containing HIV; the eggs – covering how the rectal lining can be damaged during fucking or when objects enter the rectum, allowing HIV easier entry into the bloodstream and the peach – explaining how sexually transmitted infections make it easier for HIV to be passed on due to skin damage inside the rectum
Each year, NASTAD (the National Association of State and Territorial AIDS Directors) tries to inspire and spur action by talking about what it sees as the overarching issues likely to impact HIV, STD and viral hepatitis prevention programs in the coming year.
Moving forward, this snapshot will be a major complement and source of comparison to what is actually taking place around the country and in Washington. For example, there’s little doubt that health reform, should it be signed into law, will have a major impact on how all prevention and care and treatment takes place in this country in the future. But what will impact be? It is also likely that many readers would come up with other key trends or issues that are likely to impact the way we do business in 2010. Before we try and guess, we’d like to hear from you!
Please leave a comment to let us know what you think are the top HIV, STD and viral hepatitis issues to watch in 2010.
A large proportion of HIV-positive gay men in Switzerland have anorectal infection with chlamydia, investigators report in the November 15th edition of Clinical Infectious Diseases. The researchers suggest that undiagnosed anal chlamydia infections could be contributing to the continued spread of HIV amongst gay men in Switzerland.
Investigators from the Swiss HIV cohort therefore postulated that anorectal chlaymdia infection could be contributing to the ongoing HIV epidemic amongst gay men in the country.
They therefore screened 147 HIV-positive men who reported unprotected receptive anal sex in the previous two years for the infection. The aims of their study were to determine the prevalence and symptoms of anorectal chlamydia, and to see if they could identify any risk factors associated with the infection.
[Peter Pointers is here 4 YOU, as a service to LifeLube readers - whatever question you may have regarding sexual health, physical health, mental/emotional and spiritual health - ask him. He will find the answers you are looking 4. from a team of experts Below is a recent Q&A you may be interested to read.]
Question: My boyfriend and I are both infected with Chlamydia. I'm picking up my perscription to treat it this morning, he, however, can not get his meds until next Friday. If I kiss him, while I'm undergoing treatment, and he's not treated for it, can I extract it again?
Answer:
Thanks for your question! I'm happy to hear that you were tested and are seeking out treatment for your infection. Way to take charge of your health!
You ask a very good question, and one that is important to be mindful of after treatment. Of course, you don't want to get reinfected right after taking your meds. In regards to kissing, you will NOT be able to contract Chlamydia through kissing your boyfriend on the mouth or other body parts (this does NOT include his penis and anus). What you should be careful of is performing oral sex on him (both genital and anal) and having sexual intercourse. If you do choose to have sex or to perform oral sex, using a condom will greatly reduce the chance of becoming reinfected.
Now, there is another option for getting meds for your partner(s). In some states, it is legal to get what is called Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT), which is a fancy way of saying that a doctor can give you an extra dose of medication or a prescription for your partner so that they can get treated faster. Therefore, you will be less likely to get reinfected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the national organization for health in the U.S.) has a webpage with lots of information on EPT here There is even a map of states where it is legally available (it'll be legal here in Illinois on January 1, 2010). However, just because it's legal in your state doesn't mean that every doctor is willing or able to do it. If you decide to pursue EPT and need help finding somewhere to get it, let me know - I'll help you out.
Lastly, remember what your doctor tells you about treatment and resuming sexual activity. After taking the drugs, you may have to wait some time before you can have sex again.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask! Good luck!
The risk of anal transmission of HIV appears to be more associated with the presence and concentration of vulnerable cells than to low level physical damage associated with anal sex, according to information presented to a sexual health conference at the weekend.
Anal sex, sexually transmitted infections among gay men, and biological infection risk factors were hot topics at the 21st NZ Sexual Health Society conference which convened in Paihia.
History of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Unsafe Anal Intercourse in a Six-City Study of HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex with Men
Among a population of HIV-positive men who reported unsafe anal intercourse with other men in the preceding year, the authors assessed rates of childhood sexual abuse and its demographic and mental health correlates. The researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from 593 HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM), who were enrolled in the "Positive Connections" intervention.
Forty-seven percent of participants reported childhood sexual abuse, with 32 percent reporting the frequency of abuse was sometimes or often. The MSM reporting abuse were more likely to be Latino (odds ratio [OR]: 2.6; 95 percent confidence interval [CI]=1.6, 4.2; P<.001) or African American (OR=1.8; 95 percent CI=1.2, 2.7; P=.005) than white. Among MSM reporting abuse, more frequent abuse was associated with more sexual contacts (for each, rate ratio [RR]=1.3; P<.001) and unsafe anal intercourse (often, RR=1.5; sometimes, RR=2.0; P<.001) compared to men who were not abused.
"History of childhood sexual abuse is highly prevalent among HIV-positive men who engage in risky sexual behavior with other men and appears to be more common among men of color," the authors concluded. "Our findings suggest that abuse is associated with a significantly increased risk of sexually transmitted infections."
Adapted from:
American Journal of Public Health 06.01.2009; Vol. 99; No. 6: P. 1079-1086; Seth L. Welles, Sc.D., Ph.D.; A. Cornelius Baker, B.A.; Michael H. Miner, Ph.D.; David J. Brennan, Ph.D.; Scott Jacoby, M.A.; B.R. Simon Rosser, Ph.D., M.P.H. This article was provided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is a part of the publication CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update.
[Peter Pointers is here 4 YOU, as a service to LifeLube readers - whatever question you may have regarding sexual health, physical health, mental/emotional and spiritual health - ask him. He will find the answers you are looking 4. Below is a recent Q&A you may be interested to read.]
Question: How do I know if I should be tested for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia? I don't have symptoms but should I be tested regularly like I do for HIV?
Answer: Thank you for your question. I am happy to hear that you get tested regularly for HIV and think it's great that you are considering getting tested for STDs, also.
So, Howard Brown Health Center in Chicago recommends that men who have sex with men get tested for HIV every 6 months to a year. Similarly, they recommend getting tested for syphilis, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia each time you get tested for HIV, each year, at the start of a new sexual relationship, or at the onset of symptoms.
Just as a refresher, here is a good rundown of the symptoms of other STIs: click here. Some include burning during urination and any discharge from the penis or anus (especially on the inside of your underwear or pants).
Depending where you are located, there are places where you can get tested for STIs for free or low cost. One good source is www.hivtest.org, where you can search by zipcode for testing locations. If you have any trouble finding a place to be tested for STI's, let me know (include where you are located) and I will assist you the best I can!
Lively, sometimes loud debate; passionate viewpoints accentuated by applause from the crowd; and skepticism towards the establishment’s ability to effectively advocate for public health. It sounds like a contentious town hall event in which the proposed health care overhaul takes a beating--but it was, in fact, an August 13th public forum sponsored in New York City by the nation’s oldest and largest private AIDS service organization, Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC).
Certainly, it’s understandable why high passion would have erupted at a discussion of the most sensitive topic among gay men today: barebacking. Although its topic was every bit as divisive as Obama’s sweeping initiative, the event managed to demonstrate that the town hall format need not devolve into a shouting match.
Actually, it technically wasn’t about "barebacking," at least if the organizers could help it. The conclave’s premise was that the term "barebacking" unfairly stigmatizes gay men who have unprotected sex.
GMHC’s organizers instead chose the no less provocative but apparently more acceptable term "raw" as the title of the event. A poster promoting the night showed a man, shirtless and with back to the camera, displaying the word "RAW" in tattoo form on his back right shoulder.
GMHC Board of Directors Co-Chair Odell Mays moderated a seven-member panel, each of whom had had five minutes to assert his particular point of view around the issue of stigma and unprotected sex. Afterwards, moderator Mays spent the remainder of the evening taking questions and comments from the audience - to which the panel had the option to weigh in on.
