Chemsex Engagement and HIV Biomedical Prevention in MSM

NCT05031832 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: MSS344R
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 733
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

HIV biomedical prevention through treatment-as-prevention (TasP) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly efficacious for reducing HIV transmission risk. The benefits could be undermined by the rising HIV transmission risks in men who have sex with men (MSM) who engaged in chemsex. This project aims to assess the impacts of chemsex on the growth of the HIV epidemic by exploring the complex relationships between chemsex engagement and usage of HIV biomedical prevention in MSM in Hong Kong. Participants would be recruited from the community and clinics in 2 cross-sectional studies (500 HIV-negative and 500 HIV-positive MSM), for HIV self-testing and completing an electronic questionnaire. The association of chemsex would be examined between PrEP-naïve and PrEP experienced HIV-negative MSM, and between good and poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-positive subjects in case-control analyses using logistic regression and multilevel models. The main outcomes include coverage of biomedical prevention in MSM, and their drug use patterns.

Conditions

Recreational Drug Use

Keywords

Chemsex engagement; Pre-exposure prophylaxis; Antiretroviral therapy; men who have sex with men

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• pre-exposure prophylaxis coverage

  proportion of HIV-negative MSM taking pre-exposure prophylaxis; based on self-reported data in questionnaire

  6 months

• Good antiretroviral therapy adherence

  proportion of HIV-positive MSM with good antiretroviral therapy adherence; based on self-reported data (CD4 count, viral load level, history of stoppoing ART / missing doses) in questionnaire

  2 years

• Drug use pattern

  types of drugs taken for chemsex engagement (taking before or during sex); based on self-reported data in questionnaire

  6 months

Study Arms (2)

HIV-negative

Diagnostic Test: HIV test

HIV-positive

Interventions

HIV test DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

HIV test would be offered to self-reported HIV-negative / unknown HIV status MSM to confirm their HIV status

HIV-negative

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

sexually active adult men who have sex with men living in Hong Kong, and able to complete the questionnaire

You may qualify if:

• aged 18 or above
• male
• have had sex with men since 2019
• could be communicated in English or Chinese

You may not qualify if:

• failed to provide consent

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Chinese University of Hong Kong: lead

Study Sites (1)

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 0000, Hong Kong

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Recreational Drug Use; Homosexuality

Interventions

HIV Testing

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior; Sexuality; Sexual Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Microbiological Techniques; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis; Investigative Techniques

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: ECOLOGIC OR COMMUNITY
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 30, 2021
• First Posted: September 2, 2021
• Study Start: June 1, 2021
• Primary Completion: October 2, 2024
• Study Completion: December 31, 2024
• Last Updated: January 23, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

HK (1)