[Community-Based Testing and Factors Associated with HIV among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Haiti between 2015 and 2018].

Abstract

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are an HIV key population in Haiti. However, little data exists on that population and on factors associated with this infection. Our study carried out the factors associated with HIV-positive screening among MSM in a community-based rapid testing program in Haiti between 2015 and 2018. Among the 1416 MSM screened, a third reported that it was their very first HIV test and 7.0% had an HIV-positive test. With a median age of 25 years old [21-29], over half of them were living in urban areas (60.7%) and were in financial precarious conditions (68.6%). Multivariate analysis showed that two factors were significantly associated with an HIVpositive result: having had an STI in the last 12 months, strengthened by psychoactive drug use; transactional sex practice in the last 12 months, strengthened by the age between 18 and 20 years old. These results should be taken into account when developing and implementing targeted and comprehensive HIV prevention programs and services for young MSM in Haiti.