Anti-PREP (aa 657-669) polyclonal antibody

BackgroundNitrite inhalant use is very common among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. However, there is lack of national representative data on use among Chinese MSM, and the mechanism of how nitrite inhalant use impacts HIV infection in MSM is unclear. This meta-analysis aims to understand the characteristics of Chinese MSM nitrite inhalant users and to determine the associations between nitrite inhalant use and sexual behaviors, the prevalence of HIV, and the prevalence of syphilis.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Wanfang Data, and VIP Chinese Journal Database for relevant literature published from January 1985 to December 2017.ResultsFifteen eligible studies, with a total of 18,981 Chinese MSM participants, were included. Compared with nitrite inhalant nonusers, users were more likely to be younger, have a higher level of education, and seek sexual partners using the Internet. Nitrite inhalant users were more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors, including condomless anal intercourse (odds ratio [OR]=1.33), group sex (OR=2.26), and commercial intercourse (OR=1.50). Nitrite inhalants users had a higher prevalence of HIV (OR=1.83), higher prevalence of syphilis (OR=1.38) and had higher lifetime HIV testing rates (OR=1.33) compared with nonusers (each p<0.05).ConclusionsNitrite inhalant users have higher HIV and syphilis prevalence by increasing levels of high-risk sexual behaviors. China should expand HIV testing, treatment as prevention (TasP), and Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among MSM, especially among nitrite inhalants using MSM, to reduce their risk of HIV infection and transmission.

Introduction Successful implementation and promotion of biomedical HIV prevention strategies like pre- and post-exposure prophylaxes (PrEP/PEP) necessitate healthcare workers possessing sufficient knowledge of and positive attitudes toward PrEP/PEP. Methods Using semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted between July and August 2017, we examined PrEP/PEP awareness and attitudes among 15 healthcare workers as key informants in Manila, Philippines, where HIV is a rapidly expanding national public health crisis. Results Most key informants had heard about PrEP (n = 11) and PEP (n = 14). High medication cost and low PrEP/PEP awareness were identified as major barriers for PrEP/PEP implementation. Others expressed concerns for viral resistance and greater risk compensation. Concerns about infrastructural issues such as problems with logistics and funding inequities were identified as potential barriers. Conclusion Healthcare workers demonstrated awareness of PrEP/PEP and endorsed supportive attitudes toward PrEP/PEP but raised logistic and infrastructural concerns about implementation. Policy Implications In order for PrEP/PEP to be feasible in the Philippines, public funding, provider education, and standardized national prescription protocols, guidelines, and policies are needed. Such recommendations and support should take into account concerns of and address prescribing barriers among future PrEP/PEP providers.