WHERE CAN I GET TESTED FOR HIV, SYPHILIS AND OTHER STD (Sexual Transmitted Diseases)?

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Scot Richards
5 years ago
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Anal sex without a condom is the most risky practice for both you and your partner, even before or without ejaculation, due to possible

The overall objective of the SIALON II project is to obtain reliable and valid information on HIV prevalence, risky behaviour and

The whole project has been developed in collaboration with local gay associations in Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Slovak Republic,

This info-pack, with its content, has been conceived by the gay associations of all participating countries and is being distributed

1 Anal sex without a condom is the most risky practice for both you and your partner, even before or without ejaculation, due to possible micro lesions in the rectum and/or on the penis. The overall objective of the SIALON II project is to obtain reliable and valid information on HIV prevalence, risky behaviour and cultural factors among MSM (men who have sex with men), combining targeted prevention with a meaningful surveillance system in Europe. The whole project has been developed in collaboration with local gay associations in Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Slovak Republic, Spain, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Romania, UK. This info-pack, with its content, has been conceived by the gay associations of all participating countries and is being distributed within a European prevention campaign. WHERE CAN I GET TESTED FOR HIV, SYPHILIS AND OTHER STD (Sexual Transmitted Diseases)? RAINBOW HOUSE For anal sex always use water-based or silicon-based lubes. Do not use oil based lubes like salve, lotion or baby-oil because this may damage the condom.

2 People can have HIV without any (or major) symptoms and some don t know they have HIV. Even if they know, it could be difficult for them to tell you. Protect yourself: use a condom and get tested! Always keep a condom with you! To maintain condom strength, store it in a cool, dry place. Do not use after the expiry date written on the condom package. To disperse any trapped air, pinch the nipple of the condom and simultaneously roll the condom down the shaft of penis. Unroll the condom directly on the penis. Never re-use a condom.

3 TESTED FOR HIV IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS According to a recent European study called EMIS, what percentage of European gay men received the results of an HIV test in the last 12 months? 54,2 % 33,9 % 75,7 %

4 The right answer is: 33,9% Stick the code here For information, please call: There are large differences between European countries in Hiv testing rates among gay men. When the percentage of gay men receiving an Hiv test in the last 12 months is low, many Hiv infections are diagnosed late. More men being unaware of their HIV status causes an increase in Hiv infections and is an obstacle for early treatment. Ask the SIALON volunteer for more information or go to

5 PEP How long after a condom breakage during anal sex can you take the Postexposure Prophylaxis or PEP? 24 hours 72 hours 7 days

6 The right answer is: 72 hours Stick the code here For information, please call: PEP is a month-long course of drugs that, if taken as soon as possible within 72 hours of the HIV virus entering the body, can prevent a person becoming infected with HIV. The PEP drugs are the same drugs that people who have the HIV virus use to reduce its impact on the body. Ask the SIALON volunteer for more information or go to

7 Dangerous drug combination Which substance could be extremely dangerous in combination with Viagra (Cialis, Levitra)? Alcohol Cocaine Poppers

8 The right answer is: Poppers Stick the code here For information, please call: The combination of amyl nitrate, the common ingredient found in poppers, a liquid whose vapors typically cause an intense head rush and drop in blood pressure when inhaled and VIAGRA has shown to be risky. Researchers concluded that there appears to be a high number of deaths and serious cardiovascular events associated with the use of Viagra and similar medication. Ask the SIALON volunteer for more information or go to

9 HIV Testing In [study city], is it possible to get an HIV test, anonymous and free of charge? Yes No I don t know

10 The right answer is: Yes Stick the code here For information, please call: In most European countries Hiv testing is available with the general practitioner. Many individual and social barriers may exist when asking for a test. This is why in some countries Hiv testing is organized in specialized test centers to lower the barriers to test for Hiv and Sti s. Ask the SIALON volunteer for more information or go to

11 Blood and Serum validation of two Syphilis rapid tests among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) Antonella Zorzi 1, Elisabetta Tonolli 1, Lorella Pattini 1, Manuela Recchia 1, Maria Rocca 1, Teresa Todeschini 1, Lorenzo Gios 2, Massimo Mirandola 2,3 Introduction Results Conclusion This validation is part of the broader SIALON II project. The main purpose of the study is to ascertain the analytical characteristics (Sensitivity, Specificity, PPV-NPV) of two rapid tests (RT) for Syphilis. The study of the rapid tests is carried out on whole blood and serum. The research protocol was approved by the local ethics committee and by the WHO Research Ethics Review Committee. Methods Participants are MSM enrolled in the framework of the Respondent Driven Sampling local survey (Verona, Italy). The data collection is ongoing and will be concluded when a target sample of 150 MSM is enrolled. The Syphilis RTs used in this study are Chembio DPP Syphilis Screen&Confirm Assay (non treponemal/treponemal) and SD BIOLINE Syphilis 3.0 test (treponemal only). MSM are requested to sign an informed consent to participate in the study and to donate a blood sample. Specimens for RT are collected through fingerprick. Finger-pricking and RT are performed according to the manufacturers instructions. The tests results on blood and serum are read by two independent readers (R1-R2). In order to compare the RT results with standard diagnostic tests (trep CLIA and nontrep tests RPR) a blood sample (venepuncture) is taken before finger-pricking. All CLIA positive samples are tested with the TPPA. In case of positive results for Syphilis to the Standard diagnostic tests, treatment is available. A comparison for sensibility, specificity, PPV- NPV is carried out both on blood and serum samples, according to R1-R2. The estimate of the performance of the tests is based on a prevalence of 15%, 10% and 5%. STATA v.13 was used for the statistical analysis. A sample of 97 MSM have been enrolled so far. Syphilis prevalence based on standard tests results is estimated at 10.5%. Bioline PPV is 100% both on blood and serum, whilst NPV is ranging from 95.5% to 97.7%. Chembio trep PPV ranges from 86.5% to 89.8%, whereas NPV is reported between 96.5% to 98.8%. Chembio non trep PPV ranges between 58.2% and 100%, whilst NPV is 97.8%. Results on the performance of the tests are consistent also using different prevalence estimates. Reader 1 Reader 2 Preliminary data suggest that sens-spec and PPV-NPV could vary considerably according to the different specimens and readers. In contexts where serological standard tests are not available, rapid testing represents a valid tool to be used for reducing the burden of Syphilis and HIV among most at risk populations. Table 1. Blood and Serum validation of two Syphilis rapid tests among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) Bioline BLOOD Chembio Trep Chembio Non-Trep Bioline SERUM Chembio Trep Chembio Non-Trep Sens Spec PPV NPV Sens Spec PPV NPV Aknowledgements This abstract is based on the SIALON II project, funded by CHAFEA under the Second Health Programme. The sole responsibility lies with the authors and the Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. For more information, please visit Affiliations 1. Microbiology and Virology Unit, Pathology and Diagnosis Department, Verona University Hospital 2. CReMPE - Regional Coordination Centre for European Project Management, Veneto Region - Department of Health, Verona University Hospital 3. Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Pathology, Verona University Hospital

Blood and Serum validation of two types of Syphilis rapid tests among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM): evaluation of results reading consistency Lorenzo Gios 1, Massimo Mirandola 1,2, Loredana

This validation is part of the broader SIALON II project. A sample of 97 MSM have been enrolled so far.

trained readers The study of the rapid tests is carried out on whole blood and serum. The research protocol was approved by the local ethics committee and by the WHO Research Ethics Review Committee.

12 Blood and Serum validation of two types of Syphilis rapid tests among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM): evaluation of results reading consistency Lorenzo Gios 1, Massimo Mirandola 1,2, Loredana Martini 3, Anita Galardi 3, Alessandra Bighignoli 3, Maddalena Cordioli 2, Fabio Rigo 2, Fabiano Comperini 4,5, Michele Breveglieri 1, Elisabetta Tonolli 6, Antonella Zorzi 6 Introduction Results This validation is part of the broader SIALON II project. A sample of 97 MSM have been enrolled so far. As the rapid test (RT) result is based on a chromatographic method involving human evaluation of control and test bars, the objective of the study is to assess the agreement between two independent trained readers The study of the rapid tests is carried out on whole blood and serum. The research protocol was approved by the local ethics committee and by the WHO Research Ethics Review Committee. Methods Participants are MSM enrolled in the framework of the Respondent Driven Sampling local survey (Verona, Italy). The data collection is on-going and will be concluded when a target sample of 150 MSM is enrolled. The Syphilis RTs used in this study are Chembio DPP Syphilis Screen&Confirm Assay (non treponemal/treponemal) and SD BIOLINE Syphilis 3.0 test (treponemal only). MSM are requested to sign an informed consent to participate in the study and to donate a blood sample. Specimens for RT are collected through fingerprick. Finger-pricking and RT are performed according to the manufacturers instructions. The tests results on blood and serum are read by two independent readers (R1-R2). In order to evaluate the agreement between R1-R2, Cohen s Kappa was used. A further component of the study aims to measure the performance of the tests (Sens/ Spec/PPV/NPV) and was carried out comparing the test results assessed by the readers with the serological golden standard tests results (CLIA, RPR, TPPA). Preliminary data suggest that readers seem to have, according to the agreement estimates Syphilis prevalence based on standard tests and to Cohen s Kappa indices, a restricted results is estimated at 10.5%. impact on the RT results evaluation. The agreement between R1-R2 (Table 1) A high agreement is estimated amongst both ranges from 98.85% to 100%. tests. Cohen s Kappa ranges from 0.85 to 1.00, The agreement estimated on whole blood is showing a very high or almost perfect higher than the one on serum. agreement. A further evaluation is strongly recommended in As far as the RTs performed on blood are order to better understand the impact of the concerned, Cohen s Kappa ranges from 0.85 to readers in community based services. 1.0, whereas on serum the values range from 0.88 to Table 1. Blood and Serum validation of two types of Syphilis rapid tests among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM): evaluation of results reading consistency SPECIMEN Blood Serum Rapid test Agreement Expected agreement Bioline % 88.39% Chembio Trep % 81.34% Chembio non Trep 98.96% 92.97% Bioline 98.89% 84.72% Chembio Trep 98.85% 82.36% Chembio non Trep 98.86% 90.29% Kappa Std. Err. Aknowledgements This abstract is based on the SIALON II project, funded by CHAFEA under the Second Health Programme. The sole responsibility lies with the authors and the Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein In case of positive results for Syphilis to the Standard diagnostic tests, treatment is available. Respondents who enquire about getting their RT results are informed that these test results are not meant to be diagnostic (as they are part of a validation study) and they should rely only on the standard serological tests results. STATA v.13 was used for the statistical analysis. Affiliations Conclusion CReMPE - Regional Coordination Centre for European Project Management, Veneto Region - Department of Health, Verona University Hospital Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Pathology, Verona University Hospital Centro Prelievi, Verona University Hospital Arcigay (Italian LGBT Association) Circolo Milk Verona (LGBT Centre) Microbiology and Virology Unit, Pathology and Diagnosis Department, Verona University Hospital

Bio-behavioural study among MSM in European cities. Think Tank Meeting November 25 th, 2015

Bio-behavioural study among MSM in European cities Think Tank Meeting November 25 th, 2015 Christiana Nöstlinger & Wim Vanden Berghe (WP 8 Prevention) on behalf of the Sialon II Project Group ITM, Antwerp