Efforts to Find Heterosexual HIV in San Francisco, 2007-2013.

Nationally heterosexuals are an HIV prevention priority. In addition to case based HIV surveillance, behavioral surveillance surveys are conducted among heterosexuals living in high AIDS morbidity neighborhoods. We report on risk behaviors and HIV prevalence among "high-risk" heterosexuals in San Francisco. National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System is coordinated by the CDC and implemented in 21 health jurisdictions. The studies were conducted in 2006, 2010 and 2013 in San Francisco. Respondent driven sampling was used to sample participants. Eligible persons were 18-50 years old and had sex with at least one opposite gender partner in the past year. We obtained samples of 371, 421, 165 heterosexuals in 2007, 2010 and 2013, respectively. Some demographics varied across the 3 years. Residential neighborhoods changed, homelessness and healthcare coverage increased. Binge drinking, cocaine and heroin use increased while methamphetamine use declined. There were no changes in numbers of partners, unprotected vaginal intercourse or unprotected anal intercourse. Commercial sex work increased. Even with "fine tuning" of eligibility criteria to attempt to find heterosexual HIV cases, we estimate that HIV prevalence was 0.3, 0.2 and 2.4 % in 2007, 2010 and 2013 respectively. The increase was not statistically significant. For the present, effective prevention among persons in the populations most severely affected by HIV remains the priority, for their own benefit and to prevent transmission to other vulnerable populations to which they may be connected.

Using social networks to reach Black MSM for HIV testing and linkage to care.

Black men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV infection. Black MSM in San Francisco may have higher rates of unrecognized HIV infections. Increased HIV testing among Black MSM may reduce the numbers of unrecognized infections, inform more men of their status and thus reduce the potential for ongoing transmissions. Social network HIV testing programs have focused on asking HIV-positive and/or high-risk negative men to recruit their social or sexual contacts. We used a network approach to deliver HIV testing to Black MSM in San Francisco and collected risk assessment data. Participants were asked to recruit any of their social contacts who were also Black MSM. Recruitment by risk level and HIV status was heterogeneous. HIV infection among this population is associated with older age, having a high school education or higher and currently being homeless. Fully 23% of HIV positive Black MSM are unaware of their infection. Only a third of unrecognized infections were recruited by a known HIV-positive participant. Linkage to care was a challenge and underscores the need for comprehensive systems and support to link Black MSM to care and treatment.