Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sexual and mental health of adolescent and adult men who have sex with men and transgender women participating in two PrEP cohort studies in Brazil: COBra study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic and its control measures have impacted health and healthcare provision in various levels. Physical distancing measures, for instance, may affect sexual health, impacting access to HIV prevention supplies and changing sexual behaviour, as well as mental health, increasing feelings of unsafety and weakening community support ties. These effects can be worsened among socially marginalised groups, such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW). Brazil is among the countries most affected by COVID-19 in the world, where control measures have been inconsistently implemented. We aim to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sexual and mental health of adolescent and adult MSM and TGW in Brazil. METHODS: Convergent mixed-method prospective cohort study, nested in two ongoing HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) cohorts in Brazil, named PrEP1519 and Combina. Participants will be invited to answer, at baseline and after 6 months, a questionnaire about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual behaviour, HIV prevention and mental health. Data on HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections (STI) will be collected as part of routine follow-up from the cohorts. Main outcome measures (HIV infection, STI and depression symptoms) will be observed within 12 months after baseline. Sample size is estimated at 426 participants. Complementarily, 50 participants will be invited to in-depth interviews through video calls or interactive voice response, and 20 will be invited to chronicle their lives during the pandemic through digital diaries. Triangulation will be done across qualitative methods and with the quantitative data. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by Research Ethics Committees from the Brazilian Universities coordinating the study. Findings will be published in scientific journals and presented at meetings. Informative flyers will be elaborated to communicate study findings to participants and key stakeholders.

Thematic synthesis HIV prevention qualitative studies in men who have sex with men (MSM) / Síntesis temática de estudios cualitativos de prevención del VIH en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH)

Abstract Background: Qualitative studies on HIV prevention strategies and methods among men who have sex with men (MSM) allow identify knowledge gaps and improve preventive actions. Objective: To make a thematic synthesis of the scientific productions that use the qualitative methodology in the strategies and methods of HIV prevention area among MSM. Methods: We conducted a literature review following the guidelines of the ENTREQ protocol. The analysis included 48 empirical studies published in Portuguese, English and Spanish between 2001 and 2018 available in the Medline, Embase, Scielo, Scopus, Bireme and Web of Science databases. Results: Where an increased production in the last six years and concentration in northern countries. Seven prevention methods were part of the study, with emphasis on pre-exposure prophylaxis, testing, condoms and behavioral strategies. The main topics discussed were stigma and support and care networks. Conclusion: we notice that an increasing production on prevention in the men who have sex with men segment results from the emergence of multiple preventive methods and strategies and their combined actions beyond the star role of condoms.

Resumen Antecedentes: Los estudios cualitativos sobre estrategias y métodos de prevención del VIH entre hombres que tienen sexo con hombres ayudan a identificar lagunas de conocimiento y mejorar las acciones preventivas. Objetivo: Realizar una síntesis temática de las producciones científicas que utilizan la metodología cualitativa en las estrategias y métodos del área de prevención del VIH entre hombres homosexuales. Métodos: se realizó´ una revisión de la literatura siguiendo las pautas del protocolo ENTREQ. Se analizaron 48 estudios empíricos publicados en portugués, inglés y español entre 2001 y 2018 incluidos en las bases de datos Medline, Embase, Scielo, Scopus, Bireme y Web of Science. Resultados: La producción de artículos fue mayor en los últimos seis años, concentrados en los países del norte. Se abordaron siete métodos de prevención, con énfasis en profilaxis previa a la exposición, pruebas diagnósticas, condones y estrategias comportamentales. Los principales temas discutidos fueron el estigma y las redes de apoyo y atención. Conclusión: La creciente producción de prevención en el segmento hombres que tienen relaciones sexuales con hombres resulta de la aparición de múltiples métodos y estrategias preventivas y sus acciones combinadas más allá del protagonismo de los condones.

Thematic synthesis HIV prevention qualitative studies in men who have sex with men (MSM).

BACKGROUND: Qualitative studies on HIV prevention strategies and methods among men who have sex with men (MSM) allow identify knowledge gaps and improve preventive actions. OBJECTIVE: To make a thematic synthesis of the scientific productions that use the qualitative methodology in the strategies and methods of HIV prevention area among MSM. METHODS: We conducted a literature review following the guidelines of the ENTREQ protocol. The analysis included 48 empirical studies published in Portuguese, English and Spanish between 2001 and 2018 available in the Medline, Embase, Scielo, Scopus, Bireme and Web of Science databases. RESULTS: Where an increased production in the last six years and concentration in northern countries. Seven prevention methods were part of the study, with emphasis on pre-exposure prophylaxis, testing, condoms and behavioral strategies. The main topics discussed were stigma and support and care networks. CONCLUSION: we notice that an increasing production on prevention in the men who have sex with men segment results from the emergence of multiple preventive methods and strategies and their combined actions beyond the star role of condoms.

ANTECEDENTES: Los estudios cualitativos sobre estrategias y métodos de prevención del VIH entre hombres que tienen sexo con hombres ayudan a identificar lagunas de conocimiento y mejorar las acciones preventivas. OBJETIVO: Realizar una síntesis temática de las producciones científicas que utilizan la metodología cualitativa en las estrategias y métodos del área de prevención del VIH entre hombres homosexuales. MÉTODOS: se realizó´ una revisión de la literatura siguiendo las pautas del protocolo ENTREQ. Se analizaron 48 estudios empíricos publicados en portugués, inglés y español entre 2001 y 2018 incluidos en las bases de datos Medline, Embase, Scielo, Scopus, Bireme y Web of Science. RESULTADOS: La producción de artículos fue mayor en los últimos seis años, concentrados en los países del norte. Se abordaron siete métodos de prevención, con énfasis en profilaxis previa a la exposición, pruebas diagnósticas, condones y estrategias comportamentales. Los principales temas discutidos fueron el estigma y las redes de apoyo y atención. Conclusión: La creciente producción de prevención en el segmento hombres que tienen relaciones sexuales con hombres resulta de la aparición de múltiples métodos y estrategias preventivas y sus acciones combinadas más allá del protagonismo de los condones.