Perceptions of quality and safety in cannabis acquisition amongst young gay and bisexual men living with HIV/AIDS who use cannabis: Impact of legalisation and dispensaries.

BACKGROUND: Upwards of 35% of young gay and bisexual men living with HIV report daily use of cannabis in the U.S. The effects of legalisation of recreational and medical cannabis on the acquisition of cannabis products amongst a group with such high prevalence of use is largely unknown. METHODS: We investigated potential effects of recent legalisation and changes in distribution venues/networks in U.S. jurisdictions (Denver and Chicago) with different legal statuses regarding medical and recreational cannabis. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 young gay and bisexual men living with HIV recruited from adolescent HIV clinics and service sites in the two cities. RESULTS: Findings indicate four domains in which the acquisition of cannabis from medical or recreational dispensaries was differentiated by participants from acquisition from illicit drug distribution networks: quality of information, perceived quality of products, safety of acquisition, and safety of products. Some participants expressed reservations in becoming involved with requirements for accessing legal distribution of medical and recreational cannabis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that young men living with HIV in Denver perceive benefits from legalisation of cannabis in terms of quality of information and products and safety of acquisition for a range of medical, therapeutic, and recreational uses. Participants in Chicago report mixed levels of knowledge of potential benefits through the medical cannabis dispensaries in their area, and continue to be exposed to safety risks associated with street-based acquisition. Concerns regarding institutional involvement in medical cannabis registries and dispensaries may inhibit the uptake of legal means of acquisition in sub-populations of young men living with HIV.

Embedding a Linkage to Preexposure Prophylaxis Care Intervention in Social Network Strategy and Partner Notification Services: Results From a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Increased preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake among black men who have sex with men and black transgender women (BMSM/TW) is needed to end the HIV epidemic. Embedding a brief intervention in network services that engage individuals in HIV transmission networks for HIV/ sexually transmitted infections testing may be an important strategy to accelerate PrEP uptake. SETTING: Partner Services PrEP study is a pilot, randomized, control trial to improve linkage to PrEP care among BMSM/TW presenting for network services in Chicago, IL, from 2015 to 2017. METHODS: BMSM/TW (N = 146) aged 18-40 years were recruited from network services (partners services and social network strategy services). Intervention participants developed an individualized linkage plan based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills model and received minibooster sessions. Control participants received treatment as usual. Sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical factors were examined at baseline and 3- and 12-month postintervention. Intent-to-treat analyses examined linkage to PrEP care within 3-month postintervention (primary outcome). Secondary outcomes were PrEP initiation, time to linkage to PrEP care, and time to PrEP initiation. RESULTS: Compared with control participants, a significantly greater proportion of the intervention participants were linked to PrEP care within 3 months (24% vs. 11%; P = 0.04) and initiated PrEP (24% vs. 11%; P = 0.05). Among those linked to PrEP care within the study period, intervention participants were linked significantly sooner than control participants [median (interquartile range) days, 26.5 (6.0-141.8) vs. 191.5 (21.5-297.0); P = 0.05]. CONCLUSION: Study results support the preliminary efficacy of Partner Services PrEP to improve linkage to PrEP care and PrEP initiation among BMSM/TW.

Medical, therapeutic, and recreational use of cannabis among young men who have sex with men living with HIV.

Cannabis plays a role in symptoms management in HIV, especially the alleviation of pain and nausea and stimulation of appetite, and prevalence of cannabis use in HIV-positive populations exceeds that of the general U.S. population. Previous research has described an "overlap" between medical and recreational cannabis use among persons living with HIV. To understand better the motives associated cannabis use among young men who have sex with men living with HIV (HIV+ YMSM), we conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 HIV+YMSM in Denver and Chicago. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded by a diverse team of analysts. In addition to findings that mapped onto previously identified medical motives and recreational motives, we identified several themes that straddled medical and recreational use in a domain we describe as therapeutic. Themes identified in this therapeutic domain of cannabis use include (a) enhanced introspection among individuals that promotes psychological adjustment to an HIV diagnosis, improved medical management, and future orientation; (b) reflection processes that mitigate interpersonal conflict and improve interpersonal communication; and (c) a social-therapeutic phenomena of cannabis use among young persons with living HIV that is characterized by both enhanced introspection and improved interpersonal communication. Our findings suggest a spectrum of cannabis use among HIV+ YMSM that may be characterized not only by an overlap between medical and recreational use, but also by a distinct therapeutic domain that incorporates stress alleviation and cognitive expansion processes to improve focus on HIV management and self-care.

Shared decision-making around anal cancer screening among black bisexual and gay men in the USA.

Shared decision-making is a strategy to achieve health equity by strengthening patient-provider relationships and improve health outcomes. There is a paucity of research examining these factors among patients who identify as sexual or gender minorities and racial/ethnic minorities. Through intrapersonal, interpersonal and societal lenses, this project evaluates the relationship between intersectionality and shared decision-making around anal cancer screening in Black gay and bisexual men, given their disproportionate rates of anal cancer. Thirty semi-structured, one-on-one interviews and two focus groups were conducted during 2016-2017. Participants were asked open-ended questions regarding intersectionality, relationships with healthcare providers and making shared decisions about anal cancer screening. Forty-five individuals participated - 30 in individual interviews and 15 in focus groups. All participants identified as Black and male; 13 identified as bisexual and 32 as gay. Analysis revealed that the interaction of internalised racism, biphobia/homophobia, provider bias and medical apartheid led to reduced healthcare engagement and discomfort with discussing sexual practices, potentially hindering patients from engaging in shared decision-making. Non-judgemental healthcare settings and provider relationships in which patients communicate openly about each aspect of their identity will promote effective shared decision-making about anal cancer screening, and thus potentially impact downstream anal cancer rates.