2022 Articles

Polydrug Use, Sexual Risk, and HIV Testing Among Cisgender Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men and Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals Who Have Sex With Men in Kazakhstan

Lee, Yong Gun; Zhakupova, Gulnara; Vinogradov, Vitaliy; Paine, Emily A.; Laughney, Caitlin Isabella; Reeder, Kelsey; Davis, Alissa; Hunt, Timothy; Mergenova, Gaukhar; Primbetova, Sholpan; Terlikbayeva, Assel; Wu, Elwin

This study examined substance use and sexual risk correlates of HIV testing among cisgender gay, bisexual, and other men (MSM) and transgender and nonbinary individuals (TSM) who have sex with men in Kazakhstan. We analyzed baseline data from an HIV prevention trial collected prior to intervention deployment (N = 304). Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that lifetime HIV testing was positively associated with poly-drug use (AOR = 4.4, 95% CI [2.0, 9.9]) and negatively with sexual risk (AOR = 0.4, 95% CI [0.2, 1.0]). Similarly, recent HIV testing was positively associated with polydrug use (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI [1.4, 5.2]) and negatively with sexual risk (AOR = 0.5, 95% CI [0.3, 0.9]). Current HIV testing was negatively associated with sexual risk (AOR = 0.6, 95% CI [0.3. 0.9]). Findings support the value of integrating drug treatment with HIV testing among MSM and TSM in Kazakhstan.