The World Health Organization identified men as an essential group to target with HIV testing and treatment strategies;: men who have sex with men (MSM) and male clients of female sex workers (CFSW) account for 35% of new HIV infections globally. Using a cross-sectional design from a community-based HIV prevention project in Tanzania (October 2015-September 2018) and multivariable logistic regression, we identified predictors of HIV seropositivity among men. Of 1,041,343 men on their initial visit to the project, 36,905 (3.5%) were MSM; 567,005 (54.5%) were CFSW; and 437,343 (42.0%) were other men living near hotspots (OMHA). Three predictors of HIV seropositivity emerged across all three groups: being uncircumcised, having sexually transmitted infection symptoms, and harmful drinking of alcohol before sex. Any reported form of gender-based violence among MSM and OMHA and inconsistent condom use among CFSW were associated with HIV seropositivity. These findings may inform community HIV strategies like self-testing, delivery of pre-exposure prophylaxis and antiretroviral therapy, and behavioral change communication targeting men at higher risk of infection.

© 2022. The Author(s).

Overview publication

TitlePredictors of HIV Among 1 Million Clients in High-Risk Male Populations in Tanzania.
DateOctober 1st, 2022
Issue nameAIDS and behavior
Issue numberv26.10:3185-3198
DOI10.1007/s10461-022-03667-9
PubMed35362905
AuthorsMbita G, Komba AN, Casalini C, Bazant E, Curran K, Christensen A, Nyato D, Kim YM, Reed J, Makyao N, Kategile U, Conserve DF, Faini D, van Roosmalen J & van den Akker T
KeywordsMale client of female sex workers, Men living in areas with high risk of HIV, Men who have sex with men, Sexually transmitted infections, Tanzania
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