TY - JOUR
T1 - Process evaluation of a bio-behavioural HIV research combined with prevention among GBMSM in 13 European countries
AU - Sialon II Network
AU - Dias, Sónia
AU - Gama, Ana
AU - Sherriff, Nigel
AU - Gios, Lorenzo
AU - Berghe, Wim Vanden
AU - Folch, Cinta
AU - Marcus, Ulrich
AU - Staneková, Danica Valkovičová
AU - Pawlęga, Michał
AU - Caplinskas, Saulius
AU - Naseva, Emilia
AU - Klavs, Irena
AU - Velicko, Inga
AU - Mirandola, Massimo
AU - Nöstlinger, Christiana
N1 - NPP; OGOA? NOOA?
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Comparative European data using Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS) are scarce among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. This study evaluated the implementation of Sialon II, a bio-behavioural HIV research combined with targeted HIV prevention in 13 European cities conducted in collaboration with community partners. A mixed-methods process evaluation assessed the project's coverage, outputs, quality, challenges and opportunities for improvement. Data collected through structured questionnaire from 71 data collectors from community-based organisations and semi-structured interviews with 17 managers of participating gay venues were analysed. Overall implementation was successful, achieving 4901 valid behavioural questionnaires and obtaining 4716 biological samples. Challenges in conducting bio-behavioural research in gay venues related to strict research protocols and unfavourable characteristics of venues. Formative research, collaboration with community gay venues, and offering HIV prevention emerged as facilitators. Community researchers' training was crucial for fidelity to research protocols, increased trust amongst communities and enabled data collectors to effectively address practical problems in the field. Scientifically sound SGSS with community participation is feasible and allows for including 'hard-to-reach' populations. Prevention benefits include awareness raising, capacity building and sexual health promotion in gay venues. The findings are beneficial for epidemiological research among other HIV key populations.
AB - Comparative European data using Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS) are scarce among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. This study evaluated the implementation of Sialon II, a bio-behavioural HIV research combined with targeted HIV prevention in 13 European cities conducted in collaboration with community partners. A mixed-methods process evaluation assessed the project's coverage, outputs, quality, challenges and opportunities for improvement. Data collected through structured questionnaire from 71 data collectors from community-based organisations and semi-structured interviews with 17 managers of participating gay venues were analysed. Overall implementation was successful, achieving 4901 valid behavioural questionnaires and obtaining 4716 biological samples. Challenges in conducting bio-behavioural research in gay venues related to strict research protocols and unfavourable characteristics of venues. Formative research, collaboration with community gay venues, and offering HIV prevention emerged as facilitators. Community researchers' training was crucial for fidelity to research protocols, increased trust amongst communities and enabled data collectors to effectively address practical problems in the field. Scientifically sound SGSS with community participation is feasible and allows for including 'hard-to-reach' populations. Prevention benefits include awareness raising, capacity building and sexual health promotion in gay venues. The findings are beneficial for epidemiological research among other HIV key populations.
KW - Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
KW - Behavioral Research
KW - Europe/epidemiology
KW - HIV Infections/epidemiology
KW - Homosexuality, Male
KW - Humans
KW - Male
KW - Sexual and Gender Minorities
U2 - 10.1080/17441692.2021.1874469
DO - 10.1080/17441692.2021.1874469
M3 - A1: Web of Science-article
C2 - 33460361
SN - 1744-1692
VL - 17
SP - 672
EP - 687
JO - Global Public Health
JF - Global Public Health
IS - 5
ER -