Low Prevalence of Unsuppressed Viral Load among Gay and Bisexual Men Living with HIV in Vancouver: BC-CfE Momentum Study

May 2016

Plain Text Summary

93% of gay and bisexual men living with HIV are accessing HIV treatment, but additional strategies are needed to engage low-income and non-white men.

What are the key study findings?

Despite a high prevalence of HIV among gbMSM (23.4%), a small proportion of HIV-positive study participants (18.6%) had unsuppressed viral load (≥200 copies/ml), which is indicative of risk of onward transmission.
Only 2% of the HIV-positive participants were not aware of their HIV infection (meaning they were undiagnosed).
81.4% of HIV-positive men achieved virological suppression—exceeding the UNAIDS target of 90-90-90, which would result 73% of HIV-positive people having suppressed viral loads by 2020.
HIV-positive men with unsuppressed viral loads are more likely to report risky sexual behaviour and to use gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and/or crystal methamphetamine than HIV-positive men with suppressed viral loads. These factors have been shown to increase risk of HIV transmission.
Men with unsuppressed viral load are more likely to have low incomes and identify as being from an ethnic minority group, indicating the importance of continued work to address health inequity and social determinants of health.

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Epidemiology and Population Health

Our work serves clients and communities across British Columbia on lands and waters cared for and nurtured by the many distinct First Nations across the province. The BC-CfE humbly and gratefully acknowledge the stewards of these lands, particularly the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) on whose unceded, traditional and ancestral territories our offices are located.

© Copyright BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
St. Paul's Hospital 608–1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1Y6
Tel: 604-806-8477 | Fax: 604-806-9044
General inquiries: info@bccfe.ca
Media inquiries: communications@bccfe.ca
(Please do not use any of these email addresses to send personal information or book an appointment. To book appointments or contact the H2H clinic, please call 604-416-1517 or fax: 604-564-4893. Do not send your or your client's personal information via email.)

© Copyright BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
St. Paul's Hospital 608–1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1Y6
Tel: 604-806-8477 | Fax: 604-806-9044
General inquiries: info@bccfe.ca
Media inquiries: communications@bccfe.ca
(Please do not use any of these email addresses to send personal information or book an appointment. To book appointments or contact the H2H clinic, please call 604-416-1517 or fax: 604-564-4893. Do not send your or your client's personal information via email.)

Our work serves clients and communities across British Columbia on lands and waters cared for and nurtured by the many distinct First Nations across the province. The BC-CfE humbly and gratefully acknowledge the stewards of these lands, particularly the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) on whose unceded, traditional and ancestral territories our offices are located.