HIV Diagnoses Among Foreign-Born Men Who Have Sex with Men, France, 2012–2021

Introduction – Men who have sex with men (MSM) born abroad constitute a population that is particularly vulnerable to HIV. The aim of this article is to describe new HIV diagnoses in this population in France, based on mandatory HIV reporting. Materials and Methods – The analysis focused on HIV diagnoses in 2021 among foreign-born MSM, reported as of June 30, 2022, and trends observed over the 2012–2021 period were described. Results – In 2021, the number of foreign-born MSM discovering their HIV-positive status was estimated at 582 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI: [496–668]), representing 12% of all new diagnoses. The number of new HIV diagnoses in this population increased steadily between 2012 and 2019, while it decreased among MSM born in France and stabilized among heterosexuals. The median age of foreign-born MSM who learned of their HIV status in 2021 was 31 years at the time of diagnosis. They were born primarily in sub-Saharan Africa (33%, a share that has been increasing since 2012), in the Americas or the Caribbean (24%, a share that has been decreasing), in North Africa (18%), or in Europe (15%). This distribution by region of birth differs from that observed among foreign-born heterosexuals, the vast majority of whom were born in sub-Saharan Africa (76%). The median time between arrival in France and diagnosis for foreign-born MSM was 3 years. The proportion of early diagnoses was 28%, and that of late diagnoses was 40%. At the time of HIV diagnosis, 37% of MSM born abroad were co-infected with a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI), a proportion that has been increasing since 2012. Discussion and Conclusion – These data highlight the diversity of geographic origins among the population of foreign-born MSM diagnosed with HIV in France, and the importance of promoting testing and PrEP among this population.

Author(s): Cazein Françoise, Kunkel Amber, Velter Annie, Stefic Karl, Lot Florence

Publishing year: 2023

Pages: 508-514

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2023, n° 24-25, p. 508-514

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