Categories
EMIS 2017 Journal Articles 2017

Prevalence and risk factors for transactional sex among Swedish-born and foreign-born MSM in Sweden

BMC Public Health. 2022; 22:2412. (doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14764-8)

Authors: Sara Causevic, Mariano Salazar, Anna Mia Ekström, Torsten Berglund, Kristina Ingemarsdotter Persson, Mikael Jonsson, Jonas Jonsson, Susanne Strömdahl

Abstract:

Background

Little is known about transactional sex (TS) (selling and buying sex) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Sweden, especially among foreign-born MSM. This study aims to assess the prevalence and risk fac- tors of TS (ever and in the previous five years) among MSM living in Sweden and to determine if there is a difference between Swedish-born MSM and foreign-born MSM.

Methods

Swedish data from a multicountry online banner survey (EMIS-2017) was used (= 4443). Multivariable regression analysis was applied to analyse the data.

Results

The prevalence of ever-selling sex among all MSM participants was 13.2% and 5.9% in the previous five years. Selling sex ever and in the previous five years was higher among foreign-born MSM (16% and 8.4%, respec- tively) than Swedish-born MSM (12.7% and 5.4%, respectively). Among all participants, younger age (aOR:3.19, 95% CI:1.57–6.45) and really struggling to live on current income (aOR:3.37, 95% CI:2.29–4.96) increased the odds of selling sex. Being foreign-born MSM (aOR:1.33, 95% CI:1.02–1.73) and having had sex with a woman in the previous 12 months increased the odds of selling sex (aOR:1.44, 95% CI:1.00–2.07).

The prevalence of ever buying sex among MSM participants in Sweden was 10.8% and 6.7% in the previous five years, with the same trend among foreign-born MSM (11.6% and 6.9%, respectively) and Swedish-born MSM (10.7% and 6.6%, respectively). Higher education and not having a current partner increased the odds of buying sex. Younger age was protective for buying sex (aOR:0.05, 95% CI:0.02–0.14). Among the foreign-born MSM, the length of stay in Sweden decreased the odds of buying sex (aOR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96–0.99).

Conclusions

The comparatively high prevalence of TS among MSM participants in Sweden, where buying sex is illegal, with a higher prevalence among foreign-born MSM participants, calls for sexual and reproductive health and rights interventions in this population. Increased attention, including HIV prevention programming and education, should be aimed at younger MSM, MSM struggling with their current income, and foreign-born MSM, as they are more likely to report selling sex.

Available online

Categories
EMIS 2017 Journal Articles 2017

Association of internalised homonegativity with partner notification after diagnosis of syphilis or gonorrhoea among men having sex with men in 49 countries across four continents

BMC Public Health 2023; 23(8). doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14891-2

Authors: Ulrich Marcus, Kai Jonas, Rigmor Berg, Maria Amelia Veras, Carlos F. Caceres, Jordi Casabona, Susanne B. Schink & Axel J. Schmidt

Abstract

Background

Partner notification (PN) after a sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis is being promoted as a means to interrupt transmission chains. We investigated whether Internalised Homonegativity (IH) is associated with PN among men having sex with men (MSM).

Methods

PN, defined as notifying at least one partner after diagnosis of syphilis and gonorrhoea, was queried in two internet-based self-completion surveys conducted between Oct 2017 and May 2018 in 68 countries in Europe, Latin America, Canada, and the Philippines. IH is defined by a man’s level of agreement or disagreement with negative social beliefs about male homosexuality. Covariates included in a multivariate regression model with a random intercept at country level were age, HIV diagnosis, partnership status, sexual self-efficacy, HIV serostatus communication during last sex with a non-steady partner, place where this partner was met, and PN-related socio-historical background of the country of residence. We grouped countries in three areas: North- and Central-Western European countries plus Canada, former socialist countries, and Latin-American/Mediterranean countries plus the Philippines. In each of the three areas individuals were assigned to 4 subgroups based on IH quartiles and PN rates were determined for each subgroup.

Results

PN rates were calculated for 49 countries (excluding countries with less than 10 diagnoses). Mean proportions of MSM notifying their partners were 68.1% and 72.9% after syphilis and gonorrhoea diagnoses, respectively. PN rates were lower in Latin American countries and the Philippines compared to European countries. Within Europe, a North–South divide with lower PN rates in Mediterranean countries was observed. In each of the three regions we mostly observed a stepwise increase of PN rates with decreasing IH.

Regression analysis showed lower IH scores associated with higher PN rates. Higher perceived self-efficacy, living in a partnership, and HIV status communication were positively associated with PN. Men who had met their last partner in a gay social venue were more likely to have notified their partners of a syphilis diagnosis compared to men who had met this partner online. Men with diagnosed HIV were less likely to report PN.

Conclusions

We could demonstrate that IH was associated with PN among MSM across all countries included in our analysis. Reducing cultural homophobia and ensuring inclusive policies may contribute to STI prevention and control.

Available online

Categories
EMIS 2010 Journal Articles 2010

Impact of Migration and Acculturation on Turkish Men Who have Sex with Men in Germany: Results from the 2010 European MSM Internet Survey

Archives of Sexual Behavior. 2022. (doi: 10.1007/s10508-022-02468-4)

Authors: Axel J. Schmidt, Michael W. Ross, Rigmor C. Berg, Peyman Altan

Abstract:

To examine the impact of migration and acculturation of Turkish men who have sex with men (MSM) to Germany, using data from the European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS-2010), on measures of acculturation including circumcision status, internalized homonegativity (IH), HIV/STI knowledge, sexual orientation, outness, HIV-testing, and sexual behaviors.

We compared four groups of MSM: MSM born and residing in Germany who had completed the questionnaire in German (= 38,915), MSM born and residing in Germany, with a father or mother born in Turkey (= 97), MSM residing in Germany who were born in Turkey or whose parents were born in Turkey (= 262), and MSM who were born and residing in Turkey and who completed the questionnaire in Turkish (= 1,717).

Data showed that there were significant dose–response curves between level of migration and several outcome variables. As exposure to Germany increased, MSM had lower IH, higher HIV/STI knowledge, increased outness, and were less likely to be circumcised. There were similar significant findings with regard to sexual HIV risk behavior (condomless anal intercourse with partners of unknown (or sero-discordant) HIV status).

Data were consistent with acculturation over generations in immigrant groups in MSM migrating from Turkey to Germany. Integration includes both cultural aspects (circumcision) and integration into a more homopositive gay environment (IH, outness, increased HIV/STI knowledge), and sexual HIV risk behavior. Migration and associated acculturation may constitute a risk change for HIV/STI and mental health issues associated with IH and outness.

Available online

Categories
EMIS 2017 Journal Articles 2017

Latin American Internet Survey for Men who have Sex with Men (LAMIS-2018): Design, methods and implementation

PLoS One 2022;17(11):e0277518. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277518

Authors: Michael Reyes-Díaz, Ana Celly, Cinta Folch, Nicolas Lorente, Valeria Stuardo, Maria Amelia Veras, Henrique Barros, Paula Meireles, Dorian Ramírez, Kai J Jonas, Ulrich Marcus, Axel J Schmidt, Carlos F Caceres, Jordi Casabona

Abstract

Despite men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) from Latin America (LA) are still a vulnerable population for known health-related conditions and social problems, availability of comparable data across LA countries for assessment and monitoring purposes is limited. The objective of this article is to present the study design and the questionnaire of LAMIS-2018 (Latin America MSM Internet Survey), its recruitment strategy, rates and sources by country, and the lessons learned from its implementation. LAMIS-2018 was a cross-sectional, internet-based survey targeting MSM living in 18 LA countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela) that gathered data about sexual behaviors, HIV/STI and viral hepatitis knowledge, prophylactic use of antiretrovirals, psychosocial health, and access to sexual health services. The survey went online for four months and was available in three languages (Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch). Promotion was carried out using dating apps, websites, social networks, and by community-based and academic organizations of each participating country directly in gay venues and in their own premises. Overall, 64,655 MSM participated in LAMIS-2018. Dating apps and websites were the most important recruitment source in most countries, except for Honduras, Nicaragua, and Suriname, where community-based organizations recruited most of the participants. Beyond the LAMIS-2018 implementation description, we highlight the feasibility of such a study in this context, based on the collaboration between community-based and academic organizations to obtain a large sample of MSM in the region. LAMIS-2018 data will contribute to identify determinants of risk behaviors and prevention needs of vulnerable MSM populations in each country of the region.

Available online

Categories
EMIS 2017 Journal Articles 2017

Sexual happiness and satisfaction with sexual safety among German trans men who have sex with men: results from EMIS-2017

J Int AIDS Soc. 2022 Oct;25 Suppl 5(Suppl 5):e25992. doi: 10.1002/jia2.25992.

Authors: Max Nicolai Appenroth, Uwe Koppe, Ford Hickson, Susanne Schink, Alexander Hahne, Axel J Schmidt, Peter Weatherburn, Ulrich Marcus

Abstract

Introduction: The population of men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) includes people who are on the masculine spectrum but were assigned female at birth (AFAB), that is trans MSM. This study aims to identify current circumstances regarding sexual happiness and safety among German trans MSM. To date, there is no health information about trans MSM in Germany, limiting the ability of MSM sexual health programmes to meet their needs.

Methods: Data were used from the European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS-2017), where people identifying as men and/or trans men were recruited through dating apps for MSM, community websites and social media to participate in an online survey. We analysed parameters on sexual happiness and satisfaction with sexual safety among Germany-based trans MSM and compared those to outcomes of MSM assigned male at birth (cis MSM) living in Germany using descriptive methods and logistic regression models adjusting for age.

Results: In total, 23,001 participants from Germany were included, of which 122 (0.5%) indicated to be AFAB (i.e. trans MSM). Trans MSM were markedly younger than cis participants (median age: 28.5 vs. 39 years). Trans MSM more often reported being unhappy with their current sex life (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.82, 95% CI 1.24-2.67), had higher odds of disagreeing with the statements “the sex I have is always as safe as I want” ([aOR] = 1.82, 95% CI 1.24-2.67) and “I find it easy to say no to sex that I don’t want” ([aOR] = 1.80, 95% CI 1.18-2.77). Trans MSM were more likely to not be living comfortably financially ([aOR] = 2.43, 95% CI 1.60-3.67) and to be living with severe anxiety and/or depression ([aOR] = 3.90, 95% CI 2.22-6.83). Trans MSM were less likely to have ever tested for HIV ([aOR] = 0.63, 95% CI 0.43-0.93).

Conclusions: Sexual happiness, control of sexual boundaries, satisfaction with sexual safety, financial security, mental wellbeing and HIV testing were all lower in German trans MSM compared with cis MSM. Tailored sexual health interventions, contextualized with regard to needs and vulnerabilities, could address this inequality.

Available online

Categories
EMIS 2017 International reports 2017

European Report 2017

The EMIS Network. EMIS-2017 – The European Men-Who-Have-Sex-With-Men Internet Survey. Key findings from 50 countries.

Report details:
Stockholm, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 2019 (ISBN 978-92-9498-341-1).

Download report as PDF

Categories
News

World AIDS Day 2021

For World AIDS Day 2021, we partnered with UNAIDS to add eleven new EMIS-2017 indicators (by country) to their key population atlas including experience of STIs, partner notification, and hepatitis A & B vaccination status.

Categories
EMIS 2017 International reports 2017

EMIS-2017 Community Reports

We thank our network partners for their translations of the following Community Reports.

The 3rd EMIS-2017 Community Report, published 14 August 2021, covers the stress factors affecting mental and sexual health and well-being and was coordinated by Mick Quinlan (Gay Health Network, Dublin, Ireland). It has been translated into the seven most commonly spoken languages in Europe: German, Russian, French, Turkish, Italian, Polish, and Spanish, as well as into Arabic, Czech, and Portuguese. The 3rd community report was funded by Ireland’s Health Services (HSE)

The 2nd EMIS-2017 Community Report, published 27 November 2020, focuses on gay men living with HIV in Europe and was coordinated by Mick Quinlan (Gay Health Network, Dublin, Ireland). It has been translated into the seven most commonly spoken languages in Europe: German, Russian, French, Turkish, Italian, Polish, and Spanish, as well as into Arabic, Czech, and Portuguese. The 2nd community report was funded by Ireland’s Health Services (HSE)

The 1st EMIS-2017 Community Report targeted at EMIS respondents and MSM in general was published in 31 languages by the end of 2018. We thank our network partners for their contributions and translations, and particularly the German NGO Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe for leading the process, and the Swiss AIDS Federation for financial support.

The first Community Report describes safer sex knowledge (including knowledge on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U). The English version was first presented at AIDS2018 in Amsterdam. The Philippines opted out from the 1st Community Report, so it covers 49, not 50, countries.

The Brazilian NGO Associação Brasileira de Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis, Transexuais e Intersexos (ABGLT), published a comparable Community Report for Brazil, based on data from the Latin American Internet Survey (LAMIS), with support from Maria Amelia de Sousa Mascena Veras (Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo) and Sigma Research

3rd EMIS-2017 Community Report

3rd EMIS-2017 Community Report (Arabic)

3rd EMIS-2017 Community Report (Czech)

3rd EMIS-2017 Community Report (English)

3rd EMIS-2017 Community Report (French)

3rd EMIS-2017 Community Report (German)

3rd EMIS-2017 Community Report (Italian)

3rd EMIS-2017 Community Report (Portuguese)

3rd EMIS-2017 Community Report (Russian)

3rd EMIS-2017 Community Report (Spanish)

3rd EMIS-2017 Community Report (Turkish)

2nd EMIS-2017 Community Report

2nd EMIS-2017 Community Report (Arabic)

2nd EMIS-2017 Community Report (Czech)

2nd EMIS-2017 Community Report (English)

2nd EMIS-2017 Community Report (French)

2nd EMIS-2017 Community Report (German)

2nd EMIS-2017 Community Report (Italian)

2nd EMIS-2017 Community Report (Polish)

2nd EMIS-2017 Community Report (Portuguese)

2nd EMIS-2017 Community Report (Russian)

2nd EMIS-2017 Community Report (Spanish)

2nd EMIS-2017 Community Report (Turkish)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report

LAMIS-Brazil Community Report (Portuguese)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Arabic)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Bulgarian)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Croatian)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Czech)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Danish)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Dutch)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (English)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Estonian)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Finnish)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (French)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Switzerland-French)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (German)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Switzerland-German)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Greek)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Hebrew)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Hungarian)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Icelandic)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Italian)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Switzerland-Italian)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Latvian)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Lithuanian)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Macedonian)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Norwegian)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Polish)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Portuguese)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Romanian)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Russian)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Serbian)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Slovak)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Slovenian)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Spanish)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Swedish)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Turkish)

1st EMIS-2017 Community Report (Ukrainian)

Categories
EMIS 2017 National reports 2017

EMIS-2017 National Reports

Since data collection has closed, we have distributed 39 country of residence datasets to our EMIS-2017 partners who are working on a wide range of national reports, in a variety of formats. As these reports are published they will be added here. No datasets were requested from Luxemburg, Bosnia iH, Iceland, or Turkey. As of June 2021, 20 countries have provided at least one national report. Many countries were interrupted in their report writing by the COVID-19 pandemic. We still expect a report from the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and Slovakia. No feedback has been received from BG, HR, LV/LT, SI, PH, RS. No reports are expected from Finland, Hungary, Lebanon, North Macedonia, Romania, or the United Kingdom.

EMIS-2017: Austria EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Belarus EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Belgium (België) EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Belgium (Belgique) EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Canada (main report) EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Canada (Infographic summary) EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Czechia EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Cyprus EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Denmark EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Estonia EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: France EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Germany EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Greece (1) EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Greece (2) EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Ireland (Main Report) EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Ireland (Community Report 1) EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Ireland (Community Report 2) EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Ireland (Community Report 3) EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Ireland (Community Report 4) EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Ireland (Infographic Demographics) EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Ireland (Infographic Health) EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Ireland (Infographic Behaviours) EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Ireland (Infographic Needs) EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Ireland (Infographic Interventions) EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Ireland (Health technology assessment for PrEP) EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Israel EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Italy EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Malta EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Moldova EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Norway EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Russia EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Spain EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Sweden EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Switzerland (Suisse) EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Switzerland (Schweiz) EMIS-2017 National Reports

EMIS-2017: Ukraine EMIS-2017 National Reports

Categories
EMIS 2017 International reports 2017

EMIS-2017 and LAMIS: UNAIDS

For World AIDS Days 2018–2021 we partnered with UNAIDS to present some key findings from the European and Latin American MSM Internet Surveys on the UNAIDS website for key populations. Findings are shown as interactive maps that include various sexual health indicatiors for gay men, bisexual men and other MSM.

Recruitment and Outness
  • Crude Recruitment Rate: Number of men reached by EMIS-2017/LAMIS, per 10,000 men aged 15–65
  • Not open about sexual orientation (non-outness): “Out” to few or none of friends, family, work (%)
HIV
  • HIV diagnosis: ever diagnosed with HIV (%)
  • Recent HIV diagnosis: HIV diagnosis in the past 12 months (%), excluding men diagnosed with HIV more than 12 months ago
  • HIV testing: Tested for HIV in the last 12 months (%), excluding those diagnosed longer ago
  • Community-based HIV testing: Using community HIV- testing at last HIV test (%, denominator includes untested  men)
Sexually Transmitted Infections: Testing, Diagnosis, and Partner Notifiaction
  • Comprehensive STI screen: HIV test, STI blood test, rectal swab, urethral (trans men if applicable: vaginal) swab or urine in the last 12 months (%), excluding men diagnosed with HIV more than 12 months ago
  • STI testing: any test for a sexually transmitted infection, in the previous 12 months (%)
  • Disclosure in health care: Disclosure of same-sex contacts towards health care provider during STI-testing in the last 12 months (%)
  • Syphilis: diagnosed in the previous 12 months (%)
  • Symptomatic syphilis: in the previous 12 months (%)
  • Gonorrhoea: diagnosed in the previous 12 months (%)
  • Symptomatic gonorrhoea: in the previous 12 months (%)
  • Chlamydia: diagnosed in the previous 12 months (%)
  • Symptomatic chlamydia: in the previous 12 months (%)
  • Partner notification among men with syphilis (%)
  • Partner notification among men with gonorrhoea (%)
Interventions
  • Targeted information:  Saw or heard information about HIV/STIs for MSM, last 12 months (%)
  • Received free condoms: Received free condom from NGOs, clinics, bars, or saunas, last 12 months (%)
Risk and precaution behaviour
  • Condomless anal sex: Condomless anal sex with non-steady male partners of unknown HIV status, last 12 months (%)
  • PrEP use:  Currently taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis daily or on demand (%), excluding HIV-diagnosed men
Knowledge
  • Lack of PrEP knowledge: Not knowing that PrEP is a pill taken before as well as after sex to prevent HIV infection (%) 
  • Lack of PEP knowledge: Not knowing that PEP stops HIV infection after exposure (%)
  • Lack of U=U knowledge: Not knowing U=U (that a person with undetectable viral load cannot pass on HIV, %) 
Vaccinations
  • HAV vaccination: history of at least one dose of hepatitis A vaccine (%), exluding those with a history of hepatitis A
  • HBV vaccination: history of at least one dose of hepatitis B vaccine (%), exluding those with a history of hepatitis B

Suggested citation for EMIS/LAMIS indicators on the UNAIDS website for key populations:

UNAIDS Key Population Atlas: EMIS & LAMIS Indicators for men-who-have-sex-with-men. Geneva, 2018–21. Available at: https://kpatlas.unaids.org/dashboard

Disclaimer: Indicators published on the UNAIDS website for key populations based on data collected by the Latin America MSM Internet Survey (LAMIS) are not official/governmental data of the participating countries.

Available in 33 languages, the European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS-2017) recruited 137,358 qualifying participants from 46 countries across Europe and Lebanon, Israel, Canada and the Philippines. The Latin American MSM Internet Survey (LAMIS) recruited 64,655 participants from 18 countries.

EMIS-2017 was undertaken by researchers from Sigma Research at the London School for Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the Robert Koch Institute. Data was collected between 18 October 2017 and 31 January 2018.

LAMIS, using the same questionnaire and finishing data collection on 12 May 2018, was the first multi-country survey for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in Latin America. It was implemented by researchers from the RIGHT-PLUS*, a coalition of researchers from Latin America, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands, with support from the EMIS team. EMIS and LAMIS required a great deal of international cooperation and relied on the support of national stakeholders to aid local recruitment. Through this cooperation comparable data are now available for the first time for more than 60 countries across 4 continents.

LAMIS contributions: CEEISCAT, Spain (Jordi Casabona Barbara, Percy Fernández Dávila): LAMIS network and local recruitment coordination, economic and legal aspects of hosting the database. CIISSS, Peru (Carlos F. Cáceres, E. Michael Reyes): LAMIS Report for Latin America. NUDHES, Brazil (Maria Amelia de Sousa Mascena Veras, Daniel Barros): study website and its graphic design. LSHTM, United Kingdom (Sigma Research: Axel J. Schmidt, Ford Hickson, David Reid, Peter Weatherburn): questionnaire design, support with survey software and monitoring of recruitment, graphic arts of banners for promotion, data cleaning and labelling, error handling, variable manual, templates for national and community reports, collaboration with UNAIDS. Robert Koch Institute, Germany (Ulrich Marcus): negotiations with web pages/apps for free promotion of LAMIS and coordination of central recruitment.

LAMIS acknowledgements: We thank all men who took part in LAMIS, as well as our app partners Grindr and PlanetRomeo who helped to recruit participants through free-of-charge instant messages, and our local partners who recruited participants via Facebook and other social media, and placed promotional banners on their websites. Thank you for being part of something huge!

The following list acknowledges all LAMIS partners by country.

AR: Federación Argentina de Lesbianas, Gays, Bisexuales y Trans (FALGBT). BO: Fundación Diversencia; MANODIVERSA. BR: Núcleo de Pesquisa em Direitos Humanos e Saúde LGBT+ (NUDHES) da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo; ABGLT. CL: Escuela de Salud Pública – Universidad de Chile; Fundación Savia; APROFA. CO: Asociación Ágora; UNIMINUTO Seccional Bello. CR: Centro de Investigación y Promoción para América Central de Derechos Humanos (CIPAC). EC: Fundación Ecuatoriana Equidad. GT: Fundación Sida y Sociedad; Centro de Investigaciones de las Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. HN: Asociación Kukulcan. MX: Red GayLatino. NI: Centro para la Educación y Prevención del SIDA (CEPRESI). PA: Grupo Génesis Panamá+. PY: SOMOSGAY. PE: Center for Research on Sexuality, AIDS and Society at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. SR: Parea Surinam. SV: Asociación Entre Amigos. UY: Colectivo Ovejas Negras; +VIHdas. VE: Venezuela Igualitaria.

LAMIS funding: Questionnaire design, core survey execution and variable manual were provided by EMIS-2017 (funded by the EU Health Programme 2014–2020 for Europe), and adapted for LAMIS use. Additional financial support was provided by CEEISCAT, CIISSS, Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Maastricht University, NUDHES, and Robert Koch Institute.

*The Red Iberoamericana de Estudios en Hombres Gay, otros Hombres que tienen Sexo con Hombres y Personas Trans is composed of the following institutions: Núcleo de Pesquisa em Direitos Humanos e Saúde LGBT+ (NUDHES) da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo (Brazil); Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad de Chile (Chile); CIISSS at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (Peru); CICS – Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (Guatemala); Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (Portugal); the Centre d’Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i VIH/Sida de Catalunya (CEEISCAT, Spain).