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Men who have sex with men are at an increased risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections, and although behavioral and contextual interventions have improved, infections continue to spread. Therefore, a new focus on recent trends in sexual health in this population is needed. The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics according to Grindr usage patterns, the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and attitudes toward HIV testing. In January 2020, a cross-sectional study was conducted using a sample of 881 men who have sex with men (MSM) who completed an online questionnaire. We evaluated their Grindr use patterns (moderate or intensive) and explored the associations of these with sociodemographic behavioral characteristics, STIs, and attitudes toward HIV testing. Of 881 participants in total, 587 (66.6%) were intensive Grindr users. Compared to moderate users, these participants reported significantly higher numbers of casual sexual partners (76.2% vs. 23.8%; p < 0.001), were more likely to participate in Chemsex (77.3% vs. 22.7%: p = 0.031), and had a higher self-reported number of STIs (69.9% vs. 30.1; p = 0.046). They also demonstrated better attitudes toward HIV testing (69.7% vs. 30.3%; p = 0.045) and perceived themselves to be at moderate risk of HIV (71.2% vs. 28.8%: p = 0.048). Moreover, intensive Grindr users were 1.36 times more likely than moderate users to test positive for STIs (95%CI = 1.15-1.91; p = 0.048). With some limitations, age, sexual partners, intensive Grindr users, and PrEP uses were associated with the risk of STIs in the sample of Spanish Grindr users studied. As Grindr users are vulnerable to sociodemographic and behavioral factors that determine STIs and HIV infection, mainly among intensive users, it is necessary to highlight the importance of new trends such as online dating apps, PrEP use, substance use in sex, and Chemsex, and these need to be incorporated into online public health strategies.

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OBJECTIVES: Herpes zoster oticus (HZO) typically provokes vestibular symptoms and is traditionally viewed as a cranial nerve equivalent of shingles, but in contrast to vestibular neuritis (VN), it is unclear whether the pathology of HZO is limited to the vestibular nerve (neuritis) or can also involve the brainstem (nucleitis). METHODS: We retrospectively compared brain MRIs of patients with HZO with those of patients with VN to study radiologic changes in the brainstem. RESULTS: Five of 10 patients with HZO showed signal abnormalities in the vestibular nuclei, which lie in multiple vascular territories, whereas no patients with VN exhibited such findings. DISCUSSION: HZO may at least in part reflect vestibular nucleitis, as opposed to a pure neuritis.

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The Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS) has been translated, adapted and validated in general Spanish population, making its application difficult in certain groups, such as men who have sex with men (MSM). This paper evaluates the psychometric properties of the SCS in a sample of MSM in Spain. The SCS was administered to 881 participants. The factorial structure of the SCS was examined with an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Both EFA and CFA confirmed a two-factor structure: (1) Interference of sexual behavior, and (2) Failure to control sexual impulses. Internal consistency was really good for the scale and also for both factors. The SCS also presented adequate psychometric properties. Thus, it is an appropriate measure for assessing sexual compulsivity in MSM, and a tool to be taken into account in future researches to reduce sexual risk behaviors in the MSM Spanish population.

RESUMEN: La Escala de Compulsividad Sexual (SCS) ha sido traducida, adaptada y validada en población general española, siendo difícil su aplicación en determinados colectivos, como los Hombres que tienen Sexo con Hombres (HSH). Este trabajo evalúa las propiedades psicométricas del SCS en una muestra de 881 HSH de España. La estructura factorial del SCS se examinó con un Análisis Factorial Exploratorio (AFE) y un Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio (AFC). Tanto el AFE como el AFC confirmaron una estructura de dos factores: (1) Interferencia del Comportamiento Sexual y (2) Problemas en el Control de los Impulsos Sexuales. La consistencia interna fue muy buena, tanto para la escala como para los dos factores. El SCS también presentó adecuadas propiedades psicométricas. Por tanto, es una herramienta adecuada para evaluar la compulsividad sexual en HSH, y una escala a tener en cuenta en futuras investigaciones para reducir las conductas sexuales de riesgo de HSH en población española.

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AIM: To determine the frequency of and identify risk factors associated with sexual practices leading to hepatitis A infection in the population of men who have sex with men in Spain. BACKGROUND: The increased incidence of hepatitis A as a result of sexual contact among this population is a public health concern and a challenge in controlling sexually transmitted infections. METHODS: This cross-sectional, online survey-based study included 881 men who have sex with men. Unprotected oro-anal and insertive-anal sex are considered to be unsafe sexual practices associated with hepatitis A infection. RESULTS: Of all respondents, 83.4% engaged in insertive-anal sex and 71.3% in unprotected oro-anal sex during the previous 12 months. An association was found with sociodemographic factors [living alone (OR = 2; 95%CI = 1.13-3.35)] and contextual factors of sexual behaviour [previous diagnosis of sexually transmitted infection(s) (OR = 1.74; 95%CI = 1.15-2.61) and participating in 'chemsex' (OR = 5.15; 95%CI = 1.05-25.15)]. CONCLUSION: The frequency of unsafe sexual practices associated with hepatitis A among men who have sex with men in Spain is high. Interventions based on sociodemographic and contextual factors of sexual behaviour should be implemented. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nurse managers should update and incorporate the support needs of men who have sex with men and take advantage of the opportunity to implement harm reduction strategies.

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