HIV prevention research on men who have sex with men: A scoping review of systematic reviews, 1988–2017

Abstract

In the United States, men who have sex with men (MSM) are dispro-portionately affected by HIV. To identify research gaps and inform HIV prevention for MSM, we conducted a scoping review of systematic reviews using CDC’s Prevention Research Synthesis database. Eligibility criteria comprised English-language systematic reviews focused on HIV prevention for MSM, published during 1988–2017, and included at least one U.S. primary study. We coded data type, subpopulations, topics, and key find-ings. To assess study quality, we used the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR). Among 129 relevant systematic reviews, study quality was high or moderate for 63%. Most common topics were sexual behavior and disease vulnerability. The most frequently mentioned MSM subgroups were HIV-positive, Black or African American, and young. Research gaps include Hispanic/Latino MSM, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), treatment as prevention, social determinants of health, health disparities, syndemics, and protective factors for sexual health.