TOO GAY TO DONATE BLOOD? AMBITIOUS STUDY LAUNCHES TO CREATE BLOOD DONATION EQUITY FOR ALL MEN
Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest and most ambitious study of its kind launches today and aims to make blood donation fairer for gay, bisexual, takatāpui and other men who have sex with men (MSM). The study is called “SPOTS”: Sex and Prevention Of Transmission Study, and the researchers want to hear from 4000 MSM about their views on blood donation and their safe sex practices.
The study is led by the University of Auckland in partnership with the University of Otago and community organisations: NZ AIDS Foundation, Body Positive, Māori sexual health organisation Te Whāriki Takapou and the NZ Blood Service.
“MSM in Aotearoa are currently excluded from donating blood for three months since last sex, due to the HIV epidemic. But many MSM want to donate blood and see the current policy as discriminatory and unscientific, given recent advances in HIV prevention,” says Associate Professor Dr Peter Saxton, lead investigator at the School of Population Health, University of Auckland.
“The NZ Blood Service agrees that some MSM present a low risk for donating blood, but the organisation lacks evidence to improve the policy further. Our study will be the first to provide that evidence.” says Dr Saxton.
“We welcome the opportunity to work on this major study, which is an important first step towards a better understanding of influences on sexual health and the status of HIV prevention in the MSM community across Aotearoa. The outcome will help provide vital New Zealand-based evidence that will inform the next review of New Zealand Blood Service’s behavioural deferral policy. This study is a real opportunity to help effect change, and we encourage all eligible people to take part." comments Dr Sarah Morley, Chief Medical Officer, New Zealand Blood Service.
To do this, SPOTS will invite participants who have completed their online behavioural questionnaire to also provide dried blood spots (DBS) (hence the name – SPOTS) via a simple fingerprick device and a card. The DBS kit, containing the device and card, is couriered to an address of the participant’s choosing, while a fun and informative instructional video shows participants how to collect their specimen and return it to the research team. The DBS will be sent to a laboratory and tested for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C. By comparing participants’ behavioural responses with the laboratory results, researchers can then estimate what proportion are living with undiagnosed infection. Participants can choose to give a specimen anonymously, or to receive their results.
“Knowing more about undiagnosed infection is crucial for three public health reasons” says Dr Saxton. “Firstly, it can tell us who should and shouldn’t be donating blood in future. Ultimately we all want blood donation to be more inclusive, but also safe for blood recipients.”
“Secondly, it can show us where HIV prevention could be better targeted for MSM, so we can end HIV transmission in NZ by 2025. These include newer practices like the HIV prevention pill pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), early HIV treatments and undetectable HIV viral load (U=U), as well as condoms and regular testing.”
“Thirdly, we can link any individuals living with previously undiagnosed infection into care, for their own and their partner’s benefit. Syphilis and hepatitis C can be cured with treatments now, and antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV into a manageable condition,” says Dr Saxton.
“We had planned to offer in-person fingerpricking, but since Omicron arrived in NZ, we’re now relying on online promotion and word of mouth through our communities,” adding that “with many Pride events postponed and people at home, it’s an opportunity for MSM to take part in a community initiative, to have their voice heard and to be part of the change”.
The researchers hope to attract a high number of MSM, including cis and trans men, who are aged 16 or older and live in Aotearoa NZ. You can also take part if you are a trans woman or non-binary person who has sex with MSM, or you identify as a gay, bisexual, queer or pansexual man but have never had sex with a man. Participants can be of any HIV status, ethnicity, region, relationship status, out/not out, new to the scene or long-time members of the community. “We want to hear from everyone so your voices can inform future decisions about our community’s health and inclusion!” says Saxton.
One of the study’s key partners is Māori sexual health organisation Te Whāriki Takapou, with whom the team are working to raise awareness of the study and its objectives within Te Ao Māori. “Takatāpui are part of the whānau, which means it is important for whānau to kōrero with takatāpui to understand their health needs! SPOTS is a survey about the sexual health of men who have sex with men (MSM) including where applicable takatāpui. Our last study showed that 1 in 2 takatāpui with HIV were living with their HIV infection undiagnosed. SPOTS will further highlight areas where outcomes for takatāpui and our people can be improved. It is important for all whānau to get involved. Awhi mai, awhi atu! And that awhi can start by encouraging the takatāpui in your whānau to get amongst our SPOTS kaupapa! Takatāpui mā, take the survey! Aroha mai, aroha atu.” - Kevin Haunui, Lead Research Partner, Te Whāriki Takapou
“Our community consultation showed us that lots of people are passionate about creating a fairer blood donation policy and eliminating HIV transmission in Aotearoa NZ. I’m sure that extends to the whānau and friends of MSM, who we call upon to share the study link and support their MSM loved ones to take part,” says Saxton.
The study is funded by the Health Research Council of NZ and the Ministry of Health and has ethics approval from HDEC (2021 EXP 11450).