Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42218483›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2026

Emotional support networks and discussion of anal cancer among sexual minority men in Nigeria: insights from an ego-centric analysis.

Connor R Volpi, John Chama, Ruxton Adebiyi, Jumoke A Aigoro, Yerima Jibrin Bawa, Kazeem E Kolawole, Uchenna Ononaku, Naomi Ayuba, Ashley Shutt, Michelle B Shin and 7 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

17 authors.

Connor R VolpiJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA. cvolpi1@jhu.edu.
John ChamaInstitute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria.
Ruxton AdebiyiInstitute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria.
Jumoke A AigoroInstitute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria.
Yerima Jibrin BawaInstitute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria.
Kazeem E KolawoleInstitute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria.
Uchenna OnonakuInstitute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria.
Naomi AyubaInstitute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria.
Ashley ShuttDivision of Epidemiology and Prevention, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
Michelle B ShinUniversity of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Abayomi AkaInternational Centre for Advocacy on Rights to Health, Abuja, Nigeria.
Stephen E GoldstoneIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
Patrick DakumInstitute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria.
Joel M PalefskyUniversity of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Sylvia AdebajoDivision of Epidemiology and Prevention, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
Rebecca G Nowak *Division of Epidemiology and Prevention, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 725 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
Karin E Tobin *Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Funding

INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY FELLOWSHIPT32CA009314 · NCI · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · PI Corinne E. Joshu, Meghan Bridgid Moran · 1985 to 2026
$11.2M
Integrated Model for the Prevention of Anal Cancer using screen and Treat for HSIL (IMPACT)U01CA275053 · NCI · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · PI Sylvia Adebajo, Rebecca G. Nowak · 2022 to 2026
$4.1M
NCI NIH HHS T32 CA009314NCI NIH HHS U01 CA275053
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThis study examined the role of emotional support networks in shaping health-related communication among sexual minority men (SMM) living with HIV in Nigeria, a context where criminalization and stigma limit social integration and access to care. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 250 SMM receiving HIV care at an SMM-affirming clinic in Abuja.

methodsParticipants completed a structured questionnaire assessing demographics, HIV-related characteristics, HPV knowledge, anal cancer awareness, and emotional support network composition. Emotional support network attributes were compared by duration of HIV diagnosis (≤ 5 years vs. >5 years), and logistic regression models assessed factors associated with discussing anal cancer within support networks.

resultsParticipants living with HIV for > 5 years had larger emotional support networks and were more likely to report discussing same-sex relationship issues and anal cancer with alters. Discussing same-sex relationships and receiving medical care support from alters were strongly associated with increased likelihood of discussing anal cancer. Network density (e.g., how well alters know one another) did not differ by duration of HIV diagnosis.

conclusionThese findings highlight the influence of interpersonal trust and relationship context on communication about stigmatized health topics. Leveraging emotional support networks, particularly for individuals newly diagnosed with HIV, may strengthen engagement in preventive cancer care and improve health outcomes for SMM in hostile sociopolitical environments.

Indexed as

Anus NeoplasmsSexual and Gender MinoritiesSocial SupportAdultCross-Sectional StudiesHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHIV InfectionsHumansMaleMiddle AgedNigeriaSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultAnal cancer preventionEmotional support networksHIVHPV vaccinationNigeriaSexual minority men (SMM)

Identifiers

PMID42218483
PMCPMC13501685

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.