Bea Vuylsteke

Biographic Data

ID	4273427
NAME	Bea Vuylsteke
GIVEN NAMES	Bea
FAMILY NAME	Vuylsteke
SIGNATURE	VUYLSTEKE B
AFFILIATIONS	Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde
ORCID	0000-0003-0514-4372
VERIFIED	Yes
TOTAL WORKS	17
TOTAL CITATIONS	0
AUTHOR COUNT	17
EDITOR COUNT	0
FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR	2011
LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR	2024
H-INDEX	0

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use trajectories and incidence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among PrEP users in Belgium
Open AccessAnke Rotsaert, Tom Smekens et al.ARTICLEBMC Public Health2024
The study highlights challenges in PrEP persistence and a high incidence of bacterial STIs among individuals receiving PrEP. Tailored prevention support is crucial for individuals with ongoing HIV risk to optimise PrEP effectiveness. Integrated STI testing and prevention interventions within PrEP care are necessary to mitigate STI acquisition and transmission among PrEP users
Local initiative supports case isolation and contact tracing during a Sars-CoV-2 surge in summer 2020
Open AccessKristien Verdonck, Stefan Morreel et al.ARTICLEFrontiers in Public Health2023
In Antwerp, Belgium's second largest city, a COVID-19 surge in July 2020 predominantly affected neighborhoods with high ethnic diversity. Local volunteers reacted and set up an initiative to support contact tracing and self-isolation. We describe the origin, implementation, and transfer of this local initiative, based on semi-structured interviews of five key informants and document review. The initiative started in July 2020, when family physici…
Strategies to improve PrEP uptake among West African men who have sex with men
Open AccessThijs Reyniers, Stéphane Alain Yoro Babo et al.ARTICLEFrontiers in Public Health2023
Introduction: West African men who have sex with men (MSM) remain at substantial risk of contracting HIV. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can be an effective game-changer in reducing the number of HIV infections in MSM communities. To optimize the roll-out of PrEP, we need to better understand how we can increase its uptake. The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of West African MSM toward PrEP and their proposed strategies to…
Patterns of PrEP and condom use among PrEP users in Belgium
Open AccessAnke Rotsaert, Tom Smekens et al.ARTICLEBMC Public Health2023
Our findings show that there is little variation in PrEP use over time and that PrEP use was associated with sexual behaviours, which could be taken into account when designing tailored PrEP care
Insights into barriers and facilitators in PrEP uptake and use among migrant men and transwomen who have sex with men in Belgium
Open AccessElla Van Landeghem, Stef Dielen et al.ARTICLEBMC Public Health2023
An interplay of several underlying determinants and barriers impacts on PrEP uptake among migrant men and transwomen who have sex with men, illustrating a social gradient in access to PrEP. We need equitable access to the full spectrum of HIV prevention and care for all priority populations, including undocumented migrants. We recommend social and structural conditions that foster exercising these rights, including adapting PrEP service delivery,…
HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Care in Belgium
Open AccessAnke Rotsaert, Jef Vanhamel et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2023
Non-Consensual Sex and Help-Seeking Behavior Among PrEP Users in Belgium
Thibaut Vanbaelen, Anke Rotsaert et al.ARTICLEThe Journal of Sex Research2023References: 2
Non-consensual sex poses a threat not only to sexual health but also to mental and physical health in general. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users might be particularly vulnerable to non-consensual sex because of interplaying factors such as mental health disorders, a high number of sex partners, engagement in chemsex, and the widespread use of dating apps. The objectives of this study were to assess the occurrence of non-consensual sex, it…
Increased Anxiety and Depression Among Belgian Sexual Minority Groups During the First Covid-19 Lockdown—Results From an Online Survey
Open AccessThijs Reyniers, Buffel et al.ARTICLEFrontiers in Public Health2022
The COVID-19 pandemic most likely had a negative impact on mental health. Sexual minorities are at higher risk for adverse mental outcomes such as depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. Such mental health disparities may have exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to restricted real-life social contact. The study aim was to examine changes in depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation among Belgian sexual minority adults between the per…
Socio-behavioral correlates of pre-exposure prophylaxis use and correct adherence in men who have sex with men in West Africa
Open AccessAugust Eubanks, Bakary Coulibaly et al.ARTICLEBMC Public Health2022
Community-based clinic attendance and PE contact outside of scheduled visits were both associated with higher PrEP engagement, but some socially and economically marginalized participants struggled with adherence. As scale-up continues in West Africa, we recommend implementing community-based interventions and providing extra support for vulnerable users to ensure adequate PrEP engagement
Putting 2-1-1 into Practice
Open AccessAnke Rotsaert, Thijs Reyniers et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2022
Awareness of, Willingness to Take PrEP and Its Actual Use Among Belgian MSM at High Risk of HIV Infection
Open AccessBuffel, Thijs Reyniers et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2021
The social meanings of PrEP use - A mixed-method study of PrEP use disclosure in Antwerp and Amsterdam
Open AccessThijs Reyniers, Hanne M L Zimmermann et al.ARTICLESociology of Health & Illness2021References: 54
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a novel HIV prevention tool. PrEP stigma is a frequently reported barrier, while social disclosure of PrEP use may be an important facilitator. We explored how PrEP users managed PrEP use disclosure using a symbolic interactionist approach. We interviewed 32 participants from two PrEP demonstration projects (Be-PrEP-ared, Antwerp; AMPrEP, Amsterdam). We validated qualitative findings through Be-PrEP-ared questio…
Drug use, depression and sexual risk behaviour
Christiana Nöstlinger, Thijs Reyniers et al.ARTICLEAIDS Care2020
Little is known about how interacting psychosocial problems may influence sexual behaviour among men having sex with men taking Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This study assessed (1) the prevalence of depression, recreational drug-use and sexual risk behaviour; (2) changes in these psychosocial conditions over time; and (3) the interaction of drug use and depression with sexual risk behaviour. We analysed data of the Belgian Be-PrEP-ared cohort…
The Impact of PrEP on the Sex Lives of MSM at High Risk for HIV Infection
Open AccessThijs Reyniers, Christiana Nöstlinger et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2020
Congruence between Hypothetical Willingness to Use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Eligibility
Open AccessJohannes Bullinger, Thijs Reyniers et al.ARTICLEInternational Journal of…2019
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for acquiring HIV in Belgium. This study explores MSMs' hypothetical willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), assesses it against formal PrEP eligibility criteria, and identifies factors associated with incongruence between eligibility and willingness. We used data from an online survey of n = 1444 self-reported HIV-negative MSM. Participants were recruited through social media of MSM or…
Community empowerment and involvement of female sex workers in targeted sexual and reproductive health interventions in Africa
Open AccessLizzie Moore, Matthew Chersich et al.ARTICLEGlobalization and Health2014
Evaluating Avahan’s design, implementation and impact
Open AccessMarie Laga, Bea VuylstekeARTICLEBMC Public Health2011
AVAHAN, the world's largest HIV prevention programme to date, needs no introduction to the international prevention community. Since its launch in 2003, AVAHAN and partners published over 100 papers in the peer reviewed literature in addition to the many presentations at AIDS conferences

Evaluating Avahan’s design, implementation and impact
Open AccessMarie Laga, Bea VuylstekeARTICLEBMC Public Health2011
AVAHAN, the world's largest HIV prevention programme to date, needs no introduction to the international prevention community. Since its launch in 2003, AVAHAN and partners published over 100 papers in the peer reviewed literature in addition to the many presentations at AIDS conferences
Community empowerment and involvement of female sex workers in targeted sexual and reproductive health interventions in Africa
Open AccessLizzie Moore, Matthew Chersich et al.ARTICLEGlobalization and Health2014
Congruence between Hypothetical Willingness to Use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Eligibility
Open AccessJohannes Bullinger, Thijs Reyniers et al.ARTICLEInternational Journal of…2019
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for acquiring HIV in Belgium. This study explores MSMs' hypothetical willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), assesses it against formal PrEP eligibility criteria, and identifies factors associated with incongruence between eligibility and willingness. We used data from an online survey of n = 1444 self-reported HIV-negative MSM. Participants were recruited through social media of MSM or…
Drug use, depression and sexual risk behaviour
Christiana Nöstlinger, Thijs Reyniers et al.ARTICLEAIDS Care2020
Little is known about how interacting psychosocial problems may influence sexual behaviour among men having sex with men taking Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This study assessed (1) the prevalence of depression, recreational drug-use and sexual risk behaviour; (2) changes in these psychosocial conditions over time; and (3) the interaction of drug use and depression with sexual risk behaviour. We analysed data of the Belgian Be-PrEP-ared cohort…
The Impact of PrEP on the Sex Lives of MSM at High Risk for HIV Infection
Open AccessThijs Reyniers, Christiana Nöstlinger et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2020
Awareness of, Willingness to Take PrEP and Its Actual Use Among Belgian MSM at High Risk of HIV Infection
Open AccessBuffel, Thijs Reyniers et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2021
The social meanings of PrEP use - A mixed-method study of PrEP use disclosure in Antwerp and Amsterdam
Open AccessThijs Reyniers, Hanne M L Zimmermann et al.ARTICLESociology of Health & Illness2021References: 54
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a novel HIV prevention tool. PrEP stigma is a frequently reported barrier, while social disclosure of PrEP use may be an important facilitator. We explored how PrEP users managed PrEP use disclosure using a symbolic interactionist approach. We interviewed 32 participants from two PrEP demonstration projects (Be-PrEP-ared, Antwerp; AMPrEP, Amsterdam). We validated qualitative findings through Be-PrEP-ared questio…
Increased Anxiety and Depression Among Belgian Sexual Minority Groups During the First Covid-19 Lockdown—Results From an Online Survey
Open AccessThijs Reyniers, Buffel et al.ARTICLEFrontiers in Public Health2022
The COVID-19 pandemic most likely had a negative impact on mental health. Sexual minorities are at higher risk for adverse mental outcomes such as depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. Such mental health disparities may have exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to restricted real-life social contact. The study aim was to examine changes in depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation among Belgian sexual minority adults between the per…
Socio-behavioral correlates of pre-exposure prophylaxis use and correct adherence in men who have sex with men in West Africa
Open AccessAugust Eubanks, Bakary Coulibaly et al.ARTICLEBMC Public Health2022
Community-based clinic attendance and PE contact outside of scheduled visits were both associated with higher PrEP engagement, but some socially and economically marginalized participants struggled with adherence. As scale-up continues in West Africa, we recommend implementing community-based interventions and providing extra support for vulnerable users to ensure adequate PrEP engagement
Putting 2-1-1 into Practice
Open AccessAnke Rotsaert, Thijs Reyniers et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2022
Local initiative supports case isolation and contact tracing during a Sars-CoV-2 surge in summer 2020
Open AccessKristien Verdonck, Stefan Morreel et al.ARTICLEFrontiers in Public Health2023
In Antwerp, Belgium's second largest city, a COVID-19 surge in July 2020 predominantly affected neighborhoods with high ethnic diversity. Local volunteers reacted and set up an initiative to support contact tracing and self-isolation. We describe the origin, implementation, and transfer of this local initiative, based on semi-structured interviews of five key informants and document review. The initiative started in July 2020, when family physici…
Strategies to improve PrEP uptake among West African men who have sex with men
Open AccessThijs Reyniers, Stéphane Alain Yoro Babo et al.ARTICLEFrontiers in Public Health2023
Introduction: West African men who have sex with men (MSM) remain at substantial risk of contracting HIV. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can be an effective game-changer in reducing the number of HIV infections in MSM communities. To optimize the roll-out of PrEP, we need to better understand how we can increase its uptake. The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of West African MSM toward PrEP and their proposed strategies to…
Patterns of PrEP and condom use among PrEP users in Belgium
Open AccessAnke Rotsaert, Tom Smekens et al.ARTICLEBMC Public Health2023
Our findings show that there is little variation in PrEP use over time and that PrEP use was associated with sexual behaviours, which could be taken into account when designing tailored PrEP care
Insights into barriers and facilitators in PrEP uptake and use among migrant men and transwomen who have sex with men in Belgium
Open AccessElla Van Landeghem, Stef Dielen et al.ARTICLEBMC Public Health2023
An interplay of several underlying determinants and barriers impacts on PrEP uptake among migrant men and transwomen who have sex with men, illustrating a social gradient in access to PrEP. We need equitable access to the full spectrum of HIV prevention and care for all priority populations, including undocumented migrants. We recommend social and structural conditions that foster exercising these rights, including adapting PrEP service delivery,…
HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Care in Belgium
Open AccessAnke Rotsaert, Jef Vanhamel et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2023
Non-Consensual Sex and Help-Seeking Behavior Among PrEP Users in Belgium
Thibaut Vanbaelen, Anke Rotsaert et al.ARTICLEThe Journal of Sex Research2023References: 2
Non-consensual sex poses a threat not only to sexual health but also to mental and physical health in general. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users might be particularly vulnerable to non-consensual sex because of interplaying factors such as mental health disorders, a high number of sex partners, engagement in chemsex, and the widespread use of dating apps. The objectives of this study were to assess the occurrence of non-consensual sex, it…
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use trajectories and incidence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among PrEP users in Belgium
Open AccessAnke Rotsaert, Tom Smekens et al.ARTICLEBMC Public Health2024
The study highlights challenges in PrEP persistence and a high incidence of bacterial STIs among individuals receiving PrEP. Tailored prevention support is crucial for individuals with ongoing HIV risk to optimise PrEP effectiveness. Integrated STI testing and prevention interventions within PrEP care are necessary to mitigate STI acquisition and transmission among PrEP users