This paper aims to assess gender differences in the usage of public open spaces (POS), as an everyday context. Forty POS in the city of Barcelona were studied over 3 months using systematic observation. To objectively measure park use, an observational instrument (EXOdES) was purposely designed combining a field format and several category systems. The instrument facilitated the record of configurations or co-occurrences of codes from different dimensions (i.g., time of day, age, race/ethnicity, activity setting, activity, and presence of vehicles), providing contextually rich data of more than 35,000 individuals and groups and the setting in which the activity occurs. Although a similar overall proportion of males and females were found using POS (55 vs. 45%), important differences by gender were found between people being alone (66 vs. 34%), and groups (53 vs. 47%). To identify regular patterns in the way that men and women use public parks, information on more than 18,000 groups of people was analyzed as a global data set. A multievent sequential analysis was performed considering gender composition as the given behaviors (i.e., groups of males, females, and gendered mixed). Thus, polar coordinates analysis was also performed, because it is a suitable reduction data technique in studies with a broad observational instrument and a large database. Results show important gendered and cultural differences in POS use. Women tend to reproduce traditional gender role, being often more engaged in care functions with children and elders rather than in any other activity or with people of their same age group. Of particular concern is the gap on park use observed in women of ethnic minority groups. Assessing specific group needs on park use is particularly relevant attending to their multiple health and social benefits.

This paper presents an ad hoc instrument for the observation and recording of public space usage based on the combination of field formats and category systems. The EXOdES (Observational Examination of Space) instrument was applied to the analysis of 40 public spaces in the city of Barcelona as part of the collaboration agreement established with the Barcelona City Department of Prevention Services. It describes the theoretical foundations on which the research conducted is based, especially those pertaining to the social quality of public spaces, as well as the theories generated around the concept of public insecurity. In turn, it advocates the role of observational methodology as a valid instrument in psychosocial research, especially when analysing the dynamics of public urban spaces. The results show certain characteristics of the patterns of usage of the public spaces studied based on the analysis of differences in terms of the gender, age and seemingly immigrant/native origin of users, as well as the diversity of uses found and the influence of environmental variables.

In Barcelona, Spain prior to 2006, HIV testing was mostly limited to formal healthcare facilities with no incidence data reported. A community-based organization (BCN Checkpoint) was established to increase HIV testing in a peer-led community location to generate incidence data in men who have sex with men and transgender women. Three community engagement interventions were conducted between 2009 and 2017 as follows: 2009–2011 (peer-led point-of-care testing for HIV), 2012–2014 (12-monthly HIV testing with an emphasis on testing in partnerships), 2015–2017 (three-monthly HIV testing with rapid referral for antiretroviral initiation). Between 2009 and 2017 a predominantly cisgender male (99.4%) and Spanish national (62.4%) population with mean age of 34.8 years had 49,630 visits. Mean visit number increased from 1.69 in the first to 2.07 in the last three-year period. HIV incidence fell from 4.17 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.53–4.93) per 100 person-years in 2009–2011 to 1.57 (95% CI: 1.30–1.89) per 100 person-years in 2015–2017. This represents a 62% reduction (incidence rate ratio: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.29–0.48) between the first and third study period (p < 0.001). These early interventions may have contributed to the reduction seen in HIV incidence in this cohort.

Resumen Este artículo tiene como objetivo discutir las concepciones de los Hombres Gay, Hombres Bisexuales y una Mujer Transgénero que usan o quieren usar profilaxis previa a la exposición por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana oral (PrEP) sobre nuevas vías de administración. Fueron entrevistados 17 usuarios del BCN Checkpoint. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas en audio, sometidas a análisis categorial temático teniendo en cuenta la perspectiva praxeográfica. Todos están adaptados al uso de la PrEP diaria y a demanda. En relación con las nuevas vías de administración (PrEP inyección intramuscular cada dos meses; pastilla mensual; inyección subcutánea cada seis meses) todos son muy receptivos a esas posibilidades, pero les falta información sobre las especificidades de cada una de ellas y una evaluación específica de sus necesidades. Tanto la satisfacción con el uso de PrEP oral, como las expectativas sobre las nuevas vías de administración son positivas. Sin embargo, lo más importante para los/a entrevistados/a es la garantía de que tendrán seguimiento para continuar cuidando de la salud afectivo-sexual, lo que no depende del tipo de vía de administración.

This article aims to discuss the expectations of Homosexual Men, Bisexual Men and a Transgender Woman, who use or want to use an oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) about PrEP modalities. Sixteen PrEP users, who are followed up in the BCN Checkpoint, were interviewed,. The interviews were audio-recorded, subjected to thematic categorical analysis within the theoretical framework from the praxiographic perspective. They are all adapted to the use of daily oral and event-based PrEP. In relation to the new PrEP modalities (monthly pill; intramuscular injection every two months; subcutaneous injection every six months), they are all very receptive to these possibilities, but they lack information on the specificities of each and specific assessment of their needs. Comments about the use of oral PrEP are positive, and expectations regarding the new PrEP modalities are visibly high. However, the most important thing for the interviewees is the guarantee that they will have follow-up appointments to continue taking care of their affective-sexual health, which is not dependent on the type of PrEP modalities.