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Steingrimsson JA, Fulton J, Howison M, Novitsky V, Gillani FS, Bertrand T, Civitarese A, Howe K, Ronquillo G, Lafazia B, Parillo Z, Marak T, Chan PA, Bhattarai L, Dunn C, Bandy U, Scott NA, Hogan JW, Kantor R. Beyond HIV outbreaks: protocol, rationale and implementation of a prospective study quantifying the benefit of incorporating viral sequence clustering analysis into routine public health interventions. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e060184. [PMID: 35450916 PMCID: PMC9024226 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-060184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION HIV continues to have great impact on millions of lives. Novel methods are needed to disrupt HIV transmission networks. In the USA, public health departments routinely conduct contact tracing and partner services and interview newly HIV-diagnosed index cases to obtain information on social networks and guide prevention interventions. Sequence clustering methods able to infer HIV networks have been used to investigate and halt outbreaks. Incorporation of such methods into routine, not only outbreak-driven, contact tracing and partner services holds promise for further disruption of HIV transmissions. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Building on a strong academic-public health collaboration in Rhode Island, we designed and have implemented a state-wide prospective study to evaluate an intervention that incorporates real-time HIV molecular clustering information with routine contact tracing and partner services. We present the rationale and study design of our approach to integrate sequence clustering methods into routine public health interventions as well as related important ethical considerations. This prospective study addresses key questions about the benefit of incorporating a clustering analysis triggered intervention into the routine workflow of public health departments, going beyond outbreak-only circumstances. By developing an intervention triggered by, and incorporating information from, viral sequence clustering analysis, and evaluating it with a novel design that avoids randomisation while allowing for methods comparison, we are confident that this study will inform how viral sequence clustering analysis can be routinely integrated into public health to support the ending of the HIV pandemic in the USA and beyond. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study was approved by both the Lifespan and Rhode Island Department of Health Human Subjects Research Institutional Review Boards and study results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon A Steingrimsson
- Biostatistics, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - John Fulton
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Mark Howison
- Research Improving People's Lives, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Vlad Novitsky
- Department of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Fizza S Gillani
- Department of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Thomas Bertrand
- Rhode Island Department of Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Anna Civitarese
- Rhode Island Department of Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Katharine Howe
- Rhode Island Department of Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | | | - Benjamin Lafazia
- Rhode Island Department of Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Zoanne Parillo
- Rhode Island Department of Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Theodore Marak
- Rhode Island Department of Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Philip A Chan
- Department of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Rhode Island Department of Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Lila Bhattarai
- Rhode Island Department of Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Casey Dunn
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Utpala Bandy
- Rhode Island Department of Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | | | - Joseph W Hogan
- Biostatistics, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Rami Kantor
- Department of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Skeen SJ, Starks TJ, Jimenez RH, Rendina HJ, Cain D. Heterosexual Cisgender Men Partnered with Transgender Women Exhibit Higher HIV/STI Sexual Risk than Their Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Counterparts: Findings from a U.S.-Based Convenience Sample Recruited Online. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:3279-3291. [PMID: 34050403 PMCID: PMC10062375 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03314-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Cisgender men are frequently vectors for HIV transmission among transgender women. Despite this, the correlates of sexual risk among these men remain under-examined. The purpose of the present study was to explore potential differences in relationship characteristics, sexual risk-taking, and risk-reduction strategies among cisgender men partnered with transgender women. The study utilized secondary screening data provided by adult cis men who reported being in a primary relationship with a trans woman (N = 710). Gay men (18%) were comparatively older, and most likely to report both HIV seropositivity and committed pairings. Heterosexual men (14%) were more likely to report exchange sex, briefer relationships, extra-dyadic sex, lesser serostatus awareness or PrEP uptake. Queer men (7%) were youngest, and most likely to access PrEP. Heterosexual cis men with trans women partners may be subject to unique socio-cultural drivers of sexual risk, such as heteronormative pressures and relationship stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone J Skeen
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA.
- School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
| | - Tyrel J Starks
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
- Health Psychology and Clinical Science PhD Program, The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ruben H Jimenez
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
| | - H Jonathon Rendina
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
- Health Psychology and Clinical Science PhD Program, The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY, USA
| | - Demetria Cain
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY, USA
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Bernard EJ, McClelland A, Cardell B, Chung C, Castro-Bojorquez M, French M, Hursey D, Khanna N, Minalga MB, Spieldenner A, Strub S. We Are People, Not Clusters! THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS : AJOB 2020; 20:1-4. [PMID: 32945744 DOI: 10.1080/15265161.2020.1809550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Barb Cardell
- Colorado Organizations and Individuals Responding to HIV/AIDS
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Molldrem S, Smith AKJ. Reassessing the Ethics of Molecular HIV Surveillance in the Era of Cluster Detection and Response: Toward HIV Data Justice. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS : AJOB 2020; 20:10-23. [PMID: 32945756 DOI: 10.1080/15265161.2020.1806373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
In the United States, clinical HIV data reported to surveillance systems operated by jurisdictional departments of public health are re-used for epidemiology and prevention. In 2018, all jurisdictions began using HIV genetic sequence data from clinical drug resistance tests to identify people living with HIV in "clusters" of others with genetically similar strains. This is called "molecular HIV surveillance" (MHS). In 2019, "cluster detection and response" (CDR) programs that re-use MHS data became the "fourth pillar" of the national HIV strategy. Public health re-uses of HIV data are done without consent and are a source of concern among stakeholders. This article presents three cases that illuminate bioethical challenges associated with re-uses of clinical HIV data for public health. We focus on evidence-base, risk-benefit ratio, determining directionality of HIV transmission, consent, and ethical re-use. The conclusion offers strategies for "HIV data justice." The essay contributes to a "bioethics of the oppressed."
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What Should Health Departments Do with HIV Sequence Data? Viruses 2020; 12:v12091018. [PMID: 32932642 PMCID: PMC7551807 DOI: 10.3390/v12091018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Many countries and US states have mandatory statues that require reporting of HIV clinical data including genetic sequencing results to the public health departments. Because genetic sequencing is a part of routine care for HIV infected persons, health departments have extensive sequence collections spanning years and even decades of the HIV epidemic. How should these data be used (or not) in public health practice? This is a complex, multi-faceted question that weighs personal risks against public health benefit. The answer is neither straightforward nor universal. However, to make that judgement—of how genetic sequence data should be used in describing and combating the HIV epidemic—we need a clear image of what a phylogenetically enhanced HIV surveillance system can do and what benefit it might provide. In this paper, we present a positive case for how up-to-date analysis of HIV sequence databases managed by health departments can provide unique and actionable information of how HIV is spreading in local communities. We discuss this question broadly, with examples from the US, as it is globally relevant for all health authorities that collect HIV genetic data.
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