The association between HIV media campaigns and number of patients coming forward for HIV antibody testing

The Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Outcomes Among Individuals With HIV and Heart Failure: A Literature Review

This narrative review examines the complex interplay between social determinants of health (SDoH) and the outcomes for individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and heart failure (HF), two conditions that pose significant socioeconomic burdens globally. With millions affected by these conditions, the review delves into how socioeconomic status, education, geography, and immigration status influence health outcomes. It further explores the exacerbating roles of stigma and mental health issues, underscoring the need for comprehensive interventions and the importance of enhancing health literacy and community support. Key findings suggest that lower socioeconomic status, limited education, rural residency, and immigrant status are associated with poorer health outcomes in individuals with HIV and HF. These factors contribute to increased morbidity and mortality and decreased quality of life, highlighting the necessity of addressing SDoH to improve patient care and outcomes. There is a critical need for integrated care models that consider the medical, social, and psychological factors affecting those with HIV and HF. Strategies proposed include improving access to care, addressing socioeconomic disparities, enhancing educational efforts, and fostering community engagement. Moreover, the importance of mental healthcare integration into the management of HIV and HF is strongly advocated to improve patient outcomes. By taking a comprehensive look at the various social challenges, embracing integrated care models, and making sure everyone has fair access to healthcare services, we can make real progress in enhancing the lives of those affected by HIV and HF. This approach cannot only lower death rates but also significantly improve the quality of life for these individuals.

Facilitating free and paid vaccine acceptance in Malaysia: effectiveness of vaccine and fear of COVID-19

Purpose

This study aims to examine how demographic and psychological predictors of free and paid vaccine acceptance operate within an infectious environment. The psychological predictors were derived from the protection motivation theory (PMT), including the appraised effectiveness of vaccine in containing the pandemic and the fear of COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

A representative data set that consists of responses from 2,850 Malaysians was used in this study. Multi-level modelling was used to analyse the data.

Findings

Results indicated that the acceptance of free and paid vaccination did not differ by region. This suggests that the effects of the included psychological predictors on vaccine acceptance are independent from the environment. Malaysians are more likely to endorse both free and paid vaccination when it is perceived as effective in controlling the pandemic. When the vaccine is deemed as an effective preventive of COVID-19, Malaysians tend to seek free vaccination. Although fear of COVID-19 did significantly predict the endorsement of vaccination, it is a weaker predictor than the perceived effectiveness of vaccine.

Originality/value

This research used a large representative data set and the PMT framework in addressing vaccine acceptance in Malaysia.

African-American patients' preferences for a health center campaign promoting HIV testing: an exploratory study and future directions

OBJECTIVE

In 2006, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended routine HIV testing in health care settings and called for HIV testing campaigns targeting African Americans. In a 2011 national survey, 63% of African Americans wanted information on HIV testing.

METHODS

In our study, 176 African Americans were surveyed to determine channels and spokespersons for an HIV testing campaign.

RESULTS

Among 9 media channels, the top 3 ranked as "very likely" to convince them to get HIV tested were television, poster, and brochure. Among 10 spokespersons, the top 3 were doctor, nurse, and "real person like me."

CONCLUSION

The media are a cost-effective strategy to promote HIV prevention. Posters and brochures are inexpensive and easy to reproduce for clinical settings. Television campaigns may be feasible in clinics with closed-circuit televisions. Research is needed on campaign messages. An effective health center HIV testing campaign may help mitigate the disproportionate toll HIV is having on African Americans.

Celebrities and screening: a measurable impact on high-grade cervical neoplasia diagnosis from the 'Jade Goody effect' in the UK

BACKGROUND

The celebrity Jade Goody's cervical cancer diagnosis was associated with increased UK cervical screening attendance. We wanted to establish if there was an increase in high-grade (HG) cervical neoplasia diagnoses, and if so, what the characteristics of the women with HG disease were.

METHODS

We analysed prospective data on 3233 consecutive colposcopy referrals in North East London, UK, from 01 April 2005 to 30 June 2010. Characteristics and outcomes of pre- and post-Goody cohorts were compared.

RESULTS

Goody's diagnosis was associated with an increased incidence of colposcopy referrals in all subsequent annual quarters (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.3-1.9, P<0.002-P<0.0005) and increased HG disease diagnoses in the fourth quarter 2008/2009 (IRR 1.3, P=0.05) and first quarter 2009/2010 (IRR 1.3, P=0.07). We observed 1.90-fold (CI: 1.06-3.39), 2.06 (CI: 1.13-3.76) and 2.13-fold (CI: 1.07-4.25) respective increases in the odds of HG disease women being screening-naive in the first and second quarter 2009/2010, and the first quarter 2010/2011 (P<0.04, P<0.02 and P<0.04, respectively). There was a 2.23-fold increase in the odds of screening-naive HG disease women being symptomatic post-Goody's diagnosis (P=0.023). The age distributions of the pre- and post-Goody cohorts did not differ in any study group.

CONCLUSION

Continued publicity about celebrities' diagnoses might encourage screening in at-risk populations.

Gonococcal infection in Edinburgh and Newcastle: serovar prevalence in relation to clinical features and sexual orientation

AIMS

The variable distribution of gonococcal serovars in different areas is well recognised but the factors that are important determinants of serovar prevalence are less clear. The aim of this study was to identify relevant clinical variables by comparing serovar prevalence in two cities over the same time period.

METHODS

A prospective analysis of serovar prevalence was made between January and December 1992 in Edinburgh and Newcastle with respect to age, sex, sexual orientation, antibiotic sensitivity and presence of symptoms.

RESULTS

224 infective episodes of gonorrhoea were studied. The serovar distribution varied between the two cities with serovar 1B-1 being more common in Edinburgh (20/91 cf. 4/133, p < 0.01) and serovar 1B-6 more common in Newcastle (26/133 cf. 2/91, p < 0.01). Serovar 1A-2 was associated with heterosexual infection (35/114 in heterosexuals cf. 0/85 in homosexuals, p < 0.01) and was more sensitive to penicillin than average (39/39 1A-2 strains highly penicillin sensitive cf. 98/184 for all other strains, p < 0.01) whilst 1B-6 was mostly acquired through homosexual contact (22/26 cf. 63/142 for all other strains, p < 0.01) and tended to show reduced penicillin susceptibility (13/28 1B-6 strains less penicillin sensitive cf. 45/195 for all other strains, p < 0.01). Infection with serovar 1A-2 was significantly less often symptomatic in heterosexuals than average (15/33 asymptomatic 1A-2 infections cf. 17/59 for all other serovars, p = 0.015). Subgroup analysis of male heterosexual infections confirms an association between asymptomatic infection and serovar 1A-2 (2/14 asymptomatic 1A-2 infections cf. 1/72 for all other serovars, p = 0.02). The distribution of infections over the year differed between the cities.

CONCLUSIONS

A variety of factors including penicillin sensitivity and virulence may be important in determining the prevalence of gonococcal serovars within a given area.