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Storholm ED, Klein DJ, Pedersen ER, D'Amico EJ, Rodriguez A, Garvey R, Tucker JS. Sociodemographic and Behavioral Risk Correlates of PrEP Interest and Use Among Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness in Los Angeles. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:1216-1226. [PMID: 37698638 PMCID: PMC10927607 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04144-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Young adults experiencing homelessness (YAEH) are at elevated risk for HIV compared to their stably housed peers. Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective at preventing HIV infection, yet YAEH have been largely overlooked in PrEP efforts to date despite YAEH reporting high overall interest in PrEP. We assessed individual, social, and structural variables associated with PrEP interest and use among a sample of 195 YAEH (ages 18-25) recruited from drop-in centers across Los Angeles County who met criteria for HIV risk. In the current sample, though most had heard of PrEP (81.0%), the majority were not interested in taking PrEP (68.2%) and only a minority had used/were using PrEP (11.8%). YAEH who identified as sexual and/or gender minority, reported knowing someone who had used PrEP, or recently accessed sexual health services were more likely to have used and/or reported interest in using PrEP. Those who reported more episodes of heavy drinking were less likely to report having used PrEP. Suggestions are provided for better integrating PrEP-related services into existing behavioral and health service programs for YAEH, as well as leveraging peers and fostering positive social norms to reduce PrEP-related stigma and increase interest and use of PrEP among YAEH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik D Storholm
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States of America.
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, United States of America.
| | - David J Klein
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, United States of America
| | - Eric R Pedersen
- Department of Psychiatry, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | | | | | - Rick Garvey
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, United States of America
| | - Joan S Tucker
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, United States of America
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2
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Young G, Danner MJE, Fort L, Blankenship KM. Community Mobilization Challenging Gender Power Imbalances: Women Sex Workers' Capacity to Engage in Health-Enhancing Practices in Southern India. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:1238-50. [PMID: 34590177 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03481-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Research on women sex workers' condom use with non-paying intimate partners suggests social norms of gender power in these relationships constrain women's health-enhancing sexual practice. Theorizing gender relations and sexual practice as structural informs our analysis of elements of community mobilization interventions (CMI) that link to sex workers' capacity to engage consistently in health-enhancing practices, in this case, condom use. We use data from a survey of women (who exchanged sex for money in the preceding 12 months) conducted in the context of an HIV-prevention intervention in southern India. Results of multinomial logistic regression indicate: higher odds of health-enhancing sexual practice with intimate partners and paying clients among women sex workers expressing collective efficacy; lower odds of health-diminishing sexual practice with clients among women sex workers empowered through peer interactions; lower odds of health-diminishing sexual practice with clients and lower odds of health-enhancing sexual practice with partners among women sex worker living in households structured by normative gender power relations. We suggest future research on how CMI promoting health-enabling social environments with women in sex work contribute to their capacity to engage in health-enhancing practices.
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3
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Harkness A, Bainter SA, Mendez NA, Hernandez Altamirano D, O'Cleirigh C, Mimiaga MJ, Mayer KH, Safren SA. Factors associated with barriers to engagement in HIV-prevention care among sexual minority men. J Behav Med 2021. [PMID: 33993442 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-021-00230-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Engagement with HIV-prevention services varies among sexual minority men (SMM). 183 HIV-negative SMM completed a baseline assessment including sociodemographic, psychosocial, identity and stigma, and sexuality measures, as well as HIV-prevention behaviors: (1) date of most recent HIV test, (2) whether they discussed HIV or (3) sexual behavior with their provider, and (4) disclosure to provider about engaging in condomless anal sex (CAS). Factor analysis of these four items yielded an HIV-prevention engagement factor score. Stochastic search variable selection (SSVS) followed by multiple linear regression identified variables associated with HIV-prevention engagement. SSVS identified three variables for inclusion in a multiple linear regression model. Not disclosing sexual orientation to one's provider (p < 0.001), discomfort discussing sex with provider (p < 0.001) and lower education (p = 0.007) were associated with less HIV-prevention engagement. Findings suggest the importance of training providers in culturally competent care to mitigate observed barriers.
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Storholm ED, Mutchler MG, Ghosh-Dastidar B, Balan E, Mokhbat J, Kegeles SM, Wagner GJ. Gearing up for PrEP in the Middle East and North Africa: An Initial Look at Willingness to Take PrEP among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men in Beirut, Lebanon. Behav Med 2021; 47:111-119. [PMID: 31851587 PMCID: PMC7299800 DOI: 10.1080/08964289.2019.1661822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is one of only two global regions where rates of HIV are currently on the rise. In Lebanon, new HIV infections are increasing most rapidly among young men who have sex with men (YMSM). While, the majority of YMSM in Lebanon report having recently engaged in condomless anal intercourse, many report reluctance to seek HIV prevention services for fear of stigma and discrimination. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective alternative HIV prevention strategy but there is a dearth of research looking at willingness to take PrEP among YMSM in MENA. This study is the first to delineate factors associated with willingness to take PrEP among a cohort of 218 YMSM recruited from Beirut, Lebanon. Over half (55.5%) reported willingness to take PrEP. At the bivariate level, knowledge of HIV risk, awareness of PrEP, being in a relationship, greater judgementalism about sex in communication with peers, greater number of types of gay-related discrimination experienced, sense of community among YMSM, having had recent condomless anal sex with positive or unknown status partner, and the use of substances just prior to or during sex were each associated with greater willingness to take PrEP. When entered into a linear regression analysis, use of substances just prior to or during sex and sense of community among YMSM remained significant predictors of PrEP willingness. Intervention efforts focused on increasing PrEP uptake among YMSM in MENA should consider the influence substance use and social factors on willingness to take PrEP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matt G Mutchler
- Urban Community Research Center, California State University
| | | | - Elie Balan
- Arab Foundation for Freedom and Equality
| | - Jacques Mokhbat
- Department of Medicine, Lebanese American University School of Medicine
| | - Susan M Kegeles
- School of Medicine, Division of Prevention Science, University of California, San Francisco
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5
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Lelutiu-Weinberger C, Wilton L, Koblin BA, Hoover DR, Hirshfield S, Chiasson MA, Nandi V, Usher D, Frye V. The Role of Social Support in HIV Testing and PrEP Awareness among Young Black Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex with Men or Transgender Women. J Urban Health 2020; 97:715-27. [PMID: 31898199 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-019-00396-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Young black men and transgender women (transwomen) who have sex with men or transwomen are most vulnerable in terms of risk for HIV infection, also reflected in their extremely high incidence rates. As testing rates and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake remain suboptimal among these groups, primarily due to unique structural barriers, the present analyses draw on data from an online survey, administered October 2014 to August 2015, to explore social support-related predictors of knowledge and behavior around HIV prevention.Participants were 169 biological men who identified as black, with a mean age of 24 (SD = 2.97, range 17-29); 8% identified as transwomen. Logistic regression models assessed whether HIV-related social support predicted HIV testing patterns, PrEP awareness, and use. Those with higher HIV-related social support reported having been more likely to have ever tested (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.48; p < 0.001) and tested in the past 6 months (aOR = 1.22; p < 0.01). They were also more likely to intend to test in the next 6 months (aOR = 1.16; p < 0.001), including at a medical office or community-based organization (aOR = 1.20; p < 0.001), yet less likely to intend to self-test (aOR = 0.81; p < 0.001). Lastly, higher social support was significantly associated with prior knowledge of self-testing (aOR = 1.19; p < 0.05), couples testing (aOR = 1.26; p < 0.001), and PrEP (aOR = 1.22; p < 0.01), as well as prevention self-efficacy (aOR = 1.30; p < 0.001), but inversely associated with prior self-testing (aOR = 0.80; p < 0.05). For young black men and transwomen who have sex with men or transwomen, HIV-related social support, which likely has a strong peer component, appears to be a facilitator of optimal testing and intentions to test, as well as awareness of novel prevention strategies (like self-testing or PrEP). However, community resourcefulness needs to be bolstered by other mechanisms, such as changes within healthcare settings, to increase actual use of novel prevention modalities.
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Starks TJ, Doyle KM, Shalhav O, John SA, Parsons JT. An Examination of Gay Couples' Motivations to Use (or Forego) Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Expressed During Couples HIV Testing and Counseling (CHTC) Sessions. Prev Sci 2020; 20:157-167. [PMID: 29651646 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-018-0892-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
While many gay couples perceive themselves to have little risk for HIV transmission, research estimates that 35-68% of new HIV infections are transmitted within main partnerships. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is recommended for those partnered gay and bisexual men (GBM) who engage in sex outside their primary relationship or who have an HIV-positive partner. There is reason to believe that couples' sero-status and sexual agreement will shape perceptions of PrEP's personal relevance among gay couples. The current study examined motivations for and ambivalence towards PrEP uptake reported in a sample of 67 gay couples during completion of a brief CDC-recommended prevention intervention: Couples HIV Testing and Counseling. Findings suggest that all types of couples identified some circumstances in which they would consider PrEP; however, PrEP messaging should be crafted to avoid undermining current prevention strategies or threatening the trust and legitimacy of the relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyrel J Starks
- Center for HIV/AIDS Educational Studies and Training (CHEST), 142 West 36th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY, 10018, USA.
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY), 695 Park Ave. 611 Hunter North, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Doctoral Program in Health Psychology and Clinical Science, The Graduate Center of CUNY, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
| | - Kendell M Doyle
- Center for HIV/AIDS Educational Studies and Training (CHEST), 142 West 36th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY, 10018, USA
| | - Ore Shalhav
- Center for HIV/AIDS Educational Studies and Training (CHEST), 142 West 36th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY, 10018, USA
| | - Steven A John
- Center for HIV/AIDS Educational Studies and Training (CHEST), 142 West 36th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY, 10018, USA
| | - Jeffrey T Parsons
- Center for HIV/AIDS Educational Studies and Training (CHEST), 142 West 36th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY, 10018, USA
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY), 695 Park Ave. 611 Hunter North, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Doctoral Program in Health Psychology and Clinical Science, The Graduate Center of CUNY, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY, 10016, USA
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7
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Bullinger J, Reyniers T, Vuylsteke B, Laga M, Nöstlinger C. Congruence between Hypothetical Willingness to Use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Eligibility: An Online Survey among Belgian Men Having Sex with Men. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:E4411. [PMID: 31718012 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16224411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
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 organizations and dating apps. Univariate analysis described PrEP willingness and eligibility; bivariate analyses examined how specific co-variates (socio-demographic, knowledge-related, and attitudinal and behavioral factors) were associated with eligibility and willingness. About 44% were eligible for PrEP and about 70% were willing to use it. Those who were eligible were significantly more likely be willing to take PrEP (p < 0.001). Two incongruent groups emerged: 16% of eligible participants were unwilling and 58% of ineligible participants were willing to use PrEP. Factors associated with this incongruence were sexual risk behavior, HIV risk perception, partner status, PrEP knowledge, and attitudinal factors. Because the two groups differ in terms of profiles, it is important to tailor HIV prevention and sexual health promotion to their needs. Among those at risk but not willing to take PrEP, misconceptions about PrEP, and adequate risk perception should be addressed.
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Carballo-Dieguez A, Giguere R, Lentz C, Dolezal C, Fuchs EJ, Hendrix CW. Rectal Douching Practices Associated with Anal Intercourse: Implications for the Development of a Behaviorally Congruent HIV-Prevention Rectal Microbicide Douche. AIDS Behav 2019; 23:1484-1493. [PMID: 30415431 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-018-2336-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Tenofovir administration via rectal douching results in higher rectal-mucosa drug concentration than oral administration. Many who engage in receptive anal intercourse (RAI) use cleansing rectal douches. To inform development of a behaviorally-congruent tenofovir douche, 4751 individuals ≥ 18 years-old, born male, from all US states/territories, who engaged in anal intercourse responded to an online survey. Of those who reported RAI in the prior 3 months, 80% douched beforehand, 82% within 1 h, mean 2.9 consecutive applications; 27% douched afterwards, 83% within 1 h, mean 1.7 consecutive applications. Among multidose users, 78% applied doses within 2 min, and 76% retained liquid < 1 min. Most used tap water (89%) in an enema bottle (50%) or rubber bulb (43%), and douched for cleanliness (97%), to avoid smelling bad (65%), and to enhance pleasure (24%). 98% reported high likelihood of using an HIV-prevention douche. An ideal product will protect within a user's typical number of applications, within 1 h, and be dissolvable in tap water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Carballo-Dieguez
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 15, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Rebecca Giguere
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 15, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Cody Lentz
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 15, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Curtis Dolezal
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 15, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Edward J Fuchs
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Craig W Hendrix
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Abstract
In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began to de-emphasize and de-implement multiple evidence-based HIV prevention practices that had been around for 20 years, thus changing the scope of implementation across the globe. The authors provide evidence how existing interventions (e.g., CDC HIV interventions) may influence implementation of interventions that came after the program was discontinued. De-implementation is an ecological event that influences, and is influenced by, many parts of a system, for instance, implementation of one type of intervention may influence the implementation of other interventions (biomedical and/or behavioral) after a long-running program is discontinued. Researchers and policy makers ought to consider how de-implementation of behavioral interventions is influenced by biomedical interventions mass-produced by companies with lobbying power. The scientific study of de-implementation will be inadequate without consideration of the political climate that surrounds de-implementation of certain types of interventions and the promotion of more-profitable ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogério M. Pinto
- School of Social WorkUniversity of Michigan‐Ann ArborAnn ArborMIUSA
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Navarro M, Navaza B, Guionnet A, López-Vélez R. Overcoming Barriers to HIV Prevention and Healthcare Among Sub-Saharan African Migrants in Spain. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2018; 4:e10478. [PMID: 29764802 PMCID: PMC5974456 DOI: 10.2196/10478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Navarro
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Referral Centre for Tropical Diseases, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.,Salud Entre Culturas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bárbara Navaza
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Referral Centre for Tropical Diseases, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.,Salud Entre Culturas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anne Guionnet
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Referral Centre for Tropical Diseases, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.,Salud Entre Culturas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rogelio López-Vélez
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Referral Centre for Tropical Diseases, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.,Salud Entre Culturas, Madrid, Spain
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Abstract
The aim of the research was to gain increased knowledge regarding the sexual risk behaviour of school-going young people in South Africa after two decades of HIV-education in schools, to contribute to the development of improved HIV prevention strategies. In collaboration with the Department of Education, a sample of 5305 learners (between 10 and 18 years in Grades 5-12) from high-risk communities were identified. They completed a survey that assessed self-reported sexual risk behaviour and variables that potentially underlie sexual risk, such as attitudes towards preventive behaviour, perceived social norms and self-efficacy (based on the theory of planned behaviour [TPB]) and social factors like caregiver relationships and gender norms (based on the social ecological theory). Lifetime sex was reported by 49.4% of boys and 30.5% of girls in Grades 8-12, while 56% of the sexually active young people reported consistent condom use. Accurate knowledge about HIV transmission was low (37.8%). Regression analysis showed that risk behaviour was more prominent among older male youths, who perceived social norms as encouraging sexual activity, who use alcohol excessively, and who have negative attitudes towards abstinence. Perceived traditional community gender norms and negative relationships with caregivers were also associated with sexual risk behaviour. This research showed that the TPB can be used in planning HIV prevention interventions for young people. It also revealed that HIV-prevention strategies should focus beyond educating the individual, to address community factors such as improving caregiver relationships, the culture of substance abuse, peer group norms and inequality in community gender norms. These community processes influence young people's behaviour and need to be addressed to allow the youth to make healthy behavioural choices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maretha Visser
- PhD, is a professor in Psychology at the Department of Psychology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Mbonye M, Kuteesa M, Seeley J, Levin J, Weiss H, Kamali A. Voluntary medical male circumcision for HIV prevention in fishing communities in Uganda: the influence of local beliefs and practice. Afr J AIDS Res 2016; 15:211-8. [PMID: 27450591 DOI: 10.2989/16085906.2016.1179652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Local beliefs and practices about voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) may influence uptake and effectiveness. Data were gathered through interviews with 40 people from four ethnically mixed fishing communities in Uganda. Some men believed that wound healing could be promoted by contact with vaginal fluids while sex with non-regular partners could chase away spirits - practices which encouraged unsafe sexual practices. Information given by providers stressed that VMMC did not afford complete protection from sexually-transmitted infections, however, a number of male community members held the view that they were fully protected once circumcised. Both men and women said that VMMC was good not just for HIV prevention but also as a way of maintaining hygiene among the men. The implementation of VMMC in high-HIV prevalence settings needs to take account of local beliefs about circumcision, working with local religious/social group leaders, women and peers in the roll-out of the intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Mbonye
- a MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS , Entebbe , Uganda
| | - Monica Kuteesa
- a MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS , Entebbe , Uganda
| | - Janet Seeley
- a MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS , Entebbe , Uganda.,b Department of Global Health and Development , London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine , London , United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Levin
- c School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences , University of Witwatersrand , Johannesburg , South Africa
| | - Helen Weiss
- d MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group , London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine , London , United Kingdom
| | - Anatoli Kamali
- a MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS , Entebbe , Uganda.,e Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health , London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine , London , United Kingdom
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Zheng JH, Rower C, McAllister K, Castillo-Mancilla J, Klein B, Meditz A, Guida LA, Kiser JJ, Bushman LR, Anderson PL. Application of an intracellular assay for determination of tenofovir-diphosphate and emtricitabine-triphosphate from erythrocytes using dried blood spots. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2016; 122:16-20. [PMID: 26829517 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2016.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Revised: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This communication describes the application of an existing intracellular methodology to the quantitation of tenofovir-diphosphate (TFV-DP) and emtricitabine-triphosphate (FTC-TP) from erythrocytes using dried blood spots (DBS). Concentrations were determined from a 3mm DBS punch extracted into a 70:30 methanol:water solution (lysed cellular matrix). This extraction solution was then subjected to a previously validated analytical procedure for lysed cellular matrix. Experiments for DBS validation used replicate samples from study participants to demonstrate acceptable reproducibility with spot volumes ranging from 10-50 μL and punch location either from the edge or center of the spot. Analysis of paired DBS with purified red blood cells showed that a 3mm DBS punch contained an average of 11.9 million cells for the observed hematocrit range of the participants (35-50%). Numerous stability tests were completed showing that whole blood in an EDTA vacutainer could sit for 24h at room temperature prior to spotting, and DBS could remain at room temperature for up to five days including shipment at ambient using 2-days delivery. DBS stability in storage was acceptable up to 18 months at -20°C or -80°C and DBS could undergo 4 Freeze/Thaw cycles. The described method was applied to HIV prophylaxis studies, demonstrating powerful associations with HIV acquisition through its ability to discriminate gradients of adherence.
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West N, Schwartz S, Phofa R, Yende N, Bassett J, Sanne I, Van Rie A. "I don't know if this is right … but this is what I'm offering": healthcare provider knowledge, practice, and attitudes towards safer conception for HIV-affected couples in the context of Southern African guidelines. AIDS Care 2015; 28:390-6. [PMID: 26445035 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2015.1093596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The 2011 guidelines for safer conception for HIV-affected individuals and couples were adopted by the South African Department of Health in December 2012. We assessed implementation gaps and facilitators and barriers to delivering safer conception services through examining patient and healthcare provider (HCP) experiences. At Witkoppen Health and Welfare Centre, a primary care clinic in Johannesburg, we conducted in-depth interviews (IDIs) with nine HCPs (doctors, nurses, and counselors) and IDIs and focus group discussions with 42 HIV-affected men and women interested in having a child. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. HCPs were supportive of fertility intentions of HIV-affected couples and demonstrated some knowledge of safer conception methods, especially ART initiation to suppress viral load in infected partners. Unfortunately, HCPs did not follow the key recommendation that HCPs initiate conversations on fertility intentions with HIV-affected men and women. Providers and clients reported that conversations about conception only occur when client-initiated, placing the onus on HIV-affected individuals. Important barriers underlying this were the misconception held by some HCPs that uninfected partners in serodiscordant partnerships are "latently" infected and the desire by most HCPs to protect or control knowledge around fertility and safer conception methods out of concern over what clients will do with this knowledge before they are virally suppressed or ready to conceive. Almost all participants who had conceived or attempted conception did so without safer conception methods knowledge. HCP concern over conception readiness, perception of what clients will do with safer conception knowledge, and gaps in safer conception knowledge prevent HCPs from initiating conversations with HIV-affected patients on the issue of childbearing. Examining these findings in the context of existing South African guidelines illuminates areas that need to be addressed to facilitate implementation of the guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora West
- a Witkoppen Health and Welfare Centre , Johannesburg , South Africa
| | - Sheree Schwartz
- b Department of Epidemiology , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA.,c Department of Epidemiology , Johns Hopkins School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Rebecca Phofa
- a Witkoppen Health and Welfare Centre , Johannesburg , South Africa
| | | | - Jean Bassett
- a Witkoppen Health and Welfare Centre , Johannesburg , South Africa
| | - Ian Sanne
- d Department of Medicine , Clinical HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand , Johannesburg , South Africa.,e Right to Care, ThembaLethu Wing, Helen Joseph Hospital , Johannesburg , South Africa
| | - Annelies Van Rie
- b Department of Epidemiology , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
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15
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Abstract
Compared to European-Americans, African-Americans have greater probability of becoming infected with HIV, as well as worse outcomes when they become infected. Therefore, adequate health communications should ensure that they capture the attention of African-Americans and do not perpetuate disadvantages relative to European-Americans. The objective of this report was to examine if racial disparities in attention to health information parallel racial disparities in health outcomes. Participants were clients of a public health clinic (Study 1 n = 64; Study 2 n = 55). Unobtrusive observation in a public health waiting room, message reading times, and response-time on a modified flanker task were used to examine attention to HIV- and flu-information across racial groups. In Study 1, participants were observed for the duration of their time in a public health clinic waiting room (average duration: 31 min). In Study 2, participants completed tasks in a private room at the public health clinic (average duration: 21 min). Across all attention measures, results suggest an interaction between race and information type on attention to health information. In particular, African-Americans differentially attended to information as a function of information type, with decreased attention to HIV- versus flu-information. In contrast, European-Americans attended equally to both HIV- and flu-information. As such, disparities in attention yielded less access to certain health information for African- than European-Americans in a health setting. The identified disparities in attention are particularly problematic because they disadvantage African-Americans at a time of great effort to correct racial disparities. Modifying the framing of health information in ways that ensure attention by all racial groups may be a strategy to increase attention, and thereby reduce disparities in health outcomes. Future research should find solutions that increase attentional access to health communications for all groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Earl
- a Department of Psychology , University of Michigan , 530 Church Street, Ann Arbor , MI , USA
| | - Candi Crause
- b Champaign-Urbana Public Health District , 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign , IL , USA
| | - Awais Vaid
- b Champaign-Urbana Public Health District , 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign , IL , USA
| | - Dolores Albarracín
- c Department of Psychology , University of Illinois , 630 E. Daniel Street, Champaign , IL , USA
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16
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Wilson K, Albarracín D. Barriers to accessing HIV-prevention in clinic settings: Higher alcohol use and more sex partners predict decreased exposure to HIV-prevention counseling. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2014; 20:87-96. [PMID: 24684497 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2014.902484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Understanding barriers to accepting HIV-prevention counseling among vulnerable populations is of critical importance, as prevention efforts can only have a public health impact if high-risk populations are willing to enroll. A correlational field study was conducted in a health care setting with a high-risk community sample (N = 350) to determine if number of sex partners and alcohol consumption predict acceptance of an invitation to take part in HIV-prevention counseling. Findings indicated that participants engaging in the least risky behavior (i.e. individuals reporting no alcohol consumption and few sex partners) were more likely to accept an offer to receive HIV-prevention counseling. Moreover, heavy drinking was associated with decreased exposure to HIV-prevention counseling, regardless of the number of sex partners reported (b = .12, p > .05). Given associations between heavy drinking and sexual risk taking, finding ways to increase exposure to HIV-prevention counseling programs among heavy drinkers could serve a vital public health function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Wilson
- a Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia , PA , USA
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17
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Liu J, Jones C, Wilson K, Durantini MR, Livingood W, Albarracín D. Motivational barriers to retention of at-risk young adults in HIV-prevention interventions: perceived pressure and efficacy. AIDS Care 2014; 26:1242-8. [PMID: 24641552 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2014.896450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Multi-session HIV-prevention interventions are efficacious but depend on the retention of clients over time. In a sample of at-risk young adults (N = 386), we investigated three potential motivational barriers that might affect the likelihood of retention. Perceived pressure, perceived efficacy and fear and anxiety during the initial session were measured, along with demographic characteristics, partner characteristics, and HIV-related health knowledge. Logistic regressions demonstrated that (1) in general, perceived ineffectiveness was negatively associated with retention; (2) perceived pressure or coercion was negatively associated with retention but only for younger clients; (3) experienced fear and anxiety had no significant association with retention. Implications for theory and counseling practices to reduce motivational barriers and effectively tailor interventions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaying Liu
- a Annenberg School for Communication , University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia , PA , USA
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Hatch-Maillette M, Burlew AK, Turnbull S, Robinson M, Calsyn DA. Measuring fidelity to a culturally adapted HIV prevention intervention for men in substance abuse treatment. J Subst Abuse Treat 2013; 45:363-9. [PMID: 23810229 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2013.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Revised: 05/15/2013] [Accepted: 05/21/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
A fidelity measure was developed for use with Real Men Are Safe-Culturally Adapted (REMAS-CA), an HIV prevention intervention for ethnically diverse men in substance abuse treatment. The aims of this analysis were to: 1) assess the reliability of the Fidelity Rating and Skill Evaluation (FRASE); 2) measure improvement in therapist competence and adherence over time while delivering REMAS-CA; and 3) identify which modules of REMAS-CA were most difficult to deliver. Results showed that, 1) the FRASE was a reliable instrument; 2) therapists achieved adequate adherence and competence after training and demonstrated significant improvement over time in Global Empathy; and 3) Sessions 4 and 5 of REMAS-CA contained the most challenging modules for therapists to deliver. Recommendations for future REMAS-CA therapist trainings and fidelity monitoring are made.
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