1
|
Lowenthal ED, DeLong SM, Zanoni B, Njuguna I, Beima-Sofie K, Dow D, Shayo A, Schreibman A, Ahmed CV, Chapman J, Chen L, Mehta S, Mbizvo MT. Impact of COVID-19 on Adolescent HIV Prevention and Treatment Research in the AHISA Network. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:73-83. [PMID: 36094636 PMCID: PMC9466311 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03811-5] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Members of the Adolescent HIV Prevention and Treatment Implementation Science Alliance (AHISA) network conduct research aiming to close gaps between what is known to be impactful across the HIV prevention and treatment cascade, and services delivered to optimize outcomes for adolescents/young adults (AYA) in high HIV-prevalence settings. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced new challenges which threaten to exacerbate care and access disparities. We report results of a survey among AHISA teams with active AYA HIV research programs in African countries to determine how the pandemic has impacted their efforts. Results highlighted the detrimental impact of the pandemic on research efforts and the expanded need for implementation research to help provide evidence-based, context-specific pandemic recovery support. Key lessons learned included the viability of remote service delivery strategies and other innovations, the need for adaptive systems that respond to evolving contextual needs, and the need for organized documentation plans, within empathic and flexible environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth D Lowenthal
- Departments of Pediatrics and Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Global Health Center, Philadelphia, USA.
- CHOP Roberts Center for Pediatric Research, Room 11241, 734 Schuylkill Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19146, USA.
| | - Stephanie M DeLong
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brian Zanoni
- Departments of Medicine and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Irene Njuguna
- Kenyatta National Hospital, Research and Programs, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Dorothy Dow
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Aisa Shayo
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | | | - Charisse V Ahmed
- University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer Chapman
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Global Health Center, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Lydia Chen
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shreya Mehta
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
De Luca M, Ramirez ML. A Pandemic Treaty: Learning From the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Health Secur 2023; 21:105-112. [PMID: 36787479 DOI: 10.1089/hs.2022.0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization recently began developing a "pandemic treaty" in response to the perceived failures of the global COVID-19 response. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which obligates members to certain global standards in tobacco control, is an example of a global public health agreement that may be used as a model for the pandemic treaty. Several challenges related to the convention, many from the tobacco industry itself, must be addressed if it is to be used as a prototype for a pandemic agreement. These include harm reduction policies, private-sector involvement, and its impact in low- and middle-income countries. A pandemic treaty may encounter similar challenges faced by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, particularly from industry groups with financial interests related to infectious disease control and prevention. Addressing challenges at the outset may facilitate the development and implementation of a more robust international instrument.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael De Luca
- Michael De Luca, MD, MS, is a Disaster and Operational Medicine Fellow, Department of Emergency Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Mario L Ramirez
- Mario L. Ramirez, MD, MPP, is an Emergency Medicine Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Inova Health System, Fairfax, VA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Brener L, Horwitz R, Rance J, Caruana T, Bryant J. Health worker perceptions of the impact of COVID-19 on harm reduction services for people who inject drugs. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2022; 30:2320-2329. [PMID: 35293054 PMCID: PMC9111390 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected entire systems of health service provision globally, including health service closure, redeployment of staff and resources and implementation of infection prevention protocols. Harm reduction facilities face particular challenges responding to COVID-19, attempting to continue service provision to people who inject drugs with minimal service disruption whilst protecting their staff. This research assessed the impact of COVID-19 on staff working at harm reduction and alcohol and other drug (AOD) services in Australia in the first 9 months of the pandemic. The research employed mixed methods, using survey data to inform in-depth interviews. Surveys were completed by 207 participants working in the AOD sector and the harm reduction sector nationally. Interviews were conducted with 16 staff at three harm reduction sites in metropolitan Sydney and one regional NSW service. Staff felt able to respond to the trying circumstances of this pandemic, especially as practical messages around the COVID-19 response were similar to those already in place for clients in relation to blood-borne virus prevention. Staff felt that they were still able to provide core services to clients with some modifications in delivery. They were willing to take on additional responsibilities to ensure their own safety and that of clients, including conducting temperature checks and screening questions, whilst also adopting novel service provision strategies to reach clients during lockdowns such as postal services, outreach work and telehealth. NSP and AOD services were able to implement COVID-19 infection control strategies, whilst maintaining and expanding service access through remote and innovative strategies in a manner which supported both clients and service providers, during the first wave of the pandemic in 2020.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Loren Brener
- Centre for Social Research in HealthUniversity of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
| | - Robyn Horwitz
- Centre for Social Research in HealthUniversity of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
| | - Jake Rance
- Centre for Social Research in HealthUniversity of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
| | - Theresa Caruana
- Centre for Social Research in HealthUniversity of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
| | - Joanne Bryant
- Centre for Social Research in HealthUniversity of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Facente SN, De Zuzuarregui M, Frank D, Gomez-Aladino S, Muñoz A, Williamson S, Wang E, Hunter L, Packel L, Reingold A, Petersen M. Risky business: A mixed methods study of decision-making regarding COVID-19 risk at a public university in the United States. Front Psychol 2022; 13:926664. [PMID: 35967656 PMCID: PMC9372553 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.926664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionUntil vaccines became available in late 2020, our ability to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within countries depended largely on voluntary adherence to mitigation measures. However, individual decision-making regarding acceptable COVID-19 risk is complex. To better understand decision-making regarding COVID-19 risk, we conducted a qualitative substudy within a larger Berkeley COVID-19 Safe Campus Initiative (BCSCI) during the summer of 2020, and completed a mixed-methods analysis of factors influencing decision-making.Materials and methodsWe interviewed 20 participants who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 10 who remained negative, and analyzed quantitative survey data from 3,324 BCSCI participants. The BCSCI study enrolled university-affiliated people living in the local area during summer of 2020, collected data on behaviors and attitudes toward COVID-19, and conducted SARS-CoV-2 testing at baseline and endline.ResultsAt baseline, 1362 students (57.5%) and 285 non-students (35.1%) said it had been somewhat or very difficult to comply with COVID-19-related mandates. Most-cited reasons were the need to go out for food/essentials, difficulty of being away from family/friends, and loneliness. Eight interviewees explicitly noted they made decisions partially because of others who may be at high risk. We did not find significant differences between the behaviors of students and non-students.DiscussionDespite prevailing attitudes about irresponsibility of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic, students in our study demonstrated a commitment to making rational choices about risk behavior, not unlike non-students around them. Decision-making was driven by perceived susceptibility to severe disease, need for social interaction, and concern about risk to others. A harm reduction public health approach may be beneficial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shelley N. Facente
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Facente Consulting, Richmond, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Shelley N. Facente,
| | - Mariah De Zuzuarregui
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Darren Frank
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Sarah Gomez-Aladino
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Ariel Muñoz
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Sabrina Williamson
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Emily Wang
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Lauren Hunter
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Laura Packel
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Arthur Reingold
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Maya Petersen
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gender-Affirming Telepsychology During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Recommendations for Adult Transgender and Gender Diverse Populations. JOURNAL OF HEALTH SERVICE PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 47:181-189. [PMID: 34693297 PMCID: PMC8520334 DOI: 10.1007/s42843-021-00048-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The implementation of telepsychology soared in response to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. For most health service psychologists, this surge preceded formal training in telepsychology. Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals reported significant vulnerabilities and health disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure the health and well-being of adult transgender and gender diverse individuals during the COVD-19 pandemic and beyond, it is critical to promote the delivery of gender-affirming telepsychology. This article highlights clinical issues observed by health service psychologists at a high-volume gender clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors provide anticipatory guidance and recommendations to promote gender-affirming telepsychology.
Collapse
|