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Weinstein ER, Chen YO, Maya D, Saber R, Harkness A. Factors associated with meningitis vaccine awareness and engagement among Latino men who have sex with men in South Florida. J Behav Med 2024; 47:446-457. [PMID: 38581595 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-024-00486-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Awareness and uptake of the meningitis vaccine remains low among marginalized groups, such as Latino men who have sex with men (LMSM), potentially due to structural and psychosocial barriers in accessing preventative healthcare. The current study explored awareness and uptake of meningitis vaccines among a group of LMSM (N = 99) living in South Florida. A three-pronged variable selection approach was utilized prior to conducting regression models (linear and logistic). Overall, 48.5% of the participants reported little to no knowledge about meningitis vaccines, and 20.2% reported being vaccinated. Living with HIV (OR = 10.48) and time since outbreak (OR = 1.03) were significant predictors of meningitis vaccine uptake. No significant correlates of meningitis vaccine awareness were identified. More research is needed to identify other important factors associated with meningitis vaccine awareness and uptake among LMSM, a multiple marginalized group.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniel Maya
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Florida, USA
| | - Rana Saber
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Valorous Health Innovation, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Audrey Harkness
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami, Florida, USA.
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2
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Pinheiro DAR, Bahia AGMFDM. [Public health recommendations as microaggressions: monkeypox and LGBTQIA+ populations]. CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2023; 39:e00020623. [PMID: 38018642 PMCID: PMC10642238 DOI: 10.1590/0102-311xpt020623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The article aims to analyze public health recommendations of the World Health Organization and the manifestations of its Director-General during the mpox epidemic addressed to men who have sex with men (MSM) in the light of microaggression as a category of analysis. The stigmatizing potential of statistical disclosure to a broad public that 98% of those infected were among MSM is questioned, as well as the use of the MSM category itself and the suggestion of partial or total sexual abstinence as a way to stop viral dissemination. The following are suggested as alternatives capable of simultaneously guaranteeing disease prevention policies without stigmatizing vulnerable groups, especially the LGBTQIA+ population: (i) differentiating the disclosures addressed to the general public from those aimed at populations predominantly contaminated and subject to a higher degree of social vulnerability; (ii) overcoming the use of the expression MSM, in communications aimed at a wide audience, to use the expression SGD (sex and gender diverse population), maintaining the procedure of recording, in scientific research and in medical forms, the gender identity and sexual orientation by self-declaration of patients; (iii) avoiding messages that negatively address sexuality, reinforce a majority sexual experience, and generate a socially punitive responsibility of the infected, thus excluding from the recommendations aimed at the broad public, the suggestion of partial sexual abstinence, related to the reduction of the number of partners, or total sexual abstinence, except for the cases of people in the active phase of infection or in the immediate period of recovery.
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Wang Y, Beltran RM, Cumberland WG, Young SD. Factors Associated with COVID-19 Testing, Vaccination, and Use of Digital Contact Tracing Apps among Black and Latinx MSM (BLMSM) in Los Angeles. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2023:10.1007/s40615-023-01750-y. [PMID: 37566181 PMCID: PMC10953315 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-023-01750-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
This study examines the factors associated with COVID-19 testing, vaccination intent (both individually and jointly), and willingness to use contact tracing digital apps among a cohort of Black and Latinx men who have sex with men (BLMSM) living in Los Angeles during the initial peak (July 2020) of the COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire detailing participants COVID-19 experiences was sent to 300 primarily BLMSM after the first state-wide COVID-19 lockdown. Logistic regression models with random cluster effects were used for analyses. Forty-two percent (42%) tested for COVID-19, 27% were willing to get vaccinated, and about 45% reported willingness to use contact tracing digital apps. Controlling for intervention participation, age, education, marital status, employment, health, tobacco, binge drinking, and self-reported anxiety, those who were depressed had 33% (95% CI: 0.13 to 0.82) odds of using a prevention strategy (either test for COVID-19 or vaccination intent) as the group who were not depressed. Those who had high school diploma or less had 23% (95% CI: 0.11 to 0.48) odds to use digital contact tracing apps as the group with education level of at least Associate's or Bachelor's degree. Without considering the format of the test kits, vaccine side effects, and ease of use for digital contact tracing apps, participants appeared to still be hesitant in using COVID-19 prevention strategies at the initial height of the pandemic. Our findings suggest the need for further investigation into this hesitancy to better inform and prepare for future epidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Section of Public and Population Health, Division of Oral and Systemic Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), 10833 La Conte, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Raiza M Beltran
- Luskin School of Public Affairs, UCLA, 10833 La Conte, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - William G Cumberland
- Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, UCLA, 10833 La Conte, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Sean D Young
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine and Informatics, Information and Computer Sciences, University of California, Irvine, City Tower, Ste 640, Rt 128-01, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
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Naidu J, Polonijo AN. Barriers and facilitators to HPV and meningococcal vaccination among men who have sex with men: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:933. [PMID: 37221575 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15847-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Men who have sex with men (MSM) have suboptimal uptake of human papillomavirus (HPV) and meningococcal vaccines. This study examines barriers and facilitators to HPV and meningococcal vaccination among MSM in a large, racially/ethnically diverse, and medically underserved U.S. region. METHODS In 2020, we conducted five focus groups with MSM living in the Inland Empire, California. Participants discussed (1) their knowledge about and attitudes toward HPV, meningococcal disease, and related vaccines; and (2) factors that would encourage or discourage vaccine uptake. Data were systematically analyzed to identify salient barriers and facilitators to vaccination. RESULTS Participants (N = 25) had a median age of 29. Most were Hispanic (68%), self-identified as gay (84%), and had college degrees (64%). Key barriers to vaccination included: (1) limited awareness and knowledge about HPV and meningococcal disease, (2) reliance on mainstream healthcare providers for vaccine information, (3) stigma and reluctance to disclose sexual orientation, (4) uncertainty about health insurance coverage and vaccine costs, and (5) distance and time required to access vaccines. Key facilitators to vaccination were: (1) vaccine confidence, (2) perceived severity of HPV and meningococcal disease, (3) bundling vaccination into routine healthcare, and (4) pharmacies as vaccination sites. CONCLUSIONS Findings highlight opportunities for HPV and meningococcal vaccine promotion, including targeted education and awareness campaigns for MSM, LGBT inclusivity training for healthcare providers, and structural interventions to improve vaccine accessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Naidu
- Department of Sociology, University of California, Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
- Department of Public Health, University of California, Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA, 95343, USA
| | - Andrea N Polonijo
- Department of Sociology, University of California, Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA, 95343, USA.
- Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA, 95343, USA.
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Polonijo AN, Sein S, Maldonado R, Santos JD, Brown B. Promoting vaccination during rapid HIV testing: Recommendations from men who have sex with men in California. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2022; 30:e2580-e2589. [PMID: 34985804 PMCID: PMC9253199 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Community-based rapid HIV testing is effective for reaching racial-ethnically diverse men who have sex with men (MSM), offering an opportunity for bundled health promotion interventions. Given MSM experience a heightened prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and meningococcal disease, we examined their preferences for bundling rapid HIV testing with an intervention to promote vaccination against these infections. In 2020, we conducted five virtual focus groups (N = 25 participants) in English and Spanish with MSM in Southern California's Inland Empire. Participants discussed their knowledge about HPV and meningitis vaccination and attitudes toward receiving vaccination information and referrals during rapid HIV tests. We used the rigorous and accelerated data reduction technique to systematically analyse the data. Participants had a mean age of 30, were socioeconomically diverse, and predominantly (68%) Hispanic. 96% had ever been tested for HIV, while only 28% were vaccinated against HPV and/or meningitis. Most participants were unaware of MSM's elevated risk for HPV and meningitis and were eager to receive vaccination information from LGBTQ+-friendly providers. However, many participants emphasised rapid HIV testing was stressful and anticipated feeling overwhelmed if presented with vaccination information in this setting. Preferred formats for vaccine promotion included pamphlets and resources that could be discretely accessed online, supported by broader advertising featuring diverse MSM on social media, dating apps, and posters in the community. Overall, our findings suggest that bundling health promotion messages with rapid HIV testing may be ineffective, as the anxiety associated with taking an HIV test may interfere with such messages and their impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea N. Polonijo
- Department of Sociology and the Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Shawna Sein
- Continuing and Distance Education, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | | | | | - Brandon Brown
- Department of Social Medicine, Population and Public Health, University of California, Riverside, School of Medicine, Riverside, CA, US
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Ghaswalla PK, Marshall GS, Bengtson LGS, Buikema AR, Bancroft T, Koep E, Novy P, Hogea CS. Meningococcal Vaccination Rates Among People With a New Diagnosis of HIV Infection in the US. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e228573. [PMID: 35486405 PMCID: PMC9055456 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.8573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE In the United States, individuals with HIV infection have been recommended to receive a 2-dose series of the meningococcal A, C, W, Y (MenACWY) vaccine since 2016 owing to their increased risk of meningococcal disease. OBJECTIVE To examine uptake and time to receipt of the MenACWY vaccine among people with a new diagnosis of HIV. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cohort study used health insurance data from the US Optum Research Database from January 1, 2016, through March 31, 2018, to retrospectively identify 1208 individuals aged 2 years or older with 1 or more inpatient claim or 2 or more outpatient claims evidencing a new diagnosis of HIV infection and with continuous insurance enrollment for 12 or more months before and 6 or more months after diagnosis. Follow-up was 6 to 33 months. Statistical analysis was conducted from March 7, 2019, to January 5, 2022. EXPOSURE Receipt of the MenACWY vaccine. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The coprimary outcomes were uptake and time to receipt of 1 or more doses of the MenACWY vaccine after a new HIV diagnosis. Secondary outcomes included uptake and time to receipt of 2 or more doses of the MenACWY vaccine. Vaccination uptake and receipt were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis; factors associated with receipt of 1 or more doses of the MenACWY vaccine were identified with multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. RESULTS Of 1208 individuals eligible for vaccination (1024 male patients [84.8%]; mean [SD] age, 38.8 [12.5] years; 35 [2.9%] Asian; 273 [22.6%] Black; 204 [16.9%] Hispanic; 442 [36.6%] White), 16.3% were estimated to have received a first dose of the MenACWY vaccine in the 2 years after a new HIV diagnosis. Among individuals who received a first dose, at 1 year or more of enrollment after the first dose, 66.2% were estimated to have received a second dose within 1 year of the first dose. Factors statistically significantly associated with uptake of the MenACWY vaccine included receipt of a pneumococcal vaccine (hazard ratio [HR], 23.03; 95% CI, 13.93-38.09), attendance at a well-care visit (HR, 3.67; 95% CI, 1.11-12.12), West or Midwest geographic region (West: HR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.44-3.47; Midwest: HR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.16-2.71), and male sex (HR, 2.72; 95% CI, 1.18-6.26), whereas age of 56 years or older was significantly associated with reduced uptake of the MenACWY vaccine (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.18-0.97). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests that MenACWY vaccine uptake among people with a new diagnosis of HIV was low, highlighting the need to educate patients and clinicians about the recommendations for conditions such as HIV infection that increase the risk of meningococcal disease among high-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parinaz K. Ghaswalla
- Vaccines, US Health Outcomes, GSK, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- now with Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Moderna Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Gary S. Marshall
- Norton Children’s, affiliated with the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
| | | | | | - Tim Bancroft
- Optum Life Sciences, HEOR, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
| | - Eleena Koep
- Optum Life Sciences, HEOR, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
- now with United Healthcare, Center for Health Care Research, Minnetonka, Minnesota
| | - Patricia Novy
- Vaccines, US Health Outcomes, GSK, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- now with Dynavax Technologies, Emeryville, California
| | - Cosmina S. Hogea
- Global Value, Evidence and Outcomes, Oncology, GSK, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- now with Bristol Myers Squibb, New York, New York
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Lutz S, Heberling M, Goodlet KJ. Patient perspectives of pharmacists prescribing HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis: A survey of patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) 2020; 61:e75-e79. [PMID: 33069595 DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2020.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Groundbreaking new laws granting community pharmacists the authority to prescribe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medications have the potential to substantially expand PrEP access in high-risk communities. However, whether patients will be accepting of pharmacists as PrEP providers is underexplored within the literature. OBJECTIVES To assess patient perspectives of pharmacist PrEP prescribing and identify potential barriers to acceptance of pharmacist-prescribed PrEP. METHODS Adult patients currently receiving antiretroviral therapy for HIV prophylaxis or treatment at a specialty pharmacy were surveyed telephonically from January 2020-April 2020. A 4-point Likert scale was used to measure perceptions in addition to open-ended questions. RESULTS The participation rate was 87.5%. Of the 49 included patients, 100% agreed/strongly agreed that pharmacists were knowledgeable about medications, but they were less likely to strongly agree that pharmacists were knowledgeable about HIV drugs (14.3% vs. 75.5% for other drugs, P < 0.001). Most (93.9%) of the patients agreed/strongly agreed that they would feel comfortable seeking a pharmacist for PrEP information or HIV testing. With respect to PrEP prescribing, 16.3% disagreed that they would feel comfortable having a pharmacist prescribe their first fill of PrEP, preferring to speak to their physician or expressing concerns that pharmacists have inadequate training. All patients expressed a desire for additional HIV/PrEP training requirements for pharmacists before allowing them to prescribe PrEP. A portion of the respondents (18.4%) expressed concerns that the increased availability of PrEP would lead to persons becoming lax about barrier protection. However, 100% of the patients agreed/strongly agreed that having pharmacist-prescribed PrEP would benefit their community. CONCLUSION Patients receiving antiretroviral therapy reported overall favorable perceptions of pharmacist PrEP prescribing; however, some concerns relating to pharmacists' level of training in HIV exist. This may be ameliorated through increased pharmacist education, including how to counsel patients seeking PrEP on behavioral risk reduction.
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