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Lafferty L, Altice FL, Leone F, Stoové M, Lloyd AR, Hajarizadeh B, Kronfli N. Using nominal group technique with people who are incarcerated in Canadian federal prisons to identify barriers and solutions to improving Prison Needle Exchange Program uptake. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 131:104549. [PMID: 39141957 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prison needle exchange programs (PNEPs) are a critical component for harm reduction in prisons. Little is known about the PNEP access barriers for people who are incarcerated, but the low uptake in the Canadian program highlights these constraints. We aimed to identify the barriers and potential solutions for increasing PNEP coverage in the nine Canadian federal prisons where they operate. METHODS Eighteen focus groups were conducted in nine prisons using nominal group technique (NGT) with two stakeholders: peer advocates and people who use or identified as potential users of the PNEP. NGT uses a round-robin technique followed by generating a list of barriers to PNEP enrolment within their prison. Participants then allocated votes to rank the highest priority barriers, followed by an identical process to generate solutions to address the top three barriers. Interview transcripts describing participant narratives during this process were de-identified and coded to generated themes. Barriers and solutions receiving >10 % of votes within respective participant groups, alongside associated narratives, are discussed more fully. RESULTS Fear of repercussions due to drug use, lack of confidentiality, and fear of being targeted and sanctioned by correctional authorities were perceived by both stakeholder groups as the top barriers inhibiting PNEP enrolment. Stigma (peer advocates) and the application process for the program (PNEP users) were also ranked as a priority. Proposed solutions included education and external oversight of PNEP (i.e., not via correctional officers) by both groups. Peer advocates regarded improving participant confidentiality and a supervised/safe injection site as potential enablers for program participation, while PNEP users identified wrap-around services as likely to improve access. CONCLUSION Barriers to increasing PNEP coverage in Canadian federal prisons proposed by participants highlight the importance of trust and perceived repercussions surrounding program participation. These barriers and proposed solutions highlight a need for changes in implementation to PNEP delivery if the potential health benefits of PNEPs are to be realised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Lafferty
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Level 1, Goodsell Building, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia; The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Level 6, Wallace Wurth, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, Yale School of Medicine, 135 College St., Suite 323, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA; Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Frederic Leone
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mark Stoové
- Behaviours and Health Risks, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia; Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Level 6, Wallace Wurth, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Behzad Hajarizadeh
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Level 6, Wallace Wurth, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Nadine Kronfli
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease and Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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Sheehan Y, Cochrane A, Treloar C, Grebely J, Tedla N, Lloyd AR, Lafferty L. Understanding hepatitis C virus (HCV) health literacy and educational needs among people in prison to enhance HCV care in prisons. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 130:104516. [PMID: 38996643 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104516] [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: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant concern within prison populations. Provision of HCV testing and treatment for people in prison is expanding and a key component of global elimination efforts. Despite growing service availability, several challenges remain in HCV testing and treatment engagement during incarceration. The PIVOT study demonstrated that a 'one-stop-shop' intervention (point-of-care HCV RNA testing, Fibroscan®, nurse-led clinical assessment, and fast-tracked direct-acting antiviral prescription) enhanced HCV testing and treatment at a reception prison in Australia. Utilising Squier et al's Health Literacy Skills Framework, this analysis aimed to understand HCV health literacy and educational needs among people at a reception prison in Australia. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-four male PIVOT study participants. Purposive sampling ensured comparable representation of those with: 1) prior HCV testing history (standard pathology / no prior testing), and 2) injecting drug use history (IDU; ever / never). RESULTS Varied HCV health literacy levels and educational needs were evident amongst people in prison. Whilst those with multiple incarceration episodes and IDU history (prior knowledge) appeared to have stronger HCV health literacy than those without, substantial gaps in HCV health literacy were evident. Knowledge of HCV transmission risks in prison was high, and most understood the importance of HCV testing and treatment in prison (comprehension), but ability to engage with HCV testing and treatment services, participation in safe injecting behaviours (health-related behaviours), and knowledge of re-infection and re-treatment, within the context of the prison environment, were suboptimal. There was a general desire for increased HCV education in prison. CONCLUSION Gaps in HCV health literacy among people in prison were evident, indicating opportunities for improvement. A targeted HCV education program for people in prison, addressing the gaps identified in this analysis, may enhance HCV testing, treatment, and prevention by fostering stronger HCV health literacy among people in prison.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumi Sheehan
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Amanda Cochrane
- Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network (Justice Health NSW), Sydney, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicodemus Tedla
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lise Lafferty
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia; Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Australia
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Kronfli N, Lafferty L, Leone F, Stoové M, Hajarizadeh B, Lloyd AR, Altice FL. Using nominal group technique to identify perceived barriers and facilitators to improving uptake of the Prison Needle Exchange Program in Canadian federal prisons by correctional officers and healthcare workers. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 130:104540. [PMID: 39079352 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elimination of bloodborne viruses including HIV and hepatitis C virus from prisons requires high coverage of evidence-based interventions that prevent bloodborne virus transmission, including needle and syringe programs. Canada launched a Prison Needle Exchange Program (PNEP) in nine federal prisons in 2018; however, uptake among people who inject drugs in prison remains low. We aimed to explore barriers and facilitators to improving PNEP uptake identified by correctional officers and healthcare workers. METHODS Participants from nine federal prisons with PNEP completed focus groups using nominal group technique, a rapid mixed-method consensus strategy. Responses were generated, rank-ordered, and prioritized by each stakeholder group. We identified the highest-ranking responses (≥10 % of the overall votes) to questions about barriers and facilitators to PNEP uptake. RESULTS Between September 2023 and February 2024, 16 focus groups were conducted with 118 participants (n = 51 correctional officers; n = 67 healthcare workers). Among correctional officers, the top perceived barriers were bullying from peers (22 %), fear of being targeted by correctional officers (14 %), and fear of repercussions due to drug use (13 %). The top facilitators were safe injection sites (30 %), provision of wrap-around services (16 %), and education of correctional officers (10 %). Among healthcare workers, the top perceived barriers were lack of confidentiality (16 %), fear of being targeted by correctional officers (12 %), and a long and complex application process (11 %). The top facilitators were education of correctional officers (29 %), delivery of PNEP by an external provider (15 %), automatic approval for participation in the PNEP (13 %), and safe injection sites (12 %). CONCLUSION Multiple modifiable barriers and solutions to improving PNEP uptake in Canadian federal prisons were identified by correctional employees. Both participant groups identified the potential for safe injection sites and education to correctional officers as enabling PNEP uptake. These data will inform Canadian efforts to improve engagement and to expand PNEP coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Kronfli
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease and Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Lise Lafferty
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Level 1, Goodsell Building, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Level 6, Wallace Wurth, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Frederic Leone
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mark Stoové
- Behaviours and Health Risks, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia; Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Behzad Hajarizadeh
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Level 6, Wallace Wurth, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Level 6, Wallace Wurth, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, Yale School of Medicine. 135 College St., Suite 323, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Metanat M, Almasi SZ, Sepehri Rad N, Tabatabaee SM, Rezaei K. Seroepidemiological Investigation of Hepatitis B and C Prevalence and Associated Factors Among People in Custody at Zahedan Central Prison. ARCHIVES OF IRANIAN MEDICINE 2024; 27:298-304. [PMID: 38855799 PMCID: PMC11264623 DOI: 10.34172/aim.23553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND On a global scale, approximately 350 million are affected by hepatitis B, and 71 million by hepatitis C. People in custody face elevated risks for these infections. The prevalence and risk factors in Iranian prisons are insufficiently documented. The principal objective of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of hepatitis B and C, coupled with the identification of pertinent influencing factors, within the confines of Zahedan central prison, situated in the southeastern region of Iran. METHODS In 2019, we conducted an analytical cross-sectional study involving 407 people in custody, using stratified random sampling. To definitively diagnose hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (P<0.05), a checklist developed by the researchers, along with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, were employed. RESULTS This study comprised 406 participants (96.3% male) with a median age of 32 years (27-38). Approximately 62% were married, and a substantial proportion of the participants had low education levels (47%), unemployment (64%), and belonged to the Baloch ethnicity (64%). The overall prevalence of hepatitis C and B infections was 2.7% and 10.6%, respectively. Tattooing (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.9-4.5) and marriage (AOR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.05-3.04) were identified as risk factors for hepatitis B. Moreover, hepatitis C showed a statistically significant association with a family history of hepatitis B and C (AOR: 3.31, 95% CI: 3.93-24.64) and intravenous (IV) drug use (AOR: 7.01, 95% CI: 1.52-32.78) according to the multivariable logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION The prevalence of hepatitis B and C was higher among people in custody in Zahedan central prison. Consequently, targeted interventions are vital to address and reduce viral hepatitis burden in custodial settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maliheh Metanat
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Sciences in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Zeinab Almasi
- Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nahid Sepehri Rad
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Sciences in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Seyed Mehdi Tabatabaee
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Sciences in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Kosar Rezaei
- Department of Epidemiology, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
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Ahmad A, Bromberg DJ, Shrestha R, Salleh NM, Bazazi AR, Kamarulzaman A, Shenoi S, Altice FL. Higher methadone dose at time of release from prison predicts linkage to maintenance treatment for people with HIV and opioid use disorder transitioning to the community in Malaysia. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 126:104369. [PMID: 38484531 PMCID: PMC11056294 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104369] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Incarcerated people with HIV and opioid-dependence often experience poor post-release outcomes in the absence of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). In a prospective trial, we assessed the impact of methadone dose achieved within prison on linkage to MMT after release. METHODS From 2010 to 2014, men with HIV (N = 212) and opioid dependence before incarceration were enrolled in MMT within 6 months of release from Malaysia's largest prison and followed for 12-months post-release. As a prospective trial, allocation to MMT was at random and later by preference design (predictive nonetheless). MMT dosing was individually targeted to minimally achieve 80 mg/day. Time-to-event analyses were conducted to model linkage to MMT after release. FINDINGS Of the 212 participants allocated to MMT, 98 (46 %) were prescribed higher dosages (≥80 mg/day) before release. Linkage to MMT after release occurred in 77 (36 %) participants and significantly higher for those prescribed higher dosages (46% vs 28 %; p = 0.011). Factors associated with higher MMT dosages were being married, on antiretroviral therapy, longer incarceration periods, having higher levels of depression, and methadone preference compared to randomization. After controlling for other variables, being prescribed higher methadone dosage (aHR: 2.53, 95 %CI: 1.42-4.49) was the only independent predictor of linkage to methadone after release. INTERPRETATION Higher doses of methadone prescribed before release increased the likelihood of linkage to MMT after release. Methadone dosing should be introduced into international guidelines for treatment of opioid use disorder in prisons and further post-release benefits should be explored. FUNDING National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahsan Ahmad
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, New Haven, CT, USA; Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Daniel J Bromberg
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale University School of Public Health, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Roman Shrestha
- University of Connecticut, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Na Mohd Salleh
- Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; University of Malaya, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Alexander R Bazazi
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Adeeba Kamarulzaman
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, New Haven, CT, USA; Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; University of Malaya, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sheela Shenoi
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, New Haven, CT, USA; Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, New Haven, CT, USA; Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Yale University School of Public Health, Department Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Favril L, Rich JD, Hard J, Fazel S. Mental and physical health morbidity among people in prisons: an umbrella review. Lancet Public Health 2024; 9:e250-e260. [PMID: 38553144 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(24)00023-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who experience incarceration are characterised by poor health profiles. Clarification of the disease burden in the prison population can inform service and policy development. We aimed to synthesise and assess the evidence regarding the epidemiology of mental and physical health conditions among people in prisons worldwide. METHODS In this umbrella review, five bibliographic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and Global Health) were systematically searched from inception to identify meta-analyses published up to Oct 31, 2023, which examined the prevalence or incidence of mental and physical health conditions in general prison populations. We excluded meta-analyses that examined health conditions in selected or clinical prison populations. Prevalence data were extracted from published reports and study authors were contacted for additional information. Estimates were synthesised and stratified by sex, age, and country income level. The robustness of the findings was assessed in terms of heterogeneity, excess significance bias, small-study effects, and review quality. The study protocol was pre-registered with PROSPERO, CRD42023404827. FINDINGS Our search of the literature yielded 1909 records eligible for screening. 1736 articles were excluded and 173 full-text reports were examined for eligibility. 144 articles were then excluded due to not meeting inclusion criteria, which resulted in 29 meta-analyses eligible for inclusion. 12 of these were further excluded because they examined the same health condition. We included data from 17 meta-analyses published between 2002 and 2023. In adult men and women combined, the 6-month prevalence was 11·4% (95% CI 9·9-12·8) for major depression, 9·8% (6·8-13·2) for post-traumatic stress disorder, and 3·7% (3·2-4·1) for psychotic illness. On arrival to prison, 23·8% (95% CI 21·0-26·7) of people met diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder and 38·9% (31·5-46·2) for drug use disorder. Half of those with major depression or psychotic illness had a comorbid substance use disorder. Infectious diseases were also common; 17·7% (95% CI 15·0-20·7) of people were antibody-positive for hepatitis C virus, with lower estimates (ranging between 2·6% and 5·2%) found for hepatitis B virus, HIV, and tuberculosis. Meta-regression analyses indicated significant differences in prevalence by sex and country income level, albeit not consistent across health conditions. The burden of non-communicable chronic diseases was only examined in adults aged 50 years and older. Overall, the quality of the evidence was limited by high heterogeneity and small-study effects. INTERPRETATION People in prisons have a specific pattern of morbidity that represents an opportunity for public health to address. In particular, integrating prison health within the national public health system, adequately resourcing primary care and mental health services, and improving linkage with post-release health services could affect public health and safety. Population-based longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the extent to which incarceration affects health. FUNDING Research Foundation-Flanders, Wellcome Trust, National Institutes of Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Favril
- Institute for International Research on Criminal Policy, Faculty of Law and Criminology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Josiah D Rich
- Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | | | - Seena Fazel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.
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Walker SJ, Shrestha LB, Lloyd AR, Dawson O, Sheehan Y, Sheehan J, Maduka NBC, Cabezas J, Akiyama MJ, Kronfli N. Barriers and advocacy needs for hepatitis C services in prisons: Informing the prisons hepatitis C advocacy toolkit. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 126:104386. [PMID: 38492433 PMCID: PMC11106844 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104386] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carceral settings are a key focus of the 2030 WHO global hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination goals. Despite this, access to HCV testing and treatment services in prisons remains low globally, limiting opportunities to achieve these goals. Advocacy efforts are needed to address service inequities and mobilise support for enhanced HCV programs in prisons globally. INHSU Prisons, a special interest group of the International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users (INHSU) is developing a Prisons HCV Advocacy Toolkit to address this need. Here we present findings of a mixed study to inform the development of the Toolkit. METHODS The aim of this study was to inform the development of the Toolkit, including understanding barriers for scaling up prison-based HCV services globally and advocacy needs to address these. An online survey (n = 181) and in-depth interviews (n = 25) were conducted with key stakeholders from countries of different economic status globally. Quantitative data were statistically analysed using R Studio and qualitative data were analysed thematically. The data sets were merged using a convergent design. RESULTS Key barriers for enhanced prison-based HCV services included lack of political will and action, lack of prison-based healthcare resources, and poor awareness about HCV and the importance of prison-based HCV services. These findings underscore how advocacy efforts are needed to motivate policymakers to prioritise HCV healthcare in prisons and ensure funds are available for services (including diagnostic tools and treatment, healthcare teams to implement services, and systems to measure their success). Advocacy resources to raise the awareness of policy makers, people working in the prison sector, and incarcerated populations were also identified as key to increasing HCV service uptake. CONCLUSION The Toolkit has the potential to support advocacy efforts for reaching HCV elimination targets. By understanding the advocacy needs of potential Toolkit end-users, the findings can inform its development and increase its accessibility, acceptability, and uptake for a globally diverse audience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley J Walker
- National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia; Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Lok B Shrestha
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia; School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia
| | - Olivia Dawson
- The International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users (INHSU)
| | - Yumi Sheehan
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | - Joaquin Cabezas
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, University Hospital Marques de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain; Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain
| | - Matthew J Akiyama
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine / Montefiore Medical Centre, New York, USA
| | - Nadine Kronfli
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Ahrenstorf G, Dopfer-Jablonka A, Joean O, Knuth C, Silchmueller M, Thiele T, Ringshausen FC, Slevogt H, Witte T, Behrens GMN. Status of HIV and comorbidities in refugees with HIV from Ukraine. HIV Med 2024; 25:479-483. [PMID: 38043508 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13597] [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: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe the clinical characteristics of refugees with HIV from Ukraine that seek continuation of medical care in Germany. METHODS Fourty-six refugees with HIV that had left Ukraine between 24 February and 30 December 2022 were examined. Information on patients' history was obtained using a standardized questionnaire for clinical care. Interviews were conducted in Russian during their first clinical presentation. RESULTS Fourty-six persons (41 females and 5 males) were included and their mean age was 39.6 (±8.4) years. The mean time since HIV diagnosis was 8.0 (median, IQR 7.15) years and 70.3% of participants currently received tenfofovir-DF, lamividine and dolutegravir. Most refugees had an undetectable HIV viral load and their current mean CD4 T cell count was 702 (SD ± 289) per μL. Serology revealed previous hepatitis B infection in 50.4% without evidence for replication, with undetectable anti-hepatitis B surface antigen in the remaining refugees. Antibodies against hepatitis C were present in 23 refugees (50%), but only 10 patients had been diagnosed with hepatitis C previously. Five refugees had undergone successful antiviral treatment for hepatitis C. Detectable HCV-RNA was evident in nine patients (19.6%). Sixteen (38.6%) refugees had a positive tuberculosis (TB) interferon gamma release assay, and four were on TB treatment for previously diagnosed infection. One had been diagnosed with multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB, two with pre-extensively drug-resistant (pre-XDR) TB and two with XDR TB and were treated with combinations of second-line and novel agents according to WHO guidelines. CONCLUSIONS Based on this preliminary analysis of a not fully representative cohort, refugees with HIV from Ukraine were young, mostly healthy females highly adherent to antiretroviral therapy. The rate of transmittable co-infections urges early diagnostic evaluation and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerrit Ahrenstorf
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexandra Dopfer-Jablonka
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
| | - Oana Joean
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christine Knuth
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marc Silchmueller
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thea Thiele
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Felix C Ringshausen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in End-stage and Obstructive Lung Disease (BREATH), Deutsches Zentrum für Lungenforschung (DZL), Hannover, Germany
| | - Hortense Slevogt
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Individualised Infection Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Torsten Witte
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Georg M N Behrens
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Individualised Infection Medicine, Hannover, Germany
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Algarin AB, Werb D, Shumskaya N, Kurmanalieva A, Blyum A, Cepeda J, Patterson TL, Baral S, Smith LR. Financial Vulnerability and Its Association with HIV Transmission Risk Behaviors Among People Who Inject Drugs in Kyrgyzstan. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:310-319. [PMID: 37523049 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04129-6] [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] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
The Family Resource Scale (FRS) is a three-factor financial vulnerability (FV) measure. FV may impact HIV transmission risks. Cross-sectional data from 279 people who inject drugs (PWID) in Kyrgyzstan surveyed April-October 2021 was used to validate the FRS and estimate associations between FV on past 6-month injection and sexual HIV risk outcomes. The three-factor FRS reflected housing, essential needs, and fiscal independence, and had good internal reliability and structural validity. Greater cumulative, housing, and essential needs FRS scores were associated with increased relative risk on public injection (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.03 [1.01, 1.04]; aRR [95% CI]: 1.06 [1.02, 1.09]; aRR [95% CI]: 1.06 [1.03, 1.08], respectively, all p < 0.001) and preparing injections with unsafe water sources (aRR [95% CI]: 1.04 [1.02, 1.07]; aRR [95% CI]: 1.09 [1.04, 1.15]; aRR [95% CI]: 1.08 [1.03, 1.14], respectively, all p < 0.001). Results suggest that PWID housing- and essential needs-related FV may exacerbate injection HIV transmission risks. Reducing PWIDs' FV may enhance the HIV response in Kyrgyzstan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel B Algarin
- Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Dan Werb
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0507, USA
- Centre On Drug Policy Evaluation, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Natalya Shumskaya
- AIDS Foundation - East West in the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
| | | | - Anna Blyum
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0507, USA
| | - Javier Cepeda
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Thomas L Patterson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Laramie R Smith
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0507, USA.
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Brothers TD, Lewer D, Jones N, Colledge-Frisby S, Bonn M, Wheeler A, Grebely J, Farrell M, Hickman M, Hayward A, Degenhardt L. Effect of incarceration and opioid agonist treatment transitions on risk of hospitalisation with injection drug use-associated bacterial infections: A self-controlled case series in New South Wales, Australia. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 122:104218. [PMID: 37813083 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104218] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transitional times in opioid use, such as release from prison and discontinuation of opioid agonist treatment (OAT), are associated with health harms due to changing drug consumption practices and limited access to health and social supports. Using a self-controlled (within-person) study design, we aimed to understand if these transitions increase risks of injection drug use-associated bacterial infections. METHODS We performed a self-controlled case series among a cohort of people with opioid use disorder (who had all previously accessed OAT) in New South Wales, Australia, 2001-2018. The outcome was hospitalisation with injecting-related bacterial infections. We divided participants' observed days into time windows related to incarceration and OAT receipt. We compared hospitalization rates during focal (exposure) windows and referent (control) windows (i.e., 5-52 weeks continuously not incarcerated or continuously receiving OAT). We estimated adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRR) using conditional logistic regression, adjusted for time-varying confounders. RESULTS There were 7590 participants who experienced hospitalisation with injecting-related bacterial infections (35% female; median age 38 years; 78% hospitalised with skin and soft-tissue infections). Risk for injecting-related bacterial infections was elevated for two weeks following release from prison (aIRR 1.45; 95%CI 1.22-1.72). Risk was increased during two weeks before (aIRR 1.89; 95%CI 1.59-2.25) and after (aIRR 1.91; 95%CI 1.54-2.36) discontinuation of OAT, and during two weeks before (aIRR 3.63; 95%CI 3.13-4.22) and after (aIRR 2.52; 95%CI 2.09-3.04) OAT initiation. CONCLUSION Risk of injecting-related bacterial infections varies greatly within-individuals over time. Risk is raised immediately after prison release, and around initiation and discontinuation of OAT. Social contextual factors likely contribute to excess risks at transitions in incarceration and OAT exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas D Brothers
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Australia; UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, United Kingdom; Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Canada.
| | - Dan Lewer
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Australia; UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, United Kingdom; Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Jones
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Matthew Bonn
- Canadian Association of People who Use Drugs (CAPUD), Canada
| | - Alice Wheeler
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jason Grebely
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Hayward
- UCL Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, United Kingdom
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Australia
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Ponticiello M, Azbel L, Tate MM, Bromberg DJ, Pykalo I, Kiriazova T, Saichuk N, Altice FL. Introducing methadone maintenance therapy into Ukrainian prisons: a qualitative study of criminal subculture, Russia's full-scale invasion, and contested methadone objects. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1227216. [PMID: 38098632 PMCID: PMC10720714 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1227216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background After pilot testing, methadone was newly being introduced into Ukrainian prisons in 2021 as part of a national scale-up strategy to treat opioid use disorder and prevent transmission of HIV and HCV infections. Opioid agonist therapy (OAT) scale-up in Eastern Europe and Central Asia prisons has been hampered by varying levels of influence of criminal subculture, an extralegal informal governance by a social hierarchy that operates in parallel to formal prison authorities. This study examined the socio-environmental factors influencing the uptake of methadone treatment in Ukrainian prisons, including changes that evolved during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the displacement of people deprived of liberty (PDL) from conflict to non-conflict regions. Methods In-depth qualitative interviews (N = 37) were conducted from January 2021 to October 2022 in the only two Ukrainian prisons where methadone was being introduced with PDL (N = 18). These two prisons continued to provide methadone after the full-scale invasion. Former PDL (N = 4) were also interviewed and prison staff (N = 15). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. Four authors independently reviewed, coded, and applied a phenomenological framework for data analysis, delineating themes related to criminal subculture, drug use, methadone uptake, and evolving changes during the Russian invasion. Findings Criminal subculture perceptions varied, with some seeing it as strongly discouraging drug use among certain groups, while others described it as a residual and weak influence from a more distant past. The influence of the subculture on methadone treatment uptake, however, was less clear. PDL and prison staff struggled to identify and articulate differences between illicit street-bought methadone, used recreationally, and medically prescribed methadone. Thus, the meaning of "methadone" varies in interpretation as it is being introduced, making it potentially conflicting for patients to opt into this evidence-based treatment. As Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, PDL from conflict zones were transferred to non-conflict regions where methadone was being introduced. The prison environment became more enabling for PDL to start methadone as they were segregated and not subject to the existing criminal subculture's rules and lacked the social ties necessary to procure drugs illegally. Conclusion It appears that the criminal subculture is variable and evolving in Ukrainian prisons and appears to be impacted differently by the invasion of Russia. As methadone scale-up in prisons expands, it will be important to distinguish the meaning of methadone perpetuated negatively by the prison subculture versus that in which it is intended as a medical treatment by the formal prison authorities. The current invasion of Ukraine by Russia provides a potential disruption to alter this course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Ponticiello
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Lyu Azbel
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Mary M. Tate
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Daniel J. Bromberg
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Iryna Pykalo
- European Institute on Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | | | | | - Frederick L. Altice
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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12
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Bromberg DJ, Galvez de Leon SJ, Litz T, Azbel L, Liberman AR, Polonsky M, Dvoriak S, Saichuk N, Taxman F, Altice FL. Aligning public health and public safety: Probation as a touchpoint to identify and link patients with opioid use disorder to opioid agonist treatment. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0002349. [PMID: 37910486 PMCID: PMC10619786 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People in criminal justice settings (CJS) have high rates of opioid use disorder (OUD) and HIV. Probation is part of the CJS and congregates many individuals with high rates of mental health and substance use disorders relative to the general population; nevertheless, probation remains a major improvement to incarceration. As a steppingstone to full decarceration efforts, community supervision settings like probation can be leveraged as "touchpoints" to identify and link people with OUD (and other co-morbid conditions) to treatment and reduce criminal activity. METHODOLOGY To determine the feasibility of a modified screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) strategy to link probationers to opioid agonist therapies (OAT) in the newly created probation system in Ukraine, we conducted a single-arm SBIRT intervention in eight probation centers in four Ukrainian administrative regions. For those screening positive for OUD, interest in OAT was assessed before and after a brief intervention. Those interested in OAT were referred to community OAT services. Participants with OUD also underwent HIV testing. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Of the 1,298 consecutive individuals screened, 208 (16.0%) met criteria for opioid dependence. Of these, 122 (58.7%) enrolled in brief intervention, of which 54 (44.3%) had HIV and 14 (25.9%) of these were newly diagnosed. After the brief intervention, interest in starting OAT increased significantly from a median of 7.0 to 8.0 (P = <0.001) using a 10-point scale. Thirty (N = 30; 24.6%) of the enrolled participants initiated OAT and 21 of these (70%) were retained in treatment for 6 months. SIGNIFICANCE The prevalence of OUD (and HIV) is high among people in probation in Ukraine. SBIRT can identify a large number of people eligible for OAT, many of whom were willing to initiate and remain on OAT. Integrating SBIRT into probation can potentially assist with OAT scale-up and help address HIV prevention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Bromberg
- Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Samy J. Galvez de Leon
- Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Taylor Litz
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Lyu Azbel
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Amanda R. Liberman
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Maxim Polonsky
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Sergii Dvoriak
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | | | - Faye Taxman
- George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government, Arlington, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Frederick L. Altice
- Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
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13
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Zaccheo SK, Marrone G, Pandey LR, Deuba K. The impact of border crossing and imprisonment on injection practices and risk of HIV and hepatitis C infection among men who inject drugs in Nepal. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 119:104145. [PMID: 37549595 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104145] [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: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Nepal, personal drug use is criminalized and among people who inject drugs (PWID), the majority of whom are men, movement across the border with India for drug procurement and use is common. Using a risk environment approach, this study examined associations between border crossing and imprisonment with respect to HIV, HCV and injection risk behavior among men who inject drugs in Nepal. METHODS This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 1345 participants from 14 districts across Nepal. Explanatory variables were prior imprisonment and past-month border crossing to procure or use drugs. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate associations between these variables and HIV, HCV, HIV/HCV co-infection and past-month injection risk behavior among PWID. RESULTS Over half of participants reported prior imprisonment (34.6% prior to past year, 21.6% within past year) and Indo-Nepal border crossing in the past year to use or buy drugs (31.2% sometimes, 20.8% often); over one quarter of participants (29.6%) reported both. Imprisonment prior to the past year was associated with higher odds of all outcome variables: HIV (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29-4.59), HCV (aOR 1.51, 95% CI 1.08-2.09), HIV/HCV co-infection (aOR 3.12, 95% CI 1.58-6.14) and injection risk behavior (aOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.20-2.25). Past-year border crossing to procure or use drugs was associated with HCV (aOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.42-2.98) and injection risk behavior (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.04-2.10), with larger effect sizes among PWID who reported both border crossing as well as history of imprisonment. CONCLUSION Imprisonment and border crossing were associated with injection risk behavior and disease outcomes. These findings indicate a need to implement cross-border disease surveillance and harm reduction initiatives in the Indo-Nepal border region and in Nepali prisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia K Zaccheo
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gaetano Marrone
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lok Raj Pandey
- National Centre for AIDS and STD Control (NCASC), Ministry of Health and Population, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Keshab Deuba
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; National Centre for AIDS and STD Control (NCASC), Global Fund Programs, Kathmandu, Nepal.
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14
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Martin NK, Beletsky L, Linas BP, Bayoumi A, Pollack H, Larney S. Modeling as Visioning: Exploring the Impact of Criminal Justice Reform on Health of Populations with Substance Use Disorders. MDM Policy Pract 2023; 8:23814683231202984. [PMID: 37841498 PMCID: PMC10568988 DOI: 10.1177/23814683231202984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In the context of historic reckoning with the role of the criminal-legal system as a structural driver of health harms, there is mounting evidence that punitive drug policies have failed to prevent problematic drug use while fueling societal harms. In this explainer article, we discuss how simulation modeling provides a methodological framework to explore the potential outcomes (beneficial and harmful) of various drug policy alternatives, from incremental to radical. We discuss potential simulation modeling opportunities while calling for a more active role of simulation modeling in visioning and operationalizing transformative change. Highlights This article discusses opportunities for simulation modeling in projecting health and economic impacts (beneficial and harmful) of drug-related criminal justice reforms.We call on modelers to explore radical interventions to reduce drug-related harm and model grand alternative futures in addition to more probable scenarios, with a goal of opening up policy discourse to these options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha K. Martin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Leo Beletsky
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
- School of Law, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, and Health in Justice Action Lab, Northeastern University, USA
| | | | - Ahmed Bayoumi
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Harold Pollack
- Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sarah Larney
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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15
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Martinez L, Warren JL, Harries AD, Croda J, Espinal MA, Olarte RAL, Avedillo P, Lienhardt C, Bhatia V, Liu Q, Chakaya J, Denholm JT, Lin Y, Kawatsu L, Zhu L, Horsburgh CR, Cohen T, Andrews JR. Global, regional, and national estimates of tuberculosis incidence and case detection among incarcerated individuals from 2000 to 2019: a systematic analysis. Lancet Public Health 2023; 8:e511-e519. [PMID: 37393090 PMCID: PMC10323309 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(23)00097-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who are incarcerated are at high risk of developing tuberculosis. We aimed to estimate the annual global, regional, and national incidence of tuberculosis among incarcerated populations from 2000 to 2019. METHODS We collected and aggregated data for tuberculosis incidence and prevalence estimates among incarcerated individuals in published and unpublished literature, annual tuberculosis notifications among incarcerated individuals at the country level, and the annual number of incarcerated individuals at the country level. We developed a joint hierarchical Bayesian meta-regression framework to simultaneously model tuberculosis incidence, notifications, and prevalence from 2000 to 2019. Using this model, we estimated trends in absolute tuberculosis incidence and notifications, the incidence and notification rates, and the case detection ratio by year, country, region, and globally. FINDINGS In 2019, we estimated a total of 125 105 (95% credible interval [CrI] 93 736-165 318) incident tuberculosis cases among incarcerated individuals globally. The estimated incidence rate per 100 000 person-years overall was 1148 (95% CrI 860-1517) but varied greatly by WHO region, from 793 (95% CrI 430-1342) in the Eastern Mediterranean region to 2242 (1515-3216) in the African region. Global incidence per 100 000 person-years between 2000 and 2012 among incarcerated individuals decreased from 1884 (95% CrI 1394-2616) to 1205 (910-1615); however, from 2013 onwards, tuberculosis incidence per 100 000 person-years was stable, from 1183 (95% CrI 876-1596) in 2013 to 1148 (860-1517) in 2019. In 2019, the global case detection ratio was estimated to be 53% (95% CrI 42-64), the lowest over the study period. INTERPRETATION Our estimates suggest a high tuberculosis incidence rate among incarcerated individuals globally with large gaps in tuberculosis case detection. Tuberculosis in incarcerated populations must be addressed with interventions specifically tailored to improve diagnoses and prevent transmission as a part of the broader global tuberculosis control effort. FUNDING National Institutes of Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Martinez
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Joshua L Warren
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Anthony D Harries
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France
| | - Julio Croda
- School of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil; Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marcos A Espinal
- Pan American Health Organization, Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Rafael A López Olarte
- Pan American Health Organization, Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Pedro Avedillo
- Pan American Health Organization, Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Christian Lienhardt
- Unité Mixte Internationale Trans VIHMI (UMI 233 IRD-U1175 INSERM, Université de Montpellier), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier, France
| | - Vineet Bhatia
- Department of Communicable Diseases, World Health Organization Regional Office for South-East Asia, New Delhi, India
| | - Qiao Liu
- Department of Chronic Communicable Disease, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, China
| | - Jeremiah Chakaya
- Department of Medicine, Therapeutics, Dermatology and Psychiatry, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Justin T Denholm
- Victorian Tuberculosis Program, Melbourne Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Yan Lin
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France
| | - Lisa Kawatsu
- Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Research, The Research Institute of Tuberculosis, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Limei Zhu
- Department of Chronic Communicable Disease, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, China
| | - C Robert Horsburgh
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ted Cohen
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jason R Andrews
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Geographic Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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16
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Marshall AD, Schroeder SE, Lafferty L, Drysdale K, Baldry E, Stoové M, Dietze P, Higgs P, Treloar C. Perceived access to opioid agonist treatment in prison among people with a history of injection drug use: A qualitative study. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2023; 150:209066. [PMID: 37156422 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.209066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) is associated with a reduced likelihood of hepatitis C incidence, nonfatal overdose, and (re)incarceration among people who inject drugs (PWID), yet factors underpinning decisions to access OAT in prison and postrelease are not well understood. The aim of the qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of OAT access while in prison among PWID recently released from prison in Australia. METHODS Eligible participants enrolled in the SuperMix cohort (n = 1303) were invited to take part in a semi-structured interview in Victoria, Australia. Inclusion criteria were informed consent, aged ≥18 years, history of injection drug use, incarcerated for ≥3 months, and released from custody <12 months. The study team analysed data via a candidacy framework to account for macro-structural influences. RESULTS Among 48 participants (33 male; ten Aboriginal), most injected drugs in the prior month (n = 41), with heroin most frequently injected (n = 33) and nearly half (n = 23) were currently on OAT (primarily methadone). Most participants described the navigation and permeability of OAT services in prison as convoluted. If not on OAT pre-entry, prison policies often restricted access, leaving participants to withdraw in cells. In turn, some participants commenced OAT postrelease to ensure OAT continuity of care if reincarcerated. Other participants who experienced delayed access to OAT in prison stated no need to initiate while in prison or postrelease as they were now "clean". Last, implementation of OAT delivery in prison (e.g., lack of confidentiality) frequently led to changes in OAT type to avoid peer violence (pressure to divert OAT). CONCLUSION Findings draw attention to simplistic notions of OAT accessibility in prisons, illuminating how structural determinants influence choice in PWID decision-making. Suboptimal access and acceptability of OAT delivery in prisons will continue to place PWID at risk of harm postrelease (e.g., overdose).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison D Marshall
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Sophia E Schroeder
- Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lise Lafferty
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kerryn Drysdale
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Mark Stoové
- Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul Dietze
- Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter Higgs
- Behaviours and Health Risks Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Baliashvili D, Blumberg HM, Gandhi NR, Averhoff F, Benkeser D, Shadaker S, Gvinjilia L, Turdziladze A, Tukvadze N, Chincharauli M, Butsashvili M, Sharvadze L, Tsertsvadze T, Zarkua J, Kempker RR. Hepatitis C care cascade among patients with and without tuberculosis: Nationwide observational cohort study in the country of Georgia, 2015-2020. PLoS Med 2023; 20:e1004121. [PMID: 37141386 PMCID: PMC10194957 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Eastern European country of Georgia initiated a nationwide hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination program in 2015 to address a high burden of infection. Screening for HCV infection through antibody testing was integrated into multiple existing programs, including the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP). We sought to compare the hepatitis C care cascade among patients with and without tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in Georgia between 2015 and 2019 and to identify factors associated with loss to follow-up (LTFU) in hepatitis C care among patients with TB. METHODS AND FINDINGS Using national ID numbers, we merged databases of the HCV elimination program, NTP, and national death registry from January 1, 2015 to September 30, 2020. The study population included 11,985 adults (aged ≥18 years) diagnosed with active TB from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2019, and 1,849,820 adults tested for HCV antibodies between January 1, 2015 and September 30, 2020, who were not diagnosed with TB during that time. We estimated the proportion of patients with and without TB who were LTFU at each step of the HCV care cascade and explored temporal changes. Among 11,985 patients with active TB, 9,065 (76%) patients without prior hepatitis C treatment were tested for HCV antibodies, of which 1,665 (18%) had a positive result; LTFU from hepatitis C care was common, with 316 of 1,557 (20%) patients with a positive antibody test not undergoing viremia testing and 443 of 1,025 (43%) patients with viremia not starting treatment for hepatitis C. Overall, among persons with confirmed viremic HCV infection, due to LTFU at various stages of the care cascade only 28% of patients with TB had a documented cure from HCV infection, compared to 55% among patients without TB. LTFU after positive antibody testing substantially decreased in the last 3 years, from 32% among patients diagnosed with TB in 2017 to 12% among those diagnosed in 2019. After a positive HCV antibody test, patients without TB had viremia testing sooner than patients with TB (hazards ratio [HR] = 1.46, 95% confidence intervals [CI] [1.39, 1.54], p < 0.001). After a positive viremia test, patients without TB started hepatitis C treatment sooner than patients with TB (HR = 2.05, 95% CI [1.87, 2.25], p < 0.001). In the risk factor analysis adjusted for age, sex, and case definition (new versus previously treated), multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB was associated with an increased risk of LTFU after a positive HCV antibody test (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] = 1.41, 95% CI [1.12, 1.76], p = 0.003). The main limitation of this study was that due to the reliance on existing electronic databases, we were unable to account for the impact of all confounding factors in some of the analyses. CONCLUSIONS LTFU from hepatitis C care after a positive antibody or viremia test was high and more common among patients with TB than in those without TB. Better integration of TB and hepatitis C care systems can potentially reduce LTFU and improve patient outcomes both in Georgia and other countries that are initiating or scaling up their nationwide hepatitis C control efforts and striving to provide personalized TB treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davit Baliashvili
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Henry M. Blumberg
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Neel R. Gandhi
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Francisco Averhoff
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - David Benkeser
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Shaun Shadaker
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Lia Gvinjilia
- Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | | | - Nestani Tukvadze
- National Center for Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | | | | | - Lali Sharvadze
- Clinic “Hepa”, Tbilisi, Georgia
- The University of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Tengiz Tsertsvadze
- Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | | | - Russell R. Kempker
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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Reinhart E. Abolitional public health. Lancet 2023; 401:1418-1419. [PMID: 37120275 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)00817-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eric Reinhart
- Department of Anthropology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Byrne CJ, Malaguti A, Inglis SK, Dillon JF. Mixed-methods evaluation of point-of-care hepatitis C virus RNA testing in a Scottish prison. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e068604. [PMID: 37037621 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hepatitis C virus (HCV) poses a global public health threat. Prisons are a focus of prevention efforts due to high infection burdens. Expedition of treatment for incarcerated people is critical, as many are short-term sentenced. We evaluated point-of-care (PoC) HCV RNA testing in a maximum-security Scottish prison and assessed its impact on transition to treatment. We also evaluated costs and determinants of implementation. DESIGN Mixed-methods evaluation of a single-centre care pathway pilot using National Health Service (NHS) data from 2018 to 2021. Descriptive statistics and survival analysis were undertaken. Cost analysis was assessed from a provider perspective. Healthcare staff participated in semistructured interviews and thematic analysis with a deductive approach was undertaken to identify implementation determinants. SETTING A large maximum-security Scottish prison health centre administered by the NHS. PARTICIPANTS 296 incarcerated NHS patients (all men) and six NHS staff members (two men and four women). INTERVENTIONS HCV testing using the Cepheid GeneXpert platform with Xpert HCV VL Fingerstick assay. OUTCOME MEASURES The main outcome was survival (in days) from HCV test to treatment initiation. Secondary outcomes were cost-per-cure obtained and implementation determinants. RESULTS During the pilot, 167 Xpert tests were administered, with an 84% completion rate, and treatment transition was superior for those who received it (p=0.014). Where PoC tests were administered, shorter survival to treatment was observed (19 vs 33 days: adjusted HR (aHR) 1.91 (1.03-3.55), p=0.040; 19 vs 50 days; aHR 3.76 (1.67-8.46), p=0.001). PoC was costlier than conventional testing. In qualitative analysis, most facilitators were observed among characteristics of individual domain while most barriers were noted in the inner setting. CONCLUSIONS Integrating PoC HCV RNA diagnosis into nurse-led HCV care in a maximum-security prison health centre shortens survival to HCV treatment. However, there are cost implications to this approach and multiple determinants that impact on implementation should be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Byrne
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Directorate of Public Health, NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK
| | - Amy Malaguti
- Tayside Drug and Alcohol Recovery Psychology Service, NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | - John F Dillon
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Department of Gastroenterology, NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK
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20
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Stone J, Trickey A, Walker JG, Bivegete S, Semchuk N, Sazonova Y, Varetska O, Altice FL, Saliuk T, Vickerman P. Modelling the impact and cost-effectiveness of non-governmental organizations on HIV and HCV transmission among people who inject drugs in Ukraine. J Int AIDS Soc 2023; 26:e26073. [PMID: 37012669 PMCID: PMC10070931 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION People who inject drugs (PWID) in Ukraine have high prevalences of HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) provide PWID with needles/syringes, condoms, HIV/HCV testing and linkage to opioid agonist treatment (OAT) and antiretroviral therapy (ART). We estimated their impact and cost-effectiveness among PWID. METHODS A dynamic HIV and HCV transmission model among PWID was calibrated using data from four national PWID surveys (2011-2017). The model assumed 37-49% coverage of NGOs among community PWID, with NGO contact reducing injecting risk and increasing condom use and recruitment onto OAT and ART. We estimated the historic (1997-2021) and future (2022-2030, compared to no NGO activities from 2022) impact of NGOs in terms of the proportion of HIV/HCV infections averted and changes in HIV/HCV incidence. We estimated the future impact of scaling-up NGOs to 80% coverage with/without scale-up in OAT (5-20%) and ART (64-81%). We estimated the cost per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) averted of current NGO provision over 2022-2041 compared to NGO activities stopping over 2022-2026, but restarting after that till 2041. We assumed average unit costs of US$80-90 per person-year of NGO contact for PWID. RESULTS With existing coverage levels of NGOs, the model projects that NGOs have averted 20.0% (95% credibility interval: 13.3-26.1) and 9.6% (5.1-14.1) of new HIV and HCV infections among PWID over 1997-2021, respectively, and will avert 31.8% (19.6-39.9) and 13.7% (7.5-18.1) of HIV and HCV infections over 2022-2030. With NGO scale-up, HIV and HCV incidence will decrease by 54.2% (43.3-63.8) and 30.2% (20.5-36.2) over 2022-2030, or 86.7% (82.9-89.3) and 39.8% (31.4-44.8) if OAT and ART are also scaled-up. Without NGOs, HIV and HCV incidence will increase by 51.6% (23.6-76.3) and 13.4% (4.8-21.9) over 2022-2030. Current NGO provision over 2022-2026 will avert 102,736 (77,611-137,512) DALYs when tracked until 2041 (discounted 3% annually), and cost US$912 (702-1222) per DALY averted; cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of US$1548/DALY averted (0.5xGDP). CONCLUSIONS NGO activities have a crucial preventative impact among PWID in Ukraine which should be scaled-up to help achieve HIV and HCV elimination. Disruptions could have a substantial detrimental impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Stone
- Population Health SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - Adam Trickey
- Population Health SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUK
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Degenhardt L, Webb P, Colledge-Frisby S, Ireland J, Wheeler A, Ottaviano S, Willing A, Kairouz A, Cunningham EB, Hajarizadeh B, Leung J, Tran LT, Price O, Peacock A, Vickerman P, Farrell M, Dore GJ, Hickman M, Grebely J. Epidemiology of injecting drug use, prevalence of injecting-related harm, and exposure to behavioural and environmental risks among people who inject drugs: a systematic review. THE LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2023; 11:e659-e672. [PMID: 36996857 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(23)00057-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs are exposed to various and changing risk environments and are at risk of multiple harms related to injecting drug use (IDU). We aimed to undertake a global systematic review of the prevalence of IDU, key IDU-related harms (including HIV, hepatitis C virus [HCV], and hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection and overdose), and key sociodemographic characteristics and risk exposures for people who inject drugs. METHODS We systematically searched for data published between Jan 1, 2017, and March 31, 2022, in databases of peer-reviewed literature (MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO) and grey literature as well as various agency or organisational websites, and disseminated data requests to international experts and agencies. We searched for data on the prevalence, characteristics, and risks of people who inject drugs, including gender, age, sexuality, drug-use patterns, HIV, HCV, and HBV infections, non-fatal overdose, depression, anxiety, and injecting-related disease. Additional data were extracted from studies identified in our previous review. Meta-analyses were used to pool the data where multiple estimates were available for a country. We present country, regional, and global estimates for each variable examined. FINDINGS We screened 40 427 reports published between 2017 and 2022, and the 871 eligible reports identified were added to the 1147 documents from the previous review. Evidence of IDU was documented in 190 of 207 countries and territories, and 14·8 million people (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 10·0-21·7) aged 15-64 years globally were estimated to inject drugs. Existing evidence suggests that there might be 2·8 million (95% UI 2·4-3·2) women and 12·1 million (95% UI 11·0-13·3) men who inject drugs globally, and that 0·4% (95% CI 0·3-1·3) of people who inject drugs identify as transgender. The amount of available data on key health and social risks among people who inject drugs varied widely across countries and regions. We estimated that 24·8% (95% CI 19·5-31·6) of people who inject drugs globally had experienced recent homelessness or unstable housing, 58·4% (95% CI 52·0-64·8) had a lifetime history of incarceration, and 14·9% (95% CI 8·1-24·3) had recently engaged in sex work, with substantial geographical variation. Injecting and sexual risk behaviour varied considerably geographically, as did risks of harms. Globally, we estimated that 15·2% (95% CI 10·3-20·9) of people who inject drugs are living with HIV, 38·8% (95% CI 31·4-46·9) have current HCV infection, 18·5% (95% CI 13·9-24·1) have recently overdosed, and 31·7% (95% CI 23·6-40·5) have had a recent skin or soft tissue infection. INTERPRETATION IDU is being identified in a growing number of countries and territories that comprise more than 99% of the global population. IDU-related health harms are common, and people who inject drugs continue to be exposed to multiple adverse risk environments. However, quantification of many of these exposure and harms is inadequate and must be improved to allow for better targeting of harm-reduction interventions for these risks. FUNDING Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Paige Webb
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Samantha Colledge-Frisby
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; National Drug Research Institute Melbourne, Curtin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jeremy Ireland
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alice Wheeler
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sophie Ottaviano
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alex Willing
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Abe Kairouz
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Evan B Cunningham
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Janni Leung
- National Centre For Youth Substance Use Research, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Lucy T Tran
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Olivia Price
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Amy Peacock
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gregory J Dore
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jason Grebely
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Spatial patterns of tuberculosis in Russia in the context of social determinants. Spat Spatiotemporal Epidemiol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sste.2023.100580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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23
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Wang Z, Li H, Song S, Sun H, Dai X, Chen M, Xu H, Zhang H, Pang Y. Transmission of tuberculosis in an incarcerated population during the subclinical period: A cross-sectional study in Qingdao, China. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1098519. [PMID: 36761133 PMCID: PMC9905226 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1098519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives As a closed gathering place, prison is the cradle of tuberculosis (TB) outbreak. Therefore, the analysis of the prevalence rate and risk factors of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in prison will be a necessary measure to intervene in the spread of tuberculosis. Methods In this study, we consecutively recruited 506 adult prisoners in Qingdao to carry out this cross-sectional study. TB and LTBI were screened by IGRA, X-ray, X-pert, sputum smear and culture. Results A total of 17 TB, 101 LTBI and 388 HC were identified, with an infection rate of 23.32% (118/506) and a TB incidence rate of 3282/100,000 population. Age, malnutrition and inmates living with TB prisoners were risk factors for LTBI. Additionally, most TB cases (70.59%, 12/17) were subclinical tuberculosis (STB), contributing significantly to TB transmission. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that the transmission efficiency of asymptomatic patients is not essentially different from that of symptomatic patients, indicating that TB transmission occurs during the subclinical period. Our findings highlight the need to strengthen active case-finding strategies to increase TB case detection in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongdong Wang
- 1Qingdao Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Qingdao, China
| | - Haoran Li
- 2Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University/Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Song Song
- 1Qingdao Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Qingdao, China
| | - Haiyan Sun
- 1Qingdao Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaoqi Dai
- 1Qingdao Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Qingdao, China
| | - Meng Chen
- 1Qingdao Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Qingdao, China
| | - Honghong Xu
- 1Qingdao Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Qingdao, China
| | - Huaqiang Zhang
- 1Qingdao Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Qingdao, China,Huaqiang Zhang ✉
| | - Yu Pang
- 2Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University/Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Yu Pang ✉
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Matulyte E, Davidaviciene E, Kancauskiene Z, Diktanas S, Kausas A, Velyvyte D, Urboniene J, Lipnickiene V, Laurencikaite M, Danila E, Costagliola D, Matulionyte R. The socio-demographic, clinical characteristics and outcomes of tuberculosis among HIV infected adults in Lithuania: A thirteen-year analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282046. [PMID: 36952578 PMCID: PMC10035857 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuberculosis (TB) is a public health problem in Lithuania, among the 18 high-priority TB countries in the European region, and the most common AIDS-indicative disease with the highest proportion in the EU/EEA since 2015. The study aimed to identify socio-demographic, clinical characteristics and their relationship with TB outcomes in TB-HIV co-infected patients in Lithuania. METHODS A retrospective chart review analysed the characteristics of TB-HIV co-infected adults registered in State Information System of Tuberculosis over 2008-2020. The factors associated with drug-resistant TB and unsuccessful treatment outcome were identified by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS The study included 345 cases in 311 patients (239 new, 106 previously treated cases), median age 40 years (IQR 35-45), 80.7% male. 67.8% patients knew their HIV-positive status before TB diagnosis, median time to TB diagnosis was 8 years (IQR 4-12). 83.6% were unemployed, 50.5%-anytime intravenous drug users (IDU), 34.9% abused alcohol. Drug-resistant TB rates in new and previously treated TB cases were 38.1% and 61.3%, respectively. In multivariable analysis, higher risk of drug-resistant TB was associated with imprisonment in new (aOR 3.35; 95%CI 1.17-9.57) and previously treated (aOR 6.63; 95%CI 1.09-40.35) cases. In 52.3% of new TB cases and in 42.5% previously treated TB cases the treatment outcomes were unsuccessful. In multivariable analysis of new TB cases, current imprisonment (aOR 2.77; 95%CI 1.29-5.91) and drug-resistant TB (aOR 2.18; 95%CI 1.11-4.28) were associated with unsuccessful treatment outcome. In multivariable analysis of previously treated TB cases, female gender (aOR 11.93; 95%CI 1.86-76.69), alcohol abuse (aOR 3.17; 95%CI 1.05-9.58), drug-resistant TB (aOR 4.83; 95%CI 1.53-15.28) were associated with unsuccessful treatment outcome. CONCLUSIONS In the TB-HIV-infected adult cohort in Lithuania, unemployment, imprisonment, IDU, alcohol abuse, known to be risk factors for TB, were very frequent. Drug resistance was an undeniable risk factor for unsuccessful treatment outcome and imprisonment was associated with drug resistant TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elzbieta Matulyte
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Centre of Infectious Diseases, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Edita Davidaviciene
- State Information System of Tuberculosis, Public Health Department, Ministry of Health, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Zavinta Kancauskiene
- AIDS Centre, Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Klaipeda, Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Saulius Diktanas
- Tuberculosis Department, Republican Klaipeda Hospital, Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Aidas Kausas
- Adult Infectious Diseases Unit, Clinic of Conservative Medicine, Republican Siauliai County Hospital, Siauliai, Lithuania
| | - Daiva Velyvyte
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
- Kaunas Hospital of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Jurgita Urboniene
- Centre of Infectious Diseases, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | | | - Edvardas Danila
- Clinic of Chest Diseases, Immunology, and Allergology, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Centre of Pulmonology and Allergology, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Dominique Costagliola
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'épidémiologie de Santé Publique, Paris, France
| | - Raimonda Matulionyte
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Centre of Infectious Diseases, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
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Bovell-Ammon BJ, Kimmel SD, Cheng DM, Truong V, Michals A, Vetrova M, Hook K, Idrisov B, Blokhina E, Krupitsky E, Samet JH, Lunze K. Incarceration history, antiretroviral therapy, and stigma: A cross-sectional study of people with HIV who inject drugs in St. Petersburg, Russia. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2023; 111:103907. [PMID: 36402082 PMCID: PMC9868071 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103907] [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: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The HIV epidemic is intertwined with substance use and incarceration in Russia. The relationships between incarceration history, HIV treatment history, and stigma experiences among people with HIV (PWH) who inject drugs in Russia have not been well described. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study of a cohort of PWH with opioid use disorder who inject drugs (n=201) recruited at a narcology (substance use treatment) hospital in St. Petersburg, Russia from September 2018 to December 2020. The primary analysis evaluated the association between self-reported prior incarceration and prior antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation using multivariable logistic regression to adjust for demographic, social, and clinical covariates. We used multivariable linear regression models to analyze associations between prior incarceration and two secondary outcomes: HIV stigma score (11-item abbreviated Berger scale) and substance use stigma score (21-item combination of Substance Abuse Self-Stigma Scale and Stigma-related Rejection Scale). RESULTS Mean age was 37 (SD 5) years; 58.7% were male. Participants had been living with HIV for a mean of 13 (SD 6) years. Over two thirds (69.2%) of participants reported prior incarceration. One third (35.3%) of participants reported prior ART initiation. Prior incarceration was not significantly associated with prior ART initiation (AOR 1.76; 95% CI: 0.81, 3.83). Prior incarceration was associated with a lower HIV stigma score (adjusted mean difference in z-score: -0.50; 95%CI: -0.81, -0.19) but was not significantly associated with substance use stigma score (adjusted mean difference in z-score: -0.10; 95%CI: -0.42, 0.21). CONCLUSION Prior incarceration was common, and rates of prior ART initiation were low even though most participants had been living with HIV for at least a decade. We did not find an association between prior incarceration and prior ART initiation, which suggests a need to explore whether opportunities to initiate ART during or after incarceration are missed. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER NCT03290391.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Bovell-Ammon
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center; and Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Crosstown Center 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
| | - Simeon D Kimmel
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center; and Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Crosstown Center 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Debbie M Cheng
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Crosstown Center 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Ve Truong
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center; and Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Crosstown Center 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Amy Michals
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center, Boston University School of Public Health, 85 East Newton Street, M921, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Marina Vetrova
- Pavlov First St. Petersburg State Medical University, Lev Tolstoy Street, 6-8, St. Petersburg 197022, Russian Federation
| | - Kimberly Hook
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, 720 Harrison Avenue 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Bulat Idrisov
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98195-1621, USA; Bashkir State Medical University, 3 Lenin Street, Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan 450008, Russian Federation
| | - Elena Blokhina
- Pavlov First St. Petersburg State Medical University, Lev Tolstoy Street, 6-8, St. Petersburg 197022, Russian Federation
| | - Evgeny Krupitsky
- Pavlov First St. Petersburg State Medical University, Lev Tolstoy Street, 6-8, St. Petersburg 197022, Russian Federation; V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Neurology, Bekhtereva Street, 3, St. Petersburg 192019, Russian Federation
| | - Jeffrey H Samet
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center; and Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Crosstown Center 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA; Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Crosstown Center 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Karsten Lunze
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center; and Boston University School of Medicine, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Crosstown Center 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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Aronowitz SV, Carroll JJ, Hansen H, Jauffret-Roustide M, Parker CM, Suhail-Sindhu S, Albizu-Garcia C, Alegria M, Arrendondo J, Baldacchino A, Bluthenthal R, Bourgois P, Burraway J, Chen JS, Ekhtiari H, Elkhoy H, Farhoudian A, Friedman J, Jordan A, Kato L, Knight K, Martinez C, McNeil R, Murray H, Namirembe S, Radfar R, Roe L, Sarang A, Scherz C, Tay Wee Teck J, Textor L, Thi Hai Oanh K. Substance use policy and practice in the COVID-19 pandemic: Learning from early pandemic responses through internationally comparative field data. Glob Public Health 2022; 17:3654-3669. [PMID: 36692903 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2022.2129720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented natural experiment in drug policy, treatment delivery, and harm reduction strategies by exposing wide variation in public health infrastructures and social safety nets around the world. Using qualitative data including ethnographic methods, questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews with people who use drugs (PWUD) and Delphi-method with experts from field sites spanning 13 different countries, this paper compares national responses to substance use during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Field data was collected by the Substance Use x COVID-19 (SU x COVID) Data Collaborative, an international network of social scientists, public health scientists, and community health practitioners convened to identify and contextualise health service delivery models and social protections that influence the health and wellbeing of PWUD during COVID-19. Findings suggest that countries with stronger social welfare systems pre-COVID introduced durable interventions targeting structural drivers of health. Countries with fragmented social service infrastructures implemented temporary initiatives for PWUD led by non-governmental organisations. The paper summarises the most successful early pandemic responses seen across countries and ends by calling for greater systemic investments in social protections for PWUD, diversion away from criminal-legal systems toward health interventions, and integrated harm reduction, treatment and recovery supports for PWUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoshana V Aronowitz
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Jennifer J Carroll
- Department of Anthropology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, United States
| | - Helena Hansen
- UCLA Center for Social Medicine and Humanities, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Marie Jauffret-Roustide
- Centre d'étude des mouvements sociaux (Inserm U12/76/CNRS UMR 8044/EHESS), Paris, France.,Baldy Center for Law and Social Policy, Buffalo University of Social Science, NY, USA
| | - Caroline Mary Parker
- The University of Manchester, Manchester University, Manchester, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Selena Suhail-Sindhu
- University of California Los Angeles, UCLA Center for Social Medicine and Humanities, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Carmen Albizu-Garcia
- Universidad de Puerto Rico, Graduate School of Public Health, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Margarita Alegria
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Disparities Research Unit, Boston, United States
| | - Jaimie Arrendondo
- Center for Research and Economic Teaching, Drug Policy Program, Aguascalientes, MX, Mexico
| | - Alexander Baldacchino
- Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Ricky Bluthenthal
- Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Philippe Bourgois
- Center for Social Medicine and Humanities, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Joshua Burraway
- Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, United States
| | - Jia-Shin Chen
- Institute of Science, Technology and Society, National Yang-Ming University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hamed Ekhtiari
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, United States
| | - Hussien Elkhoy
- Neurology and Psychiatry, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ali Farhoudian
- University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Substance Abuse and Dependence Research Center, Tehran, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | - Joseph Friedman
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Ayana Jordan
- Psychiary, Yale University, New Haven, United States
| | - Lindsey Kato
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Overdose Response Strategy, Atlanta, United States
| | - Kelly Knight
- Humanities and Social Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Carlos Martinez
- Medical Anthropology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, USA
| | - Ryan McNeil
- Addiction Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, United States
| | - Hayley Murray
- Anthropology, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Ramin Radfar
- Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Thought, Culture and Health Institute, Isfahan, Iran (the Islamic Republic of)
| | - Laura Roe
- Social Anthropology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Anya Sarang
- Andrey Rylkov Foundation for Health and Social Justice, President, RU, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - China Scherz
- Anthropology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, United States
| | - Joe Tay Wee Teck
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Lauren Textor
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Khuat Thi Hai Oanh
- Center for Supporting Community Development Initiatives, Executive Director, Hanoi, VN, Vietnam
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Saldana CDR, Beletsky L, Borquez A, Kiene SM, Marquez LK, Strathdee SA, Zúñiga ML, Cepeda J, Martin NK. Modelling the contribution of incarceration and public health oriented drug law reform to HCV transmission and elimination among PWID in Tijuana, Mexico. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 110:103878. [PMID: 36242829 PMCID: PMC9841890 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103878] [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: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Incarceration is associated with increased risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people who inject drugs (PWID). Mexico's previous attempt in implementing a public health-oriented drug law reform resulted in minimal impact on incarceration among PWID. However, implementation of reforms alongside Mexico's HCV elimination program has the potential to reshape the HCV epidemic among PWID in the next decade. We use data from a cohort of PWID in Tijuana, Mexico, to inform epidemic modeling to assess the contribution of incarceration and fully implemented drug reform on HCV transmission and elimination among PWID. METHODS We developed a dynamic, deterministic model of incarceration, HCV transmission and disease progression among PWID. The model was calibrated to data from Tijuana, Mexico, with 90% HCV seroprevalence among 10,000 PWID. We estimated the 10-year population attributable fraction (PAF) of incarceration to HCV incidence among PWID and simulated, from 2022, the potential impact of the following scenarios: 1) decriminalization (80% reduction in incarceration rates); 2) fully implemented drug law reform (decriminalization and diversion to opiate agonist therapy [OAT]); 3) fully implemented drug law reform with HCV treatment (direct-acting antivirals [DAA]). We also assessed the number DAA needed to reach the 80% incidence reduction target by 2030 under these scenarios. RESULTS Projections suggest a PAF of incarceration to HCV incidence of 5.4% (95% uncertainty interval [UI]:0.6-11.9%) among PWID in Tijuana between 2022-2032. Fully implemented drug reforms could reduce HCV incidence rate by 10.6% (95%UI:3.1-19.2%) across 10 years and reduce the number of DAA required to achieve Mexico's HCV incidence reduction goal by 14.3% (95%UI:5.3-17.1%). CONCLUSIONS Among PWID in Tijuana, Mexico, incarceration remains an important contributor to HCV transmission. Full implementation of public health-oriented drug law reform could play an important role in reducing HCV incidence and improve the feasibility of reaching the HCV incidence elimination target by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos D Rivera Saldana
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, United States; School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182, United States.
| | - Leo Beletsky
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, United States; School of Law and Bouve College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
| | - Annick Borquez
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, United States
| | - Susan M Kiene
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182, United States
| | - Lara K Marquez
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, United States
| | - Steffanie A Strathdee
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, United States
| | - María Luisa Zúñiga
- School of Social Work, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182, United States
| | - Javier Cepeda
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States
| | - Natasha K Martin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, United States; Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, United Kingdom
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Madden LM, Farnum SO, Bromberg DJ, Barry DT, Mazhnaya A, Fomenko T, Meteliuk A, Marcus R, Rozanova J, Poklad I, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. The development and initial validation of the Russian version of the BASIS-24. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2022; 17:65. [PMID: 36435811 PMCID: PMC9701377 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-022-00343-0] [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: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Efficient and linguistically appropriate instruments are needed to assess response to addiction treatment, including severity of addiction/mental health status. This is critical for Russian-speaking persons in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) where Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) remain underscaled to address expanding and intertwined opioid, HIV, HCV and tuberculosis epidemics. We developed and conducted a pilot validation of a Russian version of the 24-item Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale (BASIS-24), an addiction/mental health severity instrument with six subscales, previously validated in English. METHODS Using the Mapi approach, we reviewed, translated, and back-translated the content to Russian, pilot-tested the Russian-version (BASIS-24-R) among new MOUD patients in Ukraine (N = 283). For a subset of patients (n = 44), test-rest was performed 48 h after admission to reassess reliability of BASIS-24-R. Exploratory principal component analysis (PCA) assessed underlying structure of BASIS-24-R. RESULTS Cronbach alpha coefficients for overall BASIS-24-R and 5 subscales exceeded 0.65; coefficient for Relationship subscale was 0.42. The Pearson correlation coefficients for overall score and all subscales on the BASIS-24-R exceeded 0.8. Each item loaded onto factors that corresponded with English BASIS-24 subscales ≥ 0.4 in PCA. CONCLUSION Initial version of BASIS-24-R appears statistically valid in Russian. Use of the BASIS-24-R has potential to guide MOUD treatment delivery in the EECA region and help to align addiction treatment with HIV prevention goals in a region where HIV is concentrated in people who inject opioids and where healthcare professionals have not traditionally perceived MOUD as effective treatment, particularly for those with mental health co-morbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn M. Madden
- grid.422797.d0000 0004 0558 5300APT Foundation, Inc, 1 Long Wharf Drive, Suite 321, New Haven, CT 06511 USA
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510 USA
| | - Scott O. Farnum
- grid.422797.d0000 0004 0558 5300APT Foundation, Inc, 1 Long Wharf Drive, Suite 321, New Haven, CT 06511 USA
| | - Daniel J. Bromberg
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Yale School of Public Health, Laboratory of Epidemiology and Public Health, 60 College St, New Haven, CT 06510 USA
| | - Declan T. Barry
- grid.422797.d0000 0004 0558 5300APT Foundation, Inc, 1 Long Wharf Drive, Suite 321, New Haven, CT 06511 USA
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 George Street, Suite 901, New Haven, CT 06510 USA
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 S Frontage Road, New Haven, CT 06519 USA
| | - Alyona Mazhnaya
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510 USA
- grid.77971.3f0000 0001 1012 5630School of Public Health, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Hryhoriya Skovorody Street, Kiev, 2 04655 Ukraine
| | - Tetiana Fomenko
- grid.511905.9ICF Alliance for Public Health, 24 Bulvarno-Kudriavska Street, Kyiv, 01601 Ukraine
| | - Anna Meteliuk
- grid.511905.9ICF Alliance for Public Health, 24 Bulvarno-Kudriavska Street, Kyiv, 01601 Ukraine
| | - Ruthanne Marcus
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510 USA
| | - Julia Rozanova
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510 USA
| | - Iurii Poklad
- Chernihiv Regional Narcological Dispensary, 3 Shchorsa Street, Chernihiv, 14005 Ukraine
| | - Sergii Dvoriak
- European Institute of Public Health Policy, 1 Malopidvalna Street, Office 10, Kiev, 01054 Ukraine
| | - Frederick L. Altice
- grid.422797.d0000 0004 0558 5300APT Foundation, Inc, 1 Long Wharf Drive, Suite 321, New Haven, CT 06511 USA
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Yale School of Public Health, Laboratory of Epidemiology and Public Health, 60 College St, New Haven, CT 06510 USA
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510 USA
- grid.10347.310000 0001 2308 5949Centre of Excellence On Research in AIDS (CERiA), University of Malaya, Malaysia Level 17, Wisma R&DJalan Pantai Baharu, 59990 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Dauria E, Skipalska H, Gopalakrishnan L, Savenko O, Sabadash L, Tolou-Shams M, Flanigan T, Navario P, Castillo TP. Exploratory qualitative study examining acceptability of strategies to improve access to substance use treatment and HIV prevention services for young adults on probation in Ukraine. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e061909. [PMID: 36418138 PMCID: PMC9685251 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Adults <30 years' of age experience elevated HIV-rates in Ukraine. Young adults (YA) involved in the criminal justice system (CJS) are at an increased HIV-risk given elevated rates of substance use, engagement in high-risk sexual behaviour and insufficient healthcare access. The objective of this exploratory study was to investigate the acceptability of strategies to refer and link CJS-involved YA to HIV-prevention and substance use treatment services from CJS settings. DESIGN We conducted qualitative individual interviews with CJS-involved YA (18-24 years), and CJS stakeholders. Interviews were guided by the Social Ecological Model. Interviews with YA explored substance use and sexual behaviour, and acceptability of strategies to link YA to HIV-prevention and substance use treatment services from CJS. Stakeholder interviews explored system practices addressing HIV-prevention and substance use and addiction. Data were analysed using Inductive Thematic Analysis. SETTING Data were collected in three locales, prior to the 2022 Russian-Ukrainian conflict. PARTICIPANTS Thirty YA and 20 stakeholders. RESULTS Most YA were men, reported recent injection drug use and were M age=23 years. YA were receptive to linkage to HIV-prevention services from CJS; this was shaped by self-perceived HIV-risk and lack of access to HIV-prevention services. YA were less receptive to being referred to substance use treatment services, citing a lack of self-perceived need and mistrust in treatment efficacy. Stakeholders identified multilevel contextual factors shaping acceptability of HIV-prevention and substance use treatment from CJS (eg, stigma). CONCLUSIONS Findings should be reviewed as a historical record of the pre-conflict context. In that context, we identified strategies that may have been used to help curtail the transmission of HIV in a population most-at-risk, including CJS-involved YA. This study demonstrates that improving access to substance use treatment and HIV-prevention services via CJS linkage were acceptable if provided in the right conditions (eg, low or no-cost, confidential).
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Dauria
- Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | | | - Marina Tolou-Shams
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Peter Navario
- School of Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, USA
- HealthRight International, New York, New York, USA
| | - Theresa P Castillo
- School of Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, USA
- HealthRight International, New York, New York, USA
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Results of a Model of Delivering Hepatitis C Care in a Homeless Metropolitan Population in England. Am J Gastroenterol 2022:00000434-990000000-00534. [PMID: 36191276 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Given the hepatitis C virus (HCV) burden and despite curative treatments, more efforts focused on scaling-up testing and treatment in homeless populations are needed. This project aimed to implement education and flexible on-site HCV testing, treatment, and follow-up for a homeless population in south London and to evaluate engagement, therapy initiation, and cure rates. METHODS A mobile unit (van) for on-site HCV education, screening, treatment, and follow-up was placed on the street in a well-known homeless population areas from January 2018 to September 2021. Homeless was defined as living in temporary housing (hostel/hotel-based) or living on the street (street-based). Sociodemographic status, risk factors, comorbidities, concomitant medication, and data related with HCV treatment were recorded. Univariable and multivariable modeling were performed for treatment initiation and sustained virological response (SVR). RESULTS Nine hundred forty homeless people were identified and 99.3% participated. 56.2% were street-based, 243 (26%) tested positive for HCV antibody, and 162 (17.4%) were viremic. Those with detectable HCV RNA had significantly more frequent psychiatric disorders, active substance use disorders, were on opioid agonist treatment, had advanced fibrosis, and had lower rates of previous treatment in comparison with undetectable HCV RNA. Overall treatment initiation was 70.4% and SVR was 72.8%. In the multivariable analysis, being screened in temporary housing (odds ratio [OR] 3.166; P = 0.002) and having opioid agonist treatment (OR 3.137; P = 0.004) were positively associated with treatment initiation. HCV treatment adherence (OR 26.552; P < 0.001) was the only factor associated with achieving SVR. DISCUSSION Promoting education and having flexible and reflex mobile on-site testing and treatment for HCV in the homeless population improve engagement with the health care system, meaning higher rates of treatment initiation and SVR. However, street-based homeless population not linked with harm reduction services are less likely to initiate HCV treatment, highlighting an urgent need for a broad health inclusion system.
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Pashchenko O, Bromberg DJ, Dumchev K, LaMonaca K, Pykalo I, Filippovych M, Esserman D, Polonsky M, Galvez de Leon SJ, Morozova O, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. Preliminary analysis of self-reported quality health indicators of patients on opioid agonist therapy at specialty and primary care clinics in Ukraine: A randomized control trial. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000344. [PMID: 36962514 PMCID: PMC10021202 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
International agencies recommend integrating addiction treatment into primary care for people who inject drugs (PWID) with opioid use disorder (OUD). Empirical data supporting integration that incorporates comprehensive health outcomes, however, are not known. For this randomized controlled trial in Ukraine, adult PWID with OUD were randomized to receive opioid agonist therapy (OAT) in specialty addiction treatment clinics (SATC) or to primary care clinics (PCCs). For those randomized to PCC, they were subsequently allocated to PCCs where clinicians received pay-for-performance (P4P) incentives (PCC with P4P) or not (PCC without P4P). Participating cities had one of each of the three intervention sites to control for geographic variation. Ongoing tele-education specialty training (OAT, HIV, tuberculosis) was provided to all PCCs. While the primary outcome for the parent trial focuses on patient medical record data, this preliminary analysis focuses on assessment of self-reported achievement of nationally recommended quality health indicators (QHIs) which is summed as a composite QHI score. Secondary outcomes included specialty and primary care QHI subscores. This study occurred from 01/20/2018-11/1/2020 with 818 of 990 randomized participants having complete self-reported data for analysis. Relative to SATC (treatment as usual), the mean composite QHI score was 12.7 (95% CI: 10.1-15.3; p<0.001) percentage points higher at PCCs; similar and significantly higher scores were observed in PCCs compared to SATCs for both primary care (PCC vs SATC: 18.4 [95% CI: 14.8-22.0; p<0.001] and specialty (PCC vs SATC: 5.9 [95% CI: 2.6-9.2; p<0.001] QHI scores. Additionally, the mean composite QHI score was 4.6 (95% CI: 2.0-7.2; p<0.001) points higher in participants with long term (>3 months) experience with OAT compared to participants newly initiating OAT. In summary, PWID with OUD receive greater primary care and specialty healthcare services when receiving OAT at PCCs supported by tele-education relative to treatment as usual provided in SATCs. Clinical trial registration: This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov and can be found using the following registration number: NCT04927091.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel J. Bromberg
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | | | - Katherine LaMonaca
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Iryna Pykalo
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- European Institute on Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | | | - Denise Esserman
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Maxim Polonsky
- Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, CA, United States of America
| | | | - Olga Morozova
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Biological Sciences Division, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Sergii Dvoriak
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Frederick L. Altice
- Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
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Kashnitsky D, Richter JM. 'In Short, We Will Deport You': Disrupted temporalities of migrants with HIV in Russia. Glob Public Health 2022; 17:2841-2853. [PMID: 34842038 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2021.2002923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Migrants experience several challenges en route to or in their host country. Current legislation in Russia imposes a permanent ban on international migrants with HIV obtaining a residence permit in Russia. Using qualitative methodology, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 international migrants who have lived with HIV in Russia and 12 interviews with healthcare providers in Russia. With the help of Bonnington's temporal framework, the study finds that the HIV-positive status of migrants becomes a biographical event that interrupts their migration cycle, thereby leading to the disruption of their normal life course which results in 'short term planning' and instability. Although most people living with HIV face similar challenges, Russian law concerning international migrants living with HIV worsens their living experience in Russia. International migrants living with HIV further face social exclusion, serious stigma and discrimination. The results show that the country's demand for migrants with HIV to leave the country to reduce the spread of HIV in Russia is counterproductive: it does not mobilise heath-seeking behaviour among migrants. Therefore, such legislation has to be amended to encourage international migrants living with HIV to access adequate HIV services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kashnitsky
- Institute of Social Policy, National Research University, Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
| | - Jibril Mohammed Richter
- School of Politics and Governance, National Research University, Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
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Liberman AR, Bromberg DJ, Litz T, Kurmanalieva A, Galvez S, Rozanova J, Azbel L, Meyer JP, Altice FL. Interest without uptake: A mixed-methods analysis of methadone utilization in Kyrgyz prisons. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276723. [PMID: 36282864 PMCID: PMC9595522 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV incidence continues to increase in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), in large part due to non-sterile injection drug use, especially within prisons. Therefore, medication-assisted therapy with opioid agonists is an evidence-based HIV-prevention strategy. The Kyrgyz Republic offers methadone within its prison system, but uptake remains low. Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is a framework for identifying people who would potentially benefit from methadone, intervening to identify OUD as a problem and methadone as a potential solution, and providing referral to methadone treatment. Using an SBIRT framework, we screened for OUD in Kyrgyz prisons among people who were within six months of returning to the community (n = 1118). We enrolled 125 people with OUD in this study, 102 of whom were not already engaged in methadone treatment. We conducted a pre-release survey followed by a brief intervention (BI) to address barriers to methadone engagement. Follow-up surveys immediately after the intervention and at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after prison release assessed methadone attitudes and uptake. In-depth qualitative interviews with 12 participants explored factors influencing methadone utilization during and after incarceration. Nearly all participants indicated favorable attitudes toward methadone both before and after intervention in surveys; however, interest in initiating methadone treatment remained very low both before and after the BI. Qualitative findings identified five factors that negatively influence methadone uptake, despite expressed positive attitudes toward methadone: (1) interpersonal relationships, (2) interactions with the criminal justice system, (3) logistical concerns, (4) criminal subculture, and (5) health-related concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda R. Liberman
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Daniel J. Bromberg
- Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Taylor Litz
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Ainura Kurmanalieva
- AIDS Foundation East-West (AFEW) in the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
| | - Samy Galvez
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Julia Rozanova
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Lyu Azbel
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Jaimie P. Meyer
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Frederick L. Altice
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, New Haven, CT, United States of America
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The role of depression in secondary HIV transmission among people who inject drugs in Vietnam: A mathematical modeling analysis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275995. [PMID: 36240142 PMCID: PMC9565425 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Among people who inject drugs (PWID), depression burden is high and may interfere with HIV prevention efforts. Although depression is known to affect injecting behaviors and HIV treatment, its overall impact on HIV transmission has not been quantified. Using mathematical modeling, we sought to estimate secondary HIV transmissions and identify differences by depression among PWID. Methods We analyzed longitudinal data from 455 PWID living with HIV in Vietnam during 2009–2013. Using a Bernoulli process model with individual-level viral load and behavioral data from baseline and 6-month follow-up visits, we estimated secondary HIV transmission events from participants to their potentially susceptible injecting partners. To evaluate differences by depression, we compared modeled transmissions per 1,000 PWID across depressive symptom categories (severe, mild, or no symptoms) in the three months before each visit. Results We estimated a median of 41.2 (2.5th, 97.5th percentiles: 33.2–49.2) secondary transmissions from all reported acts of sharing injection equipment with 833 injecting partners in the three months before baseline. Nearly half (41%) of modeled transmissions arose from fewer than 5% of participants in that period. Modeled transmissions per 1,000 PWID in that period were highest for severe depressive symptoms (100.4, 80.6–120.2) vs. mild (87.0, 68.2–109.4) or no symptoms (78.9, 63.4–94.1). Transmission estimates fell to near-zero at the 6-month visit. Conclusions Secondary transmissions were predicted to increase with depression severity, although most arose from a small number of participants. Our findings suggest that effective depression interventions could have the important added benefit of reducing HIV transmission among PWID.
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Lee YG, Zhakupova G, Vinogradov V, Paine EA, Laughney CI, Reeder K, Davis A, Hunt T, Mergenova G, Primbetova S, Terlikbayeva A, Wu E. Polydrug Use, Sexual Risk, and HIV Testing Among Cisgender Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men and Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals Who Have Sex With Men in Kazakhstan. AIDS EDUCATION AND PREVENTION : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR AIDS EDUCATION 2022; 34:413-426. [PMID: 36181500 PMCID: PMC10662254 DOI: 10.1521/aeap.2022.34.5.413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study examined substance use and sexual risk correlates of HIV testing among cisgender gay, bisexual, and other men (MSM) and transgender and nonbinary individuals (TSM) who have sex with men in Kazakhstan. We analyzed baseline data from an HIV prevention trial collected prior to intervention deployment (N = 304). Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that lifetime HIV testing was positively associated with poly-drug use (AOR = 4.4, 95% CI [2.0, 9.9]) and negatively with sexual risk (AOR = 0.4, 95% CI [0.2, 1.0]). Similarly, recent HIV testing was positively associated with polydrug use (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI [1.4, 5.2]) and negatively with sexual risk (AOR = 0.5, 95% CI [0.3, 0.9]). Current HIV testing was negatively associated with sexual risk (AOR = 0.6, 95% CI [0.3. 0.9]). Findings support the value of integrating drug treatment with HIV testing among MSM and TSM in Kazakhstan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Gun Lee
- Social Intervention Group, Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gulnara Zhakupova
- Columbia University Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Vitaliy Vinogradov
- Columbia University Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Emily Allen Paine
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University and the New York Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Kelsey Reeder
- Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alissa Davis
- Social Intervention Group, Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, New York, USA
| | - Timothy Hunt
- Social Intervention Group, Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gaukhar Mergenova
- Columbia University Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Sholpan Primbetova
- Columbia University Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Assel Terlikbayeva
- Columbia University Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Elwin Wu
- Social Intervention Group, Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, New York, USA
- Columbia University Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Almaty, Kazakhstan
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Kerr L, Smith DG, Kendall C, Leal M, Maia Macena RH, Mota RMS, de Almeida RLF. HIV testing inside Brazilian female prisons: results of a national survey. AIDS Care 2022; 35:841-849. [PMID: 36129412 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2022.2119469] [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: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to identify the prevalence of women in prisons who have already had an HIV test inside prison and the factors associated with this test. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 1327 women in 15 prisons in 9 states in Brazil. Almost 60% (95% CI: 57.8-63.7) of women have already been tested for HIV in prison. The factors associated with this HIV test were age ≥41 years (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.2-2.9), highest level of education (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.3-2.8), having been arrested 3 or more times (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.3-2.8), having received information about HIV/STI in the lifetime (OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.1-1.9) and perceived themselves to be at no risk for HIV infection (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.2-2.5), black or mixed race (OR = 0.7; 95% CI = 0.5-0.9) and having a male sexual partner (OR = 0.6; 95% CI = 0.5-0.9). The routine HIV testing in prisons needs to be expanded to promote HIV prevention for a population with limited access to these services outside of prison.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ligia Kerr
- Department of Community Health, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | | | - Carl Kendall
- Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane University, New Orleans, USA
| | - Marto Leal
- Department of Community Health, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
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Fazel S, Bromberg DJ, Altice FL. HIV, substance use, and mental health care in prisons. Lancet Psychiatry 2022; 9:694-695. [PMID: 35843228 PMCID: PMC9827418 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(22)00243-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Seena Fazel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Daniel J Bromberg
- Yale School of Public Health and Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Yale School of Public Health and Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Ivasiy R, Madden LM, Farnum SO, Shumskaya N, de Leon SJG, Bromberg DJ, Kurmanalieva A, Duishenaliev A, Tokubaev R, Altice FL. Implementation opportunities for scaling up methadone maintenance treatment in Kyrgyzstan: Methadone dosage and retention on treatment over two years. DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE REPORTS 2022; 4:100075. [PMID: 36267100 PMCID: PMC9581459 DOI: 10.1016/j.dadr.2022.100075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Background Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is the most effective and cost-effective strategy to control HIV in Central Asian countries, where the epidemic is concentrated among people who inject drugs (PWID) who use opioids. Methods Using data from a prospective observational database of all people initiated on MMT in Kyrgyzstan since 2008, we analyzed a more contemporary subset of data for all persons receiving MMT from January 2017 through June 2021 after the national treatment guidelines were changed. Retention on MMT was assessed at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months and predictive variables included were dosage levels, HIV status, and type of clinical setting using survival analysis. Predictors of treatment dropout were estimated using Cox multivariate regression models. Results Among the 940 MMT patients, the proportion receiving low (<40mg), medium (40-85mg), and high (>85mg) dosage levels was 37.9%, 42.2%, and 19.9%, respectively. Increasing MMT dosage level was significantly (p<0.0001) correlated with retention at 1 (90%, 98%, 100%), 6 (42%, 63%, 95%), 12 (33%, 55%, 89%), and 24 (16%, 45%, 80%) months, respectively, with no differences between community and correctional settings. Significant predictors of dropout at 12 months included low (aHR=8.0; 95%CL=5.8-11.0) and medium (aHR=3.5; 95%CL=2.5-4.9) methadone dosage level relative to high dose, receiving MMT in three administrative regions relative to the capital Bishkek, and lower in the tuberculosis-specialized clinic in Bishkek. Clients with HIV receive higher average MMT doses (79.5mg vs 63.1mg; p<0.0001), but MMT retention did not differ after controlling for dosage in this group. Conclusions The proportion of patients receiving optimal dosage was low (19.9%). An implementation strategy that focused on getting a larger proportion of MMT on the optimal dosage to promote retention could potentially improve the quality of existing treatment and promote further scale-up of MMT in Kyrgyzstan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Ivasiy
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, 135 College Street, Suite 355, New Haven, CT 06511 USA
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS at Yale University, New Haven, USA
| | - Lynn M. Madden
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, 135 College Street, Suite 355, New Haven, CT 06511 USA
- APT Foundation, New Haven, USA
| | - Scott O. Farnum
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, 135 College Street, Suite 355, New Haven, CT 06511 USA
- APT Foundation, New Haven, USA
| | - Natalia Shumskaya
- Public Foundation “AIDS Foundation East-West in the Kyrgyz Republic”, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
| | - Samy J. Galvez de Leon
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, 135 College Street, Suite 355, New Haven, CT 06511 USA
| | - Daniel J. Bromberg
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS at Yale University, New Haven, USA
| | - Ainura Kurmanalieva
- Public Foundation “AIDS Foundation East-West in the Kyrgyz Republic”, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
| | | | | | - Frederick L. Altice
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, 135 College Street, Suite 355, New Haven, CT 06511 USA
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, USA
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Wang Y, Li F, Blaha O, Meng C, Esserman D. Design and analysis of partially randomized preference trials with propensity score stratification. Stat Methods Med Res 2022; 31:1515-1537. [PMID: 35469503 PMCID: PMC10530658 DOI: 10.1177/09622802221095673] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
While the two-stage randomized design allows us to unbiasedly evaluate the impact of patients' treatment preference on the outcome of interest, it may not always be practical to implement in clinical practice; patients with a strong preference may not be willing to be randomized. The more pragmatic, partially randomized preference design (PRPD) allows patients who are unwilling to be randomized, but willing to state their preference, to receive their preferred treatment in lieu of the first-stage randomization in the two-stage design, at the cost of potentially introducing bias in estimating the effects of interest. In this article, we consider the application of propensity score stratification (PSS) in a PRPD to recreate a conditional first-stage randomization based on observed covariates, enabling the estimation and inference of the overall treatment, selection and preference effects with minimum bias. We additionally derive a set of closed-form sample size formulas for detecting all three effects of interest in a PSS-PRPD. Simulation studies demonstrate the bias reduction properties of the PSS-PRPD, and validate the accuracy of the proposed sample size formulas. Our results show that 5 to 10 propensity score strata may be needed to correct for biases in effect estimates, and the exact number of strata needed to achieve the best match between the empirical power and formula prediction may depend on the degree of effect heterogeneity. Finally, we demonstrate our proposed formulas by estimating the required sample sizes to detect treatment, selection and preference effects in the context of the Harapan Study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumin Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, 50296Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Fan Li
- Department of Biostatistics, 50296Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Ondrej Blaha
- Department of Biostatistics, 50296Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Can Meng
- Department of Biostatistics, 50296Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Denise Esserman
- Department of Biostatistics, 50296Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Dorgay CE, Bromberg DJ, Doltu S, Litz T, Galvez S, Polonsky M, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. A pilot implementation study to scale-up methadone in incarcerated persons with opioid use disorder and retain them on treatment after release in Moldova. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 104:103683. [PMID: 35417790 PMCID: PMC9827420 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eastern Europe and Central Asia have intertwined HIV and incarceration epidemics, concentrated in people who inject drugs. Moldova is one of the few countries in this region that offers methadone within prisons, but uptake and post-release retention remains suboptimal. Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) procedures are a potential implementation strategy to address this problem. METHODS From June 1, 2017 to March 3, 2018, we conducted a 2-stage SBIRT strategy in nine prisons and four pre-trial detention facilities in Moldova among incarcerated persons with opioid use disorder (OUD; N = 121) and within 90 days of release. Survey results were analyzed to evaluate the effect of the SBIRT strategy on the uptake of and post-release retention on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). RESULTS Among the 121 screened with OUD, 27 were on MMT at baseline within the prison and this number increased to 41 after the two-step SBIRT intervention, reflecting a 51.9% increase over baseline. Eleven (78.6%) of the 14 participants that newly started MMT did so only after completing both SBIRT sessions. The brief intervention did not significantly improve knowledge about methadone but did improve attitudes towards it. Among the 41 participants who received methadone during this trial, 40 (97.6%) were retained 6 months after release; the one participant not retained was on methadone at the time of the intervention and had planned to taper off. CONCLUSION The SBIRT strategy significantly improved participant attitudes, but treatment initiation mostly occurred after completing both sessions, including soon after release, but remained low overall. Work within the Moldovan prison subculture to dispel negative myths and misinformation is needed to further scale-up OAT in Moldova.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coriann E Dorgay
- Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, 60 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States
| | - Daniel J Bromberg
- Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, 60 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States; Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, 135 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States
| | - Svetlana Doltu
- Act For Involvement, 7A Varșovia street, Chișinău, 2060, Republic of Moldova
| | - Taylor Litz
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, 135 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States
| | - Samy Galvez
- Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, 135 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States; Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, 135 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States
| | - Maxim Polonsky
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, 135 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States
| | - Sergey Dvoryak
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, 5 Biloruska Str. Office 20, 27, Kyiv, 04050 Ukraine
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, 60 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States; Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, 135 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States; Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, 135 College Street, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States; University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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He H, Ou Z, Yu D, Li Y, Liang Y, He W, Gao Y, Wu F, Chen Q. Spatial and Temporal Trends in HIV/AIDS Burden Among Worldwide Regions From 1990 to 2019: A Secondary Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:808318. [PMID: 35646986 PMCID: PMC9133478 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.808318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PurposeHIV/AIDS is a critical public health concern worldwide. This article investigated the spatial and temporal trends in HIV/AIDS burden from 1990 to 2019.MethodsData were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) and the age-standardized rate (ASR) were used to quantify the change in trends at the global, regional, and national levels.ResultsIn terms of temporal trends, during the period 1990–2004, increasing trends in prevalence (EAPC = 7.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.84, 9.12), death (EAPC = 10.85, 95% CI 8.90–12.84), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) (EAPC = 10.40, 95% CI 8.47–12.36) of HIV/AIDS were observed. During the period 2005–2019, the global trends in HIV/AIDS incidence, death, and DALYs of HIV/AIDS decreased, with the EAPCs of −2.68 (95% CI−2.82–−2.53), −6.73 (95% CI −6.98–−6.47), and −6.75 (95% CI −6.95–−6.54), respectively. However, the disease prevalence showed a slight increasing trend (EAPC = 0.71, 95% CI 0.54–0.87). In terms of spatial trends, over the past 15 years, trends in HIV/AIDS incidence of HIV/AIDS appeared upward in High-middle and High sociodemographic index (SDI) areas (EAPC = 6.51, 95% CI 5.50–7.53; EAPC = 2.31, 95% CI 2.02–2.60, respectively).ConclusionDecreasing trends in HIV/AIDS incidence, death, and DALYs have been observed worldwide over the past 15 years, especially in death and DALYs rates. However, the global population living with HIV/AIDS is still increasing. It is worth noting that an unfavorable trend emerged in High-middle and High SDI areas. Prevention and control of HIV/AIDS still need to be strengthened to counteract these concerning trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zejin Ou
- Key Laboratory of Occupational Environment and Health, Guangzhou Twelfth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Danfeng Yu
- Department of MICU, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongzhi Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanhao Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenqiao He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuhan Gao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fei Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Qing Chen
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Larney S, Madden A, Marshall AD, Martin NK, Treloar C. A gender lens is needed in hepatitis C elimination research. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 103:103654. [PMID: 35306279 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organisation has established a goal of eliminating the hepatitis C virus (HCV) as a public health threat by 2030. Considerable effort is being directed towards research to support and enhance HCV treatment uptake among people who inject drugs, but there is a distinct lack of attention given to gender in this work. We argue that a gender lens is needed to make visible the limitations of current HCV elimination research, and support the development of innovative, inclusive approaches to HCV treatment. Partnerships between researchers and people who inject drugs are essential in this work, particularly in the development and evaluation of programs by and for women who inject drugs. Failure to acknowledge the gendered dimensions of HCV elimination risks entrenching gender disparities in access to treatment and cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Larney
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, University of Montreal, Canada; Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Canada.
| | - Annie Madden
- The Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Alison D Marshall
- The Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia; The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Natasha K Martin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, USA; School of Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Carla Treloar
- The Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Australia
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O'Hara GL, Liberman AR, Polonsky M, Azbel L, Marcus R, Doltu S, Cugut S, Altice FL. Multi-level implementation factors that influence scale-up of methadone maintenance treatment in Moldovan prisons: A qualitative study. J Subst Abuse Treat 2022; 136:108660. [PMID: 34801282 PMCID: PMC10879837 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION People who inject drugs (PWID) are overrepresented in prison populations, especially in the Eastern European and Central Asian region (EECA), where HIV incidence and mortality continue to rise. Modeling data suggest that methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) scale-up in prison with continuation after release could substantially reduce new HIV infections. Moldova, one of four countries in the EECA to have introduced MMT in prisons, has faced challenges with its scale-up. METHOD To improve implementation of MMT in Moldovan prisoners, we analyzed the qualitative interviews of 44 recently released Moldovan prisoners with opioid use disorder who either accepted or rejected MMT while incarcerated; these 44 were among a subset of 56 participants in a quantitative survey who had complete interview data. After translating and back-translating interviews, we used content analysis to identify key barriers and facilitators to MMT uptake. RESULTS Our qualitative analyses revealed that positive attitudes toward methadone facilitated treatment uptake, yet the study identified three thematic barriers as to why PWID do not accept MMT while in prison, including: 1) negative personal attitudes toward MMT; 2) stigmatization of MMT by informal hierarchies within prison; and 3) distrust of the formal prison hierarchy (i.e., administration), which provides MMT. CONCLUSION Overall, the social forces of the two prisoner hierarchies and distrust between them appeared to outweigh the perceived benefits of MMT and impacted MMT uptake. Here we provide strategies to promote MMT more effectively in prison settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- George L O'Hara
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Amanda R Liberman
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
| | - Maxim Polonsky
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Lyuba Azbel
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Ruthanne Marcus
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
| | - Svetlana Doltu
- Act for Involvement (AFI) Nongovernmental organization, Varșovia St 2060, Chișinău 2060, Republic of Moldova
| | - Sergiu Cugut
- Act for Involvement (AFI) Nongovernmental organization, Varșovia St 2060, Chișinău 2060, Republic of Moldova.
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Yale University School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, 60 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
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Wu K, Tie Y, Dasgupta S, Beer L, Marcus R. Injection and Non-Injection Drug Use Among Adults with Diagnosed HIV in the United States, 2015-2018. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:1026-1038. [PMID: 34536178 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03457-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Understanding behavioral characteristics and health outcomes of people with HIV (PWH) who inject drugs and PWH who use drugs, but do not inject, can help inform public health interventions and improve HIV clinical outcomes. However, recent, nationally representative estimates are lacking. We used 2015-2018 Medical Monitoring Project data to examine health outcome differences among adults with diagnosed HIV who injected drugs or who only used non-injection drugs in the past year. Data were obtained from participant interviews and medical record abstraction. We reported weighted percentages and prevalence ratios with predicted marginal means to assess differences between groups (P < 0.05). PWH who injected drugs were more likely to engage in high-risk sex; experience depression and anxiety symptoms, homelessness, and incarceration; and have lower levels of care retention, antiretroviral therapy adherence, and viral suppression. Tailored, comprehensive interventions are critical for improving outcomes among PWH who use drugs, particularly among those who inject drugs.
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Soltobekova N, Kozukeev T, Yiehdego G, Labib F, Hovhannesyan A, Rossi R. Time to start of tuberculosis treatment in penitentiary system of Kyrgyz Republic: A retrospective cohort study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264252. [PMID: 35263370 PMCID: PMC8906629 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Tuberculosis burden among the incarcerated population is generally higher than that of general population. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment are key strategies to contain disease transmission. The aim of this study was to determine the time to treatment initiation among inmates with new smear or Xpert MTB/RIF positive pulmonary tuberculosis and explore risk factors associated with delayed treatment initiation in prison settings.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort study using routine health care data from prison settings in Kzrgyz Republic on new pulmonary tuberculosis patients confirmed by smear microscopy or GeneXpert MTB/RIF during 2014–2019. We computed delay in start of treatment—days from specimen collection to treatment initiation—for exposure variables. We dichotomized treatment delay using 10-day cut-off point,and used logistic regression to identify factors associated with treatment delay.
Results
Among 406 cases included into analysis, the median delay to treatment initiation was 7 days [IQR: 2–16 days]. Using 10-day cut-off, 189 (46.6%) patients had delayed treatment initiation. Treatment delay was negatively associated with smear positivity [adjusted OR (aOR) = 0.44, 95% CI 0.29–0.68] compared to smear negative patients, while patients with isoniazid resistant (aOR = 2.61, 95%CI 1.49–4.56) and rifampicin resistant tuberculosis (aOR = 4.14, 95%CI 2.56–6.77) had increased delay compared to patients who were sensitive for both rifampicin and isoniazid.
Conclusion
Timely diagnosis and effective treatment remain the cornerstone of TB control program populations in the general and in prison settings in particular. Prison authorities need to address all potential areas of delay in TB diagnosis and treatment to strengthen their TB control efforts so that prisons remain free of TB for detainees, prison staff and visitors. These include improved supply of TB drugs, early detection of TB cases and improved collaboration with the health authorities outside the prison system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazgul Soltobekova
- Department for Medical and Sanitary Services of the State Service for Execution of Punishment, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
| | - Turatbek Kozukeev
- International Committee of the Red Cross, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
- * E-mail: (GY); (RR); (TK)
| | - Ghirmai Yiehdego
- International Committee of the Red Cross, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
- * E-mail: (GY); (RR); (TK)
| | - Fatah Labib
- International Committee of the Red Cross, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
- National Center of Phthisiology, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
| | | | - Rodolfo Rossi
- International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (GY); (RR); (TK)
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Bachireddy C, Shrestha R, Bromberg DJ, Azbel L, Kurmanalieva A, Wegman M, Shumskaya N, Rozanova J, Meyer JP, Altice FL. Methadone within prison and linkage to and retention in treatment upon community release for people with opioid use disorder in Kyrgyzstan: Evaluation of a national program. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 101:103558. [PMID: 34915426 PMCID: PMC9998103 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV incidence in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) continues to increase, primarily among people who inject drugs (PWID) and people in prisons. In Kyrgyzstan, an estimated 35% of people in prison are PWID, and 10% have been diagnosed with HIV. In 2008, Kyrgyzstan became the first country in EECA to provide free and voluntary methadone in prisons. We examine the impact of this national program on methadone within prison as well as linkage to and retention in treatment upon release to the community. METHODS Administrative data from a national methadone registry with de-identified information were assessed retrospectively. We examined the delivery of methadone services, including the duration of treatment both within prison and after release, for all prisoners who were prescribed methadone in Kyrgyz prisons from 2008 to 2018. Reasons for discontinuing methadone, HIV status and methadone dose are also analyzed. RESULTS Between 2008 and 2018, nine of Kyrgyzstan's 16 prisons offered methadone, and 982 incarcerated people initiated methadone within prison. Prisoners prescribed methadone were mostly male (96.2%), in their mid-30s (mean=34.9 years), and had been incarcerated for a relatively long time (mean = 44.1 months); their mean treatment duration in prison was 12.5 months, and 31.6% had HIV. A subsample (N = 645; 65.7%) of these were released to the community. Of these 645 people, 356 (55.2%) were not taking methadone at the time of release, 128 (19.8%) were on methadone and continued it after release, and the remainder (N=161, 25.0%) were on methadone at the time of release, but subsequently discontinued it, most within the first 7 days after release. Among those continuing methadone, 14.8% (N=19) remained on treatment ≥ 12 months. Independent correlates of linkage to methadone after release included positive HIV status (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR)=1.55; p = 0.033), receipt of methadone before their incarceration (aHR=2.01; p = 0.039), and receipt of methadone at the time of release (aHR = 20.81; p<0.001). CONCLUSION This is the first evaluation of within-prison methadone treatment in EECA. Uptake of methadone within prison and retention in treatment after release were both low. Continuous maintenance of treatment throughout incarceration is an opportunity to optimize HIV prevention and link patients to methadone post-release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chethan Bachireddy
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, United States; Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PS, United States
| | - Roman Shrestha
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States; Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Daniel J Bromberg
- Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Lyu Azbel
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | | | - Martin Wegman
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Natalya Shumskaya
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Julia Rozanova
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Jaimie P Meyer
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States; Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.
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47
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Gill M, Zaman A, Kallikkadan J, Oladeji O, Adeyemo S, Nkemjika S, Tumenta T, Madubuike S, Singh G, Olaolu O, Olupona T. Sociodemographic Attributes and Prevalence of Arrest With Possession of Substances in Incarcerated Population in the United States. Cureus 2022; 14:e22379. [PMID: 35321067 PMCID: PMC8935861 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.22379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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48
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Stone J, Artenie A, Hickman M, Martin NK, Degenhardt L, Fraser H, Vickerman P. The contribution of unstable housing to HIV and hepatitis C virus transmission among people who inject drugs globally, regionally, and at country level: a modelling study. Lancet Public Health 2022; 7:e136-e145. [PMID: 35012711 PMCID: PMC8848679 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(21)00258-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A considerable proportion of people who inject drugs are unstably housed. Although unstable housing is associated with HIV and HCV infection among people who inject drugs, its contribution to transmission is unknown. We estimated the global and national proportions of incident HIV and HCV infections among people who inject drugs attributed to housing instability from 2020 to 2029. METHODS In this modelling study, we developed country-level models of unstable housing and HIV and HCV transmission among people who inject drugs in 58 countries globally, calibrated to country-specific data on the prevalences of HIV and HCV and unstable housing. Based on a recently published systematic review, unstably housed people who inject drugs were assumed to have a 39% (95% CI 6-84) increased risk of HIV transmission and a 64% (95% CI 43-89%) increased risk of HCV transmission. We used pooled country-level estimates from systematic reviews on HCV and HIV prevalence in people who inject drugs. Our models estimated the transmission population attributable fraction (tPAF) of unstable housing to HIV and HCV transmission among people who inject drugs, defined as the percentage of infections prevented from 2020 to 2029 if the additional risk due to unstable housing was removed. FINDINGS Our models were produced for 58 countries with sufficient data (accounting for >66% of the global people who inject drugs population). Globally, we project unstable housing contributes 7·9% (95% credibility interval [CrI] 2·3-15·7) of new HIV infections and 11·2% (7·7-15·5) of new HCV infections among people who inject drugs from 2020 to 2029. Country-level tPAFs were strongly associated with the prevalence of unstable housing. tPAFs were greater in high-income countries (HIV 17·2% [95% CrI 5·1-30·0]; HCV 19·4% [95% CrI 13·8-26·0]) than in low-income or middle-income countries (HIV 6·6% [95% CrI 1·8-13·1]; HCV 8·3% [95% CrI 5·5-11·7]). tPAFs for HIV and HCV were highest in Afghanistan, Czech Republic, India, USA, England, and Wales where unstable housing contributed more than 20% of new HIV and HCV infections. INTERPRETATION Unstable housing is an important modifiable risk factor for HIV and HCV transmission among people who inject drugs in many countries. The study emphasises the importance of implementing initiatives to mitigate these risks and reduce housing instability. FUNDING National Institute for Health Research and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and National Institute for Drug Abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Stone
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
| | - Adelina Artenie
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Natasha K Martin
- Division of Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hannah Fraser
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Walker S, Dietze P, Poznyak V, Campello G, Kashino W, Dzhonbekov D, Kiriazova T, Nikitin D, Terlikbayeva A, Nevendorff L, Busse A, Krupchanka D. More than saving lives: Qualitative findings of the UNODC/WHO Stop Overdose Safely (S-O-S) project. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 100:103482. [PMID: 35042142 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103482] [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: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Stop Overdose Safely (S-O-S) initiative-developed in compliance with WHO guidelines-aims to prevent opioid overdose deaths. Under the umbrella of this initiative a multi-country project was implemented in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Ukraine, that involved overdose recognition and response training, including the provision of take-home naloxone (THN). More than 14,000 potential overdose witnesses were trained and more than 16,000 THN kits were distributed across the participating countries. This paper reports on the qualitative component of an evaluation aiming to understand the views and experiences of S-O-S project participants. METHODS Data were drawn from focus group discussions with 257 project participants from across all four countries, including people who use and inject drugs, and others likely to witness an opioid overdose. Data were analysed thematically. RESULTS Findings revealed how past experiences of trauma and loss related to overdose death were common, as was appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the S-O-S training. Participants described how they shared knowledge and skills with others. Empowerment and destigmatising narratives featured prominently, and highlighted how for people who use drugs, feeling valued and cared about-not only by families and friends, but by health care providers, and sometimes police-was a positive outcome of their participation. Nevertheless, findings also revealed how real experiences of fear regarding police intervention was a barrier to carrying naloxone and intervening when faced with an overdose situation. CONCLUSION Our analysis found that the S-O-S project produced positive outcomes that go well beyond saving lives. Despite identifying barriers to THN uptake, our findings support a growing body of evidence that broad access to THN as part of a continuum of care can enhance the health and wellbeing of people who use drugs and their communities, in low- to middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley Walker
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; National Drug Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.
| | - Paul Dietze
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne Victoria, 3004, Australia; National Drug Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Vladimir Poznyak
- Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours Unit, Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Giovanna Campello
- Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section, Drug Prevention and Health Branch, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, P.O. Box 500, A-1400 Vienna, Austria
| | - Wataru Kashino
- Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section, Drug Prevention and Health Branch, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, P.O. Box 500, A-1400 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Tetiana Kiriazova
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, 5 Biloruska Street, Office 20, 27, Kyiv, 04050, Ukraine
| | - Danil Nikitin
- Global Research Institute (GLORI) Foundation, 125 Suyumbaev Street Bishkek, 720011, Kyrgyzstan
| | - Assel Terlikbayeva
- Global Health Research Center of Central Asia (GHRCCA), 38B Shashkina Street, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Laura Nevendorff
- Burnet Institute, Behaviours and Health Risks Program, 85 Commercial Road, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Anja Busse
- Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section, Drug Prevention and Health Branch, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, P.O. Box 500, A-1400 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dzmitry Krupchanka
- Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours Unit, Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland
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50
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Ward Z, Stone J, Bishop C, Ivakin V, Eritsyan K, Deryabina A, Low A, Cepeda J, Kelly SL, Heimer R, Cook R, Altice FL, Litz T, Terlikbayeva A, El-Bassel N, Havarkov D, Fisenka A, Boshnakova A, Klepikov A, Saliuk T, Deshko T, Vickerman P. Costs and impact on HIV transmission of a switch from a criminalisation to a public health approach to injecting drug use in eastern Europe and central Asia: a modelling analysis. Lancet HIV 2022; 9:e42-e53. [PMID: 34895484 PMCID: PMC8762142 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(21)00274-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV incidence is increasing in eastern Europe and central Asia, primarily driven by injecting drug use. Coverage of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and opioid agonist therapy are suboptimal, with many people who inject drugs (PWID) being incarcerated. We aimed to assess whether use of monies saved as a result of decriminalisation of drug use or possession to scale up ART and opioid agonist therapy could control HIV transmission among PWID in eastern Europe and central Asia. METHODS A dynamic HIV transmission model among PWID incorporating incarceration, ART, and opioid agonist therapy was calibrated to Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and St Petersburg (Russia). Country-specific costs for opioid agonist therapy, ART, and incarceration were collated or estimated. Compared with baseline, the model prospectively projected the life-years gained, incremental costs (2018 euros), and infections prevented over 2020-40 for three scenarios. The decriminalisation scenario removed incarceration resulting from drug use or possession for personal use, reducing incarceration among PWID by 24·8% in Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan and 46·4% in St Petersburg; the public health approach scenario used savings from decriminalisation to scale up ART and opioid agonist therapy; and the full scale-up scenario included the decriminalisation scenario plus investment of additional resources to scale up ART to the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target of 81% coverage and opioid agonist therapy to the WHO target of 40% coverage. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios per life-year gained for each scenario were calculated and compared with country-specific gross domestic product per-capita willingness-to-pay thresholds. Costs and life-years gained were discounted 3% annually. FINDINGS Current levels of incarceration, opioid agonist therapy, and ART were estimated to cost from €198 million (95% credibility interval 173-224) in Kyrgyzstan to €4129 million (3897-4358) in Kazakhstan over 2020-40; 74·8-95·8% of these total costs were incarceration costs. Decriminalisation resulted in cost savings (€38-773 million due to reduced prison costs; 16·9-26·1% reduction in overall costs) but modest life-years gained (745-1694). The public health approach was cost saving, allowing each setting to reach 81% ART coverage and 29·7-41·8% coverage of opioid agonist therapy, resulting in 17 768-148 464 life-years gained and 58·9-83·7% of infections prevented. Results were similar for the full scale-up scenario. INTERPRETATION Cost savings from decriminalisation of drug use could greatly reduce HIV transmission through increased coverage of opioid agonist therapy and ART among PWID in eastern Europe and central Asia. FUNDING Alliance for Public Health, US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and National Institute for Drug Abuse, and Economist Intelligence Unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Ward
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jack Stone
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Viktor Ivakin
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | | | - Anna Deryabina
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Andrea Low
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Javier Cepeda
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Robert Heimer
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Frederick L Altice
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Taylor Litz
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Assel Terlikbayeva
- Columbia University Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Nabila El-Bassel
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Denis Havarkov
- Republican Scientific and Practical Center of Medical Technologies, Informatization, Management and Economics of Public Health, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Alena Fisenka
- Republican Scientific and Practical Center of Medical Technologies, Informatization, Management and Economics of Public Health, Minsk, Belarus
| | | | | | | | | | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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