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Anderle RV, de Oliveira RB, Rubio FA, Macinko J, Dourado I, Rasella D. Modelling HIV/AIDS epidemiological complexity: A scoping review of Agent-Based Models and their application. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297247. [PMID: 38306355 PMCID: PMC10836677 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, despite the increasing poverty and inequalities, policies should be designed to deal with population heterogeneity and environmental changes. Bottom-up designs, such as the Agent-Based Model (ABM), can model these features, dealing with such complexity. HIV/AIDS has a complex dynamic of structural factors, risk behaviors, biomedical characteristics and interventions. All embedded in unequal, stigmatized and heterogeneous social structure. To understand how ABMs can model this complexity, we performed a scoping review of HIV applications, highlighting their potentialities. METHODS We searched on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus repositories following the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. Our inclusion criteria were HIV/AIDS studies with an ABM application. We identified the main articles using a local co-citation analysis and categorized the overall literature aims, (sub)populations, regions, and if the papers declared the use of ODD protocol and limitations. RESULTS We found 154 articles. We identified eleven main papers, and discussed them using the overall category results. Most studies model Transmission Dynamics (37/154), about Men who have sex with Men (MSM) (41/154), or individuals living in the US or South Africa (84/154). Recent studies applied ABM to model PrEP interventions (17/154) and Racial Disparities (12/154). Only six papers declared the use of ODD Protocol (6/154), and 34/154 didn't mention the study limitations. CONCLUSIONS While ABM is among the most sophisticated techniques available to model HIV/AIDS complexity. Their applications are still restricted to some realities. However, researchers are challenged to think about social structure due model characteristics, the inclusion of these features is still restricted to case-specific. Data and computational power availability can enhance this feature providing insightful results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Felipe Alves Rubio
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil
| | - James Macinko
- Departments of Health Policy and Management and Community Health Sciences, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Ines Dourado
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Davide Rasella
- Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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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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Dumchev K. Challenges of sexually transmitted infections and sexual health among people who inject drugs. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2022; 35:55-60. [PMID: 34799511 DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000000801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review provides a summary of recently published research on sexually transmitted infections (STI) and related behaviors among people who inject drugs (PWID), covering three major areas: sexual behavior and its role in STI transmission among PWID, multilevel factors associated with STI risk, and strategies addressing sexual health of PWID. This review is timely given the growing priority of combination prevention approaches and integrated care for PWID. RECENT FINDINGS Modern research improves the understanding that PWID have an increased risk of STI, which varies by gender, setting, type of substance used, and presence of mental disorders. Major socioeconomic and structural factors, specific and nonspecific to PWID, facilitate inequality and sexual risk behavior. Sexual transmission continues to contribute substantially to the spread of bloodborne infections among PWID, accounting for at least 10% of new HIV cases according to epidemiological modeling. Despite the substantial evidence that behavioral interventions can improve sexual health and reduce sex-related risks among PWID, there is a research-practice gap, reflected in the scarcity of implementation studies published recently. SUMMARY Integration of sexual health into prevention programs for PWID is essential to curb transmission of STI, including HIV, among PWID and their sexual partners.
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Bellerose M, Zhu L, Hagan LM, Thompson WW, Randall LM, Malyuta Y, Salomon JA, Linas BP. A review of network simulation models of hepatitis C virus and HIV among people who inject drugs. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 88:102580. [PMID: 31740175 PMCID: PMC8729792 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Network modelling is a valuable tool for simulating hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID) and assessing the potential impact of treatment and harm-reduction interventions. In this paper, we review literature on network simulation models, highlighting key structural considerations and questions that network models are well suited to address. We describe five approaches (Erdös-Rényi, Stochastic Block, Watts-Strogatz, Barabási-Albert, and Exponential Random Graph Model) used to model partnership formation with emphasis on the strengths of each approach in simulating different features of real-world PWID networks. We also review two important structural considerations when designing or interpreting results from a network simulation study: (1) dynamic vs. static network and (2) injection only vs. both injection and sexual networks. Dynamic network simulations allow partnerships to evolve and disintegrate over time, capturing corresponding shifts in individual and population-level risk behaviour; however, their high level of complexity and reliance on difficult-to-observe data has driven others to develop static network models. Incorporating both sexual and injection partnerships increases model complexity and data demands, but more accurately represents HIV transmission between PWID and their sexual partners who may not also use drugs. Network models add the greatest value when used to investigate how leveraging network structure can maximize the effectiveness of health interventions and optimize investments. For example, network models have shown that features of a given network and epidemic influence whether the greatest community benefit would be achieved by allocating hepatitis C or HIV treatment randomly, versus to those with the most partners. They have also demonstrated the potential for syringe services and "buddy sharing" programs to reduce disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Bellerose
- Prevention Policy Modeling Lab, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, 90 Smith Street, Boston, MA 02120, United States.
| | - Lin Zhu
- Prevention Policy Modeling Lab, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, 90 Smith Street, Boston, MA 02120, United States
| | - Liesl M Hagan
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control, United States
| | - William W Thompson
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control, United States
| | | | - Yelena Malyuta
- Prevention Policy Modeling Lab, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, 90 Smith Street, Boston, MA 02120, United States
| | - Joshua A Salomon
- Prevention Policy Modeling Lab, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, 90 Smith Street, Boston, MA 02120, United States; Center for Health Policy / Center for Primary Care and Outcomes Research, Stanford University, United States
| | - Benjamin P Linas
- Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Public Health, United States
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Adams JW, Lurie MN, King MRF, Brady KA, Galea S, Friedman SR, Khan MR, Marshall BDL. Decreasing HIV transmissions to African American women through interventions for men living with HIV post-incarceration: An agent-based modeling study. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219361. [PMID: 31306464 PMCID: PMC6629075 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Incarceration and HIV disproportionately impact African American communities. The mass incarceration of African American men is hypothesized to increase HIV acquisition risk for African American women. Interventions optimizing HIV care engagement and minimizing sexual risk behaviors for men living with HIV post-incarceration may decrease HIV incidence. Methods Using an agent-based model, we simulated a sexual and injection drug using network representing the African American population of Philadelphia. We compared intervention strategies for men living with HIV post-incarceration by the number of averted HIV transmissions to women within the community. Three interventions were evaluated: a 90-90-90 scenario scaling up HIV testing, ART provision, and ART adherence; a behavioral intervention decreasing sexual risk behaviors; and a combination intervention involving both. Results The status quo scenario projected 2,836 HIV transmissions to women over twenty years. HIV transmissions to women decreased by 29% with the 90-90-90 intervention, 23% with the behavioral intervention, and 37% with both. The number of men living with HIV receiving the intervention needed in order to prevent a single HIV transmission ranged between 6 and 10. Conclusion Interventions to improve care engagement and decrease sexual risk behaviors post-incarceration for men living with HIV have the potential to decrease HIV incidence within African American heterosexual networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joëlla W. Adams
- Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Mark N. Lurie
- Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Maximilian R. F. King
- Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Kathleen A. Brady
- AIDS Activities Coordinating Office, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Sandro Galea
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Samuel R. Friedman
- National Development and Research Institutes, New York City, New York, United States of America
| | - Maria R. Khan
- Division of Comparative Effectiveness and Decision Science, Department of Population Health, New York University, New York City, New York, United States of America
| | - Brandon D. L. Marshall
- Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Adams JW, Lurie MN, King MRF, Brady KA, Galea S, Friedman SR, Khan MR, Marshall BDL. Potential drivers of HIV acquisition in African-American women related to mass incarceration: an agent-based modelling study. BMC Public Health 2018; 18:1387. [PMID: 30563496 PMCID: PMC6299641 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-6304-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Incarceration can increase HIV risk behaviors for individuals involved with the criminal justice system and may be a driver of HIV acquisition within the community. Methods We used an agent-based model to simulate HIV transmission in a sexual-contact network representing heterosexual African American men and women in Philadelphia to identify factors influencing the impact of male mass incarceration on HIV acquisition in women. The model was calibrated using surveillance data and assumed incarceration increased the number of sexual contacts and decreased HIV care engagement for men post-release. Incarceration of a partner increased the number of sexual contacts for women. We compared a counterfactual scenario with no incarceration to scenarios varying key parameters to determine what factors drove HIV acquisition in women. Results Setting the duration of male high-risk sexual behavior to two years post-release increased the number of HIV transmissions to women by more than 20%. Decreasing post-release HIV care engagement and increasing HIV acquisition risk attributable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) also increased the number of HIV transmissions to women. Changing the duration of risk behavior for women, the proportion of women engaging in higher risk behavior, and the relative risk of incarceration for HIV-infected men had minimal impact. Conclusion The mass incarceration of African American men can increase HIV acquisition in African American women on a population-level through factors including post-release high-risk behaviors, disruption of HIV care engagement among formerly incarcerated men, and increased STI prevalence. These findings suggest that the most influential points of intervention may be programs seeking to reduce male risk behaviors and promote HIV care engagement post-release, as well as STI testing and treatment programs for recently incarcerated men, as well as women with incarcerated partners. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-018-6304-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joëlla W Adams
- Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Mark N Lurie
- Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Maximilian R F King
- Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Kathleen A Brady
- Philadelphia Department of Public Health, AIDS Activities Coordinating Office, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sandro Galea
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samuel R Friedman
- National Development and Research Institutes, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Maria R Khan
- Division of Comparative Effectiveness and Decision Science, Department of Population Health, New York University, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Brandon D L Marshall
- Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
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Abstract
Agent-based modeling is a computational approach in which agents with a specified set of characteristics interact with each other and with their environment according to predefined rules. We review key areas in public health where agent-based modeling has been adopted, including both communicable and noncommunicable disease, health behaviors, and social epidemiology. We also describe the main strengths and limitations of this approach for questions with public health relevance. Finally, we describe both methodologic and substantive future directions that we believe will enhance the value of agent-based modeling for public health. In particular, advances in model validation, comparisons with other causal modeling procedures, and the expansion of the models to consider comorbidity and joint influences more systematically will improve the utility of this approach to inform public health research, practice, and policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Tracy
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, New York 12144, USA;
| | - Magdalena Cerdá
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California 95616, USA;
| | - Katherine M Keyes
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA;
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MARSHALL BRANDONDL, MILLOY MJ. Improving the effectiveness and delivery of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to people who inject drugs. Addiction 2017; 112:580-582. [PMID: 27730702 PMCID: PMC6659115 DOI: 10.1111/add.13597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Given evidence to date, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for people who inject drugs should be implemented alongside efforts to improve access to existing evidence-based HIV prevention interventions, including antiretroviral therapy and opioid agonist treatments. The criminalization and marginalization of people who inject drugs has and will continue to limit the effectiveness of HIV prevention strategies, including PrEP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M.-J. MILLOY
- Urban Health Research Initiative, British Columbia Centre
for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Division of AIDS, Department of Medicine, University of
British Columbia, St Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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