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Kvasnevska Y, Faustova M, Voronova K, Basarab Y, Lopatina Y. Impact of war-associated factors on spread of sexually transmitted infections: a systemic review. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1366600. [PMID: 38645454 PMCID: PMC11026856 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1366600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Statistical data indicate a link between war and the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), then it is necessary to carefully analyze the factors that directly affect the identified pattern in order to overcome this problem. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to systematically analyze the factors that influence the spread of STIs during war. Methods The study included all original research articles and meta-analyses on the impact of war on the spread of sexually transmitted infections that met the following eligibility criteria: (1) articles published exclusively in English; (2) articles published in the period 2013-2023; (3) studies with quantitative, qualitative or mixed design. The search for relevant literature was conducted using four databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Ebsco. Results The articles selected for our systematic review had different research designs and were mainly published as original studies (n = 8) and literature reviews (n = 6). As a result of the evaluation of the selected articles for the systematic review, the authors identified migration, a decrease in access to health care, difficult access to contraception, sexual violence as the most frequent factors directly affecting the spread of STIs during the war. Conclusion This systematic review systematizes data on the impact of hostilities on the spread of STIs and outlines the main factors that contribute to the dissemination of pathogens far beyond the territory at the epicenter of the conflict.Systematic review registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023479808, CRD42023479808.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mariia Faustova
- Microbiology, Virology and Immunology Department, Poltava State Medical University, Poltava, Ukraine
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Serwin K, Scheibe K, Urbańska A, Aksak-Wąs B, Karasińska-Cieślak M, Ząbek P, Siwak E, Cielniak I, Jabłonowska E, Wójcik-Cichy K, Jakubowski P, Bociąga-Jasik M, Witor A, Szymczak A, Szetela B, Parczewski M. Phylodynamic evolution of HIV-1 A6 sub-subtype epidemics in Poland. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29482. [PMID: 38381668 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29482] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) A6 sub-subtype is highly prevalent in Eastern Europe. Over the past decade, the dissemination of the A6 lineage has been expanding in Poland. The recent Russian invasion of Ukraine may further escalate the spread of this sub-subtype. While evolutionary studies using viral sequences have been instrumental in identifying the HIV epidemic patterns, the origins, and dynamics of the A6 sub-subtype in Poland remain to be explored. We analyzed 1185 HIV-1 A6 pol sequences from Poland, along with 8318 publicly available sequences from other countries. For analyses, phylogenetic tree construction, population dynamics inference, Bayesian analysis, and discrete phylogeographic modeling were employed. Of the introduction events to Poland, 69.94% originated from Ukraine, followed by 29.17% from Russia. Most A6 sequences in Poland (53.16%) formed four large clades, with their introductions spanning 1993-2008. Central and Southern Polish regions significantly influenced migration events. Transmissions among men who have sex with men (MSM) emerged as the dominant risk group for virus circulation, representing 72.92% of migration events. Sequences from migrants were found primarily outside the large clades. Past migration from Ukraine has fueled the spread of the A6 sub-subtype and the current influx of war-displaced people maintains the growing national epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Serwin
- Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Immune Deficiency, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Kaja Scheibe
- Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Immune Deficiency, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Anna Urbańska
- Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Immune Deficiency, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Bogusz Aksak-Wąs
- Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Immune Deficiency, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Malwina Karasińska-Cieślak
- Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Immune Deficiency, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Piotr Ząbek
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Siwak
- Department of Adults' Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Iwona Cielniak
- Faculty of Medical Science, Collegium Medicum Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Jabłonowska
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - Kamila Wójcik-Cichy
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | | | - Monika Bociąga-Jasik
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Adam Witor
- Regional Hospital, Out-Patient's Clinic for Immune Deficiency, Chorzów, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Szymczak
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Liver Disease and Acquired Immune Deficiencies, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Bartosz Szetela
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Liver Disease and Acquired Immune Deficiencies, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Miłosz Parczewski
- Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Immune Deficiency, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
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Lopatina Y, Żakowicz AM, Shabarova Z, Ford T, Fonseca FF, Odoke W, van den Hombergh J, Avelino-Silva VI, Benzaken AS, Miles RC. Safeguarding HIV prevention and care services amidst military conflict: experiences from Ukraine. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e014299. [PMID: 38148111 PMCID: PMC10753732 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-014299] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Ukraine stands out among European countries concerning HIV epidemiological data. Since February 2022, the military conflict with Russian forces has posed unprecedented challenges to HIV prevention and care. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a global non-profit organisation with operations in Ukraine since 2009, implemented a preparedness plan to protect staff members and support local facilities in the continuity of care throughout the war. In this manuscript, we describe the strategies adopted by AHF to anticipate the risk of military conflict, steps to implement a preparedness plan, main challenges faced by local staff members and managers, adaptations needed as the conflict evolved, and indicators of HIV care 1 year before and 1 year after the onset of the conflict. Our experience shows that safeguarding the organisation's human resources has been a prerequisite to sustain services throughout the war.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zoya Shabarova
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation Europe Bureau, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Terri Ford
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation Global Program, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Wilfred Odoke
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation Global Program, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Vivian I Avelino-Silva
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation Global Program, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ralph C Miles
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation Global Program, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Wiginton JM, Booth R, Smith LR, Shakya S, da Silva CE, Patterson TL, Pitpitan EV. Effects of a social network intervention on HIV seroconversion among people who inject drugs in Ukraine: moderation by network gender composition. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:165. [PMID: 37940947 PMCID: PMC10631017 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00899-3] [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: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women who inject drugs in Ukraine are disproportionately burdened by HIV. To help address the needs of this population, a greater understanding of how interventions may uniquely benefit women who inject drugs is needed. METHODS Data come from a randomized controlled trial of a social network intervention targeting people who inject drugs in Ukraine (N = 1195). Indexes, plus two of their injection network members, received HIV testing and counseling (control arm) or HIV testing and counseling plus a social network intervention (intervention arm), in which indexes were trained to influence network members' risk behaviors. We used Cox regressions with interaction terms to assess differences in time to HIV seroconversion between arms by network gender composition and gender of the index. For significant interaction terms, we calculated simple effects, generated survival functions using Kaplan-Meier methods, and compared survival curves using log-rank tests. RESULTS At 12 months, there were 45 seroconversions among women (40.0 [28.3, 51.7] per 100 person years) and 111 among men (28.4 [23.1, 33.6] per 100 person years) in the control arm; there were 27 seroconversions among women (17.1 [10.7, 23.6] per 100 person years) and 77 among men (18.7 [14.5, 22.9] per 100 person years) in the intervention arm. Network gender composition (but not gender of the index) moderated the intervention effect on HIV incidence (p < 0.05). Specifically, the intervention appeared to be even more protective against HIV acquisition as female gender composition increased. In the intervention arm, the HIV seroconversion hazard rate was 44% lower with 1 network female; 61% lower with 2 network females; and 72% lower with 3 network females. CONCLUSIONS A greater number of women in an injection network, coupled with the provision of risk-reduction strategies, is associated with HIV risk-mitigation, though the mechanisms through which this occurs remain unclear. Findings can support new research and practice directions that prioritize women who inject drugs and more thoughtfully support their health and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Mark Wiginton
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, USA
- School of Social Work, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA
| | - Robert Booth
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, USA
| | - Laramie R Smith
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, USA
| | - Sajina Shakya
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, USA
| | - Cristina Espinosa da Silva
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, San Diego, USA
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA
| | - Thomas L Patterson
- Departments of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, USA
| | - Eileen V Pitpitan
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, USA.
- School of Social Work, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA.
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Wilczek NA, Brzyska A, Bogucka J, Sielwanowska WE, Żybowska M, Piecewicz-Szczęsna H, Smoleń A. The Impact of the War in Ukraine on the Epidemiological Situation of Tuberculosis in Europe. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6554. [PMID: 37892699 PMCID: PMC10607046 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12206554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ukraine is at the forefront of one of the largest outbreaks of tuberculosis (TB) in Europe, including multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Due to the ongoing armed conflict in this area, there is a significant number of refugees from Ukraine to other European countries. The aim of the study is to emphasize the essence of the problem of the increased incidence of tuberculosis, taking into account the impact of the armed conflict in Ukraine, resulting in the intensification of migration movements. A descriptive epidemiological method was used as the research method. The material was collected by analyzing source statistical data from WHO and statistical yearbooks of selected European countries. Particularly, Ukrainian refugees in Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia are at higher risk of contracting tuberculosis due to factors like migration stress, poor nutrition, and comorbidities. Epidemiological data from these countries show a rise in tuberculosis cases among foreigners, emphasizing the need for European specialists to be more vigilant in this unique situation, focusing on refugees and other vulnerable populations. More research and collaborative efforts are essential to closely monitor and prevent the severe outcomes of tuberculosis transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Anna Wilczek
- The Chair and Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Research Methodology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (A.B.); (J.B.); (W.E.S.); (M.Ż.); (H.P.-S.); (A.S.)
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Kowalski J, Cielniak I, Garbacz-Łagożna E, Cholewińska-Szymańska G, Parczewski M. Comparison of clinical course of Mpox among HIV-negative and HIV-positive patients: A 2022 cohort of hospitalized patients in Central Europe. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29172. [PMID: 37861345 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Mpox has become the most significant orthopoxviral infection among humans. Since May 2022, there has been a multicountry outbreak of mpox across six continents. Retrospective observational cohort study of 94 patients with probable or confirmed mpox of whom 86.2% were hospitalized in Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Warsaw, Poland between May 16 and October 30, 2022. Most patients were young (median age: 31, IQR: 25-43 years), predominantly (88.3%) Polish men who have sex with men exposed most commonly in Poland (82.7%), Spain (6.2%), or Germany (4.9%). The median observed mpox incubation period was 7 (IQR: 4-8) days with the median hospitalization time of 7 (range: 2-24, IQR: 5-11) days. History of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) was common in the group (previous syphilis or hepatitis C virus in 33.3% and 17.3%, respectively, 6.2% of early syphilis or gonorrhea). A significant proportion (n = 43, 45.7%) of mpox cases were people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), all except one were on stable and virologically effective (88.4% with HIV viral load <50 copies/mL) antiretroviral treatment. Chemsex was reported in 34.6% of hospitalized cases, more commonly among people with HIV (48.5% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.029). None of the mpox infected patients presented with advanced HIV infection. Despite the fact that 6.3% of cases presented with >50 skin lesions the course of the disease was self-limited with no severe cases or deaths. There were no significant clinical or laboratory differences or complication rates between patients with and without HIV coinfection. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of mpox in Poland are similar to other countries, but there were no targeted, population oriented interventions or vaccination programs. Mpox diagnosis provided an opportunity to screen and diagnose other STIs. As Central European populations, including refugees from Ukraine, are largely unvaccinated against mpox access to preventive vaccinations and antiviral therapy should be maximized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek Kowalski
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Collegium Medicum, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Warsaw, Poland
- Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Iwona Cielniak
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Collegium Medicum, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Warsaw, Poland
- Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewelina Garbacz-Łagożna
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Collegium Medicum, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Warsaw, Poland
- Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grażyna Cholewińska-Szymańska
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Collegium Medicum, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University, Warsaw, Poland
- Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Miłosz Parczewski
- Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Immune Deficiency, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
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Wiginton JM, Booth R, Eaton LA, Smith LR, da Silva CE, Patterson TL, Pitpitan EV. Injection Drug Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among People who Inject Drugs in Ukraine: A Random-Intercept Latent Transition Analysis. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:3012-3026. [PMID: 36929321 PMCID: PMC10019801 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04024-0] [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] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
HIV transmission in Ukraine is driven in part by unsafe injection drug use and sexual risk behaviors among people who inject drugs. We performed a random-intercept latent transition analysis on responses to 9 binary injection drug use and sexual behavior items from 1195 people who inject drugs with negative HIV status enrolled in a clustered randomized clinical trial of a social network intervention in Odessa, Donetsk, and Nikolayev, Ukraine. We identified 5 baseline classes: "Social injection/equipment-sharing" (11.7%), "Social injection" (25.9%), "High-risk collective preparation/splitting" (17.0%), "Collective preparation/splitting" (11.3%), and "Dealer-facilitated injection" (34.1%). After 12 months, intervention participants were more likely to transition to the "Collective preparation/splitting" class, which featured the fewest risk behaviors. Transitioning from the "Collective preparation/splitting" to the "Social injection/equipment-sharing" class was associated with HIV acquisition for control participants. Research to illuminate the stability of these patterns and how they may benefit from uniquely tailored programming to reduce unsafe behaviors is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Mark Wiginton
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- School of Social Work, College of Health and Human Services, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Robert Booth
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13001 E 17th Place, Fitzsimons Building, 2nd Floor, Suite C2000, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - Lisa A. Eaton
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, Family Studies Building, Storrs, CT 06279 USA
| | - Laramie R. Smith
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Cristina Espinosa da Silva
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science, University of California-San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Thomas L. Patterson
- Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry, University of California-San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Eileen V. Pitpitan
- School of Social Work, College of Health and Human Services, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA 92182 USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
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Sparse data obscure an unchecked Russian HIV epidemic. AIDS 2023; 37:697-699. [PMID: 36815524 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
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