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Jaramillo J, Reyes N, Atuluru P, Payen N, Taylor K, Safren SA, Saber R, Harkness A. Peer ambassador stories: formative qualitative research to enhance the reach of PrEP, HIV testing, and behavioral health treatments to LMSM in South Florida. AIDS Care 2024; 36:569-579. [PMID: 38157344 PMCID: PMC10932813 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2023.2287736] [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: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Existing HIV prevention interventions, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and behavioral health treatments inadequately reach Latino men who have sex with men (LMSM) in the US. This study involved formative research to inform the content, design, and implementation of a scalable, low resource implementation strategy - peer ambassador stories - stories from peers to normalize using PrEP, HIV testing, and behavioral health treatment. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 LMSM to elucidate their content, design, and implementation preferences for peer ambassador stories. Men were asked about story prompts, story contributor characteristics, story platform features, design preferences, and recommendations for enhancing the adoption and use of the peer ambassador technology platform among LMSM. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed via rapid qualitative analysis. Qualitative analyses identified 14 themes within 4 pre-specified domains. Collectively, the themes unified around the central concept that technology-delivered peer ambassador stories require a personalized, relational, culturally relevant touch to be acceptable and appropriate for LMSM. This study suggests that disseminating peer ambassador stories using electronic platforms and audio/video formats may enhance the reach of services and if they are personalized, relational, and culturally relevant. Findings have broad implications for informing other peer-based strategies to mitigate HIV disparities among LMSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jahn Jaramillo
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Nequiel Reyes
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Pranusha Atuluru
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, FL, USA
| | - Naomie Payen
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Kayla Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Rana Saber
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Audrey Harkness
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
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Chimoyi L, Ndini P, Oladimeji M, Seatlholo N, Mawokomatanda K, Charalambous S, Setswe G. Exploring the syndemic interaction between social, environmental and structural contexts of HIV infection in peri-mining areas in South Africa: a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e076198. [PMID: 38521520 PMCID: PMC10961556 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076198] [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: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the syndemic interaction between social, environmental, and structural contexts and HIV infection in peri-mining areas in South Africa. DESIGN Mixed qualitative methods consisting of in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) exploring the interaction between HIV infection and the social, environmental and structural factors affecting people living in the peri-mining areas of South Africa. Themes were analysed following the syndemic theoretical framework. SETTING Participants were recruited from three mining companies and locations in the peri-mining communities surrounding the mining companies in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Northern Cape provinces. PARTICIPANTS Inclusion criteria included mineworkers, healthcare workers, female sex workers (FSWs), injection drug users (IDUs), and other community members, ≥18 years, living in the peri-mining area at the time of participation. Three FGDs were conducted (n=30): 13 men and 17 women aged 18-55 years. IDIs were conducted with 45 participants: mineworkers (n=10), healthcare workers (n=11), FSWs (n=15), truck drivers (n=4) and IDUs (n=5). RESULTS The findings from this study indicate that a syndemic of four socio-behavioural factors is associated with HIV acquisition in peri-mining areas. These are migrancy, accessibility to alcohol and substance use, commercial and transactional sex, and uptake of HIV prevention services. CONCLUSIONS Our findings have implications for HIV prevention programmes in mining companies, which rely on male condom usage promotion. More emphasis on better education about HIV prevalence, transmission and up-to-date prevention alternatives, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis for mineworkers is recommended. Furthermore, collaboration with community-based organisations is recommended to wholly address the syndemic factors influencing HIV transmission in peri-mining communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Chimoyi
- Implementation Research, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Pretty Ndini
- Implementation Research, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Matthew Oladimeji
- Implementation Research, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nieser Seatlholo
- Implementation Research, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Salome Charalambous
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg Faculty of Health Sciences, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Geoffrey Setswe
- Implementation Research, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Health Studies, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
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Wilson EC, Baguso GN, Quintana J, Suprasert B, Arayasirikul S. Detectable viral load associated with unmet mental health and substance use needs among trans women living with HIV in San Francisco, California. BMC Womens Health 2024; 24:56. [PMID: 38254161 PMCID: PMC10802058 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-02885-8] [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: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substance use and mental distress are known barriers to HIV care engagement among trans women. Less is known about access and utilization of mental health and substance use care among trans women and the relationship between unmet behavioral health needs and HIV viral suppression. We examined the relationship between mental health and substance use on HIV viral load among trans women living with HIV. We also examined the relationship between mental health and substance use services needs with HIV care engagement and having a detectable viral load by comparing engagement in care cascades. METHODS Data are from a 2022 baseline assessment for an intervention with trans women living with HIV (n = 42) in San Francisco. Chi-Squared or Fisher's exact tests were conducted to determine associations between HIV viral load, mental health, and substance use. We also examine characteristics associated with each step in the HIV, mental health, and substance use care cascades. RESULTS Most participants were trans women of color (85.7%), 40 years of age or older (80.9%), with low income (88.1%), and almost half were unstably housed (47.6%). Of the 32 participants who screened positive for depression, anxiety and/or psychological distress, 56.3% were referred for mental health services in the past 12 months. Of those who were referred, 44.4% received mental health services. Of the 26 participants who screened positive for a substance use disorder, 34.6% were referred to substance use services in the past 12 months. Of those referred, 33.3% received substance use services in the past 3 months. Latina trans women had a low referral rate to meet their mental health needs (50%) and only 16.7% of African American/Black trans women who screened positive for a substance use disorder were referred for services, while trans women of other race/ethnicities had high referral and services utilization. No significant results were found between HIV viral load and screening positive for a mental health disorder. Methamphetamine use was statistically associated with having a detectable HIV viral load (p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS We identified significant unmet mental health and substance use services needs and noted racial/ethnic disparities in the context of high HIV care engagement among trans women living with HIV. We also found that methamphetamine use was a barrier to having an undetectable viral load for trans women living with HIV. To finally end the HIV epidemic, integration of behavioral health screening, linkage, and support are needed in HIV care services for populations most impacted by HIV, especially trans women. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT, NCT 21-34,978. Registered January 19, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin C Wilson
- Trans Research Unit for Equity, Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
| | - Glenda N Baguso
- Trans Research Unit for Equity, Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, USA
| | - Jerry Quintana
- Trans Research Unit for Equity, Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, USA
| | - Bow Suprasert
- Trans Research Unit for Equity, Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, USA
| | - Sean Arayasirikul
- Trans Research Unit for Equity, Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, USA
- Department of Health, Society, and Behavior, Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, USA
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Baker P, Cepeda JA, Schluth C, Astemborski J, Feder KA, Rudolph J, Sun J, Kirk GD, Mehta SH, Genberg BL. Time-to-completion of COVID-19 vaccination primary series varies by HIV viral load status among people who inject drugs in Baltimore, Maryland. Prev Med Rep 2023; 36:102448. [PMID: 37840593 PMCID: PMC10570701 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
People who inject drugs (PWID) may have diminished access to essential preventive services like COVID-19 vaccination given structural and substance use barriers. We aimed to assess the role of HIV on COVID-19 vaccination uptake among adult PWID participating in the ALIVE cohort study in Baltimore, Maryland who were alive as of April 2021. We abstracted COVID-19 vaccination data from electronic medical records via the regional health information exchange. We used Kaplan-Meier method to estimate time from universal vaccine eligibility (April 6, 2021) to completion of the COVID-19 vaccination primary series (1 dose J&J or 2 doses mRNA) by HIV viral load status (uninfected, PWH [HIV-RNA < 400 copies/mL], PWH [HIV-RNA ≥ 400 copies/mL]) and Cox Proportional Hazards regression to adjust for potential confounders. Our sample (N = 960) was primarily black (77%) and male (65%) with 31% reporting recent injection drug use. Among 265 (27%) people living with HIV (PWH) in our sample, 84% were virally suppressed. As of February 22, 2022, 539 (56%) completed the primary series, 131 (14%) received a single dose of mRNA vaccine and 290 (30%) remained unvaccinated. Compared to PWID without HIV, virally suppressed PWH were more likely to complete the primary series (Adjusted Hazard Ratio [aHR]:1.23,95% Confidence Interval [95 %CI]:1.07,1.50), while PWH who were not virally suppressed were less likely (aHR:0.72,95 %CI:0.45,1.16), although this was not statistically significant. We conclude that among PWID, HIV infection and viral suppression is associated with quicker vaccination uptake, likely due to HIV care engagement. Targeted improvements along the HIV care continuum may bolster vaccine uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter Baker
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, United States
| | - Javier A Cepeda
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States
| | - Catherine Schluth
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States
| | - Jacquie Astemborski
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States
| | - Kenneth A. Feder
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States
| | - Jacqueline Rudolph
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States
| | - Jing Sun
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States
| | - Gregory D. Kirk
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States
- School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Shruti H. Mehta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States
| | - Becky L. Genberg
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States
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Logie CH, Coelho M, Kohrt B, Tsai AC, Mendenhall E. Context, COVID-19 and comorbidities: exploring emergent directions in syndemics and HIV research. Curr Opin HIV AIDS 2022; 17:46-54. [PMID: 35081555 PMCID: PMC11045292 DOI: 10.1097/coh.0000000000000722] [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] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review is to identify themes across articles that aimed to explore HIV-related syndemics in 2020 and 2021 and to discuss their implications for research on syndemics. RECENT FINDINGS We identified 189 articles on syndemics between 2020 and 2021. Key themes across studies included COVID-19; mental health and psychosocial challenges; substance use; socio-structural factors; protective factors; and methodological approaches. COVID-19's implications for HIV syndemic research were discussed. Mental health and substance use research largely examined linkages with sexual practices or reduced HIV care retention. Researchers examined associations between socio-structural variables (e.g. poverty) and elevated HIV exposure, reduced HIV testing and poorer health. Concepts of water insecurity and 'ecosyndemics' were also raised, as was the importance of attending to noncommunicable diseases and comorbidities. Most studies did not assess interactions between health conditions, signalling the need for methodological grounding in the foundational concepts of syndemic theory. SUMMARY Most studies recommended that HIV prevention and care research attend to the interplay between poor mental health, substance use and multidimensional violence. Increased attention to structural factors, particularly exacerbated poverty in the COVID-19 pandemic, is required. Research can identify protective factors to harness to advance HIV prevention and care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen H Logie
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment & Health, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Madelaine Coelho
- Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brandon Kohrt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Alexander C Tsai
- Center for Global Health and Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emily Mendenhall
- Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Kalichman SC, Eaton LA, Kalichman MO. Substance Use-Related Intentional Nonadherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Among Young Adults Living with HIV. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2022; 36:26-33. [PMID: 34905404 PMCID: PMC8905232 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2021.0137] [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: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces HIV disease burden, increases life expectancy, and prevents HIV transmission. Previous research suggests that believing that it is harmful to take ART when using substances (i.e., interactive toxicity beliefs) leads to intentional ART nonadherence; however, these associations have not been investigated among younger adults living with HIV and have not been linked to clinical outcomes. We examined the associations among interactive toxicity beliefs, intentional nonadherence, and HIV clinical outcomes in young adults living with HIV. People living with HIV younger than the age of 36 years who tested positive for at least one substance use biomarker (N = 406) completed a 1-month pretrial run-in study that included computerized interviews, substance use biomarkers, HIV viral load, and unannounced pill counts for ART adherence. Analyses compared three HIV clinical outcome groups: (1) HIV viral unsuppressed, (2) HIV viral suppressed and ART nonadherent, and (3) HIV viral suppressed and ART adherent, on substance use, interactive toxicity beliefs, and substance use-related intentional ART nonadherence. Results showed that a majority of participants reported intentional nonadherence. Participants with unsuppressed HIV reported greater interactive toxicity beliefs and intentional nonadherence. We conclude that intentional nonadherence adds to the detrimental impacts of substance use on ART adherence and interactive toxicity beliefs that foster these behaviors may be amenable to interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth C. Kalichman
- Institute for Collaboration on Health Intervention and Policy (InCHIP), University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.,Address correspondence to: Seth C. Kalichman, PhD, Institute for Collaboration on Health Intervention and Policy (InCHIP), University of Connecticut, 2006 Hillside Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Lisa A. Eaton
- Institute for Collaboration on Health Intervention and Policy (InCHIP), University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Moira O. Kalichman
- Institute for Collaboration on Health Intervention and Policy (InCHIP), University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
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Holloway IW, Beltran R, Shah SV, Cordero L, Garth G, Smith T, Wilson BDM, Ochoa AM. Structural Syndemics and Antiretroviral Medication Adherence Among Black Sexual Minority Men Living With HIV. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2021; 88:S12-S19. [PMID: 34757988 PMCID: PMC8579986 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although HIV antiretroviral treatment (ART) access and uptake have increased among racial/ethnic minority individuals, lower rates of ART adherence and viral suppression persist, especially among Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) compared with their White counterparts. SETTING Black men who have sex with men living with HIV (BMSM+) residing in Los Angeles County (N = 124) were recruited in-person (eg, clinic) and online (eg, social networking apps). METHODS Participants completed a cross-sectional survey measuring demographic characteristics, structural syndemics (poverty, criminal justice involvement, and housing instability), and psychosocial syndemics (mental health and substance use). A text message survey assessed missed doses of ART over the past week. Zero-inflated Poisson regression models were used to evaluate variables associated with the number of missed doses of ART. RESULTS On average, participants missed 1.30 doses of ART (SD = 2.09) and reported structural syndemics: poverty (56.1%), criminal justice involvement (36.6%), housing instability (26.3%), and psychosocial syndemics: childhood sexual abuse (51.8%), intimate partner violence (16.9%), depression (39%), and problem alcohol use (15.5%). After controlling for employment, age, education, and psychosocial syndemics, participants with a one-point increase in structural syndemic indicators were found to be 1.63 times more likely to have missed a dose of ART. CONCLUSIONS Structural syndemic were associated with ART nonadherence among BMSM+ after adjusting for demographic and psychosocial factors. HIV treatment interventions that incorporate financial incentives, legal support, and housing may help improve ART adherence among BMSM+. Findings suggest that key priorities to ending the HIV epidemic must include structural interventions that alleviate poverty, eliminate disproportionate policing and criminalization, and end homelessness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian W. Holloway
- Department of Social Welfare, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Raiza Beltran
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Saanchi V. Shah
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Luisita Cordero
- Department of Social Welfare, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Gerald Garth
- Arming Minorities Against Addiction and Disease (AMAAD) Institute, Los Angeles, CA
| | | | - Bianca D. M. Wilson
- The Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Ayako M. Ochoa
- Department of Social Welfare, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
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Knowledge brokering on infectious diseases for public health. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 47:160-164. [PMID: 34012340 DOI: 10.14745/ccdr.v47i03a06] [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: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The National Collaborating Centres (NCCs) for Public Health (NCCPH) were established in 2005 as part of the federal government's commitment to renew and strengthen public health following the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic. They were set up to support knowledge translation for more timely use of scientific research and other knowledges in public health practice, programs and policies in Canada. Six centres comprise the NCCPH, including the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCCID). The NCCID works with public health practitioners to find, understand and use research and evidence on infectious diseases and related determinants of health. The NCCID has a mandate to forge connections between those who generate and those who use infectious diseases knowledge. As the first article in a series on the NCCPH, we describe our role in knowledge brokering and the numerous methods and products that we have developed. In addition, we illustrate how NCCID has been able to work with public health to generate and share knowledge during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
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Martinez O. A review of current strategies to improve HIV prevention and treatment in sexual and gender minority Latinx (SGML) communities. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2021; 19:323-329. [PMID: 32902348 PMCID: PMC10718306 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1819790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The HIV epidemic continues to disproportionately impact sexual and gender minority Latinxs (SGML). Several syndemic conditions have been linked with HIV acquisition and transmission among SGML including immigration, discrimination, environmental racism, substance use, and mental health. AREAS COVERED We provide a summary of biomedical, behavioral, and social/structural interventions to reduce risks for acquiring HIV and improve outcomes along the HIV care continuum among SGML. We also discuss intervention approaches and opportunities that respond at the intersection of HIV and COVID-19 prevention and treatment. EXPERT OPINION There is a dire need for the combination of biomedical, behavioral, and social/structural interventions to reduce risks for acquiring HIV and improve outcomes along the HIV care continuum. Interventions and combination approaches should be driven by community-based participatory action research. The inclusion of community members in all stages of the research process can assure successful implementation of program activities and deliverables, including the provision of culturally and linguistically appropriate services. Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, which is disproportionately impacting individuals living with HIV and other comorbidities, the elderly, and under-resourced communities with a ferocity not seen in other communities, intervention approaches that respond at the intersection of HIV and COVID-19 prevention and treatment are also urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Martinez
- School of Social Work, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Ouafik M, Buret L, Belche JL, Scholtes B. Mapping the current knowledge in syndemic research applied to men who have sex with men: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e041238. [PMID: 33247024 PMCID: PMC7703413 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionally affected by a number of health conditions that are associated with violence, stigma, discrimination, poverty, unemployment or poor healthcare access. In recent years, syndemic theory provided a framework to explore the interactions of these health disparities on the biological and social levels. Research in this field has been increasing for the past 10 years, but methodologies have evolved and sometimes differed from the original concept. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the existing literature on syndemic theory applied to MSM in order to identify knowledge gaps, inform future investigations and expand our understanding of the complex interactions between avoidable health conditions in a vulnerable population. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The proposed scoping review will follow the methodological framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley with subsequent enhancements by Levac et al, Colquhoun et al and Peters et al as well as the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping review. A systematic search of MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ProQuest Sociological Abstracts will be conducted. Reference lists of the included studies will be hand-searched for additional studies. Screening and data charting will be achieved using DistillerSR. Data collating, summarising and reporting will be performed using R and RStudio. Tabular and graphical summaries will be presented, alongside an evidence map and a descriptive overview of the main results. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This scoping review does not require ethical approval. Data and code will be made accessible after manuscript submission. Final results will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and collaboration with grassroots Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) organisations. REGISTRATION This protocol was registered on manuscript submission on the Open Science Framework at the following address: https://osf.io/jwxtd; DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/JWXTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxence Ouafik
- General Practice Department - Primary Care and Health Research Unit, Liege University, Liege, Belgium
| | - Laetitia Buret
- General Practice Department - Primary Care and Health Research Unit, Liege University, Liege, Belgium
| | - Jean-Luc Belche
- General Practice Department - Primary Care and Health Research Unit, Liege University, Liege, Belgium
| | - Beatrice Scholtes
- General Practice Department - Primary Care and Health Research Unit, Liege University, Liege, Belgium
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