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Palayew A, Knudtson K, Purchase S, Clark S, Possehl L, Healy E, Deutsch S, McKnight CA, Des Jarlais D, Glick SN. HIV risk and prevention among clients of a delivery-based harm reduction service during an HIV outbreak among people who use drugs in northern rural Minnesota, USA. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:102. [PMID: 37533085 PMCID: PMC10394878 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00839-1] [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: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since 2019, multiple HIV outbreaks occurred among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Minnesota. Syringe service programs (SSPs) are evidence-based programs that reduce the spread of HIV. We conducted an assessment of characteristics and HIV risk and prevention among clients of a delivery-based SSP near an HIV outbreak in rural, northern Minnesota. METHODS In the fall of 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of clients of a mobile SSP based in Duluth, Minnesota. Survey topics included demographics, drug use, sexual behavior, HIV testing history, and HIV status. We conducted descriptive analyses and used univariate logistic regression to identify correlates of syringe sharing. The analysis was limited to PWID in the last six months. RESULTS A total of 125 people were surveyed; 77 (62%) were PWID in the last six months. Among these participants, 52% were female and 50% were homeless. Thirty-two percent reported sharing syringes and 45% reported sharing injecting equipment. Approximately one-half (49%) of participants had been tested for HIV in the past year, and none reported being HIV-positive. Individuals reported low condom usage (88% never used), and 23% of participants reported engaging in some form of transactional sex in the last six months. Incarceration in the last year was associated with sharing syringes (odds ratio = 1.4, 95% confidence interval 1.1-1.8). CONCLUSION HIV risk was high among PWID receiving services at this SSP. These data highlight a rural SSP that is engaged with people at risk for HIV and needs additional support to expand harm reduction services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Palayew
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kelly Knudtson
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, WA, Seattle, USA
| | | | | | | | - Elise Healy
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, WA, Seattle, USA
| | - Sarah Deutsch
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, WA, Seattle, USA
| | | | - Don Des Jarlais
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Sara N Glick
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, WA, Seattle, USA.
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Harnpariphan W, Han WM, Supanun R, Ubolyam S, Sophonphan J, Ueaphongsukkit T, Gatechompol S, Tangkijvanich P, Thanprasertsuk S, Khwairakpam G, Ruxrungthan K, Phanuphak P, Matthews GV, Avihingsanon A. High Proportion of Blood-Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among People Deprived of Liberty in a Central Male Prison in Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study 2018-2019. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2022; 38:370-377. [PMID: 35262414 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2021.0134] [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: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Data are lacking or outdated on burden of HIV, viral hepatitis infection, and sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis among people deprived of liberty in the Asia-Pacific region. We aimed to evaluate the proportion of viral hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), HIV, and syphilis infections, and factors associated with HCV, HBV, and HIV infection in a central male prison. A cross-sectional study was performed among 1,028 people deprived of liberty from a central male prison in Bangkok, Thailand. People deprived of liberty were screened for HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis infections during 2018-2019. HBV and HCV were defined as positive hepatitis B surface antigen and positive anti-HCV antibody, respectively. Proportions (95% confidence interval [CI]) of infections were calculated based on the binomial distribution. HBV proportion was reported for different age groups. Risk factors associated with HCV infections were evaluated by logistic regression model. The median age was 38 (interquartile range, 32-50) years, and 6.9% reported use of injection drugs. The proportion of HIV, HBV, anti-HCV, HCV RNA, and syphilis was 2.9% (95% CI, 1.9-4.1), 6.4% (5-8.1), 5.9% (4.6-7.6), 4.2% (3-5.6), and 4.8% (3.5-6.3), respectively. One (0.1%), 7 (0.6%), and 2 (3%) were co-infected with HIV/HBV, HIV/HCV, and HDV/HBV, respectively. HBV proportion differed across age groups: 3.7% in <30 years, 7% in 31-40 years, 9.7% in 41-50 years, and 5.5% in >50 years. Factors associated with HCV infection were older age, lower education level, previous incarceration, and injection drug use. In multivariable models, older age was associated with HBV infection, and men having sex with men was associated with HIV infection. The proportion of blood-borne infections was higher among males than among the general population. HBV vaccination, routine HCV screening, and treatment with pan-genotypic direct-acting antivirals with minimal specialist requirements should be implemented in Thai prisons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Win Min Han
- HIV-NAT, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | | | | | - Sivaporn Gatechompol
- HIV-NAT, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Tuberculosis, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pisit Tangkijvanich
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sombat Thanprasertsuk
- Preventive Medicine, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Giten Khwairakpam
- TREAT Asia/amfAR—The Foundation for AIDS Research, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | | | - Anchalee Avihingsanon
- HIV-NAT, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Tuberculosis, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Allen A, Zaviryukha I, Kiriazova T, Shenoi S, Rozanova J. The Lived Experience of a Newly Diagnosed Older Person With HIV in Ukraine. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2021; 31:2290-2303. [PMID: 34414837 PMCID: PMC8930274 DOI: 10.1177/10497323211026914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Low- and middle-income countries are home to 80% of older people with HIV (OPWH). Ukrainian OPWH experience higher mortality and decreased antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation than younger patients, but there is little data examining OPWH's perspectives around new diagnosis and impact on care. In this study, we examined accounts of 30 newly diagnosed OPWH in Ukraine, exploring challenges faced in the peri-diagnosis period. Themes emerged representing the longitudinal coping process: OPWH (1) viewed themselves as low risk before diagnosis; (2) experienced HIV diagnosis as a traumatic event challenging their self-image; (3) used disclosure to seek support among a small circle of family, friends, or health care providers; (4) avoided disclosure to outsiders including primary care providers for fears of stigma and breaches in confidentiality; (5) viewed age as an asset; and (6) used HIV diagnosis as starting point for growth. These findings highlight the need for age-specific programming to increase HIV knowledge and coping, increase screening, and improve long-term planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Allen
- State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW People with HIV and HCV are concentrated within criminal justice settings globally, primarily related to criminalization of drug use. This review examines updated prevention and treatment strategies for HIV and HCV within prison with a focus on people who inject drugs and the challenges associated with the provision of these services within prisons and other closed settings and transition to the community. RECENT FINDINGS The prevalence of HIV and HCV are several-fold higher in the criminal justice system than within the broader community particularly in regions with high prevalence of injecting drug use, such as Asia, Eastern Europe and North America and where drug use is criminalized. Strategies to optimize management for these infections include routine screening linked to treatment within these settings and medication-assisted treatments for opioid dependence and access to syringe services programs. We build upon the 2016 WHO Consolidated Guidelines through the lens of the key populations of prisoners. Linkage to treatment postrelease, has been universally dismal, but is improved when linked to medication-assisted therapies like methadone, buprenorphine and overdose management. In many prisons, particularly in low-income and middle-income settings, provision of even basic healthcare including mental healthcare and basic HIV prevention tools remain suboptimal. SUMMARY In order to address HIV and HCV prevention and treatment within criminal justice settings, substantial improvement in the delivery of basic healthcare is needed in many prisons worldwide together with effective screening, treatment and linkage of treatment and prevention services to medication-assisted therapies within prison and linkage to care after release.
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