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Vilidnitsky AG, Hernandez RG, Silva C, Fields EL. HIV Testing Deserts and Vulnerability Among Adolescents and Young Adults in Tampa Bay, Florida. J Adolesc Health 2024; 74:1012-1018. [PMID: 38416099 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2024.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) burden among Florida adolescents and young adults (AYA, aged 13-24 years), particularly in Tampa Bay, is among the highest in the nation. We sought to determine the association between zip code-level test site accessibility and AYA HIV burden, compare this association with adult (aged 25-44 years) HIV burden, and identify local AYA HIV testing deserts. We further aimed to identify the association between test site accessibility and population-level markers of social disadvantage. METHODS We geocoded HIV test sites and determined the percent surface area per zip code within 15-minute walking distance to ≥ 1 test sites (PSA15) in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. We calculated Pearson's correlation coefficients for the association of PSA15 and HIV burden by age group and, separately, the association of PSA15 and population-level characteristics. RESULTS Of the 96 zip codes analyzed, 36.5% had a PSA15 for HIV testing of 0%. The association between PSA15 and HIV burden was substantially higher for adults (r = 0.51, p < .001) than for AYA (r = 0.09, p = .38). Overall, we identified four potential AYA testing deserts. We also found that greater PSA15 was correlated with greater %Black/African-American residents (r = 0.32, p = .002), greater %residents living in poverty (r = 0.27, p = .008), and lower child opportunity index scores (r = -0.29, p = .004). DISCUSSION Walking-accessible HIV test sites in Tampa Bay were limited and geographically distributed largely based on adult HIV burden, population-level markers of social disadvantage, and among areas with higher percentages of Black/African-American residents. Test site distribution was less correlated with AYA HIV burden, leaving this population vulnerable across multiple testing deserts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Raquel G Hernandez
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland; Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida
| | - Catherine Silva
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland; Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida
| | - Errol L Fields
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland; Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
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Vandermorris A, Toulany A, McKinnon B, Tam MW, Li Z, Guan J, Stukel T, Fu L, Wang X, Begun S, Harrison ME, Wigle J, Brown HK. Sexual and Reproductive Health Outcomes Among Adolescent Females During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Pediatrics 2024; 153:e2023063889. [PMID: 38303635 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-063889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) posed a significant threat to adolescents' sexual and reproductive health. In this study, we examined population-level pregnancy and sexual health-related care utilization among adolescent females in Ontario, Canada during the pandemic and evaluated relationships between these outcomes and key sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS This was a population-based, repeated cross-sectional study of >630 000 female adolescents (12-19 years) during the prepandemic (January 1, 2018-February 29, 2020) and COVID-19 pandemic (March 1, 2020-December 31, 2022) periods. Primary outcome was pregnancy; secondary outcomes were contraceptive management visits, contraception prescription uptake, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) management visits. Poisson models with generalized estimating equations for clustered count data were used to model pre-COVID-19 trends and forecast expected rates during the COVID-19 period. Absolute rate differences between observed and expected outcome rates for each pandemic month were calculated overall and by urbanicity, neighborhood income, immigration status, and region. RESULTS During the pandemic, lower-than-expected population-level rates of adolescent pregnancy (rate ratio 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.85-0.88), and encounters for contraceptive (rate ratio 0.82; 95% CI:0.77-0.88) and STI management (rate ratio 0.52; 95% CI:0.51-0.53) were observed. Encounter rates did not return to pre-pandemic rates by study period end, despite health system reopening. Pregnancy rates among adolescent subpopulations with the highest pre-pandemic pregnancy rates changed least during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Population-level rates of adolescent pregnancy and sexual health-related care utilization were lower than expected during the COVID-19 pandemic, and below-expected care utilization rates persist. Pregnancy rates among more structurally vulnerable adolescents demonstrated less decline, suggesting exacerbation of preexisting inequities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alene Toulany
- The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Michelle W Tam
- The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontaria, Canada
| | - Zhiyin Li
- University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jun Guan
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thérèse Stukel
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Longdi Fu
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xuesong Wang
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Hilary K Brown
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Skovdal M, Maunzagona T, Dzamatira F, Magoge-Mandizvidza P, Maswera R, Moyo BK, Nyamukapa C, Gregson S. 'Condoms are hard to get by': access to HIV prevention methods during lockdown of the COVID-19 epidemic in eastern Zimbabwe. Glob Health Action 2023; 16:2206207. [PMID: 37133235 PMCID: PMC10158550 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2023.2206207] [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: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the early phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, health services were disrupted worldwide, including HIV prevention services. While some studies have begun to document the effects of COVID-19 on HIV prevention, little has been done to qualitatively examine how lockdown measures were experienced and perceived to affect access to HIV prevention methods in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVES To explore how the COVID-19 pandemic was perceived to affect access to HIV prevention methods in eastern Zimbabwe. METHOD This article draws on qualitative data from the first three data collection points (involving telephone interviews, group discussions, and photography) of a telephone and WhatsApp-enabled digital ethnography. Data were collected from 11 adolescent girls and young women and five men over a 5-month period (March-July 2021). The data were analysed thematically. RESULTS Participants reported widespread interruption to their condom supply when beerhalls were shut down as part of a nationwide lockdown. Restrictions in movement meant that participants who could afford to buy condoms from larger supermarkets or pharmacies were unable to. Additionally, the police reportedly refused to issue letters granting permission to travel for the purpose of accessing HIV prevention services. The COVID-19 pandemic was also described to obstruct the demand (fear of COVID-19, movement restrictions) and supply (de-prioritised, stock-outs) for HIV prevention services. Nonetheless, under certain formal and informal circumstances, such as accessing other and more prioritised health services, or 'knowing the right people', some participants were able to access HIV prevention methods. CONCLUSION People at risk of HIV experienced the COVID-19 epidemic in Zimbabwe as disruptive to access to HIV prevention methods. While the disruptions were temporary, they were long enough to catalyse local responses, and to highlight the need for future pandemic response capacities to circumvent a reversal of hard-won gains in HIV prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten Skovdal
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tanyaradzwa Maunzagona
- Manicaland Centre for Public Health Research, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Freedom Dzamatira
- Manicaland Centre for Public Health Research, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Phyllis Magoge-Mandizvidza
- Manicaland Centre for Public Health Research, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Rufurwokuda Maswera
- Manicaland Centre for Public Health Research, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Constance Nyamukapa
- Manicaland Centre for Public Health Research, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Simon Gregson
- Manicaland Centre for Public Health Research, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Li Z, Qiao S, Ning H, Sun X, Zhang J, Olatosi B, Li X. Place Visitation Data Reveals the Geographic and Racial Disparities of COVID-19 Impact on HIV Service Utilization in the Deep South. AIDS Behav 2023:10.1007/s10461-023-04163-4. [PMID: 37792234 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04163-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented pressure to health care systems, and interrupted health care delivery and access including HIV care in the United States' Deep South, which endures a double epidemic of HIV and COVID-19. Ryan White programs cover HIV care services for over half of PLWH in the Deep South. Given the important role of Ryan White programs, examining the visitation changes to Ryan White facilities during the pandemic offers insights into the impact of the pandemic on HIV healthcare utilization. OBJECTIVES Analyze the geographic distribution of HIV facility visitors at the county level before and during the pandemic in the nine US states of Deep South (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas) to reveal the geographic and racial disparity in visitation disruption caused by the pandemic. METHODS We first extracted mobile device-based visitation data for Ryan White HIV facilities in the Deep South during 2019 and 2020. To quantify the disruption in visitations during 2020, we calculated the visitation reduction rate (VRR) for each county, using 2019 data as the baseline. Next, we conducted a spatial analysis of the VRR values to uncover geographical disparities in visitation interruptions. To investigate racial disparities, we performed spatial regression analyses with VRR as the dependent variable, and the percentages of Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations as the independent variables. In this analysis, we controlled for potential confounders. RESULTS Geographic disparities in visitation reduction were observed, with all nine Deep South states experiencing significant drops. Georgia experienced the highest visitation loss (VRR = -0.58), followed by Texas (-0.47), Alabama (0.47), and Tennessee (-0.46), while South Carolina had the smallest reductions (-0.11). All the regression models consistently revealed racial disparities in visitation interruption. That is, counties with a higher proportion of Black population tended to have higher RW facility visitation reductions. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis revealed distinct geographic disparities in visitation interruptions at Ryan White HIV facilities in the Deep South during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Furthermore, we found that the Black/African American population experienced a greater disruption at the county level in the Deep South during this period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenlong Li
- Geoinformation and Big Data Research Lab, Department of Geography, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
| | - Shan Qiao
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Huan Ning
- Geoinformation and Big Data Research Lab, Department of Geography, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- Department of Geography, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16801, USA
| | - Xiaowen Sun
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Jiajia Zhang
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Bankole Olatosi
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
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Des Jarlais DC, Weng CA, Feelemyer J, McKnight C. COVID-19 vaccination and HIV transmission among persons who inject drugs during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:63. [PMID: 37138304 PMCID: PMC10156073 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00791-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To examine COVID-19 vaccination and HIV transmission among persons who inject drugs (PWID) during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022) in New York City (NYC). METHODS Two hundred and seventy five PWID were recruited from October 2021 to September 2022. A structured questionnaire was used to measure demographics, drug use behaviors, overdose experiences, substance use treatment history, COVID-19 infection, vaccination, and attitudes. Serum samples were collected for HIV, HCV, and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) antibody testing. RESULTS Participants were: 71% male, the mean age was 49 (SD 11), 81% reported at least one COVID-19 immunization, 76% were fully vaccinated and 64% of the unvaccinated had antibodies for COVID-19. Self-reported injection risk behaviors were very low. HIV seroprevalence was 7%. Eighty-nine percent of the HIV seropositive respondents reported knowing they were HIV seropositive and being on antiretroviral therapy prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. There were two likely seroconversions in 518.83 person-years at risk from the March 2020 start of the pandemic to the times of interviews, for an estimated incidence rate of 0.39/100 person-years, 95% Poisson CI 0.05-1.39/100 person-years. CONCLUSIONS There is concern that the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions to HIV prevention services and the psychological stress of the pandemic may lead to increased risk behavior and increased HIV transmission. These data indicate adaptive/resilient behaviors in both obtaining COVID-19 vaccination and maintaining a low rate of HIV transmission among this sample of PWID during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic in NYC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don C Des Jarlais
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, 708 Broadway, 7th Floor, NY, 10003, New York, USA.
| | - Chenziheng Allen Weng
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, 708 Broadway, 7th Floor, NY, 10003, New York, USA
| | - Jonathan Feelemyer
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, 708 Broadway, 7th Floor, NY, 10003, New York, USA
| | - Courtney McKnight
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, 708 Broadway, 7th Floor, NY, 10003, New York, USA
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Dauria E, Rodriguez C, Bauerle Bass S, Tolou-Shams M, Christopoulos K. Implementation strategies to screen, refer and link women involved in the carceral system to PrEP for HIV prevention. Int J Prison Health 2023; 19:10.1108/IJPH-06-2022-0037. [PMID: 37113046 PMCID: PMC11058187 DOI: 10.1108/ijph-06-2022-0037] [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: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Women involved in the carceral system (CS) experience several conditions that increase their risk for HIV (e.g. high rates of substance use, psychiatric disorders, histories of victimization). The purpose of this study is to explore perspectives on potential strategies to connect women in the CS to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH This study conducted in-depth interviews with 27 women involved in the CS eligible for PrEP. Using vignettes, interviews explored attitudes, barriers and facilitators toward PrEP screening, referral and linkage facilitated via a CS stakeholder, an mHealth application or providing PrEP service referrals during detention via a navigator. FINDINGS Most women were, on average, 41.3 years, from racial and ethnic minority groups (56% black/African American; 19% Latinx). Inductive thematic analysis revealed CS involved women expressed mostly positive attitudes toward CS-based PrEP implementation. Younger women were more accepting of and interested in mHealth interventions. Implementation facilitators included leveraging relationships with trusted allies (e.g. "peers") and existing systems collaborations. Recommended implementation strategies included providing HIV and PrEP-specific education and training for system stakeholders and addressing issues related to privacy, system mistrust and stigma. ORIGINALITY/VALUE Results provide a critical foundation for the implementation of interventions to improve PrEP access for women involved in the CS and have important implications for implementation strategies for all adults involved in the CS. Improving access to PrEP among this population may also support progress toward addressing national disparities in PrEP uptake, where women, black and Latinx populations have substantial unmet need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Dauria
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christopher Rodriguez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Sarah Bauerle Bass
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Marina Tolou-Shams
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Katerina Christopoulos
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Ferraz D, Rossi TA, Zucchi EM, de Deus LFA, Mabire X, Ferguson L, Magno L, Grangeiro A, Préau M, Botelho FC, Rodrigues A, Steele S, Dourado I. "I Can't Take This Shitty Quarantine Anymore": Sexual Behavior and PrEP Use Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women in Brazil During the COVID-19 Pandemic. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2023; 52:689-702. [PMID: 35881251 PMCID: PMC9321283 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-022-02364-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study analyzes how the COVID-19 pandemic affected sexual behavior and use of HIV prevention methods among young transgender women (YTGW) and young gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (YGBMSM) participating in an HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) demonstration study in Brazil. Online interviews with 39 participants aged 15-22 years old were conducted between September and November 2020 and analyzed based on social constructionism and human rights-based approaches to health. The pandemic disrupted interviewees' routines, negatively affecting their life conditions. Among those who did not have a steady partner, social distance measures led to temporary interruption of sexual encounters and increased sexting and solo sex. Conversely, for those who had a steady relationship such measures contributed to increasing sexual practices and intimacy. Participants who had sexual encounters during the pandemic reported having continued to use PrEP. However, home confinement with family, lack of privacy, loss of daily routines and changes in housing impaired PrEP adherence and attendance at follow-up consultations. These results highlight the importance of maintaining HIV-service delivery for these groups during a public health crisis, as well as to address the structural drivers of the epidemic with comprehensive HIV prevention policies and by ensuring access of YGBMSM and YTGW to social protection policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dulce Ferraz
- UMR 1296 "Radiations: Défense, Santé, Environnement", Université Lyon 2, Lyon, France.
- Institut de Psychologie, Université de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Escola FIOCRUZ de Governo, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Brasília, Brazil.
| | - Thais Aranha Rossi
- Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade do Estado da Bahia (UNEB), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Eliana Miura Zucchi
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Mestrado Profissional em Psicologia e Políticas Públicas, Universidade Católica de Santos (UniSantos), Santos, Brazil
| | - Luiz Fabio Alves de Deus
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia Social e Institucional, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Xavier Mabire
- UMR 1296 "Radiations: Défense, Santé, Environnement", Université Lyon 2, Lyon, France
- Institut de Psychologie, Université de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laura Ferguson
- Institute on Inequalities in Global Health, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Laio Magno
- Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade do Estado da Bahia (UNEB), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Grangeiro
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marie Préau
- UMR 1296 "Radiations: Défense, Santé, Environnement", Université Lyon 2, Lyon, France
| | - Fernanda Cangussu Botelho
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ayra Rodrigues
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Mestrado Profissional em Psicologia e Políticas Públicas, Universidade Católica de Santos (UniSantos), Santos, Brazil
| | - Sabrina Steele
- Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade do Estado da Bahia (UNEB), Salvador, Brazil
| | - Inês Dourado
- Instituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Brazil
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Pitts RA, Ban K, Greene RE, Kapadia F, Braithwaite RS. Sustaining PrEP Prescriptions at a Safety-Net Hospital in New York City During COVID-19: Lessons Learned. AIDS Behav 2023:10.1007/s10461-023-03977-6. [PMID: 36609708 PMCID: PMC9825066 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-03977-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
To understand the impact of COVID-19-related disruptions on PrEP services, we reviewed PrEP prescriptions at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue from July 2019 through July 2021. PrEP prescriptions were examined as PrEP person-equivalents (PrEP PE) in order to account for the variable time of refill duration (i.e., 1-3 months). To assess "PrEP coverage", we calculated PrEP medication possession ratios (MPR) while patients were under study observation. Pre-clinic closure, mean PrEP PE = 244.2 (IQR 189.2, 287.5; median = 252.5) were observed. Across levels of clinic closures, mean PrEP PE = 247.3, (IQR 215.5, 265.4; median = 219.9) during 100% clinic closure, 255.4 (IQR 224, 284.3; median = 249.0) during 80% closure, and 274.6 (IQR 273.0, 281.0; median = 277.2) during 50% closure were observed. Among patients continuously prescribed PrEP pre-COVID-19, the mean MPR mean declined from 83% (IQR 72-100%; median = 100%) to 63% (IQR 35-97%; median = 66%) after the onset of COVID-19. For patients newly initiated on PrEP after the onset of COVID-19, the mean MPR was 73% (IQR 41-100%; median = 100%). Our ability to sustain PrEP provisions, as measured by both PrEP PE and MPR, can likely be attributed to our pre-COVID-19 system for PrEP delivery, which emphasizes navigation, same-day initiation, and primary care integration. In the era of COVID-19 as well as future unforeseen healthcare disruptions, PrEP programs must be robust and flexible in order to sustain PrEP delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A. Pitts
- Department of Internal Medicine, Health and Hospitals/Bellevue, 462 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016 USA
| | - Kaoon Ban
- Department of Population Health, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY USA
| | - Richard E. Greene
- Department of Internal Medicine, Health and Hospitals/Bellevue, 462 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016 USA
| | - Farzana Kapadia
- New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, NY USA
| | - R. Scott Braithwaite
- Department of Population Health, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY USA
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Brazier E, Ajeh R, Maruri F, Musick B, Freeman A, Wester CW, Lee M, Shamu T, Crabtree Ramírez B, d'Almeida M, Wools‐Kaloustian K, Kumarasamy N, Althoff KN, Twizere C, Grinsztejn B, Tanser F, Messou E, Byakwaga H, Duda SN, Nash D. Service delivery challenges in HIV care during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: results from a site assessment survey across the global IeDEA consortium. J Int AIDS Soc 2022; 25:e26036. [PMID: 36504431 PMCID: PMC9742047 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Interruptions in treatment pose risks for people with HIV (PWH) and threaten progress in ending the HIV epidemic; however, the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on HIV service delivery across diverse settings is not broadly documented. METHODS From September 2020 to March 2021, the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) research consortium surveyed 238 HIV care sites across seven geographic regions to document constraints in HIV service delivery during the first year of the pandemic and strategies for ensuring care continuity for PWH. Descriptive statistics were stratified by national HIV prevalence (<1%, 1-4.9% and ≥5%) and country income levels. RESULTS Questions about pandemic-related consequences for HIV care were completed by 225 (95%) sites in 42 countries with low (n = 82), medium (n = 86) and high (n = 57) HIV prevalence, including low- (n = 57), lower-middle (n = 79), upper-middle (n = 39) and high- (n = 50) income countries. Most sites reported being subject to pandemic-related restrictions on travel, service provision or other operations (75%), and experiencing negative impacts (76%) on clinic operations, including decreased hours/days, reduced provider availability, clinic reconfiguration for COVID-19 services, record-keeping interruptions and suspension of partner support. Almost all sites in low-prevalence and high-income countries reported increased use of telemedicine (85% and 100%, respectively), compared with less than half of sites in high-prevalence and lower-income settings. Few sites in high-prevalence settings (2%) reported suspending antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic services, and many reported adopting mitigation strategies to support adherence, including multi-month dispensing of ART (95%) and designating community ART pick-up points (44%). While few sites (5%) reported stockouts of first-line ART regimens, 10-11% reported stockouts of second- and third-line regimens, respectively, primarily in high-prevalence and lower-income settings. Interruptions in HIV viral load (VL) testing included suspension of testing (22%), longer turnaround times (41%) and supply/reagent stockouts (22%), but did not differ across settings. CONCLUSIONS While many sites in high HIV prevalence settings and lower-income countries reported introducing or expanding measures to support treatment adherence and continuity of care, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in disruptions to VL testing and ART supply chains that may negatively affect the quality of HIV care in these settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Brazier
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population HealthCity University of New YorkNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Graduate School of Public Health and Health PolicyCity University of New YorkNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Rogers Ajeh
- Clinical Research Education Networking and ConsultancyYaoundéCameroon
| | - Fernanda Maruri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious DiseasesVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Beverly Musick
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Data ScienceIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Aimee Freeman
- Department of EpidemiologyBloomberg School of Public HealthJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - C. William Wester
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious DiseasesVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | | | - Tinei Shamu
- Newlands ClinicHarareZimbabwe
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)University of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Brenda Crabtree Ramírez
- Departamento de InfectologíaInstituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y NutriciónMexico CityMexico
| | | | - Kara Wools‐Kaloustian
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Data ScienceIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - N. Kumarasamy
- VHS Infectious Diseases Medical CentreVoluntary Health ServicesChennaiIndia
| | - Keri N. Althoff
- Department of EpidemiologyBloomberg School of Public HealthJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | | | - Beatriz Grinsztejn
- Laboratory of Clinical Research in STD/AIDS (LAPCLIN‐AIDS)Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases‐Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (INI/FIOCRUZ)Rio de JaneiroBrazil
| | - Frank Tanser
- Africa Health Research InstituteUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Eugène Messou
- ACONDA ‐ Centre de Prise en Charge, de Recherche et de Formation (CePReF)AbidjanCôte d'Ivoire
| | - Helen Byakwaga
- Mbarara University of Science and TechnologyMbararaUganda
| | - Stephany N. Duda
- Department of Biomedical InformaticsVanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC)NashvilleTennesseeUSA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational ResearchVanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC)NashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Denis Nash
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population HealthCity University of New YorkNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Graduate School of Public Health and Health PolicyCity University of New YorkNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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10
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Muacevic A, Adler JR, Holland-Hall C, Bonny AE. Impact of Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening Claims Among Adolescent Females in a Pediatric Accountable Care Organization in Ohio, United States. Cureus 2022; 14:e32070. [PMID: 36600869 PMCID: PMC9803362 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.32070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) decreased during the early months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Less is known about the extent to which screening of asymptomatic adolescents for STIs was specifically affected. Our aim was to describe the impacts of early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic on asymptomatic STI screening and overall STI testing among adolescent females aged 13 to 19. We hypothesized that screening would decrease more than overall testing. Methods We evaluated claims data from a pediatric accountable care organization responsible for approximately 40,000 adolescent females. We assessed rates of asymptomatic screening and overall testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea in this population, comparing the early pandemic to pre-pandemic levels. Results Both STI screening and overall STI testing were found to be significantly decreased during the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels. The proportion of tests billed as screening was 70% of tests for April to August 2020 (early pandemic), compared to 67% for October 2019 to February 2020 and 64% for April to August 2019, contrary to our hypothesis. Conclusion Asymptomatic screening represented a similar proportion of STI testing among this population of adolescent females during the early COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic testing. More work is needed to understand how asymptomatic screening was proportionally maintained despite COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
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11
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LeMasters K, Maragh-Bass A, Stoner M, Bhushan N, Mitchell J, Riggins L, Lightfoot A. Lessons Learned From Conducting Community-Based Research on HIV Prevention With Youth During COVID-19. JOURNAL OF PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH METHODS 2022; 3:10.35844/001c.38385. [PMID: 36969796 PMCID: PMC10035063 DOI: 10.35844/001c.38385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Mitigating HIV burden among Black youth requires true community engagement. This brief report identifies challenges, strategies, and lessons learned from transitioning our three-phased, community-engaged HIV prevention project with Black youth to a remote format during COVID-19. The project involved (1) building a community-academic partnership on youth sexual health, (2) participatory youth workshops, and (3) youth surveys and interviews about HIV prevention. Feedback from community-academic partnership, pile sorting themes, and preliminary qualitative analyses guided this report. Challenges included a disruption to in-person engagement while strategies included relying heavily on pre-existing partnerships to recruit youth for interviews. We learned that pre-existing community engagement was essential for completing phase three remotely. More education is needed to support Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness for HIV prevention and there is a need to address structural barriers to healthcare engagement such as community violence and mental illness. Community-engaged HIV research focused on youth can adapt if anchored in community relationships. Future studies must work to more fully center youth's voices and address the structural issues that may inhibit them from engaging in HIV prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine LeMasters
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Center for Health Equity Research, Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | | | - Marie Stoner
- Women’s Global Health Imperative, RTI International
| | | | - John Mitchell
- 6. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University
| | - Linda Riggins
- Cecil Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Alexandra Lightfoot
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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12
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Zhu W, Huang YLA, Wiener J, Neblett-Fanfair R, Kourtis AP, Hall HI, Hoover KW. Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on prescriptions for antiretroviral drugs for HIV treatment in the United States, 2019-2021. AIDS 2022; 36:1697-1705. [PMID: 35848572 PMCID: PMC10773577 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003315] [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
OBJECTIVE To assess disruption in healthcare services for HIV treatment by national emergency in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the United States. DESIGN Time-series analysis. METHODS We analyzed the IQVIA Real World Data-Longitudinal Prescriptions Database and calculated time trends in the weekly number of persons with active antiretroviral prescriptions for HIV treatment, and of persons who obtained antiretroviral prescriptions during January 2017-March 2021. We used interrupted time-series models to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antiretroviral therapy (ART) use between March 2020 and March 2021. RESULTS We found that the weekly number of persons with active antiretroviral prescriptions decreased by an average 2.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -3.8% to -1.1%), compared to predicted use, during March 2020 through March 2021. The weekly number of persons who obtained antiretroviral prescriptions decreased 4.5% (95% CI: -6.0% to -3.0%), compared to the predicted number. Men, persons aged ≤34 years, privately insured persons, and persons in medication assistance programs had greater decreases than other groups. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated a decrease in the number of persons with active antiretroviral prescriptions during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and the number did not return to levels expected in the absence of the pandemic. Disruptions in HIV care and decreased ART may lead to lower levels of viral suppression and immunologic control, and increased HIV transmission in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiming Zhu
- Division of HIV Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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13
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Sun CJ, Seloilwe ES, Magowe M, Dithole K, Lawrence JSS. Substantial Increase in Transactional Sex and HIV Risk Among Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results From a Repeated Cross-Sectional Study in Botswana. AIDS EDUCATION AND PREVENTION : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR AIDS EDUCATION 2022; 34:325-332. [PMID: 35994581 DOI: 10.1521/aeap.2022.34.4.325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting public health response has disrupted the lives of adolescents and their families worldwide. We evaluated the impact of the pandemic on attitudes, beliefs, and sexual risk behavior among adolescents in Botswana. Participants were recruited using household-based sampling across residential districts (blocks) in and around Gaborone, Botswana, and completed surveys on laptop computers at a private, central location. We compared baseline survey data from 380 adolescents who completed the survey pre-pandemic (n = 139) to those who completed the survey intra-pandemic (n = 241). Participants had a mean age of 15.2 years; 58.6% were girls and 41.4% were boys. Intra-pandemic, participants reported greater engagement in transactional sex (38.1% compared to 13.6% pre-pandemic, p <. 05), more favorable attitudes toward transactional sex with sugar daddies and sugar mommies (p <. 05), greater intentions to remain sexually active in the future (29.2% vs.13.6%, respectively, p <.05), and lower self-efficacy in handling risky sexual situations (p < .01). Public health interventions that lessen these concerning shifts in attitudes and behaviors will be key to protecting the sexual health of adolescents and to supporting their safe transition to adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina J Sun
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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14
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Saberi P, Ming K, Shrestha I, Scott H, Thorson B, Liu A. Feasibility and Acceptability of Home-Collected Samples for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Preexposure Prophylaxis and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Laboratory Tests in San Francisco Primary Care Clinics. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022; 9:ofab657. [PMID: 35087913 PMCID: PMC8789566 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Due to the difficulty of conducting laboratory testing during the pandemic shelter-in-place orders, the objective of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of conducting home-collected samples for preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) laboratory tests. Methods We conducted a pilot study among patients on PrEP in San Francisco primary care clinics. Individuals on PrEP provided home-collected laboratory samples using dried blood spot for fourth-generation human immunodeficiency virus antigen/antibody test, serum creatinine, syphilis antibody, and hepatitis C antibody, as needed; 3-site (oropharyngeal, rectal, and urine) swabbing for sexually transmitted infections; and nasopharyngeal swabbing for SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction. We examined feasibility and acceptability of collecting these laboratory samples using predefined benchmarks to determine feasibility or acceptability. Results Of 92 individuals who consented to participate, 73 (79.3%) mailed back their home-collected kit. Nearly 87.7% noted being extremely to moderately satisfied with the ability to complete the laboratory tests without having to come into a clinic. Approximately 49.3% of participants chose this home-collection method as their first choice for providing laboratory samples. Mean time from collection of samples by the participant to receipt of test results was reduced from the first quarter of the study (17 days) to the last quarter of the study (5 days). Conclusions We report high levels of feasibility and acceptability with the use of home-collected laboratory samples for patients on PrEP. Our results indicate that home-collected laboratory samples for patients on PrEP is a viable option that should be offered as an alternative to clinic-collected laboratory samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parya Saberi
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kristin Ming
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Isha Shrestha
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Hyman Scott
- Bridge HIV, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Brad Thorson
- Molecular Testing Labs, Vancouver, Washington, USA
| | - Albert Liu
- Bridge HIV, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, California, USA
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