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Awaidy SA, Ghazy RM, Mahomed O. Progress of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries Towards Achieving the 95-95-95 UNAIDS Targets: A Review. J Epidemiol Glob Health 2023; 13:397-406. [PMID: 37079171 PMCID: PMC10116479 DOI: 10.1007/s44197-023-00097-1] [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: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2014, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and partners launched the 90-90-90 targets. These were further updated to correspond to 95-95-95 by the year 2025. We present an overview of the progress made by Gulf Cooperated Council (GCC) countries towards meeting the global targets. METHODS We extracted data from Global AIDS Monitoring (GAM), UNAIDS AIDS Info, HIV case reporting database, and the WHO global policy uptake for six countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab of Emirates (UAE) to assess the HIV/AIDS burden in the six GCC countries, and the progress towards achieving the 95-95-95 goal. RESULTS By the end of 2021, an estimated 42,015 people living with HIV (PLHIV) were residing in the GCC countries with prevalence levels below 0.01%. Data from four GCC countries, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and UAE, indicated that by 2021, 94%, 80%, 66%, and 85% of HIV-positive population knew their status, respectively. 68%, 93% (2020 data), 65%, 58% and 85% of PLHIV in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and UAE who knew their status were on anti-retroviral therapy (ART), respectively, and 55%, 92%, 58% and 90% (2020 data) among those who were on ART had viral suppression in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and KSA, respectively. CONCLUSION The GCC countries have made great strides toward fulfilling the 95-95-95 targets, but the interim 2025 overall UNAIDS targets remain unmet. The GCC countries must strive diligently to accomplish the targets by emphasising early identification of the cases by enhanced screening and testing, as well as prompt commencement of ART therapy with viral load suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ramy Mohamed Ghazy
- Tropical Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ozayr Mahomed
- Department of Public Health Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, Howard College Campus, South Africa.
- Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait.
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Sehgal N, Patni CB. Covid-19 and female sex workers in India: a journey of brutal reality. SN SOCIAL SCIENCES 2023; 3:53. [PMID: 36908485 PMCID: PMC9987386 DOI: 10.1007/s43545-023-00631-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
The present paper is focused on the devastating effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on female sex workers (FSWs) in India and the globe. In Indian scenario, it emphasises on historical factors and theoretical frameworks that explicates the ceaseless exploitation of FSWs even before the pandemic. This inquiry analyses the efficacy of legislative and judicial endeavours taken with regard to FSWs. It highlights the role of non-governmental organisations and sex workers' community, actively working in providing support to the FSWs. Here, we attempt to document the scattered information from various reports regarding sex workers and prostitution. Literature search was done through search engines like Science Direct, Google Scholar and PubMed using keywords such as "COVID-19 pandemic" "sex workers", "prostitutes", "health", and "policies". Web hits from Google Scholar were collected using a Boolean search and retrieval method involving sex workers and the "AND" operator. During Covid-19 pandemic, due to stigmatisation of their profession FSWs are majorly excluded from government relief programs and health services. In India, the existing laws for FSWs are rigid in nature. They emphasize on prohibition of prostitution. There is an urgent need in India to move towards a substitute model which embody a flexible decriminalisation policy for sex workers. By studying relevant literature on the present topic the gap between policy formulation and implementation was identified. In case of India, it outlines recommendations, in particular providing immediate aid and relief, issuance of temporary documentation to sex workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Sehgal
- Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007 India
| | - Chandra Bhushan Patni
- Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Hindu College, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007 India
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Okeke SR. “Compared to COVID, HIV Is Nothing”: Exploring How Onshore East Asian and Sub-Saharan African International Students in Sydney Navigate COVID-19 versus BBVs/STIs Risk Spectrum. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19106264. [PMID: 35627800 PMCID: PMC9141421 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19106264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background: While a large body of evidence indicates changes in alcohol and other drug use among young people as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a lack of evidence around changes in sexual practices and how the pandemic may be impacting the potential spread of blood-borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections (BBVs/STIs). Most of what we know about sex during COVID-19 lockdowns is largely based on solitary sexual practices, which may not answer the critical question around how the pandemic may be shaping sexual practices among young people. Against this backdrop, this study explored how the COVID-19 pandemic may be shaping BBVs/STIs risk and protective practices among a sample of onshore African and Asian international students in Sydney, Australia. Methods: This phenomenological qualitative study involved semi-structured telephone and face-to-face interviews with 16 international university students in Sydney, between September 2020–March 2021. Generated data were coded using NVivo and analysis was guided by reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Participants reported elevated mental health distress because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some participants reported engaging in casual sexual hook-ups as a strategy to mitigate the mental health distress they were experiencing. Some of these sexual hook-ups were condomless partly because COVID-related disruptions impacted condom accessibility. Additionally, the preventive practices of some participants who were sexually active during the lockdowns were focused on preventing COVID-19, while the risk of BBVs/STIs were downplayed. Conclusions: This study indicates a need for a comprehensive public health response to the evolving and near-endemic COVID-19 situation. Such a comprehensive approach should focus on empowering young people to prevent both SARS-CoV-2 and BBVs/STIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvester Reuben Okeke
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney 2052, Australia
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Schinazi RF, Patel D, Ehteshami M. The best backbone for HIV prevention, treatment, and elimination: Emtricitabine+tenofovir. Antivir Ther 2022; 27:13596535211067599. [PMID: 35491570 DOI: 10.1177/13596535211067599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The advent of antiretroviral combination therapy has significantly impacted the HIV/AIDS epidemic. No longer a death sentence, HIV infection can be controlled and suppressed using cocktail therapies that contain two or more small molecule drugs. This review aims to highlight the discovery, development, and impact of one such molecule, namely, emtricitabine (FTC, emtriva), which is one of the most successful drugs in the fight against HIV/AIDS and has been taken by over 94% of individuals infected with HIV in the USA. We also pay tribute to Dr. John C. Martin, former CEO and Chairman of Gilead Sciences, who unexpectedly passed away in 2021. A true visionary, he was instrumental in delivering FTC, as part of combination therapy with TDF (tenofovir, viread) to the global stage. As the fight to eradicate HIV marches on, we honor Dr. Martin's legacy of collaboration, achievement, and hope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond F Schinazi
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, 1371Emory University School of Medicine and Children Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dharmeshkumar Patel
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, 1371Emory University School of Medicine and Children Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Maryam Ehteshami
- Center for AIDS Research, Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Department of Pediatrics, 1371Emory University School of Medicine and Children Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Karaosmanoglu HK, Mete B, Gunduz A, Sevgi DY, Aydin OA, Dokmetas I, Tabak F. Changing Characteristics of Patients Living with HIV/AIDS after COVID-19 Pandemics in Turkey. Curr HIV Res 2022; 20:236-241. [PMID: 35240974 DOI: 10.2174/1570162x20666220303103805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
AIMS COVID-19 pandemic has substantially changed the life and presented several barriers to health services. HIV care continuum needs a high rate of diagnosis, an effective treatment and a sustained suppression of viral replication. COVID-19 pandemic has affected these three steps of HIV care. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of newly diagnosed patients living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) during the COVID pandemic and compared them with those before the pandemic. METHODS All newly diagnosed patients in three HIV healthcare center, in Istanbul, Turkey were included into the study. Pandemic period included April 1, 2020 to April 1, 2021 and pre-pandemic period included March 1, 2019 to March 1, 2020. RESULTS During pre-pandemic period, 756 patients were diagnosed HIV/AIDS. In pandemic period, this figure was 58% less: 315. Patients in pre-pandemic and pandemic period had comparable age and gender distributions. PLWH diagnosed in pandemic period had higher rates of low CD4 cells: low CD4 (<350 cells /mm3) was measured in 243 (36.4%) patients in pre-pandemic, while it was done in 126 (47.9%) in pandemic period (p<0.01). Also the distribution of CD4 cells was significantly different between periods: In pandemic period, CD4 cell distribution skewed to lower CD4 categories significantly. Symptomatic patient rate and AIDS-defining disorder rate among symptomatic patients were comparable. Viral loads were not significantly different in two periods. CONCLUSION Less number of newly diagnosed PLWH can be explained by less HIV testing, less admission to the health care or actual decrease of HIV prevalence during pandemic. Sexual behaviors may have changed during COVID-19 pandemic which could lead to HIV transmission restriction. Lower CD4 counts among the newly diagnosed PLWH suggest that admittance to health care is late and a significant portion of PLWH remain undiagnosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayat Kumbasar Karaosmanoglu
- Bakırkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Birgul Mete
- Cerrahpasa University Medical Faculty, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Alper Gunduz
- Sisli Hamidiye Training and Research Hospital, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Dilek Yildiz Sevgi
- Sisli Hamidiye Training and Research Hospital, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozlem Altuntas Aydin
- Bakırkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ilyas Dokmetas
- Sisli Hamidiye Training and Research Hospital, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fehmi Tabak
- Cerrahpasa University Medical Faculty, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul, Turkey
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Wood BR, Lan KF, Tao Y, Mose EY, Aas E, Budak JZ, Dhanireddy S, Kim HN. Visit Trends and Factors Associated With Telemedicine Uptake Among Persons With HIV During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofab480. [PMID: 34754884 PMCID: PMC8500015 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In response to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, clinicians in outpatient HIV practices began to routinely offer telemedicine (video and/or phone visits) to replace in-person appointments. Video visits are preferred over phone visits, but determinants of video visit uptake in HIV care settings have not been well described. METHODS Trends in type of encounter (face-to-face, video, and phone) before and during the pandemic were reviewed for persons with HIV (PWH) at an urban, academic, outpatient HIV clinic in Seattle, Washington. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with video visit use including sociodemographic characteristics (age, race, ethnicity, language, insurance status, housing status) and electronic patient portal login. RESULTS After an initial increase in video visits to 30% of all completed encounters, the proportion declined and plateaued at ~10%. A substantial proportion of face-to-face visits were replaced by phone visits (~50% of all visits were by phone early in the pandemic, now stable at 10%-20%). Logistic regression demonstrated that older age (>50 or >65 years old compared with 18-35 years old), Black, Asian, or Pacific Islander race (compared with White race), and Medicaid insurance (compared with private insurance) were significantly associated with never completing a video visit, whereas history of patient portal login was significantly associated with completing a video visit. CONCLUSIONS Since the pandemic began, an unexpectedly high proportion of telemedicine visits have been by phone instead of video. Several social determinants of health and patient portal usage are associated with video visit uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian R Wood
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Yuan Tao
- Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Eric Y Mose
- Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Erin Aas
- Telehealth Services, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jehan Z Budak
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Shireesha Dhanireddy
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - H Nina Kim
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Latini A, Donà MG, Giuliani M, Pontone M, Ancona C, Foracappa S, Morrone A, Zaccarelli M. Short Communication: HIV Viral Load Trends During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in a Reference Center for HIV in Rome, Italy. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2021; 37:624-626. [PMID: 33966477 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2021.0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has reduced the access of HIV patients to reference centers. However, retention-in-care is critical to maintain adherence to therapy and viral suppression. During lockdown in Italy, our center implemented several measures to ensure HIV-care continuum. To assess whether these efforts were successful, we investigated HIV viral load trend for a 1-year period (September 2019-August 2020), which included lockdown and partial lockdown months in our country. No significant changes overtime in the proportion of undetectable HIV-RNA were observed. Continuity of service made it possible to maintain viral suppression in our patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Latini
- STI/HIV Unit, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Giuliani
- STI/HIV Unit, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Pontone
- Microbiology and Virology, San Gallicano Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Carola Ancona
- STI/HIV Unit, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Foracappa
- STI/HIV Unit, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Aldo Morrone
- Scientific Direction, San Gallicano Dermatological Institute IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Zaccarelli
- Clinical Department, National Institute for the Infectious Diseases Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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