Using global positioning system methods to explore mobility patterns and exposure to high HIV prevalence neighbourhoods among transgender women in New York

Examination of multidimensional geographic mobility and sexual behaviour among Black cisgender sexually minoritized men in Chicago

Black sexually minoritized men (BSMM) are the most likely to acquire HIV in Chicago- a racially segregated city where their daily travel may confer different HIV-related risks. From survey and GPS data among participants of the Neighbourhoods and Networks Cohort Study, we examined spatial (proportion of total activity space away from home), temporal (proportion of total GPS points away from home), and motivation-specific (discordance between residential and frequented sex or socializing neighbourhoods) dimensions of mobility. To identify potential drivers of BSMM's risk, we then examined associations between mobility and sexual behaviours known to cause HIV transmission: condomless anal sex, condomless anal sex with a casual partner, transactional sex, group sex, and sex-drug use. Multivariable logistic regression models assessed associations. Of 269 cisgender BSMM, most were 20-29 years old, identified as gay, and lowincome. On average, 96.9% (Standard Deviation: 3.7%) of participants' activity space and 53.9% (Standard Deviation: 38.1%) of participants' GPS points occurred outside their 800m home network buffer. After covariate adjustment, those who reported sex away from home were twice as likely to report condomless sex (Odds Ratio: 2.02, [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.08, 3.78]). Those who reported socializing away from home were four times more likely to have condomless sex with a casual partner (Odds Ratio: 4.16 [CI: 0.99, 29.0]). BSMM are on the move in Chicago, but only motivation-specific mobility may increase HIV transmission risk. Multidimensional investigations of mobility can inform place-based strategies for HIV service delivery.

The factors influencing the psychological distress of transgender women in Shandong, China: a cross-sectional study

Background

As a group at high-risk for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) infection, the psychological distress of transgender women cannot be ignored while preventing and controlling AIDS risks. Transgender women are a vulnerable group, and their psychological distress deserves attention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychological distress of transgender women and further determine the influences of factors on the psychological distress of transgender women.

Methods

From March 2021 to August 2021, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in Shandong province, China. Data were collected by a questionnaire designed for transgender women, and the GHQ-12 scale was used to measure their psychological distress. The questionnaire combined sociodemographic characteristics, HIV/AIDS cognition, related behaviors, substance abuse, social support, gender identity and other factors. Univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore the psychological factors of transgender women.

Results

In this study, the rate of transgender women with psychological distress was 20.08%. Earned monthly income between 10,000–15,000 yuan (OR:0.16, 95% CI:0.06–0.45) and a monthly income greater than 15,000 yuan (OR:0.07, 95% CI:0.01–0.43) were protective factors in the psychology of transgender women. Transgender women who never disclosed sexual orientation and identity (OR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.06–0.58), who only disclosed their sexual orientation and identity to families or friends (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.18–0.93) were also less likely to have psychological distress. Additionally, transgender women who did not desire to be identified with their sexual orientation and identity (OR: 3.31, 95%CI: 1.08–10.16) and who reported that the Internet did not play an essential role in helping determine sexual orientation (OR: 5.96, 95% CI: 2.91–12.20) were more likely to have psychological distress.

Conclusion

Transgender women were at risk of psychological distress. Earning more money can help transgender women's psychological health. When formulating measures for transgender women, we should pay attention to enhance social inclusion and social acceptance of their gender identity and sexual orientation. Strengthening the role of the internet in transgender women's confirmation of sexual orientation and improving the social acceptance of transgender women will have a positive impact on the psychological status of transgender women.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13357-9.

Using Mobile Phone Data to Estimate the Relationship between Population Flow and Influenza Infection Pathways

This study aimed to analyze population flow using global positioning system (GPS) location data and evaluate influenza infection pathways by determining the relationship between population flow and the number of drugs sold at pharmacies. Neural collective graphical models (NCGMs; Iwata and Shimizu 2019) were applied for 25 cell areas, each measuring 10 × 10 km², in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Hyogo prefectures to estimate population flow. An NCGM uses a neural network to incorporate the spatiotemporal dependency issue and reduce the estimated parameters. The prescription peaks between several cells with high population flow showed a high correlation with a delay of one to two days or with a seven-day time-lag. It was observed that not much population flows from one cell to the outside area on weekdays. This observation may have been due to geographical features and undeveloped transportation networks. The number of prescriptions for anti-influenza drugs in that cell remained low during the observation period. The present results indicate that influenza did not spread to areas with undeveloped traffic networks, and the peak number of drug prescriptions arrived with a time lag of several days in areas with a high amount of area-to-area movement due to commuting.