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Gray RT, Camara H, Khawar L, Grulich A, Guy R, McGregor S, Medland N. The application of new metrics for understanding trends in undiagnosed HIV among key populations. AIDS 2023; 37:1851-1859. [PMID: 37352495 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Investigate the utility of novel metrics for understanding trends in undiagnosed HIV. METHODS We produced estimates for the number of people with undiagnosed HIV and the number of new HIV infections using Australian surveillance data and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control HIV modelling tool. Using these estimates, we calculated: the total diagnosed fraction, the proportion of all people with HIV diagnosed; the yearly diagnosed fraction, the proportion of people who have not yet received a diagnosis who received a diagnosis during each year; and the case detection rate, which is the annual ratio of new HIV diagnoses to new HIV infections each year; from 2008 to 2019. We report trends in these metrics for Australian-born and overseas-born men who reported male-to-male sex and heterosexual women and men. RESULTS Each metric for the Australian-born male-to-male sexual contact group improved consistently. In contrast, the metrics for the overseas-born group worsened (total diagnosed fraction: 85.0-81.9%, yearly diagnosed fraction: 23.1-17.8%, and case detection rate: 0.74-0.63). In heterosexuals, women and men had consistent increasing trends for the total diagnosed fraction and yearly diagnosed fraction but with women having consistently higher estimates. Heterosexual men had a declining case detection rate, falling to less than one in 2011, compared to an increase for women. CONCLUSIONS The additional metrics provided important information on Australia's progress toward HIV elimination. The more dynamic changes in the undiagnosed population seen highlight diverging trends for key populations not seen in the total diagnosed fraction.
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Khawar L, Donovan B, Peeling RW, Guy RJ, McGregor S. Elimination and eradication goals for communicable diseases: a systematic review. Bull World Health Organ 2023; 101:649-665. [PMID: 37772196 PMCID: PMC10523812 DOI: 10.2471/blt.23.289676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To consolidate recent information on elimination and eradication goals for infectious diseases and clarify the definitions and associated terminology for different goals. Methods We conducted a systematic search of the World Health Organization's Institutional Repository for Information Sharing (WHO IRIS) and a customized systematic Google advanced search for documents published between 2008 and 2022 on elimination or eradication strategies for infectious conditions authored by WHO or other leading health organizations. We extracted information on names of infectious conditions, the elimination and eradication goals and timelines, definitions of goals, non-standardized terminology, targets and assessment processes. Findings We identified nine goals for 27 infectious conditions, ranging from disease control to eradication. In comparison with the hierarchy of disease control, as defined at the Dahlem Workshop in 1997, six goals related to disease control with varying levels of advancement, two related to elimination and one to eradication. Goals progressed along a disease-control continuum, such as end of disease epidemic to pre-elimination to elimination as a public health problem or threat. We identified the use of non-standardized terminology with certain goals, including virtual elimination, elimination of disease epidemics, public health threat and public health concern. Conclusion As we approach the 2030 target date to achieve many of the goals related to disease control and for other infections to become candidates for elimination in the future, clarity of definitions and objectives is important for public health professionals and policy-makers to avoid misperceptions and miscommunication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Khawar
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Wallace Wurth Building (C27), Kensington, New South Wales2052, Australia
| | - Basil Donovan
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Wallace Wurth Building (C27), Kensington, New South Wales2052, Australia
| | | | - Rebecca J Guy
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Wallace Wurth Building (C27), Kensington, New South Wales2052, Australia
| | - Skye McGregor
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Wallace Wurth Building (C27), Kensington, New South Wales2052, Australia
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Teutsch SM, Nunez CA, Morris A, Eslick GD, Berkhout A, Novakovic D, Brotherton JM, McGregor S, Khawar L, Khandaker G, Booy R, Jones CA, Rawlinson W, Thorley BR, Elliott EJ. Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU) Annual Surveillance Report 2021. Commun Dis Intell (2018) 2022; 46. [PMID: 36303401 DOI: 10.33321/cdi.2022.46.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU) has been conducting surveillance of rare communicable and non-communicable conditions in children since its inception in 1993. In this report, the results are described of surveillance of ten communicable diseases (and complications) for 2021, including the numbers of cases and incidence estimates; demographics; clinical features; and management and short-term outcomes. The included diseases are: acute flaccid paralysis (AFP); congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV); neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection; paediatric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; perinatal exposure to HIV; severe complications from influenza; juvenile-onset respiratory papillomatosis (JoRRP); congenital rubella syndrome; congenital varicella syndrome; and neonatal varicella infection. In 2021, cases of JoRRP were reported to the APSU for the first time since 2017, indicating potential gaps in HPV vaccination. AFP surveillance by APSU again contributed to Australia achieving a minimum target incidence of one AFP case per 100,000 children aged < 15 years. There were no cases of children with severe complications of influenza. No cases of varicella or congenital rubella were reported; however, at-risk populations, especially young migrant and refugee women from countries without universal vaccination programs, need to be screened and prioritised for vaccination prior to pregnancy. Cases of perinatal exposure to HIV continue to increase; however, the rate of mother-to-child-transmission remains at low levels due to the use of effective intervention strategies. Case numbers of congenital CMV and neonatal HSV remain steady in the absence of vaccines, prompting the need for greater awareness and education, with recent calls for target screening of at-risk infants for congenital CMV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzy M Teutsch
- The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health
- The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA
| | - Carlos A Nunez
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health
- The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA
- The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit
| | - Anne Morris
- The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health
- The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA
| | - Guy D Eslick
- The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health
- The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA
| | - Angela Berkhout
- Infection Management & Prevention Service, The Queensland Children's Hospital
- The University of Queensland, Faculty of Medicine, Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA
| | - Daniel Novakovic
- Dr Liang Voice Program, The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA
| | - Julia Ml Brotherton
- Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
| | - Skye McGregor
- The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA
| | - Laila Khawar
- The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA
| | - Gulam Khandaker
- Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Rockhampton, Queensland, AUSTRALIA
| | - Robert Booy
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health
- The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA
| | - Cheryl A Jones
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA
| | - William Rawlinson
- Virology and OTDS Laboratories, NSW Health Pathology Randwick and UNSW Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA
| | - Bruce R Thorley
- National Enterovirus Reference Laboratory and WHO Polio Regional Reference Laboratory, Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
| | - Elizabeth J Elliott
- The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health
- The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA
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Khawar L, McManus H, Vickers T, Chow EPF, Fairley CK, Donovan B, Machalek DA, Regan DG, Grulich AE, Guy RJ, McGregor S. Genital warts trends in Australian and overseas-born people in Australia: A cross-sectional trend analysis to measure progress towards control and elimination. Lancet Reg Health West Pac 2021; 16:100251. [PMID: 34590059 PMCID: PMC8403758 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2021.100251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background: Substantial declines in genital warts have been observed in countries with quadrivalent/nonavalent human papillomavirus (q/n HPV) vaccination programmes, with Australia showing the most pronounced and long-term reductions. No study has assessed progress towards elimination of genital warts in a nation-wide sample of patients, and migrants' contribution to population-level control of genital warts. We assessed Australia's progress towards genital warts elimination by examining trends in diagnoses in Australian- and overseas-born patients of sexual health clinics (SHCs) across Australia. Methods: A cross-sectional trend analysis of new genital warts diagnoses among first-time patients of 34 SHCs, between 2004 and 2018, was performed. Rate ratios (RR) were calculated using Poisson regression models, for comparing trends in proportions of new genital warts diagnoses in Australian- and overseas-born patients during the pre-vaccination era (2004-2007) and the vaccination era (2008-2018), and by 2018 relative to 2004-2007. Findings: A total of 439,957 new patients (Australian-born: 230,230; overseas-born: 209,727) were seen at SHCs, 6•4% were diagnosed with genital warts (Australian-born: 7•1%; overseas-born: 5•6%). By 2018, there had been a 64% reduction in the proportion of all SHC patients with a genital warts diagnosis relative to 2004-2007 (RR: 0•36, 95% CI: 0•35-0•38). The decline was more pronounced at 72% (RR: 0•28, 95% CI: 0 •27-0•30) among Australian-born patients, with the greatest reduction in women and men aged <21 years, at 98% (RR: 0•02, 95% CI: 0•01-0•03) and 92% (RR: 0•08, 95% CI: 0•06-0•11), respectively. By 2018, there was a 49% reduction in the proportion of overseas-born patients diagnosed with genital warts (RR: 0•51, 95% CI:0•48-0•54), and a 21% reduction in overseas-born patients from countries with no or bivalent HPV (bHPV) vaccination programme (RR: 0•79, 95% CI: 0•71-0•90). Interpretation: The substantial reductions in Australian-born people is a testament to the efficacy of quadrivalent (qHPV) and nonavalent (nHPV) vaccines and the high and wide-spread vaccination coverage in Australia. However, population-wide elimination of genital warts in Australia is dependent on other countries initiating or expanding their own HPV vaccination programmes. Funding: The Australian Government Department of Health and Seqirus Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Khawar
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Hamish McManus
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Tobias Vickers
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Eric P F Chow
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Basil Donovan
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Dorothy A Machalek
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia.,Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Centre for Women's Infectious Diseases, the Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - David G Regan
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Andrew E Grulich
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Rebecca J Guy
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Skye McGregor
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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Chow EPF, Carter A, Vickers T, Fairley CK, McNulty A, Guy RJ, Regan DG, Grulich AE, Callander D, Khawar L, Machalek DA, Donovan B. Effect on genital warts in Australian female and heterosexual male individuals after introduction of the national human papillomavirus gender-neutral vaccination programme: an analysis of national sentinel surveillance data from 2004-18. Lancet Infect Dis 2021; 21:1747-1756. [PMID: 34339639 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(21)00071-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Australia, the government-funded human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme was introduced in April, 2007, for girls and young women, and in February, 2013, for boys. As of Dec 31, 2018, all Australian-born female individuals younger than 38 years and male individuals younger than 21 years have been eligible for the free quadrivalent or nonavalent HPV vaccine. We aimed to examine the trends in genital wart diagnoses among Australian-born female and heterosexual male individuals who attended sexual health clinics throughout Australia before and after the introduction of the gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme in February, 2013. METHODS We did a serial cross-sectional analysis of genital wart diagnoses among Australian-born female and heterosexual male individuals attending a national surveillance network of 35 clinics between Jan 1, 2004, and Dec 31, 2018. We calculated prevalence ratios of genital warts, using log-binomial regression models, for the female-only vaccination period (July 1, 2007, to Feb 28, 2013), gender-neutral vaccination period (March 1, 2013, to Dec 31, 2018), and the whole vaccination period (July 1, 2007, to Dec 31, 2018) compared with the pre-vaccination period (Jan 1, 2004, to June 30, 2007). FINDINGS We included 121 038 men and 116 341 women in the analysis. Overall, we observed a 58% reduction (prevalence ratio 0·42, 95% CI 0·40-0·44) in genital wart diagnoses in female individuals and a 45% reduction (0·55, 0·53-0·57) in genital wart diagnoses in heterosexual male individuals after the introduction of the vaccination programme in 2007. The largest reduction in genital warts was observed in younger individuals, and there was a decreasing magnitude of reduction with increasing age (80%, 72%, 61%, 41%, and 16% reductions in female individuals aged 15-20 years, 21-25 years, 26-30 years, 31-35 years, and ≥36 years, respectively; 70%, 61%, 49%, 37%, and 29% reductions in male individuals aged 15-20 years, 21-25 years, 26-30 years, 31-35 years, and ≥36 years, respectively). Significant reductions observed in female individuals (0·32, 0·28-0·36) and male individuals (0·51, 0·43-0·61) aged 15-20 years in the female-only vaccination period were followed by a more substantial reduction in female individuals (0·07, 0·06-0·09) and male individuals (0·11, 0·08-0·15) aged 15-20 years in the gender-neutral vaccination period. INTERPRETATION The national gender-neutral HPV vaccination programme has led to substantial and ongoing reduction in genital warts among Australian female and heterosexual male individuals, with a marked reduction in young individuals who received the vaccine at school. FUNDING Seqirus Australia and the Australian Government Department of Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric P F Chow
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Allison Carter
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
| | - Tobias Vickers
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Anna McNulty
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sydney Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rebecca J Guy
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David G Regan
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew E Grulich
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Denton Callander
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laila Khawar
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Dorothy A Machalek
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Centre for Women's Infectious Diseases, The Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Basil Donovan
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sydney Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Khawar L, Machalek DA, Regan DG, Donovan B, McGregor S, Guy RJ. Defining Elimination of Genital Warts-A Modified Delphi Study. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8020316. [PMID: 32570787 PMCID: PMC7350253 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8020316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Substantial declines in genital warts (GW) have been observed in countries with quadrivalent HPV vaccination programmes, with Australia showing the highest reductions due to early commencement and high vaccination coverage. There is a real potential to achieve GW elimination; however, no GW elimination definition exists. Taking Australia as a case study, we aimed to reach expert consensus on a proposed GW elimination definition using a modified Delphi process. Method: We used modelling and epidemiological data to estimate the expected number of new GW cases, from pre-vaccination (baseline) in 2006 to the year 2060 in Australian heterosexuals, men who have sex with men (MSM), and newly arrived international travellers and migrants. We used these data and the literature, to develop a questionnaire containing ten elimination-related items, each with 9-point Likert scales (1-strongly disagree; 9-strongly agree). The survey was completed by 18 experts who participated in a full day face-to-face modified Delphi study, in which individuals and then small groups discussed and scored each item. The process was repeated online for items where consensus (≥70% agreement) was not initially achieved. Median and coefficient of variation (COV) were used to describe the central tendency and variability of responses, respectively. Findings: There was a 95% participation rate in the face-to-face session, and 84% response rate in the final online round. The median item score ranged between 7.0 and 9.0 and the COV was ≤0.30 on all items. Consensus was reached that at ≥80% HPV vaccination coverage, GW will be eliminated as a public health problem in Australia by 2060. During this time period there will be a 95% reduction in population-level incidence compared with baseline, equivalent to <1 GW case per 10,000 population. The reductions will occur most rapidly in Australian heterosexuals, with 73%, 90% and 97% relative reductions by years 2021, 2030 and 2060, respectively. The proportion of new GW cases attributable to importation will increase from 3.6% in 2006 to ~49% in 2060. Interpretation: Our results indicate that the vaccination programme will minimise new GW cases in the Australian population, but importation of cases will continue. This is the first study to define GW elimination at a national level. The framework developed could be used to define GW elimination in other countries, with thresholds particularly valuable for vaccination programme impact evaluation. Funding: LK supported through an Australian Government Research Training Programme Scholarship; unconditional funding from Seqirus to support the Delphi Workshop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Khawar
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (D.A.M.); (D.G.R.); (B.D.); (S.M.); (R.J.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Dorothy A. Machalek
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (D.A.M.); (D.G.R.); (B.D.); (S.M.); (R.J.G.)
- Centre for Women’s Infectious Diseases, the Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3053, Australia
| | - David G. Regan
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (D.A.M.); (D.G.R.); (B.D.); (S.M.); (R.J.G.)
| | - Basil Donovan
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (D.A.M.); (D.G.R.); (B.D.); (S.M.); (R.J.G.)
- Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sydney Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Skye McGregor
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (D.A.M.); (D.G.R.); (B.D.); (S.M.); (R.J.G.)
| | - Rebecca J. Guy
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; (D.A.M.); (D.G.R.); (B.D.); (S.M.); (R.J.G.)
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Norberg MM, Hides L, Olivier J, Khawar L, McKetin R, Copeland J. Brief interventions to reduce Ecstasy use: a multi-site randomized controlled trial. Behav Ther 2014; 45:745-59. [PMID: 25311285 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2014.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Revised: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Studies examining the ability of motivational enhancement therapy (MET) to augment education provision among ecstasy users have produced mixed results and none have examined whether treatment fidelity was related to ecstasy use outcomes. The primary objectives of this multi-site, parallel, two-group randomized controlled trial were to determine if a single-session of MET could instill greater commitment to change and reduce ecstasy use and related problems more so than an education-only intervention and whether MET sessions delivered with higher treatment fidelity are associated with better outcomes. The secondary objective was to assess participants' satisfaction with their assigned interventions. Participants (N=174; Mage=23.62) at two Australian universities were allocated randomly to receive a 15-minute educational session on ecstasy use (n=85) or a 50-minute session of MET that included an educational component (n=89). Primary outcomes were assessed at baseline, and then at 4-, 16-, and 24-weeks postbaseline, while the secondary outcome measure was assessed 4-weeks postbaseline by researchers blind to treatment allocation. Overall, the treatment fidelity was acceptable to good in the MET condition. There were no statistical differences at follow-up between the groups on the primary outcomes of ecstasy use, ecstasy-related problems, and commitment to change. Both intervention groups reported a 50% reduction in their ecstasy use and a 20% reduction in the severity of their ecstasy-related problems at the 24-week follow up. Commitment to change slightly improved for both groups (9%-17%). Despite the lack of between-group statistical differences on primary outcomes, participants who received a single session of MET were slightly more satisfied with their intervention than those who received education only. MI fidelity was not associated with ecstasy use outcomes. Given these findings, future research should focus on examining mechanisms of change. Such work may suggest new methods for enhancing outcomes. Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry: ACTRN12611000136909.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa M Norberg
- Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University; National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre, UNSW Medicine, Sydney; National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Medicine, Sydney.
| | - Leanne Hides
- Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology
| | - Jake Olivier
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, UNSW, Sydney
| | - Laila Khawar
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Medicine, Sydney
| | - Rebecca McKetin
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Medicine, Sydney; Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Well-being, the Australian National University, Canberra
| | - Jan Copeland
- National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre, UNSW Medicine, Sydney
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