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Tozan Y, Kiyingi J, Kim S, Nabayinda J, Namuwonge F, Nsubuga E, Nakabuye F, Sensoy OB, Nabunya P, Mayo-Wilson LJ, McKay MM, Witte SS, Ssewamala FM. Costing of a Combination Intervention (Kyaterekera) Addressing Sexual Risk-Taking Behaviors among Vulnerable Women in Southern Uganda. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2024; 110:1046-1056. [PMID: 38579695 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0485] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
In Uganda, women engaged in sex work (WESW) are a marginalized population at the intersection of multiple vulnerabilities. The Kyaterekera intervention is targeted at WESW in Rakai and the greater Masaka regions in Uganda and combines a traditional HIV risk-reduction approach with a savings-led economic empowerment intervention and financial literacy training. We estimated the economic costs of the Kyaterekera intervention from a program provider perspective using a prospective activity-based micro-costing method. All program activities and resource uses were measured and valued across the control arm receiving a traditional HIV risk-reduction intervention and the treatment arm receiving a matched individual development savings account and financial literacy training on top of HIV risk reduction. The total per-participant cost by arm was adjusted for inflation and discounted at an annual rate of 3% and presented in 2019 US dollars. The total per-participant costs of the control and intervention arms were estimated at $323 and $1,435, respectively, using the per-protocol sample. When calculated based on the intent-to-treat sample, the per-participant costs were reduced to $183 and $588, respectively. The key cost drivers were the capital invested in individual development accounts and personnel and transportation costs for program operations, linked to WESW's higher mobility and the dispersed pattern of hot spot locations. The findings provide evidence of the economic costs of implementing a targeted intervention for this marginalized population in resource-constrained settings and shed light on the scale of potential investment needed to better achieve the health equity goal of HIV prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York
| | - Joshua Kiyingi
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Sooyoung Kim
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York
| | | | - Flavia Namuwonge
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Masaka, Uganda
| | - Edward Nsubuga
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Fatuma Nakabuye
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Masaka, Uganda
| | - Ozge Bahar Sensoy
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Proscovia Nabunya
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Larissa Jennings Mayo-Wilson
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Mary M McKay
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Susan S Witte
- Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, New York
| | - Fred M Ssewamala
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
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Capasso A, Tozan Y, DiClemente RJ, Pahl K. Childhood Violence, High School Academic Environment, and Adult Alcohol Use Among Latinas and Black Women: A Structural Equation Modeling Study. J Interpers Violence 2024:8862605241243372. [PMID: 38587260 DOI: 10.1177/08862605241243372] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Young Latinas and Black women drink less than women of other racial/ethnic groups but experience more alcohol-related problems in midlife. This study aims to identify modifiable factors to prevent adult onset of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in this population. METHODS Data were collected at six time points as part of the Harlem Longitudinal Development Study from 365 Latinas (47%) and Black (53%) women (mean age at time 1 = 14, standard deviation 1.3). Structural equation modeling was used to test hypothesized pathways from childhood physical and sexual abuse to AUD via depressive mood, anxiety disorders, and somatic complaints in the 20s. We also tested the moderation effect of the high school academic environment by including in the structural equation model two latent variable interaction terms between the school environment and each of the abuse variables. RESULTS Childhood physical and sexual abuse was positively associated with depressive mood, anxiety disorders, and somatic complaints when participants were in the 20s. Depressive mood mediated childhood abuse and AUD when women were in the 30s. The high school academic environment attenuated the effect of physical, but not sexual abuse, on depressive mood (β = -0.59, B = -9.38, 95% CI [-14.00, -4.76]), anxiety symptoms (β = -0.61, B = -14.19, 95% CI [-21.76, -6.61]), appetite loss (β = -0.41, B = -10.52, 95% CI [-15.61, -5.42]), and sleeplessness (β = -0.50, B = -9.56, 95% CI [-13.95, -5.17]) in the early 20s. CONCLUSIONS Our findings underscore the need to invest in early violence prevention interventions and in education to ensure equitable access to quality, academically oriented, and safe schools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadna Capasso
- NYU School of Global Public Health, New York University, USA
- Health Resources in Action, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yesim Tozan
- NYU School of Global Public Health, New York University, USA
| | | | - Kerstin Pahl
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, USA
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA
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Kim S, Sarkar R, Kumar S, Lewis MG, Tozan Y, Albert S. Understanding COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Meghalaya, India: Multiple correspondence and agglomerative hierarchical cluster analyses. PLOS Glob Public Health 2024; 4:e0002250. [PMID: 38412201 PMCID: PMC10898751 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Meghalaya, a state in the northeastern region of India, had a markedly low vaccine uptake compared to the other states in the country when COVID-19 vaccines were being rolled out in 2021. This study aimed to characterize the distinct vaccine-hesitant subpopulations in healthcare and community settings in Meghalaya state in the early days of the vaccination program. We used data from a cross-sectional survey that was administered to 200 healthcare workers (HCWs) and 200 community members, who were a priori identified as 'vaccine-eligible' and 'vaccine-hesitant,' in Shillong city, Meghalaya, in May 2021. The questionnaire collected information on participants' sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19 history, and presence of medical comorbidities. Participants were also asked to provide a dichotomous answer to a set of 19 questions, probing the reasons for their hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines. A multiple correspondence analysis, followed by an agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis, was performed to identify the distinct clusters of vaccine-hesitant participants. We identified seven clusters: indecisive HCWs (n = 71), HCWs skeptical of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines (n = 128), highly educated male tribal/clan leaders concerned about infertility and future pregnancies (n = 14), less educated adults influenced by leaders and family (n = 47), older adults worried about vaccine safety (n = 76), middle-aged adults without young children (n = 56), and highly educated ethnic/religious minorities with misinformation (n = 8). Across all the clusters, perceived logistical challenges associated with receiving the vaccine was identified as a common factor contributing to vaccine hesitancy. Our study findings provide valuable insights for local and state health authorities to effectively target distinct subgroups of vaccine-hesitant populations with tailored health messaging, and also call for a comprehensive approach to address the common drivers of vaccine hesitancy in communities with low vaccination rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sooyoung Kim
- Department of Public Health Policy and Management, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Rajiv Sarkar
- Indian Institute of Public Health Shillong, Pasteur Hill, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
| | - Sampath Kumar
- Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya, Additional Secretariat, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
| | - Melissa Glenda Lewis
- Indian Institute of Public Health Shillong, Pasteur Hill, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
| | - Yesim Tozan
- Department of Global and Environmental Health, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Sandra Albert
- Indian Institute of Public Health Shillong, Pasteur Hill, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
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Ecker DJ, Aiello CD, Arron JR, Bennett CF, Bernard A, Breakefield XO, Broderick TJ, Callier SL, Canton B, Chen JS, Fishburn CS, Garrett B, Hecht SM, Janowitz T, Kliegman M, Krainer A, Louis CU, Lowe C, Sehgal A, Tozan Y, Tracey KJ, Urnov F, Wattendorf D, Williams TW, Zhao X, Hayden MR. Opportunities and challenges for innovative and equitable healthcare. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024:10.1038/d41573-024-00032-4. [PMID: 38409339 DOI: 10.1038/d41573-024-00032-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
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Ompad DC, Padhan TK, Kessler A, Tozan Y, Jones AM, van Eijk AM, Sullivan SA, Haque MA, Pradhan MM, Mohanty S, Carlton JM, Sahu PK. The effectiveness of malaria camps as part of the malaria control program in Odisha, India. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22998. [PMID: 38155156 PMCID: PMC10754896 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46220-x] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (DAMaN) is a multi-component malaria intervention for hard-to-reach villages in Odisha, India. The main component, malaria camps (MCs), consists of mass screening, treatment, education, and intensified vector control. We evaluated MC effectiveness using a quasi-experimental cluster-assigned stepped-wedge study with a pretest-posttest control group in 15 villages: six immediate (Arm A), six delayed (Arm B), and three previous interventions (Arm C). The primary outcome was PCR + Plasmodium infection prevalence. The time (i.e., baseline vs. follow-up 3) x study arm interaction term shows that there were statistically significant lower odds of PCR + Plasmodium infection in Arm A (AOR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.17, 0.74) but not Arm C as compared to Arm B at the third follow-up. The cost per person ranged between US$3-8, the cost per tested US$4-9, and the cost per treated US$82-1,614, per camp round. These results suggest that the DAMaN intervention is a promising and financially feasible approach for malaria control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle C Ompad
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA.
| | - Timir K Padhan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Infectious Diseases, Community Welfare Society Hospital, Rourkela, Odisha, 769042, India
| | - Anne Kessler
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Abbey M Jones
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Anna Maria van Eijk
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Steven A Sullivan
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Mohammed A Haque
- Department of Molecular Biology and Infectious Diseases, Community Welfare Society Hospital, Rourkela, Odisha, 769042, India
| | - Madan Mohan Pradhan
- Department of Health and Family Welfare, State Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751001, India
| | - Sanjib Mohanty
- Department of Molecular Biology and Infectious Diseases, Community Welfare Society Hospital, Rourkela, Odisha, 769042, India
| | - Jane M Carlton
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
- Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Global Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Praveen K Sahu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Infectious Diseases, Community Welfare Society Hospital, Rourkela, Odisha, 769042, India
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Tozan Y, Headley TY, Javelle E, Gautret P, Grobusch M, de Pijper C, Asgeirsson H, Chen LH, Bourque DL, Menéndez MD, Moro L, Gobbi F, Sánchez-Montalvá A, Connor BA, Matteelli A, Crosato V, Huits R, Libman M, Hamer DH. Impact, healthcare utilization and costs of travel-associated mosquito-borne diseases in international travellers: a prospective study. J Travel Med 2023; 30:taad060. [PMID: 37129519 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taad060] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND International travellers frequently acquire infectious diseases whilst travelling, yet relatively little is known about the impact and economic burden of these illnesses on travellers. We conducted a prospective exploratory costing study on adult returning travellers with falciparum malaria, dengue, chikungunya or Zika virus. METHODS Patients were recruited in eight Travel and Tropical Medicine clinics between June 2016 and March 2020 upon travellers' first contact with the health system in their country of residence. The patients were presented with a structured 52-question self-administered questionnaire after full recovery to collect information on patients' healthcare utilization and out-of-pocket costs both in the destination and home country, and about income and other financial losses due to the illness. RESULTS A total of 134 patients participated in the study (malaria, 66; dengue, 51; chikungunya, 8; Zika virus, 9; all fully recovered; median age 40; range 18-72 years). Prior to travelling, 42% of patients reported procuring medical evacuation insurance. Across the four illnesses, only 7% of patients were hospitalized abroad compared with 61% at home. Similarly, 15% sought ambulatory services whilst abroad compared with 61% at home. The average direct out-of-pocket hospitalization cost in the destination country (USD $2236; range: $108-$5160) was higher than the direct out-of-pocket ambulatory cost in the destination country (USD $327; range: $0-$1560), the direct out-of-pocket hospitalization cost at home (USD $35; range: $0-$120) and the direct out-of-pocket ambulatory costs at home (US$45; range: $0-$192). Respondents with dengue or malaria lost a median of USD $570 (Interquartile range [IQR] 240-1140) and USD $240 (IQR 0-600), respectively, due to their illness, whilst those with chikungunya and Zika virus lost a median of USD $2400 (IQR 1200-3600) and USD $1500 (IQR 510-2625), respectively. CONCLUSION Travellers often incur significant costs due to travel-acquired diseases. Further research into the economic impact of these diseases on travellers should be conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Tyler Y Headley
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Emilie Javelle
- Unité Parasitologie et Entomologie, Département Microbiologie et Maladies Infectieuses, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées (IRBA), Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, Marseille, France
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Gautret
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, Marseille, France
- IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Martin Grobusch
- Center for Tropical and Travel Medicine, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis de Pijper
- Center for Tropical and Travel Medicine, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hilmir Asgeirsson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Unit of Infectious Diseases and Dermatology, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lin H Chen
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Travel Medicine Center-Mt. Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Daniel L Bourque
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Travel Medicine Center-Mt. Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Marta D Menéndez
- Hospital Universitario La Paz-Carlos IIIl, IdiPaz, CIBERIfect, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucia Moro
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Federico Gobbi
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Adrián Sánchez-Montalvá
- International Health Unit Vall d'Hebron-Drassanes, Infectious Diseases Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bradley A Connor
- Weill Cornell Medicine and the New York Center for Travel and Tropical Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Alberto Matteelli
- Clinic of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and District Health Department, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Italy
| | - Verena Crosato
- Clinic of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and District Health Department, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Italy
| | - Ralph Huits
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Michael Libman
- J.D. MacLean Centre for Tropical Diseases, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Davidson H Hamer
- J.D. MacLean Centre for Tropical Diseases, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Boston University School of Public Health and Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA, United States
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Nabayinda J, Namirembe R, Kizito S, Nsubuga E, Nabunya P, Bahar OS, Magorokosho N, Kiyingi J, Nattabi J, Tozan Y, Mayo-Wilson LJ, Mwebembezi A, Witte SS, Ssewamala FM. Correlates of Intimate Partner Violence Among Young Women Engaged in Sex Work in Southern Uganda. J Interpers Violence 2023; 38:10749-10770. [PMID: 37212371 PMCID: PMC10524718 DOI: 10.1177/08862605231175908] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant global public health problem that results in high social and economic costs to individuals and communities. Compared to women in the general population, women engaged in sex work (WESW) are more likely to experience physical, emotional, and sexual IPV. This study examines the correlates of IPV among young WESW with their intimate partners in Southern Uganda. We used baseline data from the Kyaterekera project, a 5 year NIH-funded longitudinal study aimed at reducing HIV risks among 542 WESW in Southern Uganda. To examine the factors associated with IPV, we fitted three separate multi-level Poisson regression models for physical, emotional, and sexual IPV, respectively. Average age was 31.4 years, and 54% of the women reported being victims of at least one form of IPV from their intimate partners. Model one assessed correlates of sexual IPV. Being married women (β = .71, 95% CI [0.24, 1.17]), divorced/separated/widowed (β = .52, [0.02, 1.02]), depressed (β = .04, [0.02, 0.05]), and having any sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (β = .58, [0.14, 1.01]) were associated with sexual IPV. Model two assessed correlates of physical IPV. Experience of childhood sexual abuse (β = .12, [0.04, 0.19]) was associated with an increase in physical IPV, and increasing age reduced its occurrence (β = -.02, [-0.04, -0.001]). Finally, model three assessed emotional IPV. Women with higher education (β = .49, [0.14, 0.85]) and symptoms of depression (β = .02, [0.001, 0.04]) had higher risks for emotional IPV. For WESW, IPV presents an additional potential pathway for HIV and STIs acquisition and transmission through a lack of negotiating power for safe sex. Efforts to reduce violence against WESW should be prioritized as a strategy for enhancing the well-being of WESW.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rashida Namirembe
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Masaka, Uganda
| | - Samuel Kizito
- Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, MO, USA
| | - Edward Nsubuga
- Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, MO, USA
| | | | | | | | - Joshua Kiyingi
- Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, MO, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Susan S. Witte
- Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY, USA
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Talwar A, Kim S, Yu S, Samant S, Tozan Y, Givi B. Private Payer-Negotiated Rates for FDA-Approved Head and Neck Cancer Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy Agents. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2023; 169:954-961. [PMID: 36856039 DOI: 10.1002/ohn.308] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To quantify the price that private payers pay hospitals for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatments and identify hospital-level factors associated with price variation. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Price transparency files. METHODS Files from the top 50 hospitals in otolaryngology according to the US News and World Report were analyzed between December 2021 and June 2022. This study analyzed the following Food and Drug Administration-approved HNSCC therapies: pembrolizumab, nivolumab, cetuximab, cisplatin, carboplatin, and paclitaxel. RESULTS Twenty-four (48%) hospitals reported prices for at least 1 medication in our sample. Newer biologics were significantly more expensive than traditional chemotherapeutic agents. Given approved medication regimens, all biologics in our sample have similar annual costs. Price markups over acquisition costs ranged between 109% (pembrolizumab, nivolumab) and 530% for carboplatin. Across hospitals, prices varied the most for paclitaxel, the cheapest medication in our sample, and prices varied the least for pembrolizumab the most expensive medication in our sample. Hospital 340B status and geographic location in the northeast/west are associated with lower price markups. CONCLUSION Price nondisclosure remains a significant problem among hospitals. Newer biological medications are more expensive when compared to traditional chemotherapeutic agents. Prices vary significantly across hospitals, with lower price markups observed in 340B hospitals as well as hospitals located in the geographic northeast and west. It remains to be seen if price transparency will lead to more uniform pricing or lower costs of treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinav Talwar
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Sooyoung Kim
- Department of Health Policy and Management, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Shun Yu
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Sandeep Samant
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Yesim Tozan
- Department of Health Policy and Management, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York City, New York, USA
- Global and Environmental Health Program, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Babak Givi
- Head and Neck Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
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Ramadona AL, Tozan Y, Wallin J, Lazuardi L, Utarini A, Rocklöv J. Predicting the dengue cluster outbreak dynamics in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: a modelling study. Lancet Reg Health Southeast Asia 2023; 15:100209. [PMID: 37614350 PMCID: PMC10442971 DOI: 10.1016/j.lansea.2023.100209] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Background Human mobility and climate conditions are recognised key drivers of dengue transmission, but their combined and individual role in the local spatiotemporal clustering of dengue cases is not well understood. This study investigated the effects of human mobility and weather conditions on dengue risk in an urban area in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Methods We established a Bayesian spatiotemporal model for neighbourhood outbreak prediction and evaluated the performances of two different approaches for constructing an adjacency matrix: one based on geographical proximity and the other based on human mobility patterns. We used population, weather conditions, and past dengue cases as predictors using a flexible distributed lag approach. The human mobility data were estimated based on proxies from social media. Unseen data from February 2017 to January 2020 were used to estimate the one-month ahead prediction accuracy of the model. Findings When human mobility proxies were included in the spatial covariance structure, the model fit improved in terms of the log score (from 1.748 to 1.561) and the mean absolute error (from 0.676 to 0.522) based on the validation data. Additionally, showed only few observations outside the credible interval of predictions (1.48%) and weather conditions were not found to contribute additionally to the clustering of cases at this scale. Interpretation The study shows that it is possible to make highly accurate predictions of the within-city cluster dynamics of dengue using mobility proxies from social media combined with disease surveillance data. These insights are important for proactive and timely outbreak management of dengue. Funding Swedish Research Council Formas, Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research, Swedish research council VINNOVA and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Germany).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Lia Ramadona
- Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, 90187, Sweden
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Units: Section of Sustainable Health, Umeå University, Umeå, 90187, Sweden
- Department of Health Behavior, Environment and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia
| | - Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, 10003, United States
| | - Jonas Wallin
- Department of Statistics, Lund University, Lund, 22363, Sweden
| | - Lutfan Lazuardi
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia
| | - Adi Utarini
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia
| | - Joacim Rocklöv
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Units: Section of Sustainable Health, Umeå University, Umeå, 90187, Sweden
- Heidelberg Institute of Public Health & Heidelberg Interdisciplinary Centre for Scientific Computing, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
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Armando CJ, Rocklöv J, Sidat M, Tozan Y, Mavume AF, Bunker A, Sewes MO. Climate variability, socio-economic conditions and vulnerability to malaria infections in Mozambique 2016-2018: a spatial temporal analysis. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1162535. [PMID: 37325319 PMCID: PMC10267345 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1162535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Temperature, precipitation, relative humidity (RH), and Normalized Different Vegetation Index (NDVI), influence malaria transmission dynamics. However, an understanding of interactions between socioeconomic indicators, environmental factors and malaria incidence can help design interventions to alleviate the high burden of malaria infections on vulnerable populations. Our study thus aimed to investigate the socioeconomic and climatological factors influencing spatial and temporal variability of malaria infections in Mozambique. Methods We used monthly malaria cases from 2016 to 2018 at the district level. We developed an hierarchical spatial-temporal model in a Bayesian framework. Monthly malaria cases were assumed to follow a negative binomial distribution. We used integrated nested Laplace approximation (INLA) in R for Bayesian inference and distributed lag nonlinear modeling (DLNM) framework to explore exposure-response relationships between climate variables and risk of malaria infection in Mozambique, while adjusting for socioeconomic factors. Results A total of 19,948,295 malaria cases were reported between 2016 and 2018 in Mozambique. Malaria risk increased with higher monthly mean temperatures between 20 and 29°C, at mean temperature of 25°C, the risk of malaria was 3.45 times higher (RR 3.45 [95%CI: 2.37-5.03]). Malaria risk was greatest for NDVI above 0.22. The risk of malaria was 1.34 times higher (1.34 [1.01-1.79]) at monthly RH of 55%. Malaria risk reduced by 26.1%, for total monthly precipitation of 480 mm (0.739 [95%CI: 0.61-0.90]) at lag 2 months, while for lower total monthly precipitation of 10 mm, the risk of malaria was 1.87 times higher (1.87 [1.30-2.69]). After adjusting for climate variables, having lower level of education significantly increased malaria risk (1.034 [1.014-1.054]) and having electricity (0.979 [0.967-0.992]) and sharing toilet facilities (0.957 [0.924-0.991]) significantly reduced malaria risk. Conclusion Our current study identified lag patterns and association between climate variables and malaria incidence in Mozambique. Extremes in climate variables were associated with an increased risk of malaria transmission, peaks in transmission were varied. Our findings provide insights for designing early warning, prevention, and control strategies to minimize seasonal malaria surges and associated infections in Mozambique a region where Malaria causes substantial burden from illness and deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaibo Jose Armando
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Sustainable Health Section, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Joacim Rocklöv
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Sustainable Health Section, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health and Interdisciplinary Centre for Scientific Computing, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mohsin Sidat
- Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Aditi Bunker
- Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maquins Odhiambo Sewes
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Sustainable Health Section, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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11
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Batool-Anwar S, Robbins R, Ali SH, Capasso A, Foreman J, Jones AM, Tozan Y, DiClemente RJ, Quan SF. Examining Changes in Sleep Duration Associated with the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Who is Sleeping and Who is Not? Behav Med 2023; 49:162-171. [PMID: 34791993 PMCID: PMC9288172 DOI: 10.1080/08964289.2021.2002800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in social isolation and reports of insomnia. However, reports of changes in sleep duration and associated factors are few. To determine the impact of COVID-19 on changes in sleep behavior, data were analyzed from an online survey of adults recruited via social media that included questions asking whether the respondent slept less or more after the onset of the pandemic as well as self-reported sociodemographic and occupational information; beliefs about COVID-19; and responses pertaining to loneliness, anxiety, and depression. There were 5,175 respondents; 53.9% had a change in sleep duration.17.1% slept less and 36.7% slept more. Sleeping more was related to greater education, being single/divorced/separated, unemployed or a student. Being retired, divorced/separated or a homemaker, and living in the Mountain or Central time zones were associated with less sleep. Beliefs that COVID-19 would result in personal adverse consequences was associated with both more and less sleep. However, the strongest associations for both more and less sleep were seen with depression, anxiety, and loneliness. In summary, changes in sleep duration since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic were highly prevalent among social media users and were associated with several sociodemographic factors and beliefs that COVID-19 would have adverse personal impacts. However, the strongest associations occurred with worse mental health suggesting that improvements may occur with better sleep.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/08964289.2021.2002800 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Salma Batool-Anwar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca Robbins
- Department of Medicine, Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shahmir H Ali
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ariadna Capasso
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joshua Foreman
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Abbey M Jones
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yesim Tozan
- Global Health Program, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ralph J DiClemente
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stuart F Quan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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12
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Tozan Y, Odhiambo Sewe M, Kim S, Rocklöv J. A Methodological Framework for Economic Evaluation of Operational Response to Vector-Borne Diseases Based on Early Warning Systems. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 108:627-633. [PMID: 36646075 PMCID: PMC9978551 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0471] [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: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite significant advances in improving the predictive models for vector-borne diseases, only a few countries have integrated an early warning system (EWS) with predictive and response capabilities into their disease surveillance systems. The limited understanding of forecast performance and uncertainties by decision-makers is one of the primary factors that precludes its operationalization in preparedness and response planning. Further, predictive models exhibit a decrease in forecast skill with longer lead times, a trade-off between forecast accuracy and timeliness and effectiveness of action. This study presents a methodological framework to evaluate the economic value of EWS-triggered responses from the health system perspective. Assuming an operational EWS in place, the framework makes explicit the trade-offs between forecast accuracy, timeliness of action, effectiveness of response, and costs, and uses the net benefit analysis, which measures the benefits of taking action minus the associated costs. Uncertainty in disease forecasts and other parameters is accounted for through probabilistic sensitivity analysis. The output is the probability distribution of the net benefit estimates at given forecast lead times. A non-negative net benefit and the probability of yielding such are considered a general signal that the EWS-triggered response at a given lead time is economically viable. In summary, the proposed framework translates uncertainties associated with disease forecasts and other parameters into decision uncertainty by quantifying the economic risk associated with operational response to vector-borne disease events of potential importance predicted by an EWS. The goal is to facilitate a more informed and transparent public health decision-making under uncertainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York
| | - Maquines Odhiambo Sewe
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global Health & Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sooyoung Kim
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York
| | - Joacim Rocklöv
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global Health & Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Interdisciplinary Centre for Scientific Computing, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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13
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Kiyingi J, Nabunya P, Kizito S, Nabayinda J, Nsubuga E, Bahar OS, Jennings Mayo-Wilson L, Namuwonge F, Nattabi J, Magorokosho N, Tozan Y, Witte SS, Ssewamala FM. Self-Reported Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Among Women Engaged in Commercial Sex Work in Southern Uganda. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:1004-1012. [PMID: 36066764 PMCID: PMC9974600 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03837-9] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
We examined the correlates of self-reported adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among women engaged in commercial sex work (WESW) in Uganda. We used baseline data from a longitudinal study, which recruited 542 WESW in Southern Uganda. We used nested regression models to determine the individual and family, and economic level correlates of self-reported adherence. Study findings show that older age (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.013, 1.139), secondary education (OR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.306, 3.084), large household size (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.020, 1.136), high family cohesion (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.052, 1.065), and high financial self-efficacy (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.006, 1.130) were associated with good self-reported adherence to ART. Married women (OR=-0.39, 95% CI = 0.197, 0.774), depression (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.744, 0.969), alcohol use (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.548, 0.954), ever been arrested (OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.341, 0.997), and high household assets ownership (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.313, 0.724) were associated with poor self-reported adherence to ART. Findings suggest a need to adopt a multi-level approach to address gaps in ART adherence among WESW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Kiyingi
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, 1 Brookings Drive, 63130, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Proscovia Nabunya
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, 1 Brookings Drive, 63130, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Samuel Kizito
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, 1 Brookings Drive, 63130, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Josephine Nabayinda
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, 1 Brookings Drive, 63130, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Edward Nsubuga
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Masaka, Uganda
| | - Ozge Sensoy Bahar
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, 1 Brookings Drive, 63130, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Larissa Jennings Mayo-Wilson
- University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, 170 Rosenau Hall, 27599, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Flavia Namuwonge
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Masaka, Uganda
| | - Jennifer Nattabi
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, 1 Brookings Drive, 63130, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Natasja Magorokosho
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, 1 Brookings Drive, 63130, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yesim Tozan
- New York University College of Global Public Health, 14 East 4th street, 3rd floor, 10003, New York, NY, USA
| | - Susan S Witte
- Columbia University School of Social Work, 1255 Amsterdam Avenue, 10027, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fred M Ssewamala
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, 1 Brookings Drive, 63130, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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14
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Farooq Z, Sjödin H, Semenza JC, Tozan Y, Sewe MO, Wallin J, Rocklöv J. European projections of West Nile virus transmission under climate change scenarios. One Health 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
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15
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Ompad DC, Padhan TK, Kessler A, Mohanty S, Tozan Y, Jones AM, van Eijk AM, Sullivan SA, Haque MA, Pradhan MM, Mohanty S, Carlton JM, Sahu PK. The effectiveness of malaria camps as part of the malaria control program in Odisha, India. medRxiv 2023:2023.01.18.23284743. [PMID: 36711482 PMCID: PMC9882634 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.18.23284743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (DAMaN) is a multi-component malaria intervention for hard-to-reach villages in Odisha, India. The main component, Malaria Camps (MCs), consists of mass screening, treatment, education, and intensified vector control. We evaluated MC effectiveness using a quasi-experimental cluster-assigned stepped-wedge study with a pretest-posttest control group in 15 villages: six immediate (Arm A), six delayed (Arm B), and three previous interventions (Arm C). The primary outcome was PCR+ Plasmodium infection prevalence. Across all arms, the odds of PCR+ malaria were 54% lower at the third follow-up compared to baseline. A time (i.e., visit) x study arm interaction revealed significantly lower odds of PCR+ malaria in Arm A versus B at the third follow-up. The cost per person ranged between US$3-8, the cost per tested US$4-7, and the cost per treated US$82-1,614, per camp round. These results suggest that the DAMaN intervention is a promising, financially feasible approach for malaria control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle C Ompad
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Timir K Padhan
- Department of Molecular Biology & Infectious Diseases, Community Welfare Society Hospital, Rourkela, Odisha, 769042, India
| | - Anne Kessler
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Stuti Mohanty
- Department of Molecular Biology & Infectious Diseases, Community Welfare Society Hospital, Rourkela, Odisha, 769042, India
| | - Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Abbey M Jones
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Anna Maria van Eijk
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Steven A Sullivan
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Mohammed A Haque
- Department of Molecular Biology & Infectious Diseases, Community Welfare Society Hospital, Rourkela, Odisha, 769042, India
| | - Madan Mohan Pradhan
- Department of Health & Family Welfare, State Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751001, India
| | - Sanjib Mohanty
- Department of Molecular Biology & Infectious Diseases, Community Welfare Society Hospital, Rourkela, Odisha, 769042, India
| | - Jane M Carlton
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Praveen K Sahu
- Department of Molecular Biology & Infectious Diseases, Community Welfare Society Hospital, Rourkela, Odisha, 769042, India
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16
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Jennings Mayo-Wilson L, Yen BJ, Nabunya P, Bahar OS, Wright BN, Kiyingi J, Filippone PL, Mwebembezi A, Kagaayi J, Tozan Y, Nabayinda J, Witte SS, Ssewamala FM. Economic Abuse and Care-seeking Practices for HIV and Financial Support Services in Women Employed by Sex Work: A Cross-Sectional Baseline Assessment of a Clinical Trial Cohort in Uganda. J Interpers Violence 2023; 38:NP1920-NP1949. [PMID: 35510547 PMCID: PMC9636073 DOI: 10.1177/08862605221093680] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Economic hardship is a driver of entry into sex work, which is associated with high HIV risk. Yet, little is known about economic abuse in women employed by sex work (WESW) and its relationship to uptake of HIV prevention and financial support services. This study used cross-sectional baseline data from a multisite, longitudinal clinical trial that tests the efficacy of adding economic empowerment to traditional HIV risk reduction education on HIV incidence in 542 WESW. Mixed effects logistic and linear regressions were used to examine associations in reported economic abuse by demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, HIV care-seeking, and financial care-seeking. Mean age was 31.4 years. Most WESW were unmarried (74%) and had less than primary school education (64%). 48% had savings, and 72% had debt. 93% reported at least one economic abuse incident. Common incidents included being forced to ask for money (80%), having financial information kept from them (61%), and being forced to disclose how money was spent (56%). WESW also reported partners/relatives spending money needed for bills (45%), not paying bills (38%), threatening them to quit their job(s) (38%), and using physical violence when earning income (24%). Married/partnered WESW (OR = 2.68, 95% CI:1.60-4.48), those with debt (OR = 1.70, 95% CI:1.04-2.77), and those with sex-work bosses (OR = 1.90, 95% CI:1.07-3.38) had higher economic abuse. Condomless sex (β = +4.43, p < .05) was higher among WESW experiencing economic abuse, who also had lower odds of initiating PrEP (OR = .39, 95% CI:.17-.89). WESW experiencing economic abuse were also more likely to ask for cash among relatives (OR = 2.36, 95% CI:1.13-4.94) or banks (OR = 2.12, 95% CI:1.11-4.03). The high prevalence of HIV and economic abuse in WESW underscores the importance of integrating financial empowerment in HIV risk reduction interventions for WESW, including education about economic abuse and strategies to address it. Programs focusing on violence against women should also consider economic barriers to accessing HIV prevention services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Jennings Mayo-Wilson
- University of North Carolina Gillings School
of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill,
NC, USA
- Community, Global and Public Health
Division, Johns
Hopkins University School of Nursing,
Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bing-Jie Yen
- Department of Applied Health
Science, Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University School of Public
Health, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Proscovia Nabunya
- Washington University in St. Louis, Brown
School, St. Louis, MO, USA
- International Center for Child Health and
Development, Masaka, Uganda
| | - Ozge Sensoy Bahar
- Washington University in St. Louis, Brown
School, St. Louis, MO, USA
- International Center for Child Health and
Development, Masaka, Uganda
| | - Brittanni N. Wright
- Department of Applied Health
Science, Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University School of Public
Health, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Joshua Kiyingi
- Washington University in St. Louis, Brown
School, St. Louis, MO, USA
- International Center for Child Health and
Development, Masaka, Uganda
| | | | - Abel Mwebembezi
- International Center for Child Health and
Development, Masaka, Uganda
- Reach the Youth
Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Yesim Tozan
- New York University College of Global Public
Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Josephine Nabayinda
- Washington University in St. Louis, Brown
School, St. Louis, MO, USA
- International Center for Child Health and
Development, Masaka, Uganda
| | | | - Fred M. Ssewamala
- Washington University in St. Louis, Brown
School, St. Louis, MO, USA
- International Center for Child Health and
Development, Masaka, Uganda
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Sensoy Bahar O, Nabunya P, Nabayinda J, Witte S, Kiyingi J, Nsubuga E, Schriger S, Nattabi J, Mayo-Wilson LJ, Nakigudde J, Tozan Y, Ssewamala FM. "I decided in my heart I have to complete the sessions": A qualitative study on the acceptability of an evidence-based HIV risk reduction intervention among women engaged in sex work in Uganda. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280138. [PMID: 36634037 PMCID: PMC9836279 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280138] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The HIV burden remains a critical public health concern and women engaged in sex work [WESW] are at significantly higher risk compared to the general adult population. Similar to other sub-Saharan African countries, Uganda reports high rates of HIV prevalence among WESW. Yet, they have not been targeted by theory-informed HIV prevention intervention approaches. METHODS We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with 20 WESW upon intervention completion to explore their experiences with an evidence-based HIV risk reduction intervention that was implemented as part of a combination intervention tested in a clinical trial in Uganda (2018-2023. Specifically, we explored their initial motivations and concerns for participating in the intervention, barriers and facilitators to attendance, and their feedback on specific intervention characteristics. RESULTS The main expectations revolved around access to health-related information, including information on STIs, HIV, and PrEP as well as on how one can protect themselves while engaging in sex work. Initial concerns were around potential breach of confidentiality and fear of arrest. The main facilitators for session attendance were the motivation to learn health-related information, the attitude of facilitators, and the incentives received for participation, whereas main challenges were related to family commitments and work schedules. WESW appreciated the group format of the intervention and found the location and times of the intervention delivery acceptable. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Overall, our findings suggest that the HIV risk reduction intervention was appropriate and acceptable to WESW. Yet, WESW experience unique concerns and barriers that need to be accounted for when designing interventions targeting this population, especially in resource-limited settings where sex work is illegal and highly stigmatized. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03583541.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Sensoy Bahar
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Proscovia Nabunya
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Josephine Nabayinda
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Susan Witte
- Columbia University School of Social Work, New York City, NY, United States of America
| | - Joshua Kiyingi
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Edward Nsubuga
- International Center for Child Health and Development Field Office, Masaka, Uganda
| | - Simone Schriger
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Nattabi
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Larissa Jennings Mayo-Wilson
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Janet Nakigudde
- College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York City, NY, United States of America
| | - Fred M. Ssewamala
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
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Kim S, Capasso A, Ali SH, Headley T, DiClemente RJ, Tozan Y. What predicts people’s belief in COVID-19 misinformation? A retrospective study using a nationwide online survey among adults residing in the United States. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:2114. [PMCID: PMC9673212 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14431-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Tackling infodemics with flooding misinformation is key to managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet only a few studies have attempted to understand the characteristics of the people who believe in misinformation.
Methods
Data was used from an online survey that was administered in April 2020 to 6518 English-speaking adult participants in the United States. We created binary variables to represent four misinformation categories related to COVID-19: general COVID-19-related, vaccine/anti-vaccine, COVID-19 as an act of bioterrorism, and mode of transmission. Using binary logistic regression and the LASSO regularization, we then identified the important predictors of belief in each type of misinformation. Nested vector bootstrapping approach was used to estimate the standard error of the LASSO coefficients.
Results
About 30% of our sample reported believing in at least one type of COVID-19-related misinformation. Belief in one type of misinformation was not strongly associated with belief in other types. We also identified 58 demographic and socioeconomic factors that predicted people’s susceptibility to at least one type of COVID-19 misinformation. Different groups, characterized by distinct sets of predictors, were susceptible to different types of misinformation. There were 25 predictors for general COVID-19 misinformation, 42 for COVID-19 vaccine, 36 for COVID-19 as an act of bioterrorism, and 27 for mode of COVID-transmission.
Conclusion
Our findings confirm the existence of groups with unique characteristics that believe in different types of COVID-19 misinformation. Findings are readily applicable by policymakers to inform careful targeting of misinformation mitigation strategies.
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Shelley D, Alvarez GG, Nguyen T, Nguyen N, Goldsamt L, Cleland C, Tozan Y, Shuter J, Armstrong-Hough M. Adapting a tobacco cessation treatment intervention and implementation strategies to enhance implementation effectiveness and clinical outcomes in the context of HIV care in Vietnam: a case study. Implement Sci Commun 2022; 3:112. [PMID: 36253834 PMCID: PMC9574833 DOI: 10.1186/s43058-022-00361-8] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smoking rates remain high in Vietnam, particularly among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH), but tobacco cessation services are not available in outpatient HIV clinics (OPCs). The research team is conducting a type II hybrid randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing the cost-effectiveness of three tobacco cessation interventions among PLWH receiving care in HIV clinics in Vietnam. The study is simultaneously evaluating the implementation processes and outcomes of strategies aimed at increasing the implementation of tobacco dependence treatment (TDT) in the context of HIV care. This paper describes the systematic, theory-driven process of adapting intervention components and implementation strategies with demonstrated effectiveness in high-income countries, and more recently in Vietnam, to a new population (i.e., PLWH) and new clinical setting, prior to launching the trial. METHODS Data collection and analyses were guided by two implementation science frameworks and the socio-ecological model. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 13 health care providers and 24 patients in three OPCs. Workflow analyses were conducted in each OPC. Qualitative data were analyzed using rapid qualitative analysis procedures. Based on findings, components of the intervention and implementation strategies were adapted, followed by a 3-month pilot study in one OPC with 16 patients randomized to one of two intervention arms. RESULTS The primary adaptations included modifying the TDT intervention counseling content to address barriers to quitting among PLWH and Vietnamese sociocultural norms that support smoking cessation. Implementation strategies (i.e., training and system changes) were adapted to respond to provider- and clinic-level determinants of implementation effectiveness (e.g., knowledge gaps, OPC resource constraints, staffing structure, compatibility). CONCLUSIONS Adaptations were facilitated through a mixed method, stakeholder (patient and health care provider, district health leader)-engaged evaluation of context-specific influences on intervention and implementation effectiveness. This data-driven approach to refining and adapting components aimed to optimize intervention effectiveness and implementation in the context of HIV care. Balancing pragmatism with rigor through the use of rapid analysis procedures and multiple methods increased the feasibility of the adaptation process. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05162911 . Registered on December 16, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna Shelley
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, 708 Broadway, New York, NY, USA.
| | | | - Trang Nguyen
- Institute of Social and Medical Studies, 810 CT1A ĐN1, Ham Nghi Street, My Dinh 2 Ward, South Tu Liem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nam Nguyen
- Institute of Social and Medical Studies, 810 CT1A ĐN1, Ham Nghi Street, My Dinh 2 Ward, South Tu Liem District, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Lloyd Goldsamt
- Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, 433 First Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charles Cleland
- Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, 180 Madison Avenue, 2-53, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, 708 Broadway, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan Shuter
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, 111 East 210th Street, Schiff Pavilion, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Mari Armstrong-Hough
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, 708 Broadway, New York, NY, USA
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Mutumba M, Ssewamala F, Namirembe R, Sensoy Bahar O, Nabunya P, Neilands T, Tozan Y, Namuwonge F, Nattabi J, Acayo Laker P, Mukasa B, Mwebembezi A. A Multilevel Integrated Intervention to Reduce the Impact of HIV Stigma on HIV Treatment Outcomes Among Adolescents Living With HIV in Uganda: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2022; 11:e40101. [PMID: 36197706 PMCID: PMC9582915 DOI: 10.2196/40101] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV stigma remains a formidable barrier to HIV treatment adherence among school-attending adolescents living with HIV, owing to high levels of HIV stigma within schools, rigid school structures and routines, lack of adherence support, and food insecurity. Thus, this protocol paper presents an evidence-informed multilevel intervention that will simultaneously address family- and school-related barriers to HIV treatment adherence and care engagement among adolescents living with HIV attending boarding schools in Uganda. OBJECTIVE The proposed intervention-Multilevel Suubi (MSuubi)-has the following objectives: examine the impact of M-Suubi on HIV viral suppression (primary outcome) and adherence to HIV treatment, including keeping appointments, pharmacy refills, pill counts, and retention in care; examine the effect of M-Suubi on HIV stigma (internalized, anticipated, and enacted), with secondary analyses to explore hypothesized mechanisms of change (eg, depression) and intervention mediation; assess the cost and cost-effectiveness of each intervention condition; and qualitatively examine participants' experiences with HIV stigma, HIV treatment adherence, and intervention and educators' attitudes toward adolescents living with HIV and experiences with group-based HIV stigma reduction for educators, and program or policy implementation after training. METHODS MSuubi is a 5-year multilevel mixed methods randomized controlled trial targeting adolescents living with HIV aged 10 to 17 years enrolled in a primary or secondary school with a boarding section. This longitudinal study will use a 3-arm cluster randomized design across 42 HIV clinics in southwestern Uganda. Participants will be randomized at the clinic level to 1 of the 3 study conditions (n=14 schools; n=280 students per study arm). These include the bolstered usual care (consisting of the literature on antiretroviral therapy adherence promotion and stigma reduction), multiple family groups for HIV stigma reduction plus family economic empowerment (MFG-HIVSR plus FEE), and Group-based HIV stigma reduction for educators (GED-HIVSR). Adolescents randomized to the GED-HIVSR treatment arm will also receive the MFG-HIVSR plus FEE treatment. MSuubi will be provided for 20 months, with assessments at baseline and 12, 24, and 36 months. RESULTS This study was funded in September 2021. Participant screening and recruitment began in April 2022, with 158 dyads enrolled as of May 2022. Dissemination of the main study findings is anticipated in 2025. CONCLUSIONS MSuubi will assess the effects of a combined intervention (family-based economic empowerment, financial literacy education, and school-based HIV stigma) on HIV stigma among adolescents living with HIV in Uganda. The results will expand our understanding of effective intervention strategies for reducing stigma among HIV-infected and noninfected populations in Uganda and improving HIV treatment outcomes among adolescents living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05307250; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05307250. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/40101.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massy Mutumba
- Department of Health Behavior & Biological Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Fred Ssewamala
- Brown School, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Rashida Namirembe
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Masaka, Uganda
| | - Ozge Sensoy Bahar
- Brown School, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Proscovia Nabunya
- Brown School, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Torsten Neilands
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Yesim Tozan
- Brown School, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Flavia Namuwonge
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Masaka, Uganda
| | - Jennifer Nattabi
- Brown School, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Penina Acayo Laker
- Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, United States
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21
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Kiyingi J, Nabunya P, Bahar OS, Mayo-Wilson LJ, Tozan Y, Nabayinda J, Namuwonge F, Nsubuga E, Kizito S, Nattabi J, Nakabuye F, Kagayi J, Mwebembezi A, Witte SS, Ssewamala FM. Prevalence and predictors of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among vulnerable women engaged in sex work: Findings from the Kyaterekera Project in Southern Uganda. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273238. [PMID: 36174054 PMCID: PMC9522279 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273238] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Women engaged in sex work (WESW) have an elevated risk of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STI). Estimates are three times higher than the general population. Understanding the predictors of HIV and STI among WESW is crucial in developing more focused HIV and STI prevention interventions among this population. The study examined the prevalence and predictors of HIV and STI among WESW in the Southern part of Uganda. METHODOLOGY Baseline data from the Kyaterekera study involving 542 WESW (ages 18-55) recruited from 19 HIV hotspots in the greater Masaka region in Uganda was utilized. HIV and STI prevalence was estimated using blood and vaginal fluid samples bioassay. Hierarchical regression models were used to determine the predictors of HIV and STI among WESW. RESULTS Of the total sample, 41% (n = 220) were found to be HIV positive; and 10.5% (n = 57) tested positive for at least one of the three STI (Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and Trichomonas vaginalis) regardless of their HIV status. Older age (b = 0.09, 95%CI = 0.06, 0.13, p≤0.001), lower levels of education (b = -0.79, 95%CI = -1.46, -0.11, p≤0.05), fewer numbers of children in the household (b = -0.18, 95%CI = -0.36, -0.01), p≤0.05), location (i.e., fishing village (b = 0.51, 95%CI = 0.16, 0.85, p≤0.01) or small town (b = -0.60, 95%CI = -0.92, -0.28, p≤0.001)), drug use (b = 0.58, 95%CI = 0.076, 1.08, p≤0.05) and financial self-efficacy (b = 0.05, 95%CI = -0.10, 0.00, p≤0.05), were associated with the risk of HIV infections among WESW. Domestic violence attitudes (b = -0.24, 95%CI = -0.42, -0.07, p≤0.01) and financial distress (b = -0.07, 95%CI = -0.14, -0.004, p≤0.05) were associated with the risk of STI infection among WESW. CONCLUSION Study findings show a high prevalence of HIV among WESW compared to the general women population. Individual and family level, behavioural and economic factors were associated with increased HIV and STI infection among WESW. Therefore, there is a need for WESW focused HIV and STI risk reduction and economic empowerment interventions to reduce these burdens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Kiyingi
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Reach the Youth Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Proscovia Nabunya
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Ozge Sensoy Bahar
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Larissa Jennings Mayo-Wilson
- Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Yesim Tozan
- College of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Josephine Nabayinda
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Flavia Namuwonge
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Masaka, Uganda
| | - Edward Nsubuga
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Masaka, Uganda
| | - Samuel Kizito
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Nattabi
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Fatuma Nakabuye
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Masaka, Uganda
| | | | | | - Susan S. Witte
- School of Social Work, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Fred M. Ssewamala
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
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Liyanage P, Tozan Y, Tissera HA, Overgaard HJ, Rocklöv J. Assessing the associations between Aedes larval indices and dengue risk in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka: a hierarchical time series analysis from 2010 to 2019. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:277. [PMID: 35922821 PMCID: PMC9351248 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05377-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dengue is a major public health problem in Sri Lanka. Aedes vector surveillance and monitoring of larval indices are routine, long-established public health practices in the country. However, the association between Aedes larval indices and dengue incidence is poorly understood. It is crucial to evaluate lagged effects and threshold values of Aedes larval indices to set pragmatic targets for sustainable vector control interventions. METHODS Monthly Aedes larval indices and dengue cases in all 10 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions in Kalutara district were obtained from 2010 to 2019. Using a novel statistical approach, a distributed lag non-linear model and a two-staged hierarchical meta-analysis, we estimated the overall non-linear and delayed effects of the Premise Index (PI), Breteau Index (BI) and Container Index (CI) on dengue incidence in Kalutara district. A set of MOH division-specific variables were evaluated within the same meta-analytical framework to determine their moderator effects on dengue risk. Using generalized additive models, we assessed the utility of Aedes larval indices in predicting dengue incidence. RESULTS We found that all three larval indices were associated with dengue risk at a lag of 1 to 2 months. The relationship between PI and dengue was homogeneous across MOH divisions, whereas that with BI and CI was heterogeneous. The threshold values of BI, PI and CI associated with dengue risk were 2, 15 and 45, respectively. All three indices showed a low to moderate accuracy in predicting dengue risk in Kalutara district. CONCLUSIONS This study showed the potential of vector surveillance information in Kalutara district in developing a threshold-based, location-specific early warning system with a lead time of 2 months. The estimated thresholds are nonetheless time-bound and may not be universally applicable. Whenever longitudinal vector surveillance data areavailable, the methodological framework we propose here can be used to estimate location-specific Aedes larval index thresholds in any other dengue-endemic setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasad Liyanage
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden ,grid.466905.8Ministry of Health, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Yesim Tozan
- grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY 10003 USA
| | | | - Hans J. Overgaard
- grid.19477.3c0000 0004 0607 975XFaculty of Science and Technology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway ,grid.9786.00000 0004 0470 0856Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Joacim Rocklöv
- grid.12650.300000 0001 1034 3451Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden ,grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Heidelberg Institute of Global Health & the Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Kim S, Headley TY, Tozan Y. Universal healthcare coverage and health service delivery before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A difference-in-difference study of childhood immunization coverage from 195 countries. PLoS Med 2022; 19:e1004060. [PMID: 35972985 PMCID: PMC9380914 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004060] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have indicated that universal health coverage (UHC) improves health service utilization and outcomes in countries. These studies, however, have primarily assessed UHC's peacetime impact, limiting our understanding of UHC's potential protective effects during public health crises such as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We empirically explored whether countries' progress toward UHC is associated with differential COVID-19 impacts on childhood immunization coverage. METHODS AND FINDINGS Using a quasi-experimental difference-in-difference (DiD) methodology, we quantified the relationship between UHC and childhood immunization coverage before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis considered 195 World Health Organization (WHO) member states and their ability to provision 12 out of 14 childhood vaccines between 2010 and 2020 as an outcome. We used the 2019 UHC Service Coverage Index (UHC SCI) to divide countries into a "high UHC index" group (UHC SCI ≥80) and the rest. All analyses included potential confounders including the calendar year, countries' income group per the World Bank classification, countries' geographical region as defined by WHO, and countries' preparedness for an epidemic/pandemic as represented by the Global Health Security Index 2019. For robustness, we replicated the analysis using a lower cutoff value of 50 for the UHC index. A total of 20,230 country-year observations were included in the study. The DiD estimators indicated that countries with a high UHC index (UHC SCI ≥80, n = 35) had a 2.70% smaller reduction in childhood immunization coverage during the pandemic year of 2020 as compared to the countries with UHC index less than 80 (DiD coefficient 2.70; 95% CI: 0.75, 4.65; p-value = 0.007). This relationship, however, became statistically nonsignificant at the lower cutoff value of UHC SCI <50 (n = 60). The study's primary limitation was scarce data availability, which restricted our ability to account for confounders and to test our hypothesis for other relevant outcomes. CONCLUSIONS We observed that countries with greater progress toward UHC were associated with significantly smaller declines in childhood immunization coverage during the pandemic. This identified association may potentially provide support for the importance of UHC in building health system resilience. Our findings strongly suggest that policymakers should continue to advocate for achieving UHC in coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sooyoung Kim
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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24
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Liyanage P, Tozan Y, Overgaard HJ, Aravinda Tissera H, Rocklöv J. Effect of El Niño-Southern Oscillation and local weather on Aedes dvector activity from 2010 to 2018 in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka: a two-stage hierarchical analysis. Lancet Planet Health 2022; 6:e577-e585. [PMID: 35809587 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(22)00143-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dengue, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, is a major public health problem in Sri Lanka. Weather affects the abundance, feeding patterns, and longevity of Aedes vectors and hence the risk of dengue transmission. We aimed to quantify the effect of weather variability on dengue vector indices in ten Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions in Kalutara, Sri Lanka. METHODS Monthly weather variables (rainfall, temperature, and Oceanic Niño Index [ONI]) and Aedes larval indices in each division in Kalutara were obtained from 2010 to 2018. Using a distributed lag non-linear model and a two-stage hierarchical analysis, we estimated and compared division-level and overall relationships between weather and premise index, Breteau index, and container index. FINDINGS From Jan 1, 2010, to Dec 31, 2018, three El Niño events (2010, 2015-16, and 2018) occurred. Increasing monthly cumulative rainfall higher than 200 mm at a lag of 0 months, mean temperatures higher than 31·5°C at a lag of 1-2 months, and El Niño conditions (ie, ONI >0·5) at a lag of 6 months were associated with an increased relative risk of premise index and Breteau index. Container index was found to be less sensitive to temperature and ONI, and rainfall. The associations of rainfall and temperature were rather homogeneous across divisions. INTERPRETATION Both temperature and ONI have the potential to serve as predictors of vector activity at a lead time of 1-6 months, while the amount of rainfall could indicate the magnitude of vector prevalence in the same month. This information, along with knowledge of the distribution of breeding sites, is useful for spatial risk prediction and implementation of effective Aedes control interventions. FUNDING None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasad Liyanage
- Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Ministry of Health, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
| | - Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hans J Overgaard
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | | | - Joacim Rocklöv
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Heidelberg Institute of Global Health and Interdisciplinary Centre for Scientific Computing, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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Huang KY, Nakigudde J, Kisakye EN, Sentongo H, Dennis-Tiwary TA, Tozan Y, Park H, Brotman LM. Advancing scalability and impacts of a teacher training program for promoting child mental health in Ugandan primary schools: protocol for a hybrid-type II effectiveness-implementation cluster randomized trial. Int J Ment Health Syst 2022; 16:28. [PMID: 35718782 PMCID: PMC9206883 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-022-00538-7] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) are facing tremendous mental health challenges. Numerous evidence-based interventions (EBIs) have been adapted to LMICs and shown effectiveness in addressing the needs, but most EBIs have not been adopted widely using scalable and sustainable implementation models that leverage and strengthen existing structures. There is a need to apply implementation science methodology to study strategies to effectively scale-up EBIs and sustain the practices in LMICs. Through a cross-sector collaboration, we are carrying out a second-generation investigation of implementation and effectiveness of a school-based mental health EBI, ParentCorps Professional Development (PD), to scale-up and sustain the EBI in Uganda to promote early childhood students' mental health. Our previous studies in Uganda supported that culturally adapted PD resulted in short-term benefits for classrooms, children, and families. However, our previous implementation of PD was relied on mental health professionals (MHPs) to provide PD to teachers. Because of the shortage of MHPs in Uganda, a new scalable implementation model is needed to provide PD at scale. OBJECTIVES This study tests a new scalable and sustainable PD implementation model and simultaneously studies the effectiveness. This paper describes use of collaboration, task-shifting, and Train-the-Trainer strategies for scaling-up PD, and protocol for studying the effectiveness-implementation of ParentCorps-PD for teachers in urban and rural Ugandan schools. We will examine whether the new scale-up implementation approach will yield anticipated impacts and investigate the underlying effectiveness-implementation mechanisms that contribute to success. In addition, considering the effects of PD on teachers and students will influence by teacher wellness. This study also examines the added value (i.e. impact and costs) of a brief wellness intervention for teachers and students. METHODS Using a hybrid-type II effectiveness-implementation cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT), we will randomize 36 schools (18 urban and 18 rural) with 540 teachers and nearly 2000 families to one of three conditions: PD + Teacher-Wellness (PDT), PD alone (PD), and Control. Primary effectiveness outcomes are teachers' use of mental health promoting strategies, teacher stress management, and child mental health. The implementation fidelity/quality for the scale-up model will be monitored. Mixed methods will be employed to examine underlying mechanisms of implementation and impact as well as cost-effectiveness. DISCUSSION This research will generate important knowledge regarding the value of an EBI in urban and rural communities in a LMIC, and efforts toward supporting teachers to prevent and manage early signs of children's mental health issues as a potentially cost-effective strategy to promote child population mental health in low resource settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (registration number: NCT04383327; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04383327 ) on May13, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keng-Yen Huang
- grid.240324.30000 0001 2109 4251Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 227 East, 30th St, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10016 USA
| | - Janet Nakigudde
- grid.11194.3c0000 0004 0620 0548College of Health Science, Makerere University, PO Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Elizabeth Nsamba Kisakye
- grid.466898.d0000 0004 0648 0949Uganda Ministry of Education and Sports, Embassy House, PO Box 7063, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Hafsa Sentongo
- grid.415705.2Uganda Ministry of Health, Plot 6 Lourdel Road, PO Box 7272, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Tracy A. Dennis-Tiwary
- grid.257167.00000 0001 2183 6649Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York, 695 Park Avenue, New York, USA
| | - Yesim Tozan
- grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753College of Global Public Health, New York University, 708 Broadway, New York, USA
| | - Hyung Park
- grid.240324.30000 0001 2109 4251Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 227 East, 30th St, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10016 USA
| | - Laurie Miller Brotman
- grid.240324.30000 0001 2109 4251Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 227 East, 30th St, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10016 USA
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Sensoy Bahar O, Nabunya P, Nabayinda J, Witte SS, Kiyingi J, Mayo-Wilson LJ, Filippone P, Yang LS, Nakigudde J, Tozan Y, Ssewamala FM. "I expected little, although I learned a lot": perceived benefits of participating in HIV risk reduction sessions among women engaged in sex work in Uganda. BMC Womens Health 2022; 22:162. [PMID: 35562821 PMCID: PMC9100307 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-022-01759-1] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global HIV burden remains a public health concern. Women engaged in sex work (WESW) are at higher risk of acquiring HIV compared to the general adult population. Uganda reports high rates of HIV prevalence among WESW. While WESW in Uganda have long been the subject of surveillance studies, they have not been targeted by theory-informed HIV prevention intervention approaches. In this study, we explored the perceived benefits of an evidence-based HIV risk reduction intervention that was implemented as part of a combination intervention tested in a clinical trial in Uganda. METHODS As part of a larger randomized clinical trial, we conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with 20 WESW selected using a stratified purposive sampling. All interviews were conducted in Luganda, language spoken in the study area, and audio-recorded. They were transcribed verbatim and translated to English. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS WESW's narratives focused on: (1) condom use; (2) alcohol/drug consumption; (3) PrEP use; (4) "handling" customers; and (5) "massaging" customers. WESW agreed that male condom was one of the important learning points for them and planned to continue using them while female condoms were received with mixed reactions. Many women appreciated receiving information about the risks of consuming alcohol and drugs, and discussed how they reduced/ eliminated their consumption. PrEP information was appreciated though identified by fewer WESW. Handling a client was discussed as a helpful strategy for safer sex through improved ability to convince customers to use condoms or avoiding sex. Massaging was also beneficial to avoid penetrative sex, but similar to female condom, massaging also yielded mixed perceptions. CONCLUSION WESW found the intervention beneficial and described ways in which it improved their ability to engage in safer sex and stay healthy. The fact that WESW identified other strategies beyond condom use as helpful underlines the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to behavioral interventions targeting HIV prevention even when combined with other interventions. Additionally, WESW's narratives suggest that incorporating the tenets of social cognitive theory and harm reduction approaches in HIV prevention among this population can result in risk behavior change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozge Sensoy Bahar
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Proscovia Nabunya
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Josephine Nabayinda
- International Center for Child Health and Development Field Office, Masaka, Uganda
| | - Susan S Witte
- Columbia University School of Social Work, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Joshua Kiyingi
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Prema Filippone
- Columbia University School of Social Work, New York City, NY, USA
| | | | - Janet Nakigudde
- College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Fred M Ssewamala
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Capasso A, Kim S, Ali SH, Jones AM, DiClemente RJ, Tozan Y. Employment conditions as barriers to the adoption of COVID-19 mitigation measures: how the COVID-19 pandemic may be deepening health disparities among low-income earners and essential workers in the United States. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:870. [PMID: 35501740 PMCID: PMC9058755 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13259-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted economically-disadvantaged populations in the United States (US). Precarious employment conditions may contribute to these disparities by impeding workers in such conditions from adopting COVID-19 mitigation measures to reduce infection risk. This study investigated the relationship between employment and economic conditions and the adoption of COVID-19 protective behaviors among US workers during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Employing a social media advertisement campaign, an online, self-administered survey was used to collect data from 2,845 working adults in April 2020. Hierarchical generalized linear models were performed to assess the differences in engagement with recommended protective behaviors based on employment and economic conditions, while controlling for knowledge and perceived threat of COVID-19, as would be predicted by the Health Belief Model (HBM). Results Essential workers had more precarious employment and economic conditions than non-essential workers: 67% had variable income; 30% did not have paid sick leave; 42% had lost income due to COVID-19, and 15% were food insecure. The adoption of protective behaviors was high in the sample: 77% of participants avoided leaving home, and 93% increased hand hygiene. Consistent with the HBM, COVID-19 knowledge scores and perceived threat were positively associated with engaging in all protective behaviors. However, after controlling for these, essential workers were 60% and 70% less likely than non-essential workers, who by the nature of their jobs cannot stay at home, to stay at home and increase hand hygiene, respectively. Similarly, participants who could not afford to quarantine were 50% less likely to avoid leaving home (AOR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.4, 0.6) than those who could, whereas there were no significant differences concerning hand hygiene. Conclusions Our findings are consistent with the accumulating evidence that the employment conditions of essential workers and other low-income earners are precarious, that they have experienced disproportionately higher rates of income loss during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and face significant barriers to adopting protective measures. Our findings underscore the importance and need of policy responses focusing on expanding social protection and benefits to prevent the further deepening of existing health disparities in the US. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13259-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadna Capasso
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Sooyoung Kim
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Shahmir H Ali
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Abbey M Jones
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Ralph J DiClemente
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Yesim Tozan
- Global and Environmental Health Program, School of Global Public Health, New York University, 708 Broadway, New York, 10003, USA.
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Tozan Y, Capasso A, Namatovu P, Kiyingi J, Damulira C, Nabayinda J, Bahar OS, McKay MM, Hoagwood K, Ssewamala FM. Costing of a Multiple Family Group Strengthening Intervention (SMART Africa) to Improve Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health in Uganda. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 106:1078-1085. [PMID: 35189589 PMCID: PMC8991355 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Reliable cost estimates are key to assessing the feasibility, affordability, and cost-effectiveness of interventions. We estimated the economic costs of a multiple family group (MFG) intervention-child and adolescent mental health evidence-based practices (CAMH-EBP) implemented under the SMART Africa study, seeking to improve family functioning and reduce child and adolescent behavior problems-delivered through task-shifting by community health workers (CHWs) or parent peers (PPs) in school settings in Uganda. This prospective microcosting analysis was conducted from a provider perspective as part of a three-armed randomized controlled trial of the MFG intervention involving 2,391 participants aged 8-13 years and their caregivers in 26 primary schools. Activity-specific costs were estimated and summed, and divided by actual participant numbers in each study arm to conservatively calculate total per-child costs by arm. Total per-child costs of the MFG-PP and MFG-CHW arms were estimated at US$346 and US$328, respectively. The higher per-child cost of the MFG-PP arm was driven by lower than anticipated attendance by participants recruited to this arm. Personnel costs were the key cost driver, accounting for approximately 70% of total costs because of intensive supervision and support provided to MFG facilitators and intervention quality assurance efforts. This is the first study estimating the economic costs of an evidence-based MFG intervention provided through task-shifting strategies in a low-resource setting. Compared with the costs of other family-based interventions ranging between US$500 and US$900 in similar settings, the MFG intervention had a lower per-participant cost; however, few comparisons are available in the literature. More costing studies on CAMH-EBPs in low-resource settings are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York
| | - Ariadna Capasso
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York
| | - Phionah Namatovu
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Joshua Kiyingi
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | | | | | - Ozge Sensoy Bahar
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | - Mary M. McKay
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, Missouri
| | | | - Fred M. Ssewamala
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, Missouri
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Witte SS, Filippone P, Ssewamala FM, Nabunya P, Bahar OS, Mayo-Wilson LJ, Namuwonge F, Damulira C, Tozan Y, Kiyingi J, Nabayinda J, Mwebembezi A, Kagaayi J, McKay M. PrEP acceptability and initiation among women engaged in sex work in Uganda: Implications for HIV prevention. EClinicalMedicine 2022; 44:101278. [PMID: 35128367 PMCID: PMC8808048 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women engaged in sex work (WESW) are disproportionately affected by HIV. In Uganda, HIV prevalence among WESW is estimated at 37%, accounting for 18% of all new infections in the country. WESW experience poverty, gender-based violence, and other issues that reduce their power and limit their ability to negotiate condom use. Female-controlled strategies, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), may afford women more transmission protection, but barriers to access and use persist. This cross-sectional study examined baseline PrEP acceptability and initiation among WESW recently enrolled in a randomized clinical trial in Uganda to test the impact of a combination HIV risk reduction and economic empowerment intervention on sexual risk outcomes (clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03583541). METHODS A total of 542 WESW from 19 high HIV-prevalent geographical areas were enrolled in the Kyaterekera study between June 2019 and March 2020. Women were eligible for the study if they: (1) were age 18 or over; (2) reported engagement in transactional sex (a sex act in exchange for pay) in the past 30 days; and (3) reported engagement in one or more episodes of unprotected sex in the past 30 days. Women completed a baseline assessment, were tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at enrollment, and were connected with antiretroviral therapy (ART), STI treatment, or PrEP, based on need and interest. Descriptive statistics examined baseline data on PrEP acceptability and initiation. Independent variables (i.e. years in sex work, recent sexual coercion, perceived HIV and sex work stigmas, harmful alcohol use, barriers to medical care, and social support) were derived from the empirical literature and women's self-report. Bivariate analysis was performed to test associations between main effects of these variables. Using binomial logistic regression, predictive models were evaluated for two distinct outcomes-PrEP acceptability and PrEP initiation/uptake. FINDINGS At baseline, 59% of women (n = 322) tested HIV negative. Among WESW testing negative, 11% (n = 36) were already PrEP enrolled. Most women reported willingness to use PrEP (n = 317; 91%). Slightly over half of WESW not already on PrEP agreed to initiate PrEP (n = 158; 55%). Logistic regression models demonstrate that acceptability of or willingness to use PrEP was significantly associated with fewer years engaged in sex work (AOR= ·18, 95% CI 0·05-·66, p<·01) and greater perceived social support from family (AOR= 1·39, 95% CI 1·03 -1.88, p<·05). PrEP initiation was negatively associated with greater perceived social support from friends (AOR=·81, 95% CI ·68-0·97, p<·05) and positively associated with higher perceived stigma due to sex work among family members (AOR=2·20, 95% CI 1·15-4·22, p<·05). INTERPRETATION Despite endorsing PrEP use, many WESW remain reluctant to use it. This gap in prevention practice highlights the heart of a failing PrEP prevention cascade. Findings point to the important role family and friend support may play in destigmatizing sex work and PrEP use for women. Social and structural-level efforts are needed to improve educational messaging and to integrate positive messaging into health promotion campaigns for women and their families, while also working toward decriminalizing sex work. FUNDING This paper was made possible with funding from United States National Institute of Mental Health (Grant number: R01MH116768).
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan S. Witte
- Columbia University School of Social Work, 1255 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, United States
- Corresponding author.
| | - Prema Filippone
- Columbia University School of Social Work, 1255 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, United States
| | - Fred M. Ssewamala
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, United States
| | - Proscovia Nabunya
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, United States
| | - Ozge Sensoy Bahar
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, United States
| | - Larissa Jennings Mayo-Wilson
- Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health, 1025 E. 7TH Street, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Flavia Namuwonge
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, United States
| | - Christopher Damulira
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, United States
| | - Yesim Tozan
- New York University School of Global Public Health, 708 Broadway, 4rd floor, New York, NY 10003, United States
| | - Joshua Kiyingi
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, United States
| | - Josephine Nabayinda
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, United States
| | | | - Joseph Kagaayi
- Rakai Health Sciences Program, P.O Box 279, Kalisizo, Uganda
| | - Mary McKay
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, United States
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Capasso A, Kim S, Ali SH, Jones AM, DiClemente RJ, Tozan Y. Socioeconomic predictors of COVID-19-related health disparities among United States workers: A structural equation modeling study. PLOS Glob Public Health 2022; 2:e0000117. [PMID: 36962121 PMCID: PMC10021756 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted the physical and mental health, and the economic stability, of specific population subgroups in different ways, deepening existing disparities. Essential workers have faced the greatest risk of exposure to COVID-19; women have been burdened by caretaking responsibilities; and rural residents have experienced healthcare access barriers. Each of these factors did not occur on their own. While most research has so far focused on individual factors related to COVID-19 disparities, few have explored the complex relationships between the multiple components of COVID-19 vulnerabilities. Using structural equation modeling on a sample of United States (U.S.) workers (N = 2800), we aimed to 1) identify factor clusters that make up specific COVID-19 vulnerabilities, and 2) explore how these vulnerabilities affected specific subgroups, specifically essential workers, women and rural residents. We identified 3 COVID-19 vulnerabilities: financial, mental health, and healthcare access; 9 out of 10 respondents experienced one; 15% reported all three. Essential workers [standardized coefficient (β) = 0.23; unstandardized coefficient (B) = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.17, 0.24] and rural residents (β = 0.13; B = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.09, 0.16) experienced more financial vulnerability than non-essential workers and non-rural residents, respectively. Women (β = 0.22; B = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.65, 0.74) experienced worse mental health than men; whereas essential workers reported better mental health (β = -0.08; B = -0.25, 95% CI = -0.38, -0.13) than other workers. Rural residents (β = 0.09; B = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.07, 0.24) experienced more healthcare access barriers than non-rural residents. Findings highlight how interrelated financial, mental health, and healthcare access vulnerabilities contribute to the disproportionate COVID-19-related burden among U.S. workers. Policies to secure employment conditions, including fixed income and paid sick leave, are urgently needed to mitigate pandemic-associated disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadna Capasso
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Sooyoung Kim
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Shahmir H Ali
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Abbey M Jones
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ralph J DiClemente
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
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Kim S, Capasso A, Cook SH, Ali SH, Jones AM, Foreman J, DiClemente RJ, Tozan Y. Impact of COVID-19-related knowledge on protective behaviors: The moderating role of primary sources of information. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260643. [PMID: 34843590 PMCID: PMC8629273 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This study assessed the modifying role of primary source of COVID-19 information in the association between knowledge and protective behaviors related to COVID-19 among adults living in the United States (US). Data was collected from 6,518 US adults through an online cross-sectional self-administered survey via social media platforms in April 2020. Linear regression was performed on COVID-19 knowledge and behavior scores, adjusted for sociodemographic factors. An interaction term between knowledge score and primary information source was included to observe effect modification by primary information source. Higher levels of knowledge were associated with increased self-reported engagement with protective behaviors against COVID-19. The primary information source significantly moderated the association between knowledge and behavior, and analyses of simple slopes revealed significant differences by primary information source. This study shows the important role of COVID-19 information sources in affecting people's engagement in recommended protective behaviors. Governments and health agencies should monitor the use of various information sources to effectively engage the public and translate knowledge into behavior change during an evolving public health crisis like COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sooyoung Kim
- Department of Public Health Policy and Management, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ariadna Capasso
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Stephanie H. Cook
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Biostatistics, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Shahmir H. Ali
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Abbey M. Jones
- Department of Epidemiology, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Joshua Foreman
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ralph J. DiClemente
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Yesim Tozan
- Department of Public Health Policy and Management, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, New York, United States of America
- Global and Environmental Public Health Program, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, New York, United States of America
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Kim S, Luande VN, Rocklöv J, Carlton JM, Tozan Y. A Systematic Review of the Evidence on the Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Mass Screen-and-Treat Interventions for Malaria Control. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 105:1722-1731. [PMID: 34491213 PMCID: PMC8641306 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria elimination and eradication efforts have stalled globally. Further, asymptomatic infections as silent transmission reservoirs are considered a major challenge to malaria elimination efforts. There is increased interest in a mass screen-and-treat (MSAT) strategy as an alternative to mass drug administration to reduce malaria burden and transmission in endemic settings. This study systematically synthesized the existing evidence on MSAT, from both epidemiological and economic perspectives. Searches were conducted on six databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINALH, Web of Science, Global Health, and Google Scholar) between October and December 2020. Only experimental and quasi-experimental studies assessing the effectiveness and/or cost-effectiveness of MSAT in reducing malaria prevalence or incidence were included. Of the 2,424 citation hits, 14 studies based on 11 intervention trials were eligible. Eight trials were conducted in sub-Saharan Africa and three trials in Asia. While five trials targeted the community as a whole, pregnant women were targeted in five trials, and school children in one trial. Transmission setting, frequency, and timing of MSAT rounds, and measured outcomes varied across studies. The pooled effect size of MSAT in reducing malaria incidence and prevalence was marginal and statistically nonsignificant. Only one study conducted an economic evaluation of the intervention and found it to be cost-effective when compared with the standard of care of no MSAT. We concluded that the evidence for implementing MSAT as part of a routine malaria control program is growing but limited. More research is necessary on its short- and longer-term impacts on clinical malaria and malaria transmission and its economic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sooyoung Kim
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York
| | - Verah Nafula Luande
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Joacim Rocklöv
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jane M Carlton
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York.,Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, New York
| | - Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York
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Kim S, Ali SH, Jones A, Capasso A, Foreman J, DiClemente RJ, Tozan Y. COVID‐19‐Related
Knowledge, Protective Behaviors and the Moderating Role of Primary Sources of Information: Findings from a
Cross‐Sectional
Online Survey in the United States. Health Serv Res 2021. [PMCID: PMC8441373 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.13763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Research Objective To assess the moderating effects of primary sources of COVID‐19 information on the association between knowledge and protective behaviors against COVID‐19. Study Design This is a secondary analysis of data from a cross‐sectional online COVID‐19 survey conducted among US adults in April 2020 using advertisement‐based recruitment on social media. A total of 6518 people completed the survey. Linear regression analysis was performed on COVID‐19 knowledge and protective behavior scores. An interaction term between knowledge and primary source of information was included in order to examine any moderating effects of the information source on the relationship between knowledge and protective behaviors. The analysis was adjusted for demographic and socio‐economic factors and was conducted using R software (version 3.6.3). Population Studied Adult population (age > 18) living in the United States. Principal Findings Overall, higher level of COVID‐19‐related knowledge was associated with higher level of self‐reported engagement in protective behaviors. More specifically, our results indicate that the primary source of information modified the association between knowledge and protective behaviors. The most effective sources of information to translate incremental knowledge into higher engagement in protective behaviors were interpersonal communication and social media. Official sources such US government, CDC, and WHO websites had significantly weaker effects. Our results also showed that respondents with lower knowledge scores preferred social media or interpersonal communication as their primary source for seeking COVID‐19‐related information. Conclusions This study shows the important role that the different COVID‐19 information sources can play on influencing people's engagement in protective behaviors while delivering the COVID‐19‐related knowledge. Implications for Policy or Practice Overflowing information and misinformation are influencing people's degree of engagement in protective behaviors against COVID‐19. Policy makers should carefully monitor the use of different information sources by the public so that they can effectively target, influence decision‐making, and promote behavior change to fight the current pandemic and the infodemic concurrently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sooyoung Kim
- New York University School of Global Public Health New York New York USA
| | - Shahmir H. Ali
- New York University School of Global Public Health New York New York USA
| | - Abbey Jones
- New York University School of Global Public Health New York New York USA
| | - Ariadna Capasso
- New York University School of Global Public Health New York New York USA
| | - Joshua Foreman
- New York University School of Global Public Health New York New York USA
| | | | - Yesim Tozan
- New York University School of Global Public Health New York New York USA
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Parekh N, Ali SH, O'Connor J, Tozan Y, Jones AM, Capasso A, Foreman J, DiClemente RJ. Food insecurity among households with children during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from a study among social media users across the United States. Nutr J 2021; 20:73. [PMID: 34461913 PMCID: PMC8403824 DOI: 10.1186/s12937-021-00732-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [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: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the United States, approximately 11% of households were food insecure prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aims to describe the prevalence of food insecurity among adults and households with children living in the United States during the pandemic. Methods This study utilized social media as a recruitment platform to administer an original online survey on demographics and COVID-related food insecurity. The survey was disseminated through an advertisement campaign on Facebook and affiliated platforms. Food insecurity was assessed with a validated six-item United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Household Food Security Survey Module, which was used to create a six-point numerical food security score, where a higher score indicates lower food security. Individual-level participant demographic information was also collected. Logistic regressions (low/very-low compared with high/marginal food security) were performed to generate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95%CIs for food insecurity and select demographic characteristics. Results Advertisements reached 250,701 individuals and resulted in 5,606 complete surveys. Overall, 14.7% of participants self-identified as having low or very low food security in their households, with higher prevalence (17.5%) among households with children. Unemployment (AOR:1.76, 95%CI:1.09–2.80), high school or lower education (AOR:2.25, 95%CI:1.29–3.90), and low income (AOR[$30,000-$50,000]:5.87, 95%CI:3.35–10.37; AOR[< $30,000]:10.61, 95%CI:5.50–20.80) were associated with higher odds of food insecurity in multivariable models among households with children (and the whole sample). Conclusions These data indicate exacerbation of food insecurity during the pandemic. The study will be instrumental in guiding additional research and time-sensitive interventions targeted towards vulnerable food insecure subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niyati Parekh
- Public Health Nutrition Program, School of Global Public Health, New York University, 715 Broadway New York, Room 1220, New York, 10003, USA. .,Department of Population Health At NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, USA. .,Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York, USA.
| | - Shahmir H Ali
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Joyce O'Connor
- Public Health Nutrition Program, School of Global Public Health, New York University, 715 Broadway New York, Room 1220, New York, 10003, USA
| | - Yesim Tozan
- Global Health Program, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Abbey M Jones
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Ariadna Capasso
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Joshua Foreman
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, USA.,Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ralph J DiClemente
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, USA
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Tissera HA, Jayamanne BDW, Raut R, Janaki SMD, Tozan Y, Samaraweera PC, Liyanage P, Ghouse A, Rodrigo C, de Silva AM, Fernando SD. Severe Dengue Epidemic, Sri Lanka, 2017. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 26:682-691. [PMID: 32186490 PMCID: PMC7101108 DOI: 10.3201/eid2604.190435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2017, a dengue epidemic of unexpected magnitude occurred in Sri Lanka. A total of 186,101 suspected cases and 440 dengue-related deaths occurred. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of this epidemic by comparing national surveillance data for 2017 with data from the preceding 5 years. In all Sri Lanka districts, dengue incidence in 2017 increased significantly over incidence during the previous 5 years. Older schoolchildren and young adults were more clinically symptomatic than those at extremes of age. Limited virologic surveillance showed the dominant circulating variant was dengue virus type 2 cosmopolitan genotype in the most affected district. One quarter of total annual cases were reported 5 weeks after the southwest monsoon started. Changes in vector abundance were not predictive of the increased incidence. Direct government expenditures on dengue control activities in 2017 were US $12.7 million. The lessons learned from this outbreak are useful for other tropical nations facing increasing dengue incidence.
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Ali S, Parekh N, Capasso A, Tozan Y, Jones A, Foreman J, DiClemente R. Changes in Eating Behaviors During COVID-19 and Association With Food Insecurity: Results From a Nation-Wide Online Survey. Curr Dev Nutr 2021. [PMCID: PMC8181656 DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzab029_003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed both a health and economic crisis in the US, with growing concerns on how eating behaviors and food security (risk factors of non-communicable disease) have changed. This study examines changes in food insecurity and eating behaviors during the early months of the pandemic among US adults. Methods A nationwide survey of US adults was conducted in April 2020 through social-media advertisement-based recruitment to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Food insecurity was measured using a six-item validated USDA Household Food Security instrument. Eating behaviors were assessed by asking participants how their eating has changed since the pandemic (“Much More” to “Much Less”). Sociodemographic differences in food behaviors were assessed with chi-square tests, and an adjusted logistic regression model evaluated the association between food insecurity and eating behaviors. Results Overall, 5256 participants had data on eating behaviors; 58.6% were female, 43.8% aged 40–59 years old, and 56.4% were employed. Eating remained unchanged for most participants (52.7%), while 34.6% noted eating more, and 12.7% noted eating less since the pandemic. 85.3% of participants displayed high/marginal food insecurity, while 14.7% displayed low/very-low food security. Compared to those eating more during the pandemic, those eating less were more likely to be younger (24.7% vs. 17.4% aged 18–39), male (42.0% vs. 33.4%), not working, or unemployed (17.1% vs. 13.7%), and make <$30,000 a year (20.7% vs. 12.6%). When adjusting for socio-demographic variables, compared to those whose eating behavior did not change, the adjusted odds of low/very-low food insecurity was higher among both those who were eating less (AOR:6.44, 95%CI:4.96–8.37) and eating more (AOR:1.67, 95%CI:1.33–2.09). Conclusions Our findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed significant food insecurity, with food insecurity being associated with bidirectional changes in food consumption. Public health professionals must critically examine the various contributors of eating behaviors during the pandemic and their link with food insecurity to develop targeted interventions. Funding Sources N/A
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahmir Ali
- New York University School of Global Public Health
| | - Niyati Parekh
- New York University School of Global Public Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
| | | | - Yesim Tozan
- New York University School of Global Public Health
| | - Abbey Jones
- New York University School of Global Public Health
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Tozan Y, Capasso A, Sun S, Neilands TB, Damulira C, Namuwonge F, Nakigozi G, Mwebembezi A, Mukasa B, Sensoy Bahar O, Nabunya P, Mellins CA, McKay MM, Ssewamala FM. The efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a family-based economic empowerment intervention (Suubi + Adherence) on suppression of HIV viral loads among adolescents living with HIV: results from a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial in southern Uganda. J Int AIDS Soc 2021; 24:e25752. [PMID: 34176245 PMCID: PMC8236226 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25752] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Evidence from low-resource settings indicates that economic insecurity is a major barrier to HIV treatment adherence. Economic empowerment (EE) interventions have the potential to improve adherence outcomes among adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV) by mitigating the effects of poverty. This study aims to assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a savings-led family-based EE intervention, Suubi + Adherence, aimed at improving antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence outcomes ALWHIV in Uganda. METHODS Adolescents (mean age 12 years at enrolment; 56% female) receiving ART for HIV at 39 health centres were randomized to Suubi + Adherence intervention (n = 358) or bolstered standard of care (BSOC; n = 344). A difference-in-differences analysis was employed to assess the change in the proportion of virally suppressed adolescents (HIV RNA viral load <40 copies/mL) over 24 months. The cost-effectiveness analysis examined how much the intervention cost to virally suppress one additional adolescent relative to BSOC from the healthcare provider perspective. RESULTS At 24 months, the intervention was associated with an 8.85-percentage point [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.80 to 16.90 percentage points] increase in the proportion of virally suppressed adolescents between the study arms (p = 0.032). Per-participant costs were US$177 and US$263 for the BSOC and intervention groups respectively. The incremental cost of virally suppressing one additional adolescent was estimated at US$970 [95% CI, US$508 to 10,725] over two years. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the integration of family-based EE interventions into adherence-support strategies as part of routine HIV care in low-resource settings to address the underlying economic drivers of poor ART adherence among ALWHIV. Moreover, per-participant costs to achieve viral suppression do not seem prohibitive compared to other community-based adherence interventions targeted at ALWHIV in low-resource settings. Further research on combination interventions at the nexus of economic security and HIV treatment and care is needed to inform the development of feasible and scalable HIV policies and programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public HealthNew York UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Ariadna Capasso
- School of Global Public HealthNew York UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Sicong Sun
- Brown SchoolWashington University in Saint LouisSaint LouisMOUSA
- International Center for Child Health and DevelopmentBrown SchoolWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMOUSA
| | - Torsten B Neilands
- Center for AIDS Prevention StudiesSchool of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCAUSA
| | - Christopher Damulira
- International Center for Child Health and DevelopmentWashington University in St. LouisUganda Field OfficeMasakaUganda
| | - Flavia Namuwonge
- International Center for Child Health and DevelopmentWashington University in St. LouisUganda Field OfficeMasakaUganda
| | | | - Abel Mwebembezi
- International Center for Child Health and DevelopmentWashington University in St. LouisUganda Field OfficeMasakaUganda
- Reach the Youth (RTY) UgandaKampalaUganda
| | | | - Ozge Sensoy Bahar
- Brown SchoolWashington University in Saint LouisSaint LouisMOUSA
- International Center for Child Health and DevelopmentBrown SchoolWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMOUSA
| | - Proscovia Nabunya
- Brown SchoolWashington University in Saint LouisSaint LouisMOUSA
- International Center for Child Health and DevelopmentBrown SchoolWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMOUSA
| | - Claude A Mellins
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral StudiesDepartment of PsychiatryNew York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Mary M McKay
- Brown SchoolWashington University in Saint LouisSaint LouisMOUSA
| | - Fred M Ssewamala
- Brown SchoolWashington University in Saint LouisSaint LouisMOUSA
- International Center for Child Health and DevelopmentBrown SchoolWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMOUSA
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Sonali Fernando E, Headley TY, Tissera H, Wilder-Smith A, De Silva A, Tozan Y. Household and Hospitalization Costs of Pediatric Dengue Illness in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 105:110-116. [PMID: 33999848 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-1179] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection that affects millions around the world, poses a substantial economic burden in endemic countries. We conducted a prospective costing study in hospitalized pediatric dengue patients at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRHC), a public pediatric hospital in Colombo district, Sri Lanka, to assess household out-of-pocket and hospitalization costs of dengue in pediatric patients during peak dengue transmission season. Between August and October 2013, we recruited 216 hospitalized patients (aged 0-3 years, 27%; 4-7 years, 29%; 8-12 years, 42%) who were clinically or laboratory diagnosed with dengue. Using 2013 US dollars, household out-of-pocket spending, on average, was US$59 (SD 49) per episode and increased with disease severity (DF, US$52; DHF/DSS, US$78). Pediatric dengue patients received free-of-charge medical care during hospitalization at LRHC, and this places a high financial burden on hospitals. The direct medical cost of hospitalization was US$68.0 (SD 31.4) for DF episode, and US$122.7 (SD 65.2) for DHF/DSS episode. Yet a hospitalized dengue illness episode still accounted for 20% to 35% of household monthly income due to direct and indirect costs. Additionally, a majority of caregivers (70%) sought outpatient care before hospitalization, most of whom (81%) visited private health facilities. Our findings indicate that hospitalized pediatric dengue illness poses a nontrivial cost burden to households and healthcare systems, emphasizing the importance of preventing and controlling the transmission of dengue in endemic countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tyler Y Headley
- 2Department of Political Science, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Annelies Wilder-Smith
- 4Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,5Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,6Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Amala De Silva
- 7Department of Economics, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | - Yesim Tozan
- 2Department of Political Science, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,8School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York
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DiClemente RJ, Capasso A, Ali SH, Jones AM, Foreman J, Tozan Y. Knowledge, beliefs, mental health, substance use, and behaviors related to the COVID-19 pandemic among US adults: a national online survey. Z Gesundh Wiss 2021; 30:2069-2079. [PMID: 33996384 PMCID: PMC8112882 DOI: 10.1007/s10389-021-01564-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Aim Given the need for data to inform public health messaging to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic, this national survey sought to assess the state of COVID-19-related knowledge, beliefs, mental health, substance use changes, and behaviors among a sample of U.S. adults. Subject and methods In the period March 20–30, 2020, we collected data on COVID-19-related knowledge, awareness and adoption of preventive practices, depression and anxiety (Patient Health Questionnaire-4), stress (Impact of Event Scale-6), pessimism, and tobacco and alcohol use. Differences between age groups (18–39 years, 40–59 years and ≥ 60 years) were tested using Pearson’s chi-squared tests or ANOVAs; associations between drinking and smoking and depression, anxiety, and stress were tested using adjusted logistic regression models. Results Approximately half of the sample (NTotal = 6391) were 50–69 years old and 58% were female. COVID-19 knowledge (mean = 12.0; SD = 1.2) and protective practice awareness (mean = 9.1; SD = 0.8) were high. Among respondents, 44% had a score consistent with depression and anxiety (PHQ-4 score ≥ 6), and 52% reported high stress scores (≥ median of 1.33). COVID-19-related anxiety and depression were associated with increased drinking (AOR = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.49, 2.15) and smoking (AOR = 2.17; 95% CI = 1.64, 2.88). High stress scores were also associated with increased drinking (AOR = 1.80; 95% CI = 1.49, 2.17, p < 0.001) and smoking (AOR = 1.75; 95% CI = 1.31, 2.33). Conclusions In spite of high knowledge levels, important gaps were identified. High prevalence of poor mental health outcomes and associated increases in drinking and smoking warrant ongoing risk communications tailoring to effectively disseminate information and expanding psychosocial services, particularly via telehealth, to mitigate the negative mental health impact of COVID-19. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10389-021-01564-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph J DiClemente
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, 715 Broadway, Suite 1202, New York, NY 10012 USA
| | - Ariadna Capasso
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, 715 Broadway, Suite 1202, New York, NY 10012 USA
| | - Shahmir H Ali
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, 715 Broadway, Suite 1202, New York, NY 10012 USA
| | - Abbey M Jones
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY USA
| | - Joshua Foreman
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, 715 Broadway, Suite 1202, New York, NY 10012 USA.,Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yesim Tozan
- Global Health Program, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY USA
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Nabunya P, Kiyingi J, Witte SS, Sensoy Bahar O, Jennings Mayo-Wilson L, Tozan Y, Nabayinda J, Mwebembezi A, Tumwesige W, Mukasa B, Namirembe R, Kagaayi J, Nakigudde J, McKay MM, Ssewamala FM. Working with economically vulnerable women engaged in sex work: Collaborating with community stakeholders in Southern Uganda. Glob Public Health 2021; 17:1215-1231. [PMID: 33881949 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2021.1916054] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03583541.
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Affiliation(s)
- Proscovia Nabunya
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.,International Center for Child Health and Development, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Joshua Kiyingi
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.,International Center for Child Health and Development, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Susan S Witte
- School of Social Work, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ozge Sensoy Bahar
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.,International Center for Child Health and Development, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Josephine Nabayinda
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Abel Mwebembezi
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Reach the Youth (RTY) Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Wilberforce Tumwesige
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.,International Center for Child Health and Development, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Rashida Namirembe
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Janet Nakigudde
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mary M McKay
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Fred M Ssewamala
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.,International Center for Child Health and Development, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Nabunya P, Byansi W, Damulira C, Bahar OS, Jennings Mayo-Wilson L, Tozan Y, Kiyingi J, Nabayinda J, Braithwaite R, Witte SS, Ssewamala FM. Predictors of Depressive Symptoms and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Women Engaged in Commercial Sex Work in Southern Uganda. Psychiatry Res 2021; 298:113817. [PMID: 33636517 PMCID: PMC8005481 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the factors associated with depressive symptoms and post traumatic depressive disorder (PTSD) among economically vulnerable women engaged in commercial sex work (WESW) in southern Uganda. Baseline data from a longitudinal cluster randomized study involving 542 self-identified WESW (18-55 years), recruited from 19 HIV hotspots were analyzed. Hierarchical linear regression modelling was utilized to estimate individual, family-level and economic-level predictors of depressive symptoms and PTSD. Family cohesion, sex work stigma, HIV status, financial distress, household assets, number of children and number of household income earners, were associated with PTSD. Similarly, family cohesion, number of people in the household, HIV status, sex work stigma, financial distress, and household assets, were associated with depressive symptoms. Women engaged in commercial sex work are at a higher risk of HIV and poor mental health outcomes. Sex work stigma and financial distress elevate levels of depressive symptoms and PTSD, over and above an individual's HIV status. Family and economic-level factors have the potential to mitigate the risk of poor mental health outcomes. As such, integrating stigma reduction and economic strengthening components in the programming targeting WESW-a key population, may be critical to address their mental health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Proscovia Nabunya
- Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
| | - William Byansi
- Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
| | - Christopher Damulira
- Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
| | - Ozge Sensoy Bahar
- Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
| | - Larissa Jennings Mayo-Wilson
- Indiana University School of Public Health, Department of Applied Health Science, 1025 E. 7(TH) Street, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
| | - Yesim Tozan
- New York University College of Global Public Health, 14 East 4(th) street, 3(rd) floor. New York, NY 10003, USA.
| | - Joshua Kiyingi
- Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
| | - Josephine Nabayinda
- Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
| | - Rachel Braithwaite
- Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
| | - Susan S Witte
- Columbia University School of Social Work1255 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| | - Fred M Ssewamala
- Washington University in St. Louis Brown School, International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
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Ali SH, Tozan Y, Jones AM, Foreman J, Capasso A, DiClemente RJ. Regional and socioeconomic predictors of perceived ability to access coronavirus testing in the United States: results from a nationwide online COVID-19 survey. Ann Epidemiol 2021; 58:7-14. [PMID: 33691088 PMCID: PMC7937327 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Access to COVID-19 testing remained a salient issue during the early months of the pandemic, therefore this study aimed to identify 1) regional and 2) socioeconomic predictors of perceived ability to access Coronavirus testing. Methods An online survey using social media-based advertising was conducted among U.S. adults in April 2020. Participants were asked whether they thought they could acquire a COVID-19 test, along with basic demographic, socioeconomic and geographic information. Results A total of 6,378 participants provided data on perceived access to COVID-19 testing. In adjusted analyses, we found higher income and possession of health insurance to be associated with perceived ability to access Coronavirus testing. Geographically, perceived access was highest (68%) in East South Central division and lowest (39%) in West North Central. Disparities in health insurance coverage did not directly correspond to disparities in perceived access to COVID-19 testing. Conclusions Sex, geographic location, income, and insurance status were associated with perceived access to COVID-19 testing; interventions aimed at improving either access or awareness of measures taken to improve access are warranted. These findings from the pandemic's early months shed light on the importance of disaggregating perceived and true access to screening during such crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahmir H Ali
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY
| | - Yesim Tozan
- Global Health Program, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY
| | - Abbey M Jones
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY
| | - Joshua Foreman
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY; Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ariadna Capasso
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY
| | - Ralph J DiClemente
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY.
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Ompad DC, Kessler A, Van Eijk AM, Padhan TK, Haque MA, Sullivan SA, Tozan Y, Rocklöv J, Mohanty S, Pradhan MM, Sahu PK, Carlton JM. The effectiveness of malaria camps as part of the Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (DAMaN) program in Odisha, India: study protocol for a cluster-assigned quasi-experimental study. Glob Health Action 2021; 14:1886458. [PMID: 33866961 PMCID: PMC8183513 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2021.1886458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The Indian state of Odisha has a longstanding battle with forest malaria. Many remote and rural villages have poor access to health care, a problem that is exacerbated during the rainy season when malaria transmission is at its peak. Approximately 62% of the rural population consists of tribal groups who are among the communities most negatively impacted by malaria. To address the persistently high rates of malaria in these remote regions, the Odisha State Malaria Control Program introduced 'malaria camps' in 2017 where teams of health workers visit villages to educate the population, enhance vector control methods, and perform village-wide screening and treatment. Malaria rates declined statewide, particularly in forested areas, following the introduction of the malaria camps, but the impact of the intervention is yet to be externally evaluated. This study protocol describes a cluster-assigned quasi-experimental stepped-wedge study with a pretest-posttest control group design that evaluates if malaria camps reduce the prevalence of malaria, compared to control villages which receive the usual malaria control interventions (e.g. IRS, ITNs), as detected by PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle C. Ompad
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA,CONTACT Danielle C. Ompad NYU School of Global Public Health, 715 Broadway, Room 1011, New York, NY10003USA
| | - Anne Kessler
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna Maria Van Eijk
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Timir K. Padhan
- Department of Molecular & Infectious Diseases, Community Welfare Society Hospital, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Mohammed A. Haque
- Department of Molecular & Infectious Diseases, Community Welfare Society Hospital, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Steven A. Sullivan
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joacim Rocklöv
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umea University, Umea, Sweden
| | - Sanjib Mohanty
- Department of Molecular & Infectious Diseases, Community Welfare Society Hospital, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Madan M. Pradhan
- Department of Health & Family Welfare, State Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Praveen K. Sahu
- Department of Molecular & Infectious Diseases, Community Welfare Society Hospital, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Jane M. Carlton
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA,Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
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Ali SH, Foreman J, Tozan Y, Capasso A, Jones AM, DiClemente RJ. Trends and Predictors of COVID-19 Information Sources and Their Relationship With Knowledge and Beliefs Related to the Pandemic: Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2020; 6:e21071. [PMID: 32936775 PMCID: PMC7546863 DOI: 10.2196/21071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a heightened need to understand health information seeking behaviors to address disparities in knowledge and beliefs about the crisis. OBJECTIVE This study assessed sociodemographic predictors of the use and trust of different COVID-19 information sources, as well as the association between information sources and knowledge and beliefs about the pandemic. METHODS An online survey was conducted among US adults in two rounds during March and April 2020 using advertisement-based recruitment on social media. Participants were asked about their use of 11 different COVID-19 information sources as well as their most trusted source of information. The selection of COVID-related knowledge and belief questions was based on past empirical literature and salient concerns at the time of survey implementation. RESULTS The sample consisted of 11,242 participants. When combined, traditional media sources (television, radio, podcasts, or newspapers) were the largest sources of COVID-19 information (91.2%). Among those using mainstream media sources for COVID-19 information (n=7811, 69.5%), popular outlets included CNN (24.0%), Fox News (19.3%), and other local or national networks (35.2%). The largest individual information source was government websites (87.6%). They were also the most trusted source of information (43.3%), although the odds of trusting government websites were lower among males (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.58, 95% CI 0.53-0.63) and those aged 40-59 years and ≥60 years compared to those aged 18-39 years (AOR 0.83, 95% CI 0.74-0.92; AOR 0.62, 95% CI 0.54-0.71). Participants used an average of 6.1 sources (SD 2.3). Participants who were male, aged 40-59 years or ≥60 years; not working, unemployed, or retired; or Republican were likely to use fewer sources while those with children and higher educational attainment were likely to use more sources. Participants surveyed in April were markedly less likely to use (AOR 0.41, 95% CI 0.35-0.46) and trust (AOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.47-0.56) government sources. The association between information source and COVID-19 knowledge was mixed, while many COVID-19 beliefs were significantly predicted by information source; similar trends were observed with reliance on different types of mainstream media outlets. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 information source was significantly determined by participant sociodemographic characteristics and was also associated with both knowledge and beliefs about the pandemic. Study findings can help inform COVID-19 health communication campaigns and highlight the impact of using a variety of different and trusted information sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahmir H Ali
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Joshua Foreman
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States.,Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yesim Tozan
- Global Health Program, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ariadna Capasso
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Abbey M Jones
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ralph J DiClemente
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, United States
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DiSera L, Sjödin H, Rocklöv J, Tozan Y, Súdre B, Zeller H, Muñoz ÁG. The Mosquito, the Virus, the Climate: An Unforeseen Réunion in 2018. Geohealth 2020; 4:e2020GH000253. [PMID: 32864539 PMCID: PMC7443513 DOI: 10.1029/2020gh000253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The 2018 outbreak of dengue in the French overseas department of Réunion was unprecedented in size and spread across the island. This research focuses on the cause of the outbreak, asserting that climate played a large role in the proliferation of the Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which transmitted the disease, and led to the dengue outbreak in early 2018. A stage-structured model was run using observed temperature and rainfall data to simulate the life cycle and abundance of the Ae. albopictus mosquito. Further, the model was forced with bias-corrected subseasonal forecasts to determine if the event could have been forecast up to 4 weeks in advance. With unseasonably warm temperatures remaining above 25°C, along with large tropical-cyclone-related rainfall events accumulating 10-15 mm per event, the modeled Ae. albopictus mosquito abundance did not decrease during the second half of 2017, contrary to the normal behavior, likely contributing to the large dengue outbreak in early 2018. Although subseasonal forecasts of rainfall for the December-January period in Réunion are skillful up to 4 weeks in advance, the outbreak could only have been forecast 2 weeks in advance, which along with seasonal forecast information could have provided enough time to enhance preparedness measures. Our research demonstrates the potential of using state-of-the-art subseasonal climate forecasts to produce actionable subseasonal dengue predictions. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first time subseasonal forecasts have been used this way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel DiSera
- International Research Institute for Climate and Society, The Earth InstituteColumbia UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Henrik Sjödin
- Section of Sustainable Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical MedicineUmeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - Joacim Rocklöv
- Section of Sustainable Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical MedicineUmeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public HealthNew York UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Bertrand Súdre
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and ControlStockholmSweden
| | - Herve Zeller
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and ControlStockholmSweden
| | - Ángel G. Muñoz
- International Research Institute for Climate and Society, The Earth InstituteColumbia UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
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Tozan Y, Sjödin H, Muñoz ÁG, Rocklöv J. Transmission dynamics of dengue and chikungunya in a changing climate: do we understand the eco-evolutionary response? Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2020; 18:1187-1193. [PMID: 32741233 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1794814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We are witnessing an alarming increase in the burden and range of mosquito-borne arboviral diseases. The transmission dynamics of arboviral diseases is highly sensitive to climate and weather and is further affected by non-climatic factors such as human mobility, urbanization, and disease control. As evidence also suggests, climate-driven changes in species interactions may trigger evolutionary responses in both vectors and pathogens with important consequences for disease transmission patterns. AREAS COVERED Focusing on dengue and chikungunya, we review the current knowledge and challenges in our understanding of disease risk in a rapidly changing climate. We identify the most critical research gaps that limit the predictive skill of arbovirus risk models and the development of early warning systems, and conclude by highlighting the potentially important research directions to stimulate progress in this field. EXPERT OPINION Future studies that aim to predict the risk of arboviral diseases need to consider the interactions between climate modes at different timescales, the effects of the many non-climatic drivers, as well as the potential for climate-driven adaptation and evolution in vectors and pathogens. An important outcome of such studies would be an enhanced ability to promulgate early warning information, initiate adequate response, and enhance preparedness capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesim Tozan
- School of Global Public Health, New York University , New York, NY, USA
| | - Henrik Sjödin
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, Umeå University , Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ángel G Muñoz
- International Research Institute for Climate and Society, the Earth Institute at Columbia University , New York, NY, USA
| | - Joacim Rocklöv
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, Umeå University , Umeå, Sweden.,Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, University of Heidelberg , Heidelberg, Germany
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Ali SH, Foreman J, Capasso A, Jones AM, Tozan Y, DiClemente RJ. Social media as a recruitment platform for a nationwide online survey of COVID-19 knowledge, beliefs, and practices in the United States: methodology and feasibility analysis. BMC Med Res Methodol 2020; 20:116. [PMID: 32404050 PMCID: PMC7220591 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-020-01011-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [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: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into one of the most impactful health crises in modern history, compelling researchers to explore innovative ways to efficiently collect public health data in a timely manner. Social media platforms have been explored as a research recruitment tool in other settings; however, their feasibility for collecting representative survey data during infectious disease epidemics remain unexplored. OBJECTIVES This study has two aims 1) describe the methodology used to recruit a nationwide sample of adults residing in the United States (U.S.) to participate in a survey on COVID-19 knowledge, beliefs, and practices, and 2) outline the preliminary findings related to recruitment, challenges using social media as a recruitment platform, and strategies used to address these challenges. METHODS An original web-based survey informed by evidence from past literature and validated scales was developed. A Facebook advertisement campaign was used to disseminate the link to an online Qualtrics survey between March 20-30, 2020. Two supplementary male-only and racial minority- targeted advertisements were created on the sixth and tenth day of recruitment, respectively, to address issues of disproportionate female- and White-oriented gender- and ethnic-skewing observed in the advertisement's reach and response trends. RESULTS In total, 6602 participant responses were recorded with representation from all U.S. 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The advertisements cumulatively reached 236,017 individuals and resulted in 9609 clicks (4.07% reach). Total cost of the advertisement was $906, resulting in costs of $0.09 per click and $0.18 per full response (completed surveys). Implementation of the male-only advertisement improved the cumulative percentage of male respondents from approximately 20 to 40%. CONCLUSIONS The social media advertisement campaign was an effective and efficient strategy to collect large scale, nationwide data on COVID-19 within a short time period. Although the proportion of men who completed the survey was lower than those who didn't, interventions to increase male responses and enhance representativeness were successful. These findings can inform future research on the use of social media recruitment for the rapid collection of survey data related to rapidly evolving health crises, such as COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahmir H Ali
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, 715 Broadway, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Joshua Foreman
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, 715 Broadway, New York, NY, 10003, USA.,Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ariadna Capasso
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, 715 Broadway, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Abbey M Jones
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Yesim Tozan
- Global Health Program, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, USA
| | - Ralph J DiClemente
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, 715 Broadway, New York, NY, 10003, USA.
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Liu Y, Lillepold K, Semenza JC, Tozan Y, Quam MBM, Rocklöv J. Reviewing estimates of the basic reproduction number for dengue, Zika and chikungunya across global climate zones. Environ Res 2020; 182:109114. [PMID: 31927301 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, dengue, Zika virus, and chikungunya are important viral mosquito-borne diseases that infect millions of people annually. Their geographic range includes not only tropical areas but also sub-tropical and temperate zones such as Japan and Italy. The relative severity of these arboviral disease outbreaks can vary depending on the setting. In this study we explore variation in the epidemiologic potential of outbreaks amongst these climatic zones and arboviruses in order to elucidate potential reasons behind such differences. METHODOLOGY We reviewed the peer-reviewed literature (PubMed) to obtain basic reproduction number (R0) estimates for dengue, Zika virus, and chikungunya from tropical, sub-tropical and temperate regions. We also computed R0 estimates for temperate and sub-tropical climate zones, based on the outbreak curves in the initial outbreak phase. Lastly we compared these estimates across climate zones, defined by latitude. RESULTS Of 2115 studies, we reviewed the full text of 128 studies and included 65 studies in our analysis. Our results suggest that the R0 of an arboviral outbreak depends on climate zone, with lower R0 estimates, on average, in temperate zones (R0 = 2.03) compared to tropical (R0 = 3.44) and sub-tropical zones (R0 = 10.29). The variation in R0 was considerable, ranging from 0.16 to 65. The largest R0 was for dengue (65) and was estimated by the Ross-Macdonald model in the tropical zone, whereas the smallest R0 (0.16) was for Zika virus and was estimated statistically from an outbreak curve in the sub-tropical zone. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate climate zone to be an important determinant of the basic reproduction number, R0, for dengue, Zika virus, and chikungunya. The role of other factors as determinants of R0, such as methods, environmental and social conditions, and disease control, should be further investigated. The results suggest that R0 may increase in temperate regions in response to global warming, and highlight the increasing need for strengthening preparedness and control activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- School of International Business, Xiamen University Tan Kah Kee College, Zhangzhou, 363105, China.
| | - Kate Lillepold
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan C Semenza
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yesim Tozan
- New York University, College of Global Public Health, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Mikkel B M Quam
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Joacim Rocklöv
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
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Tozan Y, Headley TY, Sewe MO, Schwartz E, Shemesh T, Cramer JP, Eberhardt KA, Ramharter M, Harrison N, Leder K, Angheben A, Hatz C, Neumayr A, Chen LH, De Pijper CA, Grobusch MP, Wilder-Smith A. A Prospective Study on the Impact and Out-of-Pocket Costs of Dengue Illness in International Travelers. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 100:1525-1533. [PMID: 30994088 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the costs of dengue illness to patients and households have been extensively studied in endemic populations, international travelers have not been the focus of costing studies. As globalization and human travel activities intensify, travelers are increasingly at risk for emerging and reemerging infectious diseases, such as dengue. This exploratory study aims to investigate the impact and out-of-pocket costs of dengue illness among travelers. We conducted a prospective study in adult travelers with laboratory-confirmed dengue and recruited patients at travel medicine clinics in eight different countries from December 2013 to December 2015. Using a structured questionnaire, we collected information on patients and their health-care utilization and out-of-pocket expenditures, as well as income and other financial losses they incurred because of dengue illness. A total of 90 patients participated in the study, most of whom traveled for tourism (74%) and visited countries in Asia (82%). Although 22% reported hospitalization and 32% receiving ambulatory care while traveling, these percentages were higher at 39% and 71%, respectively, after returning home. The out-of-pocket direct and indirect costs of dengue illness were US$421 (SD 744) and US$571 (SD 1,913) per episode, respectively, averaging to a total out-of-pocket cost of US$992 (SD 2,052) per episode. The study findings suggest that international travelers incur important direct and indirect costs because of dengue-related illness. This study is the first to date to investigate the impact and out-of-pocket costs of travel-related dengue illness from the patient's perspective and paves the way for future economic burden studies in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesim Tozan
- New York University College of Global Public Health, New York, New York.,New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Tyler Y Headley
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Maquines Odhiambo Sewe
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global Health Unit, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Eli Schwartz
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tamar Shemesh
- Sheba Medical Center, Institute of Tropical and Travel Medicine, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Jakob P Cramer
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and I Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kirsten A Eberhardt
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and I Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Ramharter
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine and I Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Harrison
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Leder
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University and Victorian Infectious Disease Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrea Angheben
- Centre for Tropical Diseases, IRCCS Hospital Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria, Verona, Italy
| | - Christoph Hatz
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Neumayr
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lin Hwei Chen
- Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Cornelis A De Pijper
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Center for Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Martin P Grobusch
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Center for Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Annelies Wilder-Smith
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Heidelberg Global Health Institute, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Global Health Unit, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Tozan Y, Sun S, Capasso A, Shu-Huah Wang J, Neilands TB, Bahar OS, Damulira C, Ssewamala FM. Evaluation of a savings-led family-based economic empowerment intervention for AIDS-affected adolescents in Uganda: A four-year follow-up on efficacy and cost-effectiveness. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226809. [PMID: 31891601 PMCID: PMC6938344 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children who have lost a parent to HIV/AIDS, known as AIDS orphans, face multiple stressors affecting their health and development. Family economic empowerment (FEE) interventions have the potential to improve these outcomes and mitigate the risks they face. We present efficacy and cost-effectiveness analyses of the Bridges study, a savings-led FEE intervention among AIDS-orphaned adolescents in Uganda at four-year follow-up. METHODS Intent-to-treat analyses using multilevel models compared the effects of two savings-led treatment arms: Bridges (1:1 matched incentive) and BridgesPLUS (2:1 matched incentive) to a usual care control group on the following outcomes: self-rated health, sexual health, and mental health functioning. Total per-participant costs for each arm were calculated using the treatment-on-the-treated sample. Intervention effects and per-participant costs were used to calculate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). FINDINGS Among 1,383 participants, 55% were female, 20% were double orphans. Mean age was 12 years at baseline. At 48-months, BridgesPLUS significantly improved self-rated health, (0.25, 95% CI 0.06, 0.43), HIV knowledge (0.21, 95% CI 0.01, 0.41), self-concept (0.26, 95% CI 0.09, 0.44), and self-efficacy (0.26, 95% CI 0.09, 0.43) and lowered hopelessness (-0.28, 95% CI -0.43, -0.12); whereas Bridges improved self-rated health (0.26, 95% CI 0.08, 0.43) and HIV knowledge (0.22, 95% CI 0.05, 0.39). ICERs ranged from $224 for hopelessness to $298 for HIV knowledge per 0.2 standard deviation change. CONCLUSIONS Most intervention effects were sustained in both treatment arms at two years post-intervention. Higher matching incentives yielded a significant and lasting effect on a greater number of outcomes among adolescents compared to lower matching incentives at a similar incremental cost per unit effect. These findings contribute to the evidence supporting the incorporation of FEE interventions within national social protection frameworks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesim Tozan
- College of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Sicong Sun
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Brown School, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Ariadna Capasso
- College of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Julia Shu-Huah Wang
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Torsten B. Neilands
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Ozge Sensoy Bahar
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Brown School, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Christopher Damulira
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Brown School, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Fred M. Ssewamala
- International Center for Child Health and Development, Brown School, Washington University in Saint Louis, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America
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