COVID-19 knowledge and mental health impact assessment in Haiti

Mental health is a significant public health challenge globally, and one anticipated to increase following the COVID-19 pandemic. In many rural regions of developing nations, little is known about the prevalence of mental health conditions and factors that may help mitigate poor outcomes. This study assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and social support for residents of rural Haiti. Data were collected from March to May 2020. The Patient Health Questionnaire subscales for anxiety and depression, and the Perceived Stress Scale were utilized in addition to tailored questions specific to COVID-19 knowledge. Half (51.8%) of the 500 survey respondents reported COVID-19-related anxiety and worrying either daily or across a few days. Half (50.2%) also reported experiencing depression daily or across several days. Most (70.4%) did not have any social support, and 28.0% experienced some stress, with 13.4% indicating high perceived stress. Furthermore, 4.6% had suitable plumbing systems in their homes. The results were immediately actionable, informing the implementation of a mental health counseling program for youth following a loss of social support through school closures. Long-term investments must be made as part of public health responses in rural communities in developing nations, which remain under-studied.

Uptake and Utilization of the COVID-19 Alert App within a University Community in New York

The rapid onset of the COVID-19 pandemic elicited a swift response to control the virus ubiquitous within the United States. Expanded telehealth and health informatics became critical components of the pandemic response. The aim of this study was to assess the utilization of the COVID-19 New York (NY) Alert App and identify the perceived benefits and limitations of the App. A cross-sectional design was employed to collect data by using questionnaires with closed-ended and open-ended questions. The survey was developed and administered during March through April 2021. The study found that the highest rated benefit from using the COVID-19 NY Alert App was receiving alerts about being in close proximity to individuals diagnosed with COVID-19. Results showed that ineffective (insufficient and inappropriate) usage was the highest rated potential challenge for using the App. Study subjects were likely to download this Alert App when they perceived more benefits and less barriers to using the App. Findings from this study can help improve utilization of the App and inform development of similar tele-education tools. The study illuminated considerations for health information applications in scaling-up traditional COVID-19 tracing efforts and may facilitate the design of similar emergency preparedness health technology.

Embedding Care in Communities: Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a Community Health Worker Training Initiative in Rural Haiti

BACKGROUND

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are valuable members within the communities they serve and increase access to health care by garnering the trust of their fellow neighbors, providing services including facilitating access to care, and improving the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. In Southern Haiti, there is a health care provider shortage with one doctor or nurse per 3,000 persons. CHWs are critical to help close the gap of the lack of access to care and facilitate the provision of basic health care.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the CHW training initiative at capra-care, a community-based health care provider in rural Haiti, using survey and focus groups results highlighting key findings and implications for the CHW initiative.

METHODS

A mixed-method approach was used to evaluate capracare's CHW Training program. Focus groups were conducted that documented the lived experience of CHWs following the training program; examined barriers and facilitators to translating the training skills to practice in the community. Pretest and post-test data assessed change in knowledge post the Community Health Worker Training (CHWT) program.

RESULTS

Findings included 51 (57%) of the graduates. A significant increase was observed in mean test scores from baseline (n = 51; m = 61.48 ± 1.80) to post-test (m = 76.93 ± 1.73; t-7.69; P < 0.001), indicating that the CHW training was successful in increasing participants' knowledge. Themes that emerged from the qualitative analysis were comprehension of skills learned, community benefit, and empowerment.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from this CHWT program has implications to increase the health care workforce thus facilitating access to care among community residents in under-resourced regions.

HIV Testing Correlates: U.S. and Foreign Born High-Risk Black Heterosexual Men

In the U.S., Black men are disproportionately affected by HIV, with some of the highest HIV incidence rates and lowest rates of HIV testing. We examined correlates of HIV testing and knowledge among participants of the Barbershop Talk with Brothers (BTWB) project, an HIV prevention program targeting high-risk sexual behaviors among Black heterosexual men in Brooklyn, New York. Specifically, we examined differences between U.S. vs. foreign-born status and HIV testing rates, HIV knowledge, and socio-demographic factors. Of the 855 men included, the mean age was 33 years and 35.0% were foreign-born. Lifetime HIV testing was reported at 84%, with greater proportion of U.S. vs foreign-born men reporting lifetime (88.6% vs. 75.0%) and recent testing (68.6% vs. 51.0%), p < 0.001. Among foreign-born men, recent HIV testing was associated with lower stigma and greater HIV transmission knowledge than those un-tested. The authors recommend tailored approaches to increasing HIV testing in Black communities, based on nativity and social factors.

The use of It's Never Too Late technology (iN2L) in enhancing well-being among the elderly in a residential setting

This study explored the benefits of using It's Never Too Late [iN2L] with the residents at Mercy Center.

Over 10-weeks, 30 study participants were consented and attended three workshops engaging with iN2L. Paired t-tests were used to detect significant differences.

An increase in residents' sense of well-being on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWS) and additional questions indicating levels of distress and contentment. Significant improvements were noted for the WEMWS Scale and a decreased level of distress. iN2L is a promising technology that may be used with residents in long-term care facilities, regardless of cognitive impairment.

Trends and Disparities in Quality of Diabetes Care in the US: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2016

Objectives: To examine trends and disparities in the quality of diabetes care among US adults with diabetes. Methods: Individuals aged 20 years or older with diabetes from NHANES (1999-2016) were included in the study. Quality indicators for diabetes care included Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) < 8%, Blood Pressure (BP) < 130/80 mm Hg, Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL-C) < 100 mg/dL, triglycerides < 150 mg/dL, receiving eye and foot examinations in the past year, and meeting with a diabetes educator in the past year. Results: A total of 7,521 adults with diabetes were identified. During the 18-year study period, significant improvements in diabetes care were observed in the overall study sample. Adjusted regression analyses showed that compared with their White counterparts, Blacks were more likely to have received eye (OR=1.37; P=0.01) and foot (OR=1.42;P=0.01) examinations and met a diabetes educator (OR=1.40;P<0.01) over the past year. However, Blacks were significantly less likely to achieve treatment goals for HbA1c (OR=0.77, P=0.02), BP (OR=0.75, P<0.01), LDL-C (OR=0.68, P<0.01). Hispanics in general had suboptimal healthcare utilization for diabetes but the Hispanic-white disparities in diabetes care outcomes were attenuated after controlling for patient sociodemographic, clinical and utilization characteristics. Overall, suboptimal quality of diabetes care were particularly prominent among adults without health insurance and those with lower educational attainment. Conclusions: In the United States, despite persistent efforts, racial disparities in quality of diabetes care still persist. Lack of health insurance and lower socioeconomic status are among the strongest predictors of poor quality of diabetes care. These findings provide valuable information in developing policies and practices to promote racial equity in diabetes care.

HIV Prevention for Black Heterosexual Men: The Barbershop Talk with Brothers Cluster Randomized Trial

Objectives. To identify the impact of a strengths-focused HIV prevention program among high-risk heterosexual Black men. Methods. Barbershops in Brooklyn, New York, neighborhoods with high rates of heterosexually transmitted HIV were randomized to the intervention or an attention control program. Men were recruited from barbershops between 2012 and 2016 and participated in a single small group, peer-led session focused on HIV risk reduction skills and motivation, community health empowerment, and identification of personal strengths and communication skills. The outcome was defined as 1 or more acts of condomless anal or vaginal sex in the preceding 90 days at a 6-month interview. Results. Fifty-three barbershops (24 intervention, 29 control) and 860 men (436 intervention, 424 control) were recruited; follow-up was completed by 657 participants (352 intervention, 305 control). Intervention exposure was associated with a greater likelihood of no condomless sex (64.4%) than control group participation (54.1%; adjusted odds ratio = 1.61; 95% confidence interval = 1.05, 2.47). Conclusions. Program exposure resulted in reduced sexual risk behaviors, and the program was acceptable for administration in partnership with barbershops. Public Health Implications. Dissemination of similar programs could improve public health in communities with high rates of HIV attributable to heterosexual transmission.

Adjournment in Community HIV Prevention: Exploring Transitions in Community-Academic Partnerships

Barbershop-based interventions have been increasingly implemented as a means to support culturally relevant and community-accessible health promotion and disease prevention efforts. Specifically, in neighborhoods of Brooklyn, New York, with high HIV seroprevalence rates, barbers have volunteered to support an initiative to help reduce sexual risk behavior. After implementing the Barbershop Talk With Brothers program for 5 years, we explored how program participation has affected barbers' HIV prevention and counseling skills to promote their clients' health, and assessed their views of next stages of the community-academic partnership, once the specific project ended. Through employing rigorous qualitative research methods with personnel at participating barbershops, key results include that although barbers self-identify as community leaders and even as health educators, they want ongoing support in educating customers about other topics like nutrition and physical activity, including upstream social determinants of health, such as housing and employment. They are also concerned regarding how best to support continuity of efforts and maintenance of partnerships between projects. These findings provide insight toward adjourning community-based participatory research projects, which can inform other academic researchers, organizations, and businesses that partner with community members.

Correction to: Examining the Associations Between Immigration Status and Perceived Stress Among HIV-Infected and Uninfected Women

The original version of this article unfortunately published with the incorrect article title.

Lessons Learned from the Implementation of a Shared Community-Academic HIV Prevention Intervention

BACKGROUND

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is used to guide the design and evaluation of programs aimed at addressing complex health issues. Effective administrative management of CBPR projects is essential to ensuring the success and fidelity of these programs.

OBJECTIVE

We identify an administrative framework to support the implementation and management of a community- academic CBPR initiative.

METHODS

The Barbershop Talk with Brothers (BTWB) project was a cluster randomized CBPR intervention designed to reduce HIV among high-risk heterosexual men. Eight-hundred sixty men, representing 53 barbershops, participated in the project.

RESULTS

The 3Ps framework is defined by 1) partnership, 2) product, and 3) process. We describe the implementation of the 3Ps through applied examples including partnership management strategies, planning of shared resources, and flexible budgeting that can support the unique infrastructure of a shared community-academic project.

CONCLUSIONS

The 3Ps are a translatable framework for comparable shared community-academic research projects to adopt.

Perceptions of HIV Risk and Explanations of Sexual Risk Behavior Offered by Heterosexual Black Male Barbershop Patrons in Brooklyn, NY

To describe HIV risk factors among adult heterosexual Black men recruited from four barbershops located in high HIV seroprevalent neighborhoods of Brooklyn, NY. Data on HIV-risk related behaviors and other characteristics were collected from barbershop clients. All participants (n=60) completed brief risk assessments; and a subset (n=22) also completed focus groups and/or individual interviews. Of the subset of 22 men, 68% were US born, 59% had been in jail/prison, 32% were unemployed; and during the 3 months before the interviews, 68% reported at least two partners and 45% reported unprotected vaginal or anal sex with two or more women. Emergent themes included: 1) the psychological function of multiple partnerships; 2) calculated risk taking regarding condom use; 3) the role of emotional attachment and partner trust in condom use; 4) low perceived HIV risk and community awareness; and 5) lack of relationship between HIV testing and safer sex practices. Interventions among heterosexual Black men should focus not only on increasing HIV awareness and reducing sexual risk, but also on contextual and interpersonal factors that influence sexual risk.

Barbershop Talk With Brothers: using community-based participatory research to develop and pilot test a program to reduce HIV risk among Black heterosexual men

There is a need for feasible, evidence-based interventions that support HIV risk reduction among heterosexual Black men. In this article, we describe the process for development of the Barbershop Talk With Brothers (BTWB) program and evaluation. The BTWB program is a theoretically grounded and community-based HIV prevention program that seeks to improve individual skills and motivation to decrease sexual risk, and that builds men's interest in and capacity for improving their community's health. Formative data collection included barbershop observations and barber focus groups, brief behavioral risk assessments of men in barbershops, and focus groups and individual interviews. Based on this information and in consultation with our steering committee, we developed the BTWB program and accompanying program evaluation. From April through November 2011, 80 men were recruited and completed a baseline assessment of a pilot test of the program; 78 men completed the program and 71 completed a 3-month assessment. The pilot evaluation procedures were feasible to implement, and assessments of pre- and post-test measures indicate that key behavioral outcomes and proposed mediators of those outcomes changed in hypothesized directions. Specifically, attitudes and self-efficacy toward consistent condom use improved, and respondents reported lower levels of sexual risk behavior from baseline to follow-up (all p < 0.05). Perceptions of community empowerment also increased (p = 0.06). While HIV stigma decreased, this difference did not reach statistical significance. Our approach to community-engaged program development resulted in an acceptable, feasible approach to reaching and educating heterosexual Black men about HIV prevention in community settings.

Psychosocial correlates of gender-based violence among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women in three US cities

Gender-based violence (GBV) is common among women with and at risk for HIV, yet little is known about the GBV associated psychological factors that could be modifiable through behavioral interventions. The current study examined the associations between some of these psychological factors (i.e., hopelessness, consideration of future consequences, self esteem), mental health symptoms, substance abuse, and GBV among a sample of 736 HIV-infected and sociodemographically similar uninfected participants in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS). Results indicated high rates of lifetime GBV among the sample (58%), as well as high rates of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) (22.2%). HIV-infected women were more likely to be hopeless and to experience lower consideration of future consequences as compared to uninfected women. Multivariable analysis indicated that current non-injection drug use and a history of injection drug use were the main correlates of GBV and CSA, even when other psychosocial variables were included in analytic models. Being born outside of the US reduced the likelihood of GBV and CSA. Future research directions and intervention implications are discussed.

Improving dietary habits in disadvantaged women with HIV/AIDS: the SMART/EST women's project

There is a lack of information on whether brief nutrition education can succeed in improving longer-term dietary patterns in disadvantaged populations with HIV/AIDS. In the SMART/EST II Women's Project 466 disadvantaged women with HIV/AIDS were randomized to one of four groups and received a two-phase training consisting of a coping skills/stress management and nutrition education provided either in a group or individually. At baseline the majority of participants had excessive fat and sugar consumption and suboptimal intakes of vegetables, fruits, calcium-rich foods and whole grains. Dietary patterns for all participants improved after the nutrition intervention primarily due to decreases in high fat and high sugar foods such as soda and fried foods and were still significantly better 18 months later. There were only short-term differences in improvements between the four groups. These findings support the value of even brief nutrition education for disadvantaged women living with HIV/AIDS.

Readiness to change physical activity and dietary practices and willingness to consult healthcare providers

Background

Complementary or discrepant stages of change for multiple risk behaviors can guide the development of effective risk reduction interventions for multiple risk factors. The objectives of this study were to assess readiness to change physical activity and dietary practices and the relationships among readiness scores for physical activity and dietary practices. In an underserved population, the readiness scores were analyzed in relationship to the patient's interest in communicating with healthcare providers about health behavior change. Healthcare providers are important contributors in promoting behavior change in community health centers.

Methods

Patients completed questionnaires about communicating with healthcare providers and readiness to change physical activity, intake of fruits and vegetables, dietary fat, calories and weight management. Frequency distributions, correlations, and analysis of variance were computed.

Results

Readiness to change physical activity was not related to readiness to change dietary practices. Readiness to change fruit and vegetable intake and readiness to change dietary fat intake were significantly related. Readiness to change and interest in communicating with healthcare providers were significantly related for physical activity but not for dietary practices.

Conclusions

Readiness to change behavior and interest in talking to healthcare providers were distinct dimensions; for physical activity, the dimensions were congruent and for dietary practices, the dimensions were unrelated. Readiness to change physical activity and dietary practices were not related (discrepant stages of readiness). Therefore, among underserved populations, sequential rather than simultaneous interventions may be appropriate when intervening on multiple risk behaviors, particularly physical activity and dietary practices.