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López-Castro T, Jakubowski A, Masyukova M, Peterson M, Pierz A, Kodali S, Arnsten JH, Starrels JL, Nahvi S. Loss, liberation, and agency: Patient experiences of methadone treatment at opioid treatment programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Subst Use Addict Treat 2024; 157:209235. [PMID: 38061636 PMCID: PMC10932891 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.209235] [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] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite its safety and effectiveness, methadone treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) remains highly stigmatized, and stringent opioid treatment program (OTP) attendance requirements create barriers to retention for many patients. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a shift in federal regulations governing methadone, including a blanket exemption permitting increased take-home doses of methadone. We studied the impact of these changes upon established patients' experiences of OTP care. METHOD We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 18 OTP patients who met our criteria of having established OTP care (i.e., enrolled at the OTP for at least 12 weeks) and were administered methadone three to six days weekly prior to the March 2020 blanket exemption. Interviews centered on how COVID-19 had affected their experiences of receiving treatment at an OTP. RESULTS We identified three interconnected themes relevant to transformation of OTP care by the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants described mourning therapeutic OTP relationships and structure (1. loss), yet feeling more satisfaction with fewer in-person OTP visits (2. liberation), and appreciating more opportunities to self-direct their OUD care (3. agency). DISCUSSION Structural changes made to OTP care early in the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in loss of community and structure. Increasing the availability of take-home methadone also improved patient experience and sense of agency. Our findings join a diverse body of converging evidence in support of policy changes allowing for more flexible dosing and individualized OTP care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa López-Castro
- Department of Psychology, Colin Powell School of Civic and Global Leadership, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, United States.
| | - Andrea Jakubowski
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Health System, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, United States
| | - Mariya Masyukova
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Health System, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, United States; Project Renwal, Inc. 200 Varick Street, 9th Floor New York, NY 10014
| | - Meghan Peterson
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Health System, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, United States; Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill School of Medicine, 321 S Columbia St, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Amanda Pierz
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Health System, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, United States; The City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, 55 W. 125(th) Street, New York, NY 10027, United States
| | - Sruthi Kodali
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Health System, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, United States
| | - Julia H Arnsten
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Health System, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, United States
| | - Joanna L Starrels
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Health System, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, United States
| | - Shadi Nahvi
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Health System, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, United States
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Masoud D, Pierz A, Rauh L, Cruz AK, Palmedo C, Ratzan S. Vaccine Trust Gauge: Mixed methods research to measure and understand vaccine trust. Vaccine 2023:S0264-410X(23)00690-4. [PMID: 37336659 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION While trust in vaccination is one factor in the ecosystem that surrounds vaccine decision-making and acceptance, understanding its role may provide insights into effective and tailored approaches to help build individual-level vaccine confidence. The authors developed the Vaccine Trust Gauge (VTG), a scale used to measure trust in vaccines, and conducted mixed methods research to provide an in-depth understanding of the various factors shaping vaccine trust in the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS The VTG instrument was developed from previous and scoping research of questionnaires (Larson et al., 2018; Palmedo et al., 2021) and fielded in the US to n = 3026 adults ages ≥18. Based on survey responses, participants were segmented by vaccine trust level (low, medium, or high) through an aggregated scoring system constructed from the VTG. 65 respondents were recruited to participate in in-depth interviews or focus groups conducted by phone or video conference. A conceptual definition of vaccine trust was developed using components of the VTG scale. RESULTS Multivariate regressions found that higher levels of vaccine trust measured by the VTG are closely associated with trust in healthcare providers and trust in government. College or higher degree, Democrats, and those aged 55+ were more likely to have higher trust in vaccines compared to Black/African Americans, and those experiencing discrimination in the healthcare system. The qualitative analysis allowed the authors to add diverse, contextual elements to the vaccine trust levels summarized here. DISCUSSION These mixed methods findings suggest future implications for research and practice. Ideas for potential communication, policy, and public health strategies are offered to build vaccine confidence and advance uptake for COVID-19 and other vaccines. CONCLUSIONS There are diverse underlying factors that influence an individual's trust in vaccines, which means trust categories and demographic characteristics cannot be used as monolithic identifiers. Assessing vaccine trust provides insights into a foundation for engagement to promote individual-level vaccine acceptance. The authors present recommendations for the use of the VTG, future implications for research and practice, and potential strategies to build vaccine confidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dima Masoud
- City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, United States.
| | - Amanda Pierz
- City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, United States
| | - Lauren Rauh
- City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, United States
| | - Alanna Kate Cruz
- City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, United States
| | - Chris Palmedo
- City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, United States
| | - Scott Ratzan
- City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, United States
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Murenzi G, Shumbusho F, Hansen N, Munyaneza A, Gage JC, Muhoza B, Kanyabwisha F, Pierz A, Tuyisenge P, Anastos K, Castle PE. Long-term human papillomavirus vaccination effectiveness and immunity in Rwandan women living with and without HIV: a study protocol. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e061650. [PMID: 36008069 PMCID: PMC9422845 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061650] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have been shown to be highly effective in protecting women against cervical infections, high-grade abnormalities and cancer caused by the targeted HPV types. However, the evidence for their effectiveness in women living with HIV (WLWH) is less clear. METHODS WLWH and HIV-negative women who likely did (birth cohorts 1996 and later) and WLWH and HIV(-) negative who likely did not (birth cohorts before 1996) receive HPV vaccination (n=3028; 757 participants for each of the four groups). Between groups, we will compare cervicovaginal, anal and oral prevalent and 6-12 month persistent HPV6/11/16/18 infections as measured using a modified AmpFire HPV genotyping assay that tests for 15 high-risk or intermediate-risk HPV genotypes, HPV6 and HPV11. We will also compare the HPV immune response in HPV-vaccinated WLWH to HPV-vaccinated HIV-negative women using an anti-HPV16 and anti-HPV18 ELISA. Vaccination status will be confirmed through national vaccination records. ANALYSIS We will calculate point prevalence and prevalence of 6-12 month persisting infections by individual HPV-type specific infections and groups of infections for each anatomic site and for each group of women. Results will be stratified by age at vaccination, age at enrolment and the number of doses (3 vs 2) as well as other factors possibly associated with HPV prevalence. Differences in endpoints between groups, overall and between subgroups, will be tested for statistical significance (p<0.05) using Fisher's exact or Pearson χ2 test. Differences in geometric mean titres and seropositivity will be tested for statistical significance using the Mann-Whitney and Fisher's exact tests, respectively. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study was approved by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Institutional Review Board and the Rwanda National Ethics Committee. Results will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gad Murenzi
- Einstein-Rwanda Research and Capacity Building Program, Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda
- Einstein-Rwanda Research and Capacity Building Program, Research for Development (RD Rwanda), Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Fabienne Shumbusho
- Einstein-Rwanda Research and Capacity Building Program, Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda
- Einstein-Rwanda Research and Capacity Building Program, Research for Development (RD Rwanda), Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Natasha Hansen
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Athanase Munyaneza
- Einstein-Rwanda Research and Capacity Building Program, Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda
- Einstein-Rwanda Research and Capacity Building Program, Research for Development (RD Rwanda), Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Julia C Gage
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Benjamin Muhoza
- Einstein-Rwanda Research and Capacity Building Program, Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda
- Einstein-Rwanda Research and Capacity Building Program, Research for Development (RD Rwanda), Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Faustin Kanyabwisha
- Einstein-Rwanda Research and Capacity Building Program, Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda
- Einstein-Rwanda Research and Capacity Building Program, Research for Development (RD Rwanda), Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Amanda Pierz
- Department of Community Health and Health Sciences, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Patrick Tuyisenge
- Einstein-Rwanda Research and Capacity Building Program, Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda
- Einstein-Rwanda Research and Capacity Building Program, Research for Development (RD Rwanda), Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Kathryn Anastos
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Philip E Castle
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Ingabire C, Pierz A, Gasana J, Umwiza F, Drown L, Munyaneza A, Businge L, Kubwimana G, Murenzi G, Uwinkindi F, Adler A, Castle P, Randall TC. Abstract 95: “Women Are Reluctant to Make Long Journeys to Seek Screening Services While They Do Not Have Any Pain:” Providers' Experience on Cervical Cancer Screening in Primary Health Care Centers in Rwanda. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2021. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7755.asgcr21-95] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose: Cervical cancer screening reduces cervical cancer incidence and mortality. In Rwanda, cervical cancer screening is conducted predominately at primary health care centers. However, a significant number of age-eligible women who have not undergone screening present at primary health care centers with cervical cancer. The aim of our paper is to understand barriers and facilitators of cervical cancer screening from providers' perspectives.
Methods: We selected the ten top- and ten bottom-performing health centers for cervical cancer screening in the past five years within Rwanda. We identified three health care providers at each health center as key informants to be interviewed. A thematic analysis was conducted.
Results: We interviewed 33 providers. Providers consistently reported barriers for women to attend cervical cancer screening included: 1) women not seeking cervical cancer screening service while asymptomatic; 2) never having given birth at a health facility; 3) too busy with daily responsibilities to seek care; 4) being unfamiliar with gynecological service procedures; and 5) feeling uncomfortable with undergoing a pelvic exam and exposing their genitals. Reported facilitators to screening women included, health education activities, and providing multiple health services at the health center Services, such as family planning and child vaccination that attract women, which makes it easier for health care providers to provide them with educational information and offer them screening.
Conclusion: Health care providers reported patients with limited health-seeking behaviors as a barrier to cancer screening services but felt that educational sessions facilitated uptake among eligible women. Use of mass media to disseminate information on cervical cancer screening and prevention may encourage women to come to the clinic, at which time they may receive the education they need to undergo screening. Cervical cancer screening policies should evaluate and address existing health-seeking behaviors within their target population in order to achieve effective coverage.
Citation Format: Charles Ingabire, Amanda Pierz, Josephine Gasana, Francine Umwiza, Laura Drown, Athanase Munyaneza, Lydia Businge, Gallican Kubwimana, Gad Murenzi, François Uwinkindi, Alma Adler, Philip Castle, Thomas C. Randall. “Women Are Reluctant to Make Long Journeys to Seek Screening Services While They Do Not Have Any Pain:” Providers' Experience on Cervical Cancer Screening in Primary Health Care Centers in Rwanda [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 9th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; Global Cancer Research and Control: Looking Back and Charting a Path Forward; 2021 Mar 10-11. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2021;30(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 95.
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Adedimeji A, Ajeh R, Pierz A, Nkeng R, Ndenkeh JJ, Fuhngwa N, Nsame D, Nji M, Dzudie A, Anastos KM, Castle PE. Challenges and opportunities associated with cervical cancer screening programs in a low income, high HIV prevalence context. BMC Womens Health 2021; 21:74. [PMID: 33602194 PMCID: PMC7890622 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-021-01211-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Background Cervical cancer is a leading cause of death among Cameroon women. The burden of cervical cancer is in part traceable to the inadequate understanding of socio-contextual determinants of access to screening and prevention opportunities. We explored multilevel individual, community and structural factors that facilitate or inhibit cervical cancer prevention in women at risk in a low-income, high HIV prevalence context. Methods We utilized an exploratory qualitative approach to obtain data through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews from May to August, 2018. A two-stage purposive sampling strategy was used to select 80 women and 20 men who participated in 8 focus group discussions and 8 in-depth interviews. The socio-ecological model guided data analyses to identify micro-, meso-, and macro-level determinants of cervical cancer screening. Results Micro-level factors including lack of awareness and knowledge about cervical cancer, lack of access to information, excessive cost of cervical cancer screening, low risk perceptions, and poor health seeking behaviors were major barriers for women seeking cervical cancer screening. Meso-level factors, such as social networks, socio-cultural norms, perceptions of the role of men and HIV-related stigma when screening is integrated into HIV care, also engender negative attitudes and behaviors. Macro-level barriers to cervical cancer screening included poorly equipped health facilities and a lack of national cancer prevention policies and programs. Conclusion In the context of the call for elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem, our findings highlight challenges and opportunities that should be considered when implementing interventions to increase uptake of cervical cancer screening in low-middle income settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adebola Adedimeji
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
| | - Rogers Ajeh
- Clinical Research Education, Networking and Consultancy, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Amanda Pierz
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Relindis Nkeng
- Clinical Research Education, Networking and Consultancy, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Jackson Jr Ndenkeh
- Clinical Research Education, Networking and Consultancy, Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Center for International Health, Ludwig Maximillian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Norbert Fuhngwa
- Clinical Research Education, Networking and Consultancy, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Denis Nsame
- Limbe Regional Hospital, Limbe, Southwest Region, Cameroon
| | - Miriam Nji
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anastase Dzudie
- Clinical Research Education, Networking and Consultancy, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Kathryn M Anastos
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Philip E Castle
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
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Castle PE, Silva VRS, Consolaro MEL, Kienen N, Bittencourt L, Pelloso SM, Partridge EE, Pierz A, Dartibale CB, Uchimura NS, Scarinci IC. Participation in Cervical Screening by Self-collection, Pap, or a Choice of Either in Brazil. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2019; 12:159-170. [PMID: 30651294 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-18-0419] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Most cervical cancers occur in women who do not participate in cervical-cancer screening. We therefore evaluated adherence to screening for clinic-based Pap testing, self-collected sampling for HPV testing, and choice of the 2 among 483 unscreened/underscreened women in Brazil. Three public Basic Health Units (BHU) were each randomly assigned to three arms: (i) Pap testing at the BHU (N = 160), (ii) "Self&HPV" (self-collection for HPV testing) (N = 161), and (iii) "Choice" between self-collection and HPV testing and Pap test at the local BHU (N = 162). The theory-based (PEN-3 and Health Belief Model) intervention in all three arms was implemented by trained Community Health Workers (CHW) at participants' home. With the first invitation, 60.0% in the Pap arm, 95.1% [154 of 161 (95.7%) who selected Self&HPV and 0 of 1 (0.0%) who selected Pap] in the Choice arm, and 100% in the Self&HPV arm completed screening. By the second invitation to choose a method of screening in the Choice arm, 100% completed screening. After three invitations, 75.0% of women in the Pap arm completed screening. Adherence to screening differed by study arm (P < 0.001). In conclusion, Self&HPV testing is a promising strategy for unscreened/underscreened women who are recalcitrant or unable to undergo clinic-based cervical screening to complement the screening modality used in the general population. In Brazil, where Pap testing is recommended for routine cervical screening, training CHWs in behavior change strategies and offering Self&HPV or Choice could greatly improve screening population coverage by reaching the unscreened/underscreened populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nádia Kienen
- Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Amanda Pierz
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
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