Hypothetical questionnaires may overestimate willingness to participate in HIV cure research: Comparison of a cross-sectional survey to actual willingness to participate in an HIV cure study in the Netherlands

ObjectiveCharacterising the perceptions of groups most affected by HIV is fundamental in establishing guidelines for biomedical advancement. Although Brazil has successfully fought HIV/AIDS through several measures, transgender women still have a likelihood of HIV infection 55 times higher than the general population. This study aimed to better understand the perception and awareness of HIV cure research among the trans-identifying population in São Paulo, Brazil, and to determine factors that motivate or discourage participation in HIV cure studies.SettingThis cross-sectional study analysed data collected from a questionnaire administered to 118 transgender women and travestis at 5 sites within the city of São Paulo. It uses quantitative methodology to describe the perspectives of transgender and travesti people in relation to HIV cure research and the context in which such perspectives are produced.ResultsOf 118 participants, most participants (73%) had some knowledge of HIV cure research and were most willing to participate in online surveys (52%), interviews (52%), focus groups (52%) and studies involving blood draws (57%). Those with a higher education or employment status were more likely to agree that someone had been cured of HIV, people living with HIV are discriminated against, and more information about HIV cure research is needed before the community embraces it. Only 55% of participants completely trusted their physician. The biggest motivational factors included gaining additional knowledge about HIV infection (77%) and the potential for a longer, healthier life for all (73%).ConclusionsAs a primary analysis of HIV cure attitudes among the transgender and travesti population as well as the social context in which they are formed, this study identifies opportunities to strengthen the dialogue and develop more educational collaborations between scientific investigators, community educators and the trans-identifying population to ensure that HIV cure research is inclusive of diverse perspectives.

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Hidden bedside rationing in the Netherlands: a cross-sectional survey among physicians in internal medicine

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-021-06229-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ursula W. de Ruijter ◽

Hester F. Lingsma ◽

Willem A. Bax ◽

Johan Legemaate

Keyword(s):

Internal Medicine ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Patient Choice ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physician Characteristics ◽

Distribution Of Resources ◽

Healthcare Rationing ◽

Do So

Abstract Background Healthcare rationing can be defined as withholding beneficial care for cost reasons. One form in particular, hidden bedside rationing, is problematic because it may result in conflicting loyalties for physicians, unfair inequality among patients and illegitimate distribution of resources. Our aim is to establish whether bedside rationing occurs in the Netherlands, whether it qualifies as hidden and what physician characteristics are associated with its practice. Methods Cross-sectional online questionnaire on knowledge of -, experience with -, and opinion on rationing among physicians in internal medicine within the Dutch healthcare system. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression was used to explore relations between hidden bedside rationing and physician characteristics. Results The survey was distributed among 1139 physicians across 11 hospitals with a response rate of 18% (n = 203). Most participants (n = 129; 64%) had experience prescribing a cheaper course of treatment while a more effective but more expensive alternative was available, suggesting bedside rationing. Subsequently, 32 (24%) participants never disclosed this decision to their patient, qualifying it as hidden. The majority of participants (n = 153; 75%) rarely discussed treatment cost. Employment at an academic hospital was independently associated with more bedside rationing (OR = 17 95%CI 6.1–48). Furthermore, residents were more likely to disclose rationing to their patients than internists (OR = 3.2, 95%CI 2.1–4.7), while salaried physicians were less likely to do so than physicians in private practice (OR = 0.5, 95%CI 0.4–0.8). Conclusion Hidden bedside rationing occurs in the Netherlands: patient choice is on occasion limited with costs as rationale and this is not always disclosed. To what extent distribution of healthcare should include bedside rationing in the Netherlands, or any other country, remains up for debate.

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Framing a Consent Form to Improve Consent Understanding and Determine How This Affects Willingness to Participate in HIV Cure Research: An Experimental Survey Study

Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics ◽

10.1177/1556264620981205 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 155626462098120

Author(s):

John A. Sauceda ◽

Karine Dubé ◽

Brandon Brown ◽

Ashley E. Pérez ◽

Catherine E. Rivas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Consent Form ◽

Survey Study ◽

Willingness To Participate ◽

Hiv Cure ◽

Complex Information ◽

Complex Information Processing ◽

Decision Making Model ◽

Hiv Cure Research ◽

Experimental Survey

HIV cure research carries serious risks and negligible benefits. We investigated how participants understand these risks and what influences their willingness to participate. Through internet-based and in-person convenience sampling, 86 HIV+ participants completed an experimental survey. Participants were randomized to read a standard consent form describing a hypothetical HIV cure study or one adapted using Fuzzy Trace Theory—a decision-making model to facilitate complex information processing. We measured consent understanding and cognitive (e.g., safe/harmful) and affective (e.g., concerning, satisfying) evaluations of HIV cure research. Participants who read the adapted consent form had improved consent understanding, but only positive affective evaluations were associated with a willingness to participate. Consent processes can use decision-making theories to facilitate comprehension of study information.

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Computer and internet use among people with long-standing spinal cord injury: a cross-sectional survey in the Netherlands

Spinal Cord ◽

10.1038/s41393-018-0237-1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 57 (5) ◽

pp. 396-403 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Marcel W. M. Post ◽

◽

Jacqueline M. P. Leenders ◽

Marga Tepper ◽

Govert J. Snoek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Internet Use ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cord Injury

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Willingness to participate and take risks in HIV cure research: survey results from 400 people living with HIV in the US

Journal of Virus Eradication ◽

10.1016/s2055-6640(20)30295-8 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 40-71 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Karine Dubé ◽

David Evans ◽

Laurie Sylla ◽

Jeff Taylor ◽

Bryan J. Weiner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

People Living With Hiv ◽

Willingness To Participate ◽

Hiv Cure ◽

Research Survey ◽

The Us ◽

Survey Results ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Cure Research

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Radiation Emergency Readiness Among US Medical Toxicologists: A Survey

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2019.147 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Brian P. Murray ◽

Eungjae Kim ◽

Samuel A. Ralston ◽

Tim P. Moran ◽

Carol Iddins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care Providers ◽

Large Scale ◽

Nuclear Reactor ◽

Critical Role ◽

Medical Toxicology ◽

Radioactive Material ◽

Willingness To Participate ◽

Care Providers ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional

ABSTRACT Introduction: Large scale radiologic and nuclear disasters are rare; however, recent events such as the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor emergency in Japan and current global political tensions have highlighted the need for health-care providers with expertise in managing radiation injuries. Medical Toxicologists have the ability to collaborate with other specialists in filling this critical role. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey to assess the attitudes, experiences, and knowledge of medical toxicologists through the assistance of the American College of Medical Toxicology. Results: The survey was completed by 114 medical toxicologists during the enrollment period. Medical toxicologists who had a willingness to participate in radiologic or nuclear emergencies or who had taken care of patients contaminated with radioactive material were more likely to perform well on the knowledge assessment. Conclusion: We identified that there is a group of medical toxicologists who have the willingness, experience, and knowledge to help manage patients in the event of a radiologic or nuclear emergency.

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Gastrointestinal, influenza-like illness and dermatological complaints following exposure to floodwater: a cross-sectional survey in The Netherlands

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268815002654 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 144 (7) ◽

pp. 1445-1454 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

H. DE MAN ◽

L. MUGHINI GRAS ◽

B. SCHIMMER ◽

I. H. M. FRIESEMA ◽

A. M. DE RODA HUSMAN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

Global Climate ◽

Extreme Rainfall ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Extreme Rainfall Events ◽

Rainfall Events ◽

Influenza Like Illness ◽

Pluvial Flooding ◽

Gp Visits

SUMMARYExtreme rainfall events may cause pluvial flooding, increasing the transmission of several waterborne pathogens. However, the risk of experiencing clinically overt infections following exposure to pluvial floodwater is poorly estimated. A retrospective cross-sectional survey was performed to quantify the occurrence of self-reported gastrointestinal, influenza-like illness (ILI) and dermatological complaints, and the frequency of visits to the general practitioner (GP), during a 4-week observation period following pluvial flooding at seven locations in The Netherlands. Questionnaires were sent to 817 flooded households, 149 (17%) of which returned the questionnaire reporting information for 199 participants. Contact with floodwater was significantly associated with increased occurrence of gastrointestinal [odds ratio (OR 4·44)], ILI (OR 2·75) and dermatological (OR 6·67) complaints, and GP visits (OR 2·72). Having hand contact with floodwater was associated with gastrointestinal and dermatological complaints, whereas ILI complaints were associated with being engaged in post-flooding cleaning operations and having walked/cycled through floodwater. This study shows that floodwater-associated diseases occur in urban settings following extreme rainfall events in a high-income country. As pluvial floods are expected to escalate in the future due to global climate change, further research is warranted to determine the disease burden of pluvial flooding and to assess the effect of different interventions, including raising awareness among stakeholders.

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Health literacy and preparedness of health workers in the private health sector towards the COVID-19 pandemic: Need for integration into the nationwide response

Annals of African Medical Research ◽

10.4081/aamr.2020.145 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Ekaete Tobin ◽

Vivian Ajekweneh ◽

Andrew Obi ◽

Eshan Henshaw

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Health Workers ◽

Health Sector ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

Suspected Case ◽

Willingness To Participate ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Private Health Sector

The private health sector has the potential to participate in the COVID-19 pandemic response. The study aimed to assess the health literacy, perceptions, practices, willingness to participate and opportunities for engagement of the private health sector in the COVID-19 response. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among health workers in private health facilities in Edo Central and Edo North Senatorial districts of Edo state between May and June 2020. Data were collected using pre-tested questionnaires and analysis carried out using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Chi-square test of significance and logistic regression were applied at 5% cut off. A total of 153 health workers participated giving a response rate of 75.0%. Eighty-eight (57.5%) respondents had good knowledge of COVID-19 and 80 (52.3%) held negative perceptions towards COVID-19. Ninety-five (62.1%) respondents believed private health facilities had a role to play in the response particularly in the area of suspected case screening (85.4%). Thirty-one (20.3%) respondents indicated their willingness to participate in the COVID-19 response if their facilities were invited to. Sixty-one (39.9%) and 92 (60.1%) respondents respectively held poor and good practices towards COVID- 19 prevention, with practice significantly associated with educational level (χ2 = 14.10, P < 0.01), profession (χ2 = 15.28, P = 0.01). and previous training in infection prevention and control (IPC) (χ2 = 18.16, P < 0.01). The resources available from the private sector to support the response can be harnessed through engagements with medical directors and health workers in the sector to identify areas of collaboration, address identified gaps in knowledge, improve perception and participation.

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Impact of physical distancing measures against COVID-19 on contacts and mixing patterns: repeated cross-sectional surveys, the Netherlands, 2016–17, April 2020 and June 2020

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/1560-7917.es.2021.26.8.2000994 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (8) ◽

Author(s):

Jantien A Backer ◽

Liesbeth Mollema ◽

Eric RA Vos ◽

Don Klinkenberg ◽

Fiona RM van der Klis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

Age Groups ◽

Interquartile Range ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Normal Contact ◽

Elderly Individuals ◽

Baseline Levels ◽

Mixing Patterns

Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have implemented physical distancing measures to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Aim To measure the actual reduction of contacts when physical distancing measures are implemented. Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out in the Netherlands in 2016–17, in which participants reported the number and age of their contacts the previous day. The survey was repeated among a subsample of the participants in April 2020, after strict physical distancing measures were implemented, and in an extended sample in June 2020, after some measures were relaxed. Results The average number of community contacts per day was reduced from 14.9 (interquartile range (IQR): 4–20) in the 2016–17 survey to 3.5 (IQR: 0–4) after strict physical distancing measures were implemented, and rebounded to 8.8 (IQR: 1–10) after some measures were relaxed. All age groups restricted their community contacts to at most 5, on average, after strict physical distancing measures were implemented. In children, the number of community contacts reverted to baseline levels after measures were eased, while individuals aged 70 years and older had less than half their baseline levels. Conclusion Strict physical distancing measures greatly reduced overall contact numbers, which likely contributed to curbing the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in the Netherlands. However, age groups reacted differently when measures were relaxed, with children reverting to normal contact numbers and elderly individuals maintaining restricted contact numbers. These findings offer guidance for age-targeted measures in future waves of the pandemic.

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