scholarly journals Uptake of peer-led venue-based HIV testing sites in Sweden aimed at men who have sex with men (MSM) and trans persons: a cross-sectional survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 95 (8) ◽  
pp. 575-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Strömdahl ◽  
Jonas Hoijer ◽  
Jaran Eriksen
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Foreign Born ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sex With Men

ObjectivesHIV testing among high-risk groups is a key intervention to diagnose persons living unknowingly with HIV to enable linkage to care and effective antiretroviral treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the uptake of Testpoint, the first large-scale HIV testing programme in Sweden where peer, non-healthcare personnel offered venue-based testing. Testing was performed by staff from the Swedish Foundation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RFSL Sweden) and testing was performed at the RFSL offices, gay clubs and gay cruising areas, as well as at various gay festivals. The test was a rapid test using capillary blood from a finger prick.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of all persons aged >18 years who came for HIV testing at one of Testpoint’s locations in Sweden between 1 February and 31 December 2016.Results595 respondents (96% response rate) were included. Five persons were diagnosed with HIV and referred for treatment and care. A fifth of participants had never tested for HIV before. More than half of the participants were foreign born and the median age was 31 years. About one-fifth of participants stated they would not have tested through the healthcare system if Testpoint was not available.ConclusionsTestpoint reached their target population of young, foreign-born men who have sex with men (MSM) as well as first time testers and persons who stated that they would not have tested within the healthcare system. Such peer HIV testing outside the healthcare setting is a possible way of increasing uptake of testing in high-risk groups.

scholarly journals Malaria in pregnancy in rural Gabon: a cross-sectional survey on the impact of seasonality in high-risk groups

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario J Jäckle ◽  
Christian G Blumentrath ◽  
Rella M Zoleko ◽  
Daisy Akerey-Diop ◽  
Jean-Rodolphe Mackanga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Malaria In Pregnancy ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact ◽  
In Pregnancy

scholarly journals Factors associated with recent HIV testing among high-risk men who have sex with men: a cross-sectional study in Cambodia

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siyan Yi ◽  
Sovannary Tuot ◽  
Pheak Chhoun ◽  
Carinne Brody ◽  
Khuondyla Pal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Sex With Men

scholarly journals Attitudes towards Anti-SARS-CoV2 Vaccination among Healthcare Workers: Results from a National Survey in Italy

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Di Gennaro ◽  
Rita Murri ◽  
Francesco Vladimiro Segala ◽  
Lorenzo Cerruti ◽  
Amina Abdulle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has afflicted tens of millions of people, fostering and unprecedent effort in vaccine development and distribution. Healthcare workers (HCW) play a key role in vaccine promotion and patient guidance, and it is likely that hesitancy among this population will have a major impact on the adoption of a successful immunization policy. To investigate HCW attitudes towards anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) vaccination, we developed an anonymous online cross-sectional survey. 1723 Italian HCW responded. Overall, 1155 (67%) intended to be vaccinated, while 443 (26%) were not sure and 125 (7%) declared refusal. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with hesitancy were using Facebook as the main information source and being a non-physician HCW, while predictors of acceptance included younger age, being in close contact with high-risk groups and having received flu vaccination during the 2019–2020 season. Reasons for hesitancy included lack of trust in vaccine safety (85%) and receiving little (78%) or conflicting (69%) information about vaccines. According to our results, adequate investment in vaccine education for healthcare personnel appears to be urgently needed, prioritizing non-physicians and information quality spread through social media. We hope that our data could help governments and policy-makers to target communication in the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

Victimization of individuals with serious mental illness living in sheltered housing.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milan Zarchev
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Serious Mental Illness ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Sheltered Housing ◽  
Crime Victimization ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Prevalence

Background – Sheltered housing is associated with positive quality of life improvements for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). However, there are equivocal findings around safety outcomes related to this type of accommodation, as other reports emphasize severe security concerns described by the tenants. This study aims to examine victimization in sheltered housing by comparing crime victimization rates of SMI patients living in sheltered housing to patients living alone or with family.Methods – A large community-based cross-sectional survey of 956 SMI patients completed the Dutch Crime and Victimization survey to investigate a) raw differences in prevalence and incidence between living conditions and b) to identify groups at high risk for victimization using demographic and clinical factors. We do so by reporting estimated victimization incidents for each risk group.Results - Victimization prevalence was highest among residents in sheltered housing (50.8%) compared to persons living alone (43%) or with family (37.8%). We found that sheltered housing was associated with increased victimization incidence (IRR = 2.80 compared to living with family, 1.87 compared to living alone), especially for some victimization high risk groups like males, patients with comorbid PTSD or those with high levels of education. However, women reported less victimization in sheltered housing than living alone or with family if they also reported drug or alcohol use.Conclusion – The high prevalence and incidence of victimization among residents in sheltered housing provides evidence in support of awareness and surveillance of victimization among residents to facilitate a recovery-enabling environment for these SMI patients.

scholarly journals Evolving consensus for immunomodulatory therapy in non-infectious uveitis during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
pp. bjophthalmol-2020-316776
Author(s):  
Rupesh Agrawal ◽  
Ilaria Testi ◽  
Cecilia S Lee ◽  
Edmund Tsui ◽  
Marian Blazes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Immunosuppressive Agents ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Immunomodulatory Therapy ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Consensus Statements ◽  
Infectious Uveitis

BackgroundImmunomodulatory therapy (IMT) is often considered for systemic treatment of non-infectious uveitis (NIU). During the evolving coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, given the concerns related to IMT and the increased risk of infections, an urgent need for guidance on the management of IMT in patients with uveitis has emerged.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of international uveitis experts was conducted. An expert steering committee identified clinical questions on the use of IMT in patients with NIU during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using an interactive online questionnaire, guided by background experience and knowledge, 139 global uveitis experts generated consensus statements for IMT. In total, 216 statements were developed around when to initiate, continue, decrease and stop systemic and local corticosteroids, conventional immunosuppressive agents and biologics in patients with NIU. Thirty-one additional questions were added, related to general recommendations, including the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and hydroxychloroquine.ResultsHighest consensus was achieved for not initiating IMT in patients who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19, and for using local over systemic corticosteroid therapy in patients who are at high-risk and very high-risk for severe or fatal COVID-19. While there was a consensus in starting or initiating NSAIDs for the treatment of scleritis in healthy patients, there was no consensus in starting hydroxychloroquine in any risk groups.ConclusionConsensus guidelines were proposed based on global expert opinion and practical experience to bridge the gap between clinical needs and the absence of medical evidence, to guide the treatment of patients with NIU during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Opportunities and barriers for providing HIV testing through community health centers in mainland China: a nationwide cross-sectional survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason J. Ong ◽  
Ming Hui Peng ◽  
William W. Wong ◽  
Ying-Ru Lo ◽  
Michael R. Kidd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Centers ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
High Risk Populations

Abstract Background Primary care may be an avenue to increase coverage of HIV testing but it is unclear what challenges primary healthcare professionals in low- and middle-income countries face. We describe the HIV testing practices in community health centres (CHCs) and explore the staff’s attitude towards further development of HIV testing services at the primary care level in China. Methods We conducted a national, cross-sectional survey using a stratified random sample of CHCs in 20 cities in 2015. Questionnaires were completed by primary care doctors and nurses in CHCs, and included questions regarding their demographics, clinical experience and their views on the facilitators and barriers to offering HIV testing in their CHC. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between staff who would offer HIV testing and their sociodemographic characteristics. Results A total of 3580 staff from 158 CHCs participated. Despite the majority (81%) agreeing that HIV testing was an important part of healthcare, only 25% would provide HIV testing when requested by a patient. The majority (71%) were concerned about reimbursement, and half (47%) cited lack of training as a major barrier. Almost half (44%) believed that treating people belonging to high-risk populations would scare other patients away, and 6% openly expressed their dislike of people belonging to high-risk populations. Staff who would offer HIV testing were younger (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.97 per year increase in age, 95% confidence interval (CI):0.97–0.98); trained as a doctor compared to a nurse (aOR 1.79, 95%CI:1.46–2.15); held a bachelor degree or above (aOR 1.34, 95%CI:1.11–1.62); and had previous HIV training (aOR 1.55, 95%CI:1.27–1.89). Conclusions Improving HIV training of CHC staff, including addressing stigmatizing attitudes, and improving financial reimbursement may help increase HIV testing coverage in China.

Correlates of recent HIV testing among substance-using men who have sex with men

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 594-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Rowe ◽  
Tim Matheson ◽  
Moupali Das ◽  
Erin DeMicco ◽  
Jeffrey H Herbst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Anal Intercourse ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
Condomless Anal Intercourse ◽  
Sex With Men

Men who have sex with men are disproportionately impacted by HIV and substance use is a key driver of HIV risk and transmission among this population. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 3242 HIV-negative substance-using men who have sex with men aged 18 + in the San Francisco Bay Area from March 2009 to May 2012. Demographic characteristics and sexual risk and substance use behaviors in the last six months were collected using structured telephone questionnaires. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify independent demographic and behavioral predictors of recent HIV testing. In all, 65% reported having an HIV test in the last six months. In multivariable analysis, increasing age (aOR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.84–0.90) and drinking alcohol (<1 drink/day: 0.65, 0.46–0.92; 2–3 drinks/day: 0.64, 0.45–0.91; 4 + drinks/day: 0.52, 0.35–0.78) were negatively associated with recent HIV testing. Having two or more condomless anal intercourse partners (2.17, 1.69–2.79) was positively associated with having a recent HIV test, whereas condomless anal intercourse with serodiscordant partners was not significantly associated with testing. Older men who have sex with men and those who drink alcohol may benefit from specific targeting in efforts to expand HIV testing. Inherently riskier discordant serostatus of partners is not as significant a motivator of HIV testing as condomless anal intercourse in general.

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