“It would be easier, you can do it anywhere, anytime”. Is the Philippines ready for HIV self-testing?

Abstract Background: The Philippines is facing a rapidly rising HIV epidemic among young men who have sex with men (MSM). Testing rates among young populations is poor. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a promising strategy to address this testing gap. Exploring the perceived acceptability, feasibility and programmatic challenges of HIVST among key informants and target users is an important first step. Method: A qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (FGD). We interviewed 15 key informants involved with HIV testing programs or policies and 42 target users in six FGD in Metro Manila. We held separate discussions with high socio-economic MSM (n= 12), urban poor MSM (n=15) and transgender women (TGW) (n= 15). Results were analysed using a thematic framework approach. Results: MSM and TGW welcomed the convenience and privacy HIVST could provide. They preferred an inexpensive accurate blood-based kit attained from reputable sites. Key informants at national and local level equally welcomed HIVST but identified a number of policy and regulatory issues. Both groups articulated the challenge of enrolling those who test reactive using HIVST to further testing and treatment in an environment characterised by acute stigma around HIV. Conclusions: HIVST was found to be highly acceptable to target users and was welcomed as an additional testing approach at national level. Strategic alliances are now needed between stakeholders to proactively deliver a patient-centred HIVST program that could provide an effective, safe means of increasing testing coverage in this escalating context.

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Are the Philippines ready for HIV self-testing?

10.21203/rs.2.11040/v4 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jesal Gohil ◽

Emmanuel Baja ◽

Tyrone Reden SY ◽

Ernest Guevara ◽

Charlotte Hemingway ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Strategic Alliances ◽

Urban Poor ◽

Local Level ◽

National Level ◽

The Philippines ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Step Method ◽

Key Informants ◽

Self Testing ◽

Sex With Men

Abstract Background: The Philippines is facing a rapidly rising HIV epidemic among young men who have sex with men (MSM). Testing rates among young populations is poor. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a promising strategy to address this testing gap. Exploring the perceived acceptability, feasibility and programmatic challenges of HIVST among key informants and target users is an important first step. Method: A qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (FGD). We interviewed 15 key informants involved with HIV testing programs or policies and 42 target users in six FGD in Metro Manila. We held separate discussions with high socio-economic MSM (n= 12), urban poor MSM (n=15) and transgender women (TGW) (n= 15). Results were analysed using a thematic framework approach. Results: MSM and TGW welcomed the convenience and privacy HIVST could provide. They preferred an inexpensive accurate blood-based kit attained from reputable sites. Key informants at national and local level equally welcomed HIVST but identified a number of policy and regulatory issues. Both groups articulated the challenge of enrolling those who test reactive using HIVST to further testing and treatment in an environment characterised by acute stigma around HIV. Conclusions: HIVST was found to be highly acceptable to target users and was welcomed as an additional testing approach at national level. Strategic alliances are now needed between stakeholders to proactively deliver a patient-centred HIVST program that could provide an effective, safe means of increasing testing coverage in this escalating context.

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Is the Philippines ready for HIV self-testing?

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-019-8063-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jesal Gohil ◽

Emmanuel S. Baja ◽

Tyrone Reden Sy ◽

Ernest Genesis Guevara ◽

Charlotte Hemingway ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Strategic Alliances ◽

Urban Poor ◽

Local Level ◽

National Level ◽

The Philippines ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Key Informants ◽

Self Testing ◽

Framework Approach ◽

Sex With Men

Abstract Background The Philippines is facing a rapidly rising HIV epidemic among young men who have sex with men (MSM). Testing rates among young populations is poor. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a promising strategy to address this testing gap. The study’s purpose was to explore the perceived acceptability, feasibility and programmatic challenges of HIVST among key informants and target users. Method A qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (FGD). We interviewed 15 key informants involved with HIV testing programs or policies and 42 target users in six FGD in Metro Manila. We held separate discussions with high socio-economic MSM (n = 12), urban poor MSM (n = 15) and transgender women (TGW) (n = 15). Results were analysed using a thematic framework approach. Results MSM and TGW welcomed the convenience and privacy HIVST could provide. They preferred an inexpensive accurate blood-based kit attained from reputable sites. Key informants at national and local level equally welcomed HIVST but identified a number of policy and regulatory issues. Both groups articulated the challenge of enrolling those who test reactive using HIVST to further testing and treatment in an environment characterised by acute stigma around HIV. Conclusions HIVST was found to be highly acceptable to target users and was welcomed as an additional testing approach at national level. Strategic alliances are now needed between stakeholders to proactively deliver a patient-centred HIVST program that could provide an effective, safe means of increasing testing coverage in this escalating context.

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Are the Philippines ready for HIV self-testing?

10.21203/rs.2.11040/v2 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jesal Gohil ◽

Emmanuel Baja ◽

Tyrone Reden SY ◽

Ernest Guevara ◽

Charlotte Hemingway ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Strategic Alliances ◽

Urban Poor ◽

Local Level ◽

National Level ◽

The Philippines ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Key Informants ◽

Self Testing ◽

Metro Manila ◽

Sex With Men

Abstract Background: The Philippines is facing a rapidly rising HIV epidemic among young men who have sex with men (MSM). Testing rates among young populations is poor. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a promising strategy to address this testing gap. Exploring the perceived acceptability, feasibility and programmatic challenges of HIVST among key informants and target users is an important first step.Method: A qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (FGD). We interviewed 15 key informants involved with HIV testing programs or policies and 42 target users in six FGD in Metro Manila. We held separate discussions with high socio-economic MSM (n= 12), urban poor MSM (n=15) and transgender women (TGW) (n= 15). Results were analysed using a thematic framework approach.Results: MSM and TGW welcomed the convenience and privacy HIVST could provide. They preferred an inexpensive accurate blood-based kit attained from reputable sites. Key informants at national and local level equally welcomed HIVST but identified a number of policy and regulatory issues. Both groups articulated the challenge of enrolling those who test reactive using HIVST to further testing and treatment in an environment characterised by acute stigma around HIV.Conclusions: HIVST was found to be highly acceptable to target users and was welcomed as an additional testing approach at national level. Strategic alliances are now needed between stakeholders to proactively deliver a patient-centred HIVST program that could provide an effective, safe means of increasing testing coverage in this escalating context.

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Hollowing out national agreements in the NHS? The case of “Improving Working Lives” under a “Turnaround” plan

Employee Relations ◽

10.1108/er-05-2015-0092 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 145-159

Author(s):

Ian Roper ◽

David Etherington ◽

Suzan Lewis

Keyword(s):

Performance Management ◽

Local Level ◽

National Level ◽

Case Study Research ◽

Employee Relations ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Content Type ◽

Working Lives ◽

The Face

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to consider the resilience of a national-level initiative (Improving Working Lives (IWL)) in the face of local-level initiative (Turnaround) in an NHS hospital and compare to Bach and Kessler’s (2012) model of public service employment relations. Design/methodology/approach Case study research consisting of 23 in-depth semi-structured interviews from a range of participants. Findings The principles behind IWL were almost entirely sacrificed in order to meet the financial objectives of Turnaround. This indicates the primacy of localised upstream performance management initiatives over the national-level downstream employee relations initiatives that form the basis of the NHS’ claim to model employer aspiration. Research limitations/implications The case study was conducted between 2007 and 2009. While the case study falls under previous government regime, the dualised system of national-level agreements combined with localised performance management – and the continued existence of both Turnaround and IWL – makes the results relevant at the time of writing. Originality/value Some studies (e.g. Skinner et al., 2004) indicated a perception that IWL was not trusted by NHS staff. The present study offers reasons as to why this may be the case.

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Indigenous Aeta Magbukún Self-Identity, Sociopolitical Structures, and Self-Determination at the Local Level in the Philippines

Journal of Anthropology ◽

10.1155/2013/391878 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Vincent S. Balilla ◽

Julia Anwar McHenry ◽

Mark P. McHenry ◽

Riva Marris Parkinson ◽

Danilo T. Banal

Keyword(s):

Political Communication ◽

Local Level ◽

National Level ◽

The Philippines ◽

Cultural Knowledge ◽

Indigenous Populations ◽

Self Identity ◽

Kinship Ties ◽

Sociopolitical Structures ◽

Sufficient Food

The Indigenous Aeta Magbukún maintain a primarily nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle in their forested ancestral lands. Through the continued encroachment of non-Indigenous populations, the Aeta Magbukún persist at a critical level. Finding it increasingly difficult to sustain their traditional livelihoods, they must engage in informal commerce to procure sufficient food throughout the year. This work explores the basis of self-identity, traditional kinship ties, evolution of sociopolitical organisation, and the developing political options that sustain the small and vulnerable Indigenous population. Despite recent tentative sociopolitical developments, securing cultural protection requires greater effort in developing political communication and representation at a local and national level. In doing so, the Aeta Magbukún can meet their basic needs, secure traditional cultural knowledge, and are able to influence their own development during a time of relatively rapid acculturation within the mainstream Philippine societal complex.

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Acceptability of saliva-based HIVST among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in Russia: a qualitative study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-178133/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Peter Meylakhs ◽

Anastasia Meylakhs ◽

Arsen Davitadze

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

Transgender Women ◽

Ease Of Use ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Testing Strategies ◽

Self Testing ◽

Sex With Men

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic increased actuality of HIV self-testing (HIVST). Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in Russia are highly stigmatized populations vulnerable to HIV infection and hard to reach with facility-based testing strategies. The study explored acceptability of HIV self-testing (HIVST) among these key groups in Russia. 32 semi-structured interviews with MSM and 3 TGW women from 5 Russian cities who underwent HIVST were conducted. Benefits of HIVST included ease of use, convenience and confidentiality. Confidentiality helped participants to avoid stigma related to their identity thus empowering them in conditions of high stigmatization of LGBTQ-people. Participants expressed concerns about accuracy of saliva-based HIVST and lack of counseling in case of reactive result. Our results suggest high acceptability of HIVST among Russian MSM and TGW and indicate that increase in HIVST uptake could be facilitated by popularization of HIVST and addressing the participants’ concerns.

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Exploring Community Engagement in Climate Change Planning: The Case in Samoa

10.26686/wgtn.17065382 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Annie Saofaiga Toailoa

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Community Engagement ◽

Local Level ◽

National Level ◽

Local Communities ◽

Adaptation Planning ◽

Ecological Knowledge ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Community Based ◽

Research Findings

<p>Coastal communities within Pacific Island Countries (PIC) are vulnerable due to the rising and volatile nature of the sea as a result of climate change. Adaptation strategies and community-based approaches have increasingly been advocated for by environmental organisations, policy makers and researchers. Community-based approaches have, in turn, begun to promote the values of meaningful community engagement and integration of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into adaptation planning. This research explores the extent to which community engagement and TEK is utilised at both the national and local level adaptation planning in Samoa. An assessment of policies and plans assesses the national level context, whilst the community level context was explored through a study of the coastal village of Tafitoala. A qualitative approach is employed in which semi-structured interviews were used to collect the perspectives of community members, government personnel, and Non-governmental Organisations (NGO) staff to provide a range of viewpoints. Using Samoa as my case study, the research findings demonstrated that community ideologies and values, and community governance structures determine the efficacy of adaptation programmes. Findings also emphasised that although there is a vast amount of TEK used within local communities, documentation and verification of TEK is required in order for it be integrated more effectively into adaptation planning. Whilst the need for meaningful community engagement had already been identified by government and NGO agencies as a priority for effective adaptation, with agencies currently implementing strategies to encourage its integration, more is required for strategies to be strongly embedded into the practices of local communities.</p>

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Teachers’ Writing, Publication, Research Presentation, and Professional Competency

IAMURE International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research ◽

10.7718/iamure.v10i1.864 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Anna C. Bocar

Keyword(s):

Local Level ◽

National Level ◽

Research Paper ◽

The Philippines ◽

Survey Method ◽

Professional Competency ◽

Survey Form ◽

Research Competency ◽

Professional Research ◽

Descriptive Survey

The study aimed to determine the participants’ writing, publication, research presentation, and professional competency. This paper also identified which one among the eight item-hindrances barred the respondents to do research paper writing, presentation, and publication within and outside the Philippines. This study utilized the descriptive survey method. The tool used to measure the educators’ profile is a researcher-made survey form. The participants consist of the 24 teachers with permanent employment status and the 30 probationary teachers. Meanwhile, the instrument utilized to ascertain the professional research competency of the participants is adapted from an online publication with modification to suit the present study. The findings of this study revealed that most of the participants desire to write a research paper. The majority said that to conduct research is very important. Only very few published their research paper in the International and national level. Nearly half of the participants have publication in the local level (in school), and almost similar to these number of participants have not published at all their research paper. The participants’ paper writing interests are present within; however, this interest needs more encouragement to boost their morale.

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Syphilis self-testing to expand test uptake among men who have sex with men: a theoretically informed mixed methods study in Zimbabwe

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2020-054911 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. sextrans-2020-054911

Author(s):

Clarisse Sri-Pathmanathan ◽

Definate Nhamo ◽

Takudzwa Mamvuto ◽

Gwendoline Chapwanya ◽

Fern Terris-Prestholt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Phase I ◽

Phase Ii ◽

Low Income ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

Key Informants ◽

Self Testing ◽

Self Test ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Depth Interviews

ObjectivesSelf-testing for STIs such as HIV and syphilis may empower sexual minorities and expand uptake of STI testing. While much is known about HIV self-testing (HIVST), less is known about syphilis self-testing, particularly in low-income settings. The objective of this study is to determine context-specific facilitators and barriers for self-testing and to assess the usability of syphilis self-testing in Zimbabwe among men who have sex with men (MSM).MethodsThis mixed methods study was conducted in Harare as part of a larger syphilis self-testing trial. The study included in-depth interviews (phase I) followed by usability testing and a second interview (phase II). In-depth interviews were conducted with MSM and key informants prior to syphilis self-testing. The same MSM then used the syphilis self-test, quantitatively assessed its usability and participated in a second in-depth interview. Phase I data were analysed using a thematic approach, guided by an adapted social ecological model conceptual framework. Phase II interviews were analysed using rapid assessment procedure methodology, and usability was assessed using a pre-established index, adapted from existing HIVST scales.ResultsTwenty MSM and 10 key informants were recruited for phase I in-depth interviews, and 16 of these MSM participated in phase II by completing a syphilis self-test kit. Facilitating factors for self-testing included the potential for increased privacy, convenience, autonomy, and avoidance of social and healthcare provider stigma. Barriers included the fear to test and uncertainty about linkage to care and treatment. Data from the Usability Index suggested high usability (89.6% on a 0–100 scale) among the men who received the self-test.ConclusionsMSM in Zimbabwe were willing to use syphilis self-test kits and many of the barriers and facilitators were similar to those observed for HIVST. Syphilis self-testing may increase syphilis test uptake among sexual minorities in Zimbabwe and other low-income and middle-income countries.

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