scholarly journals Facilitators and Barriers Associated with Uptake of HIV Self-Testing among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Chongqing, China: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Author(s):  
Ying Liu ◽  
Guohui Wu ◽  
Rongrong Lu ◽  
Rong Ou ◽  
Ling Hu ◽  
...  

While studies on human immunodeficiency virus self-testing (HIVST) continue to accumulate after the World Health Organization’s recommendation of HIVST as an additional approach to HIV testing services in 2016, few studies have focused on men who have sex with men (MSM) in Chinese cities. A cross-sectional study was conducted to describe the HIVST status of MSM in Chongqing, China. MSM participants were recruited by random sampling, and qualified interviewers collected data, using confidential self-administered questionnaires. Blood specimens were collected for HIV antibody detection. The survey evaluated the uptake and accuracy of HIVST kits and identified factors that may be associated with HIVST. The proportion of HIVST uptake was 15.6%. The sensitivity and specificity of HIVST were 74.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 66.6%–80.7%) and 99.0% (95% CI 96.9%–99.7%), respectively. The consistency between the HIVST kit and antibody detection results was 90.5% (95% CI 87.5%–93.0%), and the Kappa value was 0.777 (p < 0.001). The positive predictive value of self-testing kits is 80.9% and the negative predictive value is 17.7%. Having been tested ≥2 times in the last year, higher educational levels, and higher scores of basic HIV/AIDS knowledge facilitated higher uptake of HIVST. Self-reported existing barriers for HIVST uptake included older age, marital status, and having resided in Chongqing for more than two years.

Author(s):  
Shubhanshu Gupta ◽  
Sanjeev Kumar ◽  
Piyush D Swami ◽  
Anjana Niranjan

Background: According to World Health Organization, adolescents constitute about one fifth of the world population, and in India they constitute about 21% of the total population. Most of the surveys show that health status of adolescent girls is at sub-optimal level. Objectives: To assess nutritional status and morbidity pattern among the adolescent girls and to suggest measures for improvement of health status of adolescent girls.  Method: A community based cross-sectional study was carried out among 250 adolescent schoolgirls in Rural and urban field practice area of Jhansi school from January 2017 to July 2014. Results: Among the various morbidities eye problem was seen in maximum no of adolescent girls. Eye problem was present in 44.8% of adolescent girls followed by respiratory 14.7% and ear 13.06% disease. Skin disease was present in 3.2% of adolescent girls, which was more in rural girls 6.7% than in urban girls 1.7%, may be due to better hygienic practice in urban schoolgirls. Conclusions: Rural background, low socioeconomic status, illiteracy, birth rate and order, income and number of members in a family have shown to be significant determinants of morbidity pattern in the adolescent girls. Keywords: Adolescent, anemia, morbidity, vaginal discharge.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 1146-1155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianqian Luo ◽  
Zunyou Wu ◽  
Zihuang Chen ◽  
Yue Ma ◽  
Guodong Mi ◽  
...  

Gay dating applications (apps) are popular among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. This study examined the relationship between gay dating app use frequency and condomless anal intercourse (CAI) in a sample of MSM in Beijing. In October 2017, a web-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted among MSM from Beijing, China. Demographics, frequency of app use, and sexual behaviors were collected and analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic splines were used to evaluate the association between app use frequency and CAI. Of the 9280 participants, the proportion of CAI within one month prior to the survey was 43.3%, and 43.7% logged onto the app ≥11 times per week. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, logging onto the app 6–10 times per week and ≥11 times per week were inversely associated with CAI (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =0.88 [95%CI, 0.78–0.99]; AOR = 0.88 [95%CI, 0.82–0.97], respectively). Among those 40 years of age or older, logging onto the app ≥11 times per week was associated with lower rates of CAI (AOR = 0.57 [95%CI, 0.40–0.81]). Results indicate that frequent app use was associated with lower odds of CAI among MSM in Beijing, China. Innovative interventions, which take advantage of this popular media platform, should be developed as such apps have been found to reduce the odds of CAI in Beijing.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shi Pan ◽  
Jun-Jie Xu ◽  
Xiao-Xu Han ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Qing-Hai Hu ◽  
...  

HIV prevalence is still rapidly increasing among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM). The Internet also makes it easier for MSM to have casual partners. This study aims to evaluate the trend of Internet-based sex-seeking behavior of MSM and its impact on HIV prevalence, the distribution of HIV subtype strains, and transmitted drug resistance rates. A serial cross-sectional study was conducted from 2009 to 2014. Of the 1,981 MSM, 50.5% (1,000/1,981) mainly sought homosexual partners through the Internet (Internet-based MSM, IBM). The proportion of IBM among total MSM subjects increased from 43.3% to 61.5% (p<0.001). HIV prevalence of IBM increased from 5.7% to 20.7%, while that of non-Internet-based MSM (NIBM) increased from 7.0% to 14.7%. A relative higher proportion of NIBM were infected with HIV CRF01_AE subtype than IBM (79.5% versus 72.2%, p=0.52). Multivariable analysis found IBM had a significantly higher HIV prevalence than NIBM (13.2% versus 10.5%, aOR = 1.4, 95% CI [1.0–1.9]). Being a migrant non-Shenyang resident MSM (aOR = 1.9, 95% CI [1.3–2.9]) and occasionally/never using condoms with casual homosexual partners (aOR = 1.7, 95% CI [1.1–2.6]) were two distinct risk factors for HIV infection in IBM. More efforts should be targeted towards developing interventions aimed at IBM, particularly migrant MSM and who engage in UAI with casual homosexual partners.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang Hong ◽  
Hong-bo Shi ◽  
Hai-bo Jiang ◽  
Hong-jun Dong ◽  
Yun-liang Shen

Abstract BackgroundHIV testing and early linkage to care are critical for reducing the risk of HIV transmission. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is an useful tool for increasing HIV testing frequency.This study aimed to investigate HIVST rates among men who have sex with men (MSM), the characteristics of MSM who had HIVST, and factors associated with HIVST uptake among MSM in Ningbo, China. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from April to October 2019 in Ningbo,China. Participants were aged at least 18 years and having had sexual contact with men in the past year. Proportions were used for categorical variables. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) for characteristics associated with HIVST uptake was processed by multiple logistic regression models.ResultsAmong a sample of 699 MSM recruited, 38.2% had reported previous use of an HIV self-test kit. A greater proportion of HIVST Users had a higher frequency of HIV testing(≥2 times: 70.0% versus 41.2%, p<0.001) in the past one year. Factor associated with HIVST uptake was gay apps use(AOR=1.86,CI=1.13-3.05), multiple male sex partners (AOR=1.90,CI=1.29-2.80), frequency of male-male sexual contact ≥1 times per week(AOR=1.86, CI=1.30-2.66), syphilis infection(AOR=5.48, CI=2.53-11.88).ConclusionsFurther HIVST education should be strengthened for school-aged children and teenagers, and free HIVST kits may be provided to low-income high-risk MSM through gay apps and NGOs to achieve the increased HIV testing frequency.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 277-284
Author(s):  
Darshan Devang Divakar ◽  
Shruti Basavaraj Nimbeni ◽  
Abdulaziz A. Al-Kheraif ◽  
Aftab Ahmed Khan ◽  
Sachin Naik ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a life-threatening global pandemic. The dental profession is considered a high-risk group in the transmission of the responsible virus. Objective To assess the knowledge and attitude among dental professionals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of dental graduates, interns, postgraduates, and dental faculty from May to July 2020. A standardized questionnaire was developed to assess knowledge and attitude of 650 participants. The questionnaire comprised 14 questions to assess general knowledge about COVID-19, 11 questions regarding knowledge about prevention of COVID-19 in dental practice, and 10 questions regarding the attitude toward preventing COVID-19. Results Among the study population, only 376 (57.8%) knew the causative virus for COVID-19. Only 425 (65.3%) knew about rinsing the mouth with an antimicrobial solution or 1% hydrogen peroxide before the dental procedure. Regarding the hand hygiene guidelines, 357 (54.9%) had knowledge of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and 377 (58.0%) about World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. At the time of our survey, 72% of the participants showed sufficient knowledge, while 28% had low or insufficient knowledge about COVID-19. Conclusion While there was a lack of knowledge among dental professionals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia about COVID-19, there was an excellent positive attitude toward preventing disease. Greater awareness is needed to control the spread of this disease.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1627
Author(s):  
Adil Abalkhail ◽  
Ilias Mahmud ◽  
Fahad A. Alhumaydhi ◽  
Thamer Alslamah ◽  
Ameen S. S. Alwashmi ◽  
...  

Hand hygiene is among the most important factors of infection control in healthcare settings. Healthcare workers are the primary source of hospital-acquired infection. We assessed the current state of hand hygiene knowledge, perception, and practice among the healthcare workers in Qassim, Saudi Arabia. In this cross-sectional study, we used the hand hygiene knowledge and perception questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization. Knowledge and perceptions were classified into good (80–100%), moderate (60–79%), and poor (<60% score). The majority of the healthcare workers had moderate knowledge (57.8%) and perception (73.4%) of hand hygiene. Males were less likely to have moderate/good knowledge compared to females (OR: 0.52, p < 0.05). Private healthcare workers were less likely (OR: 0.33, p < 0.01) to have moderate/good perceptions compared to the government healthcare workers. Healthcare workers who received training on hand hygiene were more likely to have good/moderate perception (OR: 3.2, p < 0.05) and to routinely use alcohol-based hand rubs (OR: 3.8, p < 0.05) than the ones without such training. Physicians are more likely (OR: 4.9, p < 0.05) to routinely use alcohol-based hand rubs than technicians. Our research highlighted gaps in hand hygiene knowledge, perception and practice among healthcare workers in Qassim, Saudi Arabia and the importance of training in this regard.


2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
MR Rahman ◽  
M Saiedullah ◽  
S Shermin ◽  
S Begum ◽  
S Hayat

American Diabetic Association (ADA) affirms HbA1c with cut off value of 6.5% as a diagnostic criteria of diabetes mellitus. World Health Organization (WHO) also supports but recommended that a value <6.5% does not exclude diabetes which is diagnosed by glucose test. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of HbA1c in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and accuracy in a selected group of Bangladeshi subjects. This cross-sectional study included 761 adult Bangladeshi subjects of both sex attending the outdoor in a tertiary healthcare center during the period of September 2009 to September 2010. Fasting, postprandial (2 hours after glucose load) plasma glucose and HbA1c were measured. Diabetes is defined according to HbA1c and plasma glucose. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of HbA1c were 90.00% (CI 86.48-92.86%), 76.21% (CI 71.68-80.35%), 78.17% (CI 73.94-82.00%) and 88.96% (CI 85.10-92.10%) respectively. Accuracy was 82.92% with odds ratio (OR) 28.84 (CI 19.10-43.54%); p < 0.001. Though HbA1c revealed remarkable diagnostic efficacy and ease of performance, still it can not over rule the role of plasma glucose in diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmj.v41i1.18785 Bangladesh Medical Journal 2012 Vol. 41 No. 1; 53-54


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 816-822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tingyu Tang ◽  
Fang Liu ◽  
Xiaoling Lu ◽  
Qingdong Huang

Objective To evaluate the performance of GeneXpert MTB/RIF in diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in China. Methods This cross-sectional study included sputum specimens of 240 suspected TB cases. Specimens were examined by light microscopy for the presence of acid-fast bacilli, which were cultured by the BACTEC MGIT 960 (M960) system and detected by the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay. The positive rate, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and average turnaround time of methods were evaluated. Results The positive rate was 36.6% (87/238) for the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay and 34.0% (81/238) by M960 culture, with no significant difference between methods (χ2 = 0.33, p > 0.05). According to culture results, sensitivity of the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay was 84.0% (68/81), specificity was 87.8% (129/147), the PPV was 78.2% (68/87), and the NPV was 87.2% (129/148). The agreement for results between Gene Xpert MTB/RIF and the M960 system was 82.8% and the Kappa value was 0.73. Conclusion The GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay is a simple, rapid, and accurate test for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum specimens.


The Lancet ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 388 ◽  
pp. S76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yilu Qin ◽  
Fengying Liu ◽  
Weiming Tang ◽  
Songyuan Tang ◽  
Chuncheng Liu ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Brown ◽  
Aliya Kassam ◽  
Mike Paget ◽  
Kenneth Blades ◽  
Megan Mercia ◽  
...  

To broadly explore the extent that COVID-19 has initially impacted medical learners around the world and examine global trends and patterns across geographic regions and levels of training, a cross-sectional survey of medical learners was conducted between March 25-June 14th, 2020, shortly after the World Health Organization declared concurrent COVID-19 a pandemic. 6492 medical learners completed the survey from 140 countries, Students were concerned about the quality of their learning, training progression, and milestone fulfillment. Most trainees felt under-utilized and wanted to be engaged clinically in meaningful ways; however, some trainees felt that contributing to healthcare during a pandemic was beyond the scope of a medical learner. Statistically significant differences were detected between levels of training and geographic regions for satisfaction with organizational responses, the impact of COVID-19 on wellness, and state-trait anxiety. Overall, the initial disruption to medical training has been perceived by learners across all levels and geographic regions to have negatively affected their training and well-being, particularly amongst postgraduate trainees. These results provide initial insights into the areas that warrant future research as well as consideration for current and future policy planning, such as the policies for clinical utilization of medical learners during public health emergencies.


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