scholarly journals Understanding the Impacts of Novel Coronavirus Outbreaks on People Who Use Drugs: A Systematic Review to Inform Practice and Drug Policy Responses to COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8470
Author(s):  
Alison Munro ◽  
Hazel Booth ◽  
Nicola M. Gray ◽  
Joan Love ◽  
Andrea R. M. Mohan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Weight Of Evidence ◽  
People Who Use Drugs ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Low Threshold ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

People who use drugs (PWUD) experience many social and health harms and are considered at greater risk of acquiring COVID-19. Little research has examined the impact of coronaviruses either on PWUD, or on services targeted to PWUD. We report the findings of a systematic review of empirical evidence from studies which have examined the impact of coronaviruses (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-1) and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and COVID-19) on PWUD or on service responses to them. Five databases were searched (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ASSIA and EMBASE) as well as COVID-19 specific databases. Inclusion criteria were studies reporting any impact of SARS, MERS or COVID-19 or any service responses to those, published between January 2000 and October 2020. Weight of Evidence judgements and quality assessment were undertaken. In total, 27 primary studies were included and grouped by seven main themes: treatment/recovery services; emergency medical settings; low-threshold services; prison setting, PWUD/substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis; people with SUD and HIV; ‘Sexual minority’ men. Overall, research in the area was scant, and of average/poor quality. More robust research is required to inform on-going and future responses to coronavirus epidemics for PWUD.

Refining POSSIBLE: A Multicomponent Intervention to Increase HIV Risk Perceptions and PrEP Initiation Among Black Sexual Minority Men (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Dangerfield ◽  
Janeane N. Anderson ◽  
Charleen Wylie ◽  
Renata Arrington-Sanders ◽  
Ricky N. Bluthenthal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Risk ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Hiv Prevention Intervention ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Increased HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) initiation is urgently needed to substantially decrease the incidence among Black sexual minority men (BSMM). However, BSMM are less likely than other groups to accept a clinician’s recommendation to initiate PrEP and uptake remains suboptimal. Peers and smartphone apps are popular HIV prevention-intervention mechanisms that are typically used independently. Few studies have combined these strategies into a multi-component intervention to increase PrEP initiation for BSMM. OBJECTIVE This study refined an intervention using a smartphone app and a peer change agent (PCA) to increase HIV risk perceptions (HRP) and PrEP initiation among BSMM. METHODS Data were obtained from 12 focus groups and one in-depth interview among BSMM from Baltimore, MD, between October 2019 and May 2020 (N=39). Groups were stratified by age group: 18-24, 25-34, and 35 and older. Facilitators probed on attitudes towards the app, working with a PCA, and preferences for PCA characteristics. RESULTS Most self-identified as homosexual, gay, or same gender-loving (68%), were employed (69%), single (66%), and interested in self-monitoring sexual behaviors (68.4%). Overall, participants had low HRP and suggested that self-monitoring sexual behaviors could trigger internalized stigma. An acceptable PCA should be a “possible self” for BSMM to aspire. CONCLUSIONS Future research should explore the impact of implementing this strategy on HRP and PrEP initiation among BSMM.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on community health: A systematic review of a population of 82 million

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-11
Author(s):  
Brijesh Sathian ◽  
Mohammad Asim ◽  
Ahammed Mekkodathil ◽  
Edwin R. Van Teijlingen ◽  
Supram Hosuru Subramanya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Community Health ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Current Systematic Review ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, caused by the pathogenic severe acute respiratory syndrome-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, is exponentially spreading across the globe. As there is paucity of published literature, the influence of COVID-19 on community health remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review of the literature on the impact of COVID-19 on community health. The current systematic review was performed utilizing electronic databases, i.e., PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE. We searched for the keywords "COVID-19" AND "community health" between January 1, 2020, until May 10, 2020. Although, limited evidence is available regarding quarantine to prevent COVID‐19, most studies considered quarantine as an essential public health measure to minimize rate of infection and mortality. Under these circumstances, people should focus on maintaining personal hygiene, proper nutrition, and extreme social distancing to reduce the risk of COVID-19. Besides, that there is a need to provide professional psychological support to reduce mental ill-health. We have highlighted two different public health approaches in South Asian countries, namely Nepal and India.

scholarly journals Evaluating the impact of COVID-19: A cohort comparison study of drug use and risky sexual behavior among sexual minority men in the U.S.A.

2020 ◽  
Vol 216 ◽  
pp. 108260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyrel J. Starks ◽  
S. Scott Jones ◽  
Daniel Sauermilch ◽  
Matthew Benedict ◽  
Trinae Adebayo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Risky Sexual Behavior ◽  
Comparison Study ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Cohort Comparison ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Rapid mixed-methods assessment of COVID-19 impact on Latinx sexual minority men and Latinx transgender women

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0244421
Author(s):  
Sarah MacCarthy ◽  
Max Izenberg ◽  
Joanna L. Barreras ◽  
Ron A. Brooks ◽  
Ana Gonzalez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Healthcare Access ◽  
Transgender Women ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
The Impact

We conducted a rapid, mixed-methods assessment to understand how COVID-19 affected Latinx sexual minority men (LSMM) and transgender women (LTGW). Using a computer-assisted telephone interviewing software, one interviewer called 52 participants (randomly sampled from a larger HIV prevention pilot study aiming to increase HIV knowledge and testing frequency; n = 36 LSMM and n = 16 LTGW) between 04/27/20-05/18/20. We quantified core domains using the Epidemic-Pandemic Impacts Inventory scale and provided important context through open-ended qualitative questions assessing: 1) COVID-19 infection history and experiences with quarantine; 2) Health and healthcare access; 3) Employment and economic impact of COVID-19. Participants reported increases in physical conflict or verbal arguments with a partner (13.5%) or other adult(s) (19.2%) due to stressors associated with the safer-at-home order. Participants also reported increased alcohol consumption (23.1%), problems with sleep (67.3%) and mental health (78.4%). Further, disruptions in access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP–a daily pill to prevent HIV–occurred (33.3% of 18 participants who reported being on PrEP). Many said they received less medical attention than usual (34.6%), and LTGW reported delays in critical gender-affirming hormones/procedures. Half of the participants lost their jobs (50.0%); many undocumented participants relayed additional financial concerns because they did not qualify for financial assistance. Though no COVID-19 infections were noted, COVID-19 dramatically impacted other aspects of health and overall wellbeing of LSMM and LTGW. Public health responses should address the stressors faced by LSMM and LTGW during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on wellbeing.

scholarly journals The Prevalence of Sexual Violence Perpetration in Sexual Minority Men: A Secondary Analysis of Systematic Review Data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
RaeAnn Elizabeth Anderson ◽  
Sara K Kuhn ◽  
Amanda M. Vitale ◽  
Alyssa M. Ciampaglia ◽  
Kristin E. Silver
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Sexual Perpetration ◽  
Violence Perpetration ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Minority People

Purpose: Prior literature illustrates that sexual minority people (e.g., bisexual, gay, queer) are at increased vulnerability for sexual violence victimization compared to heterosexual peers, including while in college. However, the study of sexual violence perpetration in sexual minority populations, much less specifically sexual minority college men, has been neglected. This article reviews the literature and presents a secondary data analysis of a systematic review on college men’s sexual perpetration rates and associated methodology. We also conducted analyses to summarize available literature regarding publishing dates, authors, and data inclusivity. Methods: We downloaded the dataset and associated materials from Mendeley.com’s data archive. Results: To our surprise, we could not analyze sexual perpetration prevalence rates in sexual minority men using the systematic review data due to absence of reported data across all 77 independent samples including over 5,500 male participants. We found no significant relationship between inclusion of sexual minority men and the use of measurement strategies specialized to assess sexual minority needs. We did find a positive relationship between recency of publication and the inclusion of sexual minority men, r(76) = .24, p = .03, and that most authors/co-authors were women (72%). Conclusions: Preventing perpetration is central to ending sexual violence; therefore, future research should include sexual minority people and use appropriate methodology in the investigation of sexual perpetration characteristics and patterns.

scholarly journals The impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on drug overdose-related deaths in the United States and Canada: a systematic review of observational studies and analysis of public health surveillance data

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sameer Imtiaz ◽  
Frishta Nafeh ◽  
Cayley Russell ◽  
Farihah Ali ◽  
Tara Elton-Marshall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Drug Overdose ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Public Health Surveillance ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background There are preliminary indications that the trajectory of drug overdose-related deaths in North America has been exacerbated due to the novel coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19). As such, the impact of COVID-19 on drug overdose-related deaths was examined through a systematic review of the literature and percentage change analyses of surveillance data. Methods Systematic searches in electronic databases were conducted, a topical issue brief and bibliography were reviewed, reference lists of included studies were searched and expert consultations were held to identify studies (Registration # CRD42021230223). Observational studies from the United States and Canada were eligible for inclusion if drug overdose-related deaths were assessed in quantitative or qualitative analyses onwards from at least March 2020. In addition, percentage changes comparing drug overdose-related deaths in the second annual quarter (Q2 2020 [April to June]) with the first annual quarter (Q1 2020 [January to March]) were generated using national and subnational data from public health surveillance systems and reports from jurisdictions in the United States and Canada. Results Nine studies were included in the systematic review, eight from the United States and one from Canada. The maximum outcome assessment period in the included studies extended until September 2020. Drug overdose-related deaths after the onset of COVID-19 were higher compared with the months leading up to the pandemic in 2020 and the comparative months in 2019. In additional percentage change analyses, drug overdose-related deaths increased by 2 to 60% in jurisdictions in the United States and by 58% in Canada when comparing Q2 2020 with Q1 2020. Conclusions Drug overdose-related deaths increased after the onset of COVID-19. The current situation necessitates a multi-pronged approach, encompassing expanded access to substance use disorder treatment, undisrupted access to harm reduction services, emphasis on risk reduction strategies, provision of a safe drug supply and decriminalization of drug use.

scholarly journals The Role of Machine Learning Techniques to Tackle COVID-19 Crisis: A Systematic Review.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hafsa Bareen Syeda ◽  
Mahanazuddin Syed ◽  
Kevin Wayne Sexton ◽  
Shorabuddin Syed ◽  
Salma Begum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Disease Progression ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Machine Learning Techniques ◽  
Data Types ◽  
Detection And Diagnosis ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

Background: The novel coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 has caused havoc with patients presenting a spectrum of complications forcing the healthcare experts around the globe to explore new technological solutions, and treatment plans. Machine learning (ML) based technologies have played a substantial role in solving complex problems, and several organizations have been swift to adopt and customize them in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic literature review on the role of ML as a comprehensive and decisive technology to fight the COVID-19 crisis in the arena of epidemiology, diagnosis, and disease progression. Methods: A systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to identify all potentially relevant studies published and made available between December 1, 2019, and June 27, 2020. The search syntax was built using keywords specific to COVID-19 and ML. A total of 128 qualified articles were reviewed and analyzed based on the study objectives. Results: The 128 publications selected were classified into three themes based on ML applications employed to combat the COVID-19 crisis: Computational Epidemiology (CE), Early Detection and Diagnosis (EDD), and Disease Progression (DP). Of the 128 studies, 70 focused on predicting the outbreak, the impact of containment policies, and potential drug discoveries, which were grouped into the CE theme. For the EDD, we grouped forty studies that applied ML techniques to detect the presence of COVID-19 using the patient's radiological images or lab results. Eighteen publications that focused on predicting the disease progression, outcomes (recovery and mortality), Length of Stay (LOS), and number of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) days for COVID-19 positive patients were classified under the DP theme. Conclusions: In this systematic review, we assembled the current COVID-19 literature that utilized ML methods to provide insights into the COVID-19 themes, highlighting the important variables, data types, and available COVID-19 resources that can assist in facilitating clinical and translational research.

scholarly journals The impact of 2019 novel coronavirus on heart injury: A Systematic review and Meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 518-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing-Wei Li ◽  
Tian-Wen Han ◽  
Mark Woodward ◽  
Craig S. Anderson ◽  
Hao Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Heart Injury ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Perspectives on Pain, Engagement in HIV Care, and Behavioral Interventions for Chronic Pain Among Older Sexual Minority Men Living with HIV and Chronic Pain: A Qualitative Analysis

Pain Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha M McKetchnie ◽  
Corinne Beaugard ◽  
S Wade Taylor ◽  
Conall O’Cleirigh
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Problematic Substance Use ◽  
Problematic Substance ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Engagement In Hiv Care ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective and Methods The transition of HIV from an acute, fatal illness to a chronic health condition has shifted the treatment needs of people living with HIV (PLWH). PLWH, including sexual minority men (SMM), are living longer and are subject to health concerns often associated with aging. A major health concern of older SMM living with HIV who report problematic substance use is chronic pain. This qualitative analysis of 15 one-on-one interviews with older SMM living with HIV and chronic pain aimed to characterize this population’s experiences with pain, engagement in HIV care, and problematic substance use. This study was conducted in a community health center in Boston, MA. We also solicited suggestions for preferred intervention strategies. Results Three main themes emerged from the interview transcripts: 1) the impact of chronic pain and pain treatment on engagement in HIV clinical care; 2) the impact of substance use on chronic pain; and 3) response to interventions to address chronic pain and substance use. Conclusions These findings underscore the need for interventions that address the structural, physical, and psychological barriers to engagement in medical and self-care that affect older SMM living with HIV and chronic pain.

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