ABSTRACT
Objective To characterize hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening and treatment access experiences among people in treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) in Arizona during COVID. Methods Arizonans receiving treatment for OUD from methadone clinics and buprenorphine providers during COVID were interviewed about HCV testing, curative treatment and knowledge about screening recommendations. Interviews were conducted with 121 people from August 4-October 10, 2021. Qualitative data were coded using categories of HCV testing, knowledge of screening recommendations, diagnoses and experiences seeking curative treatment. Data were also quantitated for Powered by Editorial Manager® and ProduXion Manager® from Aries Systems Corporation bivariate testing with outcome variables of last HCV test, diagnosis, and curative treatment process. Findings were arrayed along an adapted HCV cascade framework to inform program and policy improvements. Results Just over half of the sample reported ever having tested for HCV (51.2%, n=62) and of this group, 58.1% were tested in the past 12 months. Among those who were ever tested, 54.8% reported an HCV diagnosis and 16.1% reported either being in treatment or having been declared cured of HCV. Among those who were diagnosed with HCV, 14.7% indicated that they unsuccessfully tried to access curative treatment and would not attempt to again. Reasons cited for not accessing or receiving curative treatment included beliefs about treatment safety, barriers created by access requirements, natural resolution of the infection, and issues with healthcare coverage and authorization. Conclusions Structural barriers continue to prevent curative HCV treatment access. Given that methadone and buprenorphine treatment providers serve patients who are largely undiagnosed and treated for HCV, opportunities exist for them to screen their patients regularly and provide support for and/or navigation for HCV curative treatment.
ABSTRACT
Purpose>From an international retailing perspective, this empirical study aims to examine luxury fashion retailers' changing marketing strategies in China.Design/methodology/approach>Using case studies of 14 luxury fashion retailers, qualitative data were collected via 31 semi-structured executive interviews.Findings>Both standardised global and localised multinational marketing strategies were found to have initially been employed by luxury fashion retailers entering into China. Subsequently, localised multinational strategies became increasingly important for their post-entry operations and business development, particularly in terms of their product strategies. More specifically, as well as the introduction of Chinese brand names, product design has been adapted according to Chinese market conditions, and product portfolios have been adapted to satisfy regional differences. However, localised product sourcing in China is far less common.Research limitations/implications>As the findings are generated from China, they may not explain luxury fashion retailers' marketing strategies in other markets. Despite the relatively small sample size, the 14 luxury fashion retailer case studies originate from across a wide range of countries, retail formats and ownership structures and are therefore considered to be varied enough to represent the market.Practical implications>The study offers practitioners insights into the success that can be generated by the manipulation of marketing strategies, particularly product strategies, within the world's second biggest luxury market.Originality/value>This paper extends the current international retailing literature by examining and comparing the motives and practices of luxury fashion retailers and the increasing localisation of their marketing strategies in China as they move from initial market entry into their post-entry operations.
ABSTRACT
Variants of SARS-CoV-2 may evade natural and vaccine induced immunity and monoclonal antibody immunotherapeutics. There is an urgent need to know how well antibodies, induced by healthy and Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) patients, will bind and thus help reduce transmission and severity of infection from variants of concern (VOC). This study determines the cross-reactive binding of serum antibodies obtained prior to and 28 days after a third vaccination in three cohorts; a health care worker cohort who received three doses of Pfizer-BioNtech (PPP), a cohort of CEV patients received two doses of the AstraZeneca-ChAdOx1-nCoV-19 (AAP) vaccine, followed by a third PFZ vaccine and a haemodialysis cohort that had a mixture of two AZ or PFZ vaccines followed by a PFZ booster. Six months post second vaccine there was evidence of antibody waning with 58.9% of individuals in the HD cohort seropositive against Wuhan, 34.4% Delta and 62.2% Omicron strains. For the AAP cohort, equivalent figures were 62.5%, 45.8% and 91.7% and the PPP cohort 92.2%, 90% and 91.1%. Post third dose vaccination there were universal increases in seropositivity and median optical density. For the HD cohort, 98.8% were seropositive to the Wuhan strain, 97.6% against Delta and 100% against Omicron strains. For the PPP and AAP cohorts, 100% were seropositive against all 3 strains. Lastly, we examined the WHO NIBSC 20/136 standard and there was no loss of antibody binding to either VOC. Similarly, a dilution series of Sotrovimab (GSK) found this therapeutic monoclonal antibody bound similarly to all VOC.