Analysis of pathogen detection results of upper respiratory tract specimens from fever clinic patients

Objective: To explore the pathogen composition and distribution characteristics of pathogens in respiratory samples from patients with fever of unknown origin. Methods: A total of 96 respiratory samples of patients with unknown cause fever with respiratory symptoms were collected from four hospitals above grade II in Shijiazhuang area (Hebei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Luancheng District People's Hospital, Luquan District People's Hospital, Shenze County Hospital) from January to April 2020, and multiplex-fluorescent polymerase chain reaction(PCR)was used to detect influenza A virus, influenza B virus, enterovirus, parainfluenza virus I/II/III/IV, respiratory adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, human rhinovirus, human bocavirus, COVID-19, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Group A streptococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus nucleic acid detection, the results were analyzed for chi-square. Results: A total of 8 pathogens were detected in the upper respiratory tract samples of 96 fever patients, including 1 kind of virus, 6 kinds of bacterias, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. There were 12 viruses including influenza virus and parainfluenza virus, Legionella pneumophila and Chlamydia pneumoniae were not detected. The pathogen detection rates in descending order were Streptococcus pneumoniae (58/96, 60.42%), Haemophilus influenzae(38/96, 39.58%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14/96, 14.58%), Staphylococcus aureus (10/96, 10.42%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (8/96, 8.33%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6/96, 6.25%), Group A streptococcus (4/96, 4.17%) and human rhinovirus (2/96, 2.08%). The proportions of single-pathogen infection and multi-pathogen mixed infection in fever clinic patients were similar, 41.67% (40/96) and 45.83% (44/96), respectively, and 12.50% (12/96)of the cases had no pathogens detected. The infection rate of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in female patients with fever (21.43%) was higher than that in male patients with fever (2.94%) (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between the distribution of of other pathogens and gender and age(P > 0.05). Conclusions: The upper respiratory tract pathogens were mainly bacterial infections, and occasional human rhinovirus and Mycoplasma pneumonia infections. In clinical diagnosis and treatment, comprehensive consideration should be given to the pathogen detection.

High seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the capital of Chad

Background. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chad has had 7,417 confirmed cases and 193 deaths, one of the lowest in Africa. Objective. This study assessed SARS-CoV-2 immunity in N'Djamena. Methods. In August-October 2021, eleven N'Djamena hospitals collected outpatient data and samples. IgG antibodies against SARSCoV- 2 nucleocapsid protein were identified using ELISA. "Bambino Gesu" Laboratory, Rome, Italy, performed external quality control with chemiluminescence assay. Results. 25-34-year-old (35.2%) made up the largest age group at 31.9 12.6 years. 56.4% were women, 1.3 women/men. The 7th district had 22.5% and the 1st 22.3%. Housewives and students dominated. Overall seroprevalence was 69.5% (95% CI: 67.7-71.3), females 68.2% (65.8-70.5) and males 71.2% (68.6-73.8). >44-year-old had 73.9% seroprevalence. Under-15s were 57.4% positive. Housewives (70.9%), civil servants (71.5%), and health workers (9.7%) had the highest antibody positivity. N'Djamena's 9th district had 73.1% optimism and the 3rd district had 52.5%. Seroprevalences were highest at Good Samaritan Hospital (75.4%) and National General Referral Hospital (74.7%). Conclusion. Our findings indicate a high circulation of SARS-CoV- 2 in N'Djamena, despite low mortality and morbidity after the first two COVID-19 pandemic waves. This high seroprevalence must be considered in Chad's vaccine policy.

Intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 of Thai people in Trang province, Thailand: a cross-sectional study

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an epidemic that has greatly affected the daily life of people around the world. This epidemic, in addition to affecting lives, also affects other matters such as the economy or government administration that need to find ways to reduce the epidemic rate. That is to provide adequate quality vaccines for the people of the country. Finally, the government finds measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. Objectives: This study aimed to assess an acceptance to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Materials and Methods: Intention to be vaccinated against COVID-19 was measured with a question A"When a vaccine for COVID-19 is ready for you, will you get vaccinated?A" Response options were A"yes, A" A"not sureA" and A"no.A" Participants who responded A"not sureA" or A"noA" were asked to provide a reason. Results: A total of 400 responses were received. Overall, 38.5% (n = 154) of participants intended to get vaccinated, 29.5% (n = 117) were unsure, and 32.25% (n = 129) were not planning to get vaccinated. Factors that are independently related to vaccine hesitancy (A"not sureA" or A"yesA" response) include being male, risk perception of getting COVID-19, confidence in the government in handling the pandemic. Conclusion: A total of 400 participants, in the study, 38.5% (n = 154) of participants intended to get vaccinated, 29.5% (n = 117) were unsure, and 32.25% (n = 129) were not planning to get vaccinated. Male participants had a higher chance to refuse to vaccinate more than female 2.69 times. Predictive factors for COVID-19 vaccination were risk perception of contracting COVID-19 and lack of confidence in the government handling the pandemic of COVID-19.

The Beveridge Curve and the "she-cession"

The Beveridge Curve has been dissected in many ways over the years - by industry, by region, and by state. However, despite the availability of a proxy for a curve for each sex, there have been no estimates of the Beveridge Curve for males and females separately. This paper explains how the Beveridge Curve can be calculated in this way and provides a brief analysis of labor market conditions. Women enjoyed a more efficient labor market than men from 20032014 and in 2018-2019, but the Coronavirus-induced "she-cession" is flashing warning signs of a trend reversal. Policymakers and hiring firms alike should ensure that conditions are conducive to a return to work for women - especially mothers.

Parameters of coagulation in COVID-19 patients: a correlation with clinical severity

Introduction: COVID-19 infection can be complicated by coagulation derangement and a high risk of thromboembolic episodes. Our study aimedto investigate coagulation parameters in COVID-19 patients and their correlation with clinical severity. Methods: We analyzed coagulation parameters PT, APTT, D-Dimer, and Fibrinogen in 98 RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to the Government Institute of Medical Sciences, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India. Results: This study involved 69 males (70.50%), and 29 (29.5%) were females. The mortality rate was 6.12% (n= 06). Forty-six patients (46.94%) had comorbidities. Thirty-four patients had elevated PT, and 7 had high APTT, whereas D-dimer and fibrinogen levels were raised in 68 and 61 patients, respectively. Among all four parameters, D-Dimer levels were significantly associated with disease severity. Conclusion: Derangement of D-dimer levels is significantly associated with disease severity in COVID-19 infection.

Predictors of severity in COVID-19

Background: In the context of home monitoring of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 disease (COVID-19) patients, it is imperative to evaluate the accuracy of finger pulse oximetry oxygen saturation (SpO2) in the assessment of hypoxia. Methods: Retrospective data analysis was performed on (n = 132) hospitalised COVID-19 patients with various levels of severity, in whom SpO2, haematological, biochemical and arterial blood gas (ABG) parameters were measured within 48 h after admission. Discrepancy between SpO2 and arterial blood oxygen saturation SaO2 was compared between mild, moderate and severe COVID-19 to assess the accuracy of finger pulse oximetry. Results: We found that total white blood cell count, neutrophil %, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, ferritin, C-reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly increased in severe COVID-19, while lymphocyte % was significantly less when compared to mild and moderate cases. Multivariable analysis suggested that red cell distribution width (RDW) and LDH together account for significant variance in the severity of disease. The SpO2 and SaO2 were significantly less in the severe group. The difference between SpO2 and SaO2 has a clinically meaningful albeit statistically nonsignificant trend with the discrepancy greater in severe COVID-19 cases when compared to mild and moderate cases. Conclusions: Finger pulse oximetry has the potential to underestimate the severity of hypoxia in severe COVID-19 and this has implications in the decision to start oxygen therapy. RDW and LDH constitute the best parsimonious set of variables to predict severity.

Stress and coping among elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sulaimanya city in Kurdistan region of Iraq

This study aimed to find out the level of stress and coping methods among elderly in Sulaimanya city during the pandemic COVID-19. Through the snowballing sampling method, 394 elders were included to this study. After validation, two scales were used in this study;stress subscale from Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and a culture-bound scale for determining coping methods. The results of this study showed that participants experienced a mild level of stress. Male participants, elders who live with their family, unvaccinated elders, physically passive elders have had higher stress level than female, elderly home, vaccinated, physical active elders. The findings also indicated that spiritual connection was the most common coping method used by the sample. Results of this study are the first and foremost way to share elder's unexpressed messages;it also can be a way for verbalizing their unspoken feelings. These results may also inform the elder's caregivers that elder's stress level and illness anxiety was not very high, strengthening their social support and spiritual connection may help them to reduce their distress into a lesser degree.

Life expectancy and COVID-19 infection: a population-based cross-sectional study

Background and Objective: Life expectancy and the consequences of its impairment may affect quality of life and suicide. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on life expectancy in residents of Gonabad city. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 Gonabad residents (general population) from February 2021 to April 2022 using stratified-random sampling method. Data collection was performed through phone interview. Demographic questionnaire and Schneider's life expectancy scale were used. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 23. Findings: Of the 300 participants (53% female and 47% male), 153 were COVID-19 recovered and 147 did not have the history of COVID-19. The average life expectancy score in COVID-19 recovered participants was significantly lower compared to those without the history of COVID-19 (29.17 +or- 5.96 and 31.94+or-4.34, respectively, p=0.001). Also, there was a significant and positive relationship between mean scores of life expectancy and age, gender, education, economic status, the presence of high-risk individuals at home, history of underlying diseases, and smoking (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study stated that life expectancy score in COVID-19 recovered participants was a lower than that of participants without COVID-19 history. Therefore, the role of other variables, including age, gender, and disease history on life expectancy was more prominent on life expectancy in COVID-19 recovered participants.

Pandemy or a new STI - monkeypox cases at the semmelweis university department of dermatology, venereology and dermatooncology

After the global pandemic caused by the coronavirus, another epidemic began to unfold, which again induced fear in the population. This new epidemic is caused by the monkeypox virus and originated in Africa. It mainly spreads among MSM (men who have sex with men) population, so it can be interpreted as a new type of sexually transmitted infection.

Becoming: An intervention to promote mental wellbeing of young black men in the United States

The COVID-19 pandemic piled stress and strain onto a history of structural racism that has impeded opportunities for Black men to be mentally healthy, happy, and well. Yet, interventions to promote the mental health and wellbeing of young Black men are few and are often limited in their ability to reach a large portion of this population. There is a need to mobilize the resources ubiquitous in young Black men's lives to promote their mental health and wellbeing. Becoming was designed to help fill this gap, and to promote the mental health, wellbeing, and self-care of 18-to-25-year-old Black men in the United States. While there are many aspects of Becoming, this chapter focuses on the rationale for and aspects of mental health, wellbeing, and self-care that underlie this program. Using a biopsychosocial approach, we discuss key considerations for promoting wellbeing as a foundation for increasing participants' capacity to protect and promote their mental health by engaging in intentional self-care practices. We highlight how anti-Black gendered structural racism shapes but does not determine Black men's opportunities to be healthy and thrive, and we use the Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills (IMB) model of health behaviour change to outline and justify the conceptual targets of the program. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023. All rights reserved.

Frequency of parental COVID-19 vaccine hesitation and attitudes and behaviors towards protection of for their children aged 5-12 from COVID-19

Objective: Aim of study's determine frequency of hesitations of parents to COVID-19 vaccinate their children and parents the behaviors of take COVID-19 public health measures(PHM) for their children who applied to a university hospital in Turkey. Methods: This descriptive study is study of parental COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and PHM in parents with children aged 5-12 years admitted to university hospital in Turkey, January-February 2022. Participants' sociodemographic, COVID-19 infection and vaccinations characteristics, status of parents taking PHM, COVID-19 Fear Scale are independent variables. Student's t test, ANOVA, chi-square test in univariate analyses, logistic-linear regression models in multivariate analyzes are used. Type-1 error value is 0.05. Analyzes are made using SPSS23.0. Results: Parents' mean age's 37.1+or-6.4, 68.7% of them female. Children's mean age's 8.5+or-2.3, 53.8% of them male. 17.9% of parents consider their knowledge of protection from COVID-19 and vaccines minimally sufficient/insufficient, 28.7% of them have negative attitude towards PHM for their children. 48.8% of parents have hesitations their children vaccination. As multiple analysis's result;fathers who've never been vaccinated, increase risk of hesitations 6.21 times (OR: 6.21;95%CI=2.16-17.82);parent's negative attitude towards PHM increases risk of hesitations 2.69 times (OR: 2.69;95%CI=1.35-5.35);each unit increase in mother's PHM behavior score affects hesitations 0.89 times (OR: 0.89;95%CI=0.84-0.95). While it's found that father's PHM behavior score had the most effect on parent's PHM behavior score, COVID-19 Fear Scale score had the least effect. Conclusion: Nearly one every two parents have COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy for their children. Fathers are main actors for taking PHM for COVID-19, so fathers as well as mothers should be considered target persons for children COVID-19 vaccine.

Death risk among COVID-19 patients with diabetes mellitus

Deaths from COVID-19 are increasing in patients with comorbidities. One of the most common comorbidities is diabetes mellitus. The researchers wanted to see how having diabetes affected the mortality rate of COVID-19 participants. This investigation is a case control observational analytical study. Different types of people, called "cases", and "controls", complete the research sample. Each group had 68 responders, for a grand total of 136. Medical records from COVID-19 patients treated at Airlangga University Hospital, Surabaya, between March 2020 and September 2021 serve as the study's secondary data source. The purpose of this study's data analysis is to calculate an odds ratio. Patients with COVID-19 with concomitant diabetes mellitus had an increased risk of death, and this risk increased with age, gender, and COVID-19 symptoms. In contrast, education, occupation, and laboratory results were not significantly related to mortality among COVID-19 individuals with concomitant diabetes mellitus (GDA status). The results of this study show that COVID-19 patients with concomitant diabetes mellitus are at a higher risk of death if they are over the age of 65, if they are male, and if they have severe symptoms.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy Screening Intentions During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan: Web-Based Survey

Background: The number of people undergoing cancer screening decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic may have affected the willingness and motivation of undergoing cancer screening by those eligible for it.Objective: This study aims to clarify the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the intention to undergo cancer and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) screening.Methods: We performed a web-based survey on the intention to undergo screening among 1236 men and women aged 20-79 years. The numbers of participants by sex and 10-year age groups were equal. The survey was conducted in January 2021, during which the government declared a state of emergency because of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Emergency declarations were issued in 11 prefectures among all the 47 prefectures in Japan.Results: In total, 66.1% (817/1236) of the participants felt anxious about undergoing screening due to COVID-19. More women than men were anxious about undergoing screening. By modality, EGD had the highest percentage of participants with anxiety due to COVID-19. Regarding the intention to change the participants' appointment for screening, the most common strategies were to book an appointment for a time during nonpeak hours, postpone the appointment to a later date, and change the mode of transportation. In addition, 35.8% (442/1236) of the participants were willing to cancel this year's screening appointment. Among the 1236 participants, 757 (61.2%) were scheduled for screening in 2020. Of the 757 participants in this subgroup, 68% (n=515) did not change the schedule, 6.1% (n=46) cancelled, and 26% (n=197) made some changes, including changing the appointment date, hospital, or mode of transportation. Among the 296 participants scheduled for EGD screening, 18.9% (n=56) made some changes, 5.7% (n=17) cancelled on their own, and 2.7% (n=8) cancelled on the hospital's order. Based on the previous screening results, the percentage of participants who felt anxious about EGD due to the COVID-19 pandemic was higher in the order of those who had not undergone screening and those who were judged to be in need of further examination in screening but did not visit a hospital for it. In the logistic regression analysis, the factors associated with anxiety about EGD screening due to the COVID-19 pandemic were "viral infection prevention measures," "waiting time," "fees (medical expenses)," "mode of transportation," "worry about my social position if I contracted COVID-19," and "perceived the risk of gastric cancer." However, "residence in declared emergency area" was not associated with EGD anxiety due to COVID-19.Conclusions: Excessive anxiety about COVID-19 may lead to serious outcomes, such as a "decreasing intention to undergo EGD screening," and it is necessary to thoroughly implement infection prevention measures and provide correct information to examinees.

Sexual Behavior Change Among Gay and Bisexual Men During the First COVID-19 Pandemic Wave in the United States.

BACKGROUND: After decades of navigating HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, gay and bisexual men are responding to new and uncertain risks presented by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by adapting their sexual behavior. METHODS: This paper uses data from a national sample of 728 gay and bisexual men collected from April 10 to May 10, 2020, to examine changes to sexual behavior in response to the first wave of the pandemic in the USA. We also assess whether behavior modifications are associated with exposure to statewide public health measures, including Stay-at-Home orders. RESULTS: Sexual minority men report significant changes to their sexual behavior and partner selection during the first wave. Nine out of 10 men reported having either one sexual partner or no sexual partner in the last 30 days at the time of interview, a decrease compared to just before the pandemic for nearly half of men surveyed. Reporting no sexual partners in the last 30 days was significantly predicted by increased exposure to a Stay-at-Home order. Sexual minority men also reduced interactions with casual partners, increased no-contact sexual behaviors (e.g., masturbation and virtual sex), and engaged in new strategies to reduce their risks of infection from partners. HIV-positive men were particularly likely to adopt strategies including avoiding casual partners and avoiding public transportation to meet sexual partners. CONCLUSION: Sexual minority men's behavior changes during the first wave may have reduced the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on their communities. Despite substantial changes in sexual behavior for most men in our sample during the initial first wave, we identify some concerns around the sustainability of certain behavioral changes over time and nondisclosure of COVID-19 symptoms to partners.

Secondary distribution of HIV self-test kits by HIV index and antenatal care clients: implementation and costing results from the STAR Initiative in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Partner-delivered HIV self-testing kits has previously been highlighted as a safe, acceptable and effective approach to reach men. However, less is known about its real-world implementation in reaching partners of people living with HIV. We evaluated programmatic implementation of partner-delivered self-testing through antenatal care (ANC) attendees and people newly diagnosed with HIV by assessing use, positivity, linkage and cost per kit distributed. METHODS: Between April 2018 and December 2019, antenatal care (ANC) clinic attendees and people or those newly diagnosed with HIV clients across twelve clinics in three cities in South Africa were given HIVST kits (OraQuick Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test, OraSure Technologies) to distribute to their sexual partners. A follow-up telephonic survey was administered to all prior consenting clients who were successfully reached by telephone to assess primary outcomes. Incremental economic costs of the implementation were estimated from the provider's perspective. RESULTS: Fourteen thousand four hundred seventy-three HIVST kits were distributed - 10,319 (71%) to ANC clients for their male partner and 29% to people newly diagnosed with HIV for their partners. Of the 4,235 ANC clients successfully followed-up, 82.1% (3,475) reportedly offered HIVST kits to their male partner with 98.1% (3,409) accepting and 97.6% (3,328) using the kit. Among ANC partners self-testing, 159 (4.8%) reported reactive HIVST results, of which 127 (79.9%) received further testing; 116 (91.3%) were diagnosed with HIV and 114 (98.3%) initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART). Of the 1,649 people newly diagnosed with HIV successfully followed-up; 1,312 (79.6%) reportedly offered HIVST kits to their partners with 95.8% (1,257) of the partners accepting and 95.9% (1,206) reported that their partners used the kit. Among these index partners, 297 (24.6%) reported reactive HIVST results of which 261 (87.9%) received further testing; 260 (99.6%) were diagnosed with HIV and 258 (99.2%) initiated ART. The average cost per HIVST distributed in the three cities was US$7.90, US$11.98, and US$14.81, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Partner-delivered HIVST in real world implementation was able to affordably reach many male partners of ANC attendees and index partners of people newly diagnosed with HIV in South Africa. Given recent COVID-19 related restrictions, partner-delivered HIVST provides an important strategy to maintain essential testing services.

An Online Intervention Promoting HIV Testing Service Utilization Among Chinese men who have sex with men During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A quasi-experimental Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic created disruptions in HIV testing service utilization among men who have sex with men (MSM). The present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an online health promotion program implemented by a community-based organization (CBO) in increasing the uptake of any type of HIV testing and home-based HIV self-testing (HIVST) over a six-month follow-up period. Participants of an observational prospective cohort study conducted during the same period served as the comparison group. This study was conducted between September 2020 and December 2021. Participants were Chinese-speaking adult MSM who were HIV-negative/unknown sero-status recruited through multiple sources in Hong Kong, China. Participants in the intervention group were exposed to the following health promotion components: (1) viewing an online video promoting HIVST, (2) visiting the project webpage, and (3) having access to a chargeable HIVST service implemented by the CBO. Among 400 and 412 participants in the intervention group and the comparison group, 349 (87.3%) and 298 (72.3%) completed follow-up evaluation at Month 6. Multiple imputation was used to replace missing values. At Month 6, participants in the intervention group reported significantly higher uptake of any type of HIV testing (57.0% versus 49.0%, adjusted odds ratios [AOR]: 1.43, p = .03) and HIVST (25.8% versus 14.8%, AOR: 2.04, p = .001), as compared to those in the comparison group. Process evaluation of the health promotion components for the intervention group was positive. Promoting HIVST is a potentially useful strategy to increase HIV testing service utilization among Chinese MSM during the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic and male sex workers who have sex with men: associations between age and race and advertising for work in 2019-2021.

Despite government-mandated restrictions on business and social activities worldwide, some sex workers continued to see clients in person throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To better understand this behaviour, we compiled publicly available data from Internet advertisements posted on a popular website before and during the pandemic by male sex workers providing services to men. We first collected data in March 2019 from 172 advertisements - the complete number available at that time - posted by male sex workers advertising services in the Atlanta region. We then assessed whether these same sex workers continued to advertise their availability at three subsequent points during the COVID-19 pandemic: April 2020, January 2021 and February 2021. We also determined whether age and race were associated with advertising presence at each time point. While advertising rates declined among sex workers in all race categories (Black, White and 'other'), results from our mixed effects logistic regression model show that the odds of older male sex workers continuing to advertise were greater than the odds for their younger counterparts. Further, the predicted probability of continued advertising was highest for White male sex workers. Our findings provide additional insights into male sex work during a global pandemic.

Relationship Between Sexual Behaviors with Non-committed Relationship Partners and COVID-19 Restrictions and Notification Rates: Results from a Longitudinal Study of Gay and Bisexual Men in Australia.

Introduction: COVID-19 related lockdowns have impacted the sexual activity of gay and bisexual men (GBM). We investigated trends in sexual behaviors and the COVID-19 context in which they occurred (COVID-notification rates and jurisdictional restrictions) to understand changes in the duration and severity of periods of lockdown on the sexual behavior of Australian GBM. Methods: In an online, prospective observational study of 831 GBM from May 2020 to May 2021, we investigated associations between changes in sexual behavior among Australian GBM, lockdowns, and COVID-19 notification rates through weekly surveys from May 2020 to May 2021. Results: The mean age was 45.71 years (SD: 13.93). Most identified as gay (89.0%) and 10.2% were living with HIV. There was an overall increase in the mean weekly number of non-committed relationship partners (0.53-0.90, p < 0.001). The state of Victoria experienced a significant extended COVID-19 outbreak, accompanied by severe lockdown restrictions. In response, Victorian men's partner numbers shifted three times, while elsewhere there was an overall gradually increasing trend. Conclusions: Less severe outbreaks with shorter lockdown periods, involving fewer and geographically contained, COVID-19 notifications were accompanied by non-significant changes in sex with non-relationship partners than more severe outbreaks over extended periods and larger geographical areas. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13178-022-00733-8.

Predictors of Alcohol Use Among Latinx Men in South Florida: Machismo as a Correlate of Alcohol Use Frequency and Quantity.

Previous studies have found Latinx cultural values to be positively associated with healthy behaviors. This study aims to examine socioeconomic and cultural correlates of alcohol use among Latinx adult men living in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The study sample included 122 Latinx adult men (mean age = 44, SD = 10), predominantly of South and Central American origin. Data was collected using REDCap. Interviews included the Timeline Follow-Back scale for alcohol use. Results indicate that Caribbean participants were significantly less likely to report drinking in the past 90 days (aOR = 0.08, p = 0.042) compared to their Venezuelan counterparts. Higher machismo scores were associated with low drinking frequency (aRR = 0.67, p = 0.043), while no significant associations were found between machismo and other drinking outcomes. Drinking quantity and frequency are significantly associated with higher income and authorized immigration status in the US among Latinx men in South Florida. Higher machismo scores were associated with low drinking frequency.

Serological responses to smallpox A33 antigen and monkeypox A35 antigen in healthy people and people living with HIV-1 from Guangzhou, China.

People are expected to have been previously vaccinated with a Vaccinia-based vaccine, as until 1980 smallpox vaccination was a standard protocol in China. It is unclear whether people with smallpox vaccine still have antibody against vaccinia virus (VACV) and cross-antibody against monkeypox virus (MPXV). Herein, we assessed the binding antibodies with antigen of VACV-A33 and MPXV-A35 in the general population and HIV-1 infected patients. Firstly, we detected VACV antibody with A33 protein to evaluate the efficiency of smallpox vaccination. The result show that 29% (23 of 79) of hospital staff (age ≥ 42 years) and 63% (60 of 95) of HIV-positive patients (age ≥ 42 years) from Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital were able to bind A33. However, among the subjects below 42 years of age, 1.5% (3/198) of the hospital volunteer samples and 1% (1/104) of the samples from HIV patients were positive for antibodies against A33 antigen. Then, we assessed the specific cross-reactive antibodies against MPXV A35 protein. 24% (19 of 79) hospital staff (age〉 = 42 years) and 44% (42 of 95) of HIV-positive patients (age〉 = 42 years) were positive. 98% (194/198) of the hospital staff and 99% (103/104) of the HIV patients had no A35-binding antibodies. Further, we found significant sex differences for the reactivity to A35 antigen were observed in HIV population, but no significant sex differences in hospital staff. Further, we analyzed the positivity rate of anti-A35 antibody of men who have sex with men (MSM) and non-MSM in HIV patients (age〉 = 42years). We found that 47% of no-MSM population and 40% of MSM population were positive for A35 antigen, with no significant difference. Lastly, we found only 59 samples were positive for anti-A33 IgG and anti-A35 IgG in all participants. Together, we demonstrated A33 and A35 antigens binding antibodies were detected in HIV patients and general population who were older than 42 years, and cohort studies only provided data of serological detection to support early response to monkeypox outbreak.