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1.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep ; 73(19): 424-429, 2024 May 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38753539

ABSTRACT

Measles, a highly contagious respiratory virus with the potential to cause severe complications, hospitalization, and death, was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000; however, with ongoing global transmission, infections in the United States still occur. On March 7, 2024, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) confirmed a case of measles in a male aged 1 year residing in a temporary shelter for migrants in Chicago. Given the congregate nature of the setting, high transmissibility of measles, and low measles vaccination coverage among shelter residents, measles virus had the potential to spread rapidly among approximately 2,100 presumed exposed shelter residents. CDPH immediately instituted outbreak investigation and response activities in collaboration with state and local health departments, health care facilities, city agencies, and shelters. On March 8, CDPH implemented active case-finding and coordinated a mass vaccination campaign at the affected shelter (shelter A), including vaccinating 882 residents and verifying previous vaccination for 784 residents over 3 days. These activities resulted in 93% measles vaccination coverage (defined as receipt of ≥1 recorded measles vaccine dose) by March 11. By May 13, a total of 57 confirmed measles cases associated with residing in or having contact with persons from shelter A had been reported. Most cases (41; 72%) were among persons who did not have documentation of measles vaccination and were considered unvaccinated. In addition, 16 cases of measles occurred among persons who had received ≥1 measles vaccine dose ≥21 days before first known exposure. This outbreak underscores the need to ensure high vaccination coverage among communities residing in congregate settings.


Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks , Measles Vaccine , Measles , Transients and Migrants , Humans , Measles/epidemiology , Measles/prevention & control , Chicago/epidemiology , Male , Infant , Adult , Young Adult , Child, Preschool , Adolescent , Child , Measles Vaccine/administration & dosage , Transients and Migrants/statistics & numerical data , Female , Middle Aged , Mass Vaccination/statistics & numerical data
2.
BMC Public Health ; 24(1): 1013, 2024 Apr 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38609903

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Facing a surge of COVID-19 cases in late August 2021, the U.S. state of Illinois re-enacted its COVID-19 mask mandate for the general public and issued a requirement for workers in certain professions to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing. The mask mandate required any individual, regardless of their vaccination status, to wear a well-fitting mask in an indoor setting. METHODS: We used Illinois Department of Public Health's COVID-19 confirmed case and vaccination data and investigated scenarios where masking and vaccination would have been reduced to mimic what would have happened had the mask mandate or vaccine requirement not been put in place. The study examined a range of potential reductions in masking and vaccination mimicking potential scenarios had the mask mandate or vaccine requirement not been enacted. We estimated COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations averted by changes in masking and vaccination during the period covering October 20 to December 20, 2021. RESULTS: We find that the announcement and implementation of a mask mandate are likely to correlate with a strong protective effect at reducing COVID-19 burden and the announcement of a vaccinate-or-test requirement among frontline professionals is likely to correlate with a more modest protective effect at reducing COVID-19 burden. In our most conservative scenario, we estimated that from the period of October 20 to December 20, 2021, the mask mandate likely prevented approximately 58,000 cases and 1,175 hospitalizations, while the vaccinate-or-test requirement may have prevented at most approximately 24,000 cases and 475 hospitalizations. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that mask mandates and vaccine-or-test requirements are vital in mitigating the burden of COVID-19 during surges of the virus.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Vaccines , Humans , Public Health , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Illinois/epidemiology , Vaccination
3.
Public Health Rep ; 138(4): 664-670, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37178058

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To understand SARS-CoV-2 transmission in early care and education (ECE) settings, we implemented a Test to Stay (TTS) strategy, which allowed children and staff who were close contacts to COVID-19 to remain in person if they agreed to test twice after exposure. We describe SARS-CoV-2 transmission, testing preferences, and the number of in-person days saved among participating ECE facilities. METHODS: From March 21 through May 27, 2022, 32 ECE facilities in Illinois implemented TTS. Unvaccinated children and staff who were not up to date with COVID-19 vaccination could participate if exposed to COVID-19. Participants received 2 tests within 7 days after exposure and were given the option to test at home or at the ECE facility. RESULTS: During the study period, 331 TTS participants were exposed to index cases (defined as people attending the ECE facility with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result during the infectious period); 14 participants tested positive, resulting in a secondary attack rate of 4.2%. No tertiary cases (defined as a person with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result within 10 days after exposure to a secondary case) occurred in the ECE facilities. Most participants (366 of 383; 95.6%) chose to test at home. Remaining in-person after an exposure to COVID-19 saved approximately 1915 in-person days among children and staff and approximately 1870 parent workdays. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates were low in ECE facilities during the study period. Serial testing after COVID-19 exposure among children and staff at ECE facilities is a valuable strategy to allow children to remain in person and parents to avoid missing workdays.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Child , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19 Vaccines , Illinois/epidemiology , Risk Factors
4.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep ; 71(32): 1018-1022, 2022 Aug 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35951487

ABSTRACT

Monkeypox, a zoonotic infection caused by an orthopoxvirus, is endemic in parts of Africa. On August 4, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the U.S. monkeypox outbreak, which began on May 17, to be a public health emergency (1,2). After detection of the first U.S. monkeypox case), CDC and health departments implemented enhanced monkeypox case detection and reporting. Among 2,891 cases reported in the United States through July 22 by 43 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia (DC), CDC received case report forms for 1,195 (41%) cases by July 27. Among these, 99% of cases were among men; among men with available information, 94% reported male-to-male sexual or close intimate contact during the 3 weeks before symptom onset. Among the 88% of cases with available data, 41% were among non-Hispanic White (White) persons, 28% among Hispanic or Latino (Hispanic) persons, and 26% among non-Hispanic Black or African American (Black) persons. Forty-two percent of persons with monkeypox with available data did not report the typical prodrome as their first symptom, and 46% reported one or more genital lesions during their illness; 41% had HIV infection. Data suggest that widespread community transmission of monkeypox has disproportionately affected gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and racial and ethnic minority groups. Compared with historical reports of monkeypox in areas with endemic disease, currently reported outbreak-associated cases are less likely to have a prodrome and more likely to have genital involvement. CDC and other federal, state, and local agencies have implemented response efforts to expand testing, treatment, and vaccination. Public health efforts should prioritize gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, who are currently disproportionately affected, for prevention and testing, while addressing equity, minimizing stigma, and maintaining vigilance for transmission in other populations. Clinicians should test patients with rash consistent with monkeypox,† regardless of whether the rash is disseminated or was preceded by prodrome. Likewise, although most cases to date have occurred among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, any patient with rash consistent with monkeypox should be considered for testing. CDC is continually evaluating new evidence and tailoring response strategies as information on changing case demographics, clinical characteristics, transmission, and vaccine effectiveness become available.§.


Subject(s)
Exanthema , HIV Infections , Mpox (monkeypox) , Sexual and Gender Minorities , Ethnicity , HIV Infections/diagnosis , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Homosexuality, Male , Humans , Male , Minority Groups , Mpox (monkeypox)/epidemiology , United States/epidemiology
5.
AIDS Care ; 34(2): 220-226, 2022 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33594934

ABSTRACT

Women living with HIV (WLWH) are at increased risk of anal cancer compared to women without HIV, often due to persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. This paper describes current practices and challenges conducting anal cancer screening for WLWH at an urban integrated safety-net system and a non-profit community-based HIV clinic. We conducted 25 semi-structured interviews with clinical and administrative stakeholders to assess knowledge, clinic practices and procedures, and experiences with anal cancer screening. Interview transcripts and fieldnotes were thematically analyzed using an iterative deductive and inductive coding scheme. Findings were organized by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) domains and constructs. Provider-level barriers to conducting anal cancer screening included limited knowledge of guidelines. System-level barriers included: structural characteristics such as lack of coordination between clinics to discern provider roles and responsibilities; and limitations in available resources such as configuration of electronic health records and infrastructure to manage referrals of abnormal anal Pap results. We conclude that anal cancer screening and follow-up for WLWH requires organization and coordination between multiple care teams, updated clinical information systems to facilitate communication and support anal Pap ordering and result documentation, and infrastructure that includes policies and protocols for management of abnormal results.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02135419.


Subject(s)
Anus Neoplasms , HIV Infections , Anus Neoplasms/diagnosis , Early Detection of Cancer/methods , Female , HIV Infections/diagnosis , Humans , Mass Screening/methods
6.
J Low Genit Tract Dis ; 25(1): 43-47, 2021 Jan 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33149011

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were (1) to describe anal cancer knowledge, perceived risk, screening barriers, and acceptability of sample self-collection among women living with HIV (WLWH) at an integrated safety-net system and (2) to describe differences in demographic and psychosocial variables among a subsample of WLWH with a history of abnormal cervical cytology results versus those with normal results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted telephone surveys with English- and Spanish-speaking WLWH (N = 99) and used electronic health record data to extract insurance type, CD4+ cell count, RNA viral load, and cervical cytology results. We calculated descriptive statistics for participant demographics, HIV laboratory results, and psychosocial variables. Among the subsample of women who completed a recent cervical Pap, we used Fisher exact test to assess differences in demographic variables, CD4+ counts, RNA viral loads, knowledge, awareness, acceptability, and perceived risk by cervical cytology results. RESULTS: Most participants (70%) reported knowing nothing about anal cancer; 28% correctly responded that HIV increases one's chance of getting anal cancer. Most (68%) never heard of an anal Pap test. Forty percent would get an anal Pap if they could self-collect the sample, whereas 59% were neutral or disagreed. The 2 most commonly cited barriers to obtaining an anal Pap were "I do not know enough about it" (n = 15) and "It might hurt" (n = 9). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights a gap in knowledge and awareness among WLWH regarding their heightened risk for anal cancer. It indicates the need for health education and suggests an opportunity for a self-collection intervention.


Subject(s)
Anus Neoplasms/diagnosis , Anus Neoplasms/psychology , Early Detection of Cancer/psychology , HIV Infections/psychology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Adolescent , Adult , Early Detection of Cancer/methods , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Papanicolaou Test/psychology , Risk Factors , Texas , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/diagnosis , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/psychology , Young Adult
7.
AIDS Behav ; 23(11): 2916-2925, 2019 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30929149

ABSTRACT

Using representative data among 1861 in care people living with HIV (PLWH) in four southern states (Texas, Mississippi, Florida, and Georgia) from the 2013-2014 Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) survey, we estimated the prevalence and odds of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among various demographic and HIV related risk factors. Overall MetS prevalence was 34%, with our participants being mostly black (55%), male (72%), ≥ 50 years old (46%), and overweight or obese (60%) with undetectable viral loads (≤ 200 copies/ml, 69%), and were currently taking antiretroviral medication (98%). Compared to those who were ≥ 60 years, 18-39 year olds had a 79% (95% CI 0.13-0.33) lower odds of having MetS. Women were 2.24 times more likely to have MetS than men (95% CI 1.69-2.97). Age and sex were significant predictors of MetS. Since MetS is a combination of chronic disease risk factors, regular screening for MetS risk factors among aging PLWH is crucial.


Subject(s)
Anti-Retroviral Agents/adverse effects , Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active/adverse effects , HIV Infections/complications , Metabolic Syndrome/epidemiology , Adult , Anti-Retroviral Agents/therapeutic use , Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active/methods , Body Mass Index , Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology , Female , HIV Infections/drug therapy , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Humans , Hypertension/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Obesity/epidemiology , Prevalence , Risk Factors , United States/epidemiology , Viral Load
8.
Sex Transm Dis ; 46(7): 434-439, 2019 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30896543

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Little is known about population-level sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing in emergency departments (EDs). We sought to explore STD testing patterns in EDs in a large, urban metroplex in North Texas, a high prevalence region. METHODS: Emergency department claims data were extracted from the Dallas Fort Worth Hospital Council databank for patients attending 54 EDs in 4 counties (Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, and Denton) who were tested for an STD during an ED visit between July 2014 and June 2015. We analyzed patterns of testing for 3 types of STD tests: (1) combined gonorrhea and chlamydia DNA-based tests, (2) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody tests, and (3) syphilis serological tests. RESULTS: Emergency departments administered at least 1 STD test to 65,702 unique patients over 1 year; most were ethnoracial minorities (73%), female (72%), and had no known insurance (59%). Only 8% of patients received more than 1 of these tests at that same visit; of those, 90% were cotested for HIV. The most common diagnosis code associated with STD testing was "genital/urinary symptoms" (31%). The majority of tests took place at the ED of a single county-funded hospital (42%). Only 36% of all patients had visits that were deemed true emergencies. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients tested for syphilis, HIV, or chlamydia/gonorrhea in EDs received only 1 test type at that visit, and most visits were nonemergent in nature. Given shared risk factors for multiple STD and high coinfection rates, EDs serving high-risk populations could consider STD cotesting to help reduce transmission of undiagnosed, untreated infections.


Subject(s)
Chlamydia Infections/diagnosis , Gonorrhea/diagnosis , HIV Infections/diagnosis , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/diagnosis , Syphilis/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Chlamydia Infections/epidemiology , Emergency Service, Hospital , Female , Gonorrhea/epidemiology , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/epidemiology , Syphilis/epidemiology , Syphilis Serodiagnosis , Texas/epidemiology , Urban Health , Young Adult
9.
AIDS Patient Care STDS ; 33(1): 14-20, 2019 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30601060

ABSTRACT

Pregnant women living with HIV are at risk for loss to follow-up and viral rebound after delivery. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women with HIV who delivered at Parkland Hospital, Dallas, to identify factors associated with postpartum loss to HIV care 1 year after delivery. Logistic regression was used to identify factors predicting loss to follow-up. For a subset of women, we compared odds of viremia detectable at delivery and postpartum among women with higher versus lower pill burden regimens. We included 604 women with HIV who delivered between 2005 and 2015. Three hundred ninety-one (65%) women completed at least one visit with an HIV provider within 1 year of delivery. The follow-up rate among black, non-Hispanic women was 65%; 57% for white, non-Hispanic women; and 78% for Hispanic women. Women without follow-up presented for prenatal care later (17 vs. 11 weeks, p < 0.001), and were less likely to be on antiretroviral therapy at initial prenatal visit (29% vs. 49%, p < 0.001). Factors predicting loss to follow-up in multivariate analysis included low-level viremia at delivery [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.73-4.71] and failure to return for a postpartum visit (aOR = 3.19, 95% CI = 2.07-4.94). High antiretroviral pill burden (≥6 pills daily) was associated with viremia (>1000 copies/mL) at the first prenatal visit (OR = 8.7, 95% CI = 4.6-16.6) through 1 year postpartum (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.2-4.4). Viremia at delivery, failure to return for a postpartum visit, and high pill burden during pregnancy are predictors of postpartum loss to HIV care.


Subject(s)
Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use , Anti-Retroviral Agents/therapeutic use , Continuity of Patient Care/statistics & numerical data , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Lost to Follow-Up , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/drug therapy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/virology , Pregnant Women/psychology , Adult , Female , Follow-Up Studies , HIV Infections/diagnosis , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Humans , Postpartum Period , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/diagnosis , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology , Pregnancy Outcome , Prenatal Care , Retrospective Studies , Viral Load/statistics & numerical data
10.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev ; 27(12): 1398-1406, 2018 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30185535

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of cervical cancer at safety-net health systems requires careful analysis to best inform prevention and quality improvement efforts. We characterized cervical cancer burden and identified opportunities for prevention in a U.S. safety-net system. METHODS: We reviewed tumor registry and electronic health record (EHR) data of women with invasive cervical cancer with ages 18+, diagnosed between 2010 and 2015, in a large, integrated urban safety-net. We developed an algorithm to: (i) classify whether women had been engaged in care (≥1 clinical encounter between 6 months and 5 years before cancer diagnosis); and (ii) identify missed opportunities (no screening, no follow-up, failure of a test to detect cancer, and treatment failure) and associated factors among engaged patients. RESULTS: Of 419 women with cervical cancer, more than half (58%) were stage 2B or higher at diagnosis and 40% were uninsured. Most (69%) had no prior healthcare system contact; 47% were diagnosed elsewhere. Among 122 engaged in care prior to diagnosis, failure to screen was most common (63%), followed by lack of follow-up (21%), and failure of test to detect cancer (16%). Tumor stage, patient characteristics, and healthcare utilization differed across groups. CONCLUSIONS: Safety-net healthcare systems face a high cervical cancer burden, mainly from women with no prior contact with the system. To prevent or detect cancer early, community-based efforts should encourage uninsured women to use safety-nets for primary care and preventive services. IMPACT: Among engaged patients, strategies to increase screening and follow-up of abnormal screening tests could prevent over 80% of cervical cancer cases.


Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care/standards , Safety-net Providers/standards , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/prevention & control , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Early Detection of Cancer , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology , Young Adult
11.
BMJ Case Rep ; 20182018 Jul 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30061130

ABSTRACT

We describe a case of an adult with dermatomyositis (DM) who presents with a rash, high fevers, tachycardia and hypotension, initially concerning for an infectious aetiology or a DM flare. She was found to have cytomegalovirus viraemia which improved after starting valganciclovir. After extensive workup and lack of improvement with broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy, intravenous immunoglobulin and steroids, the patient was diagnosed with macrophage activation syndrome after bone marrow biopsy and levels of soluble CD25 (soluble interleukin (IL)-2 receptor) and IL2 were obtained. Unfortunately, despite therapy with dexamethasone, anakinra and etoposide, the patient decompensated and the patient's family opted for comfort care. The patient subsequently expired in the intensive care unit.


Subject(s)
Cytomegalovirus Infections/physiopathology , Dermatomyositis/physiopathology , Ganciclovir/analogs & derivatives , Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/therapeutic use , Macrophage Activation Syndrome/diagnosis , Cytomegalovirus Infections/blood , Cytomegalovirus Infections/drug therapy , Dermatomyositis/blood , Dermatomyositis/drug therapy , Dermatomyositis/virology , Fatal Outcome , Female , Ganciclovir/therapeutic use , Humans , Macrophage Activation Syndrome/physiopathology , Macrophage Activation Syndrome/virology , Middle Aged , Valganciclovir , Viremia
12.
AIDS ; 32(13): 1861-1870, 2018 08 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29762164

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about cervical cancer screening and results patterns among HIV-infected (HIV+) women in real-world healthcare settings. We characterized two periods of screening opportunity. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: US safety-net healthcare system in Dallas County, Texas. PARTICIPANTS: We analyzed data from electronic medical records (EMR) of 1490 HIV+ women receiving care 2010-2014. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: At baseline, we categorized a woman's Pap status 15 months prior to index date as under-screened (vs. screened), and cytology result (normal vs. abnormal). Then, we examined screening completion and results, and colposcopy uptake and results after an abnormal screen, in the subsequent 15-month period. RESULTS: More than half of women (56%) had no evidence of a Pap test (i.e. under-screened) at baseline. Under-screened women were more likely to be older (50-64 years), have diabetes, and unknown viral load; they were less likely to be Black, Hispanic, have Medicaid, recently pregnant, have a HIV clinic visit, or a CD4 cell count at least 200 cells/µl. Nearly half of under-screened women (46%, n = 383) remained under-screened in the subsequent 15 months. Among women under-screened at baseline who later completed screening and follow-up during the study period, 21 high-grade dysplasia and three cancers were diagnosed. Overall, 40% of women did not receive colposcopy when needed, with most failures to follow-up occurring in women who were under-screened at baseline. CONCLUSION: Most HIV+ women receiving care in a safety-net system did not receive sufficient screening for cervical cancer and remained at exceptionally high risk of developing high-grade dysplasia.


Subject(s)
Early Detection of Cancer/statistics & numerical data , Facilities and Services Utilization , HIV Infections/complications , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Delivery of Health Care , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Texas , Young Adult
13.
Am J Orthopsychiatry ; 86(4): 366-72, 2016.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27380150

ABSTRACT

This article reviews the varied process of transitioning and the psychosocial and quality-of-life benefits and outcomes of gender-affirmation therapeutic interventions, examines the barriers that transgender (TG) persons face in accessing health care, and describes the authors' experiences in improving access to medical services by launching a TG health care clinic and a service provider collaborative. It concludes with a summary of the burgeoning prevalence of HIV among TG people and the associated psychosocial effects. (PsycINFO Database Record


Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Gender Identity , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Transgender Persons/psychology , HIV Infections/psychology , Health Services Accessibility , Humans , Prevalence , Social Discrimination
14.
AIDS Behav ; 20(6): 1334-42, 2016 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26683032

ABSTRACT

The US HIV/AIDS epidemic is concentrated in the Deep South, yet factors contributing to HIV transmission are not fully understood. We examined relationships between substance use, sexual partnership characteristics, and condom non-use in an African American sample of STI clinic attendees in Jackson, Mississippi. We assessed condom non-use at last intercourse with up to three recent sexual partners reported by participants between January and June 2011. Participant- and partner-level correlates of condom non-use were examined using generalized estimating equations. The 1295 participants reported 2880 intercourse events, of which 1490 (51.7 %) involved condom non-use. Older age, lower educational attainment, reporting financial or material dependence on a sex partner, sex with a primary partner, and higher frequency of sex were associated with increased odds of condomless sex. HIV prevention efforts in the South should address underlying socioeconomic disparities and structural determinants that result in partner dependency and sexual risk behavior.


Subject(s)
Black or African American/psychology , Condoms/statistics & numerical data , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Sexual Behavior , Sexual Partners , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/prevention & control , Adult , Black or African American/statistics & numerical data , Ambulatory Care Facilities , Data Collection , Female , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Mississippi/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Risk-Taking , Safe Sex/statistics & numerical data , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Substance-Related Disorders/psychology , Unsafe Sex/statistics & numerical data
15.
J Miss State Med Assoc ; 56(12): 376-81, 2015 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26975163

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mississippi, the poorest state in the US, has a very high prevalence of HIV and among the highest HIV infection rates and AIDS-adjusted mortality rates in the country. African Americans, who suffer the worst health care disparities in the US, account for 76% of people with HIV in MS. The purpose of this study is to describe those in care for HIV and determine the factors associated with anti-retroviral treatment (ART) and viral suppression. METHODS: The CDC's Medical Monitoring Project collects surveillance data from 23 project areas in the US, including Mississippi, using annual probability sampling of persons in care for HIV. Data were collected from in-person interviews and medical record abstraction in 2009. The surveillance period was the 12 months prior to the interview date. RESULTS: 212 randomly selected participants represented a nationally representative weighted sample of 3190.4. Participants had a mean of 3.71 provider visits during the surveillance period. Geometric mean for CD4 count = 438.91 (95% CI 402.25-475.56). Overall 80.80% (95% CI 75.30%- 86.29%) were on ART, and 68.12% (95% CI 62.69%-73-56%) had undetectable viral load. Males (65.15%) were less likely to achieve undetectable viral load compared to females (78.30%) after controlling for individuals who were on ART (p = 0.01). Viral suppression was not associated with age, race or sexual risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Although Mississippi has a high proportion of individuals out of HIV care, the majority in care is on ART and has suppressed viral loads. However, men are less likely to achieve virological suppression than females.


Subject(s)
HIV Infections/epidemiology , Adult , Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active , Epidemiological Monitoring , Female , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Humans , Male , Mississippi
16.
Fertil Steril ; 102(2): 424-34, 2014 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24951364

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess procreative outcomes for HIV-positive men and women with seronegative partners. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): Twenty-four studies with extractable data for HIV-serodiscordant couples undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). INTERVENTION(S): None. PRIMARY OUTCOMES: HIV transmission to a seronegative partner and per cycle fecundability; secondary outcomes: analysis of multiple gestation rates, miscarriage rates, and cancellation rates. RESULT(S): For serodiscordant couples, HIV-positive men or women undergoing IUI and IVF treatment had a 17%, 30%, 14%, and 16% per cycle fecundability, respectively. Multiple gestation rates were 10%, 33%, 14%, and 29%, respectively. Miscarriage rates were 19%, 25%, 13%, and 20%, respectively. No HIV transmission was observed in 8,212 IUI and 1,254 IVF cycles, resulting in 95% confidence that the true rate is 4.5 transmissions per 10,000 IUI cycles or less. CONCLUSION(S): In serodiscordant couples, IUI and IVF seem effective and safe based on the literature. Evidence-based practice and social justice suggest that our field should increase access to care for HIV-serodiscordant couples.


Subject(s)
HIV Infections/transmission , HIV Long-Term Survivors , HIV Seronegativity , HIV Seropositivity , Health Services Accessibility , Insemination, Artificial, Homologous , Reproductive Techniques, Assisted , Spouses , Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active , Female , Fertility , HIV Infections/blood , HIV Infections/diagnosis , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Healthcare Disparities , Humans , Insemination, Artificial, Homologous/adverse effects , Male , Patient Safety , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications/etiology , Reproductive Techniques, Assisted/adverse effects , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Treatment Outcome
17.
AIDS Behav ; 18(12): 2457-68, 2014 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24803130

ABSTRACT

Concurrent sexual partnerships, or sexual partnerships that overlap in time, have been associated with HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI). How best to measure concurrency and the personal characteristics and predictors of concurrency are not yet well understood. We compared two frequently used concurrency definitions, including a self-reported measure based on participant response regarding overlapping sex with partners, and the UNAIDS measure based on overlapping dates of last sex and intention to have sex again. We performed multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify socio-demographic, behavioral, and structural predictors of concurrency among 1,542 patients at an urban STI clinic in Jackson, Mississippi. Nearly half (44 %) reported concurrency based on self-reported sex with other partners, and 26 % reported concurrency according to the UNAIDS concurrency measure. Using the self-reported concurrency measure, the strongest predictors of concurrency were perceived partner concurrency, drug use at last sex, having more than 10 lifetime partners, and being recently incarcerated. Strongest predictors of concurrency using the UNAIDS measure were lifetime number of partners and perceived partner concurrency. Concurrency is highly prevalent in this population in the Deep South and social, structural and behavioral factors were important predictors of concurrency for both measures. Future research should use time anchored data collection methods and biomarkers to assess whether both definitions of concurrency are associated with HIV outcomes.


Subject(s)
Black or African American/statistics & numerical data , Condoms/statistics & numerical data , Sexual Behavior , Sexual Partners , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/prevention & control , Adult , Ambulatory Care Facilities , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Mississippi/epidemiology , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Self Report , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/epidemiology , Time Factors , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data
18.
AIDS Patient Care STDS ; 27(9): 511-7, 2013 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23991689

ABSTRACT

The Mississippi Delta region is one of the communities most heavily impacted by HIV/AIDS in the United States. To understand local provider attitudes and practices regarding HIV testing and care, we conducted 25 in-depth qualitative interviews with local primary care providers and infectious disease specialists. Interviews explored attitudes and practices regarding HIV testing and linkage to care. Most providers did not routinely offer HIV testing, noting financial barriers, financial disincentives to offer routine screening, misperceptions about local informed consent laws, perceived stigma among patients, and belief that HIV testing was the responsibility of the health department. Barriers to enhancing treatment and care included stigma, long distances, lack of transportation, and paucity of local infectious disease specialists. Opportunities for enhancing HIV testing and care included provider education programs regarding billing, local HIV testing guidelines, and informed consent, as well as telemedicine services for underserved counties. Although most health care providers in our study did not currently offer routine HIV testing, all were willing to provide more testing and care services if they were able to bill for routine testing. Increasing financial reimbursement and access to care, including through the Affordable Care Act, may provide an opportunity to enhance HIV/AIDS services in the Mississippi Delta.


Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Personnel/psychology , AIDS Serodiagnosis , Counseling , Female , HIV Infections/diagnosis , Health Services Accessibility , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Mass Screening , Mississippi , Qualitative Research
19.
Sex Health ; 9(4): 389-91, 2012 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22877600

ABSTRACT

This report describes a patient with symptomatic Trichomonas vaginalis infection who was unable to tolerate nitroimidazole drugs because of severe hypersensitivity, for which desensitisation was not possible. Use of intravaginal clotrimazole, intravaginal paromomycin, intravaginal furazolidone, povidone-iodine douches, and oral nitazoxanide were unsuccessful in eradicating the patient's T. vaginalis infection. A 2-month course of intravaginal topical boric acid subsequently achieved a complete symptomatic cure and the patient remained T. vaginalis wet prep- and culture-negative 60 days after treatment.


Subject(s)
Boric Acids/therapeutic use , Trichomonas Vaginitis/drug therapy , Trichomonas vaginalis , Administration, Intravaginal , Adult , Boric Acids/administration & dosage , Drug Hypersensitivity , Female , Humans , Nitroimidazoles/immunology
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