Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on violence exposure and alcohol use among adults who drink alcohol.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated prevalence of alcohol use and violence, including gender-based violence (GBV); however, little is understood about the pandemic's impact on the relationship between the two. Data were collected from January 2021-April 2023 with adults who drink alcohol (N = 565) in the San Francisco Bay Area. Questions assessed prevalence of heavy alcohol use (≥4 drinks on one occasion ≥4 times a month) in the past 3 months and violence/GBV exposure before and during the pandemic.

Factors influencing healthcare workers' and health system preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study in Ghana.

Adequate preparedness of health systems, particularly healthcare workers (HCWs), to respond to COVID-19 is critical for the effective control of the virus, especially in low- and middle-income countries where health systems are overburdened. We examined Ghanaian HCWs' perceived preparedness to respond to the pandemic and the factors that shaped their preparedness and that of the health system. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with n = 26 HCWs responsible for the clinical management of COVID-19 patients and three administrators responsible for developing and implementing COVID-19 policies at the facility level.

Correlates of viral suppression among sexual minority men and transgender women living with HIV in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Sexual minority men (SMM) and transgender women in South Africa engage in HIV care at lower rates than other persons living with HIV and may experience population-specific barriers to HIV treatment and viral suppression (VS). As part of a pilot trial of an SMM-tailored peer navigation (PN) intervention in Ehlanzeni district, South Africa, we assessed factors associated with ART use and VS among SMM at trial enrolment. A total of 103 HIV-positive SMM and transgender women enrolled in the pilot trial.

Impact of COVID-19 on people living with HIV and HIV care: A qualitative study in the Volta Region of Ghana.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant social changes and challenges globally, including economic slowdown and limitation of essential services. Our study explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the HIV treatment experiences and lives of people living with HIV in Ghana. Between October 2021 and January 2022, we conducted four focus group discussions with 24 people living with HIV and six in-depth interviews with healthcare providers to understand the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on their lives and HIV treatment and care.

The association of HIV-related stigma and psychosocial factors and HIV treatment outcomes among people living with HIV in the Volta region of Ghana: A mixed-methods study.

Stigma and discrimination have been identified as significant barriers to HIV treatment among people living with HIV (PLWH). HIV stigma affects decision to seek HIV testing and early treatment. Evidence shows that HIV stigma undermines antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence by affecting the psychological process such as adjusting and coping with social support.

Predictors of HIV status disclosure among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Ghana: the disclosure conundrum and its policy implications in resource limited settings.

Background: Globally, over 40 million lives have been claimed by HIV/AIDS. In Ghana, more than 350,000 people are living with HIV. Non-disclosure of HIV status is a major barrier to HIV/AIDS eradication; yet, little is known of the determinants of HIV status disclosure in resource limited settings in Africa like Ghana.

PrEP knowledge, acceptability, and implementation in Ghana: Perspectives of HIV service providers and MSM, trans women, and gender diverse individuals living with HIV.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) could help reduce HIV incidence among cis men, trans women, and gender diverse individuals assigned male at birth who have sex with men (MSM, trans women, and GDSM) in Ghana, a group that bears a high HIV burden. Our study examined PrEP knowledge and acceptability, and barriers and facilitators to its uptake and implementation through qualitative interviews with 32 MSM, trans women, and GDSM clients living with HIV, 14 service providers (SPs), and four key informants (KIs) in Accra, Ghana. We interviewed participants about their PrEP knowledge, whether MSM would take PrEP, and what factors would make it easy/difficult to uptake or implement PrEP.

Prevalence and correlates of substance use and associations with HIV-related outcomes among trans women in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Background: Trans women face tremendous social inequities as well as disproportionate rates of HIV and substance use, yet disaggregated substance use data specific to trans women remain limited.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of baseline data from the Trans*National Study (2016-2017) surveying trans women in the San Francisco Bay Area (n = 629). Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze socio-demographic and environmental correlates of substance use, and bivariate associations between substance use and HIV-associated outcomes are presented alongside prevalence data.

Mental Distress and Use of Stimulants: Analysis of a Longitudinal Cohort of Transgender Women.

The purpose of our study was to examine the effects of mental distress (depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]), incarceration, and hate crime on stimulant use (methamphetamine, crack, and cocaine) among transgender women. We conducted a secondary analysis of longitudinal data collected from 2016 to 2018 with 429 transgender women in the San Francisco Bay Area. Generalized estimating equation log-binomial regressions were used to calculate relative risks of stimulant use associated with mental distress, incarceration, and hate crime.

Job satisfaction among healthcare workers in Ghana and Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic: Role of perceived preparedness, stress, and burnout.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected job satisfaction among healthcare workers; yet this has not been empirically examined in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We addressed this gap by examining job satisfaction and associated factors among healthcare workers in Ghana and Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a cross-sectional study with healthcare workers (N = 1012).

Social and Behavioral Correlates of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Men who Have Sex with Men who Use Alcohol in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among men who have sex with men (MSM) is driven by various socio-behavioral factors. From 2015-2017, 247 MSM ≥ 18 years-old who reported alcohol use in the past year, were recruited into a cross-sectional study in San Francisco. Participants completed a survey assessing socio-demographics, substance use and treatment, sexual behaviors, HIV status and self-reported STI diagnosis in the past 6 months.

Experiences and factors associated with transphobic hate crimes among transgender women in the San Francisco Bay Area: comparisons across race.

Background: Trans women experience high rates of gender-based violence (GBV)-a risk factor for adverse health outcomes. Transphobic hate crimes are one such form of GBV that affect trans women. However, little is understood about factors that shape transphobic hate crimes and racial/ethnic variation in these experiences.

Inadequate preparedness for response to COVID-19 is associated with stress and burnout among healthcare workers in Ghana.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the global crisis of stress and burnout among healthcare workers. But few studies have empirically examined the factors driving these outcomes in Africa. Our study examined associations between perceived preparedness to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and healthcare worker stress and burnout and identified potential mediating factors among healthcare workers in Ghana.

Stigma, discrimination, violence, and HIV testing among men who have sex with men in four major cities in Ghana.

LGBTQ populations experience human rights abuses worldwide; data need to document the health impact of these experiences in Africa. In Ghana, we measured events of sexuality-based stigma, discrimination, and violence among men who have sex with men (MSM) and the impact on HIV testing behavior. Data are from respondent-driven sampling surveillance surveys in Accra/Tema, Kumasi, Cape Coast/Takoradi, and Koforidua.

Sexuality Disclosure Among Black South African MSM and Responses by Family.

Although South Africa protects sexual orientation in its Constitution, homosexuality is socioculturally contested and unaccepted. This lack of acceptance may impact the coming-out process of men who have sex with men (MSM). This study explored diverse factors that influenced whether Black South African MSM disclosed their sexual practices and identities to their families, how their families responded, and how family responses affected them.

Prejudice Events and Traumatic Stress among Heterosexuals and Lesbians, Gay Men and Bisexuals.

This mixed-methods study examined associations between prejudice events and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among 382 lesbians, gays, and bisexuals (LGB) and 126 heterosexuals. Using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, we assessed PTSD with a relaxed Criterion A1; that is, we allowed events that did not involve threat to life or physical integrity to also qualify as traumatic. We first assessed whether exposure to prejudice-related qualifying events differed with respect to participants' sexual orientation and race.

Prejudice-Related Events and Traumatic Stress Among Heterosexuals and Lesbians, Gay Men and Bisexuals.

This mixed-methods study examined associations between prejudice events and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among 382 lesbians, gays, and bisexuals (LGB) and 126 heterosexuals. Using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, we assessed PTSD but relaxed Criterion A1, that is, allowed prejudice events that did not involve threat to life or physical integrity to also qualify as traumatic. First, we tested whether exposure to prejudice events differed with respect to sexual orientation and race.