Estimated population size of the people who inject drugs in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam: A two survey capture-recapture study using respondent driven sampling.

To develop an appropriate programmatic response to the concentrated HIV epidemic, program managers require reliable estimates of the sizes of the key populations. This study attempts to estimate the population size of people who inject drugs (PWID) in Thai Nguyen-a province in the northern part of Vietnam. Two source capture-recapture population size estimates were calculated using data from two respondent driven sampling survey rounds conducted in 5 selected districts from May to August 2019.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake and service delivery adaptations during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 21 PEPFAR-funded countries.

Background: Mitigation measures for the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and burden on health systems created challenges for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) service delivery. We examined PrEP uptake in PEPFAR programs before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We studied two PEPFAR program monitoring indicators, using routine Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting (MER) indicators capturing uptake of PrEP (PrEP_NEW) and overall use of PrEP (PrEP_CURR).

DEALING WITH INACCURATE MEASURES OF SIZE IN TWO-STAGE PROBABILITY PROPORTIONAL TO SIZE SAMPLE DESIGNS: APPLICATIONS IN AFRICAN HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS.

The units at the early stages of multi-stage area samples are generally sampled with probabilities proportional to their estimated sizes (PPES). With such a design, an overall equal probability (EP) sample design would yield a constant number of final stage units from each final stage cluster if the measures of size used in the PPES selection at each sampling stage were directly proportional to the number of final stage units. However, there are often sizable relative differences between the measures of size used in the PPES selections and the number of final stage units.

Sex Differences in HIV Testing - 20 PEPFAR-Supported Sub-Saharan African Countries, 2019.

Despite progress toward controlling the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic, testing gaps remain, particularly among men and young persons in sub-Saharan Africa (1). This observational study used routinely collected programmatic data from 20 African countries reported to the U.S.

Diagnoses and ordering practices driving blood demand for treatment of anemia in Tanzania.

Background: Resource-limited countries in Africa experience blood shortages. Understanding clinical drivers of blood demand can inform strategies to increase blood availability.

Study Design And Methods: From a national representative sample of 42 hospitals in Tanzania, patient records and requests for whole blood (WB) and red blood cells (RBCs) to treat anemia were analyzed using data collected prospectively from June through September 2013.

Detection of recent HIV-1 infection using a new limiting-antigen avidity assay: potential for HIV-1 incidence estimates and avidity maturation studies.

Background: Accurate and reliable laboratory methods are needed for estimation of HIV-1 incidence to identify the high-risk populations and target and monitor prevention efforts. We previously described a single-well limiting-antigen avidity enzyme immunoassay (LAg-Avidity EIA) to detect recent HIV-1 infection.

Methods: We describe here further optimization and characterization of LAg-Avidity EIA, comparing it to the BED assay and a two-well avidity-index (AI) EIA.

Risk factors for pediatric invasive pneumococcal disease in the Intermountain West, 1996-2002.

Purpose: In response to concerns that the epidemiology of pediatric invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in the Intermountain West (i.e., Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and parts of Arizona and Nevada) was poorly understood and might differ from elsewhere in the United States, a case-control study was undertaken to determine factors associated with IPD during 1996-2002.

Binge drinking and occupation, North Dakota, 2004-2005.

Introduction: Binge drinking is a leading cause of preventable death and results in employee absenteeism and lost productivity. Knowledge about the prevalence of binge drinking among employees of different occupations is limited.

Methods: We assessed the prevalence of binge drinking (i.

Identifying risk factors for underimmunization by using geocoding matched to census tracts: a statewide assessment of children in Hawaii.

Objective: Obtaining childhood immunization coverage data for small geographic areas is difficult and resource-intensive, especially in the absence of comprehensive immunization registries. To identify factors that are associated with delayed immunization, we collected school-entry immunization records statewide and used geocoding to link to publicly available census tract sociodemographic data.

Methods: Immunization records were reviewed for children who were enrolled in all public and private school kindergarten programs in Hawaii in the 2002-2003 school year; immunization status at the time of the second birthday was determined.

Factors associated with adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of sociodemographic characteristics, patient perceptions, and patient characteristics including spirituality, self-reported adherence, and highly active antiretroviral therapy. The convenience sample consisted of 120 English-speaking adults (60% male, 35% female, 5% transgendered) with HIV/AIDS from two HIV service agencies in a large metropolitan city in the southeastern United States. The mean self-reported adherence was 83.

Health burden and funding at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Background: The relationship between domestic funding for selected conditions to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the burden of disease and disability in the United States was assessed systematically.

Methods: Using mortality, years of potential life lost (YPLLs), disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), hospital days, hospital discharges, and direct medical costs of conditions, 34 high-burden conditions addressed by CDC programs were identified, and information was collected about the funds spent on each by CDC during fiscal year (FY) 2003. The 34 conditions were grouped into 15 categorical areas, and the relationship between budget and burden was analyzed using correlation and regression methods for each of the categorical areas and for each measure of burden.

Keepin' it R.E.A.L.!: results of a mother-adolescent HIV prevention program.

Background: The concern that adolescents may be placing themselves at risk for contracting HIV has led to widespread public and parental support for HIV prevention programs. Several programs on increasing communication between parents and teenagers have been tested, but the study of the impact of these programs on resulting sexual behavior is lacking.

Objective: To test the efficacy of two interventions for mothers and their adolescents in delaying initiation of sexual intercourse for youth who are not sexually active and encouraging the use of condoms among sexually active youth.

School-based physical fitness testing identifies large disparities in childhood overweight in Los Angeles.

Few data are available on the epidemic of childhood overweight in local jurisdictions. To determine the prevalence and identify demographic and socioeconomic correlates of childhood overweight, we assessed height and weight data on 281,630 Los Angeles County, CA, public school students collected during school-based physical fitness testing in 2001. Overweight prevalence was 20.

Vaccine effectiveness during a varicella outbreak among schoolchildren: Utah, 2002-2003.

Objectives: In the context of a chickenpox outbreak involving 2 Utah elementary schools, we conducted an investigation to assess vaccine effectiveness, describe illness severity, and examine risk factors for breakthrough varicella (ie, varicella in those who have been vaccinated).

Methods: All parents were asked to complete a questionnaire about their child's medical history. Parents of children with recent varicella were interviewed, and vaccination records were verified.

Family education and support interventions in heart failure: a pilot study.

Background: Self-management of dietary sodium restriction by persons with heart failure (HF) is difficult and usually occurs within the home setting and within a family context.

Objective: To compare a patient and family education (EDUC) intervention with a combined education and family partnership intervention (EDUC + FPI) for effects on improving dietary sodium self-management in persons with HF.

Methods: Patients with HF and a family member (FM) were randomized to EDUC (n = 29 dyads) or EDUC + FPI (n = 32 dyads).

The Seattle angina questionnaire: reliability and validity in women with chronic stable angina.

Angina pectoris causes substantial psychological and functional disability and adversely effects health-related quality of life, particularly in women. Studies of cardiac disease-specific quality of life in women with coronary artery disease and angina are limited because little reliability and validity data for these instruments exist for women. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine reliability and validity of the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ), a cardiac disease-related quality-of-life measure, in a sample of women with chronic stable angina.

Use of Care, Outcomes and Costs of a Culturally-based Perinatal Program for Asian American and Pacific Islander Women in Hawaii.

PURPOSE. This study examines whether psychosocial perinatal care services developed through community partnerships and cultural deference with attention to individual women's health issues, had an assocaited impact on use of prenatal care, birth outcomes and perinatal care costs for the three participating Asian Pacific Islander American ethinc groups. METHODS.