Beyond HIV prevention: Additional individual and community-level benefits of PrEP among Latino gay and bisexual men.

Background: HIV infections disproportionately impact Latino gay and bisexual men (GBM) in the United States. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a proven prevention strategy that can help reduce new HIV infections in this population. Unfortunately, PrEP adoption and persistence among Latino GBM remain low.

COVID-19 prevention behaviors, trust, and intent to vaccinate among youth at risk for HIV.

The current study examines COVID-19 prevention behaviors and vaccine intentions among 83 youth at high risk for HIV. Most youth self-identified as Latinx (52%), cisgender men (84%), and homosexual (66%). Youth self-reported COVID-19 prevention behaviors and intentions to vaccinate.

A Mobile Intervention to Link Young Female Entertainment Workers in Cambodia to Health and Gender-Based Violence Services: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Female entertainment workers (FEWs) in Cambodia experience a greater prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), psychological distress, substance abuse, and gender-based violence (GBV) than the general female population. Reaching FEWs with health education and linking them to services has been difficult because of their hidden and stigmatized status.

Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy of the Mobile Link intervention in improving FEWs' health by engaging and connecting them to existing HIV, sexual and reproductive health, and GBV services.

Material Insecurity, Racial Capitalism, and Public Health.

In the influential 1995 article "Social Conditions as Fundamental Causes of Disease," Bruce Link and Jo Phelan described social and political factors as "fundamental causes" of death and disease. Whitney Pirtle has recently declared racial capitalism another such fundamental cause. Using the case of the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, she has argued that racial capitalism's role in that situation meets each of the criteria Link and Phelan's article outlines: racial capitalism influenced multiple disease outcomes, affected disease outcomes through multiple risk factors, involved access to flexible resources that can be used to minimize both risks and the consequences of disease, and was reproduced over time through the continual replacement of intervening mechanisms.

Social Networks and Exchange Sex among Transgender Women.

Transgender women are more likely to exchange sex than cisgender individuals. This study investigated how social networks were associated with exchange sex among transgender women in Los Angeles County. From July 2015 to September 2016, transgender women (N = 271; "egos") reported their sexual and substance use behaviors and perceptions of the same behaviors among their peers (N = 2,619; "alters").

A pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of daily versus weekly interactive voice response calls to support adherence among antiretroviral treatment patients in India.

Background: There are more than two million people living with HIV (PLH) in India, with more than 30% on antiretroviral treatment (ART) estimated to be non-adherent. This study aimed to (I) document adherence rates and related factors among ART patients in a large ART clinic in India, and (II) pilot test daily and weekly interactive voice response (IVR) calls to improve ART adherence and related outcomes.

Methods: ART patients reporting missing at least one dose in prior 6 months (N=362) were enrolled and assessed via self-report and medical record review.

PrEP discontinuation among Latino/a and Black MSM and transgender women: A need for PrEP support services.

Purpose: Disparities persist in HIV infection among Black and Latino men who have sex with men (BLMSM) and Black and Latina transgender women (BLTW). Increasing uptake and subsequent consistent use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), an effective biomedical strategy for preventing HIV acquisition, can dramatically reduce HIV incidence in these populations. The purpose of this study was to explore reasons for PrEP discontinuation among BLMSM and BLTW living in Los Angeles County to inform the development of support services for these populations to remain persistent with their PrEP regimen.

Delivering PrEP to adults with "low" or "no" HIV risk and youth: experiences and perspectives of PrEP providers.

Health care providers have an important role to play in expanding PrEP uptake to populations disproportionately burdened by HIV. In this study, in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 PrEP providers in Los Angeles, California to explore their experiences and perspectives prescribing PrEP. Overall, the findings indicate that providers generally adhered to US CDC clinical guidelines in determining PrEP eligibility.

Barriers and motivators to pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among Black and Latina transgender women in Los Angeles: perspectives of current PrEP users.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify barriers and motivators to PrEP uptake from the perspective of Black and Latina transgender women (TW) who are currently using PrEP to suggest intervention and outreach activities to increase PrEP uptake in this population. The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model guided the development of the semi-structured interview guide. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the data.

Exposure to Police and Client Violence Among Incarcerated Female Sex Workers in Baltimore City, Maryland.

To determine the rate and correlates of incarceration among street-based female sex workers (FSWs). From April 2016 to January 2017, FSWs (n = 250) in Baltimore City, Maryland, were enrolled in a 12-month prospective cohort study. We analyzed baseline data and used zero-inflated negative binomial regression to model the incarceration rate.

Translating the theory of intersectionality into quantitative and mixed methods for empirical gender transformative research on health.

Intersectionality theory has been used primarily in legal research to provide a framework for understanding the experiences of populations situated within multiple systems of oppression, particularly in relation to anti-discrimination law and gender-based violence. Gender transformative approaches to health seek to move beyond individual-level change and instead centre on restructuring the power relationships that create and maintain gender inequalities. Intersectionality theory is well-suited for the study of gender transformation on health, but there is a lack of consensus on clearly defined intersectional methodology in the field of public health, particularly for quantitative studies.

Experiences of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Stigma, Social Support, and Information Dissemination Among Black and Latina Transgender Women Who Are Using Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.

In the United States, HIV disproportionally affects Black and Latina transgender women (BLTW). Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a proven biomedical method for preventing HIV acquisition. However, the social stigma attached to using PrEP may deter uptake and persistence of PrEP among BLTW, two highly vulnerable populations.

Sexually Transmitted Infection Positivity Among Adolescents With or at High-Risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Los Angeles and New Orleans.

Background: Gay, bisexual, and transgender youth and homeless youth are at high risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, little recent data exist describing STI positivity by anatomical site among those groups. We determined the positivity of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infection, and syphilis antibody reactivity among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and homeless youth.

Text Messaging to Improve Linkage, Retention, and Health Outcomes Among HIV-Positive Young Transgender Women: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Text Me, Girl!).

Background: Transgender women in the United States experience numerous risk factors for HIV acquisition and transmission, including increased rates of homelessness, alcohol and drug use, sex work, and nonprescribed hormone and soft tissue-filler injections. In addition, transgender women face discrimination and social/economic marginalization more intense and deleterious than that experienced by lesbian, gay, or bisexual individuals, further worsening health outcomes. Although little research has been done specifically with young transgender women aged 35 years and younger, existing evidence suggests even further elevated rates of homelessness, substance use, and engagement in HIV transmission risk behaviors relative to their older transgender women and nontransgender young adult counterparts.

A Promising PrEP Navigation Intervention for Transgender Women and Men Who Have Sex with Men Experiencing Multiple Syndemic Health Disparities.

Transgender women and MSM experience many stigma-related syndemic conditions that exacerbate HIV incidence and prevalence rates. While PrEP is an effective biomedical intervention to reduce HIV transmission, uptake and adherence of PrEP is low among transgender women and MSM experiencing multiple syndemic health disparities. This study tested the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of A.

Experiences of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)-Related Stigma among Black MSM PrEP Users in Los Angeles.

Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV infection in the USA. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a proven efficacious biomedical prevention strategy with the potential to alter significantly the course of the epidemic in this population. However, the social stigma attached to PrEP and those who use it may act as a barrier to the uptake and continuation of PrEP among high-risk BMSM.

Correction: Gender disparities in depression severity and coping among people living with HIV/AIDS in Kolkata, India.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Experiences of Anticipated and Enacted Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Stigma Among Latino MSM in Los Angeles.

Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) are a group critically affected by HIV. Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a biomedical prevention strategy that can help reduce new infections in this population. However, PrEP use may expose users to experiences of PrEP-related stigma.

Gender disparities in depression severity and coping among people living with HIV/AIDS in Kolkata, India.

People living with HIV/AIDS (PLH) experience high rates of depression and related psychosocial risk factors that vary by gender. This study examines gender differences in depression severity among antiretroviral therapy (ART) patients (n = 362) from a large government ART clinic in Kolkata, India. Hypotheses for multiple linear regression models were guided by an integrated gendered stress process model focusing on variables reflecting social status (age, partner status), stressors (stigma), and resources (income, social support).

Consistent Condom Use by Married and Cohabiting Female Sex Workers in India: Investigating Relational Norms with Commercial Versus Intimate Partners.

This study examines determinants of consistent condom use (CCU) among married and cohabiting female sex workers (FSW) in India. Although CCU with clients is normative in the study area, most FSW do not consistently use condoms with intimate partners. Multiple logistic regression models indicated that condom use with intimate partners was associated with relationship status, cohabitation, HIV knowledge, STI symptoms, and being offered more money for sex without a condom by clients.

Correction to: Consistent Condom Use by Female Sex Workers in Kolkata, India: Testing Theories of Economic Insecurity, Behavior Change, Life Course Vulnerability and Empowerment.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained an error. The authors would like to correct the error with this erratum.

Consistent Condom Use by Female Sex Workers in Kolkata, India: Testing Theories of Economic Insecurity, Behavior Change, Life Course Vulnerability and Empowerment.

Consistent condom use (CCU) is the primary HIV/STI prevention option available to sex workers globally but may be undermined by economic insecurity, life-course vulnerabilities, behavioral factors, disempowerment, or lack of effective interventions. This study examines predictors of CCU in a random household survey of brothel-based female sex workers (n = 200) in two neighborhoods served by Durbar (the Sonagachi Project) in Kolkata, India. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that CCU was significantly associated with perceived HIV risk, community mobilization participation, working more days in sex work, and higher proportion of occasional clients to regular clients.

"Whatever I have, I have made by coming into this profession": the intersection of resources, agency, and achievements in pathways to sex work in Kolkata, India.

This article investigated the complex interplay of choice, socioeconomic structural factors, and empowerment influencing engagement in sex work. The analysis was focused on pathways into and reasons for staying in sex work from in-depth qualitative interviews with participants (n = 37) recruited from the Durbar community-led structural intervention in Kolkata, India. Kabeer's theory of empowerment focused on resources, agency, and achievements was utilized to interpret the results.