Sexually Transmitted Infection Risks and Symptoms Heightened Among Female Sex Workers who Started Selling Sex Before the Age of 18 in Five Cities in Cameroon.

Many adolescents under 18 years old who sell sex are at elevated risk for sexually transmitted infection (STI) acquisition, which may persist into adulthood. There has been limited study of the burden of the risks and vulnerabilities among women who started selling sex as adolescents across Sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, a Adult female sex workers (FSW) recruited through respondent-driven sampling in five cities in Cameroon from December 2015 to October 2016 completed a questionnaire and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis testing.

The relationship between underage initiation of selling sex and depression among female sex workers in Eswatini.

Background: Minors who sell sex are likely to have complex mental health needs that may persist into adulthood. This topic is understudied in sub-Saharan Africa. This study hypothesized that adult female sex workers in Eswatini who started selling sex as minors have a higher prevalence of depression than those who started as adults.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Service Needs Associated with Underage Initiation of Selling Sex among Adult Female Sex Workers in Guinea-Bissau.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and predictors of underage initiation of selling sex among female sex workers (FSW) in Guinea-Bissau.

Methods: 505 adult FSW recruited using respondent-driven sampling were surveyed in 2017. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial characteristics associated with initiation of selling sex while underage (<18 years).

Person-centered patterns of substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic and their associations with COVID-related impacts on health and personal finances in young Black and White women.

Background: Population-level statistics on pandemic-related change in substance use can obscure patterns of use (e.g., polysubstance use) within individuals.

"The only safe way to find a partner": Rethinking sex and risk online in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Despite the Internet's global importance as a sex-seeking venue for men who have sex with men (MSM) and other sexual and gender minorities, little is known about this topic in sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, existing public health research offers limited insight into the socio-cultural aspects of sexuality and how they articulate with patterns in online sex-seeking behavior. In 2015, we conducted survey and ethnographic research with 105 sexual and gender minorities in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Building Community Capacity for Qualitative Research to Improve Pregnancy Intention Screening.

Background: Community-based participatory research (CBPR), with an emphasis on co-learning and collaboration, holds promise for exploring the pregnancy intention (PI) screening needs of Latina patients and their health care providers. We describe a CBPR partnership exploring PI screening processes at a federally qualified health center in New York City, and lessons learned related to community participation, training, and collaboration between partners.

Methods: Stakeholders convened a community advisory board (CAB) to carry out CBPR.

"If You Don't Ask, I'm Not Going to Tell You": Using Community-Based Participatory Research to Inform Pregnancy Intention Screening Processes for Black and Latina Women in Primary Care.

Background: Public health and medical professional organizations recommend screening women of reproductive age for pregnancy intention (PI) routinely in primary care. Existing PI screening tools may not address the complexity of intentions for women of color or lower socioeconomic status or be well-suited to primary care settings. This study sought to inform recommendations for carrying out PI screening meaningfully in primary care settings.

Primary care providers' responses to pregnancy intention screening challenges: community-based participatory research at an urban community health centre.

Background: Incorporating pregnancy intention screening into primary care to address unmet preconception and contraception needs may improve delivery of family planning services. A notable research gap exists regarding providers' experiences conducting this screening in primary care.

Objective: To explore primary care providers' perceived challenges in conducting pregnancy intention screening with women of reproductive age and to identify strategies to discuss this in primary care settings.

Characterising the relationship between migration and stigma affecting healthcare engagement among female sex workers in Lomé, Togo.

Migration in West Africa is common and complicates the sustained delivery of comprehensive HIV care programmes for those with specific vulnerabilities to HIV, including female sex workers (FSW). This study evaluated whether migration potentiates the burden of stigma affecting FSW in Lomé, Togo. Respondent driven sampling identified 354 FSW who completed HIV testing and a questionnaire.

Development and reliability of metrics to characterize types and sources of stigma among men who have sex with men and female sex workers in Togo and Burkina Faso.

Background: Stigma is a multifaceted concept that potentiates Human Immunodeficiency Virus and sexually transmitted infection acquisition and transmission risks among key populations, including men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSW). Despite extensive stigma literature, limited research has characterized the types and sources of stigma reported by key populations in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: This study leveraged data collected from 1356 MSM and 1383 FSW in Togo and Burkina Faso, recruited via respondent-driven sampling.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among men who have sex with men: results of the first integrated biological and behavioral survey in Burkina Faso, West Africa.

Background: Many men who have sex with men (MSM) are at significant risk for HIV infection. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of HIV infection among MSM in Burkina Faso.

Methods: A cross-sectional biological and behavioral survey was conducted from January to August 2013 among MSM in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso.

Hepatitis B, C, and D virus and human T-cell leukemia virus types 1 and 2 infections and correlates among men who have sex with men in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are considered to be at significant risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI) and bloodborne viruses including viral hepatitis types B, C, and D (HBV, HCV, and HDV) and human T-cell leukemia virus types 1 and 2 (HTLV 1&2). This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence and correlates of HBV, HCV, HDV, and HTLV 1&2 antibodies among MSM in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey to assess the biological and behavourial characteristics among MSM in Ouagadougou from January to April 2013.

Syphilis among Female Sex Workers: Results of Point-of-Care Screening during a Cross-Sectional Behavioral Survey in Burkina Faso, West Africa.

Background: Syphilis among female sex workers (FSW) remains a public health concern due to its potential impact on their health and the possibility of transmission to their clients, partners, and children. Recent data on the prevalence of syphilis in the population in West Africa are scarce. The objective of this study was to measure the seroprevalence of syphilis serological markers among female sex workers in Burkina Faso.

Pros and Cons of 19 Sport-Related Concussion Educational Resources in Canada: Avenues for Better Care and Prevention.

The goal of this research was to assess the effectiveness of available concussion educational resources in Canada, the means used to disseminate this knowledge and the impact of these educational resources on players' concussion prevention knowledge. We assessed concussion knowledge before and after exposure to one or more of 19 resources introduced through a national program aimed to increase awareness and knowledge of concussion. The effectiveness of the mode of delivery was measured by changes in concussion knowledge scores (CKS) between pre and pro scores.

HIV risks and needs related to the Sustainable Development Goals among female sex workers who were commercially sexually exploited as children in Lesotho.

Introduction: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) about gender equality; decent work; and peace, justice, and strong institutions include a focus on eradicating trafficking and sexual exploitation of and violence against women and children. In Lesotho, 86% of women have experienced gender-based violence. In addition, overall HIV prevalence is among the highest globally, and higher among adolescent girls than boys.

HIV among Female Sex Workers in Five Cities in Burkina Faso: A Cross-Sectional Baseline Survey to Inform HIV/AIDS Programs.

Background: Female sex workers (FSWs) are considered a vulnerable population for HIV infection and a priority for HIV/AIDS response programs. This study aimed to determine HIV prevalence among FSWs in five cities in Burkina Faso.

Methods: FSWs aged 18 and older were recruited using respondent driven sampling (RDS) in five cities (Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, Koudougou, Ouahigouya, and Tenkodogo) in Burkina Faso from 2013 to 2014.

Measuring stigma affecting sex workers (SW) and men who have sex with men (MSM): A systematic review.

Background: Stigma involves discrediting a person or group based on a perceived attribute, behaviour or reputation associated with them. Sex workers (SW) and men who have sex with men (MSM) are key populations who are often at increased risk for the acquisition and transmission of HIV and who are affected by stigma that can negatively impact their health and well-being. Although stigma was included as an indicator in the US National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan and there have been consultations focused on adding a stigma indicator within PEPFAR and the Global Fund in relation to potentiating HIV risks among key populations, there remains limited consensus on the appropriate measurement of SW- or MSM-associated stigma.

'WTF is PrEP?': attitudes towards pre-exposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men and transgender women in New York City.

In the USA, gay and other men who have sex with men and transgender women are disproportionately affected by HIV. Uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), anti-retroviral therapy to prevent HIV-negative individuals from seroconverting if exposed to HIV, by members of this population remains low, particularly among African-Americans. We conducted two focus groups to assess responses to an online social media campaign focusing on PrEP use in New York City.

Physical and Sexual Violence Affecting Female Sex Workers in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: Prevalence, and the Relationship with the Work Environment, HIV, and Access to Health Services.

Background: Violence is a human rights violation, and an important measure in understanding HIV among female sex workers (FSW). However, limited data exist regarding correlates of violence among FSW in Côte d'Ivoire. Characterizing prevalence and determinants of violence and the relationship with structural risks for HIV can inform development and implementation of comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment programs.

Using a social ecological framework to characterize the correlates of HIV among men who have sex with men in Lomé, Togo.

In the mixed and concentrated HIV epidemics of West Africa, the relative disproportionate burden of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) compared to other reproductive-age men is higher than that observed in Southern and Eastern Africa. Our aim is to describe the correlates of HIV infection among MSM living in Lomé, Togo, using the Modified Social Ecological Model (MSEM). A total of 354 MSM ≥18 years of age were recruited using respondent driven sampling (RDS) for a cross-sectional survey in Lomé, Togo.

Depressive symptoms and substance use as mediators of stigma affecting men who have sex with men in Lesotho: a structural equation modeling approach.

Purpose: Research on the relationship between sexual orientation-related stigma and risks for HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) is limited. This study tests a hypothesis that substance use and depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between stigma in the health care system and HIV-related risk practices among MSM in Maseru, Lesotho.

Methods: In 2014, we conducted a cross-sectional study among MSM in Lesotho accrued via respondent-driven sampling including a survey and biological testing for HIV.

Gender-based violence against female sex workers in Cameroon: prevalence and associations with sexual HIV risk and access to health services and justice.

Background/objectives: Female sex workers (FSWs) are at risk for HIV and physical and sexual gender-based violence (GBV). We describe the prevalence of lifetime GBV and its associations with HIV risk behaviour, access to health services and barriers in accessing justice among FSWs in Cameroon.

Methods: FSWs (n=1817) were recruited for a cross-sectional study through snowball sampling in seven cities in Cameroon.