Testing, diagnosis, and treatment following the implementation of a program to provide dried blood spot testing for HIV and hepatitis C infections: the NSW DBS Pilot.

Background: Dried blood spot (DBS) testing provides an alternative to phlebotomy and addresses barriers to accessing healthcare experienced by some key populations. Large-scale evaluations of DBS testing programs are needed to understand their feasibility. This study evaluated the implementation of a state-wide DBS HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing pilot.

Hepatitis C Treatment Uptake Following Dried Blood Spot Testing for Hepatitis C RNA in New South Wales, Australia: The NSW DBS Pilot Study.

Background: Dried blood spot (DBS) testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA provides a sampling option that avoids venepuncture and can be carried out in a nonclinical setting. Large-scale evaluations are needed to understand how DBS testing can reduce HCV burden. This study estimated prevalence of, and factors associated with, HCV RNA and treatment initiation among people enrolled in a state-wide pilot of people testing in the NSW DBS Pilot in New South Wales, Australia.

Evaluation of serological assays for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing from dried blood spots collected from cohorts with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Background: Dried blood spot (DBS) specimens are a useful serosurveillance tool particularly in hard-to-reach populations but their application for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection is poorly characterised.

Objectives: To compare detection of naturally acquired SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in paired DBS and serum specimens using commercially available serological immunoassays.

Study Design: Specimens were collected through St Vincent's Hospital observational post COVID-19 cohort study (ADAPT).

A national survey integrating clinical, laboratory, and WASH data to determine the typology of trachoma in Nauru.

Background: The epidemiology of trachoma in several Pacific Islands differs from other endemic settings, in that there is a high prevalence of clinical signs of trachoma, particularly trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF), but few cases of trichiasis and limited evidence of ocular chlamydial infection. This so-called "Pacific enigma" has led to uncertainty regarding the appropriate public health response. In 2019 alongside Nauru's national trachoma population survey, we performed bacteriological and serological assessments of children to better understand the typology of trachoma and to determine whether there is a need for trachoma interventions.

Act, Talk, Reflect, Then Act: The Role of Natural Mentors in The Critical Consciousness of Ethnically/Racially Diverse College Students.

The current mixed-method study examined the role of natural mentors in the cyclical process of college students' sociopolitical development, particularly their critical consciousness. College students (N = 145) completed surveys at two time points over a one-year period. Path analyses indicated that critical action and perceived inequalities were significantly associated with more social justice conversations with mentors and that having more social justice conversations with mentors was significantly associated with more critical action and perceived inequality.

Emerging Adults' Social Justice Engagement: Motivations, Barriers, and Social Identity.

This study examines emerging adults' perceived motivations and barriers to social justice engagement, and how their social identities shape involvement. We conducted in-depth interviews with service-learning students (n = 30). Thematic analysis of interview data revealed that participants perceived several motivations and barriers to engagement, including the following: (a) the current political climate, (b) self-efficacy to make small-scale changes, (c) social support in action, (d) proximity to the social issue, (e) knowledge of resources, and (f) limited personal resources.

Feminist Activism and YPAR: Privileged Girls Interrupt Rape Culture.

This research focuses on a community-based project that foregrounds youth-led participatory action research with privileged youth. The youth's work involved interrogation of, and resistance strategies for, rape culture. Research findings demonstrate that youth came to see that rape culture has deep roots and disrupting it depends on naming its reality within their lives and its systemic foundations.

Evaluation of the Aptima HCV Quant Dx Assay for Hepatitis C Virus RNA Detection from Fingerstick Capillary Dried Blood Spot and Venepuncture-Collected Samples.

Background: Simplified diagnostic strategies are needed increase hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing to determine active infection and link people into treatment. Collection methods such as dried blood spots (DBS) have advantages over standard phlebotomy, especially within marginalized populations.

Methods: We evaluated the diagnostic performance of the Aptima HCV Quant assay for the quantification and detection of HCV RNA from paired DBS and venepuncture samples.

Estimating the Consensus hepatitis C Cascade of Care among people who inject drugs in Australia: Pre and post availability of direct acting antiviral therapy.

Background Monitoring the hepatitis C virus (HCV) cascade of care (CoC) among people who inject drugs (PWID) is an essential component of the response to World Health Organisation's (WHO) hepatitis elimination goals. This study aimed to estimate the Consensus hepatitis C CoC among PWID using data collected in Australia prior to and after the introduction of unrestricted direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy in March 2016. Methods The Australian Needle Syringe Program Survey is a cross-sectional bio-behavioural surveillance system that recruits >2000 PWID annually.

Evaluation of a hepatitis C virus core antigen assay from venepuncture and dried blood spot collected samples: A cohort study.

The global scale-up of hepatitis C virus (HCV) diagnosis requires simplified and affordable HCV diagnostic pathways. This study evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the HCV Architect core antigen (HCVcAg) assay for detection of active HCV infection in plasma and capillary whole blood dried blood spots (DBS) compared with HCV RNA testing in plasma (Abbott RealTime HCV Viral Load). Samples were collected from participants in an observational cohort enrolled at three sites in Australia (two-drug treatment and alcohol clinics and one homelessness service).

Performance evaluation of the Hologic Aptima HCV Quant Dx assay for detection of HCV RNA from dried blood spots.

Background: The availability of effective direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) has led to a need for simplified diagnostic pathways. Barriers to treatment uptake, specifically in people who inject drugs and in remote and resource limited settings, may be overcome by utilizing novel collection methods, such as dried blood spots (DBS). However, there are currently no registered assays for HCV RNA testing from DBS samples.

Association between rapid utilisation of direct hepatitis C antivirals and decline in the prevalence of viremia among people who inject drugs in Australia.

Background & Aims: The World Health Organization (WHO) established targets to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection as a public health threat by 2030. Evidence that HCV treatment can lower viraemic prevalence among people who inject drugs (PWID) is limited. Broad accessibility of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy in Australia, since March 2016, provides an opportunity to assess the efficacy of these treatments at a population level in a real-world setting.

Evaluation of a Hepatitis C Virus Core Antigen Assay in Plasma and Dried Blood Spot Samples.

Simplified, affordable tools to diagnose active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are needed to scale up treatment. This study evaluated the analytical performance of HCV core antigen (HCVcAg) detection in samples of plasma and dried venous blood spots (DBSs). Paired plasma and DBS samples were prepared from remnant diagnostic samples, and plasma HCV RNA and HCVcAg were quantified.

Evaluation of the Xpert HCV Viral Load Finger-Stick Point-of-Care Assay.

Point-of-care hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA testing is advantageous, enabling diagnosis of active infection in a single visit. This study evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the Xpert HCV Viral Load Finger-Stick assay (Xpert HCV VL FS) for HCV RNA detection (finger-stick) and the Xpert HCV Viral Load assay (plasma) compared with the Abbott RealTime HCV Viral Load assay by venepuncture. Plasma and finger-stick capillary whole-blood samples were collected from participants in an observational cohort in Australia.

Estimating the cascade of hepatitis C testing, care and treatment among people who inject drugs in Australia.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is endemic among people who inject drugs (PWID) globally. Despite high prevalence, treatment uptake is low, with cumulative uptake <10% in most settings. This study aimed to populate the cascade of HCV testing, care and treatment among PWID using data collected in Australia prior to the introduction of broadly accessible interferon-free direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies in March 2016.

Evaluation of the Xpert HCV Viral Load point-of-care assay from venepuncture-collected and finger-stick capillary whole-blood samples: a cohort study.

Background: Point-of-care hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA testing offers an advantage over antibody testing (which only indicates previous exposure), enabling diagnosis of active infection in a single visit. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the Xpert HCV Viral Load assay with venepuncture and finger-stick capillary whole-blood samples.

Methods: Plasma and finger-stick capillary whole-blood samples were collected from participants in an observational cohort enrolled at five sites in Australia (three drug and alcohol clinics, one homelessness service, and one needle and syringe programme).

A comparison of seminal hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels during recent and chronic HCV infection in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected individuals.

Background: We aimed to characterize seminal hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA dynamics in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive men with acute HCV infection given its potential role in sexual transmission of HCV.

Methods: Men with acute HCV infection (duration, ≤12 months) or chronic HCV infection (duration, >12 months) were prospectively recruited. Paired semen and blood samples were assayed for HCV RNA levels.

Men's gendered constructions of intimate partner violence as predictors of court-mandated batterer treatment drop out.

The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning men make of their violence toward intimate partners and to examine if and how these meanings and constructions of violence predicted who drops out of batterer treatment prior to program completion. We used both qualitative and quantitative data collected from 154 men court-mandated to participate in a batterer intervention program. The qualitative findings indicated that the men in this sample minimized and denied responsibility for the violence they used towards their intimate partners while simultaneously rationalizing and justifying their violent behavior.

Male-initiated partner abuse during marital separation prior to divorce.

The purpose of this study was to assess predictors of male-initiated psychological and physical partner abuse during the separation process prior to divorce among a sample of 80 divorced fathers who reported no physical violence during their marriages. The predictor variables examined were male gender-role identity, female-initiated divorces, dependence on one's former wife, depression, anxiety, and coparental conflict. Through ordinary least square (OLS) regression techniques, it was found that male gender-role identity was positively related to male-initiated psychological abuse during separation.