Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding HIV among medical students in Zagreb, Croatia.

Background: Medical students, as future health-care providers (HCPs) play a significant role in shaping attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and should possess adequate knowledge of this infection. The study aim was to assess knowledge about HIV among medical students of the University of Zagreb School of Medicine, and to determine the level of discriminatory attitudes towards PLWHA.

Methods: We assessed knowledge about epidemiology, treatment, and prevention of HIV by using closed-ended and multiple-choice questions.

Worrying increase in the risk of vertical transmission of syphilis in Croatia, 2020 to 2024.

Four infants potentially exposed to syphilis infection in utero, meeting World Health Organization surveillance criteria of congenital syphilis (CS), were diagnosed in Croatia between September 2020 and January 2024. We conducted a retrospective analysis of epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data of these cases to assess compliance with surveillance case definitions. As only one confirmed CS case has been reported in Croatia in over 2 decades, these reports signal an increased risk of syphilis vertical transmission and warrant strengthening antenatal screening.

HIV case reporting and HIV treatment outcomes in Qatar.

Aim: The aim of the paper is to provide an overview of available HIV case reporting and treatment data for in Qatar for the period 2015-2020.

Methods: HIV case reporting data were analyzed by sex and mode of transmission. To construct HIV care continuum from the data available, we obtained information on the total number of HIV diagnosed patients on antiretroviral treatment (ART) between January 1st 2015 and December 31st 2020, number of patients on ART who had an HIV viral load test and the number who were virally suppressed (defined as having the viral load of less than 1,000 copies/mL).

Self-reported HPV vaccination status and HPV vaccine hesitancy in a nationally representative sample of emerging adults in Croatia.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine self-reported human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination status among emerging adults in Croatia, intention to get the HPV vaccine among unvaccinated individuals and correlates of HPV vaccine hesitancy.

Methods: Data were collected via a cross-sectional survey based on a probabilistic national sample. The sample included 1,197 individuals aged 18-25 years (50.

Changes in sexually transmitted infections-related sexual risk-taking among young Croatian adults: a 2005-2021 three-wave population-based study.

Aim: To assess the prevalence and dynamics of risky sexual behaviors among Croatian emerging adults in the 2005-2021 period.

Methods: Three surveys were conducted on large-scale national samples of young adults aged 18-24 in 2005 (N=1092) and 18-25 in 2010 and 2021 (N=1005 and N=1210, respectively). The 2005 and 2010 studies were conducted with face-to-face interviews on stratified probabilistic samples.

HIV testing among incarcerated people with a history of HIV-related high-risk behaviours in Iran: Findings from three consecutive national bio-behavioural surveys.

Background: Incarcerated people are at a disproportionate risk of contracting HIV. We estimated the prevalence and correlates of HIV testing among incarcerated people with a history of HIV-related high-risk behaviours in Iran.

Methods: Data for this analysis were obtained from three consecutive nationwide bio-behavioural surveillance surveys of a random sample of incarcerated people in 2009 (n = 5953), 2013 (n = 5490), and 2017 (n = 5785).

Projected all-cause deaths attributable to COVID-19-related unemployment in Croatia in 2020.

Objectives: In 2020, Croatia reported the first increase in the unemployment rate after six consecutive years of reduction in the number of unemployed persons. Unemployment is associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality among unemployed persons. We estimated the number of potential excess deaths that could be associated with an increase in unemployment seen after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Availability of HIV surveillance data in key populations in the countries of the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Objectives: To present an assessment of key components and results of HIV surveillance activities relevant for understanding HIV epidemics in the countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region among key populations (KPs), which include men who have sex with men (MSM), sex workers, people who inject drugs and transgender people.

Methods: We examined HIV surveillance data submitted by the National AIDS Programmes of all 22 countries of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region via an online database hosted by the WHO since 2011. We also examined journal articles available on PubMed and technical reports on surveillance activities.

Surveillance and epidemiology of syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia in the non-European Union countries of the World Health Organization European Region, 2015 to 2020.

BackgroundEpidemics of sexually transmitted infections (STI) are a major public health challenge in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region.AimWe aimed to provide an overview of case reporting and other surveillance data for syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia for the non-European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) countries of the Centre and East part of the WHO European Region as per classification used by the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.MethodsData were provided by the surveillance agencies of the Member States for the period 2015 to 2019 through the WHO/Europe Communicable Diseases Annual Reporting Form.

HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B prevalence, related risk behaviours and correlates of condom use among transgender women in two cities in Sri Lanka: findings from respondent-driven sampling surveys.

Unlabelled: Background Biobehavioural data on transgender women (TGW) are limited globally.

Methods: We used data collected as part of the 2017-18 National Integrated HIV Biobehavioural Survey, which included 254 TGW in Colombo and 252 in Jaffna, for structured questionnaire interviews and biological testing. We performed multivariable logistic regression analysis to explore factors associated with condom use.

Beach boys in Galle, Sri Lanka: multiple HIV risk behaviours and potential for HIV bridging.

Background: There are limited data globally on HIV in men who engage in casual and transactional sex with female tourists.

Methods: In 2018 we carried out a respondent-driven sampling (RDS) survey among beach boys in Galle, Sri Lanka, to determine prevalence of HIV and other infections, HIV risk behaviours and utilisation of HIV prevention services. Eligibility criteria included men who cruise in and around beach areas and who had anal and/or vaginal sex with female or male tourists in the 12 months before the survey.

HIV prevalence, sexual risk behaviours and HIV testing among female sex workers in three cities in Sri Lanka: Findings from respondent-driven sampling surveys.

Sri Lanka has a low-level HIV epidemic. This study aims to provide evidence on HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B (HBV) prevalence, sexual risk behaviours and utilisation of HIV prevention interventions among female sex workers (FSW) in the cities Colombo, Galle, and Kandy. Using respondent-driven sampling (RDS), we recruited a total of 458 FSW in Colombo, 360 in Galle and 362 in Kandy from November 2017 to March 2018.

Estimating the population size of female sex workers and transgender women in Sri Lanka.

We implemented population size estimation of female sex workers (FSW) and transgender women (TGW) in Sri Lanka in 2018 using several approaches (geographical mapping, service and unique object multiplier and a modified Delphi method during the stakeholder consensus meeting). Mapping was done in 49 randomly selected Divisional Secretariats, which provided a basis for extrapolation of size estimates to the national level. Two types of adjustments were applied on the mean (minimum-maximum) population estimate obtained during mapping: (1) an adjustment for mobility to reduce double counting of FSW and TGW frequenting multiple spots, obtained during mapping; (2) an adjustment for "a hidden population", obtained from surveys among FSW and TGW.

Overdose mortality rates in Croatia and factors associated with self-reported drug overdose among persons who inject drugs in three Croatian cities.

Background: Drug overdose is the major cause of morbidity and mortality among persons who inject drugs (PWID). We assessed factors associated with the non-fatal drug overdose among PWID in three Croatian cities and national trends of overdose-related mortality (OM), and rates of uptake of opioid agonist drug treatment (OAT).

Methods: We used a respondent-driven sampling method to recruit 830 PWID in Zagreb, Split and Rijeka in 2014/2015.

HIV Strategic Information in Non-European Union Countries in the World Health Organization European Region: Capacity Development Needs.

Background: Capacity building of the national HIV strategic information system is a core component of the response to the HIV epidemic as it enables understanding of the evolving nature of the epidemic, which is critical for program planning and identification of the gaps and deficiencies in HIV programs.

Objective: The study aims to describe the results of the assessment of the needs for further development of capacities in HIV strategic information systems in the non-European Union (EU) countries in the World Health Organization European Region (EUR).

Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to national AIDS programs.

HIV prevalence and related risk behaviours in female seasonal farm workers in Souss Massa Draa, Morocco: results from a cross-sectional survey using cluster-based sampling.

Objectives: To determine prevalence of HIV and HIV-related behaviours in female seasonal farm workers (FSFWs) in two provinces of Souss Massa Draa (SMD) region in Morocco. SMD has a higher burden of HIV compared with other parts of Morocco and is characterised by a substantial aggregation of FSFW.

Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional HIV biobehavioural survey using cluster-based sampling of farms in the provinces Chtouka Aït Baha and Taroudant Ouled Teïma in 2014.

Correlates of anti-hepatitis C positivity and use of harm reduction services among people who inject drugs in two cities in Croatia.

Background: We assessed correlates of anti-hepatitis C (anti-HCV) positivity and utilization of needle and syringe exchange programs (NSEP) and opioid agonist treatment (OAT) among people who inject drugs (PWID) in two Croatian cities.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using respondent-driven (RDS) sampling among PWID in Rijeka (N=255) and Split (N=399). We used RDS-weighted population estimates and multivariable logistic regression to explore correlates of anti-HCV positivity and NSEP and OAT utilization.

Misclassification of men with reported HIV infection in Ukraine.

We analyzed data on reported mode of transmission in case reports of HIV-infections among men in Ukraine. The number of men who were reported to have acquired HIV through heterosexual transmission increased substantially in 2006-2011. However, we estimate that up to 40 % of reported cases of heterosexual transmission among men may actually represent misclassified men who have sex with men or persons who inject drugs.

Prevalence of HIV and other infections and correlates of needle and syringe sharing among people who inject drugs in Podgorica, Montenegro: a respondent-driven sampling survey.

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) have significantly higher rates of blood borne and sexually transmitted infections due to unsafe injecting practices and risky sexual behaviors.

Methods: We carried out an HIV bio-behavioral survey using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in people who use drugs (PWID) in Podgorica, Montenegro in 2013 in order to determine the prevalence of HIV, hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and risk behaviors. Data were analyzed using RDS Analyst and SPSS 12.

HIV risks and HIV prevention among female sex workers in two largest urban settings in Croatia, 2008-2014.

Harm reduction-based HIV prevention has been in place among female sex workers (FSWs) in Croatia for more than a decade. However, little is known about how well the existing programs meet the needs of FSWs in an environment where sex work remains criminalized and highly stigmatized. This study aims to assess changes in FSWs' vulnerability to HIV infection in the 2008-2014 period.

Slowing of the HIV epidemic in Ukraine: evidence from case reporting and key population surveys, 2005-2012.

Background: Ukraine developed Europe's most severe HIV epidemic due to widespread transmission among persons who inject drugs (PWID). Since 2004, prevention has focused on key populations; antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage has increased. Recent data show increases in reported HIV cases through 2011, especially attributed to sexual transmission, but also signs of potential epidemic slowing.