Hot, horny and healthy-online intervention to incentivize HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing among young Mexican MSM: a feasibility study.

Background: Encouraging Mexican men who have sex with men (MSM) to learn about and get tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is essential not only to initiate early treatment and reduce complications related to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) but also to avoid new infections. HIV testing for MSM in Mexico remains a challenge, in part because of the stigma and discrimination they face in their daily lives and perceived discrimination in health care services. Thus, innovative approaches are needed to increase the uptake of health prevention services among this population.

Costs and economies of scale in the accelerated program for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Zimbabwe.

Background: Despite a growing body of literature on HIV service costs in sub-Saharan Africa, only a few studies have estimated the facility-level cost of prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services, and even fewer provide insights into the variation of PMTCT costs across facilities. In this study, we present the first empirical costs estimation of the accelerated program for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Zimbabwe and investigate the determinants of heterogeneity of the facility-level average cost per service. To understand such variation, we explored the association between average costs per service and supply-and demand-side characteristics, and quality of services.

Protocol for the evaluation of the population-level impact of Zimbabwe's prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission program option B+: a community based serial cross-sectional study.

Background: WHO recommends that HIV infected women receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) minimally during pregnancy and breastfeeding ("Option B"), or ideally throughout their lives regardless of clinical stage ("Option B+") (Coovadia et al., Lancet 379:221-228, 2012). Although these recommendations were based on clinical trials demonstrating the efficacy of ART during pregnancy and breastfeeding, the population-level effectiveness of Option B+ is unknown, as are retention on ART beyond the immediate post-partum period, and the relative impact and cost-effectiveness of Option B+ compared to Option A (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 62:148-151, 2013; Ahmed et al.

Unintended pregnancy and subsequent postpartum long-acting reversible contraceptive use in Zimbabwe.

Background: The postpartum period is an opportune time for contraception adoption, as women have extended interaction with the reproductive healthcare system and therefore more opportunity to learn about and adopt contraceptive methods. This may be especially true for women who experience unintended pregnancy, a key target population for contraceptive programs and programs to eliminate mother-to-child HIV transmission. Among women in Zimbabwe surveyed in 2014, we examined the relationship between pregnancy intention associated with a woman's most recent pregnancy, and her subsequent postpartum contraceptive use.

pilot study results of an intervention using gamification to increase HIV screening among young men who have sex with men in California.

Background: In the United States, young men who have sex with men (YMSM) experience a disproportionate burden of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Mobile health (mHealth) interventions, including those that incorporate elements of games ("gamification"), have the potential to improve YMSM engagement in desirable sexual health services and behaviors. Gamification leverages theory and tools from behavioral science to motivate people to engage in a behavior in a context of fun.

An Intervention Using Gamification to Increase Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men in California: Rationale and Design of Stick To It.

Background: In the United States, young men who have sex with men (YMSM) remain disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Although routine HIV/STI screening is pivotal to the timely diagnosis of HIV and STIs, initiation of appropriate treatment, and reduced onward disease transmission, repeat screening is underused. Novel interventions that incorporate elements of games, an approach known as gamification, have the potential to increase routinization of HIV/STI screening among YMSM.

HIV-1 Vertical Transmission in Zimbabwe in 622 Mother and Infant Pairs: Rethinking the Contribution of Mannose Binding Lectin Deficiency in Africa.

Vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a major global health problem. We assessed the association of mannose binding lectin (MBL) deficiency and vertical transmission of HIV. Novel diagnostics would be a major breakthrough in this regard.

Targeting elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission efforts using geospatial analysis of mother-to-child HIV transmission in Zimbabwe.

Background: We assessed Zimbabwe's progress toward elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission (MTCT) under Option A.

Methods: We analyzed 2012 and 2014 cross-sectional serosurvey data from mother-infant pairs residing in the same 157 health facility catchment areas randomly sampled from five provinces. Eligible women were at least 16 years and mothers/caregivers of infants born 9-18 months prior.

Option A improved HIV-free infant survival and mother to child HIV transmission at 9-18 months in Zimbabwe.

Objective: We evaluated the impact of Option A on HIV-free infant survival and mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) in Zimbabwe.

Design: Serial cross-sectional community-based serosurveys.

Methods: We analyzed serosurvey data collected in 2012 and 2014 among mother-infant pairs from catchment areas of 132 health facilities from five of 10 provinces in Zimbabwe.

Facility-based delivery in the context of Zimbabwe's HIV epidemic--missed opportunities for improving engagement with care: a community-based serosurvey.

Background: In developing countries, facility-based delivery is recommended for maternal and neonatal health, and for prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT). However, little is known about whether or not learning one's HIV status affects one's decision to deliver in a health facility. We examined this association in Zimbabwe.

Evaluating the Impact of Zimbabwe's Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission Program: Population-Level Estimates of HIV-Free Infant Survival Pre-Option A.

Objective: We estimated HIV-free infant survival and mother-to-child HIV transmission (MTCT) rates in Zimbabwe, some of the first community-based estimates from a UNAIDS priority country.

Methods: In 2012 we surveyed mother-infant pairs residing in the catchment areas of 157 health facilities randomly selected from 5 of 10 provinces in Zimbabwe. Enrolled infants were born 9-18 months before the survey.

Implementation and Operational Research: Uptake of Services and Behaviors in the Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission Cascade in Zimbabwe.

Objective: To examine the uptake of services and behaviors in the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) cascade in Zimbabwe and to determine factors associated with MTCT and maternal antiretroviral therapy (ART) or antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis.

Design: Analysis of cross-sectional data from mother-infant pairs.

Methods: We analyzed baseline data collected in 2012 as part of the impact evaluation of Zimbabwe's Accelerated National PMTCT Program.

Food insecurity is a barrier to prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission services in Zimbabwe: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Food insecurity (FI) is the lack of physical, social, and economic access to sufficient food for dietary needs and food preferences. We examined the association between FI and women's uptake of services to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission (MTCT) in Zimbabwe.

Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data collected in 2012 from women living in five of ten provinces.

Population-level impact of Zimbabwe's National Behavioural Change Programme.

Objective: To assess the impact of Zimbabwe's National Behavioural Change Programme (NBCP) on biological and behavioral outcomes.

Methods: Representative household biobehavioral surveys of 18- to 44-year-olds were conducted in randomly selected enumeration areas in 2007 and 2011 to 2012. We examined program impact on HIV prevalence among young women, nonregular partnerships, condom use with nonregular partners, and HIV testing, distinguishing between highly exposed and low-exposed communities and individuals.

Unmet need for family planning, contraceptive failure, and unintended pregnancy among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women in Zimbabwe.

Background: Prevention of unintended pregnancies among women living with HIV infection is a strategy recommended by the World Health Organization for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). We assessed pregnancy intentions and contraceptive use among HIV-positive and HIV-negative women with a recent pregnancy in Zimbabwe.

Methods: We analyzed baseline data from the evaluation of Zimbabwe's Accelerated National PMTCT Program.

The Female Sex Work Industry in a District of India in the Context of HIV Prevention.

HIV prevalence in India remains high among female sex workers. This paper presents the main findings of a qualitative study of the modes of operation of female sex work in Belgaum district, Karnataka, India, incorporating fifty interviews with sex workers. Thirteen sex work settings (distinguished by sex workers' main places of solicitation and sex) are identified.

Positive attitudes to pediatric HIV testing: findings from a nationally representative survey from Zimbabwe.

Objective: Early HIV testing and diagnosis are paramount for increasing treatment initiation among children, necessary for their survival and improved health. However, uptake of pediatric HIV testing is low in high-prevalence areas. We present data on attitudes towards pediatric testing from a nationally representative survey in Zimbabwe.

Understanding out-migration among female sex workers in South India.

Background: Migrant sex workers are known to be vulnerable to HIV. There is substantial female sex worker (FSW) mobility between the borders of Maharashtra and Karnataka, but little programming emphasis on migrant FSWs in India. We sought to understand the individual/cultural, structural, and contextual determinants of migration among FSWs from Karnataka.

Change over time (2007-2009) in HIV preventive behaviours, evidence from two serial population-based surveys in rural Zimbabwe.

Objective: To assess reported HIV knowledge and attitudes, sexual behaviours and HIV testing in Zimbabwe.

Methods: Representative household surveys of all 18-24 year olds and a proportion of 25-44 year olds were conducted in six purposefully selected rural districts in two provinces in 2007 and 2009. Both surveys used the same methods and questionnaires.

Rates and determinants of HIV-attributable mortality among rural female sex workers in Northern Karnataka, India.

Female sex workers (FSWs) have among the highest rates of HIV infection in India. However, little is known about their HIV-specific mortality rates. In total, 1561 FSWs participated in a cohort study in Karnataka.

Prevalence and factors associated with knowledge of and willingness for male circumcision in rural Zimbabwe.

Objective: To explore male circumcision (MC) prevalence, knowledge, attitudes and intentions among rural Zimbabweans.

Methods: Representative survey of 18-44 year olds in two provinces, as part of an evaluation of the Zimbabwe National Behaviour Change Programme. We conducted univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses.

High-risk sex among mobile female sex workers in the context of jatras (religious festivals) in Karnataka, India.

Jatras (religious festivals) represent venues for female sex workers (FSWs) to meet potential clients in an environment of anonymity. Data from a survey conducted among 1499 mobile FSWs in Karnataka, India were analysed using bivariate and multivariate analysis. Overall, 31% of mobile FSWs reported attending jatras in the previous year.

Devising a female sex work typology using data from Karnataka, India.

Background: We examine the extent to which an existing sex work typology captures human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk in Karnataka and propose a systematic approach for devising evidence-based typologies.

Methods: The proposed approach has four stages: (i) identifying main places of solicitation and places of sex; (ii) constructing possible typologies based on either or both of these criteria; (iii) analysing variations in indicators of risk, such as HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence and client volume, across the categories of the typologies; and (iv) identifying the simplest typology that captures the risk variation experienced by female sex workers (FSWs) across different settings. Analysis is based on data from 2312 participants in integrated biological and behavioural assessments of FSWs conducted in Karnataka, India.

Assessing HIV risk in workplaces for prioritizing HIV preventive interventions in Karnataka State, India.

Objective: To develop a model for prioritizing economic sectors for HIV preventive intervention programs in the workplace.

Methods: This study was undertaken in Karnataka state, India. A 3-stage survey process was undertaken.

The female sex work typology in India in the context of HIV/AIDS.

Objective: To conduct a critical review of the typology of female sex work in India.

Method: Published and unpublished studies (1986-2008) were identified through electronic databases, hand searching and contacting experts.

Results: The review assesses the appropriateness of the existing typologies from a programmatic perspective and identifies their strengths and limitations.