Demographics and Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Neurosyphilis in Rhode Island.

The incidence of syphilis has been steadily rising throughout the United States over the past decade, including Rhode Island. Neurosyphilis is a manifestation of syphilis involving the central nervous system and can present with a multitude of symptoms. We evaluated all cases of syphilis at a single healthcare system in Rhode Island over a 10.

'Addressing HPV vaccine hesitancy: unveiling concerns and building trust' perspectives of adolescent girls and parents in Kisumu County, Kenya.

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer, and HPV vaccination is highly effective in preventing vaccine-targeted HPV infection. However, low HPV vaccination coverage in Kisumu County, Kenya, at about 10% for the first dose, highlights the critical issue of vaccine hesitancy, particularly in low and middle-income countries.

Methods: This study explores the concerns, myths and barriers to HPV vaccine uptake among adolescent girls (aged 10-14) enrolled at human immune-deficiency virus comprehensive care clinics and their parents in Kisumu County.

Evaluation of Pathology Resources for Cervical Cancer Detection Between 2018 & 2022: a Retrospective Study at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Western Kenya.

Background: Cervical cancer cases are increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Kenya, exacerbated by inadequate histopathology resources, posing a significant barrier to timely diagnosis and treatment. There has been little research on the availability and evolution of histopathology resources for diagnosing cervical cancer over the years. This retrospective study evaluated this evolution at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kenya between 2018 and 2022.

Gestational weight gain and adverse birth outcomes in South African women with HIV on antiretroviral therapy and without HIV: a prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Outside of pregnancy, evidence shows that persons with HIV initiating or switching to dolutegravir (DTG)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) experience greater weight gain compared to those on other ART classes. However, there are few data on the impact of DTG-based ART on gestational weight gain (GWG) in sub-Saharan Africa where HIV is most common. According to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), GWG below and above NAM guidelines is associated with adverse birth outcomes.

Cardiometabolic Health in Pregnancy and Postpartum: Findings From a Prospective Cohort Study in South Africa.

Background: The cardiometabolic impact of HIV infection and treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART) in pregnancy and the postpartum period remains unclear.

Methods: We enrolled pregnant persons with (PHIV) and without HIV in Cape Town, South Africa, who were ≥18 years old at 24-28 weeks' gestation and followed them up to 32 months postpartum. We estimated associations between HIV status and cardiometabolic risk including body mass index (BMI), obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m), blood pressure (BP; elevated systolic BP ≥130 and/or diastolic ≥85 mmHg), lipid levels, and metabolic syndrome according to the Joint Interim Statement criteria using multivariable log binomial or linear regression models.

Womandla Health: development and rationale of a behavioral intervention to support HIV treatment adherence among postpartum women in South Africa.

Background: While Option B + has made great strides in eliminating vertical transmission of HIV and improving access to lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) for women, the postpartum period remains a risk period for disengagement from HIV care and non-adherence.

Methods: Longitudinal qualitative data was collected from 30 women living with HIV in Cape Town, South Africa from pregnancy through 1 year postpartum to examine key barriers and facilitators to HIV treatment adherence across this transition. Participants were also asked about their preferences for behavioral intervention content, format, and scope.

Antiretroviral Therapy Use Was Not Associated with Stillbirth or Preterm Birth in an Analysis of U.S. Medicaid Pregnancies to Persons with HIV.

Background: Using a U.S. based, nationally representative sample, this study compares stillbirth and preterm birth outcomes between women living with HIV (WWH) who did and did not use antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy, additionally assessing ART duration and regimen type.

Predictors of PrEP awareness, PrEP discussion and interest in long-acting injectable PrEP among Filipina transfeminine adults.

Introduction: Transfeminine adults are impacted by the HIV epidemic in the Philippines, and newly approved modalities of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), including long-acting injectable (LAI-PrEP), could be beneficial for this group. To inform implementation, we analysed PrEP awareness, discussion and interest in taking LAI-PrEP among Filipina transfeminine adults.

Methods: We utilized secondary data from the #ParaSaAtin survey that sampled Filipina transfeminine adults (n = 139) and conducted a series of multivariable logistic regressions with lasso selection to explore factors independently associated with PrEP outcomes, including awareness, discussion with trans friends and interest in LAI-PrEP.

The East Africa Consortium for human papillomavirus and cervical cancer in women living with HIV/AIDS.

The East Africa Consortium was formed to study the epidemiology of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and cervical cancer and the influence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on HPV and cervical cancer, and to encourage collaborations between researchers in North America and East African countries. To date, studies have led to a better understanding of the influence of HIV infection on the detection and persistence of oncogenic HPV, the effects of dietary aflatoxin on the persistence of HPV, the benefits of antiretroviral therapy on HPV persistence, and the differences in HPV detections among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women undergoing treatment for cervical dysplasia by either cryotherapy or LEEP. It will now be determined how HPV testing fits into cervical cancer screening programs in Kenya and Uganda, how aflatoxin influences immunological control of HIV, how HPV alters certain genes involved in the growth of tumours in HIV-infected women.

Characterizing Problematic Drug Use Among Transgender Women and Cisgender Men During the Emerging HIV Crisis in the Philippines: Implications for Policy Research.

Drug use and HIV are key issues for public health interventions in the Philippines. We examined associations of problematic drug use among 320 Filipinx transgender women (trans-WSM) and cisgender men who have sex with men (cis-MSM). The prevalence of exhibited problematic drug use in this sample was 29.

HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Women with Medicaid Have Similar Rates of Stillbirth and Preterm Birth.

Women living with human immunodeficiency virus (WLHIV) may face additional challenges and differential birth outcomes when compared with women without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). There is limited research to date studying birth outcomes among a nationally representative sample of WLHIV. This study compares stillbirth and prematurity rates between HIV-positive (HIV+) and HIV-negative (HIV-) mothers in the Medicaid program.

Characterizing Awareness of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention in Manila and Cebu, Philippines: Web-Based Survey of Filipino Cisgender Men Who Have Sex With Men.

Background: The Philippines is experiencing an HIV crisis and is considering implementing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a national public health strategy for HIV prevention for cisgender men who have sex with men (cis-MSM). However, critical information on the awareness of PrEP among cis-MSM is needed to roll out this public health initiative.

Objective: This study aims to assess PrEP awareness and related correlates (ie, sociodemographic variables, social factors, and health care access and use) among Filipino cis-MSM.

Responsive Medical Providers and Recent HIV Medical Services Engagement Among Transgender Women and Cisgender Men Who Have Sex With Men in the Philippines.

Transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men (trans-WSM and cis-MSM) comprise the majority of new HIV infections in the Philippines. There is limited research in the Philippines on the relationship between having a provider responsive to the needs of these populations and recent engagement in HIV medical services such as HIV testing and treatment. We used multivariate logistic regression to examine the relationship between having a responsive medical provider and engagement in HIV medical services in the past 12 months among an online sample of 318 trans-WSM and cis-MSM in the Philippines.

Designing Dual Compartment HIV Prevention Products: Women's Sensory Perceptions and Experiences of Suppositories for Rectal and Vaginal Use.

Dual compartment suppositories are being developed to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Such products, for use in the rectum, the vagina, or both, could have a significant public health impact by decreasing global incidence of these diseases. In this study, 16 women each used two rheologically distinct suppositories in their vagina and rectum.

Protozoan-Viral-Bacterial Co-Infections Alter Galectin Levels and Associated Immunity Mediators in the Female Genital Tract.

Co-infections with sexually transmittable pathogens are common and more likely in women with disturbed vaginal bacteriome. Among those pathogens, the protozoan parasite (TV) is most common after accounting for the highly persistent DNA viruses human papillomavirus (HPV) and genital herpes. The parasitic infection often concurs with the dysbiotic syndrome diagnosed as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and both are associated with risks of superimposed viral infections.

The development and evaluation of an HIV implementation science network in New England: lessons learned.

Background: Describe and evaluate an implementation science network focused on HIV prevention and treatment in New England.

Methods: In 2014, we established a partnership among university researchers and community stakeholders to stimulate and support HIV-related implementation research. We solicited information from Network members through surveys, interviews at Network events, and dialog with participants.

Safety, acceptability, and pharmacokinetics of a monoclonal antibody-based vaginal multipurpose prevention film (MB66): A Phase I randomized trial.

Background: MB66 film is a multipurpose prevention technology (MPT) product with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against HIV-1 (VRC01-N) and HSV-1 and 2 (HSV8-N). The mAbs were produced by transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana (N). We conducted a Phase I clinical trial to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and ex vivo efficacy of single and repeated doses of MB66 when used intravaginally.

Differences in HIV risk and healthcare engagement factors in Filipinx transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men who reported being HIV negative, HIV positive or HIV unknown.

Introduction: Understanding HIV risk and healthcare engagement of at-risk individuals by HIV status is vital to informing HIV programmes in settings where the HIV epidemic is rapidly expanding like the Philippines. This study examined differences in HIV risk and healthcare engagement factors among Filipinx transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men (trans-WSM and cis-MSM respectively) who self-reported being HIV negative, HIV positive or HIV unknown.

Methods: Between 2018 and 2019, we conducted Project #ParaSaAtin, an online cross-sectional survey that examined the structural, social and behavioural factors impacting HIV services among Filipinx trans-WSM and cis-MSM (n = 318).

Characterizing PrEP Awareness and Interest Among Filipina Transgender Women.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can efficaciously avert HIV acquisition for individuals at risk, including transgender individuals (trans) in the Philippines. We conducted multivariate logistic regression procedures in an online sample of Filipina trans women ( = 139) to examine associations of PrEP awareness. In this sample, 53% of Filipina trans women were unaware of PrEP, but almost all (93%) expressed interest in taking PrEP once learning about it.

Using structural equation modelling to characterise multilevel socioecological predictors and mediators of condom use among transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men in the Philippines.

Background: Risks for condomless sex among transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men (trans-WSM and cis-MSM, respectively) in the Philippines, where HIV recently became a national public health crisis, are shaped and exacerbated by various risk factors across multiple levels.

Methods: Between June 2018 and August 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional online study with 318 trans-WSM and cis-MSM respondents from Manila and Cebu cities. Structural equational modelling procedures were performed to determine direct, indirect and overall effects between condom use and latent variables across multiple socioecological levels: personal (ie, condom self-efficacy), social (ie, social capital), environmental (ie, barriers to condom and HIV services) and structural (ie, structural violence, antidiscrimination policies).