Publications by authors named "Dana Ogaz"
Article Synopsis
- Novel STI prevention methods like doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP) and meningococcal B vaccination (4CMenB) are being explored to help control STIs, especially among men and gender-diverse individuals in the UK.
- A survey involving 1,106 participants found that only 34% were aware of antibiotic PEP, with just 8% having reported ever using it; however, 51% expressed an intention to use doxyPEP and 64% for 4CMenB.
- Higher rates of PEP usage and intention to use doxyPEP and 4CMenB were associated with higher sexual risk behaviors and participants who were already using other preventative measures like
Article Synopsis
- GBMSM (gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men) are at higher risk for sexually transmitted infections and are targeted for vaccinations against diseases like hepatitis and mpox; this study investigates factors affecting their vaccination rates.
- An online survey found that about two-thirds of eligible GBMSM received at least one dose of the vaccinations, with younger bisexual men and those with lower education or unemployment showing lower uptake.
- The findings suggest that, while overall vaccination rates are high, specific populations within GBMSM need more targeted awareness and health promotion efforts to improve vaccination coverage.
During the 2022 multicountry mpox outbreak, the United Kingdom identified cases beginning in May. UK cases increased in June, peaked in July, then rapidly declined after September 2022. Public health responses included community-supported messaging and targeted mpox vaccination among eligible gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM).
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- - The Impact Trial evaluated the need and effectiveness of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among attendees of sexual health services (SHS) in England from 2017 to 2020, focusing on who could benefit from PrEP and how well it was utilized.
- - The study included over 21,350 participants, predominantly men who have sex with men (95.5%), with a significant uptake of PrEP at 57.1% among those identified as at risk.
- - Findings indicated that many participants engaged with the trial by attending follow-up visits, resulting in a median duration of PrEP use of about 361 days, highlighting its role in HIV prevention strategies.
Background: Men and gender-diverse people who have sex with men are disproportionately affected by health conditions associated with increased risk of severe illness due to COVID-19 infection.
Methods: An online cross-sectional survey of men and gender-diverse people who have sex with men in the UK recruited via social networking and dating applications from 22 November-12 December 2021. Eligible participants included self-identifying men, transgender women, or gender-diverse individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB), aged ≥ 16, who were UK residents, and self-reported having had sex with an individual AMAB in the last year.
Background: COVID-19 restrictions severely reduced face-to-face sexual health services, an important access point for condoms. We examine whether gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in the UK had difficulty accessing condoms during the first year of the pandemic, and if so, which groups were most affected.
Methods: Questions about difficulty accessing condoms were asked as part of a short, online cross-sectional survey of GBMSM undertaken November/December 2021, recruited via social media and Grindr.
Article Synopsis
- - The study assessed the sexual behaviors and HIV/STI testing needs among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in the UK post-COVID-19 restrictions, comparing the results to data gathered before the pandemic in 2017.
- - Findings indicated that older GBMSM (aged ≥45) had a higher unmet testing need, while users of PrEP showed a significantly lower need, along with HIV-positive and trans/non-binary participants experiencing less unmet testing need compared to their counterparts.
- - There was an increase in risky sexual behaviors and higher reporting of recent STI testing in 2021 compared to 2017, although there was no significant change in unmet HIV testing needs across
Objectives: HTLV-1 is predominantly a sexually-transmitted infection but testing is not mentioned in HIV-PrEP guidelines. We ascertained HTLV-1/HTLV-2 seroprevalence amongst HIV-PrEP users in England.
Methods: An unlinked anonymous seroprevalence study.
Background: Access to prevention options, including HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), remains a public health priority for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), especially in London. We describe PrEP use in a London community sample of MSM before the introduction of a national PrEP programme in October 2020.
Methods: From June-August 2019, MSM aged ≥ 18 recruited from London commercial venues were asked to self-complete a sexual health questionnaire and provide an oral fluid sample for anonymous HIV antibody testing.
The 56 Dean Street combination prevention model, a strong engagement with the LGBTQI community and flexible services adapted to users' changing needs led to an 80% drop in HIV diagnoses in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) from 2015 to 2017. We describe the service changes at 56 Dean Street since 2012 which resulted in an increase in the frequency of HIV testing, the introduction of pre-exposure prophylaxis, earlier HIV diagnosis and a shorter time to viral suppression in those living with HIV. This model could be adapted to deliver similar results in those settings of high HIV prevalence among GBMSM and where access to technological innovation in healthcare and engagement with the community can be achieved.
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- The study examines the impact of treatment as prevention and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) on HIV incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in England from 2009 to 2018, aiming to evaluate the potential to meet international targets for HIV transmission elimination by 2030.
- Researchers utilized a sophisticated Bayesian model to estimate HIV trends, finding that the highest incidence among MSM likely occurred in 2012 or 2013, with a significant decline in new infections following this peak.
- Results showed that new infections among MSM decreased sharply after 2013, especially in the 25-34 age group, with hopes of reducing new infections to fewer than 10 per 10
100 years of STIs in the UK: a review of national surveillance data.
Sex Transm Infect
December 2018
Objectives: The 1916 Royal Commission on Venereal Diseases was established in response to epidemics of syphilis and gonorrhoea in the UK. In the 100 years since the Venereal Diseases Act (1917), the UK has experienced substantial scientific, economic and demographic changes. We describe historical and recent trends in STIs in the UK.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSince October 2015 up to September 2016, HIV diagnoses fell by 32% compared with October 2014-September 2015 among men who have sex with men (MSM) attending selected London sexual health clinics. This coincided with high HIV testing volumes and rapid initiation of treatment on diagnosis. The fall was most apparent in new HIV testers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStudents from racially/ethnically diverse backgrounds are underrepresented in graduate programs in biomedical disciplines. One goal of the Minority Institution/Cancer Center partnership between New Mexico State University (NMSU) and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) is to expand the number of underrepresented students who are trained in cancer research. As part of the collaboration, a summer internship program has been organized at the FHCRC.
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