Field-based evaluation of malaria outbreak detection and response in Mudzi and Goromonzi districts, Zimbabwe - 2017.

National-level evaluations may fail to identify capacity improvements for detecting and responding to outbreaks which begin and are first detected at the local level. In response to this issue, we conducted a field-based assessment of the malaria outbreak surveillance system in Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe. We visited eleven clinics in Mudzi and Goromonzi districts.

Evidence-Based Identification of Key Beliefs Explaining Infant Male Circumcision Motivation Among Expectant Parents in Zimbabwe: Targets for Behavior Change Messaging.

Slow adult male circumcision uptake is one factor leading some to recommend increased priority for infant male circumcision (IMC) in sub-Saharan African countries. This research, guided by the integrated behavioral model (IBM), was carried out to identify key beliefs that best explain Zimbabwean parents' motivation to have their infant sons circumcised. A quantitative survey, designed from qualitative elicitation study results, was administered to independent representative samples of 800 expectant mothers and 795 expectant fathers in two urban and two rural areas in Zimbabwe.

Identification of Key Beliefs Explaining Male Circumcision Motivation Among Adolescent Boys in Zimbabwe: Targets for Behavior Change Communication.

Male circumcision (MC) significantly reduces HIV acquisition among men, leading WHO/UNAIDS to recommend high HIV and low MC prevalence countries circumcise 80% of adolescents and men age 15-49. Despite significant investment to increase MC capacity only 27% of the goal has been achieved in Zimbabwe. To increase adoption, research to create evidence-based messages is greatly needed.

A Phase II Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Safety, Procedure Time, and Cost of the PrePex™ Device to Forceps Guided Surgical Circumcision in Zimbabwe.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS promote MC (male circumcision) as a key HIV prevention strategy where HIV prevalence and incidence are high and MC prevalence is low. In Zimbabwe, to achieve the 1.26 million circumcisions needed to be performed by 2015 to achieve optimal MC coverage, a new approach was needed.

Tu Amigo Pepe: Evaluation of a Multi-media Marketing Campaign that Targets Young Latino Immigrant MSM with HIV Testing Messages.

Latino immigrant men who have sex with men (MSM) are at risk for HIV and delayed diagnosis in the United States. This paper describes the evaluation of a pilot of the Tu Amigo Pepe, a multimedia HIV testing campaign aimed at Latino MSM in Seattle, WA particularly targeting immigrants who may not identify as gay, ages 18-30 years old. The 16-week campaign included Spanish-language radio public service announcements (PSAs), a Web site, social media outreach, a reminder system using mobile technology, print materials and a toll-free hotline.

Psychosocial Results from a Phase I Trial of a Nonsurgical Circumcision Device for Adult Men in Zimbabwe.

Male circumcision (MC), an effective HIV prevention tool, has been added to Zimbabwe's Ministry of Health and Child Care HIV/AIDS Prevention Program. A Phase I safety trial of a nonsurgical male circumcision device was conducted and extensive psychosocial variables were assessed. Fifty-three men (18 and older) were recruited for the device procedure; 13 follow-up clinical visits were completed.

Evidence-based identification of key beliefs explaining adult male circumcision motivation in Zimbabwe: targets for behavior change messaging.

Male circumcision (MC) reduces HIV acquisition among men, leading WHO/UNAIDS to recommend a goal to circumcise 80 % of men in high HIV prevalence countries. Significant investment to increase MC capacity in priority countries was made, yet only 5 % of the goal has been achieved in Zimbabwe. The integrated behavioral model (IBM) was used as a framework to investigate the factors affecting MC motivation among men in Zimbabwe.

Alcohol use and abuse among rural Zimbabwean adults: a test of a community-level intervention.

Background: Understanding what factors contribute to alcohol abuse in resource-poor countries is important given its adverse health consequences. Past research shows that social peers influence substance abuse, suggesting that the social environment may be an effective target for reducing alcohol abuse across a population. This study investigates the determinants of alcohol use and abuse in rural Zimbabwe and tests a community popular opinion leader (CPOL) community-based intervention partly directed at reducing alcohol abuse.

Colorectal cancer screening use among insured primary care patients.

Objective: To compare colorectal cancer (CRC) screening use, including changes over time and demographic characteristics associated with screening receipt, between 2 insured primary care populations.

Study Design: Clinical and administrative records from 2 large health systems, one in New Mexico and the other in Michigan, were used to determine use of CRC screening tests between 2004 and 2008 among patients aged 51 to 74 years.

Methods: Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate trends in CRC screening use over time and the association of demographic and other factors with screening receipt.

Concurrent partnerships, acute infection and HIV epidemic dynamics among young adults in Zimbabwe.

This paper explores the roles of acute infection and concurrent partnerships in HIV transmission dynamics among young adults in Zimbabwe using realistic representations of the partnership network and all published estimates of stage-specific infectivity. We use dynamic exponential random graph models to estimate partnership network parameters from an empirical study of sexual behavior and drive a stochastic simulation of HIV transmission through this dynamic network. Our simulated networks match observed frequencies and durations of short- and long-term partnerships, with concurrency patterns specific to gender and partnership type.

Access of Black, Hispanic, and nonprivately insured women to liquid-based cytology, human papillomavirus DNA testing, and on-site colposcopy in the United States.

Objective: To determine whether patient race, ethnicity, or insurance status was associated with access to cervical cancer screening with liquid-based cytology (LBC) and with human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing and with access to on-site colposcopy at the provider's principal practice site.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a nationally representative survey of clinicians in specialties that provide cervical cancer screening. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were estimated for the associations between race, ethnicity, and insurance status of patients and provider use of LBC, HPV DNA testing, and on-site colposcopy.

STD/HIV prevention practices among primary care clinicians: risk assessment, prevention counseling, and testing.

Objective: To describe current practices of primary care (PC) clinicians for STD/HIV control services: risk assessment, prevention counseling, and offering tests.

Study Design: We identified clinical strategies through qualitative interviews. We then surveyed by mail a random sample of Washington State family physicians, general internists, obstetrician-gynecologists, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse midwives.

Use of DNA tests for human Papillomavirus infection by US clinicians, 2004.

Since 1999, human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA tests have been approved only for abnormal cervical cytology management and as an adjunct to cervical cytology screening. To assess HPV DNA testing practices, we mailed surveys to 6906 randomly selected clinicians in mid-2004. Awareness (87%) and ever use (67%) of HPV DNA tests was high.

Anogenital warts knowledge and counseling practices of US clinicians: results from a national survey.

Objectives: To examine messages US clinicians use when counseling patients diagnosed with anogenital warts.

Study Design: In mid-2004, we conducted a confidential mail survey of nationally representative samples of physicians practicing internal and adolescent medicine, family/general practice, obstetrics/gynecology, urology, or dermatology; nurse midwives; physician assistants; and nurse practitioners. The survey assessed knowledge and counseling practices of clinicians who had diagnosed anogenital warts.

Screening for colorectal cancer in Uruguay with an immunochemical faecal occult blood test.

An observational prospective study was carried out in Uruguay to evaluate the feasibility of colorectal cancer screening using immunochemical faecal occult blood tests with no dietary restrictions in an average-risk population. An automated system was used for processing the samples with a cut-off haemoglobin level of 100 ng/ml. Of the 11,734 study participants who received an immunochemical test kit (OC-Hemodia), 10,573 (90.

Cervical cancer screening, abnormal cytology management, and counseling practices in the United States.

Objective: We assessed clinician knowledge and practices since the marketing of tests for sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) and the release of HPV testing guidelines for two indications: 1) as an adjunct to cytologic screening and 2) to guide colposcopic triage of patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) cytology results.

Methods: In mid-2004, we surveyed nationally representative, random samples of clinicians practicing specialties that provide cytologic screening. Mail surveys addressed HPV-related knowledge, screening, abnormal cytology management, HPV testing, and counseling practices.

Family physicians' knowledge of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and HPV-related conditions, United States, 2004.

Background And Objectives: Information about human papillomavirus (HPV) has evolved rapidly and HPV DNA tests are now available. Little is known about family physicians' knowledge about HPV and how it relates to HPV test use and counseling practices.

Methods: In mid-2004, confidential surveys were mailed to a nationally representative sample of 760 family physicians.

Acceptance of flexible sigmoidoscopy screening for colorectal cancer.

This study was conducted in the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program of Northern California to identify patient characteristics that explain interest in flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) screening. A mailed screening invitation to 6837 age-eligible patients elicited responses from 49%. Efforts to reach and interview both eligible respondents and non-respondents resulted in 2728 computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI), with 60% indicating interest in FS screening.

STD screening, testing, case reporting, and clinical and partner notification practices: a national survey of US physicians.

Objectives: This study presents results from a national survey of US physicians that assessed screening, case reporting, partner management, and clinical practices for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV infection.

Methods: Surveys were mailed to a random sample of 7300 physicians to assess screening, testing, reporting, and partner notification for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV.

Results: Fewer than one third of physicians routinely screened men or women (pregnant or nonpregnant) for STDs.

Sexually transmitted disease screening by United States obstetricians and gynecologists.

Objective: To assess compliance with practice guidelines and to determine the extent of missed opportunities for sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention by describing screening practices of a national sample of obstetricians and gynecologists and comparing them to the practices of other specialists.

Methods: Physicians (n = 7300) in five specialties that diagnose 85% of STDs in the United States were surveyed. Obstetrics and gynecology (n = 647) was one of the five specialties.