The impact of same-day and rapid ART initiation under the Universal Health Coverage programme on HIV outcomes in Thailand: a retrospective real-life cohort study.

Introduction: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, regardless of CD4 count, has been recommended in Thailand since 2014, with same-day initiation recommended since 2021. We assessed HIV treatment outcomes among Thai people living with HIV (PLHIV) by the time from HIV diagnosis to ART initiation under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme and identified factors associated with virological failure (VF).

Methods: PLHIV aged ≥15 years initiating ART between 2014 and 2022 were included from the UHC database.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of proactive home visits compared with site-based community health worker care on antenatal care outcomes in Mali: a cluster-randomised trial.

Introduction: Despite recommendations from the WHO, antenatal care (ANC) coverage remains low in many low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Community health workers (CHWs) can play an important role in expanding ANC coverage through pregnancy identification, provision of health education, screening for complications, delivery of therapeutic care and referral to higher levels of care. However, despite the success of CHW programmes in various countries, WHO has called for additional research to develop evidence-based models that optimise CHW service delivery and that can be replicated across geographies.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Access to HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis: Lessons for Future Public Health Crises.

Background: The World Health Organization is committed to strengthening access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention and its integration into primary care services. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the delivery of primary care, including HIV-related services. To determine the extent of this disruption, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the changes in access to PrEP services during the pandemic and the reasons for these changes.

Viability of Chlamydia trachomatis in different anatomical sites - a systematic review & meta-analysis.

Background: Modern assays for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) rely on nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) of DNA or ribosomal RNA. However, it is also known that both viable ("living") & non-viable ("dead") CT can be detected by NAAT. Multiple laboratory techniques to measure CT viability have emerged.

Evaluating a novel model of hepatitis B care, Hep B PAST, in the Northern Territory of Australia: results from a prospective, population-based study.

Background: The Northern Territory (NT) has the highest prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Australia. The Hep B PAST program aims to improve health outcomes for people living with CHB.

Methods: This mixed methods study involves First Nations peoples living in the NT.

"I pity the TB patient": a mixed methods study assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TB services in two major Indonesian cities and distilling lessons for the future.

Introduction: In Indonesia, a country with around 280 million people and the second-highest tuberculosis (TB) incidence rate in the world, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TB care needs careful assessment so that future response strategies can be strengthened. We conducted a study comparing TB testing and treatment rates before and during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, and the reasons for any disruptions to care.

Methods: We conducted retrospective secondary data analysis and qualitative interviews in Yogyakarta and Bandung, Indonesia.

Changes in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk over time among people living with HIV.

Objective: To describe changes in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk over time among people living with HIV (PLHIV).

Methods: We used data from the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database (TAHOD) and the Australian HIV Observational Database (AHOD). Five-year ASCVD risk was calculated using the D:A:D equation.

The association between influenza vaccination uptake and influenza and pneumonia-associated deaths in the United States.

Background: The influenza mortality burden has remained substantial in the United States (US) despite relatively high levels of influenza vaccine uptake. This has led to questions regarding the effectiveness of the program against this outcome, particularly in the elderly. The aim of this evaluation was to develop and explore a new approach to estimating the population-level effect of influenza vaccination uptake on pneumonia and influenza (P&I) associated deaths.

Projected impact of population aging on non-communicable disease burden and costs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2020-2030.

Background: The number of people aged greater than 65 years per 100 people aged 20-64 years is expected to almost double in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) between 2020 and 2030. We therefore aimed to quantify the growing non-communicable disease (NCD) burden in KSA between 2020 and 2030, and the impact this will have on the national health budget.

Methods: Ten priority NCDs were selected: ischemic heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, dementia, depression, osteoarthritis, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer.

Supply-side readiness to deliver HIV testing and treatment services in Indonesia: Going the last mile to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Introduction: Despite national efforts to integrate Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV services into antenatal care in Indonesia, the rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV remains the highest in the world. A range of barriers to uptake and long-term engagement in care have been identified, but far less is known about health system preparedness to deliver PMTCT of HIV services. This study explored supply-side barriers to the delivery of PMTCT services in Indonesia and whether these factors are associated with the uptake of antenatal HIV testing.

Association of socio-demographic characteristics with hypertension awareness, treatment, and control in Bangladesh.

Hypertension has been rapidly growing in Bangladesh. However, there has been limited analysis of differences in the hypertension cascade across socio-demographic groups. This study was a secondary analysis of the 2017-18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey.

Cost-effectiveness of screening and treating anal pre-cancerous lesions among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men living with HIV.

Background: Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM) living with HIV have a substantially elevated risk of anal cancer (85 cases per 100,000 person-years vs 1-2 cases per 100,000 person-years in the general population). The precursor to anal cancer is high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). Findings regarding the cost-effectiveness of HSIL screening and treatment in GBM are conflicting.

Weight change with integrase strand transfer inhibitors among virally suppressed Thai people living with HIV.

Background: We compared weight changes in virally suppressed people living with HIV (PLWH) switching to integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) with those remaining on an INSTI or non-INSTI regimen.

Methods: PLWH aged ≥18 years with weight measurements available at baseline between 2001 and 2020 were included. Viral suppression was defined as having had a viral load <400 copies/mL for 6 months.

Physical function limitation among gay and bisexual men aged ≥55years with and without HIV: findings from the Australian Positive and Peers Longevity Evaluation Study (APPLES).

Background: As people living with HIV now have a life expectancy approaching that of the general population, clinical care focuses increasingly on the management and prevention of comorbidities and conditions associated with aging. We aimed to assess the prevalence of physical function (PF) limitation among gay and bisexual men (GBM) and determine whether HIV is associated with severe PF limitation in this population.

Methods: We analysed cross-sectional data from GBM aged ≥55years in the Australian Positive and Peers Longevity Evaluation Study who completed a self-administered survey on health and lifestyle factors.

Virological failure and treatment switch after ART initiation among people living with HIV with and without routine viral load monitoring in Asia.

Introduction: Viral load (VL) testing is still challenging to monitor treatment responses of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV treatment programme in Asia. We assessed the association between routine VL testing and virological failure (VF) and determine factors associated with switching to second-line regimen.

Methods: Among 21 sites from the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database (TAHOD), people living with HIV (PLHIV) aged ≥18 years initiating ART from 2003 to 2021 were included.

Severe Recurrent Bacterial Pneumonia Among Children Living With HIV.

Background: Bacterial pneumonia imparts a major morbidity and mortality burden on children living with HIV, yet effective prevention and treatment options are underutilized. We explored clinical factors associated with severe recurrent bacterial pneumonia among children living with HIV.

Methods: Children enrolled in the TREAT Asia Pediatric HIV Observational Database were included if they started antiretroviral therapy (ART) on or after January 1st, 2008.

Recent Trends in Adult and Pediatric Antiretroviral Therapy Monitoring and Failure.

Objective: To assess recent trends in the monitoring of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and detection of ART failure in adult and pediatric HIV clinics.

Methods: We used data collected from 21 adult and 17 pediatric sites (across 13 and 6 countries/territories, respectively) in the International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS - Asia-Pacific cohort. ART failure was defined as viral, immune, or clinical consistent with WHO guidelines.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease thresholds for statin initiation among people living with HIV in Thailand: A cost-effectiveness analysis.

Background: People living with HIV (PLHIV) have an elevated risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) compared to their uninfected peers. Expanding statin use may help alleviate this burden. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of reducing the recommend statin initiation threshold for primary ASCVD prevention among PLHIV in Thailand.