Analysis of Clinical Outcomes Following Implementation of a Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation Protocol at a Local HIV Clinic.

Rapid antiretroviral therapy (ART) refers to initiating HIV treatment within seven days of diagnosis. Multidisciplinary teams that implement rapid ART protocols can be effective in addressing the holistic needs of HIV patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a multidisciplinary team's implementation of a rapid ART protocol through a retrospective pre and post study design among 627 patients referred to a local HIV clinic between January 2017 and December 2022.

Telephonic Visits Program to Link Justice-Involved Individuals Diagnosed With HIV in Jail to Community HIV Care.

Correctional facilities serve as a key location to identify and treat those with HIV given high rates of HIV seen in justice-involved individuals; however, substantial barriers exist to accessing HIV care in the community upon release. In response to restricted in-person activities due to COVID-19, the County of Santa Clara (SCC) Jail launched a telephonic visits program in January 2021 to link justice-involved individuals diagnosed with HIV to community HIV care following release. Telephonic visits were conducted by social workers from SCC Public Health Department; these visits entailed conducting an HIV needs assessment, providing education, and offering support services.

Patient Perceptions of Hepatitis C Screening and Diagnosis While in a County Jail.

Prior research in the Santa Clara County (SCC) Jail showed that knowledge of hepatitis C virus (HCV), perception of risk, and perceived coercion impacted participation in routine HCV screening; however, the experiences of patients undergoing screening were not assessed. The purpose of the study was to understand patient perceptions of undergoing routine viral hepatitis screening and receiving a diagnosis of HCV while incarcerated. A qualitative design was employed using semi-structured interviews of individuals newly diagnosed with HCV via routine screening in the SCC Jail between March and November 2023.

Graduate public health student learning experiences, social connectedness, and mental health during COVID-19: pedagogical implications for public health academic departments.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted college student learning both globally and nationally. Current literature points to decreases in social connectedness, adverse mental health outcomes, and decreased overall learning outcomes; however, there are limited findings from higher education institutions within the Bay Area, California. There are also limited studies that examine the COVID-19 impact among public health graduate students, especially to understand how the pandemic renewed their interest in the field.

Monkeypox (Mpox) Vaccine Hesitancy Among Mpox Cases: A Qualitative Study.

Human mpox has been an increasing concern in the United States and California since late 2022. While the Jynneos vaccine offers a degree of cross-protection against the disease, vaccine hesitancy is common among those recommended for vaccination. The purpose of this study was to assess vaccine knowledge, facilitators, and barriers to vaccine uptake among individuals previously diagnosed with mpox, or mpox cases, in Santa Clara County, California.