Vaccine Hesitancy at Nine Community Sites Across the United States, Early in COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout.

Background: Vaccine hesitancy has been a significant concern throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine hesitancy can be attributed to lack of confidence in vaccines, complacency about the health threat, or lack of convenience of vaccination. To date, few studies have used methods designed to include populations underrepresented in research when identifying factors associated with vaccine hesitancy.

Assessment of sociodemographic factors associated with time to self-reported COVID-19 infection among a large multi-center prospective cohort population in the southeastern United States.

Objective: We aimed to investigate sociodemographic factors associated with self-reported COVID-19 infection.

Methods: The study population was a prospective multicenter cohort of adult volunteers recruited from healthcare systems located in the mid-Atlantic and southern United States. Between April 2020 and October 2021, participants completed daily online questionnaires about symptoms, exposures, and risk behaviors related to COVID-19, including self-reports of positive SARS CoV-2 detection tests and COVID-19 vaccination.

Ability to Recontact Sex Partners and Partner Treatment Success Among Young Heterosexual Black Men With Chlamydia.

Purpose: Patient-delivered partner therapy (PDPT) allows index patients who test positive for Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) to provide treatment to partners directly. PDPT is contingent upon an index being able to contact their partner. The aims of this study were to assess factors related to being able to contact a partner and being able to successfully deliver their treatment.

Spontaneous resolution of infection in men.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the early natural history of in men recently testing positive for this infection by a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). We hypothesised that 50% of men would spontaneously resolve their infection (in the absence of treatment) on repeat NAAT.

Methods: Men ages ≥18 years at the Jefferson County Health Department Sexual Health Clinic testing positive for by NAAT during standard-of-care (SOC) within the past 30 days and presenting to the clinic for treatment were approached.

Response Rates by Condom Use Measurement Type Among Sexually Active Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Women.

Background: Measuring condom use accurately is important to understanding sexual behaviors; however, there is still no consensus on the criterion standard of condom use measurement. In this study, authors aimed to investigate if nonresponse rates were higher when absolute or relative frequency condom use questions were used.

Methods: This study used Check It study data of Black men who have sex with women aged 15 to 26 years in New Orleans, LA.

HIV Screening Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Women in New Orleans, LA.

There are significant disparities in HIV acquisition, with Black individuals facing disproportionately more new diagnoses. Per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all people aged 13-64 should be tested at least once in their lifetime, and men at increased risk (e.g.

Challenges in Male Partner Referral Among Trichomonas vaginalis -Infected Women.

This study assessed feasibility of male partner referral by Trichomonas vaginalis -infected women. Of 93 women approached, only 20 enrolled. Only 1 male partner contacted the study but was unable to be reached for scheduling.

Syphilis Screening Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Women in New Orleans, LA.

Background: Current US syphilis screening focuses on men who have sex with men (MSM), because of the increased risk of infection in their sexual networks, and on pregnant people, because of complications associated with congenital syphilis. However, screening for men who have sex with women (MSW) who are at increased risk of syphilis is also recommended. Factors associated with syphilis testing and positivity were assessed among young, Black MSW.

The Association Between Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Bacterial Vaginosis and Metronidazole Treatment Failure for Trichomonas vaginalis.

Background: Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is a common sexually transmitted infection. High rates of repeated infections have been observed, particularly among women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Trichomonas vaginalis frequently cooccurs with bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Are Prior Sexual Risk Behaviors Associated With Adherence to COVID-19 Preventative Behaviors Among Young Black Men?

Background: Behavioral clustering is a phenomenon in which several risk or protective behaviors co-occur in an individual. We sought to determine if prior sexual risk behaviors among young Black men who have sex with women could predict subsequent nonadherence to COVID-19 prevention behaviors.

Methods: Young Black men who have sex with women aged 15 to 24 years previously enrolled in a community-based Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) screening program were enrolled in a substudy between May and June 2020 and asked about adherence to 4 COVID-19 recommended nonpharmaceutical prevention behaviors (handwashing, mask wearing, social distancing, and following stay at home orders).

Effectiveness of Incentivized Peer Referral to Increase Enrollment in a Community-Based Chlamydia Screening and Treatment Study Among Young Black Men.

Objectives: Young Black men are under-represented in sexual health services and research, a condition likely magnified during COVID-19 shutdowns due to disruption of STI screening and treatment services. We examined the effect of incentivized peer referral (IPR) increasing peer referral among young Black men in a community-based chlamydia screening program.

Methods: Young Black men in New Orleans, LA, age 15-26 years enrolled in a chlamydia screening program between 3/2018 and 5/2021 were included.

Past incarceration and chlamydia infection among young Black men in New Orleans.

Background: Young Black men are disproportionately and adversely affected by incarceration and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), both of which share common social and structural determinants. It is well documented that incarcerated individuals, including youth, are more likely to acquire STIs in the carceral setting compared to the general population. However, the effects of imprisonment on sexual health outcomes after imprisonment are not well-understood.

Chemsex Drug Use among a National Sample of Sexually Active Men who have Sex with Men, - American Men's Internet Survey, 2017-2020.

Chemsex is the intentional use of drugs to enhance sexual activity. Chemsex drug use among men who have sex with men (MSM) is associated with sexual behaviors that increase sexually transmitted infection (STI) risks and adverse mental health outcomes. However, published data are largely based on MSM recruited from STI clinics.

Delays in fibrosis staging reduce the likelihood of achieving hepatitis C treatment and cure.

Background: Updated 2021 hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment guidelines no longer recommend fibrosis staging for treatment-naïve patients without cirrhosis; however, numerous US state Medicaid plans continue to restrict initiation of HCV therapy by fibrosis stage. The study objective was to determine whether delays from HCV diagnosis to fibrosis staging impact the likelihood of initiating/completing HCV treatment and achieving sustained virologic response (SVR).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed among patients diagnosed with chronic HCV by an urban US emergency department who subsequently underwent fibrosis staging.

Internet-Delivered Sexually Transmitted Infection and Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program: A Randomized Trial.

Background: Black older-teenaged women have disproportionately high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and unintended pregnancy (UTP). Internet-based interventions can be delivered to large groups of people in a relatively inexpensive manner. In this randomized trial, we examine the efficacy of an evidence-based STI/UTP prevention intervention adapted for older teens and for Internet delivery.

A framework for using real-time evaluative interview feedback for health promotion program and evaluation improvement: The Check It case study.

Formative evaluation is a crucial strategy for health promotion program improvement. Early and ongoing formative evaluation can make a major impact on program outcomes; however, there are few frameworks that provide actual guidance on how programmatic or research teams can systematically perform this kind of important work. In this article we describe the use of an iterative real-time interview feedback framework we developed for Check It, a community-wide chlamydia screening and treatment program for young African American men in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The burden of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in older adults in the United States: A systematic review.

Background: Increases in life expectancy, the availability of sexual performance enhancing medication, and changes in sexual partnering suggest that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among older persons could be on the rise, yet there have been relatively few studies examining STIs in this demographic. Our systematic review aimed to further characterize the incidence and prevalence of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, along with associated risk factors among older adults (45 years or older) in the United States.

Methods: We searched five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cinahl, Web of Science, and Global Health) for data published from inception to January 2021.

Sexual Networks and STI Infection Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Women in a Southern U.S. City.

Purpose: The configuration of one's sexual network has been shown to influence sexually transmitted infection (STI) acquisition in some populations. Young Black men who have sex with women (MSW) have high rates of STIs, yet little is known about their sexual networks. The purpose of this study is to describe the characteristics of sexual networks and their association with selected STI infections among young Black MSW.

Recombinant Simian Varicella Virus-Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Vaccine Induces T and B Cell Functions and Provides Partial Protection against Repeated Mucosal SIV Challenges in Rhesus Macaques.

HIV vaccine mediated efficacy, using an expanded live attenuated recombinant varicella virus-vectored SIV rSVV-SIVgag/env vaccine prime with adjuvanted SIV-Env and SIV-Gag protein boosts, was evaluated in a female rhesus macaques (RM) model against repeated intravaginal SIV challenges. Vaccination induced anti-SIV IgG responses and neutralizing antibodies were found in all vaccinated RMs. Three of the eight vaccinated RM remained uninfected (vaccinated and protected, VP) after 13 repeated challenges with the pathogenic SIVmac251-CX-1.

Using time-weighted average change from baseline of SARS-CoV-2 viral load to assess impact of hydroxychloroquine as postexposure prophylaxis and early treatment for COVID-19.

Two randomized controlled trials demonstrated no clinical benefit of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for either postexposure prophylaxis or early treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Using data from these studies, we calculated the time-weighted average change from baseline SARS-CoV-2 viral load and demonstrated that HCQ did not affect viral clearance.

Burden of trichomoniasis among older adults in the United States: a systematic review.

Despite being one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States, the epidemiology of trichomoniasis remains understudied. One population that has been historically overlooked regarding STIs is that of older adults, despite many individuals remaining sexually active well into their older years. We investigated the reported prevalence and incidence of trichomoniasis in adults aged ≥45years in the United States using a systematic literature review.