Viral hepatitis and HIV infection among injection drug users in a central Iranian City.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of serological markers for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and occult HBV infection among injection drug users (IDUs) with isolated anti-hepatitis B core (anti-HBc).

Methods: A total of 153 male IDUs were tested for anti-hepatitis B surface (anti-HBs), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBc, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV. The presence of HBV-DNA was determined in plasma samples of individuals with isolated anti-HBc (HBsAg negative, anti-HBs negative, and anti-HBc positive) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Incidence of pediatric diarrhea and public-private preferences for treatment in rural Myanmar: a randomized cluster survey.

Unlabelled: The incidence of pediatric diarrhea in countries neighboring Myanmar is high (>9%). No national data exist in Myanmar, however hospital treatment data indicate that diarrhea is a major cause of morbidity.

Objective: This study seeks to determine diarrhea incidence among children in rural Myanmar and document health-seeking behavior and treatment costs.

HIV risk perception among men who have sex with men in two municipalities of China--implications for education and intervention.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are recognized as being at high risk for HIV infection. While studies have found that the prevalence of risky behaviors routinely remained high among MSM, few have focused on reasons why MSM may perceive they were or were not at risk for HIV infection. The objective of this study was to examine HIV risk perception among MSM in Beijing and Chongqing, China.

Reaching black men who have sex with men: a comparison between respondent-driven sampling and time-location sampling.

Objectives: The authors explored whether respondent-driven sampling (RDS) can generate a more diverse sample of black men who have sex with men (MSM) than time-location sampling (TLS) by comparing sample characteristics accrued by each method in two independent studies.

Methods: The first study exclusively recruited black MSM through RDS (N=256), while the second recruited MSM through TLS including a subsample of black MSM (N=69). Crude and adjusted point estimates and 95% CIs were calculated for socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics, HIV prevalence and prevalence of unrecognised infections, and were compared using the Z-test.

Mutual HIV disclosure among HIV-negative men who have sex with men in Beijing, China, 2010.

HIV is rising rapidly among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM). Discussion of HIV status between sexual partners is potentially a key prevention behavior. It is unclear if HIV-negative Chinese MSM talk about HIV and disclose their HIV status with sexual partners.

HIV/AIDS-related stigmatizing and discriminatory attitudes and recent HIV testing among men who have sex with men in Beijing.

This study assessed the correlates of recent HIV testing and HIV/AIDS-related stigmatizing and discriminatory attitudes among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing, China. A cross-sectional study probed demographics, sexual and drug use behaviors, HIV testing, and prevention services. Of 500 participants, 39.

Quality of Life among Persons with HIV/AIDS in Iran: Internal Reliability and Validity of an International Instrument and Associated Factors.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study on 191 HIV/AIDS patient was to prepare the first Persian translation of complete WHOQOL-HIV instrument, evaluate its reliability and validity, and apply it to determine quality of life and its associated factors in Tehran, Iran. Student's t-test was used to compare quality of life between groups. Mean Cronbach's α of facets in all six domains of instrument were more than 0.

Validation of a new method for testing provider clinical quality in rural settings in low- and middle-income countries: the observed simulated patient.

Background: Assessing the quality of care provided by individual health practitioners is critical to identifying possible risks to the health of the public. However, existing assessment methods can be inaccurate, expensive, or infeasible in many developing country settings, particularly in rural areas and especially for children. Following an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the existing methods for provider assessment, we developed a synthesis method combining components of direct observation, clinical vignettes, and medical mannequins which we have termed "Observed Simulated Patient" or OSP.

Behavioral and serologic survey of men who have sex with men in Beijing, China: implication for HIV intervention.

We assessed HIV prevalence and associated behaviors and risk factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing, China. Five hundred MSM were recruited for a biological and behavioral survey using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in 2009. Serologic specimens were tested for markers of HIV and syphilis infection.

Untested and undiagnosed: barriers to HIV testing among men who have sex with men, Beijing, China.

Objectives: Undiagnosed HIV presents great potential for the spread of infection. The authors identify the prevalence and correlates of never testing and being unaware of HIV infection in Beijing men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: Cross-sectional biological and behavioural survey using respondent-driven sampling; 500 MSM were included.

Sentinel surveillance of HIV-1 transmitted drug resistance, acute infection and recent infection.

Background: HIV-1 acute infection, recent infection and transmitted drug resistance screening was integrated into voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) services to enhance the existing surveillance program in San Francisco. This study describes newly-diagnosed HIV cases and characterizes correlates associated with infection.

Methodology/principal Findings: A consecutive sample of persons presenting for HIV VCT at the municipal sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinic from 2004 to 2006 (N = 9,868) were evaluated by standard enzyme-linked immunoassays (EIA).

Predicting condom use in young women: demographics, behaviours and knowledge from a population-based sample in Brazil.

The goal of this study was to assess condom use and related behaviour in young women in Vitória, Brazil. From March to December 2006, a cross-sectional sample of women aged 18-29 years was recruited into a population-based study. Risk behaviours for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were surveyed.

International travel among HIV-positive and HIV-negative men who have sex with men, San Francisco, USA.

We measured the prevalence of international travel, the demographic and risk profile of international travellers and risk and preventive behaviours of travellers among HIV-negative and HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM), based in San Francisco, CA, USA, through the addition of questions to the local implementation of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance survey in 2008. Of 270 MSM participating in the survey, slightly more than one-quarter (26.3%) had travelled internationally in the last year.

Long-chain peer referral of men who have sex with men: a novel approach to establish and maintain a cohort to measure HIV incidence, Nanjing, China.

Background: HIV prevalence is high among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. Longitudinal studies are needed to measure HIV incidence, determine causes of acquisition, and test prevention interventions. We described 2 novel methods to enroll and maintain a cohort of MSM, focusing on their abilities to establish a diverse sample, improve retention, and their impact on HIV incidence.

Improved measures of racial mixing among men who have sex with men using Newman's assortativity coefficient.

Objective: To measure sexual mixing among racial groups of men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: The authors explore its potential impacts, making two methodological advancements over previous work. First, the authors pioneer the use of Newman's assortativity coefficient to characterise mixing among MSM.

Understanding the HIV/AIDS epidemic in transgender women of Lima, Peru: results from a sero-epidemiologic study using respondent driven sampling.

In Latin America, transgender women (transwomen or male to female transgenders) have been included in MSM research but without addressing their specific needs in terms of the HIV/AIDS. We present results of the first seroepidemiologic study designed for transwomen in Peru. We conducted a study using respondent driven sampling to recruit transwomen from Lima.

Assessing the prevalence of HIV among Afghan immigrants in Iran through rapid HIV testing in the field.

Throughout the world, many migrant and mobile populations are at elevated risk for HIV. Iran has a large immigrant population from neighboring Afghanistan; however, few data exist on the prevalence of HIV in this community. In 2008, we conducted a study to assess the presence of HIV infection among 477 immigrants in a town to the northeast of Tehran using a rapid test in the field.

Antiretroviral drug resistance in a respondent-driven sample of HIV-infected men who have sex with men in Brazil.

Background: : There are few studies on HIV subtypes and primary and secondary antiretroviral drug resistance (ADR) in community-recruited samples in Brazil. We analyzed HIV clade diversity and prevalence of mutations associated with ADR in men who have sex with men in all five regions of Brazil.

Methods: : Using respondent-driven sampling, we recruited 3515 men who have sex with men in nine cities: 299 (9.

Reliability of self-report of HIV status among men who have sex with men in Brazil.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of self-reported HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Brazil.

Methods: MSM 18 years of age or older were recruited to a multicenter study using respondent-driven sampling. We compared self-report of the HIV test with a rapid HIV test using the kappa coefficient.

Persistence of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen among vaccinated children in a low hepatitis B virus endemic area.

Background: A potential problem of hepatitis B immunization is that vaccine-induced antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) declines to low levels with age. This study investigated the persistence of anti-HBs in vaccinated children in a low hepatitis B virus (HBV) endemic area.

Methods: Plasma samples of 938 children between ages of 8 months and 15 years were tested for the presence of anti-HBs.

Seroprevalence and correlates of hepatitis a among HIV-negative American men who have sex with men.

Background: Hepatitis A outbreaks are well documented among men who have sex with men (MSM). This analysis examines characteristics associated with hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection among a large group of young adult MSM from five USA cities.

Methods: The Young Men's Survey was a cross-sectional prevalence study of HIV infection and related behavioural risk factors among MSM aged 15-29 years during 1994-2000.

Are HIV epidemics among men who have sex with men emerging in the Middle East and North Africa?: a systematic review and data synthesis.

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) bear a disproportionately higher burden of HIV infection than the general population. MSM in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are a largely hidden population because of a prevailing stigma towards this type of sexual behavior, thereby limiting the ability to assess infection transmission patterns among them. It is widely perceived that data are virtually nonexistent on MSM and HIV in this region.

Pleural and pericardial effusions: rare presentations of brucellosis, Iran.

We report a rare case of brucellosis presenting with pleural and pericardial effusions in a 35 year-old male rancher in Iran with fever and dyspnea. Such findings should prompt inclusion of brucellosis in the differential diagnosis in endemic areas.