A global review of national guidelines of post-exposure prophylaxis for the prevention of HIV.

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of antiretroviral drugs as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for preventing HIV acquisition for occupational and non-occupational exposures. To inform the development of global WHO recommendations on PEP, we reviewed national guidelines of PEP for their recommendations.

Methods: Policies addressing PEP from 38 WHO HIV priority countries were obtained by searching governmental and non-governmental websites and consulting country and regional experts; these countries were selected based on HIV burden, new HIV acquisitions and the number of HIV-associated deaths.

Emergency contraception access in Fijian community pharmacies: A descriptive study.

Objective: To assess pharmacists' knowledge regarding emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs), their attitudes towards women obtaining ECPs, and ECP counselling and dispensing practices.

Methods: An online cross-sectional survey using Qualtrics was distributed via pharmacy emails and networks to recruit registered pharmacists working in community-based pharmacies.

Results: There were 22 valid respondents, predominantly female pharmacists (68%), with an average of 7.

Social network-based approaches to HIV testing: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Social network-based testing approaches (SNAs) encourage individuals ("test promoters") to motivate sexual partners and/or those in their social networks to test for HIV. We conducted a systematic review to examine the effectiveness, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of SNA.

Methods: We searched five databases from January 2010 to May 2023, and included studies that compared SNA with non-SNA.

Do Peer Navigators Improve Initiation and Retention in HIV/VH/STI Treatment Programs for People From Key Populations? A Systematic Review of Effectiveness, Values and Preferences, and Cost.

Background: Key populations are disproportionately affected by HIV, viral hepatitis (VH), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and face barriers to care. Peer navigation programs are widely used, but evidence supporting their use has not been synthesized.

Setting: Peer navigation programs for sex workers, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, prisoners, and trans and gender diverse people globally.

Piloting a simplified bio-behavioural survey methodology, the BBS-Lite, among people who inject drugs in Georgia.

Background: During 2021 and 2023 two simplified Biological and Behavioural Study (BBS-Lite) surveys, and in 2022 one Standard Integrated Biological and Behavioural Study (IBBS), were conducted among people who inject drugs in seven cities in Georgia. From these, an opportunity to compare the implementation of these survey methods and results was able to be gained.

Methods: The two survey types were compared to find points of similarity and difference in their methodologies.

Counselling behavioural interventions for HIV, STI and viral hepatitis among key populations: a systematic review of effectiveness, values and preferences, and cost studies.

Introduction: Key populations (sex workers, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, people in prisons and other closed settings, and trans and gender diverse individuals) are disproportionately affected by HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and viral hepatitis (VH). Counselling behavioural interventions are widely used, but their impact on HIV/STI/VH acquisition is unclear.

Methods: To inform World Health Organization guidelines, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness, values and preferences, and cost studies about counselling behavioural interventions with key populations.

Treatment switch to nonacog beta pegol factor IX in hemophilia B: A Canadian cost-consequence analysis based on real-world factor IX consumption and clinical outcomes.

Background: The Canadian Bleeding Disorders Registry (CBDR) is a source of real-world data for Canadian patients with hemophilia B. Nonacog beta pegol (N9-GP), an extended half-life (EHL) recombinant factor IX (FIX) concentrate, was awarded a Canadian Blood Services contract in 2018 and subsequently made available across Canada (except Québec) to adult patients. For most patients already on another EHL FIX treatment, a switch to N9-GP occurred.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention among people who inject drugs: a global mapping of service delivery.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for all people at substantial risk of HIV as part of combination prevention. The extent to which this recommendation has been implemented globally for people who inject drugs is unclear. This study mapped global service delivery of PrEP for people who inject drugs.

Web-Based Service Provision of HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention, Testing, Linkage, and Treatment for Key Populations: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Despite the growth of web-based interventions for HIV, viral hepatitis (VH), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for key populations, the evidence for the effectiveness of these interventions has not been reported.

Objective: This study aimed to inform the World Health Organization guidelines for HIV, VH, and STI prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services for key populations by systematically reviewing the effectiveness, values and preferences, and costs of web-based outreach, web-based case management, and targeted web-based health information for key populations (men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who inject drugs, trans and gender-diverse people, and people in prisons and other closed settings).

Methods: We searched CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Embase in May 2021 for peer-reviewed studies; screened abstracts; and extracted data in duplicate.

The World Health Organization's work and recommendations for improving the health of trans and gender diverse people.

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) is guided by its global programme of work and the goal that a billion more people have universal health coverage (UHC). To achieve UHC, access for those most vulnerable must be guaranteed and prioritized. WHO is committed to developing evidence-based guidance to work towards UHC for trans and gender diverse (TGD) people.

The Efficacy of the BioFire FilmArray Gastrointestinal Panel to Reduce Hospital Costs Associated With Contact Isolation: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Molecular syndromic panels can rapidly detect common pathogens responsible for acute gastroenteritis in hospitalized patients. Their impact on both patient and healthcare system outcomes is uncertain compared to conventional stool testing. This randomized trial evaluates the impact of molecular testing on in-hospital resource utilization compared to conventional stool testing.

Computed tomography features of presumed normal mandibular and medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes in dogs.

Computed tomographic (CT) features of lymph nodes are used for diagnosis, staging, and response evaluation in veterinary patients. The objectives of this study were to describe maximum short- and long-axis transverse diameters (SATD and LATD, respectively), volume, and attenuation of presumed normal canine mandibular lymph nodes (MLNs) and medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes (MRLNs), to investigate the effect of variables on these features, and to describe inter-observer reliability of transverse diameter and attenuation measurement. Computed tomography studies of 161 dogs were retrospectively reviewed.

Characterization and first-in-human clinical dose-escalation safety evaluation of a next-gen human freeze-dried plasma.

Background: Early plasma transfusion is life-saving for bleeding trauma patients. Freeze-dried plasma (FDP) provides unique formulation advantages for infusion in the prehospital setting. We describe characterization and clinical safety data of the first, next-generation FDP stored in plastic bags with rapid reconstitution.

The well now course: a service evaluation of a health gain approach to weight management.

Background: The Well Now health and weight course teaches body respect and health gain for all. The course validates peoples' lived experiences and knowledge through group activities and discussion with the aim of helping people to better understand their food and body stories. Well Now explores different ways of knowing, including the use and limits of body signals, like energy levels, hunger, taste and emotions and helps people keep food and behaviours in perspective by drawing attention to other factors that impact on health and wellbeing.

Values and preferences of contraceptive methods: a mixed-methods study among sex workers from diverse settings.

There is limited information on contraceptive values and preferences of sex workers. We conducted a mixed-method study to explore contraceptive values and preferences among sex workers. We conducted an online survey with individuals from 38 countries ( = 239), 6 focus group discussions (FGD,  = 68) in Zimbabwe, and 12 in-depth phone interviews (IDI) across 4 world regions, in June and July of 2019.

Guidelines are needed for studies of pre-treatment HIV drug resistance: a methodological study.

Background: The expansion of access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been accompanied by an increase in pre-treatment drug resistance (PDR). While it is critical to monitor the increasing prevalence of PDR across countries and populations to inform optimal regimen selection, the completeness of reporting is often suboptimal, limiting the interpretation and generalizability of the results. Indeed, there is no formal guidance on how studies investigating the prevalence of drug resistance should be reported.

Simulation-Based Mastery Learning Improves Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion Skills of Practicing Nurses.

Introduction: Difficult intravenous (IV) access (DIVA) is frequently encountered in the hospital setting. Ultrasound-guided peripheral IV catheter (USGPIV) insertion has emerged as an effective procedure to establish access in patients with DIVA. Despite the increased use of USGPIV, little is known about the optimal training paradigms for bedside nurses.

Prevalence of pretreatment HIV drug resistance in key populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: WHO's 2019 report on HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) documents a high prevalence of pretreatment drug resistance (PDR) among populations initiating first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). However, systematic evidence on the prevalence of PDR among key populations remains limited. We performed a systematic review to characterize levels of PDR in key population groups and compared them to levels of PDR in the "general population" across different geographical regions.

Prevalence and incidence of hepatitis C virus infection in men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: WHO has set targets for hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination by 2030. We did a global systematic review of HCV prevalence and incidence in men who have sex with men (MSM) to provide updated estimates that can guide community education and public health policy.

Methods: We did a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published and listed on MEDLINE or Embase between Jan 1, 2000, and Oct 31, 2019, including conference proceedings.

Breaking the cycle of recurrent fracture: implementing the first fracture liaison service (FLS) in British Columbia, Canada.

Unlabelled: Fractures occurring with very little trauma are often caused by osteoporosis and can lead to disability. This study demonstrates that a coordinator working with an orthopaedic team can significantly increase the number of individuals receiving appropriate treatments during their after-fracture care to prevent future fractures from occurring.

Purpose: Well-implemented Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) programs increase appropriate investigation and treatment for osteoporosis after low trauma fracture.