Feasibility and acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis use among women in violent relationships.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with a high risk of HIV acquisition. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which does not require partner knowledge or consent, is a promising HIV risk reduction option for women experiencing IPV. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 26 women experiencing IPV within the last six months, this study explored the feasibility and acceptability of PrEP use in this population.

Pilot Test of an Integrated Sexual Risk Reduction Intervention for Women with a History of Childhood Sexual Abuse.

HIV and childhood sexual abuse (CSA) are intersecting public health problems for women. We pilot tested an integrated sexual risk reduction intervention for women with a history of CSA that addressed both the consequences of CSA [based on the Traumagenic Dynamics (TD) framework] and the antecedents of sexual risk behavior (based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills [IMB] model). Women with a history of CSA who were attending a public STI clinic (n = 84) were randomly assigned to a five-session integrated TD/IMB (experimental) group intervention or to a time-matched IMB-guided sexual risk reduction (control) group intervention.

Development and Preliminary Pilot Testing of a Peer Support Text Messaging Intervention for HIV-Infected Black Men Who Have Sex With Men.

Background: Black men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately infected with HIV and are less well retained along the HIV continuum of care. We report on the feasibility of a peer support text messaging intervention designed to increase retention in HIV care and HIV medication adherence among HIV-infected black men who have sex with men.

Methods: Based on formative research, a cell phone app was developed to support a peer-based text messaging intervention.

Mobile technology use and desired technology-based intervention characteristics among HIV+ Black men who have sex with men.

HIV positive Black men who have sex with men (MSM) are retained in HIV medical care at suboptimal rates. Interventions targeted to Black MSM are needed to help to improve their retention in care. The purposes of this study were to investigate the use of mobile technology among HIV+ Black MSM and to explore participants' thoughts about the use of mobile technology for HIV retention in care interventions.

Evaluating a Brief, Video-Based Sexual Risk Reduction Intervention and Assessment Reactivity with STI Clinic Patients: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial.

We report results from a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of a video-based sexual risk reduction intervention and to measure assessment reactivity. Patients (N = 1010; 56 % male; 69 % African American) receiving care at a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic were assigned to one of four conditions formed by crossing assessment condition (i.e.

Optimizing the scientific yield from a randomized controlled trial (RCT): evaluating two behavioral interventions and assessment reactivity with a single trial.

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) remain the gold standard for evaluating intervention efficacy but are often costly. To optimize their scientific yield, RCTs can be designed to investigate multiple research questions. This paper describes an RCT that used a modified Solomon four-group design to simultaneously evaluate two, theoretically-guided, health promotion interventions as well as assessment reactivity.

Quantity, not frequency, of alcohol use moderates the association between multiple sexual partners and Trichomonas vaginalis among women attending an urban STD clinic.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate alcohol use, sexual risk behaviour and trichomoniasis in a sample of low-income, largely minority, women patients at a publicly funded sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in the USA.

Methods: Baseline data, collected as part of a clinical trial, were used. Patients (688 women, 46% of the overall sample) completed an audio computer-assisted self-interview that included questions about their alcohol use and sexual behaviours.

Predicting condom use among STD clinic patients using the Information - Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model.

We assessed determinants of condom use postulated by the IMB model among STD patients (N = 1474). The model provided acceptable fit to the data (CFI = 0.99, RMSEA = .

Alcohol consumption, drug use, and condom use among STD clinic patients.

Objective: Research on the association between substance use and sexual risk behavior has yielded a complex pattern of findings. Such inconsistent findings may reflect method variance, including factors such as gender of the participant, nature of the sexual event, partner characteristics, and type of substance used. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between substance use and unprotected sex independently for alcohol, drugs, or combined substance use and to examine partner characteristics as a moderator of this association.

Brief and intensive behavioral interventions to promote sexual risk reduction among STD clinic patients: results from a randomized controlled trial.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the separate and combined effectiveness of brief and intensive interventions for sexual risk reduction among patients at a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic. Patients (N =1483; 54% men; 64% African-American; M = 29.2 years old) were recruited from a publicly funded, walk-in STD clinic.

Improving HIV rapid testing rates among STD clinic patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that HIV testing be a standard part of medical care; however, testing is voluntary and some patients decline. We evaluated 2 brief interventions to promote rapid HIV testing among STD clinic patients who initially declined testing.

Method: Using a randomized controlled trial, patients either viewed an educational digital video disc (DVD) or participated in stage-based behavioral counseling (SBC) provided by a nurse.

The male-to-female ratio and multiple sexual partners: multilevel analysis with patients from an STD clinic.

Sexual partner concurrency plays an important role in HIV and STD transmission. The shortage of African-American men may facilitate partner concurrency. This study evaluated whether the male-to-female ratio was associated with African-American participants' number of recent sexual partners, and whether this association differed by gender.

Evaluating a two-step approach to sexual risk reduction in a publicly-funded STI clinic: rationale, design, and baseline data from the Health Improvement Project-Rochester (HIP-R).

Background: Sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics provide an opportune setting for HIV prevention efforts. This randomized controlled trial evaluated a unique, two-step approach to sexual risk reduction at a publicly-funded STI clinic.

Methods: During an initial visit, patients completed an audio-computer assisted self-interview (ACASI), were randomized to and received one of two brief interventions, obtained medical care, and completed a post-assessment.

Do STD clinic patients who consent to sexual health research differ from those who decline? Findings from a randomized controlled trial with implications for the generalization of research results.

Objectives: This study determined whether patients from an STD clinic who agreed to participate in behavioral research are representative of the overall patient population.

Study Design: Patients attending an STD clinic (N = 2694) were invited to participate in sexual risk-reduction research. Those who accepted (consenters) were compared to those who declined (nonconsenters) on data obtained from the medical chart.

Childhood sexual abuse and sexual risk behavior among men and women attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic.

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with a wide range of negative outcomes. The authors investigated the relation between CSA and sexual risk behavior in 827 patients recruited from a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic. Overall, CSA was reported by 53% of women and 49% of men and was associated with greater sexual risk behavior, including more sexual partners, unprotected sex, and sex trading.

Recruiting patients from a sexually transmitted disease clinic to sexual risk reduction workshops: are monetary incentives necessary?

Most patients attending urban STD clinics can benefit from workshops designed to promote sexual health and reduce sexual risk behaviors. However, many patients do not attend such workshops when invited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of providing a financial incentive on attendance at a sexual risk reduction workshop tailored to patients at an urban STD clinic.

Persistent culture-positive Legionella infection in an immunocompromised host.

Legionella pneumophila is an important cause of community-acquired and nosocomial pneumonia. We describe an immunocompromised patient with severe pneumonia from whom Legionella species were isolated from sputum samples by culture for 30 days, despite administration of treatment with appropriate antimicrobial agents. However, clear improvement in the patient's respiratory condition was evident, and he subsequently recovered completely.