Reasons for non-disclosure of HIV-Positive status to healthcare providers: a mixed methods study in Mozambique.

Background: Non-disclosure of known HIV status by people living with HIV but undergoing HIV testing leads to waste of HIV testing resources and distortion of estimates of HIV indicators. In Mozambique, an estimated one-third of persons who tested positive already knew their HIV-positive status. To our knowledge, this study is the first to assess the factors that prevent people living with HIV (PLHIV) from disclosing their HIV-positive status to healthcare providers during a provider-initiated counseling and testing (PICT) campaign.

Low and Decreasing Prevalence and Rate of False Positive HIV Diagnosis - Chókwè District, Mozambique, 2014-2017.

In 2017, rapid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing services enabled the HIV diagnosis and treatment of approximately 15.3 million persons with HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa with life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART) (1). Although suboptimal testing practices and misdiagnoses have been reported in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere, trends in population burden and rate of false positive HIV diagnosis (false diagnosis) have not been reported (2,3).

Risk Factors for Oral Human Papillomavirus Infection Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men-2 Cities, United States, 2012-2014.

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at risk for cancers attributable to human papillomavirus (HPV), including oropharyngeal cancer. Human papillomavirus vaccination is recommended for US MSM through age 26 years. Oral HPV infection is associated with oropharyngeal cancer.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women in 2 US Cities, 2012-2014.

Background: Since 2011, in the United States, quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been recommended for boys aged 11 to 12 years, men through age 21, and men who have sex with men (MSM) through age 26. We assessed HPV vaccination coverage and factors associated with vaccination among young MSM (YMSM) and transgender women (TGW) in 2 cities.

Methods: During 2012-2014, 808 YMSM and TGW aged 18 to 26 years reported vaccination status in a self-administered computerized questionnaire at 3 sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in Los Angeles and Chicago.

Concordance Between Anal and Oral Human Papillomavirus Infections Among Young Men Who have Sex With Men.

Prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections was assessed among 1033 young men who have sex with men (MSM) aged 18-26 years. HPV (any type) was detected in 742 (71.8%) anal specimens and 101 (9.

Transmission Behaviors and Prevalence of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Among Adult Film Performers.

Background: Adult film work involves multiple sex partners, unprotected intercourse and frequent oral/rectal contact. Data on sexual networks and sexual behaviors of adult film performers (AFP) are limited.

Methods: From August 2012 to May 2013, AFPs in Los Angeles, CA, seeking care at 2 clinics that provide sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing to performers were offered urogenital, pharyngeal, and rectal chlamydia/gonorrhea testing.

Monitoring for Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Impact Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men-United States, 2012-2014.

Background: Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection; vaccination is recommended for US males, including MSM through age 26 years. We assessed evidence of HPV among vaccine-eligible MSM and transgender women to monitor vaccine impact.

Methods: During 2012-2014, MSM aged 18-26 years at select clinics completed a computer-assisted self-interview regarding sexual behavior, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status, and vaccinations.

Azithromycin versus Doxycycline for Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis Infection.

Background: Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infection remains prevalent and causes substantial reproductive morbidity. Recent studies have raised concern about the efficacy of azithromycin for the treatment of chlamydia infection.

Methods: We conducted a randomized trial comparing oral azithromycin with doxycycline for the treatment of urogenital chlamydia infection among adolescents in youth correctional facilities, to evaluate the noninferiority of azithromycin (1 g in one dose) to doxycycline (100 mg twice daily for 7 days).

Using a Multitest Algorithm to Improve the Positive Predictive Value of Rapid HIV Testing and Linkage to HIV Care in Nonclinical HIV Test Sites.

Background: Use of a rapid HIV testing algorithm (RTA) in which all tests are conducted within one client appointment could eliminate off-site confirmatory testing and reduce the number of persons not receiving confirmed results.

Methods: An RTA was implemented in 9 sites in Los Angeles and San Francisco; results of testing at these sites were compared with 23 sites conducting rapid HIV testing with off-site confirmation. RTA clients with reactive results on more than 1 rapid test were considered HIV+ and immediately referred for HIV care.

Spatial video geonarratives and health: case studies in post-disaster recovery, crime, mosquito control and tuberculosis in the homeless.

Background: A call has recently been made by the public health and medical communities to understand the neighborhood context of a patient's life in order to improve education and treatment. To do this, methods are required that can collect "contextual" characteristics while complementing the spatial analysis of more traditional data. This also needs to happen within a standardized, transferable, easy-to-implement framework.

Syphilis Experiences and Risk Perceptions Among Repeatedly Infected Men Who Have Sex with Men.

Context: In urban areas of the United States, syphilis is a major public health issue for men who have sex with men, despite widespread efforts to curtail a growing epidemic; repeated infections are not uncommon in this population. The ways that men who have sex with men experience and conceptualize syphilis, and how their attitudes and beliefs impact their risk for infection, are poorly understood.

Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted in 2010-2011 with 19 Los Angeles County men aged 21-54 who reported having male sex partners and had had two or more early syphilis infections within the previous five years.

Comparison of Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Urogenital Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolates Obtained From Women and Men.

Background: The US system for gonococcal antimicrobial susceptibility surveillance monitors trends exclusively among men with urethral infection, the population from whom the yield of gonococcal culture is highest. Little is known about the susceptibility of female urogenital isolates, and it is unclear whether gonococcal susceptibility among men who report sex exclusively with women (MSW) is representative of susceptibility among women.

Methods: Using isolates collected during a recent treatment trial in 5 US cities, we performed a secondary analysis to compare antimicrobial susceptibilities of Neisseria gonorrhoeae urogenital isolates obtained from women, MSW, and men who have sex with men (MSM).

Acceptable interventions to reduce syphilis transmission among high-risk men who have sex with men in Los Angeles.

Objectives: We examined perceptions of and attitudes toward existing and potential syphilis interventions, including case management and Web-based programs, to increase syphilis testing among high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: Between October 2010 and June 2011, we conducted in-depth interviews with 19 MSM in Los Angeles, California, with repeat early syphilis infections (primary, secondary, and early latent syphilis) within the previous 5 years. We analyzed the interviews inductively to determine the most acceptable potential interventions.

The project connect health systems intervention: linking sexually experienced youth to sexual and reproductive health care.

Purpose: To evaluate a health systems intervention to increase adolescents' receipt of high-quality sexual and reproductive health care services.

Methods: Quasi experimental design. Twelve high schools in a large public school district were matched into pairs.

Check Yourself: a social marketing campaign to increase syphilis screening in Los Angeles County.

Background: In 2007, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health launched Check Yourself, a new social marketing campaign, as part of ongoing efforts to address the persistent syphilis epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the county. The goals of the campaign were to increase syphilis testing and knowledge among MSM. Check Yourself was planned with careful attention to the principles of social marketing, including formative research, market segmentation, and an emphasis on building a strong brand.

There's no place like home: first-year use of the "I Know" home testing program for chlamydia and gonorrhea.

In response to high chlamydia and gonorrhea morbidity, particularly among young African American and Latina women, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health launched a free home testing program for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The primary objectives were to increase chlamydia and gonorrhea testing by removing key barriers and to motivate young women to screen routinely for these sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The program was promoted with a social marketing campaign urging women to order home collection kits online or by telephone.

Improving the implementation of a condom availability program in urban high schools.

Purpose: We conducted an intervention to improve the implementation of a high school condom availability program, and evaluated its effect on students' awareness of the program and acquisition of condoms.

Methods: Twelve public high schools in the Los Angeles, CA area participated, half each in the intervention and control conditions. Project staff facilitated intervention schools' self-assessment of compliance with the school district's condom availability policy, creating an action plan by determining which mandatory program elements were lacking and identifying steps to improve compliance.

Community-embedded disease intervention specialist program for syphilis partner notification in a clinic serving men who have sex with men.

Background/objectives: We evaluated the effectiveness of a Community-Embedded Disease Intervention Specialist (CEDIS) in providing partner notification (PN) for primary syphilis cases in a high STD morbidity, community-based clinic serving men who have sex with men in Los Angeles.

Methods: The CEDIS was trained by the same standards as the local health department Disease Investigator Specialists but was employed by and stationed at the clinic where the primary cases were diagnosed. We compared the CEDIS on specific PN outcomes before and after placement of the CEDIS and among countywide men who have sex with men primary syphilis cases, excluding the cases from the CEDIS clinic.

Condom distribution in jail to prevent HIV infection.

To determine if a structural intervention of providing one condom a week to inmates in the Los Angeles County Men's Central Jail MSM unit reduces HIV transmissions and net social cost, we estimated numbers of new HIV infections (1) when condoms are available; and (2) when they are not. Input data came from a 2007 survey of inmates, the literature and intervention program records. Base case estimates showed that condom distribution averted 1/4 of HIV transmissions.

Evaluation of inSPOTLA.org: an Internet partner notification service.

Background: This article presents an evaluation of inSPOTLA.org, a sexually transmitted disease partner notification Web site in Los Angeles County primarily targeting men who have sex with men (MSM). Since its launch in 2005, this Web site has received more than 400,000 visitors and resulted in nearly 50,000 e-mail postcards sent.