Structural and environmental barriers to condom use negotiation with clients among female sex workers: implications for HIV-prevention strategies and policy.

Objectives: We investigated the relationship between environmental-structural factors and condom-use negotiation with clients among female sex workers.

Methods: We used baseline data from a 2006 Vancouver, British Columbia, community-based cohort of female sex workers, to map the clustering of "hot spots" for being pressured into unprotected sexual intercourse by a client and assess sexual HIV risk. We used multivariate logistic modeling to estimate the relationship between environmental-structural factors and being pressured by a client into unprotected sexual intercourse.

Associations between migrant status and sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Tijuana, Mexico.

Objective: To examine associations between migration and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence among Mexican female sex workers (FSW).

Methods: FSW aged 18 years and older in Tijuana, Baja California (BC) underwent interviews and testing for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia. Multivariate logistic regressions identified correlates of STI.

Prevalence of infections, HIV risk behaviors and factors associated with HIV infection among male injecting drug users attending a needle/syringe exchange program in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Injecting drug users (IDU) in Bangladesh are at the early stages of an HIV epidemic. To understand the dynamics of the HIV epidemic, male IDU (n = 561) were recruited from the needle/syringe exchange program in Dhaka in 2002, who underwent a risk-behavior survey and were tested for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B. Correlates of HIV infection were determined by conducting bivariate and multiple regression analyses.

Prevalence and correlates of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis knowledge among intrapartum patients and health care providers in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Little is known about blood-borne infection awareness and knowledge among obstetric populations and health care providers in Afghanistan. HIV and hepatitis B awareness and knowledge are described among 4452 intrapartum patients completing an interviewer-administered questionnaire and whole-blood rapid testing and 123 obstetric care providers completing a questionnaire between June 2006 and September 2006. Participants were enrolled from three Kabul public maternity hospitals.

Predictors of safer sex intentions and protected sex among heterosexual HIV-negative methamphetamine users: an expanded model of the Theory of Planned Behavior.

The purpose of this study was to test a version of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) for predicting safe sex behavior in a sample of 228 HIV-negative heterosexual methamphetamine users. We hypothesized that, in addition to TPB constructs, participants' amount of methamphetamine use and desire to stop unsafe sex behaviors would predict intentions to engage in safer sex behaviors. In turn, we predicted that safer sex intentions would be positively correlated with participants' percentage of protected sex.

A qualitative assessment of stakeholder perceptions and socio-cultural influences on the acceptability of harm reduction programs in Tijuana, Mexico.

Background: The Mexico-U.S. border region is experiencing rising rates of blood-borne infections among injection drug users (IDUs), emphasizing the need for harm reduction interventions.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected drug users: a meta-analysis.

We conducted a meta-analysis of studies assessing adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and a qualitative systematic review of factors associated with better HAART outcomes among HIV+ drug users (DU). Thirty-eight studies were considered, which analyzed 14,960 patients (11,394 HIV+ DU, 76.2%).

Seroprevalence of select bloodborne pathogens and associated risk behaviors among injection drug users in the Paso del Norte region of the United States-Mexico border.

Background: The region situated where the borders of Mexico, Texas and New Mexico meet is known as 'Paso del Norte'. The Paso del Norte Collaborative was formed to study the seroprevalence of select pathogens and associated risk behaviors among injection drug users (IDUs) in the region.

Methods: Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) was used: 459 IDU participants included 204 from Mexico; 155 from Texas; and 100 from New Mexico.

A cross-sectional assessment of utilization of addiction treatment among injection drug users in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The purpose of this study was to describe prior use of detoxification and addiction-treatment programs among injection drug users (IDUs) in Kabul, Afghanistan. From 2005-2006, IDUs (n = 464) recruited into this cross-sectional study completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire and whole blood rapid testing with fingerstick samples for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C antibody and B surface antigen testing. Participants were predominantly male (99.

Exploring stakeholder perceptions of acceptability and feasibility of needle exchange programmes, syringe vending machines and safer injection facilities in Tijuana, Mexico.

Background: Injection drug use is a growing public health crisis along the U.S.-Mexican border and rising rates of blood-borne infections highlight the pressing need for harm reduction interventions.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy for human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome among drug users: a systematic review.

Aims: Adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is a key predictor of survival for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected people. Suboptimal adherence among marginalized populations such as HIV-positive drug users could be associated with clinical failure and the emergence of viral resistance.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review of studies assessing adherence to HAART among HIV-positive drug users (DU) and identify factors associated with non-adherence to HIV treatment.

Predictors of opiate agonist treatment retention among injection drug users referred from a needle exchange program.

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a case management intervention on retention in opiate agonist therapy among injection drug users (IDUs) referred from a needle exchange program (NEP). DESIGN, INTERVENTION, PARTICIPANTS, AND SETTING: A randomized trial of a strengths-based case management intervention versus passive referral (control) was conducted among NEP attendees requesting and receiving referrals to subsidized, publicly funded opiate agonist treatment programs in Baltimore, MD.

Measurements: Multivariable Cox regression models were used to identify predictors of treatment retention using an ecological model approach, taking into account factors at the individual, social, and environmental level.

HIV/AIDS risk among female sex workers who use crack in Southern Brazil.

Objective: To understand the social context of female sex workers who use crack and its impact on HIV/AIDS risk behaviors. METHODODOLOGICAL PROCEDURES: Qualitative study carried out in Foz do Iguaçu, Southern Brazil, in 2003. Twenty-six in-depth interviews and two focus groups were carried out with female commercial sex workers who frequently use crack.

Global epidemiology of injecting drug use and HIV among people who inject drugs: a systematic review.

Background: Injecting drug use is an increasingly important cause of HIV transmission in most countries worldwide. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of injecting drug use among individuals aged 15-64 years, and of HIV among people who inject drugs.

Methods: We did a systematic search of peer-reviewed (Medline, EmBase, and PubMed/BioMed Central), internet, and grey literature databases; and data requests were made to UN agencies and international experts.

Attitudes and practices of obstetric care providers in Kabul, Afghanistan regarding antenatal testing for sexually transmitted infection.

Objective: To determine attitudes toward and utilization of testing for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B among obstetric care providers in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Three public maternity hospitals in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Efficacy of a brief behavioral intervention to promote condom use among female sex workers in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Objectives: We examined the efficacy of a brief behavioral intervention to promote condom use among female sex workers in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Methods: We randomized 924 female sex workers 18 years or older without known HIV infection living in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez who had recently had unprotected sex with clients to a 30-minute behavioral intervention or a didactic control condition. At baseline and 6 months, women underwent interviews and testing for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.

Seroprevalence and correlates of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C virus among intrapartum patients in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Background: Little current information is available for prevalence of vertically-transmitted infections among the Afghan population. The purpose of this study is to determine prevalence and correlates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis, and hepatitis B and C infection among obstetric patients and model hepatitis B vaccination approaches in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at three government maternity hospitals in Kabul, Afghanistan from June through September, 2006.

The impact of opiate agonist maintenance therapy on drug use within social networks of injecting drug users.

This study examined whether participation in opiate drug treatment is associated with changes in drug use and injecting drug use within the social networks of injecting drug users. Participants were 245 injecting drug users who attended the Baltimore Needle Exchange Program during 2002-2004 and requested treatment and received a referral for opiate agonist treatment as part of an intervention to improve treatment outcomes. Data included interviews at baseline, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months and drug treatment program agency records.

Frequency of discussing HIV prevention and care topics with patients with HIV: influence of physician gender, race/ethnicity, and practice characteristics.

Background: Because people living with HIV now have greater life expectancy and reduced morbidity, there is a greater need for physicians to discuss HIV transmission risk reduction with these patients. Very limited data are available examining how frequently this discussion is held.

Objective: We examined the frequency of discussing HIV prevention and HIV care topics, as well as the associations of gender, race/ethnicity, and practice characteristics of physicians caring for persons with HIV.

Cross-sectional analysis of factors associated with prior contraceptive use among hospitalized obstetric patients in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Objective: This study was conducted to assess prevalence and correlates of prior contraceptive use among hospitalized obstetric patients in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Study Design: Medically eligible (e.g.

Differential effects of migration and deportation on HIV infection among male and female injection drug users in Tijuana, Mexico.

HIV prevalence is rising, especially among high risk females in Tijuana, Baja California, a Mexico-US border city situated on major migration and drug trafficking routes. We compared factors associated with HIV infection among male and female injection drug users (IDUs) in Tijuana in an effort to inform HIV prevention and treatment programs. IDUs aged > or = 18 years were recruited using respondent-driven sampling and underwent testing for HIV, syphilis and structured interviews.