Establishment, Implementation, Initial Outcomes, and Lessons Learned from Recent HIV Infection Surveillance Using a Rapid Test for Recent Infection Among Persons Newly Diagnosed With HIV in Thailand: Implementation Study.

Background: A recent infection testing algorithm (RITA) incorporating case surveillance (CS) with the rapid test for recent HIV infection (RTRI) was integrated into HIV testing services in Thailand as a small-scale pilot project in October 2020.

Objective: We aimed to describe the lessons learned and initial outcomes obtained after the establishment of the nationwide recent HIV infection surveillance project from April through August 2022.

Methods: We conducted desk reviews, developed a surveillance protocol and manual, selected sites, trained staff, implemented surveillance, and analyzed outcomes.

Web-Based Respondent-Driven Sampling to Assess Biobehavioral Factors Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Thailand: Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is the current standard for sampling key populations at risk for HIV infections but is usually limited to local implementation in single towns or cities. Web-based sampling eliminates this spatial constraint but often relies on self-selected convenience samples. We piloted a web-based RDS survey with biomarker collection among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Thailand.

A Web-Based, Respondent-Driven Sampling Survey Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (Kai Noi): Description of Methods and Characteristics.

Background: Thailand's HIV epidemic is heavily concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM), and surveillance efforts are mostly based on case surveillance and local biobehavioral surveys.

Objective: We piloted Kai Noi, a web-based respondent-driven sampling (RDS) survey among MSM.

Methods: We developed an application coded in PHP that facilitated all procedures and events typically used in an RDS office for use on the web, including e-coupon validation, eligibility screening, consent, interview, peer recruitment, e-coupon issuance, and compensation.

Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV - Thailand.

Thailand experienced a generalized human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic during the 1990s. HIV prevalence among pregnant women was 2.0% and the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) rate was >20% (1-3).

Uptake of early infant diagnosis in Thailand's national program for preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission and linkage to care, 2008-2011.

Introduction: Early infant diagnosis (EID) has been a component of Thailand's prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) programme since 2007. This study assessed the uptake, EID coverage, proportion of HIV-exposed infants receiving a definitive HIV diagnosis, mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) rates and linkage to HIV care and treatment.

Methods: Infant polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing data from the National AIDS Program database were analyzed.

Outcomes of a Comprehensive Youth Program for HIV-infected Adolescents in Thailand.

We developed an intervention program for HIV-infected Thai adolescents with two group sessions and two individual sessions, focusing on four strategies: health knowledge, coping skills, sexual risk reduction, and life goals. An audio computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI) was administered to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding antiretroviral therapy management, reproductive health, and HIV-associated risk behavior. The program was implemented in two HIV clinics; 165 (84%) adolescents (intervention group) participated in the program; 32 (16%) completed the ACASI without participating in the group or individual sessions (nonintervention group).

Assessment of a couples HIV counseling and testing program for pregnant women and their partners in antenatal care (ANC) in 7 provinces, Thailand.

Background: Couples HIV testing and counseling (CHTC) at antenatal care (ANC) settings allows pregnant women to learn the HIV status of themselves and their partners. Couples can make decisions together to prevent HIV transmission. In Thailand, men were tested at ANC settings only if their pregnant partners were HIV positive.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antiretroviral management, reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections, and sexual risk behavior among perinatally HIV-infected youth in Thailand.

More than 30% of perinatally HIV-infected children in Thailand are 12 years and older. As these youth become sexually active, there is a risk that they will transmit HIV to their partners. Data on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of HIV-infected youth in Thailand are limited.

Compliance with and outcomes of CD4-based national guidelines for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV for Thailand, 2006-2007.

The 2006 Thailand national prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) guidelines recommended antiretroviral (ARV) regimen use during antenatal care (ANC) be based on CD4 results: highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) should be used for a CD4 < 200 cells/mm(3) and zidovudine/single-dose nevirapine should be used for a CD4 count > or = 200 cell/mm(3). We evaluated compliance with and outcomes of these guidelines. We conducted a retrospective chart review of HIV-infected women and their infants born during October 2006 - December 2007 at 27 hospitals in 11 provinces of Thailand.

Development of a diagnosis disclosure model for perinatally HIV-infected children in Thailand.

While disclosure of HIV status to perinatally HIV-infected children has become an increasingly important clinical issue, specific disclosure guidelines are lacking. We developed a pediatric HIV diagnosis disclosure model to support caretakers. All HIV-infected children greater than 7-years-old at two participating hospitals in Bangkok, Thailand, and their caretakers, were offered disclosure according to the 4-step protocol: (1) screening; (2) readiness assessment; (3) disclosure; and (4) follow-up.

Successful clinical outcomes following decentralization of tertiary paediatric HIV care to a community-based paediatric antiretroviral treatment network, Chiangrai, Thailand, 2002 to 2008.

Introduction: Most paediatric antiretroviral treatments (ARTs) in Thailand are limited to tertiary care hospitals. To decentralize paediatric HIV treatment and care, Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital (CRH) strengthened a provincial paediatric HIV care network by training community hospital (CH) care teams to receive referrals of children for community follow-up. In this study, we assessed factors associated with death and clinical outcomes of HIV-infected children who received care at CRH and CHs after implementation of a community-based paediatric HIV care network.

Reduction in mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Thailand, 2001-2003: Results from population-based surveillance in six provinces.

Background: In 2000, Thailand implemented a national program to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT).

Objective: To describe the effectiveness of the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission program in Thailand.

Design And Methods: A register of HIV-exposed children at birth was created with follow-up of infection status.

Preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission: the first year of Thailand's national program.

Context: Each year in Thailand, about 10,000 children are born at risk for mother-to-child human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. In 2000, Thailand implemented a national program to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission.

Objective: To describe the results of implementation of the program.