Is gravidity associated with COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women in Jamaica?

Introduction: In 2021, Jamaica's maternal mortality ratio doubled as a result of COVID-19-related deaths. Yet, COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant Jamaican women remained low. In the United States, COVID-19 vaccination is lower among pregnant women who have had multiple pregnancies (multigravidas) versus women who were pregnant for the first time (primigravidas).

Costs of Community-Based Viral Hepatitis Screening in Cameroon Using Point-of-Care Technologies.

This cost analysis of a community-based viral hepatitis screening program in Cameroon found an investment of $3.52 per person screened, $50.63 per new diagnosis of hepatitis B, $159.

Tobacco smoking, smoking cessation and life expectancy among people with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in South Africa: a simulation modelling study.

Introduction: As access to effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved globally, tobacco-related illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic respiratory conditions, account for a growing proportion of deaths among people with HIV (PWH). We estimated the impact of tobacco smoking and smoking cessation on life expectancy among PWH in South Africa.

Methods: In a microsimulation model, we simulated 18 cohorts of PWH with virologic suppression, each homogenous by sex, initial age (35y/45y/55y) and smoking status (current/former/never).

Using simulation modeling to inform intervention and implementation selection in a rapid stakeholder-engaged hybrid effectiveness-implementation randomized trial.

Background: Implementation research generally assumes established evidence-based practices and prior piloting of implementation strategies, which may not be feasible during a public health emergency. We describe the use of a simulation model of the effectiveness of COVID-19 mitigation strategies to inform a stakeholder-engaged process of rapidly designing a tailored intervention and implementation strategy for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and intellectual/developmental disabilities (ID/DD) in group homes in a hybrid effectiveness-implementation randomized trial.

Methods: We used a validated dynamic microsimulation model of COVID-19 transmission and disease in late 2020/early 2021 to determine the most effective strategies to mitigate infections among Massachusetts group home staff and residents.

Projecting the Potential Clinical and Economic Impact of HIV Prevention Resource Reallocation in Tennessee.

Background: In 2023, Tennessee replaced $6.2 M in US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention funding with state funds to redirect support away from men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender women (TGW), and heterosexual Black women (HSBW) and to prioritize instead first responders (FR), pregnant people (PP), and survivors of sex trafficking (SST).

Methods: We used a simulation model of HIV disease to compare the clinical impact of Current, the present allocation of condoms, preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and HIV testing to CDC priority risk groups (MSM/TGW/HSBW); with Reallocation, funding instead increased HIV testing and linkage of Tennessee-determined priority populations (FR/PP/SST).

Second Time's the Charm? Assessing the Sensitivity and Yield of Inpatient Diagnostic Algorithms for Pulmonary Tuberculosis in a Low-Prevalence Setting.

Background: For persons with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis, the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend collecting 3 respiratory specimens 8 to 24 hours apart for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear and culture, in addition to 1 nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). However, data supporting this approach are limited. Our objective was to estimate the performance of 1, 2, or 3 AFB smears with or without NAATs to detect pulmonary tuberculosis in a low-prevalence setting.

Antiretroviral Therapy Use and Disparities Among Medicare Beneficiaries with HIV.

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended for all people with HIV. Understanding ART use among Medicare beneficiaries with HIV is therefore critically important for improving quality and equity of care among the growing population of older adults with HIV. However, a comprehensive national evaluation of filled ART prescriptions among Medicare beneficiaries is lacking.

Modeling approaches to inform travel-related policies for COVID-19 containment: A scoping review and future directions.

Background: Travel-related strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19 evolved rapidly in response to changes in the understanding of SARS-CoV-2 and newly available tools for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Modeling is an important methodology to investigate the range of outcomes that could occur from different disease containment strategies.

Methods: We examined 43 articles published from December 2019 through September 2022 that used modeling to evaluate travel-related COVID-19 containment strategies.

Population Effectiveness of Dolutegravir Implementation in Uganda: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study (DISCO), 48-Week Results.

Background: Tenofovir/lamivudine/dolutegravir (TLD) is the preferred first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen for people with HIV (PWH), including those who were previously virologically suppressed on nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). We sought to estimate the real-world effectiveness of the TLD transition in Ugandan public-sector clinics.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of PWH aged ≥18 years who were transitioned from NNRTI-based ART to TLD.

Distinct cytokine profiles in late pregnancy in Ugandan people with HIV.

During pregnancy, multiple immune regulatory mechanisms establish an immune-tolerant environment for the allogeneic fetus, including cellular signals called cytokines that modify immune responses. However, the impact of maternal HIV infection on these responses is incompletely characterized. We analyzed paired maternal and umbilical cord plasma collected during labor from 147 people with HIV taking antiretroviral therapy and 142 HIV-uninfected comparators.

Projected Life Expectancy for Adolescents With HIV in the US.

Importance: Life expectancy is a key measure of overall population health. Life expectancy estimates for youth with HIV in the US are needed in the current HIV care and treatment context to guide health policies and resource allocation.

Objective: To compare life expectancy between 18-year-old youth with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV), youth with nonperinatally acquired HIV (NPHIV), and youth without HIV.

Piloting Siyakhana: A community health worker training to reduce substance use and depression stigma in South African HIV and TB care.

South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV/tuberculosis (TB) co-infection, and poor engagement in HIV/TB care contributes to morbidity and mortality. In South Africa, community health workers (CHWs) are tasked with re-engaging patients who have dropped out of HIV/TB care. CHWs have described substantial challenges with substance use (SU) and depression among their patients, while patients have described CHW stigma towards SU and depression as barriers to re-engagement in care.

Screening Strategies to Reduce COVID-19 Mortality in Nursing Homes.

Importance: Nursing home residents continue to bear a disproportionate share of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, accounting for 9% of all US COVID-19 deaths in 2023, despite comprising only 0.4% of the population.

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of screening strategies in reducing COVID-19 mortality in nursing homes.

Swiping right on PrEP: a qualitative study of MSM preferences for PrEP public health messaging on dating apps.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV. Given that over 70% of MSM meet sexual partners via dating apps, such apps may be an effective platform for promoting HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use. We aimed to describe preferences among MSM for PrEP advertisements displayed on dating apps.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Newborn Anemia in Southwestern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: The global prevalence of maternal anemia is about 42%, and in sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of newborn anemia ranges from 25% to 30%. Anemia in newborn babies may cause complications such as delayed brain maturation and arrested growth. However, there is limited data on the prevalence of newborn anemia and its risk factors in people living in resource-limited settings.

Regional variation in weight change after the transition to dolutegravir in Uganda and South Africa.

Background: People with HIV (PWH) on integrase inhibitor-based regimens may be at risk of excess weight gain, but it is unclear if this risk is consistent across settings. We assessed weight change over 48 weeks among PWH who were transitioned to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/lamivudine/dolutegravir (TLD).

Design: We conducted a prospective cohort study at public-sector HIV clinics in Uganda and South Africa.