Interventions to ensure access to and continuity of HIV care for international migrants: an evidence synthesis.

International migrants, especially those belonging to key populations, face a considerable HIV burden. However, continuity of HIV care for this group is often challenged along the migration route. We assess the available evidence on the existing interventions that aim to strengthen community and health systems to ensure the continuity of HIV care for international migrants.

HIV risk perception and PrEP uptake among black MSM in Mississippi.

Introduction: Rates for HIV are disproportionately higher for Black men who have sex with men (MSM) compared to other MSM in the U.S. While there is evidence that low perceived risk of HIV infection may increase HIV vulnerability, few studies have examined this relationship among Black MSM in the Southern U.

Sociodemographic characteristics, community engagement and stigma among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) who attend MSM-led versus public sexual health clinics: A cross-sectional survey in China.

Community-based sexual health services are recommended to increase sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing among men who have sex with men (MSM). Pilot study data from multiple sites found that MSM in Guangzhou who use public STD clinics were found to have different sociodemographic characteristics, lower community engagement, and increased social cohesion, compared to MSM who use MSM-led clinics.

Impact of Hepatitis B Virus Point-of-care DNA Viral Load Testing Compared With Laboratory-based Standard-of-care Approaches on Uptake of HBV Viral Load Testing, Treatment, and Turnaround Times: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Point-of-care (PoC) hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA viral load (VL) assays represent an alternative to laboratory-based standard-of-care (SoC) VL assays to accelerate diagnosis and treatment. We evaluated the impact of using PoC versus SoC approaches on the uptake of VL testing, treatment, and turnaround times from testing to treatment across the HBV care cascade.

Methods: We searched 5 databases, 6 conference websites, and contacted manufacturers for unpublished reports, for articles with or without a comparator (SoC VL testing), and had data on the uptake of VL testing, treatment, or turnaround times between hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) testing, VL testing, and treatment in the cascade.

Social network strategies to distribute HIV self-testing kits: a global systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Introduction: Social network strategies, in which social networks are utilized to influence individuals or communities, are increasingly being used to deliver human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) interventions to key populations. We summarized and critically assessed existing research on the effectiveness of social network strategies in promoting HIV self-testing (HIVST).

Methods: Using search terms related to social network interventions and HIVST, we searched five databases for trials published between 1st January 2010 and 30th June 2023.

Youth engagement and social innovation in health in low-and-middle-income countries: Analysis of a global youth crowdsourcing open call.

Social innovation in health is a ground-up, community-engaged process that draws on the diverse strengths of local individuals to drive social change and health improvement. Social innovation may be particularly useful in low and middle-income countries to ensure effective and sustainable health solutions. The purpose of this study is to describe the findings of a global youth (18-35 years old) crowdsourcing open call on social innovations, and to identify the levels of engagement in such innovations.

Incidence and spontaneous clearance of gonorrhea and chlamydia infections among men who have sex with men: a prospective cohort study in Zhuhai, China.

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) face significant risks of (CT) and/or (NG) infection. Nevertheless, only limited studies have looked into the site-specific infection and clearance of CT/NG. In order to prevent transmission, it is essential to understand the underlying factors that drive infection and spontaneous clearance.

Intimate partner violence and its correlates in middle-aged and older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multi-country secondary analysis.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) may have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Middle-aged and older adults, ages 45 years or older, are at higher risk of COVID-19 mortality and social isolation. However, most studies on IPV during the pandemic do not focus on this important subpopulation.

Digital Strategies Supporting Social Network Approaches to HIV Testing: A Scoping Review.

Purpose Of Review: This review captured how digital strategies support social network approaches to promote HIV testing.

Recent Finding: Overall, 29 studies were identified by searching PubMed and Embase for studies published up to June 2023. Existing studies revealed three types of digital strategies (social media (n = 28), online information channels (n = 4), and multifunctional digital platforms (n = 4)) split into four major modes of digital strategy-supported social-network-based HIV testing promotion: 1) Online outreach and recruiting, 2) gathering and identifying key populations for HIV testing, 3) communicating and disseminating online HIV testing health interventions, and 4) assisting and facilitating HIV testing uptake and distribution.

Intentions of healthcare seeking and self-isolation for MPOX among men who have sex with men in China: a national cross-sectional study.

Linking identified MPOX cases to care is essential for MPOX control. This study aims to investigate the intentions of healthcare seeking and self-isolation for MPOX among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in early August 2023 in China.

Sexual attitudes and utilization of sexual and reproductive health services among older women in southern China: a qualitative study.

Objective: Sexual health plays a vital role in healthy aging. However, little is known about the sexual attitudes of and the utilization of sexual and reproductive health services by older women in China. This article is based on a qualitative study of older Chinese women in suburban areas to examine their attitudes toward sexuality and their utilization of sexual and reproductive health services.

HIV Services Uptake Among People Living with HIV in Jiangsu Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Healthcare disparities are common among people living with HIV (PLWH) in China and likely impact access to HIV services. This study aimed to assess the current status of access to HIV services among PLWH and explore the correlates of service uptake using baseline data from a prospective cohort study among PLWH in Jiangsu Province. Guided by Andersen's behavioral model, univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to identify factors associated with access to HIV services.

Correlates of sexual and reproductive health service utilization among older adults in China: Findings from the sexual well-being (SWELL) study.

Background: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is critical to the overall health of older adults. We assessed the utilization of SRH services and its correlates among older adults in China.

Methods: We recruited community-dwelling adults aged 50 and above in five Chinese cities between June 2020 and December 2022.

Sexual function and correlates among adults aged 50+ years in China: Findings from the sexual well-being (SWELL) study.

Background: Sexual function is an important yet understudied aspect of overall health and well-being in older adults. We aimed to examine sexual function and its correlates among people 50 years and older in China.

Methods: We enrolled people aged 50 years and older recruited from four regions in China between September 2021 and July 2022 in a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Real-world implementation of a multilevel interventions program to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HBV in China.

Reducing hepatitis B virus (HBV) mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is a fundamental step toward the HBV elimination goal. The multicentred, multilevel SHIELD program aimed to use an intense intervention package to reduce HBV MTCT in China. This study was conducted in diverse health settings across China, encompassing 30,109 pregnant women from 178 hospitals, part of the interim analysis of stage II of the SHIELD program, and 8,642 pregnant women from 160 community-level health facilities in stage III of the SHIELD program.

Acute facial neuralgia related to initiation of emtricitabine/tenofovir for HIV PrEP: a report of two cases in a PrEP demonstration trial.

Background: Emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) fixed-dose combination (FTC/TDF) is generally well-tolerated, although treatment-related adverse events have been reported.

Methods: We report two cases of persons using FTC/TDF PrEP who had acute neuralgia in a Chinese PrEP demonstration trial.

Results: Neurological symptoms subsided upon treatment discontinuation.

Optimising HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and testing strategies in men who have sex with men in Australia, Thailand, and China: a modelling study and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Asia-Pacific region have a disproportionately high burden of HIV infection compared with the general population. Although pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV is highly effective at preventing new HIV infections, the cost-effectiveness of PrEP for MSM in different countries in the Asia-Pacific region with varying PrEP coverage and HIV testing frequencies remains unstudied. We aimed to analyse the economic and health benefits of long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) compared with oral PrEP in high-income countries and low-income and middle-income countries within the Asia-Pacific region.

Factors Associated with the First-time HIV Testing Among Chinese men who have sex with men Who Received HIV Self-tests from Partners or Friends.

Secondary distribution of HIV self-testing (HIVST) among individual social networks was an effective approach to expanding HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM). However, understanding the factors associated with first-time HIV testing behaviors in the secondary distribution of HIVST programs is limited. Hence, this study aims to identify factors related to first-time testers in the secondary distribution of HIVST.

Homoprejudiced Violence Experiences and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors among Chinese Men Who Have Sex with Men: Depression Severity and Recreational Drug Usage as Potential Mediators.

Homoprejudiced violence is a type of aggression against an individual or a community based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation. It may be linked to risks of acquiring HIV/STI via psychosocial variables. This study explored the association between homoprejudiced violence experiences and high-risk sexual behaviors, and potential psychosocial mediators.

The quality of telemedicine consultations for sexually transmitted infections in China.

The burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continues to increase in developing countries like China, but the access to STI care is often limited. The emergence of direct-to-consumer (DTC) telemedicine offers unique opportunities for patients to directly access health services when needed. However, the quality of STI care provided by telemedicine platforms remains unknown.

Vaccine confidence mediates the association between a pro-social pay-it-forward intervention and improved influenza vaccine uptake in China: A mediation analysis.

Introduction: A Chinese clinical trial has demonstrated that a prosocial pay-it-forward intervention that offered subsidized vaccination and postcard messages effectively increased influenza vaccine uptake and vaccine confidence. This secondary analysis explored the potential mediating role of vaccine confidence on the association between a pay-it-forward intervention and influenza vaccine uptake, and how this might vary by individual annual income levels.

Methods: Data from 300 participants (150 standard-of-care and 150 pay-it-forward participants) were included in the analysis.