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Background: Women of reproductive age are at an increased risk of anemia and micronutrient deficiencies. Evidence supports the role of periconceptional nutrition in the development of neural tube defects (NTDs) and other pregnancy complications. Vitamin B12 deficiency is a risk factor for NTDs and may modify folate biomarkers that predict NTD risk at the population level. There is an interest in mandatory fortification with vitamin B12 and folic acid for anemia and birth defect prevention. However, there are limited population-representative data needed to inform policy and guidelines. Objectives: This randomized trial will be conducted to evaluate the efficacy of quadruple-fortified salt (QFS; iron, iodine, folic acid, vitamin B12) in 1,000 households in Southern India. Methods: Women 18 to 49 y who are not pregnant or lactating and reside within the catchment area of our community-based research site in Southern India will be screened and invited to participate in the trial. After informed consent, women and their households will be randomized to receive one of the following 4 interventions: 1) double-fortified salt (DFS; iron, iodine), 2) DFS + folic acid (iron, iodine, folic acid), 3) DFS + vitamin B12 (iron, iodine, vitamin B12), or 4) DFS + folic acid and vitamin B12 (QFS; iron, iodine, folic acid, vitamin B12) for 12 mo. Structured interviews will be conducted by trained nurse enumerators to collect sociodemographic, anthropometric, dietary, health, and reproductive history data. Biological samples will be collected at baseline, midpoint, and endpoint. Whole blood will be analyzed for hemoglobin using Coulter Counter. Total vitamin B12 will be measured by chemiluminescence; red blood cell folate and serum folate will be evaluated using the World Health Organization-recommended microbiologic assay. Conclusions: The results of this randomized trial will help to evaluate the efficacy of QFS to prevent anemia and micronutrient deficiencies. Clinical trial registration numbers: NCT03853304 and Clinical Trial Registry of India REF/2019/03/024479. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Women of reproductive age (WRA) are a high-risk population for anemia and micronutrient deficiencies. However, there are few representative population-level data from India, which could help inform evidence-based recommendations and policy. Objective To conduct a population-based biomarker survey of anemia and vitamin B-12 and folate status in WRA as part of a periconceptional surveillance program in southern India. Methods Participants were WRA (15–40 y) who were not pregnant or lactating. Whole blood (n  = 979) was analyzed for hemoglobin via a Coulter counter (Coulter HMX). Plasma, serum, and RBCs were processed and stored at −80°C or less until batch analysis. Vitamin B-12 concentrations were measured via chemiluminescence; RBC and serum folate concentrations were evaluated via microbiological assay. Anemia and severe anemia were defined as hemoglobin <12.0 g/dL and <8.0 g/dL, respectively. Vitamin B-12 deficiency and insufficiency were defined as total vitamin B-12 <148 pmol/L and <221 pmol/L, respectively. Folate deficiency and insufficiency were defined as RBC folate <305 nmol/L and <748 nmol/L. A previously developed Bayesian model was used to predict neural tube defect (NTD) prevalence per 10,000 births. Results A total of 41.5% of WRA had anemia and 3.0% had severe anemia. A total of 48.3% of WRA had vitamin B-12 deficiency and 74.3% had vitamin B-12 insufficiency. The prevalence of RBC folate deficiency was 7.6%, and 79.3% of WRA had RBC folate <748 nmol/L, the threshold for optimal NTD prevention. Predicted NTD prevalence per 10,000 births based on RBC folate concentrations was 20.6 (95% uncertainty interval: 16.5–25.5). Conclusions The substantial burden of anemia, vitamin B-12 deficiency, and RBC folate insufficiency in WRA in this setting suggests an opportunity for anemia and birth defects prevention. Findings will directly inform the development of a randomized trial for anemia and birth defects prevention in southern India. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04048330. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Over half of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in the United States occur among men who have sex with men (MSM). Among MSM, 16% of estimated new infections in 2010 occurred among black MSM <25 years old.Methodology: We analyzed National HIV Behavioral Surveillance data on MSM from 20 cities. Poisson models were used to test racial disparities, by age, in HIV prevalence, HIV awareness, and sex behaviors among MSM in 2014. Data from 2008, 2011, and 2014 were used to examine how racial/ethnic disparities changed across time.Results: While black MSM did not report greater sexual risk than other MSM, they were most likely to be infected with HIV and least likely to know it. Among black MSM aged 18-24 years tested in 2014, 26% were HIV positive. Among white MSM aged 18-24 years tested in 2014, 3% were HIV positive. The disparity in HIV prevalence between black and white MSM increased from 2008 to 2014, especially among young MSM.Conclusions: Disparities in HIV prevalence between black and white MSM continue to increase. Black MSM may be infected with HIV at younger ages than other MSM and may benefit from prevention efforts that address the needs of younger men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intervention tested in the Retention in Care Study demonstrated improvement in retention in human immunodeficiency virus care. Enhanced personal contact with or without additional behavioral skills training significantly improved visit constancy and visit adherence over 12 months.Background. The aim of the study was to determine whether enhanced personal contact with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected patients across time improves retention in care compared with existing standard of care (SOC) practices, and whether brief skills training improves retention beyond enhanced contact.Methods. The study, conducted at 6 HIV clinics in the United States, included 1838 patients with a recent history of inconsistent clinic attendance, and new patients. Each clinic randomized participants to 1 of 3 arms and continued to provide SOC practices to all enrollees: enhanced contact with interventionist (EC) (brief face-to-face meeting upon returning for care visit, interim visit call, appointment reminder calls, missed visit call); EC + skills (organization, problem solving, and communication skills); or SOC only. The intervention was delivered by project staff for 12 months following randomization. The outcomes during that 12-month period were (1) percentage of participants attending at least 1 primary care visit in 3 consecutive 4-month intervals (visit constancy), and (2) proportion of kept/scheduled primary care visits (visit adherence).Results. Log-binomial risk ratios comparing intervention arms against the SOC arm demonstrated better outcomes in both the EC and EC + skills arms (visit constancy: risk ratio [RR], 1.22 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.09–1.36] and 1.22 [95% CI, 1.09–1.36], respectively; visit adherence: RR, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.05–1.11] and 1.06 [95% CI, 1.02–1.09], respectively; all Ps < .01). Intervention effects were observed in numerous patient subgroups, although they were lower in patients reporting unmet needs or illicit drug use.Conclusions. Enhanced contact with patients improved retention in HIV primary care compared with existing SOC practices. A brief patient skill-building component did not improve retention further. Additional intervention elements may be needed for patients reporting illicit drug use or who have unmet needs.Clinical Trials Registration. CDCHRSA9272007. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to National HIV Behavioral Surveillance system data, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing increased among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men from 2008 to 2011 in cities funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Expanded Testing Initiative, suggesting that focused HIV testing initiatives might have positive effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]