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During acute respiratory infections, women may concurrently receive human papillomavirus (HPV) and respiratory vaccines, as observed during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in China. However, few studies have assessed the safety of such concurrent administration, which could impact HPV vaccination schedules. This study analyzes the safety and optimal sequence of concurrent HPV and COVID-19 vaccinations. For this purpose, we surveyed women with both vaccines from January to October 2023 in Fujian Province, China. During this process, we collected vaccination history and adverse event (AE) data via telephone or interviews. Participants were grouped as Before, Concurrent, or After based on their vaccination sequence. A Chi-squared test, exact Fisher tests, and logistic regression were used to analyze the incidence of AEs and factors influencing vaccine safety. Overall, 1416 eligible participants were included. Although overall AE risk with the HPV vaccine was unaffected by vaccination sequence, individual AEs varied statistically between groups, including pain at the vaccination site (p < 0.001) and prolonged menstruation duration (p = 0.003). Based on the results, the optimal sequence would be to receive the HPV vaccine after the COVID-19 vaccine (After group). This insight may guide future emergency vaccination sequences for HPV and other respiratory infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Social disruption associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threatens to impede access to regular healthcare, including for people living with HIV (PLHIV), potentially resulting in antiretroviral therapy (ART) interruption (ATI). We aimed to explore the characteristics and factors associated with ATI during the COVID-19 outbreak in China. Methods: We conducted an online survey among PLHIV by convenience sampling through social media between 5 and 17 February 2020. Respondents were asked to report whether they were at risk of ATI (i.e. experienced ATI, risk of imminent ATI, threatened but resolved risk of ATI [obtaining ART prior to interruption]) or were not at risk of ATI associated with the COVID-19 outbreak. PLHIV were also asked to report perceived risk factors for ATI and sources of additional ART. The factors associated with the risk of ATI were assessed using logistic regression. We also evaluated the factors associated with experienced ATI. Results: A total of 5084 PLHIV from 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in mainland China completed the survey, with valid response rate of 99.4%. The median age was 31 years (IQR 27 to 37), 96.5% of participants were men, and 71.3% were men who had sex with men. Over one-third (35.1%, 1782/5084) reported any risk of ATI during the COVID-19 outbreak, including 2.7% (135/5084) who experienced ATI, 18.0% (917/5084) at risk of imminent ATI and 14.4% (730/5084) at threatened but resolved risk. PLHIV with ATI were more likely to have previous interruptions in ART (aOR 8.3, 95% CI 5.6 to 12.3), travelled away from where they typically receive HIV care (aOR 3.0, 95% CI 2.1 to 4.5), stayed in an area that implemented citywide lockdowns or travel restrictions to control COVID-19 (aOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.6), and be in permanent residence in a rural area (aOR 3.7, 95% CI 2.3 to 5.8). Conclusions: A significant proportion of PLHIV in China are at risk of ATI during the COVID-19 outbreak and some have already experienced ATI. Correlates of ATI and self-reported barriers to ART suggest that social disruptions from COVID-19 have contributed to ATI. Our findings demonstrate an urgent need for policies and interventions to maintain access to HIV care during public health emergencies. Keywords: antiretroviral therapy interruption; antiretroviral therapy; HIV; lockdown; COVID-19; China, 1 | INTRODUCTION A cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown cause appeared in Wuhan, China in December 2019. A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, was soon identified as the cause, and by [...]

We intended to update human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence and p16INK4a positivity in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomars (SCC), and calculate HPV attributable fraction (AF) for oropharyngeal SCC by geographic region. We searched Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify published studies of HPV prevalence and p16INK4a positivity alone or together in oropharyngeal SCC before December 28, 2021. Studies that reported type‐specific HPV DNA prevalence using broad‐spectrum PCR‐based testing methods were included. We estimated pooled HPV prevalence, type‐specific HPV prevalence, and p16INK4a positivity. AF of HPV was calculated by geographic region. One hundred and thirty‐four studies including 12 139 cases were included in our analysis. The pooled HPV prevalence estimate for oropharyngeal SCC was 48.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 43.2‐53.0). HPV prevalence varied significantly by geographic region, and the highest HPV prevalence in oropharyngeal SCC was noted in North America (72.6%, 95% CI 63.8‐80.6). Among HPV positive cases, HPV 16 was the most common type with a prevalence of 40.2% (95% CI 35.7‐44.7). The pooled p16INK4a positivity in HPV positive and HPV16 positive oropharyngeal SCC cases was 87.2% (95% CI 81.6‐91.2) and 91.7% (84.3‐97.2). The highest AFs of HPV and HPV16 were noted in North America at 69.6% (95% CI 53.0‐91.5) and 63.0% (48.0‐82.7). [Correction added on 31 October 2023, after first online publication: the percentage symbol (%) was missing and has been added to 63.0% (48.0‐82.7) in the Abstract and Conclusion.] A significant proportion of oropharyngeal SCC was attributable to HPV. HPV16 accounts for the majority of HPV positive oropharyngeal SCC cases. These findings highlight the importance of HPV vaccination in the prevention of a substantial proportion of oropharyngeal SCC cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) is recommended to reduce the likelihood of HIV infection after potential exposure. However, little is known about this practice among Chinese gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM). GBM were enrolled from both centers for disease prevention and control (CDCs) and community health centers in six cities in China. Multivariable logistics regression was used to assess factors associated with awareness of and willingness to use nPEP. A total of 516 eligible GBM were included, 67.2% of whom were aware of nPEP, 76.0% were willing to use nPEP, and 2.3% had ever used nPEP. GBM who had college or higher education, had disclosed sexual orientation, had increased number of male sex partners in the last 6 months, and had ever tested for HIV were more likely to be aware of nPEP. Willingness to use nPEP was significantly associated with college or higher education, STI history, gay app use, and awareness of nPEP prior to study. Uptake of nPEP is still low among MSM in China. Efforts are needed to improve awareness of and access to nPEP among GBM, especially those at higher risk of HIV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]