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There is growing interest in the application of propensity scores (PS) in epidemiologic studies, especially within the field of reproductive epidemiology. This retrospective cohort study assesses the impact of a short interpregnancy interval (IPI) on preterm birth and compares the results of the conventional logistic regression analysis with analyses utilizing a PS. The study included 96,378 singleton infants from Louisiana birth certificate data (1995-2007). Five regression models designed for methods comparison are presented. Ten percent (10.17%) of all births were preterm; 26.83% of births were from a short IPI. The PS-adjusted model produced a more conservative estimate of the exposure variable compared to the conventional logistic regression method (β-coefficient: 0.21 vs. 0.43), as well as a smaller standard error (0.024 vs. 0.028), odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals [1.15 (1.09, 1.20) vs. 1.23 (1.17, 1.30)]. The inclusion of more covariate and interaction terms in the PS did not change the estimates of the exposure variable. This analysis indicates that PS-adjusted regression may be appropriate for validation of conventional methods in a large dataset with a fairly common outcome. PS's may be beneficial in producing more precise estimates, especially for models with many confounders and effect modifiers and where conventional adjustment with logistic regression is unsatisfactory. Short intervals between pregnancies are associated with preterm birth in this population, according to either technique. Birth spacing is an issue that women have some control over. Educational interventions, including birth control, should be applied during prenatal visits and following delivery. Keywords Birth interval * Interpregnancy interval * Logistic regression * Pregnancy interval * Preterm birth * Propensity score, Introduction The main causes of neonatal death worldwide are infections, preterm birth, and asphyxia. In Louisiana, the prevalence of preterm birth is above the national percentage with 15.4% compared to [...]

The objective of this research was to determine the factors associated with disclosure of three treatable sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Data were obtained from two intervention trials to determine the ideal means of partner referral. Men diagnosed with urethritis and women diagnosed with trichomoniasis at public clinics in New Orleans, Louisiana were randomly assigned to partner referral (PR), booklet-enhanced partner referral (BEPR), or patient-delivered partner treatment (PDPT). Participants were asked about sex partners at baseline, then whether they disclosed to them at follow-up. The male trial was conducted from December 2001 to March 2004 and the female trial from December 2001 to August 2004. Data on men and women were analyzed separately. Nine hundred seventy-seven men and 463 women--reporting information on 1991 and 521 sex partners--were respectively enrolled in each trial. Disclosure occurred to 57.8% and 87.3% of their partners, respectively. Most men (68.3%) reported having two or more partners and disclosure was more likely to occur in: those who reported only one sex partner (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.54 [1.10, 2.16]); those in steady relationships (OR [95% CI]: 1.37 [1.08,1.74]); and those assigned PDPT [OR [95% CI]: 2.71 [1.93,3.82]). Most women reported having only one partner (86.8%) and disclosure was more likely to occur in steady relationships (OR [95% CI]: 2.65 [1.24,5.66]), and when sex was reinitiated with partners during the follow-up period (OR [95% CI]: 3.30 [1.54,7.09]). The provision of PDPT was associated with increased STD disclosure among men but not among women. Both men and women were less likely to disclose to casual partners. Women had high rates of disclosure irrespective of intervention arm. DOI: 10.1089/apc.2009.0237

Background We assessed the cost-effectiveness of the Check It program, a novel community-based chlamydia screening and expedited partner treatment program for young Black men conducted in New Orleans since 2017. Methods We implemented a probabilistic cost-effectiveness model using a synthetic cohort of 16 181 men and 13 419 women intended to simulate the size of the Black, sexually active population in New Orleans ages 15–24 years. Results The Check It program cost $196 838 (95% confidence interval [CI]: $117 320–$287 555) to implement, saved 10.2 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs; 95% CI: 7.7–12.7 QALYs), and saved $140 950 (95% CI: −$197 018 to −$105 620) in medical costs per year. The program cost $5468 (95% CI: cost saving, $16 717) per QALY gained. All iterations of the probabilistic model returned cost-effectiveness ratios less than $50 000 per QALY gained. Conclusions The Check It program (a bundled seek, test, and treat chlamydia prevention program for young Black men) is cost-effective under base case assumptions. Communities where Chlamydia trachomatis rates have not declined could consider implementing a similar program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between alcohol consumption and HIV-1 vaginal shedding. Method: HIV-1 infected women attending a large urban HIV primary care clinic in New Orleans, LA, between June 2002 and October 2004 who underwent a gynecological exam, were 18 years of age or older, and provided informed consent were included. Subjects underwent exams and were interviewed using a computer-assisted survey at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. Results: Most of the women were black (86.4%), with a median age of 38 (range: 19-61 years). Most (56.7%) also were on antiretroviral therapy (ART: with 89.6% self-reported adherence) and had a median CD4 of 404 copies/µl and a plasma viral load of 13,400 copies/ml at baseline. The overall period prevalence of vaginal shedding (>50 copies/swab) was 24.5%, with a baseline prevalence of 27.3%. At baseline, 30% reported any alcohol consumption, 32.6% were weekly drinkers, 25.5% were heavy episodic drinkers, and 10.0% bad recent moderate to heavy alcohol consumption (two or more drinks the day before the interview). Recent moderate to heavy alcohol consumption and heavy episodic drinking were both strongly and positively associated with vaginal shedding but only among women on ART. Alter adjusting for plasma viral load, immunosupression, and ART adherence, recent moderate to heavy alcohol consumption was significantly associated with vaginal shedding (adjusted prevalence odds ratio = 2.29, 95% confidence interval: 1.18-14.43). No association was observed for plasma viral load and alcohol consumption. Conclusions: Recent alcohol consumption was associated with expression of HIV-1 RNA in vaginal fluids of women on ART. Future research is needed to support this observation and to determine the mechanisms behind it., AMONG WOMEN, HIV-1 SHEDDING in the genital tract is likely to play an important role in both heterosexual and vertical transmission of HIV (Spear et al., 1997: Tuomala et al., [...]

The goal of this study was to determine the period prevalence of mother-child separation (i.e., living apart from mother) and factors associated with separation between women infected with HIV type 1 and their children (17 years old or younger). A retrospective cohort study was conducted, based on routinely collected data by the Family Advocacy, Care and Education Services (FACES) of Children's Hospital (New Orleans, Louisiana) on children (n = 586) of 231 HIV-infected mothers followed from July 1, 2001 to March 20, 2003. The 3-month period prevalence of separation from mother ranged between 12.7% and 21.2% over the course of follow-up. At baseline, 14% of children were separated from their mothers. Over the course of follow-up, older children (6 to 17 years), those with mothers who used illegal drugs and/or alcohol and who suffered from mental health problem(s), those whose mothers did not live at a permanent residence, and children with mothers who had a CD4 cell count below 200 cells per microliter were more likely to be separated from their mother. No significant differences in substance use, mental health, CD4 count, or other sociodemographics were identified between women lost to follow-up and those who remained in care. Substance use and mental health problems played a role in maternal--child separation among the HIV-positive women in this sample, even after clinical status and socioeconomic factors were taken into account. Providing additional resources for substance use and mental health treatment may help to prevent or reduce maternal-child separation among similar populations.

The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with nonadherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in patients seen in HIV clinics throughout nonurban Louisiana. A convenience sample of 273 patients from 8 areas in nonurban Louisiana were interviewed to obtain demographic, clinical and adherence information. Associations between demographic, clinical, and behavioral factors and nonadherence were examined. Ideally, nonadherence should not exceed 5% in patients for whom HAART was prescribed. Mean age was 38.6 years (range, 19-66), 29.3% were female, 60.1% were African American, 34.4% reported nonadherence to their HAART medication (defined as the subject's self-report of missing any doses of HAART medication in the prior week). In the prior month, participants reported the following behaviors: binge drinking (12.8%), problem drinking (12.8%), and illicit drug use (16.5%). Depression was found in 49.8% of the respondents. In logistic regression analysis, problem drinking odds ratio [OR] (95% confidence interval [CI]): 3.92 (1.69, 9.09) was found to be associated with nonadherence. Demographic and behavioral factors such as illicit drug use and depression were not associated with nonadherence on multivariable analysis. Problem drinking was associated with lack of adherence to HAART over the past week. Interventions to treat problem drinking are needed and may improve adherence to medication for HIV-infected persons living in rural, town, and small-city areas.

Abstract: Despite decades of medical, diagnostic, and public health advances related to diagnosis and management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), rates of reportable STIs continue to grow. A 2021 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report on the current state of STI management and prevention in the United States, entitled Sexually Transmitted Infections: Adopting a Sexual Health Paradigm, offers recommendations on future public health programs, policy, and research. This new report builds upon the 1997 Institute of Medicine report, The Hidden Epidemic: Confronting Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and provides 11 recommendations organized under 4 action areas: (1) adopt a sexual health paradigm, (2) broaden ownership and accountability for responding to STIs, (3) bolster existing systems and programs for responding to STIs, and (4) embrace innovation and policy change to improve sexual health. We present our interpretive synopsis of this report, highlighting elements of particular interest to STI and sexual health practitioners, including clinicians, researchers, disease intervention specialists, community outreach workers, and public health staff. The report asserts that it is possible to create a healthier and more equitable future where fewer adolescents and adults are infected, fewer babies are born with STIs, and people entering their sexual debut and continuing throughout the life span are taught the language and skills to conceptualize and enact their own vision for what it means to be sexually healthy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]