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People who inject drugs (PWID) face a significantly increased risk of blood-borne virus (BBV) infections, including HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV), as well as co-infections. To better understand this issue, bio-behavioral surveillance studies were conducted among PWID attending harm reduction facilities in Catalonia, forming part of the comprehensive Integrated HIV/STI Surveillance System since 2008. The goal of this study was to describe the prevalence of HIV, HCV, and HIV-HCV coinfection and associated socio-demographic and behavioural factors among young PWID in Catalonia by gender and to examine trends over time, from 2008 to 2019. We first estimated the prevalence of HIV, HCV, and their co-infection and sample characteristics, and then, we calculated prevalence ratios (PR) and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) to identify the variables associated with HIV infection, HCV infection, and HIV-HCV co-infection. We found that the overall prevalence of HIV, HCV and HIV-HCV co-infection in 2019 was 20.1%, 66.2%, and 16.8%, respectively. In multivariable analysis, we found that being female (aPR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.05–2.30), age (aPR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04–1.14), having born outside of Spain (aPR: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.19–2.34), homelessness (aPR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.34–2.68), daily injection (aPR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.04–2.04), sharing needles (aPR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.32–2.82), involvement in sex work (aPR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.09–3.03), and imprisonment (aPR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.75–3.67) was associated with increased prevalence of HIV and HCV co-infection, while being a new injector (aPR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.43–0.93) was associated with decreased prevalence. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the risks and determinants of HIV and HCV co-infection among young PWID. The study’s findings contribute to the existing body of knowledge on blood-borne virus transmission in this population, informing evidence-based strategies for prevention and harm reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to treatment and medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is essential in reducing opioid use and associated behavioral risks, such as syringe sharing among persons who inject drugs (PWID). Syringe sharing among PWID carries high risk of transmission of serious infections such as hepatitis C and HIV. MOUD resources, such as methadone provider clinics, however, are often unavailable to PWID due to barriers like long travel distance to the nearest methadone provider and the required frequency of clinic visits. The goal of this study is to examine the uncertainty in the effects of travel distance in initiating and continuing methadone treatment and how these interact with different spatial distributions of methadone providers to impact co-injection (syringe sharing) risks. A baseline scenario of spatial access was established using the existing locations of methadone providers in a geographical area of metropolitan Chicago, Illinois, USA. Next, different counterfactual scenarios redistributed the locations of methadone providers in this geographic area according to the densities of both the general adult population and according to the PWID population per zip code. We define different reasonable methadone access assumptions as the combinations of short, medium, and long travel distance preferences combined with three urban/suburban travel distance preference. Our modeling results show that when there is a low travel distance preference for accessing methadone providers, distributing providers near areas that have the greatest need (defined by density of PWID) is best at reducing syringe sharing behaviors. However, this strategy also decreases access across suburban locales, posing even greater difficulty in regions with fewer transit options and providers. As such, without an adequate number of providers to give equitable coverage across the region, spatial distribution cannot be optimized to provide equitable access to all PWID. Our study has important implications for increasing interest in methadone as a resurgent treatment for MOUD in the United States and for guiding policy toward improving access to MOUD among PWID. Author summary: Persons who inject drugs (PWID) such as heroin or other illicit substances are at increased risk of getting or transmitting HIV or hepatitis C (HCV) infection, because limited access to clean syringes and drug injection equipment means that PWID often share contaminated syringes. Public health interventions aimed at reducing injection drug use include medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) that help to reduce cravings for opioids like heroin and fentanyl. However, resources like MOUD provider clinics are often unavailable to PWID due to factors such as the travel distance from home to clinic, frequent clinic visits, along with social phenomena such as degree of medical mistrust and stigma towards treatment. We use a computational simulation model of PWID social networks and drug use behaviors in Chicago, IL and suburbs to show how the geographic distribution of clinical providers of methadone, an MOUD, impacts the injection frequency of PWID. Our modeling results show that when PWID prefer a low travel distance to methadone providers, distributing providers near areas that have the greatest need is best at reducing syringe sharing behaviors. However, this strategy also decreases access across suburban locales, posing even greater difficulty in regions with fewer transit options and providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Daily oral HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) is recommended for people who inject drugs (PWID) but coverage is low. The real‐life effectiveness of PrEP among PWID is unknown as previous studies were conducted in controlled settings and mainly relied on self‐report. Analysis of PrEP metabolites—tenofovir diphosphate (TFVdp) and emtricitabine triphosphate (FTCtp)—offers an objective measure of adherence. Methods: To analyse longitudinal patterns of PrEP adherence among PWID in Ukraine, we used data from a community‐based implementation trial conducted in Kyiv between July 2020 and March 2021 to test the efficacy of SMS reminders to improve adherence. Among 199 enrolled participants, 156 (78.4%) were retained through 6 months. Based on TFVdp/FTCtp levels assessed at 3 and 6 months, we identified groups with various adherence patterns (adherent at ≥2 doses/week, improved, worsened, non‐adherent). Correlates of adherence were analysed using multinomial logistic regression. Results: Most participants (53.8%, n = 84/156) had no detectable metabolites at both assessments; 7.1% (n = 11/156) were consistently taking ≥2 doses/week; 1.3% (n = 2/156) were consistently taking ≥4 doses/week; 13.5% (n = 21/156) exhibited improved and 21.8% (n = 34/156) had worsened adherence at 6 compared to 3 months. "White coat compliance" (increased dosing prior to assessment) was common. Consistent adherence was associated with SMS reminders, younger age, employment, lower income, longer injection drug use duration, recent high‐risk injecting (receptive syringe sharing, using pre‐filled syringe, back‐ or front‐loading, container sharing), absence of overdose in the past 6 months, perceived HIV risk through sexual intercourse and higher PrEP self‐efficacy. Alcohol consumption was associated with inconsistent PrEP use. Groups with improved and worsened adherence did not differ. Conclusions: Daily oral PrEP may not achieve the desired effectiveness among PWID as a standalone intervention, calling for testing of alternative PrEP formulations and innovative integrated risk reduction strategies, especially in the context of HIV epidemics associated with injection drug use in eastern Europe and central Asia and the public health crisis in Ukraine caused by the war with Russia. SMS reminders may be effective among PWID who prioritize PrEP. Our findings offer practical guidance in identifying PWID who are likely to benefit from PrEP and those who need additional support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The "Migrants' Approached Self‐Learning Intervention in HIV/AIDS for Tajiks" (MASLIHAT) recruits and trains Tajik labour migrants who inject drugs as peer educators (PEs) in delivering HIV prevention information and encouragement to adopt risk‐reduction norms and practices within their diaspora social networks while reducing their own HIV risk. Methods: The MASLIHAT intervention was tested in Moscow in a cluster‐randomized controlled trial with 12 recruitment sites assigned to either the MASLIHAT intervention or an equal‐time peer‐educator training focused on other health conditions (TANSIHAT). From October 2021 to April 2022, 140 male Tajik migrants who inject drugs were recruited as PEs to attend the 5‐session MASLIHAT training or the TANSIHAT non‐HIV comparison condition. Each participant in both groups recruited two network members (NMs) who inject drugs with the intent to share with them the information and positive strategies for change they had learned (n = 280). All PEs and NMs (n = 420) participated in baseline and follow‐up interviews at 3‐month intervals for 1 year. All received HIV counselling and testing. Modified mixed effects Poisson regressions tested for group differences in injection practices, sexual risk behaviours and heavy alcohol use over time. Results: At baseline, across both groups, 75% of participants reported receptive syringe sharing (RSS), 42% reported condomless sex and 20% reported binge drinking at least once a month. In contrast to TANSIHAT where HIV risk behaviours remained the same, significant intervention effects that were sustained over the 12 months were observed for receptive syringe and ancillary equipment sharing among both MASLIHAT PEs and NMs (p < 0.0001). Significant declines in the prevalence of sexual risk behaviours were also associated with the MASLIHAT intervention (p < 0.01), but not the comparison condition. Binge alcohol use was not affected in either condition; the MASLIHAT intervention had a transitory effect on drinking frequency that dissipated after 9 months. Conclusions: The MASLIHAT peer‐education intervention proved highly effective in reducing HIV‐related injection risk behaviour, and moderately effective in reducing sexual risk behaviour among both PEs and NMs. Network‐based peer education is an important tool for HIV prevention among people who inject drugs, especially in environments that are not amenable to community‐based harm reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe social processes around initiating injection may be well-suited to intervention, yet there is substantial heterogeneity in the reported experiences of people who inject drugs (PWID) who assist with another individual's first drug injection. We aimed to describe the lifetime prevalence and context of providing initiation assistance among a cohort of PWID.MethodsParticipants of the AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience (ALIVE) cohort of PWID in Baltimore, Maryland (n=848) were surveyed during 2019-2020 about assisting with another person's first injection. Associations between factors related to injection risk and history of providing assistance were estimated using logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics.ResultsAt baseline, participants were primarily male (66.1%), black (82.9%), aged a median of 42 years, and had been injecting a median of 18 years. Overall, 19% (n=157) of participants reported ever providing assistance for a median of 2 people (Interquartile Range: 1-4). Having hepatitis C infection (adjusted Odds Ratio [95% Confidence Interval]: 2.5 [1.4-4.6]), syringe sharing (2.2 [1.2-3.9]), and injecting ≥3 times per day (2.0 [1.2-3.4]) at study enrollment were associated with a history of assistance. Participants primarily assisted friends (58.0%), acquaintances (29.9%), and partners (21.7%). Common reasons for assisting were the other person's lack of injection knowledge (73.7%) or sharing drugs (44.9%). Additional reasons included to prevent injury.ConclusionPWID with a history of assisting with another person's first injection exhibited heightened vulnerability to infections and more frequent substance use. Expanding implementation of interventions with an emphasis on harm reduction is needed.

Food insecurity (FI) impacts people with HIV (PWH) and those who use substances (i.e. drugs and alcohol). We evaluated the longitudinal association between FI and HIV transmission risks (unprotected sexual contacts and shared needles/syringes). Among 351 PWH who use substances in Russia, 51.6% reported FI and 37.0% past month injection drug use. The mean number of unprotected sexual contacts in the past 90 days was 13.4 (SD 30.1); 9.7% reported sharing needles/syringes in the past month. We did not find a significant association between mild/moderate FI (adjusted IRR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.47, 1.61) or severe FI (aIRR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.46, 1.54; global p = 0.85) and unprotected sexual contacts. We observed a significant association between severe FI and sharing needles/syringes in the past month (adjusted OR = 3.27, 95% CI 1.45, 7.39; p = 0.004), but not between mild/moderate FI and sharing needles/syringes in the past month (aOR = 1.40,95% CI 0.58, 3.38; p = 0.45). These findings suggest that severe FI could be a potential target for interventions to lower HIV transmission.

In 2016, the World Health Organization introduced global targets for the care and management of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030. Despite significant improvements in testing and treatment, in 2020 only 23% of all persons infected with HCV globally were diagnosed. We explore examples from global hepatitis C programs in Georgia, Rwanda, and Nigeria that have used decentralized and integrated models to increase access to HCV testing. Georgia established the world's first national hepatitis C elimination program in 2015. In 2022, 2.6 million people (80% of the adults) have been screened for antibodies for HCV infection, and 80 000 persons with HCV RNA detected were treated. To achieve these results, Georgia implemented HCV core antigen testing, utilization of point-of-care (POC) HCV RNA testing, and simplification of HCV viremia detection by qualitative HCV RNA testing. Rwanda was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to commit to HCV elimination in 2018, and as of 2022 it has achieved its screening target of 7 million people and initiated approximately 60 000 patients on hepatitis C treatment by rapid decentralization and integration of HCV services. In Nigeria, the integrated near-POC testing approach in Nasarawa State has been effective in expanding access to HCV viremia testing and enabling the possibility of same-day testing and treatment initiation. Examples of decentralization and integration of HCV testing and linkage to care in Georgia, Rwanda, and Nigeria could help inform effective strategies to reach 2030 hepatitis C elimination goals in other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Understanding needle/syringe sharing is crucial for reducing hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and reinfection. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with needle/syringe sharing among people who inject drugs in Australia, including those previously receiving HCV treatment. Methods: The ETHOS Engage study was an observational cohort study which collected self‐reported survey data on demographic and drug use information from people who inject drugs attending drug treatment clinics and needle and syringe programs over two waves between May 2018 and June 2021. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with needle/syringe sharing. Results: Overall, 1555/2395 people enrolled in ETHOS Engage (65%) injected drugs in the past month. Among these, 432 (28%) reported needle/syringe sharing in the past month and 276 (18%) reported receptive sharing. Factors associated with receptive sharing included younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28–2.30), recent incarceration (aOR 2.04; 95% CI 1.40–2.94), more frequent injecting (≥daily vs. less than weekly; aOR 2.59; 95% CI 1.75–3.84) and unstable housing (aOR 1.78; 95% CI 1.26–2.52). Among 560 participants with prior HCV treatment, 87 (16%) reported receptive sharing with younger age (aOR 2.42; 95% CI 1.45–4.05) and daily or greater injection frequency (aOR 2.51; 95% CI 1.31–4.83) associated with receptive sharing. Discussion and Conclusions: Needle/syringe sharing was common among this population accessing harm reduction services. This study identifies high‐risk populations with needle/syringe sharing. Research is needed to optimise HCV treatment to ensure people with ongoing risk behaviours receive adequate harm reduction following treatment to prevent reinfection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) could help overcome multilevel challenges to HIV prevention for people who inject drugs (PWID), including those in the binational San Diego-Tijuana metroplex. Yet, general PrEP awareness and interest in LAI-PrEP remain underexplored among PWID. From 2020 to 2021, 562 HIV-negative PWID in San Diego and Tijuana completed surveys assessing general PrEP awareness and interest in oral and LAI-PrEP. Modified Poisson regression examined factors associated with general PrEP awareness. Multinomial logistic regression assessed factors associated with interest in both oral and LAI-PrEP, oral PrEP only, LAI-PrEP only, or neither. General PrEP awareness was low (18%) and associated with experiencing unsheltered homelessness (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR] = 1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96–2.33), past 6-month fentanyl injection (APR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.04–2.25), and transactional sex (APR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.06–2.76). Interest in oral PrEP only was most common (44%), followed by LAI-PrEP only (25%) and neither (16%). Compared to the odds of being interested in LAI-PrEP only, the odds of being interested in oral PrEP only were lower among those who were stopped by police (AOR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.22–0.65), reported past 6-month fentanyl injection (AOR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.20–0.56), polydrug use (AOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.27–0.86), injecting multiple times daily (AOR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.14–0.46), receptive syringe use (AOR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.19–0.49), and higher perceived HIV risk (AOR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.15–0.39). Interest in LAI-PrEP was more common among PWID reporting social and structural factors that could interfere with oral PrEP adherence, suggesting LAI-PrEP implementation could increase PrEP coverage among those most vulnerable to HIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We assessed types of cadaveric head and brain tissue specimen preparations that are used in a high throughput neurosurgical research laboratory to determine optimal preparation methods for neurosurgical anatomical research, education, and training. Methods: Cadaveric specimens (N = 112) prepared using different preservation and vascular injection methods were imaged, dissected, and graded by 11 neurosurgeons using a 21-point scale. We assessed the quality of tissue and preservation in both the anterior and posterior circulations. Tissue quality was evaluated using a 9-point magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scale. Results: Formalin-fixed specimens yielded the highest scores for assessment (mean ± SD [17.0 ± 2.8]) vs. formalin-flushed (17.0 ± 3.6) and MRI (6.9 ± 2.0). Cadaver assessment and MRI scores were positively correlated (P < 0.001, R2 0.60). Analysis showed significant associations between cadaver assessment scores and specific variables: nonformalin fixation (β = −3.3), preservation within ≤72 h of death (β = 1.8), and MRI quality score (β = 0.7). Formalin-fixed specimens exhibited greater hardness than formalin-flushed and nonformalin-fixed specimens (P ≤ 0.006). Neurosurgeons preferred formalin-flushed specimens injected with colored latex. Conclusion: For better-quality specimens for neurosurgical education and training, formalin preservation within ≤72 h of death was preferable, as was injection with colored latex. Formalin-flushed specimens more closely resembled live brain parenchyma. Assessment scores were lower for preparation techniques performed > 72 h postmortem and for nonformalin preservation solutions. The positive correlation between cadaver assessment scores and our novel MRI score indicates that donation organizations and institutional buyers should incorporate MRI as a screening tool for the selection of high-quality specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some of the most common complaints addressed by primary care physicians (PCPs) require manual procedures, such as lacerations repair, abscesses drainage, ingrown toenails removal, dry needling for myofascial pain syndrome, and Epley maneuver for treating benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). The aim of this study was to describe the procedural skills workshops program for PCPs implemented in Maccabi Healthcare Services and to investigate how many PCPs have participated and used the skills since the program's inception in 2017. Methods: In this observational study, we followed all participants in courses from 2017 to 2021. We extracted all procedures performed during these years by PCPs who learned the skill in MHS. Results: During the study period, 620 PCPs participated in workshops for dry needling, soft-tissue and joint injections, BPPV treatment, minor surgical procedures, and spirometry. Most procedures performed were dry needling (average annual number 3,537) and minor surgical procedures (average annual number 361). The average annual use per physician was highest for dry needling (annual average use per physician who used the learned skill was 50.9), followed by soft tissue and joint injections (16.8), minor surgical procedures (14.8), and BPPV treatment (7.5). Conclusion: procedural skills workshops may expand PCPs' therapeutic arsenal, thus empowering PCPs and providing more comprehensive care for patients. Some manual skills, such as dry needling, soft tissue injections, and the Epley maneuver, were more likely to be used by participants than other skills, such as spirometry and soft tissue injections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug use is common among people who live in prisons (PWLP) worldwide. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the prevalence of drug use among PWLP in Iran. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, as well as Farsi-language databases including Iran Psych Magiran, IranMedex, Scientific Information Database (SID), and Irandoc for studies published from January 2003 to January 2021. We included studies that reported the prevalence of drug use among PWLP. We performed a random-effects meta-analysis to pool prevalence estimates. Point estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported. Among 1107 publications and reports screened, 16 studies reported the prevalence of drug use and were included. The pooled prevalence of lifetime non-injection drug use was 73.8% (95% CI 70.9, 76.6). The pooled prevalence of lifetime injection drug use was 16.0% (12.6, 19.7). Needle/syringe sharing among those with a lifetime injection drug use history was 14.0% (6.4, 24.0). Non-injection and injection drug use was found to be prevalent among PWLP in Iran. Continued evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, and treatment programs should address drug use among this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Sixty-eight percent of the nearly 3.5 million people living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the United States are people who inject drugs (PWID). Despite effective treatments, uptake remains low in PWID. We examined the social determinants of health (SDoH) that affect the HCV care cascade. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of data from 720 PWID in a cluster-randomized trial. We recruited PWID from 12 drug-affected areas in Baltimore. Inclusion criteria were injection in the prior month or needle sharing in the past 6 months. Intake data consisted of a survey and HCV testing. Focusing on SDoH, we analyzed self-report of (1) awareness of HCV infection (in those with active or previously cured HCV) and (2) prior HCV treatment (in the aware subgroup). We used descriptive statistics and logistic regression for statistical analyses. Results The 342 participants were majority male and Black with a median age of 52 years. Women were more likely to be aware of their status but less likely to be treated. Having a primary care provider and HIV-positive status were associated with increased awareness and treatment. Unhoused people had 51% lower odds of HCV treatment. People who reported that other PWID had shared their HCV status with them had 2.3-fold higher odds of awareness of their own status. Conclusions Further study of gender disparities in HCV treatment access is needed. Increased social support was associated with higher odds of HCV treatment, suggesting an area for future interventions. Strategies to identify and address SDoH are needed to end HCV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: People who inject drugs (PWID) are at increased risk for infectious disease transmission, including hepatitis C and HIV. Understanding trends in injection risk behaviors and syringe service program (SSP) use over time can help improve infectious disease prevention and other harm reduction services. Methods: Using National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System data from Baltimore, Maryland, we examined changes in receptive sharing of (1) syringes, (2) injection equipment, (3) syringes to divide drugs; and (4) receipt of syringes from SSPs among PWID from 2009 to 2018 (n = 518 in 2009, n = 638 in 2012, n = 586 in 2015, and n = 575 in 2018) using unadjusted and adjusted logistic models calculated across time for the total sample. Results: The conditional probability of receptive sharing of syringes and receipt of syringes from SSPs remained relatively stable, while receptive sharing of injection equipment and receptive sharing of syringes to divide drugs dropped substantially after 2009. White race and daily injection frequency were positively associated with sharing syringes and injection equipment and negatively associated with SSP use over time. In 2015, there was a notable shift such that women were twice as likely as men to receive syringes from SSPs and less likely than men to report the use of shared syringes or equipment. Conclusion: Findings indicate overall steady or decreasing trends in injection risk and steady trends in SSP usage over time, with some notable improvements among women and indications of shifting drug market patterns. Injection-related risk behaviors remain high among White PWID and may require targeted outreach and interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ATS dependence in Malaysia is growing tremendously across multiracial Malaysian groups, increasing concerns among public health experts and the community. This study highlighted the chronicity of ATS dependence and factors associated with ATS use. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were administered using ASSIST 3.0. A total of N = 327 multiracial people who use ATS were enrolled in this study. The study findings show that 190/327 (58.1%) respondents were ATS dependent. Malays reported the highest number of ATS-dependent (55.8%), followed by Bajau (21.6%) and Kadazan-Dusun (16.8%) ethnic. Across all races, three factors were significantly associated with the ATS dependence: respondents who had a lifetime history of needle sharing aOR = 0.023 (95% CI: 0.003, 0.183) and a lifetime history of heroin use aOR = 0.192 (95% CI: 0.093, 0.396) were at a reduced odd of ATS dependent. Meanwhile, being married reduced the likelihood of becoming dependent on ATS with aOR = 0.378 (95% CI: 0.206, 0.693) compared to being single or divorced. This study revealed that the use of ATS among multiracial Malaysians is alarmingly high, including those in detention centers. Comprehensive harm reduction strategies are urgently needed to prevent the spreading of infectious diseases and other negative health consequences associated with ATS use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this analysis is to describe HIV tests and associated outcomes for Asian people reached by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) HIV testing program. We analyzed CDC-funded HIV tests among Asian individuals in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (2014-2020). Of the 415,560 tests, the positivity of new diagnoses was higher among males (0.49%, aPR = 7.64) than females (0.06%), and in the West (0.42%, aPR = 1.15) than in the South (0.25%). In non-health care settings, positivity was highest among men who have sex with men (MSM; 0.87%) and transgender people (0.46%). Linkage to HIV medical care among Asian people was 87.5%, and 70.7% were interviewed for partner services. Our findings suggest that improvements are crucial, particularly for Asian MSM, in linkage to care and interview for partner services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To describe the current financial health of syringe services programs (SSPs) in the United States and to assess the predictors of SSP budget levels and associations with delivery of public health interventions. Methods. We surveyed all known SSPs operating in the United States from February to June 2022 (n = 456), of which 68% responded (n = 311). We used general estimating equations to assess factors influencing SSP budget size and estimated the effects of budget size on multiple measures of SSP services. Results. The median SSP annual budget was $100 000 (interquartile range = $20 159‒$290 000). SSPs operating in urban counties and counties with higher levels of opioid overdose mortality had significantly higher budget levels, while SSPs located in counties with higher levels of Republican voting in 2020 had significantly lower budget levels. SSP budget levels were significantly and positively associated with syringe and naloxone distribution coverage. Conclusions. Current SSP funding levels do not meet minimum benchmarks. Increased funding would help SSPs meet community health needs. Public Health Implications. Federal, state, and local initiatives should prioritize sustained SSP funding to optimize their potential in addressing multiple public health crises. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(4):435–443. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307583) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the availability of direct-acting antivirals that cure individuals infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), developing a vaccine is critically needed in achieving HCV elimination. HCV vaccine trials have been performed in populations with high incidence of new HCV infection such as people who inject drugs (PWID). Developing strategies of optimal recruitment of PWID for HCV vaccine trials could reduce sample size, follow-up costs and disparities in enrollment. We investigate trial recruitment informed by machine learning and evaluate a strategy for HCV vaccine trials termed PREDICTEE—Predictive Recruitment and Enrichment method balancing Demographics and Incidence for Clinical Trial Equity and Efficiency. PREDICTEE utilizes a survival analysis model applied to trial candidates, considering their demographic and injection characteristics to predict the candidate's probability of HCV infection during the trial. The decision to recruit considers both the candidate's predicted incidence and demographic characteristics such as age, sex, and race. We evaluated PREDICTEE using in silico methods, in which we first generated a synthetic candidate pool and their respective HCV infection events using HepCEP, a validated agent-based simulation model of HCV transmission among PWID in metropolitan Chicago. We then compared PREDICTEE to conventional recruitment of high-risk PWID who share drugs or injection equipment in terms of sample size and recruitment equity, with the latter measured by participation-to-prevalence ratio (PPR) across age, sex, and race. Comparing conventional recruitment to PREDICTEE found a reduction in sample size from 802 (95%: 642–1010) to 278 (95%: 264–294) with PREDICTEE, while also reducing screening requirements by 30%. Simultaneously, PPR increased from 0.475 (95%: 0.356–0.568) to 0.754 (95%: 0.685–0.834). Even when targeting a dissimilar maximally balanced population in which achieving recruitment equity would be more difficult, PREDICTEE is able to reduce sample size from 802 (95%: 642–1010) to 304 (95%: 288–322) while improving PPR to 0.807 (95%: 0.792–0.821). PREDICTEE presents a promising strategy for HCV clinical trial recruitment, achieving sample size reduction while improving recruitment equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Geopolitical and socioeconomic challenges limit faculty development and clinical teaching in Palestine and many other developing countries. The first, and still only, Family Medicine (FM) residency program is a four-year program based out of An-Najah University in the West Bank. Training in primary care clinics occurs in the final two years and there are many challenges to adequate supervision in the clinical setting that were exacerbated during the pandemic. To improve the readiness for practice skills of 13 Palestinian FM residents a three-month tutorial program was organized in 2020. A nongovernmental organization (NGO) that has worked to support Family Medicine development in the region engaged experienced British and American General Practitioners trained as tutors to offer online tutorials. We examined the program as a case study to understand the factors that facilitated or impaired a positive virtual learning environment in a middle/low income country. Methods: The tutors and residents were divided into groups and met virtually between June and September 2020. Evaluations and session reports collected during the program, the text of an online chat, and responses to an online survey two years later were collected. Using thematic analysis techniques, we evaluated the value for the residents at the time and two years later and identified factors that facilitated or impaired a positive virtual learning environment. Results: Themes of knowledge, skills, attitudes, cultural disconnects, and tutorial logistics emerged. The group with the most stable tutor pairing, including one Arabic-speaker familiar with the context, was the most engaged. The all-female group formed a chat group to share real-time case questions during clinical practice and focused on skills (e.g. conducting a thorough medication review) and attitudes (e.g. open to sharing and discussing uncertainties). Other groups were less cohesive. Conclusions: Transnational tutorials that focused on clinical thinking and decision-making skills were most successful when the tutorial pair was stable, offered familiarity with the language and addressed cultural differences. Intrinsic factors such as lacking the motivation to participate and extrinsic factors such as unstable internet and rolling electric cuts, and clinical structures that made applying new skills challenging were more difficult to address but must be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Network centrality, an indicator of an individual's importance and potential to drive behavioral change, is rarely used to select peer educators. Individual‐level predictors of network centrality might be useful to identify people who inject drugs (PWID) for potential roles as peer navigators or change agents in network‐based interventions in settings where sociometric data are unavailable. We assessed the relationship between network centrality and HIV prevention service engagement to determine whether centrally‐positioned PWID share measurable commonalities. Design: Observational study and survey using baseline data from a sociometric network cohort of PWID, enumerated using network software and biometric data (2017‐2020). Network ties corresponded to direct injection partnerships in the prior month. Setting: New Delhi, India. Participants: A total of 2512 PWID who were ≥18 years, provided written informed consent, and reported illicit injection drug use within the 24 months before study enrollment. Measurements Interviewer‐administered questionnaires measured demographics and substance use behaviors. Central versus peripheral network position was categorized using betweenness centrality 75th%ile. Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) between network position and HIV testing, medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), or syringe service use. Lasso models selected predictors of central network position among 20 covariates detailing demographic, biologic, and substance use information. Predictive accuracy was evaluated using model performance metrics. Findings Overall, median age was 26 years (interquartile range 22–34); 99% were male; 628 were classified as central. Compared with PWID at the periphery, central PWID were more likely to use MOUD (aOR: 1.59, 95%CI: 1.30–1.94) and syringe services (aOR: 2.91, 95%CI: 2.25, 3.76) in the prior six months. Findings for HIV testing were inconclusive (aOR: 1.30, 95%CI: 1.00–1.69). The lasso variable selector identified several predictors of network centrality: HIV and hepatitis C infection, number of PWID seen in the prior month, injecting heroin and buprenorphine (vs. heroin only) six months prior, sharing injection equipment six months prior, experiencing drug overdose in the past year, and moderate/severe depression (vs. none/mild). Average agreement between model‐predicted vs. observed values was 0.75; area under the receiver operator curve was 0.69. Conclusions: In a socioeconomic network of people who inject drugs (PWID) in New Delhi, India, there are common characteristics among individuals based on their network position (central vs. peripheral) but individual‐level predictors have only moderate predictive accuracy. Although central network members appear to be more likely to use HIV prevention services than peripheral network members, their potential as change agents may be limited by other factors that impede their ability to adopt or promote HIV prevention service use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We developed a convolutional neural network (CNN) model to predict treatment outcomes of transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) for controlling cervical radicular pain due to cervical foraminal stenosis. Methods: We retrospectively recruited 293 patients with cervical TFESI due to cervical radicular pain caused by cervical foraminal stenosis. We obtained a single oblique cervical radiograph from each patient. We cut each oblique cervical radiograph image into a square shape, including the foramen that was targeted for TFESI, the intervertebral disc, the facet joint of the corresponding level with the targeted foramen, and the pedicles of the vertebral bodies just above and below the targeted foramen. Therefore, images including the targeted foramen and structures around the targeted foramen were used as input data. A favorable outcome was defined as a ≥ 50% reduction in the numeric rating scale (NRS) score at 2 months post TFESI compared to the pretreatment NRS score. A poor outcome was defined as a < 50% reduction in the NRS score at 2 months post TFESI vs. the pretreatment score. Results: The area under the curve of our developed model for predicting the treatment outcome of cervical TFESI in patients with cervical foraminal stenosis was 0.823. Conclusion: A CNN model trained using oblique cervical radiographs can be helpful in predicting treatment outcomes after cervical TFESI in patients with cervical foraminal stenosis. If the predictive accuracy is increased, we believe that the deep learning model using cervical radiographs as input data can be easily and widely used in clinics or hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to explore HIV risk perceptions and to examine the factors associated with the perceptions of HIV risk among people who inject drugs in Saveh, Iran. In this cross-sectional survey, 272 people who inject drugs in Saveh were recruited using a convenience snowball sampling method between April 2020 and May 2021. Two classes of HIV risk perception (high versus low) were identified using logistic regression to determine factors associated with individual HIV risk perception. Study participants were categorized as having a low (n = 181, 66.5%) or high (n = 91, 33.5%) risk perception for becoming infected with HIV. The odds of categorizing as high risk for HIV was significantly greater in participants who reported: injecting their drugs more than 2 times per day (AOR = 2.4, p <.05); receptive syringe sharing (AOR = 3.1, p <.05) and as HIV positive (AOR = 3.9, p <.05). Participants who smoked heroin (AOR = 0.4, p <.05) and who had received any psychosocial intervention in the previous 3 months (AOR = 0.3, p <.05) were less likely to perceive being at high for HIV risk. Interventional programs should focus on improving the perceptions of people who inject drugs toward HIV risk and reducing their HIV risk behaviors through increased HIV self-assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The rise in injection drug use in the USA has led to an increase in injection site infections. We performed a national survey of people who use drugs to evaluate common drug use preparation, harm reduction practices, and experiences with injection site infections. Methods: A survey was disseminated to members of the Survey of Key Informants' Patients Program from 2021 to 2022 and distributed to patients 18 years or older newly entering one of 68 substance use disorder treatment programs across the USA with a primary diagnosis of an opioid use disorder. Participants were surveyed about practices when preparing and using drugs, along with self-reported infections and drug use complications. Results: 1289 participants responded to the survey. Sexually transmitted infections were common, with 37.6% reporting ever having had any sexually transmitted infection. Injection-associated infections had affected 63.4% of participants who had ever used injection drugs. Many respondents reported not seeking professional medical assistance for infection management, including 29% draining abscesses without seeking medical care and 22.8% obtaining antibiotics through non-healthcare sources. Non-sterile injection practices included sharing needles with others who were febrile or ill (18%), using needles previously used to drain wounds/abscesses (9.9%) for subsequent injection drug use, and licking needles (21.2%). Conclusion: Patients entering treatment for opioid use disorder reported a high burden of infectious diseases. A number of easily-modifiable high risk behaviors for developing injection-related infections were identified. Efforts are needed to disseminate targeted harm reduction education to PWID on how to reduce their risks for injection-related infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of drug consumption rooms (DCRs) in France on injection equipment‐sharing, while the secondary aims focused upon their impact on access to hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and opioid agonist treatment (OAT). Design: The COhort to identify Structural and INdividual factors associated with drug USe (COSINUS cohort) was a 12‐month longitudinal study of 665 people who inject drugs (PWID), conducted in Bordeaux, Marseille, Paris and Strasbourg. We used data from face‐to‐face interviews at enrolment and at 6‐month and 12‐month visits. Setting and participants: The participants were recruited in harm reduction programmes in Bordeaux and Marseille and in DCRs in Strasbourg and Paris. Participants were aged more than 18 years, French‐speaking and had injected substances the month before enrolment. Measurements We measured the impact of DCR exposure on injection equipment sharing, HCV testing and the use of medications for opioid use disorder, after adjustment for significant correlates. We used a two‐step Heckman mixed‐effects probit model, which allowed us to take into account the correlation of repeated measures and to control for potential bias due to non‐randomization between the two groups (DCR‐exposed versus DCR‐unexposed participants). Findings The difference of declared injection equipment sharing between PWID exposed to DCRs versus non‐exposed was 10% (1% for those exposed versus 11% for those non‐exposed, marginal effect = −0.10; 95% confidence interval = −0.18, −0.03); there was no impact of DCRs on HCV testing and OAT. Conclusions: In the French context, drug consumption rooms appear to have a positive impact on at‐risk practices for infectious diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stigma that people with HIV who inject drugs experience negatively impacts HIV and substance use care, but stigma’s association with sharing injection equipment is not known. This is a cross-sectional analysis of data from two studies of people with HIV reporting drug injection (N = 319) in St. Petersburg, Russia (September 2018-December 2020). We used logistic regression to examine associations between HIV stigma and substance use stigma scores (categorised into quartiles) and past 30-day equipment sharing, adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics. Secondary analyses examined associations of arrest history and social support with sharing equipment. Almost half (48.6%) of participants reported sharing injection equipment. Among groups who did and did not share, mean HIV stigma (2.3 vs 2.2) and substance use stigma (32 vs 31) scores were similar. Adjusted analyses detected no significant associations between HIV stigma quartiles (global p-value = 0.85) or substance use stigma quartiles (global p-value = 0.51) and sharing equipment. Neither arrest history nor social support were significantly associated with sharing equipment. In this cohort, sharing injection equipment was common and did not vary based on stigma, arrest history, or social support. To reduce equipment sharing, investments in sterile injection equipment access in Russia should be prioritised over interventions to address stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People in prison are at high risk of HCV given high injecting drug use prevalence. This study evaluated HCV incidence and associated injecting drug use characteristics in prison. The SToP‐C study enrolled people incarcerated in four Australian prisons. Participants were tested for HCV at enrolment and then every 3–6 months (October‐2014 to November‐2019). Participants eligible for this analysis included those at‐risk of HCV primary infection (anti‐HCV negative) or re‐infection (anti‐HCV positive, HCV RNA negative) with follow‐up assessment. A total of 1643 eligible participants were included in analyses (82% male; median age 33 years; 30% injected drugs in prison; 1818 person‐years of follow‐up). Overall HCV incidence was 6.11/100 person‐years (95%CI: 5.07–7.35), with higher rate of re‐infection (9.34/100 person‐years; 95%CI: 7.15–12.19) than primary infection (4.60/100 person‐years; 95%CI: 3.56–5.96). In total population (n = 1643), HCV risk was significantly higher among participants injecting drugs in prison [vs. no injecting; adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 10.55, 95%CI: 5.88–18.92), and those who were released and re‐incarcerated during follow‐up (vs. remained incarcerated; aHR: 1.60, 95%CI: 1.03–2.49). Among participants who injected recently (during past month, n = 321), HCV risk was reduced among those receiving high‐dosage opioid agonist therapy (OAT), i.e. methadone ≥60 mg/day or buprenorphine ≥16 mg/day, (vs. no OAT, aHR: 0.11, 95%CI: 0.02–0.80) and increased among those sharing needles/syringes without consistent use of disinfectant to clean injecting equipment (vs. no sharing, HR: 4.60, 95%CI: 1.35–15.66). This study demonstrated high HCV transmission risk in prison, particularly among people injecting drugs. High‐dosage OAT was protective, but improved OAT coverage and needle/syringe programmes to reduce sharing injecting equipment are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correctional Service Canada implemented Prison Needle Exchange Programs (PNEPs) into federal penitentiaries in 2018 as a harm reduction measure to prevent needle sharing, drug overdose, and limit the spread of infectious disease. However, studies demonstrate how staff resistance hinders the growth of these programs within Canadian prisons. Drawing on interview data produced by 134 federally employed and relatively new correctional officers in Canada, the current study analyzes officers' levels of support and (more often) opposition to PNEP. Results indicate that, predominantly, staff opposition to PNEP is rooted in safety concerns, a perceived lack of evidence of PNEP's benefits, and fears the program is not promoting recovery and rehabilitation. By increasing the prevalence of needles in cells, officers report concern of overdose or potential weaponization of needles. Our study informs policy discussions around harm reduction measures in prisons to better promote institutional safety, public health, and nonstigmatized approaches to substance use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Identifying patterns of human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) transmission and factors affecting it can help to prevent and control the disease. The present study aimed to identify the latent classes of HIV risk factors in Iran. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 32,168 HIV patients. We fitted latent class analysis by considering 11 indicators. Models with 2 to 5 classes were fitted, and the best-fitted model was chosen based on Acaik information critical (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), entropy, and interpretability of the results. Additionally, multinomial logistic regression model was applied to assess relationships between the covariates and latent class membership. Results: We identified 3 latent classes, including low-risk (41.35%), high-risk (50.28%), and moderaterisk (8.37%) classes. The moderate-risk class was most likely prison history (69.09%) and addiction (67.37%). The high-risk class included addiction (99.68%), injection drugs users (IDUs) (99.06%), prison history (86.27%), and sharing needles (79.64%). Older age and being single increased the odds of membership in high-risk class (OR: 1.021, 95% CI: 1.017-1.024%; OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.20-1.50%), respectively, while older age increased the odds of membership in classes of moderaterisk (OR: 1.028, 95% CI: 1.023-1.033%) compared with low-risk group (p < 0.05). The odds of membership in classes of high-risk (OR: 0.011, 95% CI: 0.010-0.013%) and moderate-risk (OR: 0.113, 95% CI: 0.098-0.131%) were significantly lower in women than in men compared with low-risk group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Injection drugs users, drug addiction, sharing needles, and prison history are related to HIV infection in Iran. Moreover, older age, female gender, low education, and being single increase the odds of membership in high-risk classes. These findings highlight the need for preventive interventions and harm reduction programs for people at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appropriate knowledge and expertise of parenteral injection is vital in the medical field. Hence we impart training on mannequins before the students practice on patients. This study was conducted to evaluate the skill exhibited by the students in parenteral injection skills, namely intravenous, intramuscular, intradermal and subcutaneous injections. The students were assessed for step based on the pre-validated check list created for Objective Structured Practical Examination. In this study, 16 % of the students failed to check the prescription order before starting the procedure. The name and the expiry date of the drug was not checked by 22 % of the students. Hundred percent of the students sterilized their hands. Loading of drug was done properly by 80 % of the students and 88 % of the students checked for air bubbles in the syringe and removed them properly. The site for injection was not sterilized by 26 percent of the students. Tourniquet was not applied by 19 percent of the students and 28 % of the students did not hold the bevel up during insertion for intravenous route. The steps where frequent faltering happened needs to be emphasized for them to perform better in a more efficient manner during the summative assessment as well as for future practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed the prevalence and correlates of alcohol use among 870 people who inject drugs living with HIV in Kenya, with attention toward (1) sexual and injecting risk behaviors for HIV transmission and (2) HIV care engagement. We defined heavy alcohol use as > 14 drinks/week for men and > 7 drinks/week for women, moderate alcohol use as any lesser but non-zero amount, and any alcohol use as either moderate or heavy use. Approximately 39% of participants reported any alcohol use and 15% heavy use. In multivariate analysis, any alcohol use compared to no use was associated with needle sharing, > 3 new sex partners in the past 3 months, being unaware of HIV status, never enrolling in HIV care, and not being on ART (all p < 0.05). Heavy alcohol use as compared to no use was associated with needle sharing (aOR = 2.72; 95% CI 1.43, 5.13), injection equipment sharing (aOR = 1.80; 95% CI 1.00, 3.16), > 3 new sex partners in the past 3 months (aOR = 1.99; 95% CI 1.12, 3.49), and being unaware of HIV status (aOR = 2.77; 95% CI 1.46, 5.19). There was no association between any measure of alcohol use and unsuppressed viral load. Alcohol use among people who inject drugs living with HIV may carry elevated risk of HIV transmission mediated by sexual and injecting practices and is associated with lower engagement in multiple stages of the HIV care cascade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To understand the extent to which adolescent awareness about anaemia and anaemia prevention can be changed by nutrition messages received at school. Design: Mixed‐methods pre–post intervention study. Setting: Three government schools in Bagalkot, Belagavi and Raichur districts of Karnataka, India. Population: Students of grade six and seven and teachers involved in implementing the intervention. Methods: An educational intervention was co‐developed by school teachers and nutrition experts using locally adapted resource materials that consisted of lectures, role play and practical demonstrations. Seven half‐hour educational sessions were delivered by school teachers over 7 weeks to 455 students. Pre‐ and post‐intervention tests measured changes in adolescents' knowledge about anaemia. Semi‐structured in‐depth interviews with teachers and focus groups with students explored their reactions to the intervention. Main outcome measures: Knowledge score related to anaemia. Results: The percentage of children with correct scores increased by 7.3–49.0 percentage points for the tested questions after implementation of the intervention. The mean knowledge score increased by 3.67 ± 0.17 (p < 0.01). During interviews, teachers and students highlighted high acceptance of the intervention and materials, an increase in awareness, a positive attitude towards changing behaviour around diet, an increase in the demand for iron and folic acid supplements and improved sharing of messages learned with peers and families. Challenges expressed included need for further training, time limitations and hesitancy in teaching about menstruation and pregnancy. Conclusions: Educational interventions carried out for adolescents by teachers in schools are effective in improving awareness and attitude related to anaemia and its prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Medical simulation is a continuously expanding field. In surgical specialties, in particular, simulation can provide an alternative avenue for learning. The objective of this process improvement project was to evaluate the effectiveness and practicality of adding simulation-based training to our educational curriculum regarding common otologic procedures. Materials and Methods A low-cost, novel ear procedure simulator was designed and constructed from readily available clinic supplies. Participants were asked to fill out a pre-simulator survey to assess their own comfort and skill level before undergoing the simulation course. A pre-simulation PowerPoint training course was then administered to participants. The participants then underwent the simulation training course and were again asked to fill out a post-simulator training exercise survey to reassess their own comfort and skill level. Institutional review board approval was not required by Tripler Army Medical Center. Results A total of 15 participants consisting of junior residents in otolaryngology, third- and fourth-year medical students rotating on an otolaryngology clinical clerkship, and one physician assistant in otolaryngology were included in the study. There was a significant improvement in both provider comfort with the procedure and clinical performance of the procedure among participants after training on the simulation-based model. Conclusions Simulation-based training provides a safe, effective, and cost-friendly alternative to clinical medical education. Future studies are needed to address the wide-scale applicability of these results to other forms of surgical training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to field tested the "Avoid the Needle" (AtN) intervention to reduce transitions from non-injecting to injecting drug use in two different epidemiological settings. Respondent driven sampling was used to recruit current non-injecting drug users (NIDUs) in Tallinn, Estonia in 2018-19 and in New York City (NYC) in 2019-20. Both persons who had never injected and persons who had previously injected but not in the last 6 months were eligible; a structured interview was administered, a blood sample collected, and the intervention administered by trained interventionists. We recruited 19 non-injectors from Tallinn and 140 from NYC. Participants in Tallinn were younger and had begun using drugs at earlier ages than participants in NYC. The primary drugs used in Tallinn were amphetamine, fentanyl, and opioid analgesics, while in NYC they were heroin, cocaine, speedball, and fentanyl. Six-month follow-up data were obtained from 95% of participants in Tallinn. The study was interrupted by COVID-19 lockdown in NYC, but follow-up data were obtained from 59% of participants. There were minimal transitions to injecting: 1/18 in Tallinn and 0/83 in NYC. There were significant declines in the frequencies of using readily injectable drugs (fentanyl, amphetamine, heroin, cocaine) from baseline to follow-up in both sites (Cochran-Armitage tests for trend, χ2 = 21.3, p < 0.001 for New York City; and χ2 = 3.9, p = 0.048 for Tallinn). Reducing transitions into injecting is a potentially very important method for reducing HIV transmission and other harms of drug use. Further investigation and implementation of AtN type interventions is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring key populations' progress towards UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets is essential to achieving HIV/AIDS epidemic control. Using serial cross-sectional data, we evaluated changes in HIV care continuum among people who inject drugs(PWID) and men who have sex with men(MSM) in India. Cross-sectional baseline (2012/2013) and follow-up (2016/2017) samples were recruited using respondent-driven sampling across 21 cities. All participants were tested for HIV and RNA measured in HIV-positive participants. Linear regression was used to model temporal site-level changes in continuum indicators in MSM versus PWID. At baseline, we recruited 2,544 HIV-infected PWID and 1,086 HIV-infected MSM. At follow-up, we recruited 2,517 HIV-infected PWID and 1,763 HIV-infected MSM. At baseline, there were no significant differences in continuum indicators between MSM and PWID. At follow-up, compared to PWID, the proportion of MSM reaching each care continuum indicator—awareness of status, receipt of care, ART use, viral suppression—increased by 15-33 percentage points: 78% of MSM versus 49% of PWID were aware of their status (p < 0.01); 56% of MSM versus 32% of PWID were virologically suppressed (p = 0.05). MSM showed marked improvements across the care continuum, whereas PWID lagged and may require additional intervention. Differential improvement in HIV engagement may necessitate population-specific interventions and routine surveillance to facilitate HIV elimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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BackgroundThe current opioid epidemic across the United States has fueled a surge in the rate of new hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among young persons who inject drugs (PWIDs). Paramount to interrupting transmission is targeting these high-risk populations and understanding the underlying network structures facilitating transmission within these communities.MethodsDeep sequencing data were obtained for 52 participants from 32 injecting partnerships enrolled in the U-Find-Out (UFO) Partner Study, which is a prospective study of self-described injecting dyad partnerships from a large community-based study of HCV infection in young adult PWIDs from San Francisco. Phylogenetically linked transmission events were identified using traditional genetic-distance measures and viral deep sequence phylogenies reconstructed to determine the statistical support of inferences and the direction of transmission within partnerships.ResultsUsing deep sequencing data, we found that 12 of 32 partnerships were genetically similar and clustered. Three additional phylogenetic clusters were found describing novel putative transmission links outside of the injecting relationship. Transmission direction was inferred correctly for 5 partnerships with the incorrect transmission direction inferred in more than 50% of cases. Notably, we observed that phylogenetic linkage was most often associated with a lower number of network partners and involvement in a sexual relationship.ConclusionsDeep sequencing of HCV among self-described injecting partnerships demonstrates that the majority of transmission events originate from outside of the injecting partnership. Furthermore, these findings caution that phylogenetic methods may be unable to routinely infer the direction of transmission among PWIDs especially when transmission events occur in rapid succession within high-risk networks.

BackgroundDrug use is a growing concern in Ghana. People who inject drugs (PWID) are highly vulnerable to HIV and other infectious diseases. Ghana's National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS 2016-2020 identifies PWID as a key population, but efforts to address the needs of PWID have lagged behind those targeting sex workers and men who have sex with men. Lack of information about PWID is a critical barrier to implementing effective HIV prevention and treatment. We aimed to learn more about the vulnerability of the PWID population in order to inform much-needed harm reduction interventions.MethodsFrom April to July 2018, we conducted a mixed methods study in Kumasi, Ghana, to identify all major drug using locations, count the numbers of PWID to obtain rough population size estimations, and administer anonymous surveys to 221 PWID regarding drug use and sexual behavior. We also tested for HIV, HCV, and HBV from syringes used by survey participants.ResultsKey informants identified five major drug using locations and estimated the total PWID population size to be between 600 and 2000. Enumerators counted between 35 and 61 individuals present at each of the five bases. Sharing syringes and reusing discarded syringes are common practices. Over half of survey participants (59%) reported past-month syringe sharing (34% used a used syringe and 52% gave away a used syringe). Individuals with higher injection frequency (≥ 21 times weekly) and who injected with four or more people had higher odds of syringe sharing. Of the survey participants reporting sex in the last month (23%), most reported having one partner, but only 12% used condoms. Nearly all women (11/13) reported exchanging sex for drugs and 6/13 reported exchanging sex for money in the last six months. Fifteen percent of participants (all men) reported paying for sex using drugs or money. Of the used syringes, prevalence estimates were 3% (HIV), 2% (HCV), and 9% (HBV).ConclusionsOur findings confirm the urgent need to implement harm reduction interventions targeting PWID and to build a strong and enabling legal and policy environment in Ghana to support these efforts.

Background. In studies of hepatitis C virus (HCV) seroconversion in injection drug users (IDUs), some have questioned whether underreporting of syringe sharing, a stigmatized behavior, has led to misattribution of HCV risk to other injection-related behaviors.Methods. IDUs aged 15–30 years who were seronegative for human immunodeficiency virus and HCV antibodies were recruited into a prospective study in 5 US cities. Behavioral data were collected via computer-assisted self-interviewing to reduce socially desirable reporting. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated to assess associations between behavior and HCV seroconversion. Because the shared use of cookers, cottons, and rinse water was highly correlated, a summary variable was created to represent drug preparation equipment sharing.Results. Among 483 IDUs who injected during the period covered by the follow-up assessments, the incidence of HCV infection was 17.2 cases per 100 person years; no HIV seroconversions occurred. Adjusting for confounders, the shared use of drug preparation equipment was significantly associated with HCV seroconversion (adjusted HR, 2.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–23.92), but syringe sharing was not (adjusted HR, 0.91). We estimated that 37% of HCV seroconversions in IDUs were due to the sharing of drug preparation equipment.Conclusions. Associations between sharing drug preparation equipment and HCV seroconversion are not attributable to underascertainment of syringe sharing. Avoiding HCV infection will require substantial reductions in exposure to all sources of contaminated blood.

Background and aimsSyringe-sharing among people who inject drugs, which can occur during incarceration and post-release, has been linked with increased risk of blood-borne infections. We aimed to investigate the cumulative effect of repeated incarceration and the post-release period on receptive syringe-sharing.DesignOngoing community-based cohort, recruited through targeted sampling between 2011 and 2012 with 6-month follow-ups.SettingTijuana, Mexico.ParticipantsSample of 185 participants (median age 35 years; 67% female) with no history of incarceration at study entry, followed to 2017.MeasurementsCumulative incarceration and post-release period were constructed from incarceration events reported in the past 6 months for each study visit. Receptive syringe-sharing in the past 6 months was assessed as a binary variable. We used logistic regression with generalized estimating equations to examine the association between cumulative incarceration events and the post-release period with receptive syringe-sharing over time. Missing data were handled through multiple imputation.FindingsAt baseline, 65% of participants engaged in receptive syringe-sharing in the prior 6 months. At follow-up, 150 (81%) participants experienced a total of 358 incarceration events [median = 2, interquartile range (IQR) = 1-3]. The risk of receptive syringe-sharing increased with the number of repeated incarcerations. Compared with never incarcerated, those with one incarceration had 1.28 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.97-1.68] higher adjusted odds of syringe-sharing; two to three incarcerations, 1.42 (95% CI = 1.02-1.99) and more than three incarcerations, 2.10 (95% CI = 1.15-3.85). Participants released within the past 6 months had 1.53 (95% CI = 1.14-2.05) higher odds of sharing syringes compared with those never incarcerated. This post-release risk continued up to 1.5 years post-incarceration (adjusted odds ratio = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.04-1.91), but then waned.ConclusionsA longitudinal community cohort study among people who inject drugs suggested that the effects of incarceration on increased injecting risk, measured through syringe-sharing, are cumulative and persist during the post-release period.

The article focuses on improving care for hospitalized individuals with substance use disorders and infectious complications by emphasizing harm reduction and shared decision making. Topics discussed include addressing barriers to accessing harm reduction services, integrating harm reduction principles into clinical care, and implementing shared decision making approaches to treatment decisions for patients with substance use disorders.

Background: Due to COVID-19, face-to-face service activities in service-learning courses have become unfeasible. To address this challenge, this study aims to integrate project-based learning into medical education's service-learning curriculum. This study also seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of this instructional approach and identify factors that influence its success. Methods: A total of 135 first-year medical students enrolled in a mandatory 1-credit service-learning course were recruited. The course involved various service activities aligned with the needs of the local community. The students were organized into 12 groups, each working on different service-learning projects, such as raising health awareness or educating the public about specific diseases. Following the completion of the course, a questionnaire was distributed among the students to gather feedback on the course, and 122 (valid responses were collected, representing a response rate of 90.3%). Results: The results indicated that the project-based service-learning course significantly improved students' "interpersonal communication skills," their ability to "learn and grow from work," and their sense of "professionalism" (all p ≤ 0.037). Among the various aspects of service learning, the highest agreement was observed for "executing the project," followed by "group discussions and project formulation," "overall course review," "review of project outcomes," "outcome presentations," "teaching proposal writing and project brainstorming," "sharing of service-learning experiences by teachers," and "sharing of service-learning experiences by teaching assistants." Students also found certain factors to be beneficial in enhancing the learning effectiveness of service-learning courses, including "prize money for service-learning outcomes," "funding for service-learning activities," and "consultations from medical personnel" (all p ≤ 0.01). However, "course credit" and "photography software" did not show significant effects (both p > 0.05). The most preferred resources or activities for future service-learning courses were "course credit" and "face-to-face service-learning activities." Conclusions: The project-based learning method improved the learning effectiveness in service-learning courses. Students perceived that the number of course credits reflects the course value and plays a pivotal role in enhancing the learning effectiveness in service-learning courses. During the epidemic, students still expect to have face-to-face service activities in service-learning courses. Therefore, without the impact of the epidemic, service learning courses should return to face-to-face service activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data on recent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and syphilis prevalence among drug users in the Southwest China are sparse despite the high burden of drug use. This study aims at assessing the prevalence trends and related factors of HIV, HCV and syphilis infection among different drug users in the China–Vietnam border area. Methods: A continuous cross-sectional survey was conducted among drug users from 2010 to 2020 in the China–Vietnam border area. Chi-square trend tests were used to assess the trend of HIV, HCV and syphilis prevalence and the proportion for drug type used by drug users. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify associated factors of HIV, HCV and syphilis infection in different drug users. Results: In this study, a total of 28,951 drug users were included, of which 27,893 (96.45%) male, 15,660 (54.09%) aged 13–34 years, 24,543 (84.77%) heroin-only users, 2062 (7.12%) synthetic drug-only (SD-only) users and 2346 (8.10%) poly-drug users. From 2010 to 2020, the proportion of heroin-only users decreased from 87.79% to 75.46%, whereas SD-only users and poly-drug users increased from 5.16% to 16.03%, and from 7.05% to 8.52%, respectively. The prevalence of HIV, HCV, and syphilis during the study period declined from 12.76%, 60.37% and 5.72% to 4.35%, 53.29% and 4.53%, respectively, among heroin-only users and declined from 18.30%, 66.67% and 15.69% to 6.95%, 27.81% and 5.35%, respectively, among poly-drug users; however, the prevalence of HIV and HCV among SD-only users increased from 0.89% and 8.93% to 2.84% and 18.75%, respectively. Having ever injected drugs and needle sharing were common associated factors for both HIV and HCV infection among poly-drug users and heroin-only users. Aged ≥ 35 years old was an associated factor for HIV, HCV and syphilis infection among the SD-only users. Female drug users were at high risk of contracting syphilis among three different drug users. Conclusions: The prevalence of HIV, HCV and syphilis among heroin-only users and poly-drug users decreased during the study period. However, the prevalence of HIV and HCV among SD-only users increased. Comprehensive intervention strategies, particularly focusing on the SD-only users are needed in order to bring down the disease burden in this population in the China–Vietnam border areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Few studies have investigated correlates of inconsistent condom use (ICU) among people who inject drugs (PWID). This study aimed to determine sociodemographic characteristics, type of drug use, risky behaviors, and service utilization associated with ICU among PWID. Methods: The study was cross-sectional, conducted between April 2020 and May 2021 in Saveh city (Iran). Sociodemographic, substance use, risky behaviors, and service use data were collected on 272 PWID interviewed face-to-face using a structured survey. The survey included a validated questionnaire with scales in which internal consistency reliability was estimated. ICU was assessed based on how often condoms were used with any sexual partners, including sex workers and casual partners, with four possible responses: always (100%), regularly (50–99%), occasionally (1–49%), and never. Data were produced using bivariate and multivariate regression analyses. Results: Participants mainly were male, were married, are more than 30 years old and had an income of 50 USA dollars per month. Compared to PWID without ICU, participants who were more likely to have ICU were those who used amphetamine in the past 3 months (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.07, P < 0.05) and had high HIV risk perception (AOR = 2.12, P < 0.05), while participants less likely to have ICU were those who were single, widowed, or separated (AOR = 0.50, P < 0.05) and using needle sharing program (NSP) (AOR = 0.37, P < 0.05). Conclusions: ICU can be improved among PWID by providing counselling and training on high-risk sexual behaviors, such as sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV risk perception, and by encouraging the use of contraceptives with sexual partners. Other impactful measures could address regular HIV testing and awareness, promoting condom self-efficacy and applying pre-exposure prophylaxis by NSP. Policy Implications: Preventive and harm reduction measures can substantially help minimize the risks of STI in this population. This is especially true for methamphetamine users who can highly benefit from condom distribution, needle and syringe exchange programs, and antagonist substitution treatments. As a result, risky sexual behavior and the incidence of STI might be considerably declined in this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Discrimination by some healthcare providers toward people living with HIV/AIDS has been documented. Differences in cultural backgrounds make it harder for future doctors, who need a lot of knowledge and a positive attitude to treat patients. In conservative countries like Saudi Arabia, not enough is known about how much medical interns know about HIV and how they feel about people living with HIV/AIDS.Methods: From April to September 2021, this cross-sectional study use non-probability random sampling and utilized a self-administered questionnaire to collected the data from 346 medical interns who had graduated from five different medical schools.Results: Most of the subjects correctly identified the main transmission routes, such as unprotected sex (94.57%), blood and body fluid exchange (94.19%), and sharing needles or syringes (91.47%). But they did not know what the most common co-infections were for HIV patients or how to protect themselves after exposure. This paper showed that medical interns have some stigmatizing behaviors toward patients living with HIV, as 31.1% and 22.9% agreed, respectively, that they would feel more sympathetic toward people who get AIDS from blood transfusions compared to IV drug users (IDU).Conclusion: Medical interns also showed some positive attitudes, as more than half of the sample (56.2%) would not isolate beds for people living with HIV/AIDS. The study's conclusion is that HIV education and training programs should be added for medical interns, which might have a significant positive impact on their attitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Black and Latino communities have been disproportionately impacted by coronavirus disease 2019 and we sought to understand perceptions and attitudes in four heavily impacted New Jersey counties to develop and evaluate engagement strategies to enhance access to testing. Objective: To establish a successful academic/community partnership team during a public health emergency by building upon longstanding relationships and using principles from community engaged research. Methods: We present a case study illustrating multiple levels of engagement, showing how we successfully aligned expectations, developed a commitment of cooperation, and implemented a research study, with community-based and health care organizations at the center of community engagement and recruitment. Lessons Learned: This paper describes successful approaches to relationship building including information sharing and feedback to foster reciprocity, diverse dissemination strategies to enhance engagement, and intergenerational interaction to ensure sustainability. Conclusions: This model demonstrates how academic/community partnerships can work together during public health emergencies to develop sustainable relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since 2019, multiple HIV outbreaks occurred among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Minnesota. Syringe service programs (SSPs) are evidence-based programs that reduce the spread of HIV. We conducted an assessment of characteristics and HIV risk and prevention among clients of a delivery-based SSP near an HIV outbreak in rural, northern Minnesota. Methods: In the fall of 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of clients of a mobile SSP based in Duluth, Minnesota. Survey topics included demographics, drug use, sexual behavior, HIV testing history, and HIV status. We conducted descriptive analyses and used univariate logistic regression to identify correlates of syringe sharing. The analysis was limited to PWID in the last six months. Results: A total of 125 people were surveyed; 77 (62%) were PWID in the last six months. Among these participants, 52% were female and 50% were homeless. Thirty-two percent reported sharing syringes and 45% reported sharing injecting equipment. Approximately one-half (49%) of participants had been tested for HIV in the past year, and none reported being HIV-positive. Individuals reported low condom usage (88% never used), and 23% of participants reported engaging in some form of transactional sex in the last six months. Incarceration in the last year was associated with sharing syringes (odds ratio = 1.4, 95% confidence interval 1.1–1.8). Conclusion: HIV risk was high among PWID receiving services at this SSP. These data highlight a rural SSP that is engaged with people at risk for HIV and needs additional support to expand harm reduction services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The economic, social, cultural and political milieus that influence injection drug-related HIV risk behaviors along the US–Mexico border in the previous decade have been studied comparing cities on an East–West axis. In an effort to inform interventions targeting factors beyond the individual level, we used a cross-sectional study design comparing people who inject drugs during 2016–2018, living on a North–South axis, in two cities—Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico and El Paso, Texas, USA—situated at the midpoint of the 2000 US–Mexico borderland stretch. We conceptualize injection drug use and its antecedents and consequences as influenced by factors operating at various levels of influence. Results of analysis comparing samples recruited from each border city indicated significant differences in demographic, socioeconomic, micro- and macro-level factors that affect risk. Similarities emerged in individual-level risk behaviors and some dynamics of risk at the drug use site most frequented to use drugs. In addition, analyses testing associations across samples indicated that different contextual factors such as characteristics of the drug use sites influenced syringe sharing. In this article, we reflect on the potential tailored interventions needed to target the context of HIV transmission risk among people who use drugs and reside in binational environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine the KAP of Medical Students towards Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Material and Methods: The medical students participated in a research that consisted of filling out questionnaires. The questions sought information on the respondent's knowledge and attitude towards diseases caused by hepatitis B and C. 100 students enrolled in the MBBS programme took part in the research. Knowledge, attitudes, and practises with regard to hepatitis B and hepatitis C were evaluated with the use of a pretested proforma that included a questionnaire. Results: Respondents' awareness of hepatitis B risk factors included the following: 98% knew about infected blood transfusions, 97% knew about sharing needles, 88% knew about infected mother to child transmission, 91% knew about unsafe sexual contact, and 94% knew about body piercing and/or tooing. Responders were aware of the risk factors for Hepatitis C, including the transmission of the virus via blood transfusions. 88%, 81% knew about sharing needles; 6% knew about transmitting infection from mother to kid; 63% knew about risky sexual contact; and 64% knew less about tattooing and piercing, which was demonstrated to be the case. 79% of students were aware that nausea and vomiting are symptoms of hepatitis C, and 75% were aware that a yellowish tint is one of those symptoms. 78% of students were aware of anorexia as a sign and symptom of hepatitis C, whereas 63% were aware of stomach discomfort, and 58% were aware of joint pain. Conclusion: The medical students have a strong understanding of both Hepatitis B and C, as well as a positive attitude towards the topic. It is very necessary, in order to prevent the further spread of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, to educate medical students about the many facets of the illness and the need of vaccination as part of an active health education programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the factors associated with discrimination in people who inject drugs (PID), in Cúcuta and Armenia, Colombia. Method: A cross-sectional study, using respondent driven sampling (RDS) in 2021, involving 532 PID was conducted. The aggregated data were weighted and crude prevalence ratios were calculated to measure the association between the selected factors and discrimination, in addition a multiple correspondence analysis was performed to know the profile of discrimination in the IDPs. Results: the prevalence of discrimination was 62% (95% CI: 57.7 - 66). This was independently associated with being a woman, being a homeless person, sharing syringes, consuming more than 5 psychoactive substances in the last year, feeling vulnerable to HIV, not accessing methadone treatment, feeling depressed, nervous or worried, having lost consciousness due to heroin overdose and sex work. Conclusions: The evidence presented shows a high perception of discrimination. These findings can be used in the country to generate strategies that reduce discrimination in various settings and create anti-discrimination policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]