Last data update: Sep 23, 2024. (Total: 47723 publications since 2009)
Records 1-14 (of 14 Records) |
Query Trace: Bessler P [original query] |
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An evaluation of translife care: A locally developed structural HIV prevention intervention for transgender women in Chicago, Illinois
Kuhns LM , Perloff J , Johnson AK , Paul JL , Pleasant K , Evans K , Denson DJ , Gelaude DJ , Bessler PA , Cervantes M , Muldoon AL , Garofalo R , Hotton AL . AIDS Educ Prev 2024 36 (3) 155-167 Transgender women are disproportionately impacted by HIV infection. We report herein the findings of a pre-post evaluation of the TransLife Care (TLC) project in Chicago, Illinois, on behaviors associated with HIV transmission among transgender women. Participants who received any TLC component versus those who did not were compared using mixed-effects logistic regression with random intercepts across follow-up time points. Ninety-seven participants aged 18 to 59 (median age 24) enrolled; 76.3% were transgender women of color. There was a decrease in condomless sex without consistent PrEP use at 8 months, which was not significantly different between those who did and did not receive the TLC intervention, controlling for calendar time. Evidence does not indicate that the TLC reduces condomless sex without PrEP protection among urban transgender women. However, given the preponderance of evidence of the influence of structural barriers on condomless sex, future research should continue to test the efficacy of structural interventions. |
The role of stigma and resilience in healthcare engagement among transgender latinas in the U.S. South: Baseline findings from the ChiCAS Study
Goldenberg T , Tanner AE , McGuire T , Alonzo J , Mann-Jackson L , Refugio Aviles L , Galindo CA , Bessler PA , Courtenay-Quirk C , Garcia M , Reboussin BA , Rhodes SD . J Immigr Minor Health 2024 Research demonstrates that stigma and resilience influence transgender peoples' healthcare use. Less is known about transgender Latinas in the U.S. South who face multilevel barriers to healthcare access. We used baseline data from the ChiCAS intervention study. Using logistic regression, we examined how stigma (perceived discrimination related to gender identity, race/ethnicity, sexual behavior and perceived documentation status and internalized transphobia), and resilience (ethnic group pride and social support) are associated with two healthcare outcomes (use of routine medical care and medically supervised gender-affirming hormones). We also explored barriers to accessing both types of care. After removing 13 participants with missing data, our sample size was 131 transgender Latinas in the U.S. South. Most participants (74.8%, n = 98) received routine medical care in the past year and 57.3% (n = 75) had ever received medically supervised gender-affirming hormones. Reports of discrimination were highest for gender identity and documentation status. Race/ethnicity-based discrimination was positively associated with accessing routine medical care in the past year (OR = 1.94, p = 0.048). Having more social support was positively associated with care (routine care: OR = 3.48, p = 0.002 and gender-affirming hormones: OR = 2.33, p = 0.003). The most commonly reported barriers to accessing both types of care included cost, insurance, and not knowing where to go. Findings highlight the importance of social support for healthcare use among transgender Latinas. Social support may be especially important when considering the unique experiences of discrimination faced by transgender Latinas in the U.S. South. |
Preexposure prophylaxis uptake among spanish-speaking transgender women: A randomized controlled trial in North and South Carolina, 2019-2022
Rhodes SD , Alonzo J , Mann-Jackson L , Aviles LR , Tanner AE , Galindo CA , Bessler PA , Courtenay-Quirk C , Garcia M , Sucaldito AD , Smart BD , Goldenberg T , Reboussin BA . Am J Public Health 2024 114 (1) 68-78 Objectives. To evaluate Chicas Creando Acceso a la Salud (Girls Creating Access to Health; ChiCAS), a Spanish-language, small-group intervention designed to increase preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use, consistent condom use, and medically supervised gender-affirming hormone therapy use among Spanish-speaking transgender Latinas who have sex with men. Methods. Participants were 144 HIV-negative Spanish-speaking transgender Latinas, aged 18 to 59 years, living in North and South Carolina. From July 2019 to July 2021, we screened, recruited, and randomized them to the 2-session ChiCAS intervention or the delayed-intervention waitlist control. Participants completed assessments at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Follow-up retention was 94.4%. Results. At follow-up, relative to control participants, ChiCAS participants reported increased PrEP use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.57, 13.7; P < .006). However, ChiCAS participants did not report increased use of condoms or medically supervised gender-affirming hormone therapy. ChiCAS participants reported increases in knowledge of HIV (P < .001), sexually transmitted infections (P < .001), and gender-affirming hormone therapy (P = .01); PrEP awareness (P < .001), knowledge (P < .001), and readiness (P < .001); condom use skills (P < .001); and community attachment (P < .001). Conclusions. The ChiCAS intervention was efficacious in increasing PrEP use among Spanish-speaking, transgender Latinas in this trial. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(1):68-78. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307444). |
A cross-sectional analysis of psychosocial and structural barriers and facilitators associated with PrEP use among a sample of transgender women in Chicago, IL
Kuhns LM , Perloff J , Johnson AK , Paul JL , Pleasant K , Evans K , Denson DJ , Gelaude DJ , Bessler PA , Diskin R , Cervantes M , Garofalo R , Hotton AL . AIDS Res Ther 2023 20 (1) 24 BACKGROUND: Expanding pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among transgender women in the United States is an important strategy to meet national HIV prevention goals, however self-reported use of PrEP is low in this group. METHODS: This study reports the findings of a cross-sectional analysis of the relationship of barriers as well as facilitators to recent PrEP use among transgender women enrolled in an evaluation of the TransLife Care project (Chicago, Illinois), a structural intervention designed to meet basic needs. We computed multivariable prevalence ratios for barriers, facilitators and recent PrEP use, controlling for demographics. RESULTS: Findings suggest that psychosocial and structural barriers, including moderate/high alcohol use, stimulant use, and history of incarceration were all positively associated with recent PrEP use among urban transgender women. In addition, a psychosocial facilitator, gender affirmation, was positively associated with recent PrEP use, while, while collective self-esteem, a was negatively associated with it. Finally, common indications for PrEP have high sensitivity, but low specificity and predictive value for identifying those on PrEP. CONCLUSION: We conclude that despite a large gap in PrEP use among those with indications, individuals experiencing psychosocial and structural barriers are more likely to use PrEP, and facilitators, such as psychological sense of affirmed gender may support its use. TRIAL REGISTRATION: N/A. |
Overcoming challenges to HIV medical care-seeking and treatment among data-to-care program clients in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana
Carey JW , Roland KB , Bessler PA , Tesfaye CL , Randall LA , Frew PM . J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2022 34 (1) 71-82 Data to Care (D2C) uses US public health surveillance data to identify persons with diagnosed HIV who are not receiving adequate medical care. These persons are linked to care and ancillary social services through personalized outreach. We conducted semistructured interviews with 36 adults with HIV in Louisiana who were engaged for the first time or reengaged back into HIV care through D2C efforts. Before D2C program staff contact, nearly 40% were not contemplating HIV care. Program clients cited barriers to HIV care, including difficulties with appointment scheduling and transportation, health care service and drug costs, low motivation, and competing non-HIV health needs. Thirty-four of the 36 clients said that D2C staff helped them overcome these barriers. Clients also described psychosocial support from D2C staff. After receiving D2C program assistance, more than 90% of clients reported consistently receiving HIV medical care and taking medications. Our findings suggest that D2C staff successfully identified client needs and provided tailored assistance. |
Adapting a Group-Level PrEP Promotion Intervention Trial for Transgender Latinas During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Rhodes SD , Tanner AE , Mann-Jackson L , Alonzo J , RefugioAviles L , Galindo CA , Bessler PA , Courtenay-Quirk C , Smart BD , Garcia M , Goldenberg T , Sucaldito AD , Reboussin BA . AIDS Educ Prev 2022 34 (6) 481-495 The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the conduct of community-based and community-engaged research. Prior to the pandemic, our community-based participatory research partnership was testing ChiCAS, an in-person, group-level behavioral intervention designed to promote uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), condom use, and medically supervised gender-affirming hormone therapy among Spanish-speaking transgender Latinas. However, the pandemic required adaptations to ensure the safe conduct of the ChiCAS intervention trial. In this article, we describe adaptations to the trial within five domains. Transgender women are disproportionately affected by HIV, and it is essential to find ways to continue research designed to support their health within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and future infectious disease outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics. These adaptations offer guidance for ongoing and future community-based and community-engaged research during the COVID-19 pandemic and/or potential subsequent outbreaks (e.g., monkeypox), epidemics, and pandemics, particularly within under-served marginalized and minoritized communities. |
"Take care of their hierarchy of needs first": strategies used by data-to-care staff to address barriers to HIV care engagement
Roland KB , Carey JW , Bessler PA , Langer Tesfaye C , Randall LA , Betley V , Schoua-Glusberg A , Frew PM . AIDS Care 2022 35 (5) 1-8 Data-to-Care (D2C) is a public health strategy designed to engage out-of-care (OOC) persons with HIV (PWH) in HIV care. OOC PWH are identified through review of state and local HIV data and engaged in care through individualized efforts that address barriers to HIV care. Perspectives of D2C program staff can contribute to D2C program development and sustainability. We conducted semi-structured interviews in 2017 with 20 D2C program staff from Louisiana (n = 10) and Virginia (n = 10), states with distinct D2C programs. We used content and thematic analysis to analyze interview transcripts. In both states, common barriers to care for OOC PWH include limited transportation, stigma, substance use, poverty, homelessness, and mental illness. To address these barriers and engage OOC clients in HIV care, staff and programs provided transportation vouchers and housing assistance, integrated substance use and mental health services into care engagement processes, provided empathy and compassion, and assessed and addressed basic unmet needs. Identifying and addressing social and structural barriers to HIV care is a critical and often a necessary first step in engaging OOC clients in HIV care. These findings can be used for D2C program design and implementation, facilitating engagement in HIV care for OOC PWH. |
Evaluating Locally Developed Interventions to Promote PrEP Among Racially/Ethnically Diverse Transgender Women in the United States: A Unique CDC Initiative.
Rhodes SD , Kuhns LM , Alexander J , Alonzo J , Bessler PA , Courtenay-Quirk C , Denson DJ , Evans K , Galindo CA , Garofalo R , Gelaude DJ , Hotton AL , Johnson AK , Mann-Jackson L , Muldoon A , Ortiz R , Paul JL , Perloff J , Pleasant K , Reboussin BA , Refugio Aviles L , Song EY , Tanner AE , Trent S . AIDS Educ Prev 2021 33 (4) 345-360 In the United States, transgender women are disproportionately affected by HIV. However, few evidence-based prevention interventions exist for this key population. We describe two promising, locally developed interventions that are currently being implemented and evaluated through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Combination HIV Prevention for Transgender Women Project: (a) ChiCAS, designed to promote the uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), condom use, and medically supervised hormone therapy among Spanish-speaking transgender Latinas, and (b) TransLife Care, designed to address the structural drivers of HIV risk through access to housing, employment, legal services, and medical services, including HIV preventive care (e.g., PrEP use) among racially/ethnically diverse urban transgender women. If the evaluation trials determine that these interventions are effective, they will be among the first such interventions for use with transgender women incorporating PrEP, thereby contributing to the evidence-based resources that may be used to reduce HIV risk among this population. |
Access to HIV, viral hepatitis, and substance use disorder treatment/overdose prevention services: a qualitative analysis of syringe service programs (SSPS) serving rural PWID
Carnes NA , Asher AK , Bohm MK , Bessler PA . Subst Use Misuse 2021 56 (13) 1-8 Syringe service programs (SSP) increasingly serve rural areas of the United States, yet little is known about access and perceived need for their services. Objectives: This paper presents the HIV and viral hepatitis prevention, testing, and treatment, and, substance use disorder treatment and overdose prevention services offered at three SSPs and which services their clients accessed. Across the three SSPs, 45 clients (people who inject drugs [PWID]), 11 staff, and five stakeholders were interviewed. Results: Most clients (n = 34) reported accessing SSP services weekly and primarily for sterile syringes and injection-related supplies. All clients reported testing for HIV at least once, though concern for acquiring or transmitting HIV was divided between some or no concern. Most clients (n = 43) reported testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV). Concern for acquiring or transmitting HCV was also mixed. Vaccination for hepatitis A and/or B teetered around half (HAV: n = 23) to a third (HBV: n = 15). Most clients (n = 43) knew where to access the overdose countering medication, Narcan. Feelings about substance use treatment options varied, yet most felt not enough were available. Of note, not all assessed services were offered by the sampled SSPs. Conclusions/Importance: The findings help us understand PWIDs' rationale regarding services accessed and preference for particular services. The need for some services was not perceived by those at risk for the illness the services addressed. Discussing risk and providing tailored education is important when providing SSP services to rural residing PWIDs. |
STEPS to Care: Translating an evidence-informed HIV care coordination program into a field-tested online practice improvement toolkit
O'Donnell L , Irvine MK , Wilkes AL , Rwan J , Myint UA , Leow DM , Whittier D , Harriman G , Bessler P , Higa D , Courtenay-Quirk C . AIDS Educ Prev 2020 32 (4) 296-310 Increasing care engagement is essential to meet HIV prevention goals and achieve viral suppression. It is difficult, however, for agencies to establish the systems and practice improvements required to ensure coordinated care, especially for clients with complex health needs. We describe the theory-driven, field-informed transfer process used to translate key components of the evidence-informed Ryan White Part A New York City Care Coordination Program into an online practice improvement toolkit, STEPS to Care (StC), with the potential to support broader dissemination. Informed by analyses of qualitative and quantitative data collected from eight agencies, we describe our four phases: (1) review of StC strategies and key elements, (2) translation into a three-part toolkit: Care Team Coordination, Patient Navigation, and HIV Self-Management, (3) pilot testing, and (4) toolkit refinement for national dissemination. Lessons learned can guide the translation of evidence-informed strategies to online environments, a needed step to achieve wide-scale implemention. |
Improving HIV medical care engagement by attending to status disclosure and social support
Carnes NA , Carey JW , Gelaude DJ , Denson DJ , Bessler PA . AIDS Care 2020 33 (1) 1-7 Expeditious linkage and consistent engagement in medical care is important for people with HIV's (PWH) health. One theory on fostering linkage and engagement involves HIV status disclosure to mobilize social support. To assess disclosure and social support's association with linkage and engagement, we conducted a qualitative study sampling black and Latino men who have sex with men (MSM of color) in the U.S. Participants' narratives presented mixed results. For instance, several participants who reported delaying, inconsistent access, or detachment from care also reported disclosing for support purposes, yet sporadic engagement suggests that their disclosure or any subsequent social support have not assisted. The findings contribute to the literature that questions disclosure and social support's influence on care engagement, especially when decontextualized from circumstances and intentions. Our findings suggest the mechanics of disclosure and social support require planned implementation if intending to affect outcomes, especially among MSM of color. From the findings, we explore steps that may bolster interventions seeking to anchor medical care engagement. |
Nonparticipation reasons in a randomized international trial of a new latent tuberculosis infection regimen
Hedges KNC , Borisov AS , Saukkonen JJ , Scott NA , Hecker EJ , Bozeman L , Dukes Hamilton C , Kerrigan A , Bessler P , Moreno-Martinez A , Arevalo B , Goldberg SV . Clin Trials 2019 17 (1) 1740774519885380 BACKGROUND/AIMS: Efficient recruitment of eligible participants, optimizing time and sample size, is a crucial component in conducting a successful clinical trial. Inefficient participant recruitment can impede study progress, consume staff time and resources, and limit quality and generalizability or the power to assess outcomes. Recruitment for disease prevention trials poses additional challenges because patients are asymptomatic. We evaluated candidates for a disease prevention trial to determine reasons for nonparticipation and to identify factors that can be addressed to improve recruitment efficiency. METHODS: During 2001-2009, the Tuberculosis Trials Consortium conducted Study 26 (PREVENT TB), a randomized clinical trial at 26 sites in four countries, among persons with latent tuberculosis infection at high risk for tuberculosis disease progression, comparing 3 months of directly observed once-weekly rifapentine plus isoniazid with 9 months of self-administered daily isoniazid. During March 2005-February 2008, non-identifying demographic information, risk factors for experiencing active tuberculosis disease, and reasons for not enrolling were collected from screened patients to facilitate interpretation of trial data, to meet Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials standards, and to evaluate reasons for nonparticipation. RESULTS: Of the 7452 candidates screened in Brazil, Canada, Spain, and the United States, 3584 (48%) were not enrolled, because of ineligibility (41%), site decision (10%), or patient choice (49%). Among those who did not enroll by own choice, and for whom responses were recorded on whether they would accept treatment outside of the study (n = 1430), 68% reported that they planned to accept non-study latent tuberculosis infection treatment. Among 1305 patients with one or more reported reasons for nonparticipation, study staff recorded a total of 1886 individual reasons (reason count: median = 1/patient; range = 1-9) for why patients chose not to enroll, including grouped concerns about research (24% of 1886), work or school conflicts (20%), medication or health beliefs (16%), latent tuberculosis infection beliefs (11%), and patient lifestyle and family concerns (10%). CONCLUSION: Educational efforts addressing clinical research concerns and beliefs about medication and health, as well as study protocols that accommodate patient-related concerns (e.g. work, school, and lifestyle) might increase willingness to enter clinical trials. Findings from this evaluation can support development of communication and education materials for clinical trial sites at the beginning of a trial to allow study staff to address potential participant concerns during study screening. |
Case report: Imported case of Lassa fever - New Jersey, May 2015
Kulkarni PA , Chew D , Youssef-Bessler M , Hamdi HA , Montoya LA , Cervantes KB , Mazur NL , Lucas D , Wells JW , Cennimo D , Sutherland A , Di Domenico LM , Miller LP , Pierre-Louis F , Rokosz G , Nazir A , de Perio MA , Lowe L , Manning C , Mead KR , Christensen BE , Albarino CG , Stroher U , Glover M , Lifshitz EI , Tan CG , Rollin PE , Semple S . Am J Trop Med Hyg 2018 99 (4) 1062-1065 We report a fatal case of Lassa fever diagnosed in the United States in a Liberian traveler. We describe infection control protocols and public health response. One contact at high risk became symptomatic, but her samples tested negative for Lassa virus; no secondary cases occurred among health care, family, and community contacts. |
Risk and timing of tuberculosis among close contacts of persons with infectious tuberculosis
Reichler MR , Khan A , Sterling TR , Zhao H , Moran J , McAuley J , Bessler P , Mangura B . J Infect Dis 2018 218 (6) 1000-1008 Background: The risk and timing of tuberculosis (TB) among recently exposed close contacts of patients with infectious TB is not well established. Methods: We prospectively enrolled culture-confirmed pulmonary TB patients >/=15 years of age and their close contacts at nine health departments in the United States and Canada. Close contacts were screened and cross-matched with TB registries to identify those who developed TB. Results: TB was diagnosed in 158 (4%) of 4490 contacts to 718 index TB patients. Of those with TB, cumulative totals of 81 (51%), 119 (75%), 128 (81%) and 145 (92%) were diagnosed by 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after index case diagnosis, respectively. TB rates among contacts were 2644, 115, 46, 69, and 25 per 100,000 persons, respectively, in the five consecutive years after index patient diagnosis. Of the TB cases among contacts, 121 (77%) were identified by contact investigation and 37 (23%) by TB registry cross-match. Conclusions: Close contacts to infectious TB patients had high rates of TB, with most disease diagnosed before or within 3 months after index patient diagnosis. Contact investigations need to be prompt to detect TB and maximize the opportunity to identify and treat latent infection in order to prevent disease. |
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