Last data update: Sep 16, 2024. (Total: 47680 publications since 2009)
Records 1-11 (of 11 Records) |
Query Trace: Hightow-Weidman L [original query] |
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Efficacy of internet recruitment and HIV self-testing for diagnosing HIV infections among black and Hispanic/Latino MSM and transgender women in 11 US states, 2020-2021
MacGowan RJ , Chavez PR , Dana R , Hannah M , Raiford JL , Caldwell JA , Wall KM , Johnson JA , Sharma A , Hightow-Weidman L , Stephenson R , Sanchez T , Smith AJ , Sullivan S , Jones J , Sullivan PS . J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2024 97 (2) 133-141 INTRODUCTION: We evaluated internet platforms for distributing HIV self-tests (HIVSTs) to Black or African American (Black) and Hispanic or Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW). METHODS: We recruited MSM and TGW from general interest, dating, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender platforms. Two HIVSTs were mailed to all MSM and TGW. Surveys (screening, baseline, 4-month, and results reporting) were completed online. After 4 months, participants were mailed another HIVST and a dried blood spot card. All HIVST interpretations and images of HIVST devices were reported online. RESULTS: Of 2093 MSM and 102 TGW, most were recruited through general interest and dating platforms. Over 50% were 18-29 years old, most identified as gay or bisexual. Overall, 45% had not tested for HIV in the past 12 months, and 9.1% of MSM reported a positive (reactive for HIV antibodies) HIVST result, with the highest percentage among Black MSM (11.5%). Dating platforms recruited higher percentages of MSM who recorded positive results compared with MSM from general interest platforms during the intervention period (11.9% vs 5.5% (P < 0.0001)), and MSM who had never tested for HIV reported a greater percentage of positive HIVST results compared with MSM who had been tested for HIV before enrollment (16.1% vs. 7.1%; P < 0.0001). MSM were able to correctly interpret and report HIVST results. Of TGW, 7% reported a positive HIVST result. CONCLUSIONS: Internet dating and general interest platforms can be key to increasing awareness of infection among BMSM, HMSM, and TGW persons, including those who do not use existing HIV services. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT04219878. |
Engaging Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino men who have sex with men for HIV testing and prevention services through technology: Protocol for the iSTAMP comparative effectiveness trial
Dana R , Sullivan S , MacGowan RJ , Chavez PR , Wall KM , Sanchez TH , Stephenson R , Hightow-Weidman L , Johnson JA , Smith A , Sharma A , Jones J , Hannah M , Trigg M , Luo W , Caldwell J , Sullivan PS . JMIR Res Protoc 2023 12 e43414 BACKGROUND: Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly Black or African American MSM (BMSM) and Hispanic or Latino MSM (HLMSM), continue to be disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic in the United States. Previous HIV self-testing programs have yielded high testing rates, although these studies predominantly enrolled White, non-Hispanic MSM. Mobile health tools can support HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. This protocol details an implementation study of mailing free HIV self-tests (HIVSTs) nested within a randomized controlled trial designed to assess the benefit of a mobile phone app for increasing the uptake of HIV prevention and other social services. OBJECTIVE: This study was a comparative effectiveness trial of innovative recruitment and testing promotion strategies intended to effectively reach cisgender BMSM and HLMSM. We evaluated the use of a mobile app for increasing access to care. METHODS: Study development began with individual and group consultations that elicited feedback from 3 core groups: HIV care practitioners and researchers, HIV service organization leaders from study states, and BMSM and HLMSM living in the study states. Upon completion of the formative qualitative work, participants from 11 states, based on the observed areas of highest rate of new HIV diagnoses among Black and Hispanic MSM, were recruited through social networking websites and smartphone apps. After eligibility was verified, participants consented and were randomized to the intervention arm (access to the Know@Home mobile app) or the control arm (referral to web resources). We provided all participants with HIVSTs. The evaluation of the efficacy of a mobile phone app to support linkage to posttest prevention services that included sexually transmitted infection testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis initiation, antiretroviral treatment, and acquisition of condoms and compatible lubricants has been planned. Data on these outcomes were obtained from several sources, including HIVST-reporting surveys, the 4-month follow-up survey, laboratory analyses of dried blood spot cards returned by the participant, and data obtained from the state health department surveillance systems. Where possible, relevant subgroup analyses were performed. RESULTS: During the formative development phase, 9 consultations were conducted: 6 in-depth individual discussions and 3 group consultations. From February 2020 through February 2021, we enrolled 2093 MSM in the randomized controlled trial from 11 states, 1149 BMSM and 944 HLMSM. CONCLUSIONS: This study was designed and implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment strategies to reach BMSM and HMSM and of a mobile app with regard to linkage to HIV prevention or treatment services. Data were also obtained to allow for the analyses of cost and cost-effectiveness related to study enrollment, HIV testing uptake, identification of previously undiagnosed HIV, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, and linkage to HIV prevention or treatment services. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04219878); https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04219878. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/43414. |
Beyond disease intervention: Exploring an expanded role for partner services in the MATRix-NC Demonstration Project
Hurt CB , Morrison AS , Guy J , Mobley VL , Dennis AM , Barrington C , Samoff E , Hightow-Weidman LB , McNeil CJ , Carry MG , Hogben M , Seña AC . Sex Transm Dis 2021 49 (2) 93-98 BACKGROUND: Disease intervention specialists (DIS) provide partner services (PS) for sexually transmitted infections (STI). We assessed an expansion of DIS services for clients with HIV and/or syphilis, and contacts within their social and sexual networks. METHODS: Black and Latinx cisgender men and transgender women who have sex with men diagnosed with HIV and/or syphilis in four urban North Carolina (NC) counties were referred to designated DIS, who were trained to recruit clients as "seeds" for chain-referral sampling of sociosexual network "peers." All received HIV/STI testing and care; referrals for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and social, behavioral, and non-STI medical services were offered. Participants completed baseline, 1 month, and 3 month computerized surveys. RESULTS: Of 213 cases referred to DIS from May 2018 to February 2020, 42 seeds (25 with syphilis, 17 with HIV) and 50 peers participated. Median age was 27 years; 93% were Black and 86% were cisgender men. Most peers came from seeds' social networks: 66% were friends, 20% were relatives, and 38% were cisgender women. Incomes were low, 41% were uninsured, and 10% experienced recent homelessness. More seeds than peers had baseline PrEP awareness; attitudes were favorable but utilization was poor. Thirty-seven participants were referred for PrEP 50 times; 17 (46%) accessed PrEP by month 3. Thirty-nine participants received 129 non-PrEP referrals, most commonly for housing assistance, primary care, Medicaid navigation, and food insecurity. CONCLUSIONS: Chain-referral sampling from PS clients allowed DIS to access persons with significant medical and social service needs, demonstrating that DIS can support marginalized communities beyond STI intervention. |
Intersection of Syphilis and HIV Networks to Identify Opportunities to Enhance HIV Prevention.
Dennis AM , Cressman A , Pasquale D , Frost SDW , Kelly E , Guy J , Mobley V , Samoff E , Hurt CB , McNeil C , Hightow-Weidman L , Carry M , Hogben M , Seña AC . Clin Infect Dis 2021 74 (3) 498-506 BACKGROUND: HIV and syphilis infection continue at disproportionate rates among minority men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States. The integration of HIV genetic clustering with partner services can provide important insight into local epidemic trends to guide interventions and control efforts. METHODS: We evaluated contact networks of index persons defined as minority men and transgender women diagnosed with early syphilis and/or HIV infection between 2018-2020 in two North Carolina regions. HIV clusters were constructed from pol sequences collected through statewide surveillance. A combined "HIV-risk" network, which included persons with any links (genetic or sexual contact) to HIV-positive persons, was evaluated by component size, demographic factors, and HIV viral suppression. RESULTS: In total, 1,289 index persons were identified and 55% named 1,153 contacts. Most index persons were Black (88%) and young (median age 30 years); 70% had early syphilis and 43% had prevalent HIV infection. Most people with HIV (65%) appeared in an HIV cluster. The combined HIV-risk network (1,590 contact network and 1,500 cluster members) included 287 distinct components; however, 1,586 (51%) were in a single component. Fifty-five percent of network members with HIV had no evidence of viral suppression. Overall, fewer index persons needed to be interviewed to identify one HIV-positive member without viral suppression (1.3 versus 4.0 for contact tracing). CONCLUSIONS: Integration of HIV clusters and viral loads illuminate networks with high HIV prevalence, indicating recent and ongoing transmission. Interventions intensified towards these networks may efficiently reach persons for HIV prevention and care re-engagement. |
Diagnosing acute HIV infection: The performance of quantitative HIV-1 RNA testing (viral load) in the 2014 laboratory testing algorithm.
Wu H , Cohen SE , Westheimer E , Gay CL , Hall L , Rose C , Hightow-Weidman LB , Gose S , Fu J , Peters PJ . J Clin Virol 2017 93 85-86 New recommendations for laboratory diagnosis of HIV infection in the United States were published in 2014. The updated testing algorithm includes a qualitative HIV-1 RNA assay to resolve discordant immunoassay results and to identify acute HIV-1 infection (AHI). The qualitative HIV-1 RNA assay is not widely available; therefore, we evaluated the performance of a more widely available quantitative HIV-1 RNA assay, viral load, for diagnosing AHI. We determined that quantitative viral loads consistently distinguished AHI from a false-positive immunoassay result. Among 100 study participants with AHI and a viral load result, the estimated geometric mean viral load was 1,377,793 copies/mL. |
Screening yield of HIV antigen/antibody combination and pooled HIV RNA testing for acute HIV infection in a high-prevalence population
Peters PJ , Westheimer E , Cohen S , Hightow-Weidman LB , Moss N , Tsoi B , Hall L , Fann C , Daskalakis DC , Beagle S , Patel P , Radix A , Foust E , Kohn RP , Marmorino J , Pandori M , Fu J , Samandari T , Gay CL . JAMA 2016 315 (7) 682-90 IMPORTANCE: Although acute HIV infection contributes disproportionately to onward HIV transmission, HIV testing has not routinely included screening for acute HIV infection. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of an HIV antigen/antibody (Ag/Ab) combination assay to detect acute HIV infection compared with pooled HIV RNA testing. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Multisite, prospective, within-individual comparison study conducted between September 2011 and October 2013 in 7 sexually transmitted infection clinics and 5 community-based programs in New York, California, and North Carolina. Participants were 12 years or older and seeking HIV testing, without known HIV infection. EXPOSURES: All participants with a negative rapid HIV test result were screened for acute HIV infection with an HIV Ag/Ab combination assay (index test) and pooled human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) RNA testing. HIV RNA testing was the reference standard, with positive reference standard result defined as detectable HIV-1 RNA on an individual RNA test. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Number and proportion with acute HIV infections detected. RESULTS: Among 86,836 participants with complete test results (median age, 29 years; 75.0% men; 51.8% men who have sex with men), established HIV infection was diagnosed in 1158 participants (1.33%) and acute HIV infection was diagnosed in 168 participants (0.19%). Acute HIV infection was detected in 134 participants with HIV Ag/Ab combination testing (0.15% [95% CI, 0.13%-0.18%]; sensitivity, 79.8% [95% CI, 72.9%-85.6%]; specificity, 99.9% [95% CI, 99.9%-99.9%]; positive predictive value, 59.0% [95% CI, 52.3%-65.5%]) and in 164 participants with pooled HIV RNA testing (0.19% [95% CI, 0.16%-0.22%]; sensitivity, 97.6% [95% CI, 94.0%-99.4%]; specificity, 100% [95% CI, 100%-100%]; positive predictive value, 96.5% [95% CI, 92.5%-98.7%]; sensitivity comparison, P < .001). Overall HIV Ag/Ab combination testing detected 82% of acute HIV infections detectable by pooled HIV RNA testing. Compared with rapid HIV testing alone, HIV Ag/Ab combination testing increased the relative HIV diagnostic yield (both established and acute HIV infections) by 10.4% (95% CI, 8.8%-12.2%) and pooled HIV RNA testing increased the relative HIV diagnostic yield by 12.4% (95% CI, 10.7%-14.3%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In a high-prevalence population, HIV screening using an HIV Ag/Ab combination assay following a negative rapid test detected 82% of acute HIV infections detectable by pooled HIV RNA testing, with a positive predictive value of 59%. Further research is needed to evaluate this strategy in lower-prevalence populations and in persons using preexposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention. |
Linkage and referral to HIV and other medical and social services: A focused literature review for sexually transmitted disease prevention and control programs
Carter MW , Wu H , Cohen S , Hightow-Weidman L , Lecher SL , Peters PJ . Sex Transm Dis 2016 43 S76-82 BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted disease (STD) program and clinic staff play an important role in providing linkage and referrals to programs and services that address the complex medical and psychosocial needs of their clients. We synthesized recent published literature related to effective practices for linkage to care for HIV and referral to other medical and social services. METHODS: Three PubMed searches were conducted to identify relevant studies published since 2004 on (1) linkage to HIV care, (2) referral within STD clinical contexts, and (3) (review articles only) referral practices among all medical specialties. Systematic review procedures were not used. RESULTS: Thirty-three studies were included in this review. Studies highlight the limited value of passive referral practices and the increased effectiveness of active referral and linkage practices. Numerous studies on linkage to HIV care suggest that case management approaches, cultural-linguistic concordance between linkage staff and clients, and structural features such as colocation facilitate timely linkage to care. Integration of other medical and social services such as family planning and alcohol screening services into STD settings may be optimal but resource-intensive. Active referral practices such as having a written referral protocols and agreements, using information technology to help transfer information between providers, and making appointments for clients may offer some benefit. Few studies included information on program costs associated with linkage and referral. CONCLUSIONS: Recent literature provides some guideposts for STD program and clinical staff to use in determining their approach to helping link and refer clients to needed care. Much experience with these issues within STD services remains unpublished, and key gaps in the literature remain. |
Unreported male sex partners among men with newly diagnosed HIV infection - North Carolina, 2011-2013
Wu H , Hightow-Weidman LB , Gay CL , Zhang X , Beagle S , Hall L , Jackson T , Marmorino J , Do AN , Peters PJ . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2015 64 (37) 1037-1041 Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention interventions, such as preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), are often targeted to men who have sex with men (MSM) who self-report high-risk behaviors. Data from a prospective study evaluating methods to detect acute HIV infection among a primarily young (aged <25 years) and black or African American (African American) population from North Carolina were analyzed. In the study, participants were asked about risk behaviors during pretest counseling (at the time of testing) and then during a partner services interview (at HIV diagnosis). Participants whose disclosure of sexual risk behaviors during pretest counseling was different from their disclosure of sexual risk behaviors during their partner services interview were identified, and factors associated with these discordant responses were examined. Among 113 HIV-infected men, 26 (23.0%) did not disclose male sex partners at pretest counseling, but subsequently did disclose this information during their partner services interview. When compared with men who disclosed having male partners at pretest counseling, these 26 MSM who did not disclose male partners during pretest counseling were found to have a similar number of male partners during contact tracing, but were more likely to have a female partner (30.8% versus 6.9%). In addition, the proportions of MSM found to have at least one HIV-infected partner were similar for both groups (MSM who disclosed having male partners during pretest counseling and those who did not). To better customize HIV prevention interventions for MSM, HIV prevention programs might consider using novel strategies to accurately assess risk in this population. |
HIV infection among partners of HIV-infected black men who have sex with men - North Carolina, 2011-2013
Peters PJ , Gay C , Beagle S , Shankar A , Switzer WM , Hightow-Weidman LB . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2014 63 (5) 90-4 The incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has significantly increased among black men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States, and young black MSM have been disproportionately affected. HIVinfected black MSM are also less likely to engage in HIV care and achieve viral suppression than MSM of other races/ethnicities. Engaging in care and achieving viral suppression is a multistep process that starts with diagnosis. Diagnosing persons unaware of their HIV status traditionally has been a critical component of HIV partner services, but partner services also provide an important opportunity to reengage HIVinfected partners in medical care. One approach for partner services involves contacting partners of persons with newly diagnosed HIV infection and using sexual and social network and molecular phylogenetic data to improve the continuum of HIV care among black MSM. To evaluate the effectiveness of that approach, results from a prospective partner services study conducted in North Carolina were examined, and one of the partner networks identified through this study was evaluated in depth. Overall, partner services were provided to 30 black, HIV-infected MSM who named 95 sex partners and social contacts, of whom 39 (41%) previously had been diagnosed with HIV infection. The partner network evaluation demonstrated that HIV-infected and HIV-negative partners were frequently in the same network, and that the majority of HIV-infected partners were already aware of their diagnosis but had not achieved viral suppression. Using partner services to ensure that HIV-infected partners are linked to care and treatment might reduce HIV transmission and might improve outcomes along the continuum of care. |
The Multispot rapid HIV-1/HIV-2 differentiation assay is comparable with the Western blot and an immunofluorescence assay at confirming HIV infection in a prospective study in three regions of the United States
Pandori MW , Westheimer E , Gay C , Moss N , Fu J , Hightow-Weidman LB , Craw J , Hall L , Giancotti FR , Mak ML , Madayag C , Tsoi B , Louie B , Patel P , Owen SM , Peters PJ . J Clin Virol 2013 58 Suppl 1 e92-6 BACKGROUND: A new HIV diagnostic algorithm has been proposed which replaces the use of the HIV-1 Western blot and HIV-1 immunofluorescence assays (IFA) as the supplemental test with an HIV-1/HIV-2 antibody differentiation assay. OBJECTIVES: To compare an FDA-approved HIV-1/HIV-2 antibody differentiation test (Multispot) as a confirmatory test with the HIV-1 Western blot and IFA. STUDY DESIGN: Participants were screened with an HIV-1/HIV-2 combination Antigen/Antibody (Ag/Ab) screening assay. Specimens with repeatedly reactive results were tested with Multispot and either Western blot or IFA. Specimens with discordant screening and confirmatory results were resolved with HIV-1 RNA testing. RESULTS: Individuals (37,876) were screened for HIV infection and 654 (1.7%) had a repeatedly reactive Ag/Ab assay result. On Multispot, 554 (84.7%) were HIV-1 reactive, 0 (0%) were HIV-2 reactive, 1 (0.2%) was reactive for both HIV-1 and HIV-2 (undifferentiated), 9 (1.4%) were HIV-1 indeterminate, and 90 (13.8%) were non-reactive. HIV-1 RNA was detected in 47/90 Multispot non-reactive (52.2%) specimens. Among specimens confirmed to have HIV infection (true positives), Multispot and Western blot detected HIV-1 antibody in a similar proportion of cases (93.7% vs. 94.4% respectively) while Multispot and IFA also detected HIV-1 antibody in a similar proportion of cases (84.5% vs. 83.4% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, Multispot confirmed HIV infections at a similar proportion to Western blot and IFA. Multispot, Western blot, and IFA, however, did not confirm all of the reactive Ag/Ab assay results and underscores the importance of HIV NAT testing to resolve discordant screening and confirmatory results. |
Risk behavior disclosure during HIV test counseling
Torrone EA , Thomas JC , Maman S , Pettifor AE , Kaufman JS , Sena AC , Hightow-Weidman LB . AIDS Patient Care STDS 2010 24 (9) (9) 551-561 Individualized risk assessments during HIV testing are an integral component of prevention counseling, a currently recommended behavioral intervention for patients in high-risk settings. Additionally, aggregate risk assessment data are the source of aggregate behavioral statistics that inform prevention programs and allocation of resources. Consequently, inaccurate or incomplete risk behavior disclosure during test counseling may impact the efficacy of the counseling intervention, as well as bias aggregate behavioral statistics. To quantify client-reported accuracy during the risk assessment and identify barriers and facilitators to risk behavior disclosure, we interviewed young men accessing HIV testing services in a southeastern United States city using mixed methodology. Data were collected from August 2007 to April 2008. Based on data collected via an audio and computer-assisted self-interview (n=203), over 30% of men reported that they were not accurate during the risk assessment. Participants reported numerous interpersonal facilitators to complete disclosure. During qualitative interviews (n=25), participants revealed that many did not understand the purpose of the risk assessment. Findings suggest that risk assessments completed during HIV test counseling may be incomplete. Modifications to the risk assessment process, including better explaining the role of the risk assessment in prevention counseling, may increase the validity of the data. Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. |
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- Page last updated:Sep 16, 2024
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