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Author(s): Cheng Wang, Jason J. Ong, Peizhen Zhao, Ann Marie Weideman, Weiming Tang, M. Kumi Smith, Michael Marks, Hongyun Fu, Weibin Cheng, Fern Terris-Prestholt, Heping Zheng, Joseph D. Tucker, Bin [...]

The available estimates of incidence and prevalence of syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Mainland China are high. We used respondent-driven sampling to recruit MSM in the study population. The participants were followed up to monitor the incidence and change of risk behaviours. A face-to-face interview was used to collect information about high-risk behaviours, demographics and recreational drug use. To test the difference between prevalent and incident cases, two nested matched case-control studies were carried out. The cases were the HIV or syphilis positives found at baseline and during follow-up. We used density sampling to sample six controls for each case. Our results indicate that compared to incident cases, prevalent cases had a higher proportion of reported unprotected anal intercourse for both HIV and syphilis. Regression analysis indicated that unprotected anal intercourse was the main risk factor among HIV-prevalent cases but not in HIV-incident cases. These differences could possibly be explained by the implementation of the risk reduction interventions. Syphilis was not a risk factor for HIV-prevalent cases but was highly associated with HIV-incident cases. Tailored interventions addressing unprotected anal intercourse and other risk factors can help to reduce the prevalence and incidence of HIV and syphilis.

Our objective was to explore the social meaning of HIV and perceptions of an HIV cure among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Guangzhou, China, which speaks to ethical and resource challenges to development in this field. We conducted a qualitative research study using in-depth interviews. We analyzed interview transcripts from 29 PWID, eight physicians, and three social workers from an outpatient HIV clinic and two methadone maintenance treatment centers. The social meaning of HIV infection and perceptions of an HIV cure reflected patients' relationships with society, health systems, and physicians. First, HIV infection decreased perceived social worth and disrupted peer relationships. The possibility of being cured renewed patient hope for regaining physical well-being and achieving social mobility. However, the existence of a cure may not alter the HIV-related stigma due to its association with stigmatized behaviors and marginalized groups. Second, although stigma was a significant barrier to engagement in health care, hope for a cure may outweigh fears of stigma and enhance linkage to HIV testing and treatment as well as methadone services. A cure may exacerbate perceived health disparities if inaccessible to key affected populations such as PWID. The social implications of an HIV cure among this key affected population may inform the design and implementation of cure clinical trials. Careful management of patient expectations, focusing research on key affected populations, expanding HIV testing and treatment systems, improving access to harm reduction programs, and ensuring post-trial access are important considerations for HIV cure research.

BackgroundThe increasing burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV and syphilis among male sex workers (MSWs) is a major global concern. The aim of our study was to evaluate the difference between MSWs and non-commercial MSMs in China.MethodsDuring 2008-09, in a cross-sectional study, 2618 adult MSM were recruited through respondent-driven and snowball sampling from seven cities of China. Information regarding socio-demographics, risk behaviors, HIV-related knowledge and STI-related symptoms were collected and participants were tested for HIV and syphilis.ResultsAmong 2618 participating MSM, 9.97% sold sex to males. HIV prevalence was 7.45% (6.13% among MSWs and 7.59% among non-MSW MSM) and syphilis prevalence was 14.32% (10.73% for MSWs and 14.72% for non-MSW MSM). Compared to non-MSW MSM, MSWs were more likely to be younger (adjusted odds ratio: aOR = 0.91, 95% confidence interval: 95%CI=0.88-0.93), never married (aOR = 4.38, 95% CI = 2.38-6.80), less educated, heterosexual (aOR = 13.04, 95% CI = 6.08-27.95), less knowledgeable regarding HIV (aOR = 0.70, 95% CI=0.51-0.96), experiencing symptoms of STI (aOR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.47-3.19), engaging in condomless vaginal intercourse (aOR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.47-3.19) and less likely to engage in condomless anal intercourse (aOR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.46-0.85).ConclusionsHigh HIV and syphilis prevalence warranted urgent intervention targeting MSWs as a separate sentinel group for efficient surveillance owing to their different distribution from non-MSW MSM. Although male sex workers and non-commercial homosexuals have similar rates of HIV and syphilis, MSWs have different characteristics which should be considered in designing intervention programs targeting them.

Background: Emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) fixed-dose combination (FTC/TDF) is generally well-tolerated, although treatment-related adverse events have been reported. Methods: We report two cases of persons using FTC/TDF PrEP who had acute neuralgia in a Chinese PrEP demonstration trial. Results: Neurological symptoms subsided upon treatment discontinuation. Symptoms were reported as similar to one case's previous experiences with dolutegravir (DTG) + FTC + tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) (for PEP), leading to permanent discontinuation of PrEP. Conclusion: Acute facial neuralgia appears to be a rare idiosyncratic adverse event to FTC/TDF. HIV PrEP is widely recommended as a crucial measure for HIV prevention. In a demonstration trial in China, this article highlights two cases where facial neuralgia emerged as an unexpected side effect of PrEP medication, not previously mentioned in official prescribing information. These findings deepen our understanding of the potential side effects of emitricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate use and provide empirical evidence to enhance PrEP implementation further and address the challenges that may arise during its utilisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mobile health interventions like telephone hotlines face challenges that may threaten their use, adoption and sustainability in Africa. Aim: We sought to understand the barriers and facilitators for sustainability of telephone hotlines used in infectious disease outbreaks in Africa using a scoping review and a qualitative study. Setting: Participants form 12 African countries and Database searches. Methods: Databases were searched for articles on the barriers and/or facilitators in operating telephone hotlines for outbreaks in Africa. One-on-one interviews and focus group discussions with 30 participants from 12 African countries were also conducted. Emerging themes from the review and interviews were identified and synthesised to focus on barriers and facilitators for the sustainability of the hotlines. Results: The search identified 1153 citations, and 25 studies were finally included. The articles were from 20 African countries. The government was the main source of funding in four countries. Barriers with calls and data management were the most frequent. Human resource barriers such as limited staff, high staff turnover, a lack of incentives and motivation were also significant. Financial barriers were the high cost of operation and huge dependence on external funders. Technological and infrastructural hurdles included limited Internet and phone coverage, malfunction and a lack of interoperability of software. Transitioning to either complete or shared government ownership with diversification and integration of the hotline into routine use was the main facilitator for sustainability. Conclusion: Strengthening technical capacity in telephone hotlines and ensuring financial sustainability are critical. Increased government support is needed. Contribution: More studies on costing will help in developing financial sustainability models for Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]