Low Self-Perceived Need for PrEP and Behavioral Indications of MSM Who Recently Refused Daily PrEP: A Mixed Methods Study in Three U.S. Cities.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reduces sexual risk for HIV transmission by 99% when used appropriately, but remains underutilized among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). In this mixed-method study, we describe reasons for PrEP refusal associated with low self-perceived need for PrEP among MSM who recently declined daily oral PrEP when offered by a provider. Data are from a quantitative behavioral survey of MSM (N = 93) living in Atlanta, Chicago, and Raleigh-Durham, who also either responded to an in-depth interview (n = 51) or participated in one of 12 focus groups (n = 42). Themes of low self-perceived need for PrEP were: low self-perceived risk for HIV acquisition (33% of respondents); confidence in remaining HIV-negative (35%); using condoms (81%); limiting number of partners and choosing partners carefully (48%); asking partners about their HIV status before having sex (45%); engaging in safer sexual positions or oral sex (28%); being in a monogamous relationship or exclusivity with one partner (26%); and regular HIV testing (18%). Low self-perceived risk for HIV acquisition and high confidence in other prevention strategies were important factors related to low self-perceived need in MSM refusing daily oral PrEP when offered. Providers should continue to discuss the benefits of PrEP as a safe and highly effective option for HIV prevention.

RESUMEN: La profilaxis pre-exposición (PrEP) reduce el riesgo de transmisión sexual por el VIH en un 99% cuando se utiliza apropiadamente, pero sigue siendo subutilizada entre hombres gais, bisexuales y otros hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH). En este estudio de método mixto, describimos los motivos del rechazo de la PrEP asociados a la baja necesidad autopercibida de la PrEP entre los HSH que recientemente rechazaron la PrEP oral diaria, cuando fue ofrecida por un proveedor de salud. Los datos provienen de una encuesta cuantitativa de comportamiento de los HSH (N = 93) que viven en Atlanta, Chicago y Raleigh-Durham, quienes también respondieron a una entrevista en profundidad (n = 51) o participaron en uno de los 12 grupos focales (n = 42). Los temas de baja necesidad autopercibida del uso de la PrEP fueron: el bajo riesgo auto percibido de contraer el VIH (33% de los encuestados); la confianza en seguir siendo VIH negativo (35%); utilizar condones (81%); limitar el número de parejas sexuales y elegir las parejas cuidadosamente (48%); preguntar a sus parejas sobre su estado de VIH antes de tener relaciones sexuales (45%); participar en posiciones sexuales más seguras o sexo oral (28%); estar en relación monógama o de exclusividad con una sola pareja (26%); y hacerse pruebas del VIH regularmente (18%). El bajo riesgo autopercibido de contraer el VIH y la alta confianza en otras estrategias de prevención fueron factores importantes relacionados con la baja necesidad autopercibida en los HSH que rechazaron la PrEP oral diaria cuando se les ofreció. Los proveedores de salud deben continuar el diálogo sobre los beneficios de la PrEP como una opción segura y altamente eficaz para la prevención del VIH.

Understanding Preferences for Visualized New and Future HIV Prevention Products Among Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in the Southern United States: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are vulnerable to HIV infection. Although daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prevents HIV among MSM, its usage remains low. We conducted virtual in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus groups (FGs) with Black, Hispanic/Latino, and White MSM consisting of current PrEP users and those aware of but not currently using PrEP. We delved into their preferences regarding six emerging PrEP products: a weekly oral pill, event-driven oral pills, anal douche/enema, anal suppository, long-acting injection, and a skin implant. Our mixed methods analysis involved inductive content analysis of transcripts for thematic identification and calculations of preferences. Among the sample (n = 98), the weekly oral pill emerged as the favored option among both PrEP Users and PrEP Aware IDI participants. Ranking exercises during FGs also corroborated this preference, with the weekly oral pill being most preferred. However, PrEP Users in FGs leaned toward the long-acting injectable. Conversely, the anal suppository and douche/enema were the least preferred products. Overall, participants were open to emerging PrEP products and valued flexibility but expressed concerns about limited protection for products designed solely for receptive sex. Public health practitioners should tailor recommendations based on individuals' current sexual behaviors and long-term vulnerability to infection.

Utilization of HIV Prevention, Care, and Treatment Services Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Persons of Color in the U.S. South: A Qualitative Analysis.

To better understand utilization of HIV prevention, care, and treatment services by young men who have sex with men (YMSM) and young transgender persons (YTG), of Black race or Hispanic/Latino/Latina ethnicity in the U.S. South, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 127 clients at one of four community based organizations (CBOs) in Miami, Atlanta, New Orleans/Baton Rouge, or Columbia, South Carolina. Across sites, the service that most commonly drew respondents into the CBO was HIV and STD testing. Other services commonly used included HIV/STI treatment, counseling services/support groups, and PrEP services. Social/organizational/structural facilitators of service utilization include the welcoming climate/culture of the CBOs, ease of access to the services, and transportation services to reach the CBOs. Suggested service enhancements include broader range of comprehensive, navigational-type services beyond HIV testing and service co-location. Research on how to reduce stigma in the surrounding communities may help reduce health disparities experienced by these populations.

The Use of Rapid Response Teams to Reduce Failure to Rescue Events: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize the evidence on the impact of rapid response teams (RRTs) on failure to rescue events. METHODS: Systematic searches were conducted using CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, and Cochrane, for articles published from 2008 to 2018. English-language, peer-reviewed articles reporting the impact of RRTs on failure to rescue events, including hospital mortality and in-hospital cardiac arrest events, were included. For selected articles, the authors abstracted information, with the study designed to be compliant with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. RESULTS: Ten articles were identified for inclusion: 3 meta-analyses, 3 systematic reviews, and 4 single studies. The systematic reviews and meta-analyses were of moderate-to-high quality, limited by the methodological quality of the included individual studies. The single studies were both observational and investigational in design. Patient outcomes included hospital mortality (8 studies), in-hospital cardiac arrests (9 studies), and intensive care unit (ICU) transfer rates (5 studies). There was variation in the composition of RRTs, and 4 studies conducted subanalyses to examine the effect of physician inclusion on patient outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: There is moderate evidence linking the implementation of RRTs with decreased mortality and non-ICU cardiac arrest rates. Results linking RRT to ICU transfer rates are inconclusive and challenging to interpret. There is some evidence to support the use of physician-led teams, although evaluation of team composition was variable. Lastly, the benefits of RRTs may take a significant period after implementation to be realized, owing to the need for change in safety culture.

The Use of Patient Monitoring Systems to Improve Sepsis Recognition and Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this systematic review was to determine the impact of automated patient monitoring systems (PMSs) on sepsis recognition and outcomes. METHODS: Systematic searches were conducted using CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Cochrane, for articles published from 2008 through 2018. English-language, peer-reviewed articles that reported the impact of PMS on sepsis care were included. For selected articles, the authors abstracted information, with the study designed to be compliant with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. RESULTS: Nineteen articles were identified for inclusion: 4 systematic reviews and 15 individual studies. Study design and quality varied, with some randomized controlled trials and quasiexperimental studies, as well as many observational studies. Study results for outcome measures (e.g., mortality, intensive care unit [ICU] length of stay, ICU transfer) were mixed, with more than half of the studies showing a significant improvement in at least one measure. Evidence for process measure (e.g., time to antibiotic administration, lactate measurement, etc.) improvement was of moderate strength across multiple types of hospital units, and evidence was most consistent outside the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: Automated sepsis PMSs have the potential to improve sepsis recognition and outcomes, but current evidence is mixed on their effectiveness. More high-quality studies are needed to understand the effects of PMSs on important sepsis-related process and outcome measures in different hospital units.