The Social, Mental, and Physical Health Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People With HIV: Protocol of an Observational International Multisite Study.

ABSTRACT: As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the world, immunocompromised individuals such as people with HIV (PWH) may have faced a disproportionate impact on their health and HIV outcomes, both from COVID-19 and from the strategies enacted to contain it. Based on the SPIRIT guidelines, we describe the protocol for an international multisite observational study being conducted by The International Nursing Network for HIV Research, with the Coordinating Center based at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Nursing. Site Principal Investigators implement a standardized protocol to recruit PWH to complete the study online or in-person. Questions address demographics; HIV continuum of care indicators; mental and social health; COVID-19 and vaccination knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and fears; and overall outcomes. Results of this study will contribute to knowledge that can inform responses to future public health crises to minimize their impacts on vulnerable populations such as PWH.

Limitaciones y barreras en el uso del condón en jóvenes universitarios de Cali, Colombia / Limitations and barriers for condom use in college students from Cali, Colombia

Introducción: El condón es un método de prevención de las Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual (ITS) y del embarazo, sin embargo, su uso en jóvenes colombianos es bajo. Objetivo: Identificar las barreras y limitaciones individuales, culturales e institucionales, en el uso del condón en jóvenes universitarios. Materiales y métodos: Investigación cualitativa, con 4 grupos focales mixtos con jóvenes de 17 a 24 años. Se realizó codificación con el software ATLAS.TI y un análisis temático. Resultados: A nivel individual se evidencia baja intención de uso, la confianza en la pareja aleja el temor de una ITS y el embarazo es la principal preocupación que desplaza su uso por otro método anticonceptivo. A nivel cultural las relaciones de género refuerzan que la mujer es responsable de los anticonceptivos y el hombre del condón. A nivel institucional, las políticas y los servicios de salud limitan su acceso. La lógica mercantilista y el enfoque de riesgo limitan la distribución gratuita y masiva. Conclusiones: El reconocimiento de factores individuales y sociales que limitan el uso del condón, permite la promoción del cuidado de sí y del otro; además la orientación de estrategias para promover una adecuada atención en los servicios de Salud Sexual y Reproductiva.

Introduction: Condom is a method to prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and pregnancy. However, the use of condom by the young Colombian population is low. Objective: To identify individual, cultural, and institutional barriers and limitations of condom use in university students. Materials and methods: A qualitative research was developed with 4 mixed focus groups of young people aged from 17 to 24 years. Coding was carried out with ATLAS.TI together with a thematic analysis. Results: At the individual level, it was observed: a low intention of condom use; trust in partner that reduces the fear of STDs; and pregnancy is the main reason why condom is replaced by a different contraceptive method. At the cultural level, gender relationships reinforce the view that women and men are responsible for the use of contraceptives and condoms, respectively. At the institutional level, health policies and services restrict the access to condoms. Mercantilism logic and risk approach limit free and massive distribution of condoms. Conclusions: The recognition of individual and social factors that limit the use of condoms facilitates the promotion of care for one self and for others as well as the coordination of strategies to promote adequate sexual and reproductive health services.