Development of a Qualitative Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Test to Identify Patients Failing First-Line Therapy to Non-Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) can be compromised by selection of drug resistance strains, which can be promoted by lack of adherence during therapy and drug tolerance, and some of these drug-resistant strains can persist for years as minority populations. The K103N drug resistance mutation is selected by the use of non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors, including nevirapine or efavirenz (EFV), used in low-income countries. Here we describe the use of a less expensive qualitative point mutation polymerase chain reaction (PMqPCRK103N) targeting K103N mutation. To validate the use of this methodology, we tested previously sequenced samples from patients treated with highly active ART with viral loads above 2,000 copies/ml and compared the results of our assay with Illumina deep sequencing. Due to its low cost and high specificity, this test is particularly suitable for low-income countries to screen for pretreatment resistance in patients either initiating ART or failing first-line regimens containing EFV.

FROM BIAS TO BISEXUAL HEALTH DISPARITIES: ATTITUDES TOWARD BISEXUAL MEN AND WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES.

PUROPSE: A newly emergent literature suggest that bisexual men and women face profound health disparities in comparison to both heterosexual and homosexual individuals. Additionally, bisexual individuals often experience prejudice, stigma, and discrimination from both gay/lesbian and straight communities, termed "biphobia." However, only limited research exists that empirically tests the extent and predictors of this double discrimination. The Bisexualities: Indiana Attitudes Survey (BIAS) was developed to test associations between biphobia and sexual identity. METHODS: Using standard techniques, we developed and administered a scale to a purposive online sample of adults from a wide range of social networking websites. We conducted exploratory factor analysis to refine scales assessing attitudes toward bisexual men and bisexual women, respectively. Using generalized linear modeling, we assessed relationships between BIAS scores and sexual identity, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: Two separately gendered scales were developed, administered, and refined: BIAS-m (n=645), focusing on attitudes toward bisexual men; and BIAS-f (n=631), focusing on attitudes toward bisexual women. Across scales, sexual identity significantly predicted response variance. Lesbian/gay respondents had lower levels of bi-negative attitudes than their heterosexual counterparts (all p-values <.05); bisexual respondents had lower levels of bi-negative attitudes than their straight counterparts (all p-values <.001); and bisexual respondents had lower levels of bi-negative attitudes than their lesbian/gay counterparts (all p-values <.05). Within racial/ethnic minority respondents, biracial/multiracial status was associated with lower bi-negativity scores (all p-values <.05). CONCLUSION: This study provides important quantitative support for theories related to biphobia and double discrimination. Our findings provide strong evidence for understanding how stereotypes and stigma may lead to dramatic disparities in depression, anxiety, stress, and other health outcomes among bisexual individuals in comparison to their heterosexual and homosexual counterparts. Our results yield valuable data for informing social awareness and intervention efforts that aim to decrease bi-negative attitudes within both straight and gay/lesbian communities, with the ultimate goal of alleviating health disparities among bisexual men and women.

Gender matters: condom use and nonuse among behaviorally bisexual men.

Although frequently cited as being at high risk for HIV/STI transmission, little is known about behaviorally bisexual men's patterns and experiences of condom use and nonuse with male and female sexual partners. Using a variety of recruitment techniques informed by a Community Advisory Committee, a total of 77 behaviorally bisexual men were recruited from Indianapolis, Indiana to participate in semi-structured interviews focused on sexual health. Qualitative data were collected containing detailed information on their patterns and experiences of condom use and nonuse with both male and female partners. Participants described numerous commonly reported barriers for consistent condom use, as well as distinct bisexual-specific barriers. The majority reported consistent condom use with male and female casual partners, but many who did not use condoms described doing so in the context of ongoing relationships. In addition, participants provided reasons for condom use and nonuse that varied based on the gender of the partner and the type of relationship with the partner. Future interventions focused on increasing condom use among behaviorally bisexual men should take into account the unique complexities of gender and relationship configurations in this distinct population.

Análise das desigualdades socioeconômicas na cobertura da vacina contra difteria, tétano e coqueluche (DTP)/ tetravalente para menores de 1 ano de idade no Rio Grande do Sul, 2000-2009* / Socioeconomic inequalities in DTP+Hib immunization coverage among children under one year-old, in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, 2000-2009

Objetivo: analisar tendências nas disparidades socioeconômicas e sua associação com a cobertura vacinal contra difteria, tétano e coqueluche (DTP)/tetravalente no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Métodos: foi construída uma série histórica da cobertura da vacinal para os 496 municípios do estado, compreendendo 2000 a 2009; os municípios foram agrupados nos tercis de seis variáveis socioeconômicas (renda; indigência; escolaridade; produto interno bruto (PIB) per capita; investimentos em saúde; e proporção de mães jovens) e calculou-se a cobertura segundo tercil. Resultados: as taxas de cobertura diminuíram de 110,8 para 104,5 doses/100 nascidos vivos, no período; o percentual de municípios que atingiram a meta (cobertura >95 por cento) reduziu-se de 72,8 para 61,5 por cento; não houve diferenças na tendência de cobertura entre os tercis de qualquer das variáveis socioeconômicas investigadas. Conclusão: as diferenças na cobertura ao longo do tempo flutuaram aleatoriamente, com fraca tendência de declínio, e não estiveram associadas às variáveis socioeconômicas municipais investigadas.

Objective: to analyse socioeconomic trends in DTP+Hib vaccination coverage in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Methods: time series coverage of DTP+Hib vaccine for all 496 municipalities for the years 2000 to 2009. The municipalities were then grouped into tertiles of six socioeconomic variables and coverage was calculated for each group. Results: the rates of DTP+Hib vaccine coverage decreased from 110.8 to 104.5 doses/100 live births from 2000 to 2009. The percentage of municipalities reaching the target (coverage >95 per cent) decreased from 72.8 per cent to 61.5 per cent. There were no coverage trend differences between tertiles in any of the socioeconomic variables over time (chi-square test, p>0.05). Conclusion: coverage trends over time fluctuated randomly with a slight tendency to decrease. Policies aimed at municipalities achieving vaccination coverage goals should focus on factors other than municipal socioeconomic characteristics.

Individual and Social Factors Related to Mental Health Concerns among Bisexual Men in the Midwestern United States.

Research has not yet explored the potential impact of social stress, biphobia, and other factors on the mental health of bisexual men. In-depth interviews were conducted with a diverse sample of 75 men who engaged in bisexual behavior within the past six months. Interviewers explored potential mental health stressors and supports. Many participants reported personal and social challenges associated with bisexuality, which in turn influenced their mental health. Reported instances of stigma toward bisexuality, from both homosexual and heterosexual individuals, impacted participants' feelings regarding their own sexualities. Isolation was also commonly reported. Programs are greatly needed that focus on the specific mental health and other concerns voiced by these men. Based on our study findings, such programs should emphasize self-acceptance, social network and community building, and ways to maximize available social support, similar to community-level empowerment interventions that have shown success among gay-identified men.

The significance of privacy and trust in providing health-related services to behaviorally bisexual men in the United States.

Previous research suggests that bisexual men face unique health concerns in comparison to their exclusively homosexual and heterosexual counterparts. However, little is known about behaviorally bisexual men's experiences with health services, including ways of providing services that would be most appropriate to meet the health needs of this population. This study sought to understand preferences for health-related services among behaviorally bisexual men in the Midwestern United States. Using a community-based research approach, a diverse sample of 75 behaviorally bisexual men was recruited for in-depth interviews. Qualitative data were analyzed utilizing inductive coding through established team-based protocols to ensure reliability. Themes emerged involving the importance of privacy and trust when reaching, recruiting, and engaging behaviorally bisexual men in health services. Findings suggest that multifaceted approaches are needed, including those that provide relevant and confidential services while allowing for the development and ongoing maintenance of trust.

Sexual health and life experiences: voices from behaviourally bisexual Latino men in the Midwestern USA.

Research on behaviourally bisexual Latino men in the USA has not yet examined sexual health issues among men living in diverse areas of the nation, including the Midwest. A community-based participatory research approach was used to engage a diverse sample of 75 behaviourally bisexual men (25 White, 25 Black and 25 Latino). Semi-structured interviews were conducted and standard qualitative analysis procedures were used to explore data from the 25 Latino participants. Men described their unique migration experiences as behaviourally bisexual men in this area of the USA, as well as related sexual risk behaviours and health concerns. Lack of culturally congruent public health and community resources for behaviourally bisexual men in the Midwestern USA were identified as significant barriers. As in other studies, familial and community relationships were significant for the participants, especially in terms of the decision to disclose or not disclose their bisexuality. Additionally, alcohol and other drugs were often used while engaging in sexual behaviours particularly with male and transgender, as well as female, partners. Behaviourally bisexual Latino men may benefit from receiving positive and affirmative individual- and structural-level support in regards to their unique experiences in this and other settings.