Predictor of HPV Vaccination Uptake among Foreign-Born College Students in the U.S.: An Exploration of the Role of Acculturation and the Health Belief Model.

OBJECTIVE: to measure the HPV vaccination rate and knowledge about HPV and its vaccine among foreign-born college students; additionally, to measure the effect of acculturation and HBM constructs on the HPV vaccination behavior among foreign-born college students. METHODS: a cross-sectional design with a non-probability sample of foreign-born college students was collected via a web-based self-administered survey that measured the HPV vaccination rate, assessed knowledge about HPV and its vaccine, and evaluated the effect of acculturation and HBM constructs on HPV vaccination behavior among foreign-born college students. RESULTS: Foreign-born college students had moderate knowledge about HPV and the HPV vaccine, and about 63% were HPV-vaccinated. Perceived susceptibility, perceived barriers, and cues to action were significantly associated with the HPV vaccination behavior, while knowledge levels about HPV and the HPV vaccine and acculturation levels were not significantly associated with the HPV vaccination behavior of foreign-born college students. CONCLUSIONS: The current study shows a moderate vaccination rate and moderate knowledge about HPV and its vaccine among foreign-born college students. Additionally, vaccination campaigns need to increase awareness about the susceptibility to acquiring HPV and minimize the barriers to receiving the vaccine to increase the HPV vaccination rate among foreign-born college students.

Acknowledging and addressing the gender disparity in pre-exposure prophylaxis use for HIV prevention.

Objective: One in four persons living with HIV in the USA is a woman. While the annual HIV diagnoses for 2019 decreased by approximately 9% when compared with 2015, this decrease was seen in men, while the rates remained stable for women. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is one major biomedical tool that could benefit women at risk of HIV. However, women only account for approximately 5% of PrEP users annually. The objective of this study is to identify and address the gender disparity in PrEP use. Methods: This study used epidemiological data from the AIDSVu database to confirm the presence of a gender disparity in PrEP use across the USA. Cross-sectional data from 2019 showed that PrEP use was significantly higher in men, which suggested the existence of a disparity. The PrEP-to-Need ratio was then used to examine the trends in PrEP use relative to the rate of HIV infections, from 2012 to 2019, and to confirm the existence of the gender disparity in PrEP use. Key findings: There is a marked gender disparity in PrEP use. This disparity is widening and therefore demands more attention to women at risk of HIV. Some recommendations for addressing the disparity include the following: raising awareness, capacity building for providers, scaling up efforts to better reach women at risk of HIV and additional research to understand the drivers of the disparity. Conclusions: Policy makers could therefore prioritize the health outcomes of women by promoting research and education aimed at extending PrEP offerings to effectively reach women.

Nature and Composition of Earnings Reported by Health Economists and Related Professionals: Gender, Education, and job Characteristics Matter.

Background: Despite the fast growth of the workforce comprising health economics (HE), outcomes research (OR), and market access (MA) professionals, little is known about their earnings determination. Only three studies have examined their earnings and none has considered the number of hours worked, traditionally a critical component of income determination models. Objectives: (i) Estimate an indicator of annual earnings of HE/OR/MA professionals, comparing male versus female and U.S. versus non-U.S. earnings levels, and (ii) assess the magnitude of the effect of selected human-capital and job-related covariates on their annual earnings determination. Methods: The study used 2019 self-reported survey data from a sample of 304 HE/OR/MA professionals registered in the HealthEconomics.com global subscriber list. A two-way classification model with multiple replications was used to identify and test earnings variations of HE/OR/MA professionals across genders and locations. An earnings determination function using ordinary least squares was used to identify disparities in response to covariates including average workweek, human-capital stock, and job-related variables by gender and location. Results: Substantial earning disparities were observed between HE/OR/MA professionals living in the U.S. and those living in other countries. Non-U.S. respondents exhibited earnings gaps of 44.7% in wages/salaries and 46.8% in total earnings relative to their U.S. counterparts with greater gaps for women than men. The female earnings gap outside the U.S. was considerably greater than in the U.S. Holding a graduate degree; working in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology firm; age, a proxy for experience; and working remotely impacted earnings differentials across different subgroups. Conclusions: The findings of this paper shed light into the nature and composition of earnings of HE/OR/MA professionals across genders and locations. Exploring the dynamics of earning disparities by gender and location has increased in relevance given the rapidly-changing and uncertain job market environment driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pregnant Women's Experiences during Hurricane Maria: Impact, Personal Meaning, and Health Care Needs.

During a disaster, pregnant women are considered among the most vulnerable. BACKGROUND: On 20 September 2017, the Caribbean was hit by a category 4 hurricane. The purpose of the study was to explore the impact on pregnant women during and after the hurricane regarding access to health care, social services, and support systems. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted to 10 women that were pregnant during the event. Qualitative inquiry based on the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis framework was used to interpret the narratives. RESULTS: Five major themes emerged: meaning of living through a disaster, fear, the dual burden of protecting themselves and their unborn baby, disruption in health care, and coping mechanisms. Despite the negative feelings, most participants experienced positive transformations. They narrated how they stayed calm and coped in order to protect their pregnancy. Their overall evaluation of the healthcare system was positive. The support of friends and family was crucial pre and post-disaster. CONCLUSIONS: The interviews provided a wealth of firsthand information of women experiencing a natural disaster while pregnant. The findings underscore the need to incorporate emotional support in the preparedness and response plans for pregnant women. Educating, empowering, and incorporating families and communities is vital in these efforts.

Elimination of the Perinatal Transmission of HIV and Syphilis in Puerto Rico and Sustained Success since 2007: Convergence of Science, Women-Centered Care, and Policy.

OBJECTIVE: There have been significant successes in the fight against HIV/AIDS due to the access to rapid HIV testing, interventions to reduce the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) risk, potent and effective antiviral medications, and other biomedical prevention strategies. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate that Puerto Rico eliminated Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (MTCT) following the 2017 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for validating the elimination of MTCT and Syphilis. METHODS: Existing epidemiological data from Puerto Rico was used to document the elimination of MTCT and Syphilis. Data to calculate the indicators was obtained from the various divisions of the Puerto Rico Department of Health, including vital statistics, surveillance data, and programmatic outcomes. RESULTS: Puerto Rico eliminated MTCT and syphilis, according to the WHO indicators, earlier than other countries. We can trace the outcomes to 1994 using the incidence rate of perinatally-acquired HIV of <50/100,000; to 2007 using HIV perinatal transmission rates for non-breastfeeding countries (<2%), to 2008 using 90% of women receiving ART at delivery, and to 2005 using the incidence rate of congenital syphilis of <50/100,000. CONCLUSION: Not only have we eliminated the MTCT of HIV and syphilis, but the efforts have been sustained since 2000. The elimination of transmission of infectious diseases requires the intersection of scientific feasibility, coordinated interventions, and political will, successfully attained in Puerto Rico.

Disparities in the Wage-and-Salary Earnings, Determinants, and Distribution of Health Economics, Outcomes Research, and Market Access Professionals: An Exploratory Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to estimate the wage-and-salary earnings of a sample of health economics, outcomes research, and market access (HE/OR/MA) professionals; compare male versus female and US versus non-US earnings; assess the magnitude of the effect of several human-capital and job-related covariates on the determination of earnings; and examine inequality in the distribution of earnings. METHODS: The study used self-reported survey data collected in 2017 from a subset of HE/OR/MA professionals in the HealthEconomics.com global subscriber list. HE/OR/MA professionals in this subset completed a questionnaire. The sample consisted of 372 participants who reported their wage-and-salary earnings and other indicators. The sample was not necessarily representative of the global HE/OR/MA community. The study methods included a two-way classification model with multiple replications, an ordinary least-squares model, and three inequality indicators. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The results suggested substantial disparities between the wage-and-salary earnings of respondents living in the USA and those living in other countries; mild gender disparities in earnings; greater inequality outside the USA than within the USA; and, within each location, more unequal distribution of men's earnings than that of women's earnings. CONCLUSIONS: Although the findings may not be extrapolated to the worldwide population of HE/OR/MA professionals, they provide a point of comparison with earlier studies and offer insights into the mechanics of one of the most innovative and fastest growing health-sector workforce segments in developed as well as emerging countries.

The Impact of Hurricane Maria on Student Pharmacists and Their Perception of Their Academic Performance.

Objective. To assess the self-reported impact of hurricane Maria on the perceived academic performance of student pharmacists at Nova Southeastern University's (NSU) Puerto Rico Regional Campus. Methods. A 37-item electronic instrument, the Hurricane Impact Survey, was created and sent by email to all student pharmacists ≥21 years old enrolled at NSU-COP Puerto Rico Campus during the fall 2017 semester. The electronic survey was available through Redcap platform for four weeks. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and logistic regression were used to analyze students' responses. Qualitative analysis was used to identify emerging themes in the open-ended comments. Results. A total of 150 student pharmacists completed the survey for a response rate of 69% (150/215). More than 70% of student pharmacists perceived that their academic performance was affected after the hurricane. About one third of students reported not being able to function mentally at the same level as they had prior to the storm (n=53, 35%) and reported having difficulty sleeping (n=54, 36%). Female student pharmacists were more likely than male student pharmacists to report not being able to function at the same level mentally as they had before the hurricane (41% vs 17%). In the multivariate analysis, first- and second-year student pharmacists were more likely to perceive a negative impact on their academic performance compared to third- and fourth-year student pharmacists. Lack of preparedness, gratefulness, and campus management were the themes that emerged from the qualitative analysis. Conclusion. Hurricane Maria had a significant impact on the lives of student pharmacists in Puerto Rico. This led to a perception of diminished academic performance, especially among first- and second-year students. The results can be used to guide preparedness and response to natural disasters in academic settings.

Pregnancy and Zika: The Quest for Quality Care and Reproductive Justice.

On February 1, 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the ZIKV virus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Pregnant women and their infants, are vulnerable to the impact of this vector-borne illness (mosquito) and sexually transmitted viral infection. The uncertainty surrounding the possibility of congenital anomalies due to ZIKV infection during pregnancy bring a renewed debate about the rights of women to control their reproductive decisions. Current strategies, resources and services aimed at prevention priorities fall short of responding to a clear framework regarding sexual reproductive health, rights and justice. A comprehensive approach to reproduction, in times of Zika, needs to empower women of reproductive age and their families to make decisions and to act on those decisions. This paper highlights the contributions of the Maternal-Infant Studies Center (CEMI-Spanish Acronym) in close collaboration with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of the Puerto Rico School of Medicine and the University Hospital in providing comprehensive health care to pregnant women with ZIKV or at risk of ZIKV, at the very onset of the epidemic. CEMI approaches the care of pregnant women from a reproductive justice perspective, integrating clinical services, education, research, and advocacy. Transformación Prenatal (Centering Group Prenatal Care, GPC) currently implemented at the Puerto Rico University Hospital High Risk Clinics has been pivotal to achieve this aim. Based on the health professionals' experiences and women's testimonies, we articulate a set of principles and key actions that would benefit women, their family and children.

The Zika Virus Infection in Pregnancy: Review and Implications for Research and Care of Women and Infants in Affected Areas.

The world has encountered a new and serious epidemic which has disproportionately affected fetuses and infants. What makes the Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic such a threat in our times, is that a whole generation can be affected by birth defects caused by a seemingly innocuous maternal infection, which in most cases go unnoticed and undiagnosed. Spreading to over 80 countries and affecting millions, it is associated with severe birth defects known as congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), which include fetal brain development abnormalities (microcephaly and brain calcifications), retinal abnormalities, and contractures and hypertonia of the extremities. Testing strategies are challenging because of the lack of symptoms and cross reactivity with other viral infections. Obstetrical complications include fetal loss and the need for an emergency cesarean delivery. The rate of CZS has been described as ranging from 5 to 6% among cohorts in the US, reaching 11% for 1st trimester exposure. Prolonged viremia during pregnancy has been documented in a few cases, reaching 89 days after the onset of symptoms in one case and 109 days after such onset in another. If the ZIKV can infect, multiply in, and persist in diverse placental cells, then movement across the placenta, the fetal brain, and the maternal peripheral blood is possible. There is a sense of urgency, and we need safe and effective vaccines and treatments, particularly for pregnant women. If we do not expand testing and develop methods for early diagnosis and treatment, thousands of infants will be exposed to a neurotropic virus that causes severe birth defects and that could also affect the lives of those who form the next generation.

Impact of Antidepressant Use on Healthcare Utilization among Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes and Depression Symptoms in the United States: Sociodemographic, Clinical, and Behavioral Factors Matter.

Individuals with diabetes are twice as likely to struggle from depressive symptoms than individuals without diabetes. However, this joint condition is undertreated in nearly two-thirds of patients. Failure to monitor the comorbidity may lead to suboptimal therapy. This study evaluated the association of antidepressant use with healthcare utilization in a national sample of patients with type 2 diabetes and depression symptoms in the United States. It further assessed the differences in sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral factors between those who use antidepressants and those who do not. This study was a secondary data analysis using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the period 2005⁻2014. To assess if there were significant differences in sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral factors between those who were taking antidepressants or not, Chi Square and independent t-tests were used. To assess if there was a significant association between antidepressant use and healthcare utilization, univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted. Of the 955 participants, only 33% were on antidepressants. There were significant differences in sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral factors among those who used antidepressants and those who did not. Regardless of antidepressant use, the study population had access to health care. Those on antidepressants had fewer diabetes specialists' visits and more mental health care. There might be underlying health care disparities related to the use of, and access to, antidepressants. Further studies are needed to comprehensively explore the management of these comorbidities.

HIV normalization message and its implication on the lives of perinatally HIV-infected youth in Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of the HIV normalization discourse on the life of a group of perinatally HIV-infected (pHIV-I) youth in Puerto Rico. METHODS: A qualitative research study was conducted to explore the life experiences of pHIV-I youth in Puerto Rico. Twenty in-depth interviews were carried out among 12 women and eight men aged 18 to 30 years. Questions focused primarily on their life experiences and the meaning they ascribe to HIV. Interviews were analyzed and interrelationships, connections and patterns were assessed. FINDINGS: Normalization messages were present in most of the participants' narratives. The majority considered their HIV diagnosis like "any other health condition" and most of them had a positive attitude towards life. When study participants positioned themselves from a social perspective, contradictions of normalization messages emerged. Some participants reported that because HIV is highly stigmatized, their rejections, discrimination and stigma experiences are different from those of patients with other chronic conditions. Those with HIV also face unique and difficult situations such as losing family members, dealing with a potentially fatal illness, and maintaining secrecy about their health conditions. CONCLUSION: While the normalization discourse is very common in the medical field, it does not necessarily translate into the personal and social spheres of HIV-positive youth. Interventions to assist patients in dealing with the social implications of the HIV condition are still needed.

Marvels and Shadows: Science and Education at the University of Puerto Rico School of Tropical Medicine under the Auspices of Columbia University: An Introduction.

This essay introduces a series of five historical articles on the scientific and educational contributions of the University of Puerto Rico School of Tropical Medicine (STM), under the auspices of Columbia University (1926-1949), to the fields of tropical medicine and public health. The articles will appear in several consecutive issues, and will address various themes as follows: 1) historical antecedents of the STM, particularly institutional precedents; 2) the educational legacy of the STM; 3) a history of the STM scientific journal ("The Puerto Rico Journal of Public Health and Tropical Medicine"); 4) the scientific practices and representations that prevailed at the institution; and, 5) a brief sociocultural history of malaria in Puerto Rico, mainly from the perspective of the STM's scientific and public health activities. The authors have systematically and comprehensively studied a wide variety of documents from different sources based on multiple archives in Puerto Rico, the United States and England. The authors treat the fluid meanings of the examined historical encounters from a research perspective that privilege complex reciprocal interactions, multiple adaptations and elaborate sociocultural constructs present in a collaborative exemplar of the modernity of medical science in a neocolonial tropical context.

The Historical Antecedents of the UPR School of Tropical Medicine.

This article deals with the historical antecedents of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) School of Tropical Medicine (STM) under the auspices of Columbia University. It presents a general view of the social, institutional and conceptual factors that were correlated with the establishment of the STM. The authors start by examining the historical continuities and discontinuities present during the imperial transitions between Spanish colonial and U.S. military medicine at the turn of the 20th century. The clarification of these changes is important for the proper understanding of the emergence of tropical medicine in Puerto Rico, marked by the identification of the biological determinant of the so called "peasants' anemia." The essay focuses on two institutional precursor events: the Puerto Rico Anemia Commissions (1904-1908) and the Institute of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (1912-1914). Their nature and work paved the way for the establishment of the STM. The notions of tropical medicine and diseases are considered as historical concepts. The support of the Rockefeller Foundation to several significant public health activities in Puerto Rico is also examined. Finally, the social and health conditions which prevailed at the time of the creation of the STM have been summarized. In general, the article provides a sense of historical context deemed essential to understand the emergence and evolution of the STM.

"That's True Love:" Lived Experiences of Puerto Rican Perinatally HIV-Infected Youth within Their Families' Context.

The burden of HIV affects not only HIV-infected patients but also their families and caregivers. It is also known that family support is crucial for people living with HIV. A qualitative study was conducted to explore the life experiences, within the family context, of perinatally HIV-infected (pHIV-I) youth in Puerto Rico. Twenty in-depth interviews were performed and audio-recorded. Within the family context, study participants experienced acceptance, love and support but also stigma and discrimination. They reported that family is an essential component in their lives and treatment. Losing one or both parents at a young age was considered more difficult than having HIV. Most participants who lost their parents lived with other family members. This was a challenging situation for both pHIV-I youth and their caregivers. Participants described their healthcare providers as part of their families and would like to keep in touch as they transition to adult care. Despite the challenges, participants expressed a desire to have children. Services targeted to this population should stress social support, incorporate family members into the medical process, provide special guidance and support while transitioning to adult care, and provide them with the latest information regarding HIV and reproductive options.

A community-based pilot study of a diabetes pharmacist intervention in Latinos: impact on weight and hemoglobin A1c.

Type 2 diabetes disproportionately affects Latinos increasing their risk of diabetes-related complications. This study used a randomized controlled design with a community-based approach to evaluate the impact of a culturally tailored pharmacist intervention on clinical outcomes in Latino diabetics. The intervention included a focused discussion and two individual pharmacist counseling sessions on medication, nutrition, exercise, and self-care to promote behavior changes. Sessions were culturally adapted for language, diet, family participation, and cultural beliefs. Clinical outcomes were measured at baseline and three months. Nineteen intervention and 24 control participants completed the study. Mean BMI reduction was greater for intervention than for control group participants (-0.73 ± 0.07 kg/m2 versus + 0.37 ± 0.02 kg/m2 p<.009 respectively). Hemoglobin A1c was significantly reduced by 0.93 ± 0.45% in the intervention group only. There was no significant difference in blood glucose, blood pressure, or lipid levels. An innovative culturally-sensitive pharmacist intervention improved selected clinical outcomes among Latino diabetics.

Biomedical HIV prevention strategies: state of the art and implications for public health policy in the Caribbean.

Recent advances in the field of biomedical prevention have induced optimism among both the scientific community and the public in general. The discussion of the research evidence is complemented with a discussion of the implications of this evidence for the Caribbean, highlighting the issues and controversies that should be considered in order to encourage and advance the responsible consideration of biomedical strategies. Traditionally, HIV prevention strategies have been characterized as predominantly behavior, social or biomedical. In practice, however, some strategies defy classification: even when they rely on technological or pharmaceutical elements, they have to be adopted by a society and the individuals within it. Moreover, whatever the strategy used, it will have to be distributed, implemented and made available through health care systems or other means. And its cost will be absorbed by specific funders or by society in general. Given the current historical context of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the array of strategies required to control it, these distinctions (biomedical vs. behavior) can hinder the collaborations required to provide the needed combinations of strategies. The efficacy of the diverse strategies range from: 99% for programs to prevent MTCT, 63% for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), 96% for treatment as prevention, 39% for vaginal microbicides (54% with good adherence), post exposure prophylaxis (PEP), 31% for a vaccine and 53-60% for medical voluntary adult circumcision. To curtail and eliminate the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the future, expansion and scaled-up implementation of combinations of such strategies will be needed.

A multifaceted mentoring model for minority researchers to address HIV health disparities.

In an era of significant biomedical advances in the treatment of HIV, health disparities still persist. The participation of minority researchers brings new perspectives to health-disparities research. Mentoring is key to this process. We present the multifaceted mentoring model that evolved in the Puerto Rico Comprehensive Center for the Study of HIV Disparities and the Mentoring Institute for HIV and Mental Health. The model includes (1) multi-institutional collaborations, (2) competency development, and (3) cross-disciplinary teams. These aspects of the model provide guidelines for institutions seeking to formalize mentoring programs while addressing the complexities of health disparities. The competency development component is a powerful tool in assessing and supporting the researchers. Further explorations on the applicability of the model are encouraged.