'I think they might just go to the doctor': qualitatively examining the (un)acceptability of newer HIV testing approaches among Vietnamese-born migrants in greater-Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Background In high-income countries (HICs), migrants often have higher rates of late diagnosis of HIV than the host population. Timely HIV testing has significant implications for HIV prevention and management. Newer HIV testing approaches, namely provider-initiated testing and counselling (PITC), HIV rapid testing (HIV RT) and HIV self-testing (HIV ST), aim to reach those populations most at risk and, particularly, those who have not previously tested for HIV. METHODS: This study used semi-structured interviews to examine the (un)acceptability, barriers and facilitators to newer HIV testing approaches (i.e. PITC, HIV RT and HIV ST) among Vietnamese-born migrants (n = 10) in greater-Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. RESULTS: Vietnamese-born migrants had mixed perspectives on the (un)acceptability of newer HIV testing approaches. PITC was largely viewed by participants as a facilitator to HIV testing for Vietnamese-born migrants. Likewise, HIV RT (undertaken by a doctor in a medical setting, as opposed to a trained community member in a community setting) was generally considered to facilitate HIV testing. HIV ST was largely not considered acceptable to Vietnamese-born migrants and they would prefer to go to a doctor for HIV testing. Several factors were identified that either facilitate or act as barriers to newer HIV testing approaches, including privacy; cost of (accessing) HIV testing; comfort and convenience; healthcare provider relationship; risk perception; symptoms; and technical and emotional support. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to understand migrants' HIV testing preferences if poorer HIV-related outcomes are to be overcome. The findings from this study show a preference for doctor-centred HIV testing, due to enhanced privacy, accuracy and support.

Barriers and Facilitators to HIV Testing in Migrants in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review.

Migrants, particularly from low- and middle-income countries, are at a heightened risk of adverse HIV outcomes. HIV testing may improve these outcomes. We reviewed and synthesised studies into migrants and HIV testing (outcome variable), published between January 1997 and April 2014. Papers using quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods designs, and samples with adult (≥18 years) migrants from low- and middle-income countries in high-income countries were included in the paper. Of 3155 papers retrieved, 31 met the inclusion criteria and are included in the review. A large number of barriers and facilitators to HIV testing were identified across the individual, social and structural levels. A number of study design and methodological issues, however, inhibited a comprehensive synthesis. There is no doubt that addressing HIV testing in migrants in high-income countries is complex; however, it has important implications for individual, community and population health, and a strong, empirically based response is warranted.

The effect of changing crosshead speed on the shear bond strength of orthodontic bonding adhesive.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of different crosshead speeds on the in vitro shear bond strength and adhesive remnant index scores for the same orthodontic adhesive. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred human molars were randomly allocated to four groups. Brackets (.022 inch Victory series, 3M, Monrovia, CA, USA) were bonded with Ortho Solo primer (Ormco, Glendora, CA, USA) and Enlight (Ormco, Glendora, CA, USA) adhesive paste to their buccal surfaces. The brackets were debonded with a universal testing machine (Instron, Canton, MA, USA) with each group subjected to a different crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min, 1.0 mm/min, 2.0 mm/min and 5.0 mm/minute. Shear bond strength (SBS) was measured and enamel surfaces were examined to determine the adhesive remnant index (ARI) score. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the mean SBS or ARI score for any of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Studies using different crosshead speeds when testing identical adhesives may be used to compare the SBS of other orthodontic adhesives, provided the testing protocols are similar.

Efficiency of self-ligating vs conventionally ligated brackets during initial alignment.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of self-ligating (SL) and conventionally ligated (CL) brackets during the first 20 weeks of extraction treatment. METHODS: Study models of 50 consecutive patients who had premolar extractions in the maxillary and/or mandibular arch, 0.022 x 0.028-in slot brackets, and similar archwire sequences were examined. Forty-four arches received SL Damon 3MX brackets (Ormco, Glendora, Calif), and 40 arches received either CL Victory Series (3M Unitek, Monrovia, Calif) or Mini-Diamond (Ormco) brackets. The models were evaluated for anterior arch alignment, extraction spaces, and arch dimensions at pretreatment (T0), 10 weeks (T1), and 20 weeks (T2). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the SL and CL groups at 20 weeks in irregularity scores (mandibular arch, P = 0.54; maxillary arch, P = 0.81). There were no significant differences in passive extraction space closures between the SL and CL groups (mandibular arch, T0-T2, P = 0.85; maxillary arch, T0-T2, P = 0.33). Mandibular intercanine widths increased from T0 to T2: 1.96 and 2.86 mm in the SL and CL groups, respectively. This was not significant between the groups (P = 0.31). Logistic regression did not show a difference between the SL and CL bracket groups. CONCLUSIONS: SL brackets were no more efficient than CL brackets in anterior alignment or passive extraction space closure during the first 20 weeks of treatment. Ligation technique is only one of many factors that can influence the efficiency of treatment. Similar changes in arch dimensions occurred, irrespective of bracket type, that might be attributed to the archform of the archwires.