Sex on demand: geosocial networking phone apps and risk of sexually transmitted infections among a cross-sectional sample of men who have sex with men in Los Angeles County.

BACKGROUND: Geosocial networking applications (GSN apps) used for meeting sexual partners have become increasingly popular with men who have sex with men (MSM) since 2009. The current study aimed to determine if self-identified HIV-negative, MSM clinic attendees who used GSN apps have an increased incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) compared to self-identified HIV-negative, MSM attendees who met sexual partners via in-person venues, such as bars or clubs or through MSM-specific hook-up websites. METHODS: Data were collected between August 2011 and January 2013 on all self-identified HIV-negative, MSM clients visiting the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center for STI screening. A total of 7184 individuals tested for STIs and self-reported behaviours on drug use and social networking methods to meet sexual partners. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyse the results. RESULTS: Individuals who used GSN apps for meeting sexual partners had greater odds of testing positive for gonorrhoea (OR: 1.25; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.48) and for chlamydia (OR: 1.37; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.65) compared to individuals who met partners through in-person methods only. There were no significant differences in syphilis and HIV incidence between those who met partners via in-person venues only, on the internet or through GSN apps. CONCLUSIONS: The present study concludes that sexual health clinic MSM attendees who are meeting on GSN apps are at greater risk for gonorrhoea and chlamydia than MSM attendees who meet in-person or on the internet. Future interventions should explore the use of these novel technologies for testing promotion, prevention and education.

Endorsement of compulsory HIV vaccination policy among populations at high risk of HIV exposure (LA VOICES).

Compulsory vaccination is a frequently implemented policy option for ensuring comprehensive vaccine coverage. Ongoing controversies around human papillomavirus vaccine dissemination, and suboptimal coverage, suggest the value of assessing acceptability of compulsory vaccinations-particularly among likely target populations-in advance of their public availability to support evidence-informed interventions. With the first HIV vaccine to demonstrate partial efficacy in a large-scale clinical trial, we examined individual characteristics and attitudes associated with support for compulsory HIV vaccination policy among a diverse, representative sample of adults attending probable HIV vaccine dissemination venues in a large urban county. Participants were recruited using three-stage probability sampling from likely venues for future HIV vaccine dissemination. We used Audio-CASI to administer a 60-min structured questionnaire. Items included endorsement of compulsory HIV vaccination policy, sociodemographic characteristics, injecting drug use, vaccine attitudes and perceived HIV risk. Among 1,225 participants (mean age = 36.8 years; 55.6 % males, 37.6 % non-English speaking Hispanic, 78.8 % heterosexual, 25.7 % injection drug users), almost half (48.2 %) endorsed a compulsory HIV vaccination policy. Non-English speaking Hispanics compared to whites, participants with less than high school education, higher positive vaccine attitude scores and higher perceived HIV risk were significantly more likely, and people who inject drugs significantly less likely to endorse compulsory HIV vaccination. Public health interventions to promote positive vaccine attitudes and accurate perceptions of HIV risk among vulnerable populations, and strategies tailored for people who inject drugs, may build support for compulsory HIV vaccination policy and promote broad HIV vaccine coverage.

The Cost of Unhealthy Days: A New Value Assessment.

For-profit companies addressing disparities in social determinants of health (SDOH), also known as SDOH Industry companies, often lack member-level claims data to evaluate their organizational interventions. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Healthy Days Measure, offer a unique proxy metric to evaluate impact. This retrospective study sought to explore the association between self-reported physically and mentally unhealthy days with health care costs among a Medicare Advantage (MA) population. A cross-sectional study of MA members receptive to a companion care program, and thus likely to have unmet social needs, was conducted. The analysis included members with recorded baseline unhealthy days and complete claims data (n = 2,354). Least squares regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between baseline medical costs, physically unhealthy days, and mentally unhealthy days. A review of Major Diagnostic Categories (MDCs) was also included to elucidate the strength of the Healthy Days Measure as an indicator of the burden of health conditions. Each additional unhealthy day reported was associated with an increase in 30-day medical costs of $60 and $34 for physically and mentally unhealthy days, respectively. Unhealthy days and costs increased with an increasing number of MDCs. Compared with previous studies linking unhealthy days and health care expenditure, these data reveal the potential for even higher savings by reducing the number of unhealthy days in a high-risk population. This evidence supports using unhealthy days as a HRQOL measure and as an important tool for cost estimations.

Evaluation of inSPOTLA.org: an Internet partner notification service.

BACKGROUND: This article presents an evaluation of inSPOTLA.org, a sexually transmitted disease partner notification Web site in Los Angeles County primarily targeting men who have sex with men (MSM). Since its launch in 2005, this Web site has received more than 400,000 visitors and resulted in nearly 50,000 e-mail postcards sent. However, there have been limited quantitative data concerning use of the service for actual partner notification. This study investigated awareness and use of inSPOTLA among MSM, as well as the effect of an advertising campaign. METHODS: Data from 2 cross-sectional surveys using time-location samples were used for the evaluation, with a baseline survey conducted in 2007 and a follow-up conducted in 2009. The advertising campaign was implemented between the surveys in 2008. RESULTS: Awareness of inSPOTLA was 15.8% in the baseline survey and 14.4% in the follow-up survey, with no statistically significant difference. Reported use of inSPOTLA for partner notification was less than 2% in both surveys, again with no significant difference. In addition to the surveys, a high-volume sexual health clinic that serves the MSM population in Los Angeles collected data on reason for visit, including referrals from inSPOTLA, from all patients from 2007 through 2009. In 3 years, 2 individuals stated having received an inSPOTLA e-card as the reason for their visit. CONCLUSIONS: While website user statistics seemed to indicate an impressive level of use, our evaluation of inSPOTLA found very limited evidence of program effectiveness for the purpose of actual partner notification among MSM in Los Angeles County.

Community-embedded disease intervention specialist program for syphilis partner notification in a clinic serving men who have sex with men.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effectiveness of a Community-Embedded Disease Intervention Specialist (CEDIS) in providing partner notification (PN) for primary syphilis cases in a high STD morbidity, community-based clinic serving men who have sex with men in Los Angeles. METHODS: The CEDIS was trained by the same standards as the local health department Disease Investigator Specialists but was employed by and stationed at the clinic where the primary cases were diagnosed. We compared the CEDIS on specific PN outcomes before and after placement of the CEDIS and among countywide men who have sex with men primary syphilis cases, excluding the cases from the CEDIS clinic. RESULTS: In 2009-2010 after placement of the CEDIS, 100% (87) of primary cases assigned were interviewed; 28% (26) on the same day as their clinic visit and 64% (59) within 7 days. In 2006-2007 before placement of the CEDIS, 67% (43) of primary cases assigned were interviewed; only 2% (1) were interviewed within 7 days. In 2009-2010 countywide, 9% (21) of 252 primary cases assigned were interviewed on the same day as their clinic visit; 18% (45) within 7 days. After placement of the CEDIS, 15% (21) of 140 partners elicited were identified with early syphilis and brought to treatment compared with 0% of 13 partners elicited before placement of the CEDIS, and 15% (25) of 171 partners elicited countywide. CONCLUSION: The CEDIS program fosters key elements to a successful PN program, such as prompt interviewing of newly diagnosed cases and community trust.

Methamphetamine use and other club drug use differ in relation to HIV status and risk behavior among gay and bisexual men.

This study compared associations between methamphetamine use, drug use other than methamphetamine, and HIV transmission factors among men who have sex with men, attending an sexually transmitted disease clinic. Of 6435 participants, newly recognized HIV status (OR: 3.02 95% CI: 2.30, 3.99) was associated with methamphetamine use compared with nondrug users, an association not found among other club drug users.

Increasing the reach of HIV testing to young Latino MSM: results of a pilot study integrating outreach and services.

BACKGROUND: In the U.S., HIV infections are increasing among men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly young, racial/ethnic minority MSM. OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility of increasing HIV testing among young Latino MSM by integrating tailored outreach strategies with testing, counseling, and HIV medical services. DESIGN: Descriptive study comparing demographic characteristics, behaviors, and HIV test results of clients from the intervention period with clients who tested during other time periods. RESULTS: Clients in the intervention period were younger and more likely to be Latino than those in other time periods. In addition, clients who received outreach were more likely than those who did not receive outreach to report methamphetamine use, sex with an HIV-positive person, and sex with a sex worker. CONCLUSION: Venue-based and selective media outreach, in combination with linking rapid testing to HIV care, may help overcome some of the barriers to testing among high-risk young Latino MSM.

Client satisfaction with rapid HIV testing: comparison between an urban sexually transmitted disease clinic and a community-based testing center.

Rapid HIV testing allows same-day results, increasing the number of persons who learn their HIV status. Understanding how clients in different settings perceive rapid testing may increase acceptance of this technology. From June 1999 to August 2001 we interviewed 256 clients at a publicly funded urban sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic and 1201 clients at a community- based HIV counseling, testing, and referral center (Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center; LAGLC) about their posttest satisfaction with rapid HIV testing. HIV prevalence was 3.9% at the STD clinic and 5.3% at the LAGLC. In multivariate analysis, adjusting for age, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, history of STDs, self-perceived HIV risk, prior HIV test and HIV testing results, clients at the STD clinics (versus LAGLC) were more likely to find testing stressful (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.75, 95% confidence limits [CL]: 1.27, 2.42) and feel that they received their results too quickly (AOR: 2.05, 95% CL: 1.39, 3.03). Latinos (versus whites) were more likely to report that they received their results too quickly (AOR: 4.99, 95% CL: 3.48, 7.14) and that it would be better to wait a week for HIV test results (AOR: 2.48, 95% CL: 1.51, 4.09). Further research may elucidate the reasons why some groups prefer to wait for results, and enable policymakers to better design strategies to reach high-risk groups with rapid HIV testing.

HIV vaccine acceptability among women at risk: perceived barriers and facilitators to future HIV vaccine uptake.

The purpose of this study is to explore perceived barriers and facilitators to the uptake of future U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved HIV vaccines among women at elevated risk for HIV. We conducted four client focus groups (N = 41) and one focus group of women's health care professionals (N =9). Participants were recruited from diverse community agencies and health care clinics in Los Angeles using purposive, venue-based sampling. Data were analyzed using narrative thematic analysis and Ethnograph qualitative software. Barriers to HIV vaccine uptake included fear of vaccine-induced HIV infection, reproductive side effects, injection concerns, gendered roles and power dynamics, HIV stigma, discrimination, affordability, and mistrust. The provision of affordable and accessible HIV vaccines, ideally through routine care, along with culturally tailored, gender-specific HIV vaccine intervention and policy, can ensure the full potential of HIV vaccines to empower women to protect themselves against HIV infection.

HIV vaccine knowledge and beliefs among communities at elevated risk: conspiracies, questions and confusion.

HIV vaccines offer the best long-term hope of controlling the AIDS pandemic. We explored HIV vaccine knowledge and beliefs among communities at elevated risk for HIV/AIDS. Participants (N=99; median age=33 years; 48% female; 22% African-American; 44% Latino; 28% white; 6% other) were recruited from seven high-risk venues in Los Angeles, California, using purposive, venue-based sampling. Results from nine focus groups revealed: 1) mixed beliefs and conspiracy theories about the existence of HIV vaccines; 2) hopefulness and doubts about future HIV vaccine availability; 3) lack of information about HIV vaccines; and 4) confusion about vaccines and how they work. Tailored HIV vaccine education that addresses the current status of HIV vaccine development and key vaccine concepts is warranted among communities at risk. Ongoing dialogue among researchers, public health practitioners and communities at risk may provide a vital opportunity to dispel misinformation and rumors and to cultivate trust, which may facilitate HIV vaccine trial participation and uptake of future HIV vaccines.

Characterization of frequent douchers attending a community clinic primarily serving African-American women.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to characterize African-American women attending a community clinic who report frequent douching (douching > or = 2 times per week). METHODS: A consecutive sample of 115 black women attending a community clinic were interviewed face-to-face about their douching practices. Logistic regression was used to control for age and compute odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Of the 115 women interviewed, 93% (107) had douched sometime during their lifetime; 16% (18) reported douching > or = 2 times per week. Frequent douchers compared with women who douche < 2 times per month were more likely to report douching after sex [89% (n=16) vs. 49% (n=32), odds ratio (OR): 5.35, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09, 26.2] or after discharge [89% (n=1 6) vs. 58% (n=38), OR: 8.11, 95% CI: 1.64, 40.1], and self-report a history of gonorrhea [28% (n=5) vs. 8% (n=5), OR: 4.87, 95% CI: 1.07, 22.2]. CONCLUSION: Further research should be done to understand the use of douching as an STD/HIV prevention method and the association between sexual risk behaviors and douching practices.

Challenges for HIV vaccine dissemination and clinical trial recruitment: if we build it, will they come?

HIV vaccine availability does not guarantee uptake. Given suboptimal uptake of highly efficacious and already accessible vaccines in the United States, low vaccine coverage in the developing world, and the expectation that initial HIV vaccines will be only partially efficacious, the public health community will face formidable challenges in disseminating U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved HIV vaccines. HIV/AIDS stigma, fear of vaccine- induced HIV infection, social side effects of testing HIV-positive, and mistrust of government and research present additional obstacles to HIV vaccine dissemination. Increased risk behaviors because of HIV vaccine availability can undermine the effectiveness of partially efficacious vaccines in reducing HIV incidence. HIV vaccine efficacy trials also face significant challenges in recruitment of sufficient volunteers and possible increases in risk behaviors due to trial participation. Planning and designing interventions to facilitate successful recruitment for large-scale phase 3 efficacy trials is a vital step towards U.S. FDA-approved HIV vaccines. Rather than despair in the face of momentous HIV vaccine dissemination challenges, or presume unrealistically that vaccine uptake will ensue automatically and that risk behavior increases will not occur, let us deem the estimated 10-year window to an approved HIV vaccine as an opportunity to investigate and confront these challenges. A consumer research agenda founded on social marketing principles is needed to facilitate the design of empirically-based interventions tailored to the unique needs and preferences of specific segments of consumers. Social marketing interventions may increase future HIV vaccine uptake and clinical trial participation, and mitigate increases in HIV risk behaviors.

HIV vaccine trial participation among ethnic minority communities: barriers, motivators, and implications for recruitment.

BACKGROUND: Underrepresentation of ethnic minority communities limits the generalizability of HIV vaccine trial results. We explored perceived barriers and motivators regarding HIV vaccine trial participation among low-socioeconomic ethnic minority respondents at risk for HIV. METHODS: Six focus group interviews were conducted using a semistructured interview guide. Participants (N = 58, mean age = 36 years, 37% female, and 56% Latino/a and 35% African American) were recruited using venue-based sampling in Los Angeles. Data were analyzed using narrative thematic analysis and Ethnograph qualitative software. RESULTS: Perceived barriers to HIV vaccine trial participation, in rank order, were (1) vaccine-induced HIV infection, (2) physical side effects, (3) uncertainty about vaccine efficacy, (4) uncertainty about other vaccine characteristics, (5) mistrust, (6) low perceived HIV risk, (7) study demands, (8) stigma, and (9) vaccine-induced HIV seropositivity. Motivators were (1) protection against HIV infection, (2) free insurance and/or medical care, (3) altruism, and (4) monetary incentives. CONCLUSIONS: Population-specific HIV vaccine trial recruitment and implementation strategies should address trial risks from a family perspective, cultural gender norms, mistrust, low perceived HIV risk, the importance of African-American and Latino/a community participation in HIV vaccine trials, and misconceptions about gaining protection against HIV infection. Increasing the cultural relevance of trial recruitment and implementation should facilitate the participation of Latinos/as and African Americans in HIV vaccine trials.

HIV vaccine acceptability among communities at risk: the impact of vaccine characteristics.

HIV vaccines offer the best long-term hope of controlling the AIDS pandemic; yet, the advent of HIV vaccines will not ensure their acceptability. We conducted a cross-sectional survey (n=143), incorporating conjoint analysis, to assess HIV vaccine acceptability among participants recruited using multi-site (n=9), venue-based sampling in Los Angeles. We used a fractional factorial experimental design to construct eight hypothetical HIV vaccines, each with seven dichotomous attributes. The acceptability of each vaccine was assessed individually and then averaged across participants. Next, the impact of each attribute on vaccine acceptability was estimated for each participant using ANOVA and then analyzed across participants. Acceptability of the eight hypothetical HIV vaccines ranged from 33.2 (S.D. 34.9) to 82.2 (S.D. 31.3) on a 0-100 scale; mean=60.0 (S.D. 21.9). Efficacy had the greatest impact on acceptability (22.7; CI: 18.5-27.1; p<0.0001), followed by cross-clade protection (12.5; CI: 8.7-16.3, p<0.0001), side effects (11.5; CI: 7.4-15.5; p<0.0001), and duration of protection (6.1; CI: 3.2-9.0; p<.0001). Route of administration, number of doses and cost were not significant. Low acceptability of "partial efficacy" vaccines may present obstacles to future HIV vaccine dissemination. Educational and social marketing interventions may be necessary to ensure broad HIV vaccine uptake.

Perceptions of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing services among HIV-positive persons not in medical care.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) counseling, testing, and referral (CTR) are provided in a wide variety of settings. GOAL: To compare, by test setting, the perceptions of the testing experience among HIV-positive persons who were not receiving medical care. DESIGN: A baseline questionnaire was administered at enrollment into the Antiretroviral Treatment Access Study by the use of audio computer-assisted self-interview. RESULTS: Of 316 respondents, 27% reported that the counselor did not spend enough time with them and 22% that the counselor did not answer all questions. The odds were higher that persons in the following settings, compared with those at HIV test sites, would report that the counselor did not spend enough time with them: office of private physician or health maintenance organization (HMO) (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 5.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.26-21.7), jail (AOR, 5.10; 95% CI, 1.06-24.6), and emergency room (ER) or hospital overnight visit (AOR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.15-7.44). Similarly, the odds were higher that persons in the following settings compared with those at HIV test sites would report that the counselor did not answer all questions: office of private physician or HMO (AOR, 9.62; 95% CI, 2.22-41.7), jail (AOR, 7.87; 95% CI, 1.50-41.4), and ER or hospital overnight visit (AOR, 3.32; 95% CI, 1.11-9.90). CONCLUSION: Further training and quality assurance in HIV CTR may be needed in some test settings.

Factors affecting hepatitis vaccination refusal at a sexually transmitted disease clinic among men who have sex with men.

BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men (MSM) attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics should be considered candidates for hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination. However, vaccination rates in STD clinics remain less than optimal. GOAL: The goal was to identify factors that affect HAV and HBV vaccination refusals. STUDY DESIGN: A survey was administered to MSM eligible for the vaccinations attending an STD clinic. Vaccines were offered at the end of the clinic visit. RESULTS: Rates of refusal of HAV (RefuseA) and HBV (RefuseB) vaccinations were 36% and 38%. Health motivation was associated with acceptance, while clinical barriers such as "want to test first for immunity," and "want to talk to own doctor first" were associated with refusal. "Not enough time this evening" was most strongly predictive of refusal, relative to strongly disagree (risk ratios [RRstrongly agree] and 95% confidence limits for RefuseA and RefuseB were 2.69 [1.43, 5.05] and 2.02 [1.05, 3.87], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: To increase acceptance, patients less health-motivated should be identified for prevaccination counseling. Some perceived barriers such as time may be a partial excuse; staff should identify and address other perceptions that may be influencing patients' decisions.

HIV risk and prevention in a post-vaccine context.

Initial HIV vaccines are likely to be only partially efficacious; increased risk behaviors in response to future HIV vaccine availability have the potential to subvert the effectiveness of vaccines in controlling the AIDS epidemic. To assess attitudes, beliefs and behavioral intentions in response to hypothetical availability of FDA-approved HIV vaccines, we conducted 9 focus groups among participants (N = 99; median age = 33 years; 48% female; 22% African American, 44% Latino, 28% White) recruited from STD clinics, needle exchange programs, and Latino community based health organizations, using purposive, venue-based sampling, and interviewed 9 key informant service providers. Data were analyzed using narrative thematic analysis and Ethnograph qualitative software. Participants predicted a "lightening up" of safer sex behaviors among at least half of their peers and, to a lesser extent, a relaxing of safer needle use practices in response to HIV vaccine availability. Both participants and providers urged HIV preventive interventions that: (1) provide education and awareness regarding partial efficacy vaccines, (2) combat the belief in an HIV vaccine as a "magic bullet," and (3) stressed the need for sustained behavioral risk reduction interventions in the face of continued HIV risk and other STDs.

Posttrial HIV vaccine adoption: concerns, motivators, and intentions among persons at risk for HIV.

BACKGROUND: Suboptimal uptake of existing vaccines, potential obstacles specific to HIV/AIDS stigma and mistrust, and marked health disparities suggest that it is vital to investigate consumer concerns, motivations, and adoption intentions regarding posttrial HIV vaccines before a vaccine is publicly available. METHOD: Nine focus groups were conducted with participants (n = 99; median age, 33 years; 48% female; 22% African American, 44% Latino, and 28% white) recruited from 7 high-risk venues in Los Angeles using purposive venue-based sampling. A semistructured interview guide elicited concerns, motivators, and adoption intentions regarding hypothetical U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved HIV vaccines. Data were analyzed using narrative thematic analysis and Ethnograph qualitative software. RESULTS: Concerns included vaccine efficacy, vaccine-induced infection, vaccine-induced HIV seropositivity, side effects, cost/access, trustworthiness, and relationship issues. Motivators included protection against HIV infection and the ability to safely engage in unprotected sex. Participants expressed reluctance to adopt partial efficacy vaccines and likelihood of increased sexual risk behaviors in response to vaccine availability. CONCLUSION: Tailored interventions to facilitate uptake of future U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved HIV vaccines and to prevent risk behavior increases may be vital to the effectiveness of vaccines in controlling the AIDS pandemic.