Researcher and community partner perspectives on community-engaged research during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: We sought to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted community-engaged research (CEnR) from both researcher and community partner perspectives, identify challenges and facilitators affecting their experiences, and describe desired supports for CEnR during future health crises.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured, virtual interviews with ten researchers and eight partners who conducted or collaborated on CEnR during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviews were recorded and transcribed for analysis.

Cost-effectiveness of point-of-care versus centralised, laboratory-based nucleic acid testing for diagnosis of HIV in infants: a systematic review of modelling studies.

Background: Point-of-care (POC) nucleic acid testing for diagnosis of HIV in infants facilitates earlier initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) than with centralised (standard-of-care, SOC) testing, but can be more expensive. We evaluated cost-effectiveness data from mathematical models comparing POC with SOC to provide global policy guidance.

Methods: In this systematic review of modelling studies, we searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, the National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database, Econlit, and conference abstracts, combining terms for "HIV" + "infant"/"early infant diagnosis" + "point-of-care" + "cost-effectiveness" + "mathematical models", without restrictions from database inception to July 15, 2022.

Motivations, barriers, and communication recommendations for promoting face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic: Survey findings from a diverse sample.

State and local health departments have been tasked with promoting the use of face coverings to decrease the spread of COVID-19 in their respective communities. However, little is known about motivations and barriers to wearing face coverings in the context of COVID-19 prevention, particularly among communities of color who are at an increased risk of serious illness from the disease. The purpose of this study was to identify common motivations and barriers to face covering use, as well as explore perceptions of messages encouraging the use of face coverings among a racially and ethnically diverse sample.

Motivations and Barriers for the Use of Face Coverings during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Messaging Insights from Focus Groups.

Widespread use of face coverings is a key public health strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, few studies have examined why Americans use or do not use face coverings, and little is known about the most effective messaging strategies. This study explored perceptions of face coverings, including motivations and barriers for use, and examined reactions to messaging promoting the use of face coverings.

Barriers and Facilitators Faced by Athletic Trainers Implementing National Athletic Trainers' Association Inter-Association Task Force Preseason Heat-Acclimatization Guidelines in US High School Football Players.

Context: The aim of the National Athletic Trainers' Association Inter-Association Task Force (NATA-IATF) preseason heat-acclimatization guidelines was to acclimatize high school athletes to the environment during the first 2 weeks of the preseason and reduce the risk of exertional heat illness.

Objective: To identify barriers and facilitators that high school athletic trainers (ATs) encountered when implementing the NATA-IATF guidelines.

Design: Qualitative study.

Cost-Effectiveness of Preemptive Switching to Efavirenz-Based Antiretroviral Therapy for Children With Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Background: The NEVEREST-3 (South Africa) and MONOD-ANRS-12206 (Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso) randomized trials found that switching to efavirenz (EFV) in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children >3 years old who were virologically suppressed by ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (LPV/r) was noninferior to continuing o LPV/r. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of this strategy using the Cost-Effectiveness of Preventing AIDS Complications-Pediatric model.

Methods: We examined 3 strategies in South African children aged ≥3 years who were virologically suppressed by LPV/r: (1) continued LPV/r, even in case of virologic failure, without second-line regimens; continued on LPV/r with second-line option after observed virologic failure; and preemptive switch to EFV-based antiretroviral therapy (ART), with return to LPV/r after observed virologic failure.

Contraception, HIV Services, and PrEP in South African Hair Salons: A Qualitative Study of Owner, Stylist, and Client Perspectives.

Women experience challenges engaging with the healthcare system, but frequently utilize hair salons; these are promising venues for family planning and HIV prevention services. Our objective was to assess the acceptability of nurse-offered contraceptive and PrEP services at hair salons in Durban, South Africa. We interviewed salon owners (N = 10) and clients (N = 42) and conducted focus groups with hair stylists (N = 43 stylists; 6 focus groups across five hair salons) to explore barriers and facilitators to providing contraception and PrEP in salons.

Using national laboratory data to assess cumulative frequency of linkage after transfer to community-based HIV clinics in South Africa.

Introduction: Changes to the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funding have led to closures of non-governmental HIV clinics with patient transfers to government-funded clinics.

Clinical effect and cost-effectiveness of incorporation of point-of-care assays into early infant HIV diagnosis programmes in Zimbabwe: a modelling study.

Background: New point-of-care (POC) assays for early infant HIV diagnosis are costlier than conventional total nucleic acid assays, but could increase access to testing, shorten time to results, and expedite initiation of antiretroviral therapy. We aimed to assess the clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness of incorporating these POC assays into early infant diagnosis programmes in Zimbabwe.

Methods: We used the Cost Effectiveness of Preventing AIDS Complications (CEPAC)-Pediatric model to examine the clinical benefits, costs, and cost-effectiveness of replacing conventional assays for early infant HIV diagnosis with POC assays at age 6 weeks in Zimbabwe.

Test and Treat TB: a pilot trial of GeneXpert MTB/RIF screening on a mobile HIV testing unit in South Africa.

Background: Community-based GeneXpert MTB/RIF testing may increase detection of prevalent TB in the community and improve rates of TB treatment completion.

Methods: We conducted a pilot randomized trial to evaluate the impact of GeneXpert screening on a mobile HIV testing unit. Adults (≥18y) underwent rapid HIV testing and TB symptom screening and were randomized to usual mobile unit care (providing sputum on the mobile unit sent out for GeneXpert testing) or the "Test & Treat TB" intervention with immediate GeneXpert testing.