HIV Knowledge, Information Sources, and Perceived Risk among Reproductive-Aged Individuals in Kisumu, Kenya: A Latent Profile Analysis.

Information, education, and communication programs to improve HIV knowledge and communication skills are critical to HIV responses. It is unclear if improved HIV knowledge translates to decreased HIV acquisition risks. We identified typologies of HIV knowledge to assess the relationship with HIV risk perceptions and prevention behaviors using data from reproductive-aged adults without previously diagnosed HIV at screening for entry into the RV393 HIV incidence cohort in Kisumu County, Kenya.

People who inject drugs and men who have sex with men living with HIV in India experience low probability of viral rebound and high levels of persistent viremia during the first 12 months of antiretroviral therapy.

People who inject drugs (PWID) and men who have sex with men (MSM) in India are disproportionately affected by HIV and experience challenges achieving sustained viral suppression. We evaluated probabilities of suppression over time and characteristics associated with persistent viremia and viral rebound among MSM and PWID living with HIV (PLHIV) using 12 months of data collected between 2017-2019 from a cluster-randomized trial across 16 cities in India. To assessprobabilities of suppression, we fit logistic transition models with generalized estimating equations.

Hepatitis B Virus in People who Inject Drugs and Men who Have Sex With Men With HIV in India: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background: People with HIV (PWH) who are coinfected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) have a higher risk of mortality compared with PWH alone. Populations such as people who inject drugs (PWID) and men who have sex with men (MSM) are particularly at high risk for HBV acquisition; yet, limited epidemiological data from these populations exist on HBV prevalence from low- and middle-income country settings (LMICs).

Methods: We characterized the prevalence and correlates of HBV serological markers in a sample of PWID and MSM with HIV recruited across 15 Indian cities using hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs).

HIV self-testing in India: implementation and qualitative evaluation of a web-based programme with virtual counsellor support.

Introduction: To achieve epidemic control of infectious diseases, engaging higher-burden populations with accessible diagnostic services is critical. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a promising option.

Methods: We implemented an online HIVST programme for key populations across India.

High prevalence of hepatitis B virus among MSM living with HIV in India.

People living with HIV (PWH) have been shown to bear a higher burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) due to shared routes and risk factors for transmission. Populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM) are at an increased risk of both being infected with HBV and HIV, that places them at higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Using weighted and adjusted multilevel logistic regression, we characterized the prevalence and correlates of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among MSM living with HIV across 12 Indian cities from 2012 to 2013.

Access to healthcare among transgender women living with and without HIV in the United States: associations with gender minority stress and resilience factors.

Background: Transgender women (TW) experience significant inequities in healthcare access and health disparities compared to cisgender populations. Access to non-transition related healthcare is understudied among TW. We aimed to assess the association between access to care and gender minority stress and resilience factors among TW living with and without HIV in eastern and southern United States.

Integration of a geospatially targeted community-based testing approach with respondent-driven sampling to identify people who inject drugs living with HIV and HCV in Patti and Gorakhpur, India.

Background: Respondent-driven sampling (RDS), a network recruitment approach, is effective at reaching people who inject drugs (PWID), but other strategies may be needed to reach PWID at risk or living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C (HCV). We examined the impact of integrating geospatially targeted community-based HIV/HCV testing with an RDS survey.

Methods: PWID were recruited between 2019 and 2021 in Patti and Gorakhpur, India, in a two-phased approach for identifying PWID living with HIV/HCV.