Rapid Identification and Investigation of an HIV Risk Network Among People Who Inject Drugs –Miami, FL, 2018

• DOI: 10.1007/s10461-019-02680-9
• Publication Date: 2019-09-25T13:10:16Z
• Authors: Hansel Tookes; Tyler S. Bartholomew; Shana Geary; James Matthias; Karalee Poschman; Carina Blackmore; Celeste Philip; Edward Suarez; David W. Forrest; Allan E. Rodriguez; Michael A. Kolber; Felicia Knaul; Leah Colucci; Emma Spencer
• Keywords: Health psychology; Miami

Abstract Prevention of HIV outbreaks among people who inject drugs remains a challenge to ending the epidemic in United States. The first legal syringe services program (SSP) Florida implemented routine screening 2018 leading identification ten anonymous seroconversions. SSP collaborated with Department Health conduct an epidemiologic investigation. All seven acute seroconversions were linked care (86% within 30 days) and achieved viral suppression (mean 70 days). Six individuals are epidemiologically and/or socially at least two other Analysis genotypes revealed that connected molecularly 0.5% genetic distance. We identified risk network complex transmission dynamics could not be explained by epidemiological methods or molecular analyses alone. Providing wrap-around through SSP, including screening, intensive linkage patient navigation, effective model for achieving drugs.