Abstract Introduction : Global effort to increase early diagnosis and engagement in HIV care emphasize the importance of developing novel approaches reaching those missed by traditional methods. Such needs are particularly great for men who have sex with (MSM), transgender women (TW), other populations face stigma. Myanmar's epidemic is concentrated among key revised National Strategy aims reduce late barriers curb incidence these groups. self‐testing (HIVST) may be one method improve...

Background Violent attacks on and interferences with hospitals, ambulances, health workers, patients during conflict destroy vital services a time when they are most needed undermine the long-term capacity of system. In Syria, such have been frequent intense represent grave violations Geneva Conventions, but number reported has varied considerably. A systematic mechanism to document these could assist in designing more protection strategies play critical role influencing policy, promoting...

Female sex workers ( FSWs) are vulnerable to a number of health issues, but often delay seeking care due structural barriers. Multiservice drop-in centers have been shown increase FSW access services globally, their impact on in the United States is lacking. This study seeks evaluate effect community-level empowerment intervention (the multiservice SPARC center) cumulative sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among city States.Between September 2017 and January 2019, 385 FSWs were...

Objectives To explore the impact of conflict, including use chemical weapons, in Syria on healthcare through experiences health providers using a public and human rights lens. Design A qualitative study semi-structured interviews conducted in-person or over Skype thematic analysis approach. Setting Interviews were with Syrian workers operating opposition-held cooperation medical relief organisation Gaziantep, Turkey. Participants We examined data from 29 in-depth sample professionals current...

In Myanmar, HIV is concentrated among key populations, yet less than half of the estimated 250,000 men who have sex with (MSM) and transgender women (TW) report recent testing. As many as 50% MSM TW may conceal their same-sex preferences behaviors, little known about barriers faced by those are locally regarded 'hidden' – that is, do not disclose and/or identify gay. This study explored specific to accessing testing other prevention services inform appropriate models service delivery....

Background Cisgender female sex workers (FSWs) experience high rates of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including chlamydia gonorrhea. Community empowerment–based responses to the risk environment FSWs have been associated with significant reductions in STI behaviors; however, evaluations US-based interventions targeting are limited. Objective The objective this study is describe design, implementation, planned evaluation strategy an ongoing comprehensive community-level...

Attacks on health care in armed conflict and other civil disturbances, including those workers, facilities, patients transports, represent a critical yet often overlooked violation of human rights international humanitarian law. Reporting has been limited local workers working the frontline are victims chronic abuse interferences with their care-giving. This paper reports validation revision an instrument designed to capture incidents via qualitative quantitative evaluation method.Based...

Background: Efforts to improve HIV diagnosis and antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation among people living with reduce onward transmission of rely on innovative interventions along multiple steps the care continuum. These methods are particularly important for key populations, including men who have sex (MSM) transgender women (TW). The epidemic in Myanmar is concentrated national efforts now focus reducing stigma improving engagement MSM TW prevention care. Objective: This study aims test...

Female sex workers (FSWs) have elevated rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, yet few studies in the United States characterized STI burden this population.Data were derived from EMERALD study, a structural community-based intervention with FSWs Baltimore, MD. Participants (n = 385) recruited through targeted sampling on mobile van. Prevalent positive chlamydia or gonorrhea determined by biological samples. Multivariable logistic regressions modeled correlates...

HIV self-testing (HIVST) shows promise to improve diagnosis among those seeking privacy and anonymity in testing. This may include sexual gender diverse populations, who experience disproportionately high burdens of stigma globally. To inform potential scale-up HIVST Myanmar, we implemented a community-led, mixed-methods randomized trial Yangon. Adult trans-feminine individuals cisgender men have sex with were recruited via respondent-driven sampling. Participants (N = 577) completed...

HIV remains elevated among female sex workers (FSW) globally, with a number of structural (e.g., poverty, access to care) factors driving these persistently high rates. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), user-controlled prevention method, is promising means empowering vulnerable populations protect themselves and enhance agency. Yet there dearth PrEP research interventions targeting cisgender women in the United States, even fewer aimed reach FSW. We developed implemented multifaceted pilot...

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the salience of material needs and financial precarity on mental health distress. Women who use drugs (WWUD) experienced significant distress multiple need insecurities before pandemic. However, research is limited nature these during despite both scarcity placing WWUD at greater risk drug-related harms such as overdose. We aim to characterize their associations with level among a sample in United States COVID Methods N = 227 (i.e.,...

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Cisgender female sex workers (FSWs) experience high rates of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including chlamydia gonorrhea. Community empowerment–based responses to the risk environment FSWs have been associated with significant reductions in STI behaviors; however, evaluations US-based interventions targeting are limited. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> The objective this study is describe design, implementation, planned evaluation strategy an...

Abstract Background The role of business employees and community members in the HIV risk environment female sex workers (FSW) is underexplored, despite work often located commercial residential urban areas. We explored effect negative interactions between on inconsistent condom use with clients workers. Methods This study uses baseline data from EMERALD study, a empowerment intervention FSW. recruited sample 361 FSW Baltimore, Maryland using targeted sampling techniques ten zones...

Women who use drugs (WWUD) experience structural vulnerabilities (e.g., housing, food insecurities) and comorbidities that elevate their susceptibility to more severe COVID-19 symptoms or fatality compared similarly-aged women do not illicit drugs. Testing is a cornerstone of effective COVID prevention, however, entrenched barriers healthcare utilization means WWUD may have diminished accessing testing. The CARE (COVID Action Research Engagement) study first examines predisposing enabling...

Abstract Background: The role of business employees and community members in the HIV risk environment female sex workers (FSW) is underexplored, despite work often located commercial residential urban areas. We explored effect negative interactions between inconsistent condom use with clients. Methods: This study uses baseline data from EMERALD study, a structural intervention FSW. recruited sample 361 FSW Baltimore, Maryland using targeted sampling techniques ten zones throughout city....