A5068945811- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
- Sex work and related issues
- COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Poxvirus research and outbreaks
- Migration, Health and Trauma
- Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research
- HIV/AIDS oral health manifestations
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Community Health and Development
- HIV/AIDS Impact and Responses
- Healthcare Policy and Management
- Global Maternal and Child Health
- Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes
- Healthcare cost, quality, practices
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life
- Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation
- Disaster Management and Resilience
- Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology
- COVID-19 Digital Contact Tracing
- COVID-19 and healthcare impacts
Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde
2020-2024
Public Health Institute
2021-2022
University of Antwerp
2021-2022
Province of Antwerp
2022
Research Institute for Tropical Medicine
2022
KU Leuven
2019
The magnitude of the 2022 multi-country monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak has surpassed any preceding outbreak. It is unclear whether asymptomatic or otherwise undiagnosed infections are fuelling this epidemic. In study, we aimed to assess occurred among men attending a Belgian sexual health clinic in May 2022. We retrospectively screened 224 samples collected for gonorrhea and chlamydia testing using an MPXV PCR assay identified MPXV-DNA-positive from four men. At time sampling, one man had...
To examine changes in the occurrence of physical sex with non-steady partners among men who have (MSM) Belgium during first weeks COVID-19 lockdown and associations sociodemographic factors, sexual practices, drug, alcohol pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use. A secondary objective was to explore PrEP use need for follow-up.
Abstract Background In high income countries, racialized/ethnic minorities are disproportionally affected by COVID-19. Despite the established importance of community involvement in epidemic preparedness, we lack in-depth understanding these communities’ experiences with and responses to We explored information prevention needs, coping mechanisms COVID-19 control measures their impact on lived among selected minority communities. Methods This qualitative rapid assessment conducted...
Mpox (formerly monkeypox) is a viral disease caused by the mpox virus (MPXV), endemic in Central and West Africa currently causing global outbreak of international concern. Much remains unknown about sample types most suited for laboratory diagnosis. While it established that high loads can be found active skin lesions (currently recommended confirmation specimen type), WHO testing guidelines encourage use oropharyngeal swabs as an additional type diagnosis suggest investigating value other...
Abstract Background The importance of community involvement in the response against disease outbreaks has been well established. However, we lack insights into local communities’ experiences coping with current COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored both impact of, and to, within Orthodox Jewish communities Antwerp (Belgium) during first lockdown period (March 2020 – May 2020). Methods We conducted an explorative qualitative using a participatory approach. First, performed mapping to...
Objectives We aimed to develop a guidance on the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV tailored Belgian context.
Abstract Background PrEP uptake is low among non-Belgian men and transwomen who have sex with men, although the HIV epidemic in Belgium diversifying terms of nationalities ethnicity. We lack an in-depth understanding this gap. Methods conducted a qualitative study using grounded theory approach. The data consists key informants interviews migrant or men. Results identified four underlying determinants which shape our participants’ experiences contextualize barriers to use. These include (1)...
Abstract Background Pre-existing racial/ethnic disparities in health, sustained by intersecting socio-economic and structural inequities, have widened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, little attention has been paid lived experiences of people ethnic/racialised minority communities, causes effects underlying COVID-19-related burden. This hinders tailored responses. study explores Sub-Saharan African (SSA) communities’ needs, perceptions, pandemic its control measures Antwerp (Belgium) 2020....
Abstract Introduction In Belgium, oral HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is primarily provided in specialized clinical settings. Optimal implementation of PrEP services can help to substantially reduce transmission. However, insights into processes, and their complex interactions with local context, are limited. This study examined factors that influence providers’ adaptive responses the Belgian clinics. Methods We conducted a qualitative multiple case on care eight Thirty‐six...
Since June 2017, oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been reimbursed in Belgium for people at substantial risk of HIV. To inform the national PrEP programme, we described sociodemographic characteristics users, dispensing practices, testing HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs; gonorrhoea, chlamydia syphilis), incidence STIs. Analysis routinely collected social health insurance claims data from all individuals who were dispensed least one prescription between 2017 December...
The available epidemiological and clinical evidence from the currently ongoing monkeypox (MPX) outbreak in non-endemic areas suggests an important factor of sexual transmission. However, limited information on behaviour experiences individuals with MPX infection has to date been provided. We aimed describe initial phase Belgium, provide a more in-depth description transmission contexts.
In Antwerp, Belgium's second largest city, a COVID-19 surge in July 2020 predominantly affected neighborhoods with high ethnic diversity. Local volunteers reacted and set up an initiative to support contact tracing self-isolation. We describe the origin, implementation, transfer of this local initiative, based on semi-structured interviews five key informants document review. The started 2020, when family physicians signaled SARS-CoV-2 infections among people Moroccan descent. Family feared...
Introduction: In Belgium, the provision of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention is centralized in specialized clinics. Engaging family physicians PrEP care could help scale-up its delivery and reach underserved populations. The objective this study was to gain insight into physicians' self-perceived roles providing PrEP. Methods We conducted 16 online group discussions with a total 105 Flemish physicians, between November 2020 February 2021. A brief questionnaire assessed their...
Background: Monkeypox is transmitted by close contact with symptomatic cases, and those infected are assumed to be uniformly symptomatic. Evidence of subclinical monkeypox infection limited a few immunological studies which found evidence immunity against orthopoxviruses in asymptomatic individuals who were exposed cases. We aimed assess whether infections occurred among underwent sexually (STI) screening large Belgian STI clinic around the start 2022 epidemic Belgium.Methods: Anorectal...
Several countries in the European Union (EU) and Economic Area (EEA) established and/or scaled up HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programmes between 2016 2023. Data on PrEP programmes’ performance effectiveness reaching those most need will be needed to assess regional progress roll-out of PrEP. However, there is a lack commonly defined indicators for routine monitoring allow minimum comparability. We propose harmonised approach EU/EEA, based systematic evidence-informed...
Abstract Background: The importance of community involvement in the response against disease outbreaks has been well established. However, we lack insights into local communities’ experiences coping with current COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored both impact of, and to, within Orthodox Jewish communities Antwerp (Belgium) during first lockdown period (March 2020 – May 2020). Methods: We conducted an explorative qualitative using a participatory approach. First, performed mapping to...
Abstract Background Tailoring pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) service delivery is key to scaling-up PrEP uptake. Optimal implementation of tailored services requires, among other things, insights into patterns use, sexual behaviours and condom use over time. Methods Between September 2020 January 2022, we conducted a web-based, longitudinal study users in Belgium. In three questionnaire rounds every six-months, assessed sex with steady, casual anonymous partners the preceding months. Based...