A5010194924- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Sex work and related issues
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations
- Data-Driven Disease Surveillance
- Reproductive tract infections research
- Reproductive Health and Contraception
- Global Maternal and Child Health
- Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment
- COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts
- Health disparities and outcomes
- Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
- LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
- Privacy, Security, and Data Protection
- Infection Control and Ventilation
Emory University
2016-2025
Georgia College & State University
2023-2025
University of Georgia
2023-2025
Emory and Henry College
2024
Johns Hopkins University Center for AIDS Research
2014
University of Massachusetts Amherst
2011-2012
Rwanda Zambia HIV Research Group
2011
Background: The Internet has become an increasingly popular venue for men who have sex with (MSM) to meet potential partners. Given this rapid increase in online sex-seeking among MSM, Internet-based interventions represent important HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) prevention strategy. Unfortunately, black and Hispanic are disproportionately impacted by the epidemic United States, been underrepresented research studies. Objective: Our objective was examine quantify factors associated...
Background AIDSVu is a public resource for visualizing HIV surveillance data and other population-based information relevant to prevention, care, policy, impact assessment. Objective The site, AIDSVu.org, aims make about the US epidemic widely available, easily accessible, locally inform health decision making. Methods develops visualizations, maps, downloadable datasets using results from systems, sources of (eg, Census national probability surveys), developed specifically display...
Background: HIV incidence among US young, black men who have sex with (YBMSM) is high, and structural barriers (eg lack of health insurance) may limit access to Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Research studies conducted YBMSM must ensure the best available prevention methods, including PrEP. Methods: We implemented an optional, nonincentivized PrEP program in addition standard services a prospective, observational cohort HIV-negative Atlanta, GA. Provider visits laboratory costs were...
Existing health disparities based on race and ethnicity in the United States are contributing to morbidity mortality during coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. We conducted an online survey of American adults assess similarities differences by with respect COVID-19 symptoms, estimates extent pandemic, knowledge control measures, stigma.
Abstract Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has great potential to reduce HIV incidence among young black men who have sex with (YBMSM); however, initiation and persistence for this group remain low. We sought understand the patterns predictors of PrEP uptake discontinuation YBMSM in Atlanta, Georgia. Methods was offered all participants a prospective cohort aged 18–29 years not living HIV. Time uptake, first discontinuation, final were assessed...
Peter G. Szilagyi, MD, MPH; Kyla Thomas, PhD; Megha D. Shah, MPH, MS; Nathalie Vizueta, Yan Cui, Sitaram Vangala, Arie Kapteyn, PhD
Data reporting sexually transmitted infection (STI) incidence rates among HIV-negative U.S. men who have sex with (MSM) are lacking. In addition, it is difficult to analyze the effect of STI on HIV acquisition given that sexual risk behaviors confound relationship between bacterial STIs and incident HIV. The InvolveMENt study was a longitudinal cohort black white HIV-negative, active MSM in Atlanta underwent routine screening for completed behavioral questionnaires. Age-adjusted were...
In Brief Background Studying the heterogeneity and correlates of HIV risk in sexual networks black white men who have sex with (MSM) may help explain racial disparities HIV-infection. Methods Black MSM were recruited as seeds using venue-based time sampling provided data regarding their recent partners. We used chain referral methods to enroll seeds' partners; newly enrolled partners turn on partners, some whom later enrolled. Data about unenrolled obtained from participants also analyzed....
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has high biomedical efficacy; however, awareness, access, uptake, and persistence on therapy remain low among black men who have sex with (BMSM), are at highest risk of HIV in the United States. To date, discussions "PrEP failure" focused one typology: rare, documented acquisitions PrEP users adequate serum drug levels (ie, failure). In our cohort HIV-negative young BMSM Atlanta, Georgia, we continue to observe a incidence...
Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 virus testing for persons with COVID-19 symptoms, and contact tracing those positive, will be critical to successful epidemic control. Willingness of experiencing symptoms seek may determine the success this strategy. Methods A cross-sectional online survey in United States measured willingness if feeling ill under different specimen collection scenarios: home-based saliva, swab, drive-through facility clinic-based swab. Instructions clarified that...
Abstract Introduction Due to factors associated with structural racism, Black men who have sex (MSM) living HIV are less likely be virally suppressed compared white MSM. Most of these data come from clinical cohorts and modifiable reasons for racial disparities need defined in order intervene on inequities. Therefore, we examined baseline viral suppression a community‐based cohort MSM Atlanta, GA. Methods We conducted an observational infection Atlanta. Enrolment occurred June 2016 2017 were...
Reported coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases underestimate severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. We conducted a national probability survey of US households to estimate cumulative incidence adjusted for antibody waning.From August-December 2020 random sample addresses were mailed and self-collected nasal swabs dried blood spot cards. One adult household member completed the mail specimens viral detection total (immunoglobulin [Ig] A, IgM, IgG) nucleocapsid by...
Background Many HIV voluntary testing and counselling centres in Africa use rapid antibody tests, parallel or sequence, to establish same‐day status. The interpretation of indeterminate discrepant results between different tests on one sample poses a challenge. We investigated the an algorithm using three serial cohabiting couples resolve unclear serostatuses. Methods Heterosexual visited Rwanda Zambia Research Group Kigali, Rwanda, Lusaka, Zambia, assess infection Individuals with test...
Lack of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection awareness may be a driver racial disparities in HIV among men who have sex with (MSM). is typically measured by comparing test result to self-reported status. This measure subject reporting bias and alternatives are needed.The InvolveMENt study examined between black white MSM from Atlanta. Among HIV-positive participants did not report knowing they were positive, we other measures awareness: viral load (VL) <1000 copies/mL (low VL),...
Background The severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic calls for expanded opportunities testing, including novel testing strategies such as home-collected specimens. Objective We aimed to understand whether oropharyngeal swab (OPS), saliva, and dried blood spot (DBS) specimens collected by participants at home mailed a laboratory were sufficient use in diagnostic serology tests of SARS-CoV-2. Methods Eligible consented online participant-collection kit support collection...
Despite high HIV incidence among young black men who have sex with (YBMSM), pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake in this group is low. In a cohort of HIV-negative YBMSM Atlanta, GA, all participants were offered PrEP as standard care free clinician visits and laboratory testing. We explored self-perceived need for 29 in-depth interview by asking about reasons or refusal factors that may lead to future reconsideration. Self-perceived was compared US Center Disease Control Prevention...
Innovative laboratory testing approaches for SARS-CoV-2 infection and immune response are needed to conduct research establish estimates of prevalence incidence. Self-specimen collection methods have been successfully used in HIV sexually transmitted can provide a feasible opportunity scale up purposes.The aim this study was assess the willingness adults use different specimen modalities themselves children as part COVID-19 study.Between March 27 April 1, 2020, we recruited 1435 aged 18...
Mobile health apps are important interventions that increase the scale and reach of prevention services, including HIV testing counseling, pre-exposure prophylaxis, condom distribution, education, which all required to decrease incidence rates. The use these web-based as well fully intervention trials can be challenged by need remove fraudulent or duplicate entries authenticate unique trial participants before randomization protect integrity sample results. It is critical ensure data...
PrEP willingness may be different among black and white men who have sex with (MSM) given known disparities in HIV incidence, sociodemographic factors, healthcare access between these groups. We surveyed 482 HIV-negative MSM Atlanta, GA about their to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) facilitators barriers willingness. Overall, 45% (215/482) of indicated interest using PrEP. Engaging recent unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) was the only factor significantly associated multivariate...
Exploring causal associations in HIV research requires careful consideration of numerous epidemiologic limitations. First, a primary cause HIV, unprotected anal intercourse (UAI), is time-varying and, if it also associated with an exposure interest, may be on confounding path. Second, rare outcome, even high-risk populations. Finally, for most causal, non-preventive exposures, randomized trial impossible. In order to address these limitations and provide practical illustration efficient...