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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 20 of 20 Research Studies DisplayedTeixeira da Silva D, Makeneni S, Wall H
Measuring quality STI care among adolescent female primary care patients in Philadelphia.
The purpose of this study was to develop and apply a cross-setting, sexually transmitted infection (STI) Care Continuum to improve STI care quality, to assess adherence to guideline-recommended care, and to standardize progress measurement toward National Strategic goals. Review of the CDC STI treatment guidelines identified seven distinct steps of care for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis; researchers used Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey data to estimate step 1, and electronic health record data for steps 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7. The researchers concluded that local application of an STI Care Continuum identified STI testing, retesting, and HIV testing as areas for improvement. Similar methods may be applied to target resources, standardize data collection and reporting, and improve STI care quality.
AHRQ-funded; HS026116.
Citation: Teixeira da Silva D, Makeneni S, Wall H .
Measuring quality STI care among adolescent female primary care patients in Philadelphia.
Sex Transm Infect 2023 Jun; 99(4):272-75. doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2022-055623..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, Primary Care, Women, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Quality Measures, Quality of Care
Van Gerwen OT, Austin EL, Camino AF
"It's behaviors, not identity": attitudes and beliefs related to HIV risk and pre-exposure prophylaxis among transgender women in the Southeastern United States.
Investigators aimed to explore beliefs associated with HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) among transgender women (TGW) in the Southeastern U.S., framed by the Health Belief Model. They identified several themes: frustration with conflation of transgender identity and HIV risk, inappropriate transgender representation in PrEP advertising, concerns for interactions between PrEP and hormone therapy, perception that PrEP is meant for cisgender men who have sex with men, and limited trans-affirming healthcare. Given the diversity of this population, they recommended nuanced messaging to educate and engage TGW in HIV prevention strategies, including PrEP.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Van Gerwen OT, Austin EL, Camino AF .
"It's behaviors, not identity": attitudes and beliefs related to HIV risk and pre-exposure prophylaxis among transgender women in the Southeastern United States.
PLoS One 2022 Jan 27;17(1):e0262205. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262205..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Prevention, Sexual Health
Calabrese SK, Lane SB, Caldwell A
Electronic dissemination of a web-based video promotes PrEP contemplation and conversation among US women engaged in care at Planned Parenthood.
This study evaluated the acceptability and impact of a web-based PrEP educational video among women (n = 126) by comparing two Planned Parenthood centers: one using a Web Video and the other using standard education tools. Most women reported the video helped them understand better what PrEP is (92%), how it works (93%), and how to take PrEP (92%). One month post-intervention, more women in the Web Video group reported a high level of comfort discussing PrEP with a provider (82% vs 48%) and commonly thinking about PrEP (36.% vs. 4%).
AHRQ-funded; HS022242.
Citation: Calabrese SK, Lane SB, Caldwell A .
Electronic dissemination of a web-based video promotes PrEP contemplation and conversation among US women engaged in care at Planned Parenthood.
AIDS Behav 2021 Aug;25(8):2483-500. doi: 10.1007/s10461-021-03210-2..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Sexual Health, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Health Promotion, Prevention, Health Information Technology (HIT), Communication, Women
Magee LA, Fortenberry JD, Nelson T
Sexually transmitted infections in association with area-level prostitution and drug-related arrests.
Using justice and public health sexually transmitted infections (STIs) /HIV data in Marion County (Indianapolis), Indiana, during an 18-year period, the authors assessed the overall association of area-level prostitution and drug-related arrests and STI/HIV, and mediators and moderators of the relationship. Results indicated a positive relationship between numbers of prostitution arrests and area-level STI rates. There was a dose-response relationship between prostitution arrests and STI rates when accounting for drug-related arrests. The authors stated that these findings inform public health agencies and community-based organizations that conduct outreach in these areas to expand their efforts to include harm reduction and HIV/STI testing for both sex workers and individuals experiencing substance use disorder.
AHRQ-funded; HS023318.
Citation: Magee LA, Fortenberry JD, Nelson T .
Sexually transmitted infections in association with area-level prostitution and drug-related arrests.
Sex Transm Dis 2021 Jul;48(7):508-14. doi: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001345..
Keywords: Sexual Health, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Infectious Diseases
Van Gerwen OT, Tamhane A, Westfall AO
Prevalence of and factors associated with genital and extragenital chlamydia and gonorrhea among transgender women in HIV care in the United States, 2005 to 2016.
This retrospective cohort analysis included transgender women living with HIV enrolled in the US Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems cohort between January 2005 and December 2016 with chlamydia or gonorrhea testing performed in HIV clinic. The investigators concluded that among transgender women living with HIV, testing rates for chlamydia and gonorrhea were inadequate, particularly at extragenital sites where most infections occur.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Van Gerwen OT, Tamhane A, Westfall AO .
Prevalence of and factors associated with genital and extragenital chlamydia and gonorrhea among transgender women in HIV care in the United States, 2005 to 2016.
Sex Transm Dis 2021 Jun 1;48(6):410-16. doi: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001335.
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Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, Women
Lentz C, Iribarren S, Giguere R
Broaching the topic of HIV self-testing with potential sexual partners among men and transgender women who have sex with men in New York and Puerto Rico.
This randomized controlled trial examined whether access to free HIV self-testing (ST) kits had an impact on use of condoms during anal intercourse for 272 transgender women and men who have sex with men in New York City and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The trial included 136 persons in an intervention group and 136 persons in a control group. The intervention group had 32% fewer condomless anal intercourse (CAI) encounters- with the New York City group being statistically significant. In San Juan the results were non-significant, but two hurricanes may have impacted results in unmeasured ways.
AHRQ-funded; HS026383.
Citation: Lentz C, Iribarren S, Giguere R .
Broaching the topic of HIV self-testing with potential sexual partners among men and transgender women who have sex with men in New York and Puerto Rico.
AIDS Behav 2020 Nov;24(11):3033-43. doi: 10.1007/s10461-020-02851-z..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Infectious Diseases, Sexual Health, Prevention, Screening
Sheinfil AZ, Giguere R, Dolezal C
Information and motivation predict HIV-serostatus among a population of high-risk men and transgender women who have sex with men.
In this study, two constructs from the information-motivation-behavioral skills model were used to predict HIV-serostatus among a sample of men and transgender women who have sex with men. Hypotheses were that lower levels of HIV knowledge and lower levels of motivation to remain HIV-negative would be associated with an increased likelihood of receiving a positive HIV test result at a study eligibility-screening session.
AHRQ-funded; HS026383.
Citation: Sheinfil AZ, Giguere R, Dolezal C .
Information and motivation predict HIV-serostatus among a population of high-risk men and transgender women who have sex with men.
AIDS Behav 2020 Oct;24(10):2863-71. doi: 10.1007/s10461-020-02835-z..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, Risk
Carballo-Dieguez A, Giguere R, Balan IC
Use of rapid HIV self-test to screen potential sexual partners: results of the ISUM study.
This randomized controlled trial examined whether access to free HIV self-testing (ST) kits had an impact on use of condoms during anal intercourse for 272 transgender women and men who have sex with men in New York City and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The trial included 136 persons in an intervention group and 136 persons in a control group. The intervention group had 32% fewer condomless anal intercourse (CAI) encounters- with the New York City group being statistically significant. In San Juan the results were non-significant but two hurricanes may have impacted results in unmeasured ways.
AHRQ-funded; HS026383.
Citation: Carballo-Dieguez A, Giguere R, Balan IC .
Use of rapid HIV self-test to screen potential sexual partners: results of the ISUM study.
AIDS Behav 2020 Jun;24(6):1929-41. doi: 10.1007/s10461-019-02763-7..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Infectious Diseases, Sexual Health, Prevention
Sun CJ, Anderson KM, Kuhn T
A sexual health promotion app for transgender women (Trans Women Connected): development and usability study.
HIV severely impacts the transgender communities in the United States, and transgender women have the highest HIV incidence rates among any identified risk group. Guided by formative research with transgender women and by an expert advisory panel of transgender women, the investigators designed a prototype mobile app to promote HIV prevention among transgender women. This study aimed to develop and test the usability and acceptability of the prototype Trans Women Connected mobile app.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Sun CJ, Anderson KM, Kuhn T .
A sexual health promotion app for transgender women (Trans Women Connected): development and usability study.
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2020 May 12;8(5):e15888. doi: 10.2196/15888..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Health Promotion, Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, Prevention, Women
Sun CJ, Seloilwe ES, Magowe M
Association of adolescent- and parent-reported relationship functioning with HIV sexual risk among adolescents in Botswana.
Globally, adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa are the youth most affected by HIV. Parent-adolescent relationships can be protective in child and adolescent development and may be implicated in lowered adolescent HIV sexual risk. This dyadic study simultaneously assessed both parents' and adolescents' perceptions of family functioning and their relationships with adolescent sexual behaviors in Botswana.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Sun CJ, Seloilwe ES, Magowe M .
Association of adolescent- and parent-reported relationship functioning with HIV sexual risk among adolescents in Botswana.
AIDS Behav 2020 Mar;24(3):975-83. doi: 10.1007/s10461-019-02429-4..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Risk, Sexual Health
Gravett RM, Westfall AO, Overton ET
Sexually transmitted infections and sexual behaviors of men who have sex with men in an American Deep South PrEP clinic.
This study examines the behavior of men who have sex with men (MSM) who use HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). A higher incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has been associated with PrEP use. A retrospective analysis of MSM in the Deep South was conducted at a PrEP clinic to calculate the prevalence and incidence of bacterial STIs and identify associated risk factors. There was an 11% STI prevalence out of 139 MSM who accessed the clinic between 2014 and 2018. Higher proportions of high PrEP adherence, multiple sexual partners, and inconsistent condom use were associated with incident STI.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Gravett RM, Westfall AO, Overton ET .
Sexually transmitted infections and sexual behaviors of men who have sex with men in an American Deep South PrEP clinic.
Int J STD AIDS 2020 Feb;31(2):127-35. doi: 10.1177/0956462419886228..
Keywords: Infectious Diseases, Sexual Health, Men's Health, Prevention, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Giguere R, Lopez-Rios J, Frasca T
Use of HIV self-testing kits to screen clients among transgender female sex workers in New York and Puerto Rico.
This research focused on the use of HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits given to transgender female sex workers (TFSW) to screen sexual partners. Ten TFSWs were given ten HIVST kits each and they complete an online questionnaire 3 months later or underwent an interview. Eight of them reported using the test kit with potential clients or partners. The majority who were asked to test were clients (84%). Out of those 50 potential partners or clients, 34 out of 50 accepted and 16 refused. Participants felt empowered but the market cost of these kits is prohibitive and could only be implemented if the costs were lowered or subsidized.
AHRQ-funded; HS026383.
Citation: Giguere R, Lopez-Rios J, Frasca T .
Use of HIV self-testing kits to screen clients among transgender female sex workers in New York and Puerto Rico.
AIDS Behav 2020 Feb;24(2):506-15. doi: 10.1007/s10461-019-02730-2..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Vulnerable Populations, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Sexual Health, Patient Self-Management, Women
Wang D
A comparison of in-person and online training in a statewide clinical education program for dissemination of HIV, HCV and STD clinical evidence.
This study compared in-person and online training for dissemination of clinical evidence of HIV, HCV, and STD. The study used 250 clinicians completing four training courses in dual formats over a three-month period. Online training was the preferred format by clinicians.
AHRQ-funded; HS022057.
Citation: Wang D .
A comparison of in-person and online training in a statewide clinical education program for dissemination of HIV, HCV and STD clinical evidence.
Stud Health Technol Inform 2019 Aug 21;264:2003-04. doi: 10.3233/shti190756..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis, Sexual Health, Evidence-Based Practice, Training, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Sun CJ, Tobin K, Spikes P
Correlates of same-sex behavior disclosure to health care providers among Black MSM in the United States: implications for HIV prevention.
Disclosure of same-sex behavior to health care providers (HCPs) by men who have sex with men (MSM) has been argued to be an important aspect of HIV prevention. However, Black MSM are less likely to disclose compared to white MSM. This analysis of data collected in the United States from 2006-2009 identified individual and social network characteristics of Black MSM that were associated with disclosure that may be leveraged to increase disclosure.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Sun CJ, Tobin K, Spikes P .
Correlates of same-sex behavior disclosure to health care providers among Black MSM in the United States: implications for HIV prevention.
AIDS Care 2019 Aug;31(8):1011-18. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1548753..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Sexual Health, Men's Health, Prevention
Skaathun B, Voisin DR, Cornwell B
A longitudinal examination of factors associated with network bridging among YMSM: implications for HIV prevention.
In this study, the investigators examined the link between social-environmental factors, network composition and HIV risk among a city-population based sample of young Black men who have sex with Men (YBMSM). The investigators found that bridging (i.e. having non-redundant contacts in one's network, indicating network instability) was associated with adverse social-environmental factors and higher HIV risk, indicating that bridging may be on the explanatory pathway.
AHRQ-funded; HS000084.
Citation: Skaathun B, Voisin DR, Cornwell B .
A longitudinal examination of factors associated with network bridging among YMSM: implications for HIV prevention.
AIDS Behav 2019 May;23(5):1326-38. doi: 10.1007/s10461-018-2258-3..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Young Adults, Risk, Sexual Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Sun CJ, Anderson KM, Bangsberg D
Access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in practice settings: a qualitative study of sexual and gender minority adults' perspectives.
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations remain at disproportionate risk of HIV infection. Despite the effectiveness of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in preventing HIV, PrEP uptake has been slow. The objective of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators of PrEP access by examining SGM patients' experiences with accessing health care systems and engaging with providers about PrEP in a variety of practice settings.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Sun CJ, Anderson KM, Bangsberg D .
Access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in practice settings: a qualitative study of sexual and gender minority adults' perspectives.
J Gen Intern Med 2019 Apr;34(4):535-43. doi: 10.1007/s11606-019-04850-w..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Prevention, Infectious Diseases, Sexual Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Access to Care
Spees LP, ledikwe JH, Kleinman NJ
Immediate motivators to seeking voluntary medical male circumcision among HIV-negative adult men in an urban setting in Botswana.
The goal of this study was to identify subpopulations of Botswanan men with high levels of voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) uptake. An observational cohort of men presenting for circumcision services at two high-volume clinics in Gabo-rone, Botswana's capital, were compared with a matched, population-based random sample of uncircumcised men with regard to factors that played a role in the men's decision to seek VMMC services. The results indicate that married men and highly educated men are more likely to undergo circumcision for personal hygiene reasons. The authors conclude that these findings have implications for activities designed to increase VMMC uptake in Botswana and reduce HIV acquisition risk in men.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Spees LP, ledikwe JH, Kleinman NJ .
Immediate motivators to seeking voluntary medical male circumcision among HIV-negative adult men in an urban setting in Botswana.
AIDS Educ Prev 2019 Apr;31(2):136-51. doi: 10.1521/aeap.2019.31.2.136..
Keywords: Shared Decision Making, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Men's Health, Urban Health, Sexual Health
Fredericksen RJ, Walcott M, Yang FM
Circumstances surrounding high-risk sexual experiences among primary care patients living with and without HIV.
In this study, the investigators interviewed primary care patients living with and without HIV, regarding circumstances surrounding sexual risk behavior, to identify opportunities for providers to address and reduce STI risk. The investigators found that circumstances surrounding perceived STI exposure risk were diverse, often overlapping, and dependent on internal, environmental, and partner-related factors and inadequate communication. They suggest that meaningful care-based interventions regarding HIV/STI transmission behavior must address the diversity and interplay of these factors.
AHRQ-funded; HS022242.
Citation: Fredericksen RJ, Walcott M, Yang FM .
Circumstances surrounding high-risk sexual experiences among primary care patients living with and without HIV.
J Gen Intern Med 2018 Dec;33(12):2163-70. doi: 10.1007/s11606-018-4675-4..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Primary Care, Risk, Sexual Health
Sun CJ, Seloilwe ES, Magowe M
Gender differences in sexual and reproductive health protective and risk factors of Batswana adolescents: implications for parent and adolescent interventions.
The HIV epidemic continues in sub-Saharan Africa and Botswana and adolescents there have borne the brunt. This analysis assessed gender differences in sexual and reproductive health protective and risk factors in 228 Batswana adolescents. Although three-quarters of adolescents prefer to have their parents teach them about sex, it is the fourth most common source of information.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Sun CJ, Seloilwe ES, Magowe M .
Gender differences in sexual and reproductive health protective and risk factors of Batswana adolescents: implications for parent and adolescent interventions.
AIDS Educ Prev 2018 Feb;30(1):35-46. doi: 10.1521/aeap.2018.30.1.35..
Keywords: Caregiving, Children/Adolescents, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Prevention, Risk, Sex Factors, Sexual Health
Eaton EF, Hudak K, Muzny CA
Budgetary impact of compliance with STI screening guidelines in persons living with HIV.
The study objective was to evaluate the budgetary impact of sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening. At one HIV clinic where the number of patients receiving care from August 2014 to August 2015 was 3,163, the study found that annual screening for N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, syphilis, and T. vaginalis would lead to a mean net loss of $129,416, $118,304, $72,625, and $13,523, respectively.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852; HS023009.
Citation: Eaton EF, Hudak K, Muzny CA .
Budgetary impact of compliance with STI screening guidelines in persons living with HIV.
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2017 Mar;74(3):303-08. doi: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001212.
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Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Guidelines, Screening, Sexual Health