AIDS and BehaviorPub Date : 2025-03-13DOI: 10.1007/s10461-025-04679-x
Lisa Johnston, Gauri Phatak, Houssine El Rhilani, Amina El Kettani, Ibtissam Khoudri, Katherine R McLaughlin
{"title":"HIV and Syphilis Prevalence, Trends and Factors Affecting HIV Testing Among Female Sex Workers in Morocco.","authors":"Lisa Johnston, Gauri Phatak, Houssine El Rhilani, Amina El Kettani, Ibtissam Khoudri, Katherine R McLaughlin","doi":"10.1007/s10461-025-04679-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-025-04679-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We investigate factors affecting ever HIV testing and HIV testing in the past 12 months among female sex workers (FSW) in Agadir, Rabat, Fes, and Tangier, Morocco over four rounds of HIV biological and behavioral surveillance surveys (2012, 2016, 2019, and 2023). Findings are used to inform programmatic and policy responses and provide information to monitor epidemic trends. The 2012, 2016, 2019, and 2023 FSW surveys were carried out by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection National AIDS Program, and the National Institute of Hygiene with support from UNAIDS and the Global Fund. HIV prevalence decreased with no evidence of significant declining trends over time in Agadir, Fes, and Tangier, and increased with evidence of a strong linear trend in Rabat. Syphilis prevalence showed a strong linear decrease in all four cities. Ever had an HIV test and having had an HIV test in the past 12 months showed evidence of a strong linear trend increase for all cities. We found that ever had HIV testing and had an HIV test in the past 12 months were associated with experiences of sexual violence, condom possession, and HIV knowledge. Despite the progress made in containing HIV in Morocco, the concentration of HIV remains higher in marginalized groups, such as FSW, and continued efforts to improve and expand the quality of existing HIV services are needed. Investigamos los factores que afectan las pruebas de VIH y las pruebas de VIH en los últimos 12 meses entre mujeres trabajadoras sexuales (MTS) en Agadir, Rabat, Fez y Tánger, Marruecos, durante cuatro rondas de encuestas de vigilancia biológica integrada del VIH (2012, 2016, 2019 y 2023). Los hallazgos se utilizan para informar respuestas programáticas y políticas y proporcionar información para monitorear las tendencias epidémicas. Las encuestas de MTS de 2012, 2016, 2019 y 2023 fueron realizadas por el Programa Nacional contra el SIDA del Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social y el Instituto Nacional de Higiene con el apoyo de ONUSIDA y el Fondo Mundial. La prevalencia del VIH disminuyó sin evidencia de tendencias decrecientes significativas a lo largo del tiempo en Agadir, Fez y Tánger, y aumentó con evidencia de una fuerte tendencia lineal en Rabat. La prevalencia de la sífilis mostró una fuerte disminución lineal en las cuatro ciudades. Para los casos donde alguna vez se realizaron una prueba de VIH en la vida y se realizó una prueba de VIH en los últimos 12 meses mostraron evidencia de una fuerte tendencia lineal de aumento en todas las ciudades. Además, descubrimos que dichos casos se asociaron con experiencias de violencia sexual, o que estaban en posesión de condones y conocimiento del VIH. A pesar de los avances logrados en la contención del VIH en Marruecos, la concentración del VIH sigue siendo mayor en los grupos marginados, como las MTS, y se necesitan esfuerzos continuos para mejorar y ampliar la calidad de los servicios de VIH existentes.</p>","PeriodicalId":7543,"journal":{"name":"AIDS and Behavior","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143623166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIDS and BehaviorPub Date : 2025-03-13DOI: 10.1007/s10461-025-04674-2
Victoria L Phillips, Jacob A Pluznik, Mallory E Epting, Eleni M O'Donovan, Matthew J Akiyama, Anne C Spaulding
{"title":"Pre-Incarceration Healthcare Use and Access Barriers among Men with HIV and those at-Risk for Contracting HIV: A Case Study of an Urban Jail.","authors":"Victoria L Phillips, Jacob A Pluznik, Mallory E Epting, Eleni M O'Donovan, Matthew J Akiyama, Anne C Spaulding","doi":"10.1007/s10461-025-04674-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-025-04674-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Approximately 1.5% of incarcerated people live with HIV. Limited information on their pre-incarceration healthcare use which could inform discharge planning efforts to link them to treatment is available. We investigate factors associated with pre-incarceration healthcare use and access barriers for a status-neutral HIV cohort. We collected data via self-report from men with HIV (n = 22) or at-risk of contracting HIV (n = 77) who entered the Washington, DC, Department of Corrections jail from November 2020 to June 2021. We analyzed pre-incarceration hospital, emergency department (ED), physician and mental health visits, and access barriers using t-tests, chi-square tests, and logistic regressions informed by the Anderson Behavioral Model of healthcare utilization. During the year prior to incarceration, more than half of men visited the ED, while less than 20% visited a physician. Over half the sample viewed medical care as too expensive, even though 75% were insured. Depressed men were significantly more likely to report access barriers. Homelessness was the only factor found to be significantly associated with a greater likelihood of urgent and acute care use. Neither HIV status, insurance status, educational level nor race affected healthcare use by type of service. Pre-incarceration men with or at-risk of contracting HIV have limited contact with community physicians who are critical to HIV management. Given the effect of unstable housing on the types of healthcare used, programs to promote HIV treatment and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) should consider embedding condition-specific discharge planning into an approach addressing a wider array of needs.</p>","PeriodicalId":7543,"journal":{"name":"AIDS and Behavior","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143623170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIDS and BehaviorPub Date : 2025-03-13DOI: 10.1007/s10461-025-04675-1
Babayemi O Olakunde, Daniel A Adeyinka, Chukwugozie Ujam, Ashenafi S Cherkos, Hidayat B Yahaya, Chinwedu D Ndukwe, James O Anenih
{"title":"Sexual Violence and the Increased Risk of HIV among MSM in Nigeria.","authors":"Babayemi O Olakunde, Daniel A Adeyinka, Chukwugozie Ujam, Ashenafi S Cherkos, Hidayat B Yahaya, Chinwedu D Ndukwe, James O Anenih","doi":"10.1007/s10461-025-04675-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-025-04675-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV and prone to sexual violence. While the association between HIV and sexual violence is well documented, the evidence is not conclusive from the few available studies among MSM in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of sexual violence and its association with HIV among MSM in Nigeria. The study was a secondary data analysis of the 2020 Integrated Biological & Behavioral Surveillance Survey (IBBSS) conducted among key populations in Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. Sexual violence was operationalized as self-reported forced sex by any person in the past 12 months. We performed weighted descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of sexual violence in the 4,324 MSM included in the analysis was 16.4% (95%CI = 15.3-17.5%). The highest prevalence was among MSM who reported injection drug use (49.0%, 95% CI = 41.7-56.6%), followed by those who engaged in transactional sex (29.6%, 95%CI = 27.0-32.2%). Among MSM who reported sexual violence, 36.1% (95%CI = 32.6-39.7%) tested HIV positive compared with 23.2% (95% CI: 21.8-24.6) in those who did not. After controlling for sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics, MSM who had been victims of sexual violence had higher odds of testing HIV positive (aOR = 1.87, 95%CI = 1.53-2.29). Sexual violence is prevalent and associated with HIV among MSM in Nigeria. Our findings further support the call to address sexual violence in this key population through the integration of preventive and care interventions into existing HIV programmes.</p>","PeriodicalId":7543,"journal":{"name":"AIDS and Behavior","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143623171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIDS and BehaviorPub Date : 2025-03-13DOI: 10.1007/s10461-025-04680-4
Seth C. Kalichman
{"title":"In a World Gone Mad -- Nothing is Changing at AIDS and Behavior","authors":"Seth C. Kalichman","doi":"10.1007/s10461-025-04680-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10461-025-04680-4","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7543,"journal":{"name":"AIDS and Behavior","volume":"29 4","pages":"1039 - 1040"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143623167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIDS and BehaviorPub Date : 2025-03-11DOI: 10.1007/s10461-025-04671-5
Emmanuela Ojukwu, Ava Pashaei, Juliana Cunha Maia, Oserekpamen Favour Omobhude, Abdulaziz Tawfik, Yvonne Nguyen
{"title":"Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the HIV Care Continuum and Associated Factors in High-Income Nations: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review","authors":"Emmanuela Ojukwu, Ava Pashaei, Juliana Cunha Maia, Oserekpamen Favour Omobhude, Abdulaziz Tawfik, Yvonne Nguyen","doi":"10.1007/s10461-025-04671-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10461-025-04671-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the HIV care continuum (HCC), presenting challenges while also driving positive transformations globally. This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HCC in high-income countries, aiming to identify barriers and facilitators to care delivery amidst global health challenges. This study employs JBI mixed-methods systematic review methodology. The search strategy included CINAHL, OVID-Medline, CAB Direct, and OVID-Embase databases and manual citation review. After systematic screening and data extraction, quality assessment was performed, and integrated findings were presented. A systematic search of online databases retrieved 20,305 records, with 14,600 unique records screened after removing duplicates; 607 full-text articles were reviewed, and 88 studies meeting eligibility criteria were included in the final analysis. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted various aspects of the HIV care continuum, posing challenges in testing, prevention, appointments, adherence, linkage to care, viral suppression, and treatment engagement. However, the pandemic has also spurred positive changes, notably through the widespread adoption of telemedicine, enhancing access to care and support services. Efforts to mitigate structural barriers, enhance access to care, and promote ART adherence are essential to ensure continuity of care and mitigate long-term consequences. Tailored interventions for vulnerable populations and addressing disparities in care access are crucial for fostering equitable HIV care delivery.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7543,"journal":{"name":"AIDS and Behavior","volume":"29 4","pages":"1362 - 1399"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143603434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIDS and BehaviorPub Date : 2025-03-10DOI: 10.1007/s10461-025-04667-1
Mona Mittal, Rodman Turpin, Anna Paden McCormick, Norman Epstein
{"title":"An Integrated Intervention to Reduce HIV Risk Behaviors Among Heterosexual HIV-Negative, African American Couples: Pilot Feasibility, Acceptability, and Usefulness Study","authors":"Mona Mittal, Rodman Turpin, Anna Paden McCormick, Norman Epstein","doi":"10.1007/s10461-025-04667-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10461-025-04667-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Synergistic interactions between substance use and violence (SAVA syndemic) are strongly associated with heightened risk for HIV acquisition in the African American population. While couple-based interventions have shown efficacy among at-risk and HIV-positive serodiscordant couples, no interventions have specifically targeted SAVA syndemic risk reduction for HIV-negative, high-risk, heterosexual African American couples in the United States. This pilot study tested the feasibility, safety, and preliminary effects of an integrated sexual risk reduction intervention for African American couples. Ten African American couples attended eight cognitive behavioral couple therapy sessions over Zoom. Surveys were completed at baseline and post-intervention, along with a post-intervention interview. The pilot intervention proved feasible with high acceptability among participants, who especially valued the session structure and the racial and gender matching of therapists with clients. Participants reported that the intervention content and exercises were highly useful and helped improve their ability to communicate in non-threatening, affirming ways. Cochran-Armitage test of trend results indicated participants had a significant decrease (<i>p</i> <.05) in mean frequency of condomless vaginal intercourse, and men had a significant reduction (<i>p</i> <.05) in frequency of substance use other than alcohol before sex. Participants had a significant increase in proportion of pre-exposure prophylaxis awareness (<i>p</i> <.05) and men in having HIV testing discussions with their partners (<i>p</i> <.05) using a Fisher Exact test. Participants reported significant increase in relationship satisfaction. These encouraging preliminary findings suggest the need for a larger clinical trial.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7543,"journal":{"name":"AIDS and Behavior","volume":"29 6","pages":"2003 - 2015"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143596085","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIDS and BehaviorPub Date : 2025-03-10DOI: 10.1007/s10461-025-04672-4
Rebecca B. Hershow, Dita Broz, Lyssa Faucher, Jonathan Feelemyer, Johanna Chapin-Bardales, for the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Study Group
{"title":"HIV Testing Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Among Persons who Inject Drugs – National HIV Behavioral Surveillance, 19 Cities, 2018 and 2022","authors":"Rebecca B. Hershow, Dita Broz, Lyssa Faucher, Jonathan Feelemyer, Johanna Chapin-Bardales, for the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Study Group","doi":"10.1007/s10461-025-04672-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10461-025-04672-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>HIV testing decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic among persons who inject drugs (PWID), though it is unclear how these changes in HIV testing affected different sub-groups of PWID. We estimated the change in past-year HIV testing between 2018 and 2022 overall and by sociodemographic and health care characteristics among PWID. Past-year HIV testing significantly decreased between 2018 and 2022 overall and across most sub-groups of PWID, including PWID accessing and not accessing medical and harm reduction services. Integrating HIV testing across medical and harm reduction services accessed by PWID and expanding community-based HIV testing might increase HIV testing among PWID.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7543,"journal":{"name":"AIDS and Behavior","volume":"29 4","pages":"1400 - 1405"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143596090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIDS and BehaviorPub Date : 2025-03-10DOI: 10.1007/s10461-025-04625-x
Moti Ramgopal, Dylan J. Mezzio, Keith Dunn, Shan-Yu Liu, Damemarie Paul, Martin S. Rhee, Antonella Castagna
{"title":"Participant-reported Outcomes from the CAPELLA Clinical Trial of Lenacapavir-based Regimens in Heavily Treatment-experienced Adults with HIV","authors":"Moti Ramgopal, Dylan J. Mezzio, Keith Dunn, Shan-Yu Liu, Damemarie Paul, Martin S. Rhee, Antonella Castagna","doi":"10.1007/s10461-025-04625-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10461-025-04625-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Lenacapavir, a first-in-class inhibitor of HIV-1 capsid function, can be administered twice yearly subcutaneously (SC). In the ongoing Phase 2/3 CAPELLA study (NCT04150068), the addition of SC lenacapavir to an optimized background regimen led to high rates of virologic suppression and was generally well tolerated. We describe participant-reported, health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) outcomes with lenacapavir among heavily treatment-experienced people with HIV (PWH) from CAPELLA. Scores from EQ-5D-5L index and visual analogue scale (VAS), Short Form 36 (SF-36), HIV-Symptom Index (HIV-SI), and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) at injection were collected. Mean baseline and week (W) 52 scores were: EQ-5D-5L index, 0.87 and 0.83; EQ-5D-5L VAS, 81 and 86; SF-36 physical component, 48.5 and 49.9; SF-36 mental component, 48.4 and 48.0. Scores remained stable over time (< 7% change), with values near US norms. For 15 of 20 HIV-SI symptoms, fewer participants reported them as bothersome at W52 than at baseline. Mean NPRS scores on injection were 3.9, 5.1, and 4.4 at first (W0), second (W26), and third injection (W52). Participants on lenacapavir-based regimens demonstrated stability or improvement in HRQoL and other outcomes, with fewer participants reporting bothersome HIV symptoms. These data can help clinicians address individuals’ needs and medication preferences while achieving sustained virologic suppression in heavily treatment-experienced PWH.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7543,"journal":{"name":"AIDS and Behavior","volume":"29 5","pages":"1553 - 1561"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10461-025-04625-x.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143596098","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIDS and BehaviorPub Date : 2025-03-10DOI: 10.1007/s10461-025-04663-5
Caroline E. Mullis, Jessica McWalters, Alison J. Goldberg, Aloke Maity, Karina Avila, Sarit A. Golub, Marla J. Keller
{"title":"Experiences, Attitudes and Preferences of Postpartum Cisgender Women for HIV Prevention and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Education during Routine Postpartum Care","authors":"Caroline E. Mullis, Jessica McWalters, Alison J. Goldberg, Aloke Maity, Karina Avila, Sarit A. Golub, Marla J. Keller","doi":"10.1007/s10461-025-04663-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10461-025-04663-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The postpartum period presents an opportunity to deliver comprehensive sexual health education. Understanding preferences of postpartum cisgender women (CGW) towards integration of HIV prevention education into postpartum care is necessary to support acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility. Postpartum CGW were recruited during their postpartum hospital stay in Bronx, NY. Participants completed a survey including two best-worst scaling exercises that elicited preferences for receiving HIV prevention information and PrEP messaging. Utility scores were estimated using a hierarchical Bayes multinomial logit model and mathematically transformed into a probability scale presented as preference scores (PS), with higher numbers representing greater preference. Among 259 participants, 53% had never heard of PrEP before. Receiving information from a doctor was most preferred (13.4, 95%CI 12.7–14.0) followed by receiving information about HIV prevention combined with taking care of their health after having a baby (11.6, 95% CI 10.9–12.3). Latent class analysis revealed three classes: participants with greater preference for high touch services (e.g., in-person visits, doctor providing information), integrated information (e.g., HIV prevention information given in combination with sexual or maternal health information) and high technology services (e.g., a mobile phone application, telehealth visit). Participants preferred PrEP messaging related to themes of effectiveness, motherhood, safety and autonomy. Latent class analysis of PrEP messaging revealed two classes: one with participants preferring messages related to motherhood and safety and another preferring messages related to control and autonomy. The heterogeneity in preferences for receiving information at the patient level suggests a need for patient-centered, differentiated service delivery to support maximum receptivity.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7543,"journal":{"name":"AIDS and Behavior","volume":"29 6","pages":"1973 - 1983"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10461-025-04663-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143596087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AIDS and BehaviorPub Date : 2025-03-10DOI: 10.1007/s10461-025-04622-0
Zoe Moon, Lucy Campbell, Zoe Ottaway, Julie Fox, Fiona Burns, Lisa Hamzah, Andrew Ustianowski, Amanda Clarke, Sarah Schoeman, Deirdre Sally, Shema Tariq, Frank A. Post, Rob Horne
{"title":"Mapping Vaccination Mindsets among UK Residents of Black Ethnicities with HIV: Lessons from COVID-19","authors":"Zoe Moon, Lucy Campbell, Zoe Ottaway, Julie Fox, Fiona Burns, Lisa Hamzah, Andrew Ustianowski, Amanda Clarke, Sarah Schoeman, Deirdre Sally, Shema Tariq, Frank A. Post, Rob Horne","doi":"10.1007/s10461-025-04622-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10461-025-04622-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Vaccine hesitancy is a leading threat to public health, but little is known about the beliefs and mindsets that drive vaccine hesitancy, especially among people of Black ethnicities. This study aimed to understand vaccine related beliefs and their relationship with SARS-CoV-2 vaccine uptake in UK residents of Black ethnicities living with HIV. Adults of self-reported Black ethnicities with HIV were recruited at 12 clinics in England. Participants completed questionnaires in clinic, including an adapted version of the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) to assess Necessity and Concerns beliefs about the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status was ascertained through self-report and shared care records. A total of 863 participants were enrolled between June 2021 and October 2022, most of whom (92%) had received at least one dose of the SARS CoV-2 vaccine. After adjusting for age and region of birth, higher perceived need for the vaccine (OR = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.51–3.81), fewer concerns about the vaccine (OR = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.08–0.30), and weaker endorsement of COVID-19 Conspiracy Beliefs (OR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.19–0.50) were associated with vaccination uptake. Being born outside sub-Saharan Africa was associated with reduced odds of being vaccinated. This study shows the importance of specific beliefs driving vaccine hesitancy and uptake. Further studies should explore the role of these beliefs and mindsets in influencing uptake of other vaccinations, and to work with key stakeholders to explore how to address vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccine uptake in these and other populations.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":7543,"journal":{"name":"AIDS and Behavior","volume":"29 5","pages":"1516 - 1524"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10461-025-04622-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143596095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}