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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Optimizing Delivery Of Hiv Testing Services To Strengthen The Continuum Of Care, Project Soar
Optimizing Delivery Of Hiv Testing Services To Strengthen The Continuum Of Care, Project Soar
HIV and AIDS
HIV testing is a critical entry point to life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART) for those diagnosed with HIV and to prevention services for those at high risk of acquiring HIV. Despite advances in testing, there remain a variety of social and programmatic challenges that prevent access to HIV testing services, particularly for men and key populations. HIV program managers and policymakers are increasingly invested in understanding how best to deliver HIV testing services to different populations and to maximize health system resources at facility and community levels. Project SOAR has contributed to the evidence base and catalyzed research use by examining …
Advances In Conceptualizing And Measuring Stigma Among People Living With Hiv, Project Soar
Advances In Conceptualizing And Measuring Stigma Among People Living With Hiv, Project Soar
HIV and AIDS
Stigma, defined as the co-occurrence of labeling, stereotyping, separation, status loss, and discrimination in a context in which power is exercised, has a negative impact on the health of people living with HIV (PLHIV), contributing to psychosocial stress, coercion and violence, job loss, and social exclusion. Widely recognized as a barrier to accessing HIV care, it is paramount that programs and policies are designed to mitigate HIV-related stigma to achieve the UNAIDS’ 90-90-90 goals. Project SOAR recognizes the importance of addressing stigma to control the HIV epidemic through testing, treatment, and viral suppression. Project SOAR has contributed to the evidence …
Approaches To Research Utilization And Capacity Strengthening, Project Soar
Approaches To Research Utilization And Capacity Strengthening, Project Soar
HIV and AIDS
Research plays a critical role in strengthening programming and policymaking. Donors and other stakeholders are increasingly focused on ensuring that their research investments yield positive health and development outcomes. Yet, there are many challenges in ensuring study findings are used by relevant decisionmakers to inform policies and programs. Recognizing the need to invest in research uptake efforts beyond dissemination of final findings, Project SOAR utilized an active approach to facilitating research utilization (RU) to fulfil the commitment of implementation science to promote the systematic uptake of research finding into routine practice. Project SOAR assembled and implemented a systematic and proactive …
Improving Patient Outcomes Through Innovative, Community-Based Hiv Treatment Strategies, Project Soar
Improving Patient Outcomes Through Innovative, Community-Based Hiv Treatment Strategies, Project Soar
HIV and AIDS
Despite the availability of life-saving treatment for HIV, several barriers prevent patient access to high-quality services. HIV program managers and policymakers have shown increasing interest in understanding how best to deliver HIV treatment to different populations and maximize health-system resources at facility and community levels. Project SOAR recognizes the key role that treatment services play in achieving UNAIDS’ 90-90-90 goals for controlling the HIV epidemic through testing, treatment, and viral suppression by 2020. Project SOAR has contributed to the evidence base and catalyzed research use by assessing innovative strategies for antiretroviral treatment (ART) delivery that support different populations in remaining …
Improving Data Access And Use For Hiv Biomedical Prevention Interventions, Project Soar
Improving Data Access And Use For Hiv Biomedical Prevention Interventions, Project Soar
HIV and AIDS
Over the past decade, biomedical prevention interventions—including voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) and oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)—have resulted in substantial gains in controlling the global HIV epidemic. Despite the inclusion of these highly effective interventions in multinational strategies and global prevention toolkits, their effective implementation rests upon context-specific, data-driven delivery to priority populations and geographies. Project SOAR has contributed to the evidence base by increasing access to and use of data through user-friendly interfaces and dissemination strategies, advancing VMMC and PrEP as vital prevention interventions in the global discourse. SOAR’s biomedical prevention portfolio has supported data-driven planning, implementation, and monitoring …
Assessing And Improving Self-Reporting Of Male Circumcision In Zambia And Swaziland, Paul C. Hewett, Nicole Haberland, Barbara Mensch, Louis Apicella
Assessing And Improving Self-Reporting Of Male Circumcision In Zambia And Swaziland, Paul C. Hewett, Nicole Haberland, Barbara Mensch, Louis Apicella
HIV and AIDS
The Male Circumcision (MC) Partnership was established with the support of the Gates Foundation and PEPFAR to scale up MC services in Zambia, in collaboration with the Zambian government. The MC Partnership is a five-year project led by Population Services International (Society for Family Health, Zambia), in partnership with Jhpiego, Marie Stopes International (MSI), and the Population Council. The ultimate objective of this study is to provide researchers and program managers with evidence-based recommendations for the collection of self-reported data on MC status through an assessment of different methods to describe and explain MC. Specifically, the study assessed tools for …
The Experiences Of Men Engaged In Transactional Sex With Other Men In Urban Nigeria—A Size Estimation And Qualitative Study, Population Council
The Experiences Of Men Engaged In Transactional Sex With Other Men In Urban Nigeria—A Size Estimation And Qualitative Study, Population Council
HIV and AIDS
Reports on a mixed-method research study to estimate the population size and understand the experiences of a sub-group of men who have sex with men presumed to be at particularly high risk of infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections: men who engage in transactional sex with other men.
Prevalence And Correlates Of Hiv Infection In A Cohort Of Male Injection Drug Users In Delhi, Waimar Tun, Vartika Sharma, Mary Philip Sebastian, Ira Madan, Amita Yadav, Meredith Sheehy, Dean Lewis, Ibou Thior, Avina Sarna
Prevalence And Correlates Of Hiv Infection In A Cohort Of Male Injection Drug Users In Delhi, Waimar Tun, Vartika Sharma, Mary Philip Sebastian, Ira Madan, Amita Yadav, Meredith Sheehy, Dean Lewis, Ibou Thior, Avina Sarna
HIV and AIDS
Baseline assessment of HIV infection among male injection drug users to understand the correlates of HIV infection and high risk injection practices and sexual behavior in Delhi, India.
Nonclinical Development Needs And Regulatory Requirements For Multipurpose Prevention Technologies: A Primer, Joseph W. Romano, Martha Brady, Judy Manning
Nonclinical Development Needs And Regulatory Requirements For Multipurpose Prevention Technologies: A Primer, Joseph W. Romano, Martha Brady, Judy Manning
HIV and AIDS
This summary outlines key development elements that will be necessary for various configurations of multipurpose prevention products for the simultaneous prevention of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and/or pregnancy.
Shaping The Operations Research Agenda For Antiretroviral-Based Prevention Products For Women: Gels And Rings, Martha Brady, C. Elizabeth Mcgrory
Shaping The Operations Research Agenda For Antiretroviral-Based Prevention Products For Women: Gels And Rings, Martha Brady, C. Elizabeth Mcgrory
HIV and AIDS
This report summarizes discussions from a two-day international experts consultation meeting in 2012 on preparing for the successful introduction of women-centered antiretroviral-based HIV prevention methods. It examines the limits and expectations of operations research in antiretroviral health technologies.
Getting Real With Youth-Friendly Services In Africa: Report Of A Satellite Session At The Xix International Aids Conference, Population Council
Getting Real With Youth-Friendly Services In Africa: Report Of A Satellite Session At The Xix International Aids Conference, Population Council
HIV and AIDS
Overview of an AIDS 2013 satellite session which aimed to engage young people with and react to the study findings and in the light of the findings, discuss and share their perspectives, experiences and concerns about how responsive existing policies, programs and services are to the HIV prevention and impact mitigation needs of young Africans.
Migration And Hiv In India: Study Of Select Districts, Niranjan Saggurti, Bidhubhusan Mahapatra, Suvakanta N. Swain, Madhusudana Battala, Alka Narang, Umesh Chawla
Migration And Hiv In India: Study Of Select Districts, Niranjan Saggurti, Bidhubhusan Mahapatra, Suvakanta N. Swain, Madhusudana Battala, Alka Narang, Umesh Chawla
HIV and AIDS
Report of a study assessing the important role of migration in the spread of HIV in districts with high out-migration in India. The study suggests a considerable spread of HIV linked to migrants’ extramarital sexual behaviors, and subsequent delay in treatment for infected spouses. In order to control the spread of HIV, the study provides programmatic recommendations made by the study participants and the counselors from ICTCs and ART centers. These suggestions include village-level mapping of at-risk persons, mainstreaming HIV prevention interventions within current health resources, improving various village level HIV prevention programs, and involving women left behind by migrant …
Evaluation Of The Informed Consent Process For Male Circumcision Scale-Up In Swaziland, Barbara Friedland, Louis Apicella, Katie D. Schenk, Meredith Sheehy, Paul C. Hewett
Evaluation Of The Informed Consent Process For Male Circumcision Scale-Up In Swaziland, Barbara Friedland, Louis Apicella, Katie D. Schenk, Meredith Sheehy, Paul C. Hewett
HIV and AIDS
This report evaluates the informed consent process for male circumcision conducted through the Male Circumcision Partnership for Swaziland, led by Population Services International, in partnership with Jhpiego, Marie Stopes International, and the Population Council. The study assesses participants' comprehension of the circumcision process, the informed consent process, as well as the affect of male circumcision counseling on their experience.
"Knowing Myself First": Feasibility Of Self-Testing Among Health Workers In Kenya, Sam Kalibala, Waimar Tun, William Muraah, Peter Cherutich, Erick Oweya, Patricia Oluoch
"Knowing Myself First": Feasibility Of Self-Testing Among Health Workers In Kenya, Sam Kalibala, Waimar Tun, William Muraah, Peter Cherutich, Erick Oweya, Patricia Oluoch
HIV and AIDS
Report of a study exploring the feasibility and acceptability of free HIV home self-testing among health workers in Kenya, within the range of other HIV testing options available.
Facilitating Regulatory Approval Of Multipurpose Prevention Technologies For Sexual And Reproductive Health, Martha Brady
Facilitating Regulatory Approval Of Multipurpose Prevention Technologies For Sexual And Reproductive Health, Martha Brady
HIV and AIDS
This brief describes multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) that address women's sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs, and how to go about facilitating regulatory approval of this technology. It outlines a strategic framework to examine current regulatory guidance, as well a product development pathway to bring MPTs to market.
Evaluation Of The Informed Consent Process For Male Circumcision Scale-Up In Zambia, Barbara Friedland, Louis Apicella, Katie D. Schenk, Meredith Sheehy, Paul C. Hewett
Evaluation Of The Informed Consent Process For Male Circumcision Scale-Up In Zambia, Barbara Friedland, Louis Apicella, Katie D. Schenk, Meredith Sheehy, Paul C. Hewett
HIV and AIDS
This report evaluates the informed consent process for male circumcision conducted through the Male Circumcision Partnership for Zambia, led by Population Services International (Society for Family Health, Zambia), in partnership with Jhpiego, Marie Stopes International, and the Population Council. The objectives of the study were to assess male circumcision clients' comprehension of the informed consent process, examine social norms and practices regarding informed consent for adolescents, compare clients' expectations and experiences, and make additional recommendations for improving the informed consent process.
Hiv Transmission Among Married Men And Women In Districts With High Out-Migration In India: Study Brief, Niranjan Saggurti, Bidhubhusan Mahapatra, Suvakanta N. Swain, Madhusudana Battala, Umesh Chawla, Alka Narang
Hiv Transmission Among Married Men And Women In Districts With High Out-Migration In India: Study Brief, Niranjan Saggurti, Bidhubhusan Mahapatra, Suvakanta N. Swain, Madhusudana Battala, Umesh Chawla, Alka Narang
HIV and AIDS
This brief describes a study examining the links between male out-migration and HIV transmission among married men and women and other mechanisms by which HIV is transmitted within marital relationships in districts with high out-migration.
What Regulatory Guidance Exists For Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (Mpts)? A Review Of Key Guidance Documents And Their Applicability To Mpts, Martha Brady, Heeyoung Park
What Regulatory Guidance Exists For Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (Mpts)? A Review Of Key Guidance Documents And Their Applicability To Mpts, Martha Brady, Heeyoung Park
HIV and AIDS
This brief reviews regulatory guidance documents and how they may apply to multi-purpose technologies (MPTs). It examines guidance documents from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the International Conference on Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH). The brief concludes by anticipating increased interactions with US regulatory agencies in hopes of finding new regulatory pathways that address MPTs specifically.
Constructing A Critical Path For Product Development, Commercialization, And Access, Martha Brady
Constructing A Critical Path For Product Development, Commercialization, And Access, Martha Brady
HIV and AIDS
This brief discusses the Council's health technologies development and the product development path from conceptualization to market. It defines the steps in the Critical Path Framework, and examines activities at the preclinical and clinical stage.
Rapids Evaluation Final Report 2005-2009 Key Findings, Louis Apicella, Katie D. Schenk, Hena Khan
Rapids Evaluation Final Report 2005-2009 Key Findings, Louis Apicella, Katie D. Schenk, Hena Khan
HIV and AIDS
RAPIDS (Reaching HIV/AIDS Affected People with Integrated Development and Support) is an intervention funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and is designed to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS in Zambia. The overall goal of RAPIDS is to improve the quality of life of Zambians affected by HIV and AIDS by expanding successful community-based models of home-based care and support to orphans and vulnerable children and people who are chronically ill, as well as through interventions targeting youth with livelihood opportunities and life-skills training, focusing on initiatives supporting abstinence and being faithful.
Pepfar Special Initiative On Sexual And Gender-Based Violence: Baseline Report, Lynne Elson, Jill Keesbury
Pepfar Special Initiative On Sexual And Gender-Based Violence: Baseline Report, Lynne Elson, Jill Keesbury
HIV and AIDS
The PEPFAR Special Initiative on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence aims to strengthen services for survivors of sexual violence (SV) though the implementation of a comprehensive model of care in participating PEPFAR partner facilities. This baseline report examines project sites in Uganda and Rwanda and suggests strengthening health services involving training, community and provider awareness and attitudes.
Prevention With Positives: How Do We Reach Them In The Community?, Avina Sarna, Jerry Okal, Stanley Luchters, Nzioki King'ola, Scott Geibel
Prevention With Positives: How Do We Reach Them In The Community?, Avina Sarna, Jerry Okal, Stanley Luchters, Nzioki King'ola, Scott Geibel
HIV and AIDS
In the past, HIV prevention efforts have focused primarily on developing risk-reduction interventions for those presumed to be HIV-negative and therefore at risk of becoming infected with HIV. In recognition of the need for prevention among people living with HIV (PLHIV), programs have been initiated in Africa, but primarily in clinical settings for those who are on antiretroviral therapy (ART). There is little knowledge about how to reach those PLHIV not on ART, and therefore not in regular contact with the health system or with effective prevention messages. This diagnostic study aimed to address the gap in information on how …
Monitoring And Evaluation Of The Emergency Plan Progress (Meepp): End-Of-Project Evaluation, Sam Kalibala
Monitoring And Evaluation Of The Emergency Plan Progress (Meepp): End-Of-Project Evaluation, Sam Kalibala
HIV and AIDS
This report evaluates the scope of the Monitoring and Evaluation of the Emergency Plan Progress (MEEPP) and the lessons learned from the project in Uganda, which aims to improve availability and quality of PEPFAR data.
Protecting Hope: Situation Analysis Of Vulnerable Children In Uganda 2009, Sam Kalibala, Lynne Elson
Protecting Hope: Situation Analysis Of Vulnerable Children In Uganda 2009, Sam Kalibala, Lynne Elson
HIV and AIDS
The Government of Uganda has focused attention on the problem of orphaned and other vulnerable children through a number of policies, regulations, and initiatives. In 2004, the Ministry of Gender Labor and Social Development developed the National OVC Policy, aimed at improving the quality of life for poor and vulnerable children, such as children who have been orphaned, children who are living on the streets, children who are at risk of abuse, and children exposed to situations of armed conflict. However, despite the many efforts to improve the circumstances of vulnerable children in Uganda, policymakers, donors, and program managers still …
Commercial Sex Workers In Five Ethiopian Cities: A Baseline Survey For Usaid Targeted Hiv Prevention Program For Most-At-Risk Populations, Woldemariam Girma, Annabel Erulkar
Commercial Sex Workers In Five Ethiopian Cities: A Baseline Survey For Usaid Targeted Hiv Prevention Program For Most-At-Risk Populations, Woldemariam Girma, Annabel Erulkar
HIV and AIDS
This report presents findings from a baseline survey of commercial sex workers (CSWs) that was undertaken in five Ethiopian cities. 2,050 CSWs were interviewed for the survey. CSW were disproportionally young and came from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds. Most respondents also cited negative working standards from another profession, or family responsibilities as reasons leading to sex work. Condom use was very high but use may be inconsistent or over-reported and should be studied further. Findings also propose additional advocacy for positive peer support groups, more HIV testing for at-risk populations, and addressing violence among CSWs and other Ethiopian women.
Informed Consent In Hiv Prevention Trials: Highlights From An International Workshop, Population Council
Informed Consent In Hiv Prevention Trials: Highlights From An International Workshop, Population Council
HIV and AIDS
Brief adapted from the report of the workshop co-hosted by the Population Council and Family Health International in May 2005. The brief focuses specifically on tools and strategies presented at the workshop that are being used in HIV-prevention trials to facilitate informed consent, explain difficult concepts, and assess comprehension among trial participants. Illustrative examples from completed and ongoing trials are highlighted. This brief will be useful for an audience of local researchers, advocates, and clinical trial staff.
Day Of Dialogue—Insights And Evidence From Product Introduction: Lessons For Microbicides, Martha Brady, C. Elizabeth Mcgrory
Day Of Dialogue—Insights And Evidence From Product Introduction: Lessons For Microbicides, Martha Brady, C. Elizabeth Mcgrory
HIV and AIDS
This report summarizes key issues and themes emerging from a Population Council Day of Dialogue held in March 2007. The Council convened this meeting of experts in the fields of product development, introduction, and social marketing; clinical trials; and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS in order to identify key features that can be used to guide efforts to introduce microbicides.
Informed Consent In Hiv Prevention Trials: Report Of An International Workshop, C. Elizabeth Mcgrory, Barbara Friedland, Cynthia Woodsong, Kathleen M. Macqueen
Informed Consent In Hiv Prevention Trials: Report Of An International Workshop, C. Elizabeth Mcgrory, Barbara Friedland, Cynthia Woodsong, Kathleen M. Macqueen
HIV and AIDS
This report summarizes key themes and issues on informed consent in HIV prevention trials as part of an international workshop co-hosted by Population Council and Family Health International in May 2005.
Designing Hiv/Aids Intervention Studies: An Operations Research Handbook, Andrew A. Fisher, James R. Foreit, John E. Laing, John E. Stoeckel, John Townsend
Designing Hiv/Aids Intervention Studies: An Operations Research Handbook, Andrew A. Fisher, James R. Foreit, John E. Laing, John E. Stoeckel, John Townsend
HIV and AIDS
This handbook has several objectives and uses. First, it is designed to help HIV/AIDS researchers develop and write a detailed operations research proposal. An appropriate use of the handbook is as a resource in workshops or courses on research design and proposal development. Thus, the organization of the handbook follows that of a research proposal, starting with identifying, defining, and justifying a research problem, and ending with how to prepare a budget. Although the handbook is not an academic textbook on research methods, it does provide a review of many key concepts and important methods essential for conducting HIV/AIDS field …
Greater Involvement Of Plha In Ngo Service Delivery: Findings From A Four-Country Study, Horizons Program
Greater Involvement Of Plha In Ngo Service Delivery: Findings From A Four-Country Study, Horizons Program
HIV and AIDS
At the conclusion of the Paris AIDS Summit in 1994, 42 governments issued a declaration supporting the greater involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in policy formulation and service delivery. Despite growing recognition of its importance, there has been little research that examines PLHA involvement in the delivery of prevention, care, and support services in developing countries and its effects on PLHA, others affected by HIV/AIDS, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). To address this gap, the Horizons Program and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance conducted a study of PLHA involvement in NGOs in Burkina Faso, Ecuador, Maharashtra State, India, and Zambia …