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World AIDS day

World AIDS Day – Let communities lead

1st December 2023

The world can end AIDS, with communities leading the way. Organisations of communities living with, at risk of, or affected by HIV are the frontline of progress in the HIV response. Communities connect people with person-centred public health services, build trust, innovate, monitor implementation of policies and services, and hold providers accountable. UNAIDS

UpToDate

Diagnosis and screening

General

Mental health

Treatment

Cochrane Library

Articles

Prevention

Research

Screening and testing

Stigma

Treatment

E-books

E-journals

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Articles

Prevention

Variations in HIV prevention coverage in subpopulations of Australian Gay and Bisexual men, 2017–2021: Implications for reducing inequities in the combination prevention era
Using repeated behavioural surveillance data collected from gay and bisexual men (GBM) across Australia, the authors assessed trends in HIV prevention coverage (the level of ‘safe sex’ achieved in the population by the use of effective prevention methods, including condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis [PrEP] and having an undetectable viral load). AIDS and behavior 27 September 2023

Reconciling intimacy and safety: a qualitative systematic review of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis implementation among gay and bisexual men
This review synthesises qualitative research on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake by sexual minority men to provide an overarching conceptualisation of the implementation processes involved. Culture, health and sexuality 20 October 2023

Prep-Tok: a queer critical discourse analysis of TikToks regarding HIV-related pre-exposure prophylaxis
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to present a public health problem, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) offers a promising preventative intervention; however, its uptake remains low, so investigating determinants of use is essential. This article applies queer critical discourse analysis to a corpus of 121 TikToks sampled via the TikTok algorithm, coded and refined into three overarching content categories: ‘what makes a PrEP user?’, ‘what is PrEP as a drug?’, and ‘sexual health and HIV’. Culture, health and sexuality 12 July 2023

Provider views of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for cisgender women – where do women fit in HIV elimination in Australia?
Clinician experience of PrEP prescribing to Australian cisgender women is limited, with substantial barriers to access perceived by prescribers. Targeted education to PrEP prescribers, updated national PrEP guidelines to include women as a distinct group and further research regarding women’s preferred model of PrEP access are required. Clarity of clinical ownership over PrEP implementation for women and, more broadly, women’s sexual health, is essential in order to achieve HIV elimination in Australia. Sexual health  31 October 2023

‘I did not have sex outside of our bubble’: changes in sexual practices and risk reduction strategies among sexual minority men in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic
In efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, jurisdictions across the globe, including Canada, enacted containment measures that affected intimacy and sexual relations. This article examines how public health measures during COVID-19 impacted the sexual practices of sexual minority men— gay, bisexual, queer and other men who have sex with men—and how they adopted and modified guidelines to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Culture, health and sexuality 6 November 2022

The future of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention: A global qualitative consultation on provider perspectives on new products and differentiated service delivery
Differentiated service delivery and new products, such as long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) and the dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR), could increase uptake and use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. AIDS and behavior 23 june 2023

Demand creation and retention strategies for oral pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention among men who have sex with men and transgender women: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) have a disproportionately higher risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection than other groups. Critical issues play. Pivotal role in increasing PrEP awareness among MSM and TGW, minimizing access gaps, and ensuring retention of PrEP services. Offering oral PrEP using online DCS and RS can reach and retain high numbers of MSM and TGW, and reduce HIV incidence in these populations. BMC infectious diseases 14 November 2023

Evaluation of multiple data sources for predicting increased need for HIV prevention among cisgender women: understanding missed opportunities for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
Ciswomen recently diagnosed with HIV identified many shared experiences, including syndemic conditions like mental illness and substance abuse, sex with men who have sex with men, and frequent moving in areas with high HIV incidence prior to their diagnosis. It is imperative that providers ask patients about social history, information about partners, and other key variables, in addition to the standardized questions. Findings can be used to better recognize ciswomen most vulnerable to HIV and offer PrEP to them, reducing HIV transmission. BMC infectious diseases 9 November 2023

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Research

Developing critical HIV health literacy: insights from interviews with priority migrant communities in Queensland, Australia
In Australia, surveillance data establish that there are higher rates of late HIV diagnoses among heterosexual migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa and new HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men (GBM) from Southeast and Northeast Asia and Latin America. Together, these groups are identified as priority migrant communities in current efforts to eliminate HIV transmissions. HIV health literacy is recognised as a key means of improving access to services and health outcomes. This qualitative paper explores critical HIV health literacy among priority migrant communities in Queensland, Australia. The findings highlight the need for HIV health promotion strategies that embrace a sex positive approach, promote cultural change, and involve collaboration with general practitioners (GPs). Culture, health and sexuality 10 November 2023

A scoping review of peer navigation programs for people living with HIV: Form, function and effects
This scoping review maps recent research into peer navigation programs for people living with HIV. Further research is required to capture the role HIV peer navigators play in preventing disease and promoting quality of life, mental health, and disease self-management in diverse settings and populations. Peer programs are complex, social interventions. Future work should evaluate detailed information about peer navigators, their activities, the quality of peer engagement as well as employee and community support structures to improve quality and impact. AIDS and behavior 7 June 2022

The prevalence and patterns of menopausal symptoms in women living with HIV
Increasing numbers of women with HIV are experiencing menopause. The authors use data from a large, representative sample of women with HIV to describe the prevalence and clustering of menopausal symptoms amongst pre-, peri- and post-menopausal women using hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis. AIDS and behavior 23 May 2022

COVID-19 vaccination uptake and hesitancy in a national sample of Australian Gay and Bisexual Men
Minority groups may face additional barriers to vaccination. In April–June 2021, the authors assessed the level of COVID-19 vaccination and willingness to be vaccinated in a national, online survey of 1280 gay and bisexual men in Australia. AIDS and behavior 31 January 2022

Risk factors for COVID-19 mortality among people living with HIV: A scoping review
People living with HIV (PLWH) are particularly vulnerable to worsened outcomes of COVID-19. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to provide a scoping review of the literature to assess the risk factors for COVID-19 mortality among PLWH. 20 studies were eligible for inclusion, with the pooled death rate being 11.7%. Age was a major risk factor, especially after 50 (23.2%) and after 70 (41.8%), and males had a death rate nearly double that of females. As total comorbidities increased, the death rate also greatly increased; among those with comorbidities, the highest fatality rates were those with cardiovascular disease (30.2%), chronic kidney disease (23.5%), obesity (22.4%), and diabetes (18.4%). AIDS and behavior 22 January 2022

Association between psychological discomforts and sleep quality among people living with HIV/AIDS
A high prevalence of psychological discomfort was observed in people living with HIV (PLWH). Depression, anxiety, and stress were strongly associated with sleep quality. PLWH needed more attention and social support in order to reduce sleep and psychological issues. AIDS research and therapy 11 November 2023

Investigating zero transmission of HIV in the MSM population: a UK modelling case study
Zero transmission in the UK men who have sex with men (MSM) population can be reached by the target year of 2030 with bold changes to HIV policy. A combination approach such as the UK Government’s ‘Towards Zero’ Action plan, impacting multiple policies and including an increase in TasP, has the potential to achieve meaningful reductions in HIV transmission and meet this ambitious goal. Archives of public health 20 November 2023 

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Screening and testing

Web-based STI/HIV testing services available for access in Australia: Systematic search and analysis
This review identified considerable variability in the quality and reliability of the web-based STI/HIV testing services in Australia. Given the proliferation and use of these services will likely increase, it is imperative that Australia develops national standards to ensure the standard-of-care offered by web-based STI/HIV testing services is appropriate to protect Australian users from the impact of poorly performing and inappropriate tests. Journal of medical internet research 13 January 2023

Trends in testing and self-reported diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections in Gay and Bisexual men in Australia, 2017 to 2021: Analysis of National Behavioral Surveillance Surveys
Many Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) do not meet Australian STI testing guidelines that recommend quarterly testing. Further evaluation of whether this recommendation is realistic or necessary to reduce STIs among GBM is recommended. Sexually transmitted diseases 9 October 2023

National surveillance of home-based HIV testing among Australian Gay and Bisexual men, 2018–2020: uptake after commercial availability of HIV self-tests
HIV self-testing allows people to collect samples and test themselves at home, addressing known barriers to facility-based testing. The authors aimed to measure the uptake of home HIV testing among Australian gay and bisexual men (GBM). AIDS and behavior 13 July 2023

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Stigma

Quality of life of people living with HIV in Australia: The role of stigma, social disconnection and mental health
HIV is a manageable chronic illness, due to advances in biomedical management. However, many people living with HIV (PLHIV) continue to experience psychosocial challenges, which have been associated with poorer quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to explore how psychosocial factors contributed to the QoL of PLHIV in Australia; specifically, the relationship between HIV-related stigma, social connectedness, mental health, and QoL. AIDS and behavior 13 July 2022

Male sex workers’ (in)visible risky bodies in international health development: now you see them, now you don’t
International health development discourse constructs and regulates male sex workers as risky bodies in need of interventions for HIV. Culture, health and sexuality 30 November 2020

Configuring the PrEP user: framing pre-exposure prophylaxis in UK newsprint 2012–2016
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been hailed as a revolutionary intervention for HIV prevention. PrEP’s controversial status in the UK has generated significant media coverage. It is important to understand what role the media plays in framing PrEP policy issues. The authors identified how scientific evidence was deployed to shape two narratives: ir/responsible citizens focused on imagined PrEP users and their capacity to use PrEP effectively; and the public health imperative, which described the need for PrEP. Culture, health and sexuality 7 April 2020

Determinants of access to general practice in a shared care model for people living with HIV: a qualitive study of patients’ perspectives in an Australian rural community
Navigating patient priorities and anticipated stigma in general practice within the resource limitations of rural healthcare were barriers to effective shared care. General practitioners’ ability to build rapport and long-term relationships with participants was instrumental in the perception of valuable care. Strategies are required to secure continuity of care with interpersonally skilled general practitioners to ensure provision of quality primary care for people living with HIV, which can be supported by specialist physicians in a shared care model. BMC primary care 6 September 2023

The impact of social connections and discrimination to HIV risk among Asian gay and bisexual men in Australia
Condomless anal intercourse (CLAI) without pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or undetectable viral load (UVL) was not related to social connections with LGBTQ+ people but was more likely among Asian men who had experienced sexuality-related discrimination, suggesting that mitigating homophobia and biphobia may assist in improving HIV prevention among Asian gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) who live in Australia. Sexual health 25 September 2023

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Treatment

Attitudes towards treatment as prevention among PrEP-experienced Gay and Bisexual men in Australia
The introduction of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has the potential to impact the attitudes gay and bisexual men (GBM) who consequently choose to take PrEP have towards treatment as prevention (TasP), and the extent to which they are willing to have condomless anal intercourse (CLAI) with an HIV-positive sexual partner who has an undetectable viral load (UVL). AIDS and behavior 6 March 2023

Changing knowledge and attitudes towards HIV treatment-as-prevention and “Undetectable = Untransmittable”: A systematic review
People on HIV treatment with undetectable virus cannot transmit HIV sexually (Undetectable = Untransmittable, U = U). However, the science of treatment-as-prevention (TasP) may not be widely understood by people with and without HIV who could benefit from this information.  AIDS and behavior 25 May 2021

Physical, emotional, and psychosocial challenges associated with daily dosing of HIV medications and their impact on indicators of Quality of Life: Findings from the positive perspectives study
These findings show that there is need for increased flexibility of antiretroviral therapy (ART) delivery to meet diverse patient needs.  AIDS and behavior 7 October 2020

Promoting HIV care continuum outcomes among people who use drugs and alcohol: a systematic review of randomized trials evaluating behavioral HIV care interventions published from 2011 to 2023
The results from this systematic review demonstrate mixed findings concerning the efficacy of previous HIV care interventions to improve HIV care continuum outcomes among people who use substances. However, heterogeneity of study components (e.g., diversity of substances used/assessed, self-report vs. objective measures, attrition) prevent broad deductions or conclusions about the amenability of specific substance-using populations to HIV care intervention. More coordinated, comprehensive, and targeted efforts are needed to promote and disentangle intervention effects on HIV care continuum outcomes among substance-using populations. BMC public health 7 November 2023

 

Current ART, determinants for virologic failure and implications for HIV drug resistance: an umbrella review
The resistance to HIV drugs and instances of determinants for virologic failure have a profound impact on the life quality of those infected with HIV. Primary contributors to this scenario include insufficient adherence to treatment, decreased CD4 T-cell count, elevated viral levels, and certain treatment regimens. Implementing appropriate interventions could address these issues. Sub-Saharan Africa exhibits elevated rates of determinants for virologic failure, attributed to the delay in HIV testing and diagnosis, and late initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). It is essential to undertake further research aimed at enhancing the detection of resistance in HIV patients and mitigating viral failure by addressing these underlying causes. AIDS research and therapy 27 October 2023

 

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E-books

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E-Journals

This is just a sample of the journals the library subscribes to – you will need your library login

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