bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring the experience of intimate partner violence in the LGBT community
Authors: Papadakaki M , Zioti F , Karadimitriou Z N , Papadopoulou M 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
The study aimed at measuring the prevalence and identifying the risk factors of intimate partner violence in individuals from the LGBT community.

Methods
A total of 180 individuals participated in the study, both male and female, aged 18-60 years, living in the broader area of Athens, Greece. Snowball sampling was applied to identify eligible individuals and social media were employed to recruit them. The questionnaire explored the violence victimization and perpetration in their relationships, the preferred reaction to various forms of violence and the role of childhood victimization in adulthood experiences of violence.

Results
72.8% were homosexual, 26.7% bisexual, 81.7 % were women with a mean age of 25.2 years (6.0 standard deviation). A total of 67.2% were subjected to verbal abuse before the age of 16, 49.4% to physical violence, 6.7% to sexual violence and 46.7% were neglected. The prevalence of violence victimization was higher than the prevalence of violence perpetration (mean 9.81 and 5.92 respectively). Psychological violence was the most common among other forms of violence, both in victimization (psychological 7.34, physical 1.66, sexual 0.81) and perpetration (psychological 4.48, physical 1.26, sexual 0.18). In hypothetical scenarios of psychological violence, the majority of participants preferred separation and discussion about boundaries as strategies to deal with the situation (56.1 and 45.0 respectively), in scenarios of physical violence they primarily preferred separation and secondarily asking a professional advice (73.3 and 20.6, respectively) and in sexual violence they primarily preferred a discussion about boundaries and secondarily separation (69.4% and 31.7% respectively). Experiences of childhood victimization (p=.006), and female gender (p=.002), were found to be associated at a statistically significant level with violent victimization in adulthood.

Conclusions
Further research is necessary to identify groups at risk of victimization.

Key messages
Preventive efforts need to take into account individual sociodemographic and attitudinal characteristics that increase the risk of victimization. Experiences of victimization during childhood are highly associated with victimization in adulthood.
Street Medical Consultation: health access of the Homeless People and intersectoral articulation
Authors: Santos D , Bombonati G R , Marques D , Vilela M F G , Silva E M 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
The Homeless People is marked by serious social vulnerability, related to the absence of human dignity. Requirements of personal and residential documents, reception and inadequate approaches are barriers to access these people. The creation of Street Medical Consultation (CnaR), based on the logic of harm reduction in association with the other services, is a strategy that seeks to expand access to the services of the Public Healthcare System (SUS) in Brazil. The research aimed to analyze the characteristics and vulnerabilities of this population, the performance of CnaR and its articulation with services from the health care and the social assistance care network.

Methods
Study of a qualitative approach using 8 semi-structured interviews and the Thematic Content Analysis method. The study scenario was the CnaR multiprofissional team in a city in the interior of São Paulo.

Results
Three categories were found: (1) Population in Street Situation - complexity of those who live on the street: prejudices, violence and barriers in society and health institutions constitute a process of invisibility. (2) CnaR's work in the perspective of harm reduction: it is organized to meet the clinical and alcohol and other drugs demands through fixed fields, mobile fields and team meeting. (3) Beyond CnaR - network relationships: bringing dynamics to relationships, being strengthened or weakened. Ignorance of the service and their performance also generates CnaR invisibility process. The strategies developed include coping, dialogue, building partnerships and the process of visibility and fighting for the rights of the Homeless Persons.

Conclusions
CnaR finds itself as an insufficient service to meet all the demands of this vulnerable population in isolation, needing the network to expand access to health and other goods. It is necessary to combat prejudice against this population among health professionals and develop more efficient intersectoral articulation.

Key messages
The Homeless People have serious vulnerability and need humanization, guaranteeing equity in assistance in all sectors of society, especially the health care and the social assistance. The Street Medical Consultation faces performance difficulties to guarantee access to the Homeless People within the intersectoral network, often being the sole responsible for this population.
Migration and infectious disease risk: knowledge and perception among European students
Authors: Marconi D , Casigliani V , Mazzilli S , Lopalco P L 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
In the past years migration has increasingly affected the European continent. The concerns of the local population about infection spread by migrants may increase unjustified stigma. Literature has shown that stigma is a determinant of health. The aim of our study was to assess the knowledge and risk perception of infectious disease introduced by migration.

Methods
Between January and February 2020 we conducted an online survey in Italian and Spanish University students. We collected data on demographics, perception and knowledge of transmission of infectious diseases introduced by migration. We performed a descriptive and a risk factors analysis to assess correlation between our variables.

Results
We collected 1397 answers: 1022(73.16%) from Italian students (F:668/1022, M:341/1022, others:13/1022) and 375(26.84%) from Spanish students(F:253/375,M:119/375, others:3/375) The median age was 24 for Italy and 22 for Spain. In Italy and Spain, respectively, 353/1022(34,54%), 145/375(38,67%) students were from the healthcare area, 316/1022(30,92%), 74/375(19,73%) the scientific area, 349/1022(34,15%), 108/375(28,80%) the non-scientific area and 4/1022(0,39%), 48/375(12,80%) from others area. We found a statistically significant correlation between the knowledge of infectious diseases and the perception of the infectious risk associated with migration. This correlation was not confirmed for the area of study. Healthcare students had the best levels of knowledge and perception of the migratory phenomenon, but the higher perception of infectious risk.
Exposure to the news was associated with the worst perception of the migratory phenomenon and the infectious risk (p &lt; 0.001).

Conclusions
Our study showed that students in the health area had the highest risk perception of infectious diseases. Therefore, the introduction of the course on migration medicine and the increase of practical training could help to reduce the altered risk perception of infectious diseases.

Key messages
The introduction of the course on migration medicine and the increase of practical training could help to reduce the altered risk perception of infectious diseases in healthcare students. Exposure to the news has a negative effect on the perception of the migratory phenomenon and the ìnfectious disease.
Correlates of HIV, STI and TB among sub-Saharan African migrants in Lisbon: a biobehavioral study
Authors: Dias S , Gama A , Simões D , Carreiras E , Mora C , Ferreira A P 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Sub-Saharan African migrants (SAMs) have been disproportionately affected by infectious diseases such as HIV, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and Tuberculosis infection (TB). Research on infectious diseases and related factors among migrant populations is critical to further understand these populations' health needs and inform prevention strategies. However, migrants are often underrepresented in national statistics and research. This study aimed to examine correlates of HIV, past STI and past TB among SAMs.
A venue-based sample of 790 SSAMs completed a cross-sectional biobehavioral survey on sexual practices, HIV testing and self-reported infectious diseases; an HIV rapid test was offered. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine factors associated with HIV, past STI and past TB.
Overall, 5.4% of participants were HIV-positive and 16.7% reported a past STI. Odds of being HIV positive increased by age (OR 1.07, 95%CI 1.03-1.11) and were higher among those who experienced violence from a partner (OR 2.77, 95%CI 1.08-7.10). Increased odds of having a past STI were found among migrants with low income (OR 2.86, 95%CI 1.48-5.56), long-term migrants (&gt;25 years residing in Portugal: OR 2.16, 95%CI 1.06-4.38) and those who reported sexual risk behaviors (≥3 sexual partners: OR 2.06, 95%CI 1.14-3.70; inconsistent condom use: OR 2.61, 95%CI 1.32-5.17). In total, 4.1% of participants had TB in the past; these were more likely male (OR 3.42, 95%CI 1.29-9.06) and HIV positive (OR 11.48, 95%CI 4.55-28.94). Half of the participants had never been tested for HIV before, including over a third of those who had STI or TB in the past.
Efforts are needed to reduce missed opportunities for HIV/STIs prevention and uptake of HIV testing among SSAMs through more integrated care, while addressing social determinants of infectious diseases.

Key messages
High levels of HIV, STI and TB infection among SAMs were found to be strongly associated with socioeconomic disadvantage and poor living conditions in the host country. Social inequalities are persistently a major factor affecting risk for HIV, STIs and TB, and thus addressing social determinants of infectious diseases must remain a public health priority.
Knowledge of risks of malaria in pregnancy on use of ITNs among pregnant women in northern Ghana
Authors: Dun-Dery F , Beiersmann C , Kuunibe N , Müller O 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Every year malaria in pregnancy causes 10,000 maternal mortalities worldwide, 20% of stillbirths, 11% of all new-born deaths and 900,000 low-birth-weight babies in sub-Saharan Africa. Maternal knowledge of malaria risks in pregnancy plays a significant role in malaria prevention. However, it is unknown if this preventable loss of lives and morbidities are caused by lack of knowledge, lack of prevention tools or both. We measured the pregnancy-related risks of malaria knowledge and bed net availability and use among pregnant women in Ghana.

Methods
We interviewed 770 pregnant women who attended antenatal care in 37 primary care clinics in Ghana from January through May 2019. We integrated this data in a sequential explanatory design with qualitative insights from 6 focus groups with 8 pregnant women each.

Results
697/770 questionnaires were analyzed. 67% have general knowledge on malaria prevention but only 19% knew the specific risks on pregnancy outcomes. ITNs were owned by 89%, but only 75% reported to regularly use them. There was a statistically significant correlation between specific risks of malaria knowledge and ITN use (P&lt;.001, OR = 2.0, CI:1.3-3.0). Other factors associated with ITN use were higher income, owning an ITN, higher parity, formal education, religion, and age. Reasons for non-adherence to ITN use include inappropriate hanging infrastructure, discomfort with using an ITN, and use of other prevention alternatives.

Conclusions
The study demonstrates that maternal knowledge on the risks of malaria in pregnancy significantly influenced their adherence to the use of insecticide-treated bed nets.

Key messages
The use of ITNs as a prevention method for malaria correlates to the knowledge of mothers about risks of malaria in pregnancy. Antenatal care malaria prevention efforts should focus more on teaching the specific risks of malaria in pregnancy.
Impact of awareness campaigns on Acute Encephalitis Syndrome in Northern India
Authors: Singh A , Jain P , Singh N , Singh S , Bajpai P , Kharya P 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Introduction
Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES), is a major public health problem in northern India. To meet with the growing concerns of death and disability outcomes of the disease, the Government launched an ambitious awareness campaign in collaboration with the UNICEF. The campaign known as “dastak” comprised of intersectoral convergence for coordinated preventive activities along with widespread door to door awareness programme and envisaged reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease.

Methods
This is a record based retrospective study conducted in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Line list of patients suffering from AES, from the year 2016 to 2019, was used to determine number of cases, deaths, case fatality rate, and age group affected. In addition, the time lag between onset of symptoms and hospital admission as well as duration of hospital stay was also calculated. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0.

Results
Analysis of data revealed that, in the year 2016 and 2017, there were 8635 reported cases of AES out of which 1296 patients died of the disease. During this period average CFR was 15%. However, after launch of intersectoral preventive and awareness campaign the total number of AES cases dropped to 5262 (3077 cases in 2018 and 2185 cases in 2019) with 374 deaths and an overall CFR of 7.11% during this period. Children are more commonly affected than adults with average age of AES patients being 10.29 and the most commonly affected age group being 1 to 5 years. After introduction of the campaign there was a decrease in mean (± SD) duration between onset of symptoms and hospital admission from 2.20 (± 1.64) to 1.02 (± 0.41) days. Similarly mean (± SD) duration of hospital stay decreased from 7.64 (± 10.83) to 5.6 (± 6.9) days.

Conclusions
Since the introduction of preventive and awareness campaign there has been a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality associated with AES.

Key messages
Impact assessment of preventive activities and awareness campaign on disease helps in making policy decisions and future plan of action for fight against the Acute encephalitis syndrome. Acute encephalitis syndrome is a major public health problem in northern India and early recognition and treatment significantly affects its outcome.
Pilot Study on non-tuberculous mycobacteria infections in Italy
Authors: Fattorini L , Iacobino A , Giannoni F ,   SMI-NTM
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
The rise in non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) diseases has been reported worldwide, but no major information is known for Italy. The purpose of this pilot study is to release nationwide data on distribution of NTM in our country.

Methods
In 2016, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (National Institute of Health) began to collect microbiological, clinical and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) data on NTM infections, in collaboration with hospital laboratories located in 15 out of 20 regions (Studio Multicentrico Italiano NTM, SMI-NTM), which routinely isolate and characterize NTM by commercial identification (Genotype) and MIC (Sensititre) assays.

Results
In 2016-2018, 32 labs reported data on 4169 NTM strains, including 644 rapid growers (15%) and 3525 slow growers (85%). The most frequent species were Mycobacterium avium (MA) (29.2%), M. intracellulare (MI) (21.5%), M. xenopi (MX) (10.6%), M. gordonae (10.6%), M. abscessus (5.9%), M. chimaera (MC) (5.1%). Overall, 88% NTM strains were isolated from pulmonary sites, 84% from Italians, 51% from men. NTM infections in Italians occurred in 75-84 years old patients, while in foreign-born people were observed in 15-44 years old patients. Strains from cystic fibrosis were 11.9%. The MICs of clarithromycin (CLA) for MA or MI peaked at 2 µg/ml, while for amikacin (AK) peaked at 16 µg/ml. When MICs were interpreted according to the 2018 Clinical and Laboratory Institute Standards (CLSI) breakpoints, MA or MI resistances for CLA were 2.6% and 2.6% respectively, while for AK they were 7.2% and 4.5%, respectively. Higher resistance rates for MA and MI were observed for moxifloxacin and linezolid. MICs of MC, MX, M. kansasii, M. marinum and rapid grower NTM were also determined and interpreted on the basis of CLSI breakpoints.

Conclusions
This 3-years pilot study is the basis for a future multiannual national strategic plan for surveillance of NTM infections in Italy (collection of 2019 data is in progress).

Key messages
This 3-years pilot study is the basis for a future multiannual national strategic plan for surveillance of NTM infections in Italy. The purpose of this pilot study is to release nationwide data on distribution of NTM in our country.
Tuberculosis latent infection in health care workers: oxidative stress and Quantiferon-TB Plus
Authors: Santoro A , Petrillo S , Nijhawan P , Gallo M G , Brugaletta R , Gilardi F , Mastroianni C , Piemonte F , Zaffina S 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
This study moves from recent evidences highlighting: 1) the high sensitivity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) to perturbation of redox homeostasis induced by oxidative stress; 2) the improvement of Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis following the introduction of Quantiferon-TB Plus (QFT-Plus) assay.

Methods
The QFT-Plus diagnostic performance and the blood antioxidant capacity, expressed as ratio between oxidized (GSSG) and reduced (GSH) forms of glutathione, were determined on three selected populations (40 Health care workers (HCWs) controls, 63 latent TB HCWs, 8 active TB patients). Quantitative Real Time PCR analysis on leukocytes of active TB patients was also performed, in order to identify “redox profiles” of genes mainly involved in the antioxidant response.

Results
1) The glutathione homeostasis was shifted towards an oxidative status in active TB patients respect to controls, as evidenced by the significant decrease of the ratio between free and total GSH, an indirect index of oxidative stress. More reducing conditions were observed in latent TB subjects. 2) The expression profiles of antioxidant genes confirmed the major susceptibility of active TB patients to oxidative stress compared to controls, and highlighted a great individual variability. 3) The diagnostic performance of QFT-Plus test present a moderate concordance with QFT-GIT one, in this preliminary phase.

Conclusions
Glutathione has anti-mycobacterial effects in its reduced form GSH, thus the quantification of Free/Total GSH ratio may represent a systemic marker of TB infection and be useful in developing combined therapies. Moreover, the identification of personalized redox profiles will additionally provide an individual antioxidant response to the infection.
This project was funded by the Ministry of Health (RF 2016)

Key messages
LTBI management represents an objective of primary importance in the field of occupational medicine in order to define a personalized prevention in HCW. A new approach that combines biochemical determinations of redox biomarkers and gene expression in blood will be a novel biomarkers of tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis and HIV’s management: A health seeking behaviour Analysis of Incarcerated Patients
Authors: Ralaizara B , Andriamandrimbisoa A , Chevallier E , Mattern C 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Madagascar has about 23.000 prisoners detained in 44 prisons. In prisons, tuberculosis (TB) prevalence is eight times higher than in the general population due to different conditions that make them vulnerable like overcrowded conditions. HIV prevalence may also be higher than in the general population due to risky practices that may expose prisoners to HIV infection, but no precise data are available. Though the national strategic plans for TB, HIV or TB-HIV co-infection' management mention prisoners as one of their target populations, any specific care are provided for these incarcerated patients. They then face many difficulties in their care specifically HIV carriers.
An anthropological study dealing with the care pathway of TB and HIV patients in prison is on-going. The aim of our study is to analyse and understand the care seeking pathway of prisoners with TB and/or HIV'. Interviews are conducted at the main prisons of Antananarivo, Mahajanga and Manakara. A total of sixty interviews will be conducted with prisoners (with TB and/or HIV) and other persons such as nurses, reference doctors, prison officers. Focus groups were also conducted with prisoners in order to understand the care seeking pathway in prison and also detainees' perception of TB and HIV.
Data collection is on-going and will be finished in May 2020. These preliminary findings revealed that there is an informal hierarchy to be respected for access to care. The power relations between detainees give unequal access to care. It is also conditioned by others circumstances like coinage or social status. It was also revealed that the level of detainees' knowledge of diseases TB and HIV remains limited to the modes of transmission. Interviews revealed any stigmatization of patients with TB or HIV.
Data are being collected and recommendations will follow. Yet, we can already claim that the prevention of both TB and HIV needs to be strengthened.

Key messages
Our study will provide a better understanding of the detainees’ issues the management of TB and/or HIV. Our analysis would propose concrete recommendations to improve health care and cure in prisons.
Knowledge, attitudes, and susceptibility on HIV/AIDS in university students
Authors: Hernández Blanco K , Jiménez Triana A , Caporal Taffoya C , Romero Montero C , Márquez Celedonio F G , Villegas Domínguez J E 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Veracruz is Mexico's second state with the highest number of HIV / AIDS cases. Identifying the factors that facilitate greater knowledge, a better attitude, self-efficacy and susceptibility could improve the way HIV/AIDS prevention and training activities are planned and executed. Research question: What are the characteristics that mark differences in knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy and susceptibility on HIV in university students?

Methods
An observational, prospective, cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted in Veracruz, Mexico between June and December 2019. University students from public and private schools in Veracruz-Boca del Río were included, excluding those who did not agree to participate, selecting participants through non-probabilistic sampling. Through the application of surveys, in which students were requested the VIH/ SIDA-65 test was applied to assess attitudes, self-efficacy and susceptibility. The surveys were conducted through Google Forms® and were answered on that same platform. The results were collected and analyzed with the SPSS Statistic® program.

Results
565 students were included, 62.8% were male, 98.6% cisgender and, 88.3% as heterosexual. Being a man, marks differences in neutral attitude (32.2 ± 18.0 vs. 29.0 ± 15.8) and susceptibility (48.95 ± 20.3 vs. 43.2 ± 18.2), non-heterosexual sexual orientation in positive attitude (4.5 ± 0.7 vs. 4.2 ± 1.1), active sex life in neutral attitude (32.0 ± 17.4 vs. 24.1 ± 12.1) and self-efficacy (89.1 ± 19.5 vs. 83.5 ± 22.0) all with values of p &lt; 0.05 while gender identity, place of origin, socioeconomic level, religion, and pre-university sex education showed values of p &gt; 0.5

Conclusions
Among the university students, being a man, being non-heterosexual and having active sex life are factors that make a difference in attitude, self-efficacy and susceptibility to HIV / AIDS.

Key messages
We must improve pre-university reproductive health education, since it does not make a difference in knowledge and attitudes for HIV / AIDS. We consider it convenient to propose a reproductive health module to promote HIV-focused health in university students.