Infectious Diseases
- Infant Circumcision for Sexually Transmitted Infection Risk Reduction Globally
Population-based studies in high-income countries have failed to find that male circumcision protects against sexually transmitted infections. Using evidence from several sources, we show that male circumcision does protect against HIV during insertive intercourse for men who have sex with men.
- Examining Roles, Support, and Experiences of Community Health Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh: A Mixed Methods Study
Government-employed community health workers in Bangladesh are essential actors in the COVID-19 response in communities. Ensuring the workers’ equitable access to supportive mechanisms for their work, including training, infection prevention supplies, and supportive supervision, is critical for successfully preventing and managing COVID-19 in Bangladesh.
- Establishing a Standardized Surveillance System for Health Care-Associated Infections in Vietnam
Standardized surveillance for health care-associated infections (HAI) is critical for HAI prevention, yet standardized implementation across low- and middle-income countries is limited. With the support of partners, the Vietnam Ministry of Health implemented standardized HAI surveillance in 6 hospitals, and in doing so, identified 5 key elements for program success.
- Evaluation of Community Perceptions and Prevention Practices Related to Ebola Virus as Part of Outbreak Preparedness in Uganda, 2020
Targeted risk communication and community engagement strategies to raise Ebola virus disease awareness and knowledge, particularly in setting where risk of infection is perceived to be low, may not be sufficient to motivate people to adopt protective behaviors and prevention practices.
- “Testing Can Be Done Anywhere”: A Qualitative Assessment of Targeted Community-Based Point-of-Care Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV in Lusaka, Zambia
Community-based point-of-care testing is an acceptable, appropriate, and feasible strategy for improving access to HIV diagnostic services for high-risk HIV-exposed infants.
- “Nothing for Us Without Us”: An Evaluation of Patient Engagement in an HIV Care Improvement Collaborative in the Caribbean
This evaluation suggests that it is both possible and valuable to include patients as partners in quality improvement efforts, especially when resources must be prioritized for the highest impact efforts. Patient engagement in the improvement process is particularly powerful when addressing illnesses that may be stigmatized such as HIV.
- Applying the iDARE Methodology in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania to Improve Health Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The iDARE methodology was implemented in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania during the COVID-19 pandemic to help build the capacity of local governments, facilities, and communities to identify, design, and implement local solutions to health problems. These solutions can be adapted and applied in any context with low-cost implications.
- Leveraging Experience From Active TB Drug-Safety Monitoring and Management for Monitoring Active Antiretroviral Toxicity
Systems established for active drug safety monitoring and management of drug-resistant TB should be leveraged to ensure comprehensive surveillance for active toxicity monitoring during scale-up of newer antiretroviral regimens.
- Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program's Contributions to the National HIV and TB Programs, 2015–2020
The Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program has built the capacity of its fellows to address multiple gaps in the Uganda health system as well as to contribute to improving Uganda's ability to prevent, prepare for, and respond to public health emergencies such as HIV and TB.
- Sustainability of Funding for HIV Treatment Services: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Patients' Willingness to Pay for Treatment Services in Nigeria
Many Nigerian patients are willing to pay for HIV treatment, but several socioeconomic factors play significant roles in willingness and capacity to pay for treatment and the maximum amounts patients are willing to pay.