Background Disparities in HIV incidence and PrEP use among Black ciswomen remain. We examine factors associated with PrEP persistence using mixed methods. Setting Black ciswomen in Chicago, IL, prescribed PrEP at a federally qualified health center (FQHC). Methods We used electronic health data to determine PrEP persistence (Proportion of Days Covered ≥86% at 6 months) and tested demographic and clinical factors in logistic regressions. We interviewed eight Black ciswomen, purposefully selected by PrEP persistence. Results Among 112 Black ciswomen, 18% were persistent. In adjusted models, neighborhood, visit reason (at initiation), and initiation year were significantly associated with persistence. Qualitatively, we found little evidence of cost or adherence as barriers; participants reported low community awareness, importance of providers, and concerns around stigma, side effects, and pregnancy while using PrEP. Conclusion While persistence among Black ciswomen was low, patients were often making decisions based on perceived HIV risk. We identified real-world barriers to address in future interventions.
The electrical conductivity of composites of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs), including bromine‐doped GNP, and conjugated polyacrylonitrile has been investigated. The focal point is the dual nature of the graphite nanoparticles, which exhibit both intrinsic electrical conductivity and doping capability of semi‐conductive polymers such as conjugated polyacrylonitrile to form charge‐transfer complexes. The conductivity is particularly enhanced in conjugated polyacrylonitrile composites (e.g., with 6 wt.‐% graphite nanoplatelets) where the value rises from 1 × 10−10 to 2 × 10−3 S · cm−1, which reflects jointly the conductivity of the doped semi‐conductive polymer together with the percolation‐based conductivity of the particles.magnified image
Background Guidelines recommend immediate antiretroviral therapy (ART) at or shortly after HIV diagnosis, yet little is known about how people living with HIV (PLWH) experience this treatment strategy, including racial/ethnic minorities, cis/trans women, and those with housing instability. Methods To assess the acceptability of immediate ART offer among urban PLWH, understand how this approach affects the lived experience of HIV diagnosis, and explore reasons for declining immediate ART, we conducted a cross-sectional qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with individuals who had been offered immediate ART after HIV diagnosis at a safety-net HIV clinic in San Francisco and a federally qualified health center in Chicago. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Among 40 participants with age range 19-52, 27% cis/trans women or gender-queer, 85% racial/ethnic minority, and 45% homeless/unstably housed, we identified three major themes: 1) individuals experienced immediate ART encounters as supportive; 2) individuals viewed immediate ART as sensible, and; 3) immediate ART offered emotional relief by offsetting fears of death and providing agency over one’s health. Reasons for declining immediate ART ranged from simply needing a few more days to complex interactions of logistical and psychosocial barriers. Conclusion Immediate ART was highly acceptable to urban persons with newly diagnosed HIV infection. Immediate ART was viewed as natural next step after HIV diagnosis and provided a sense of control over one’s health, mitigating anxiety over a decline in physical health. As such, immediate ART somewhat eased but in no way obviated the psychosocial challenges of HIV diagnosis.
The role of HIV in COVID-19 acquisition is not yet understood. Among 1862 patients, including 349 PLWHIV, most virally suppressed, and 308 recently using PrEP, we compared rates of positive PCR results. Positivity was higher among PLWHIV (10.6%) compared to HIV negative patients (7.1%) but not significant in adjusted models.
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