Health Aid Research Articles

Artificial Intelligence Concepts for Mental Health Application Development: Therapily for Mental Health Care

Mental health has become an increasingly important topic to address as a surge in mental health issues can be seen across the globe significantly owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Several factors such as unawareness, daily life interruptions, and social stigma lead to people hesitating in acquiring appropriate mental health support, thereby arising the need for effective and round-the-clock mental health support solutions. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to address how Artificial Intelligence (AI) in conjunction with the portability of smartphones, can be leveraged to provide a type of first aid for mental health to users in their moment of educational need. This article proposes a new mental health assistance solution in the form of a mobile application called Therapily. The ideation, design, and implementation aspects of this application will be explored along with discussing the technical details of the key modules to aid the education of the health domain. An emotion detection module employing a Deep Neural Network to analyze the user’s facial expressions for recognizing in-the-moment emotion(s) followed by suggesting therapeutic activities based on the results, will be explored. Moreover, the creation of a Natural Language Processing (NLP) - based chatbot and the functionality of online consultations with licensed and experienced therapists will also be covered. Finally, the different ways in which Therapily is likely to be extended or modified in the future will also be identified.

Estimating Chinese bilateral aid for health: an analysis of AidData’s Global Chinese Official Finance Dataset Version 2.0

BackgroundAlthough it is difficult to quantify, previous estimates suggested that China’s global health aid has increased sharply since the early 2000s. Unlike many donors, China has no official aid reporting...

Incidence and prevalence of paediatric noninfectious uveitis in South Korea

AbstractPurpose: To investigate the nationwide incidence and prevalence of paediatric uveitis in South Korea according to period, age, anatomic type, and systemic associations.Methods: This nationwide population‐based cohort study used data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service from 2002 to 2018. This study included patients with noninfectious uveitis with at least three claims of diagnostic codes of uveitis on separate days with at least once claim of prescription codes of steroid and immunosuppressive agents. All the cases were classified as anterior or non‐anterior uveitis, and the incidence and prevalence were estimated by age, sex, period, and systemic associations.Results: A total of 10 862 616 patients over 128 688 078 person‐years were evaluated from 2005 to 2016. Overall, 5368 cases of anterior uveitis and 604 cases of non‐anterior uveitis were identified. The incidence and prevalence of paediatric noninfectious uveitis were 4.64 per 100 000 person‐years and 8.25 per 100 000 persons. Both the incidence and prevalence increased with age. Anterior uveitis accounted for 84.7% of prevalent cases (6.99 per 100 000 persons). Cases of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)‐associated uveitis accounted for 8.7% of paediatric noninfectious uveitis cases with a prevalence of 0.72 per 100 000. The proportion of systemic associations was higher and JIA‐related uveitis accounted for 11.2% of recurrent or chronic cases with a prevalence of 0.62 per 100 000.Conclusions: This is the first population‐based study investigating the largest population of paediatric patients with uveitis in Korea. The nationwide incidence and prevalence in 2005–2016 were 4.64 per 100 000 person‐years and 8.25 per 100 000, respectively. The proportion of JIA in paediatric noninfectious uveitis was 8.7%. These population‐based study findings provide a better understanding of the public health burden and aid in the planning of health‐care strategies for paediatric patients with uveitis.

Celebrating the Women-to-Women Tech Ideas Dedicated to Women Competition: Bridging gaps, changing lives [WIE From Around the World

One of the core pillars of this year’s 25th Anniversary Celebrations was the Women-to-Women (W-to-W) Tech Ideas Dedicated to Women competition, and the results were astounding. A new endeavor intended to celebrate the ingenuity of IEEE Members and their colleagues, especially due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women in particular, participants from all IEEE Societies and affinity groups were invited to present solutions that would tackle issues in these areas: smart childcare and education; elderly communication and senior safe living; medicine, mental health aid, and security for women; and sustainable environment solutions in rural and urban areas.

Examination of the Effectiveness of United States Foreign Aid on Human Development in United Nations Least Developed Countries: An Empirical Study

The aim of this article is to examine the effectiveness of United States (U.S.) foreign aid on human development in United Nations (U.N.) Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Research Design and Methods: Research of peer reviewed studies on effectiveness of U.S. foreign aid support to U.N. LDCs were conducted using ProQuest and Google Scholar databases. A select literature review of keywords is offered to elucidate understanding of current perspectives. The study approach is based on empirical evidence. This study employs a set of multivariate linear regression models to examine the effects of U.S. foreign aid on health, education, and social services on the Human Development Index (HDI) in LDCs from 2000 to 2020. Findings: The findings show that U.S. foreign aid for health sectors significantly impacted HDI in LDCs for the time period under review. Evidence Limitation/Implications: An important limitation is highlighted by the need for increased research on other variables identified per the HDI. Discussion: The results of this study suggest that U.S. foreign aid has had a positive effect on the achievement of human development goals in the health sectors of LDCs. Past research has linked improved human development outcomes with increased economic development which contributes to the sustainable development of a society. The significance of these findings warrants further research regarding the contribution of U.S. foreign aid to positive human development outcomes and economic growth. Contribution and Value: This article extends contribution and value to LDCs growth and sustainability by providing empirical evidence of the effect of U.S. foreign aid on the U.N. LDCs.

Spatial–temporal heterogeneity and determinants of HIV prevalence in the Mano River Union countries

BackgroundUtilizing population-based survey data in epidemiological research with a spatial perspective can integrate valuable context into the dynamics of HIV prevalence in West Africa. However, the situation in the Mano River Union (MRU) countries is largely unknown. This research aims to perform an ecological study to determine the HIV prevalence patterns in MRU.MethodsWe analyzed Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) and AIDS Indicator Survey (AIS) data on HIV prevalence in MRU from 2005 to 2020. We examined the country-specific, regional-specific and sex-specific ratios of respondents to profile the spatial–temporal heterogeneity of HIV prevalence and determine HIV hot spots. We employed Geodetector to measure the spatial stratified heterogeneity (SSH) of HIV prevalence for adult women and men. We assessed the comprehensive correct knowledge (CCK) about HIV/AIDS and HIV testing uptake by employing the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression to predict which combinations of CCKs can scale up the ratio of HIV testing uptake with sex-specific needs.ResultsIn our analysis, we leveraged data for 158,408 respondents from 11 surveys in the MRU. From 2005–2015, Cote d'Ivoire was the hot spot for HIV prevalence with a Gi_Bin score of 3, Z-Score 8.0–10.1 and P < 0.001. From 2016 to 2020, Guinea and Sierra Leone were hot spots for HIV prevalence with a Gi_Bin score of 2, Z-Score of 3.17 and P < 0.01. The SSH confirmed the significant differences in HIV prevalence at the national level strata, with a higher level for Cote d'Ivoire compared to other countries in both sexes with q-values of 0.61 and 0.40, respectively. Our LASSO model predicted different combinations of CCKs with sex-specific needs to improve HIV testing uptake.ConclusionsThe spatial distribution of HIV prevalence in the MRU is skewed and the CCK about HIV/AIDS and HIV testing uptake are far below the threshold target set by UNAIDS for ending the epidemic in the sub-region. Geodetector detected statistically significant SSH within and between countries in the MRU. Our LASSO model predicted that different emphases should be implemented when popularizing the CCK about HIV/AIDS for adult women and men.

Sexual Health after a Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Addressing a Forgotten Aspect of Survivorship.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. The life expectancy after a breast cancer diagnosis is improving steadily, leaving many more persons with the long-term consequences of treatment. Sexual problems are a common concern for breast cancer survivors yet remain overlooked in both the clinical setting and the research literature. Factors that contribute to sexual health concerns in breast cancer survivors are biopsychosocial, as are the barriers to addressing and treating these health concerns. Sexual health needs and treatment may vary by anatomy and gender. Multidisciplinary management may comprise lifestyle modifications, medications, sexual health aids such as vibrators, counseling, and referrals to pelvic health physical therapy and specialty care. In this article, we review the contributing factors, screening, and management of sexual difficulties in cisgender female breast cancer survivors. More information is needed to better address the sexual health of breast cancer survivors whose sexual/gender identity differs from that of cisgender women.

An analysis of humanitarian and health aid alignment over a decade (2011–2019) of the Syrian conflict

BackgroundThe 11 years of the devastating conflict in Syria resulted in more than 874,000 deaths, and in more than thirteen million refugees and internally displaced people (UNHCR, Syrian refugee crisis: aid, statistics and news, USA for UNHCR, Washington, 2020; Alhiraki et al. in BMJ Glob Health 7:e008624, 2022). The health system was severely affected and has become aid dependent. This study examines aid alignment over a decade of the Syrian crisis from 2011 to 2019.MethodsAid alignment involves donors using national systems and institutional structures to manage their aid to recipient governments and aligning their aid policies with development priorities and strategies defined by the partner countries (ROSA Newsletter, Moving towards increased aid alignment in the food and nutrition security sector, 2013. Available from: http://oxfamilibrary.openrepository.com/oxfam/bitstream/10546/141974/1/). Aid alignment was explored as part of the 2005 Paris Declaration Framework on aid effectiveness. Based on OECD’s survey on monitoring the Paris Declaration (OECD, Harmonisation, alignment, results: report on progress, challenges and opportunities, OECD, Paris, 2005; OECD, Survey on harmonisation and alignment of donor practices, OECD, 2006. Available from: https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/development/survey-on-harmonisation-and-alignment-of-donor-practices_journal_dev-v6-sup1-en) and based on a proposed methodology to assess aid effectiveness by Burall and Roodman (Developing a methodology for assessing aid effectiveness: an options paper, Overseas Development Institute, 2007. Available from: www.odi.org.ukhttp://www.cgdev.org), we designed a sequential mixed methodology to address two main indicators: alignment with national strategies and local procedures, and aid delivery through local systems. The quantitative part investigated the financial alignment of aid using financial data trackers, such as creditor reporting system and the UN-OCHA financial tracking system, and the relevant humanitarian needs estimations by the humanitarian assistance response plans, humanitarian response plans, and humanitarian needs overviews. The qualitative part relied on four focus groups discussions and four key informants interviews with key policy makers, experts and practitioners involved in the humanitarian and health response in Syria, with the aim of interpreting the quantitative findings.ResultsWhile the study found an improvement in aid budget alignment with local procedures in Syria from 34% in 2012 to 86% in 2019, we found limited alignment with local strategies. Our qualitative findings pose doubts in the ability of the various data sources of humanitarian needs in Syria to reflect the actual realities, especially before 2014, due to lack of comprehensive local engagement and data systems by then. Therefore, even if the humanitarian budgets seemed to be aligned with the national procedures, the national plans did not seem to align with the actual realities, let alone the increase in the financing deficit over the years of the conflict. The reliance of humanitarian and health aid on governmental structures, as a main recipient, in Syria was much lower than other developing and fragile countries. This is mainly due to the nature of the Syrian conflict where the government is a party to the conflict. Donors were found to have invested poorly in advancing national and sub-national planning in Syria due to donors’ over reliance on the UN-led humanitarian system which struggles in armed conflict settings. As a result, we found a disconnection between field realities, national planning, and humanitarian aid.ConclusionIn light of the dreadful humanitarian crisis in Syria, there has been an adverse aid alignment. Considering the chronicity of the conflict, there is an urgent need to improve aid alignment through more investment in local planning at district or governorate levels. This is especially important to navigate through conflict sensitivities while responding to local needs and initiating local developments. These approaches, combined with adopting health sector-wide approach, could contribute to the humanitarian-development-peace nexus in Syria, which in turn can contribute to a better aid alignment and aid effectiveness.

What Determines Korea’s Health Aid Allocation: Altruistic, Economic, or COVID-19 Motivations?

Abstract With the disproportionate impact of the global pandemic on developing countries, health aid has become crucial in improving people’s health and well-being more than ever. Reflecting developing countries’ needs, Korea, like other donors, made significant contributions to support the global COVID-19 response. Considering the increased amount and importance of the health sector in Korea’s foreign aid, this article aims to investigate the motivations of Korea’s total bilateral aid and bilateral health aid using panel data of 128 developing countries from 2006 to 2021 with the random-effects panel Tobit model. The time frame was divided into three periods, 2006–2009, 2010–2019 and 2020–2021, to test Korea’s aid determinants pre- and post-pandemic outbreak. No notable changes in Korea’s aid allocation pattern were found before and after the pandemic. Instead, Korea seemed to have mixed motives of donor interest and recipients’ needs in specific periods. However, a priority partner country was consistently identified as an influential factor in Korea’s aid.

Marketing Malaria Control: Nets, Neoliberalism, and a New Approach to Fighting Malaria

Summary This article examines how malaria control in Africa became a neoliberal enterprise that privileged market mechanisms as an ideal way to disseminate health interventions. It does so by tracking efforts to sell insecticide-treated nets on the continent as these tools transformed from cheap stopgap measures intended for primary health care programmes in the early 1980s to a major target of global health aid by the 2000s. Even though experience showed that selling insecticide-treated nets to African populations did not lead to high levels of uptake, malaria programme leaders continued to tinker with market mechanisms to scale up the intervention in line with the interests of prominent donors. Narrating this history as it unfolded across different African countries, this paper shows that the neoliberalisation of malaria control was a contingent and fragmented process that depended as much on local experiences with particular health technologies as it did on high-level policy-making.

Care coordination and unmet need for specialised health services among children with special healthcare needs in the USA: results from a cross-sectional analysis of the national survey of children with special healthcare needs

ObjectiveTo report rates of need and unmet need for specialised health services (occupational and speech therapies, durable medical equipment, home healthcare, and mobility and communication aids) from the National Survey...

Afghanistan: The Changing State of its Health System and the Contribution of NGOs and the International Community

In unstable or low-income states, incapacity to react to population demands typically derives from insufficient health systems. High-income countries have incentives to offer them health aid since a humanitarian catastrophe might damage global peace and stability. Diseases and epidemics heighten the hazard. International community and NGOs must intervene. Afghanistan is a country that needs this help, due to recurrent hostilities, unstable regimes, the covid epidemic, and the return of the Taliban. As a result, Afghanistan has been lacking a competent health system for years. Despite some successful initiatives to rebuild and enhance the Afghan health system following the Taliban's fall in 2001, it's significantly more chaotic now. The Taliban's return to power has harmed Afghanistan's health. Several causes have lowered Afghan residents' health, with women suffering the most since they are typically deprived from basic medical treatment. Moreover, socioeconomic changes have also been noticed after the overthrow of the previous government. The broader context of the health situation in Afghanistan looks increasingly ominous, prompting the international community to lift its sanctions and provide aid.

How Did Corona Crisis Managers in Germany Make Sense of the Psychosocial Situation?

Alongside its immediate consequences for physical health, the current Coronavirus pandemic and the associated containment measures have led to multiple psychosocial consequences for the population. While virus containment is the main motive of crisis management, there is, so far, little evidence on how crisis management actors consider findings about the psychosocial state of the German population. This paper therefore examines the role of psychosocial consequences within the work of crisis management organizations during the Corona pandemic in Germany. Against the theoretical background of the sensemaking concept, 14 qualitative interviews were conducted with decision-makers from municipal and state administrations, public health departments, aid organizations, and critical infrastructure organizations. Our results indicate that crisis managers perceive aspects related to the psychosocial situation as relevant, but in a very selective way. They use different and often non-scientific sources to acquire knowledge about the psychosocial consequences. In sum, these aspects do not play a major role in decision-making processes. We argue that the perception and processing of psychosocial consequences depend in particular on the organizational context such as goals, plausibility assumptions, identity conceptions, and problem frames. In order to extend theoretical models of psychosocial crisis management, more detailed knowledge of sensemaking processes in crisis management organizations is necessary.

Nursing students' care of and attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex people in times of COVID-19 in Spain: A cross-sectional study.

ObjectiveTo measure the knowledge and attitudes of Catalan nursing students regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) patients, as well as their perception of specific training in this area, according to their internship modalities, sociodemographic circumstances and academic background during the COVID‐19 pandemic.BackgroundDuring the COVID‐19 pandemic, the Spanish Government created the “Health‐Aid” internship: a paid alternative to curricular internships. There is extensive evidence that paid work environments perpetuate negative attitudes towards LGBTI patients.MethodCross‐sectional survey aimed at Catalan nursing students. The "Attitudes Towards and Knowledge About Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Patients" questionnaire was adapted. Descriptive study and backward regression models were constructed.Results337 students, mean age 23.80 years (SD: 5.17) participated. 85% women and 54 (16%) completing the Health Aid internship modality. More than 50% did not attend specific training on the care of the LGBTI population. Differences between internship modalities showed higher values in the curricular internship group: attitudes (U = 6526.50, p = 0.031) and training perception (U = 5926.50, p = 0.008).ConclusionsNursing students’ attitudes towards LGBTI patients and their perception of specific training on care for this population were negatively influenced by the paid Health Aid internship during the pandemic.Implications for Nursing ManagementEven under dire circumstances, clinical training must be properly managed to address the specific health needs of vulnerable populations, such as LGTBI patients. Paid internships in emergency scenarios may impede these objectives.

Ayurveda implications of Nutraceuticals: understating roles in preventive medicine

Dietary risks factors have raised attention worldwide for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The recent report form data in the 2019, showed that around 7.9 million deaths and 187.7 million disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) are linked to dietary risk factors and NCDs [1] . this is an awakening alarm to the health community in food sciences, pharmaceuticals and preventive medicine towards adapting a natural food based lifestyle. These NCDs are mainly due eating junk food, and low intake of dietary fruits or fibers leading to nutritive deficient states and, later diseases [2] . The term nutraceutical (coined by 1989 Dr. Stephen de-Felice) is derived form a combination of two words namely ‘nutrition’ and ‘pharmaceutical’. It is defined as any substance that is a food or a part of food that provides medicinal or health benefits including the prevention and/or treatment of a disease. The food products that provide health benefits and aid in reducing the risk of chronic diseases apart from nutrition may be inclusive under this term [3-5] . There is a paradigm shift in choice of daily food, and related practices towards nutraceuticals, owing to factors such as low risk, potential value and, the therapeutic effects they seem to offer. The nutraceutical market is growing tremendously worldwide and is valued at 74.7 billion in 2020, from its previous value of 36.6 billion dollars in 2016 [6] . Given the importance of nutraceuticals, the changing trends in perception of people and, the growing industrial/ markets, it’s imperative to discuss the basic type of dietary supplements with medicinal values (general nutraceuticals) with implications of Ayurveda. The current review is aimed to discuss the basic herbal nutraceuticals, their value in health and disease states.

Evaluation of Optimal Assessment Schedules for Surveillance After Definitive Locoregional Treatment of Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer

In clinical practice, assessment schedules are often arbitrarily determined after definitive treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC), producing heterogeneous and inconsistent surveillance plans. To establish an optimal assessment schedule for patients with definitively treated locally advanced HNC, stratified by the primary subsite and HPV status, using a parametric model of standardized event-free survival curves. This was a retrospective study including 2 tertiary referral hospitals and a total of 673 patients with definitive locoregional treatment of locally advanced HNC (227 patients with nasopharyngeal cancer [NPC]; 237 patients with human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal cancer [HPV+ OPC]; 47 patients with HPV-negative [HPV-] OPC; 65 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer [HPC]; and 97 patients with laryngeal cancer [LC]). Patients had received primary treatment in 2008 through 2019. The median (range) follow-up duration was 57.8 (6.4-158.1) months. Data analyses were performed from April to October 2021. Tumor recurrence and secondary malignant neoplasms. Event-free survival was defined as the period from the end of treatment to occurrence of any event. Event-free survival curves were estimated using a piecewise exponential model and divided into 3 phases of regular follow-up. A 5% event rate criterion determined optimal follow-up time point and interval. The median (range) age of the 673 patients at HNC diagnosis was 58 (15-83) years; 555 (82.5%) were men; race and ethnicity were not considered. The event rates of NPC, HPV+ OPC, HPV- OPC, HPC, and LC were 18.9% (43 of 227), 14.8% (35 of 237), 36.2% (17 of 47), 44.6% (29 of 65), and 30.9% (30 of 97), respectively. Parametric modeling demonstrated optimal follow-up intervals for HPC, LC, and NPC, respectively, every 2.1, 3.2, and 6.1 months; 3.7, 5.6, and 10.8 months; and 9.1, 13.8, and 26.5 months until 16.5, 16.5 to 25.0, and 25.0 to 99.0 months posttreatment (open follow-up thereafter). For HPV- OPC, assessment was recommended every 2.7, 4.8, and 11.8 months until 16.5, 16.5 to 25.0, and 25 to 99 months posttreatment, respectively. In contrast, HPV+ OPC optimal intervals were every 7.7, 13.7, and 33.7 months until 16.5, 16.5 to 25.0, and 25 to 99 months posttreatment, respectively. Five, 4, 12, 15, and 10 follow-up visits were recommended for NPC, HPV+ OPC, HPV- OPC, HPC, and LC, respectively. This retrospective cohort study using parametric modeling suggests that the HNC assessment schedules should be patient tailored and evidence based to consider primary subsites and HPV status. Given limited health care resources and rising detection rates and costs of HNC, the guidelines offered by these findings could benefit patients and health systems and aid in developing future consensus guidelines.

DOMESTICATION OF INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIES IN TOBACCO CONTROL: THE CASE OF SOUTH AFRICA

With an estimated 1.2 billion smokers in the world, tobacco use is of pandemic proportions. The relationship between tobacco use, and death and disease is well established. It is not only active, but also passive or secondary smoking that is injurious to health. The morbidity and mortality from tobacco rivals that of HIV/AIDS. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), tobacco and AIDS have become the two leading global causes of premature death. Smoking causes an estimated 4 million deaths per year (World Health Organisation). Unless checked, tobacco-related mortality is projected to rise phenomenally to 10 million by the year 2030, with the preponderance of the mortality (about 7 million deaths) occurring in developing countries.In the last twenty years or so, there has been a reversal in smoking trends between the developed world and the developing world. In the developed world, smoking has decreased. In the developing world, smoking has increased, with women and children constituting the most vulnerable group. There is little doubt that the developing world has been targeted by the tobacco industry for exploitation in tobacco use, in part to make up for lost profits in the developed world. The reasons for the increase in smoking prevalence are, however, composite. In part, the increase in prevalence is an outcome of vulnerability to aggressive advertising and sponsorship by the tobacco industry. In part it is also an outcome of poor knowledge about the risks associated with smoking, poor health promotion infrastructure, absent or weak tobacco control activism, poor government funding for tobacco control, and lack of political will to control tobacco products on the part of government.There is consensus among health experts that tobacco-related diseases are the single most preventable cause of death and disease, and that measures must be taken to control tobacco use. Moreover, there is international consensus on the use of law and other coercive measures as instruments for controlling tobacco use. This article seeks to explore and evaluate the extent to which South Africa has responded to the challenge of controlling tobacco use. It is submitted that though the efficacy of the South African strategies has yet to be tangibly demonstrated in terms of translating into positive health gains, South Africa has made substantial progress in implementing international tobacco control norms. The Tobacco Products Control Act of 1999 is significant evidence in this regard.

Motion Artifact‐Resilient Zone for Implantable Sensors

AbstractThe miniaturization and flexibility of wearable and implantable devices allow humans to carry them directly on or in their bodies, thus enabling these devices to measure biometric signals in real‐time anywhere. However, as they are embedded or implanted into an actively moving human interface, motion artifact noise inevitably occurs. Typically, devices are laminated or implanted on body surfaces, but the positions of such devices cannot be designed without any discussion of the noise. Thus, this paper investigates an approach that minimizes the noise to achieve negligible motion artifacts in implantable micro‐devices that have a specific angle on the surface of the body, while maintaining the function of sensor. The device with a specific angle successfully detects the target signal, while motion artifacts—such as tension, compression, and bending—disturb the measurement. The pulse signal on a wrist is well measured while the hand is rotating, and artificial skin implanted on a rat can distinguish external pressure from the movement noise. A thermometer sensor that follows the same rule is further examined. Therefore, this approach is expected to be useful in numerous areas including human interface‐based medical devices, virtual reality, and health aids to improve quality of life.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV in Brazil: hopes and moral panic in the social construction of a biomedical technology

This paper addresses the role emotions play in the social assemblage of medicines and technical processes in the response to the HIV called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV. We describe a series of stages and processes in the social construction of PrEP in Brazil from the run-up to the launch of the initiative by the Ministry of Health to the subsequent implementation of the strategy by public health services. To understand the meanings and symbolism assigned to this biomedical technology, we examined the hopes underpinning scientific, government and non-governmental narratives, clinical processes and health policy. The social trajectory of PrEP was influenced not only by these hopes but also by fears and concerns about the impact of this approach to HIV prevention on lifestyles and modes of sexual governance. The evidence used in this study comes from interviews with health professionals and AIDS activists, anthropological fieldwork, scientific articles and documentary analysis. Our findings provide important insights into how emotions have shaped the meanings assigned to PrEP and shed light on the complex game of negotiation involved in defining responses to the HIV epidemic.

Assessing the Impact of a PrEP Aware Week Campaign on PrEP Prescription Fills in NYS.

The New York State (NYS) Department of Health AIDS Institute engaged stakeholders across NYS to participate in the state's first "PrEP Aware Week" (PAW). PAW sought to increase the knowledge, interest, and number of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) prescriptions filled across NYS. PAW activities were designed to be easy to implement, with minimal cost. Stakeholders were provided activities to implement, along with a social media tool kit featuring videos, graphic ads, and sample social media posts in English and Spanish to use as is or modify. PAW included more than 750 distinct events and activities undertaken by more than 250 participating providers. To assess the impact of PAW on PrEP prescription filling patterns in NYS. An interrupted time-series analysis was conducted to estimate the impact of PAW on overall and new PrEP prescription filling patterns. Separate models were developed by sex (male, female), race and ethnicity (White non-Hispanic, Black non-Hispanic, Hispanic, other, unknown), and region (New York City, rest of NYS). PAW took place across NYS during the week beginning October 20, 2019. PAW was undertaken by more than 250 health care providers, nonmedical health & human services providers, local and state health department staff, and colleges and universities. The number of overall and new PrEP prescriptions. PAW was associated with modest increases (6%-9%) in the number of PrEP prescription fills in NYS. The PAW impact lasted for about 2 months, generated an estimated 2727 additional PrEP prescription fills statewide, and was realized across sex, region, and racial and ethnic subgroups. Increased prescription fills were driven by those previously prescribed PrEP. Increases in new prescriptions were noted among Latinx individuals (21% increase, 55 additional prescriptions) but not overall or across other groups. NYS's PAW was effective at increasing PrEP prescription refills in NYS.