High-risk Behaviors Research Articles

Is High-Risk Sexual Behavior a Risk Factor for Oropharyngeal Cancer?

(1) Background: Several lines of evidence established a link between high-risk (HR) sexual behavior (SB), the persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in saliva, and the presence of oncogenic HR-HPV subtypes in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). A highly influential case-control study by D'Souza et al. comparing OPSCC patients and ENT patients with benign diseases (hospital controls) established HR-SB as a putative etiological risk factor for OPSCC. Aiming to replicate their findings in a nested case-control study of OPSCC patients and propensity score (PS)-matched unaffected controls from a large population-based German cohort study, we here demonstrate discrepant findings regarding HR-SB in OPSCC. (2) Methods: According to the main risk factors for HNSCC (age, sex, tobacco smoking, and alcohol consumption) PS-matched healthy controls invited from the population-based cohort study LIFE and HNSCC (including OPSCC) patients underwent interviews, using AUDIT and Fagerström, as well as questionnaires asking for SB categories as published. Afterwards, by newly calculating PSs for the same four risk factors, we matched each OPSCC patient with two healthy controls and compared responses utilizing chi-squared tests and logistic regression. (3) Results: The HNSCC patients and controls showed significant differences in sex distribution, chronologic age, tobacco-smoking history (pack years), and alcohol dependence (based on AUDIT score). However, PS-matching decreased the differences between OPSCC patients and controls substantially. Despite confirming that OPSCC patients were more likely to self-report their first sexual intercourse before age 18, we found no association between OPSCC and HR-SB, neither for practicing oral-sex, having an increased number of oral- or vaginal-sex partners, nor for having casual sex or having any sexually transmitted disease. (4) Conclusions: Our data, by showing a low prevalence of HR-SB in OPSCC patients, confirm findings from other European studies that differ substantially from North American case-control studies. HR-SB alone may not add excess risk for developing OPSCC.

Examination of Consultations Requested from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic and Factors Predicting Subsequent Outpatient Clinic Attendance

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate consultations received by the child and adolescent psychiatry consultation-liaison unit and identify factors predicting attendance at the outpatient clinic following consultation. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on all consultations requested from the consultation-liaison psychiatry (CLP) unit at our clinic between August 2021 and March 2022. The files of cases who subsequently attended the recommended outpatient clinic were also examined. Data including age, gender, birth and developmental history, family characteristics, school history, clinical features, and number of consultations were recorded and analyzed. Results: The median age of the sample was 15.1 years (25%: 13.3 – 75%: 16.7). Among the cases, 128 (61.5%) were female and 80 (38.5%) were male. Of the consultations requested, 149 (71.6%) were from emergency services, while 52 (25%) were from inpatient services, with pediatric hematology being the most frequent service. The primary reasons for consultation were suicide attempts (22.1%) and agitation (19.2%). Approximately 26% of cases remained undiagnosed. Major depressive disorder was the most frequently diagnosed condition, accounting for 25.5% of cases. Among the cases recommended for outpatient follow-up at the time of consultation (86% of the total), 53% attended their scheduled appointments. In the predictive model for outpatient attendance, agitation (β=2.11, p<0.05) and suicide attempts (β=0.564, p<0.001) significantly predicted attendance. Conclusion: This study contributes to the existing literature by examining factors influencing the follow-up process. Our findings support the notion that agitation and suicide attempts are associated with increased morbidity. Early detection of high-risk behaviors such as suicide attempts and agitation is believed to reduce psychiatric morbidity and mortality rates, while also improving treatment compliance.

High-risk Behaviors in Sex-Reassigned Trans-sexual People in Tehran, Iran

Background: Abundant high-risk behaviors in trans-sexual people make it necessary to investigate. Objectives: This study aimed to describe the frequency of high-risk sexual behaviors in sex-reassigned trans-sexual people in Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was cross-sectional. Ninety-six sex-reassigned transsexual individuals of both genders presenting to Salamat Bonyan Psychology Clinic were enrolled in the study. The scales included a demographic characteristic form and a researcher-made questionnaire to evaluate high-risk behaviors and sexual health of sex-reassigned transsexual subjects. Results: According to the results, 96 individuals completed hormone therapy, of whom 43 underwent sex-reassignment surgery. Also, 73 persons were female-to-male, and 23 persons were male-to-female. In this study, 62.5% of the participants did not receive hepatitis B vaccine (CI: 0.52 - 0.72), and 95.83% of the participants did not receive human papillomavirus vaccine (CI: 0.92 - 0.99). Moreover, 87.09% of the participants did not take a human infection virus (HIV) test (CI: 0.68 - 0.85), and 97.9% had a Pap smear test (CI: 0.95 - 0.99). In addition, 96% of the participants were never screened for prostate cancer (CI: 0.89 - 0.99), and 91.66% were never screened for breast cancer (CI: 0.86 - 0.97). Oral sex was the most common sexual act (93.75%), and 72.91% of the subjects never used condoms (CI: 0.68 - 0.77). Finally, 30% of the participants smoked hookah and cigarettes and used alcohol (CI: 0.20 - 0.39). Conclusions: Considering high-risk behaviors and sexually risky behaviors in this group, it is necessary to carry out preventive interventions.

669-P: Factor Analysis of the Diabetes-Specific Risk-Taking Inventory

Introduction: Adolescence is marked by increased risk-taking behaviors and challenges engaging in optimal type 1 diabetes (T1D) treatment. We developed the Diabetes-Specific Risk-Taking Inventory (DSRI) to assess risky adolescent T1D self-management behaviors. In the current study, we conducted confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) for the DSRI and examined model fit. Methods: We surveyed a national sample of 224 adolescents (age 15-18 years; M age 16.9 ± 1.1 years; 49% female, 11% identified as Black, Indigenous, or Persons of Color; 76.8% used insulin pumps; M HbA1c= 8.5% ± 1.3); from the T1D Exchange registry in a cross-sectional design. Participants completed the DSRI, and we collected the most recent HbA1c value from registry data. We performed CFAs in R using the Lavaan package to evaluate three models: 1) a one-factor structure, 2) a two-factor structure reflecting items higher and lower in risk (item level of risk assessed by surveying diabetes health care providers), and 3) another two-factor structure reflecting items that associate with higher HbA1c (>9%) and lower HbA1c (<9%). Results: The DSRI measure contains 31 items; however, one item was removed from CFA analyses due to a nonsignificant factor loading value. The one-factor CFA model demonstrated poor fit χ2(399, n=224) =1714.94, p<0.001, RMSEA=0.12, CFI=0.52, TLI=0.49, as did the two-factor structure differentiating between higher and lower HbA1c χ2(399, n=224) =1121.02, p<0.001, RMSEA=0.090, CFI=0.72, TLI=0.69. The two-factor CFA reflecting higher and lower risk items model demonstrated improved fit χ2(399, n=224) =896.19, p<0.001, RMSEA=0.085, CFI=0.77, TLI=0.75. Conclusions: The DSRI is a valuable self-report measure that providers may use to screen for high-risk behaviors not routinely assessed in T1D clinical care. The results suggest that the high-risk vs. low-risk two-factor model is slightly better fitting than the one-factor model; however, additional factor structures should be assessed to identify a more robust structural model. Disclosure A.Monzon: None. J.Pierce: None. R.M.Wasserman: None. Funding The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust (2016PG-T1D053); National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (1K12DK097696)

The role of relationships, curriculum design, and program culture in improving academic and behavioral outcomes in a disciplinary alternative education program: A photovoice study

The literature on “what works” in disciplinary alternative education is inconclusive. Our current understanding of effective disciplinary alternative education programs is based primarily on quantitative data collected for administrative purposes. The voices of youth directly affected by disciplinary alternative education programs are often excluded from the conversation. To fill this gap in the literature, our study utilizes Photovoice methodology with 11 youth in disciplinary alternative education programs in the Midwest. The findings suggest the importance of positive relationships with adults, having tailored educational curriculum delivery, and addressing punitive elements of program culture for the academic and behavioral outcomes for youth with moderate to high-risk behaviors in a disciplinary alternative education setting. Youth recommend modification of the curriculum, increase in socialization activities, and improvement of disciplinary and incentive procedures.

School-based peer-led diabetes intervention among female adolescents: a cluster randomized trial

BackgroundThe prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing among adolescents and clear strategies are needed to prevent it. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of peer education on knowledge, health beliefs and preventive behaviors of type 2 diabetes in female adolescents.MethodsIn this cluster randomized trial study, 168 students (84 people in each group) were enrolled. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire of knowledge (30 questions), health beliefs (16 questions) and behavior (20 questions) whose validity and reliability were confirmed. Then eight capable students were chosen as peer educators after being trained. The intervention group received 8 sessions of 90-min education through training, lectures, question and answer, and group discussion and with teaching aids such as pamphlets, educational clips and text messages. The post-test was administered two months after the treatment. Data collected using software SPSS16 and Chi-Square and ANCOVA test were used.ResultsThe result showed that the mean and standard deviation of general knowledge, disease symptoms, behavioral risk factors, mid-term outcomes and long-term outcomes, perceived self-efficacy, behavioral beliefs, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, prevention of stress, healthy food/healthy diet, unhealthy food/unhealthy diet, high-risk behavior, and self-care in the intervention group has increased significantly 2 months after intervention compared of control group (P < 0.001).ConclusionsPeer education increased knowledge and improved adolescents' health beliefs and behaviors. Therefore, training in adolescence in order to prevention of diabetes can be considered as an effective step, and the use of peer-led education in this field is recommended.Trial registrationTrial registration number IRCT20200811048361N1 from School of Public Health & Neuroscience Research Center—Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Date applied: 30/12/2020. Date assigned: 01/12/2020.

Exploration of HIV/AIDS Risk Factors among FSWs in Hotspot Areas of Nepal

Risk reduction of high risk group like FSWs (female sex workers) as bride population of HIV transmission from high risk group to low risk population still has been seen problematic in Nepal. This research paper explores the key socio-economic and cultural issues of HIV/AIDS risk factors among FSWs in hotspot areas of Nepal. A qualitative data were collected from the districts (hotspot areas) of Chitawan, Nawalparasi and Rupendehi. Altogether seven FSWs were recruited to interview and successfully completed the interviews. Narratives emerged from the FSWs to their HIV/AIDS issues in different contexts. Despite the decreasing trend of HIV/AIDS among FSWs in hotspot areas, the high risk behaviors of HIV/AIDS, poor negotiation or financial influence on sexual behaviour, alcohol drinking and unwanted sexual acts that put FSWs most at risk. The major reasons behind high risk behaviors are political, economic, legal, access to services and socio-cultural dimensions. The study indicates that it is necessary to develop and implement the HIV/AIDS initiatives among FSWs to address the risk factors HIV prevention from the cultural perspectives.

A comparative study of religious beliefs, spiritual intelligence and spiritual well-being in two therapies based on education (anonymous drug user) and methadone in drug user in Iran

ObjectivePrevention of high-risk behaviors has always been considered; According to the researches, a person’s religious attitudes and beliefs and intelligence quotient are associated with the prevention of high-risk behaviors such as drug addiction, and religiosity and spirituality also reduce drug addiction; Therefore, this study was conducted to compare religious beliefs, intelligence and spiritual health in two methods of education-based treatment and methadone in people with addiction.ResultsA comparative study was performed among 184 people on all drug users admitted to these wards that treated with methadone and participants of meetings of anonymous drug users. Four questionnaires were used to collect information. Mean, and standard deviation were used to describe the demographic characteristics of participants. Chi-square and fisher tests were used to compare demographic information in the two groups. The present study was performed following acquisition of the code of ethics (IR.BUMS.REC.1395.156) from Research Ethics Committee of Birjand University of Medical Sciences.

Epidemiology and Etiology of High-risk Behaviors Among Male and Female Students in Qom

Background: High-risk behaviors are among the most frequent behaviors in adolescents compared with other age ranges. Objectives: The epidemiology and etiology of high-risk behaviors among high school girls and boys in Qom was the aim of this study. Methods: This survey research was carried out using Rashid Questionnaire (2015). The questionnaire was given to 1000 middle and high school students in 8 schools (4 boys’ and 4 girls' schools) in the south and north (two from each area) of Qom in 2015. Results: Feeling deeply sad and hopeless 43.7%, experience of Hookah smoking 43.2%, feeling hurt outdoors 26.5%, the experience of cigarette smoking 26.4%, Physical fight out of home 22%, having sex with one’s own free will 20.7%, having suicidal thoughts 19.9%, planning for suicide 17.7%, experience of alcohol consumption 16.8%, forced sex 14.5%, and attempted suicide in the last 12 months 12.8% were the most common high-risk behaviors among adolescents, respectively. Meanwhile, the mean of high-risk behaviors in boys was higher than in girls. Moreover, among the 15 psychosocial factors studied, four factors of peer pressure, poor religious beliefs, feelings of emptiness, and antisociality had the highest potential to predict their high-risk behavior Conclusions: Total range of some high-risk behaviors among the sample in Qom is at a dangerous rate and needs more attention.

Does early-life migration experience determine health and health-risk behavior in later life? Evidence from elderly returns migrants in Kerala, India

Becoming elderly is an intrinsic part of life, and the burden of disease increases with age. However, the early life migration experience and occupational hazards at the destination can lead to serious health problems later in life. This study aims to understand the association between early life migration and the health and risky behavior of elderly return migrants using data from the Kerala Migration Survey in 2018. The results of bivariate and multivariate analyses show that the majority of migrants return due to retirement and ill health at the average age of 51 and suffer from poor health and multiple diseases. More than half (55%) of elderly returnees reported poor health, and among them, 70% have at least one chronic disease. The early life migration experience and injuries at the destination are the main determinants of poor self-rated health and chronic disease. Furthermore, elderly return migrants have high-risk health behaviours such as smoking and alcohol consumption, as well as less access to health schemes. Despite some shortcomings, this study identifies the most vulnerable groups among the elderly and their health characteristics. This will help to promote healthy aging in Kerala, India, or areas with increasing numbers of elderly and return migrants around the world.

Hedonic Risk Preference Associated with High-Risk Behaviors under COVID-19 Pandemic among Medical Students in Japan.

Public health measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 have focused on raising awareness and disseminating knowledge. Few considered people's risk preferences and no measurement was adapted to the context of COVID-19. This study aims (1) to investigate the association between risk preference and risk behaviors and (2) to compare a novel hedonic preference question with traditional risk preference assessment tools in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic among medical students in Japan. An online survey of fourth-year medical students was conducted. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for gender, age, household income, and the overconfidence effect were performed to investigate the association. We observed significantly higher odds of high-risk behaviors in general risk preference (odds ratio (OR): 4.04; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-15.50) and hedonic preference (OR: 6.58; 95% CI: 1.86-23.28) when adjusted, whereas monetary preference showed no significant association. Concerning specific risky behaviors, hedonic preference were significantly associated with four items after adjusting for covariates ("dine out" (OR: 2.78, 95% CI: 1.13-6.85), "go out" (OR: 4.35, 95% CI: 1.65-11.46), "not practicing safety precautions" (OR: 2.79, 95% CI: 1.11-7.04) and "travel" (OR: 4.36, 95% CI: 1.42-13.44)), and general preference in two ("dine out" (OR: 4.82, 95% CI: 1.66-14.00) and "go out" (OR: 6.48, 95% CI: 2.07-20.24)). Hedonic and general risk preferences were significantly associated with high-risk behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future application of the novel risk-for-pleasure-seeking preference question is warranted.

Prevalence of HIV, risk behaviours and vulnerabilities of female sex partners of the HIV positive people who inject drugs (PWID) in Dhaka city, Bangladesh.

The HIV epidemic in Bangladesh is largely being driven by people who inject drugs (PWID) and mainly concentrated in Dhaka city. Intregrated biological and behavioural survey (IBBS) data of 2016 showed that a considerable percentage of the HIV positive PWID had unsafe sex with their female sex partners. Prevalence of HIV, risk behaviorus and vulnerabilities among the female sex partners of the PWID still remain unexplored. To measure HIV prevalence, risk behaviours (drugs/injection/sexual) and vulnerabilities (treatment of and knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/uptake of the routine HIV testing and HIV prevention services/physical and sexual violence), a quantitative survey was conducted among 227 female sex partners of the HIV positive PWID in Dhaka city in 2019 by adopting a take-all sampling technique. The median age of participants was 34.0 years. Prevalence of HIV was 16.7% (95% CI: 12.4-22.2). Only 6.8% to 18.7% of the participants used condoms consistently with different male sex partners; only 6.8%cto 18.7% during last year. Seventy five percent (95% CI: 69.2-80.8) had no knowledge on STI symptoms. Self-reported symptoms of STIs were reported by 26% (95% CI: 20.7-32.1) and half sought treatment during last year. Nineteen percent (95% CI: 14.7-25.1) had comprehensive knowledge of HIV. As part of the routine HIV prevention services by the PWID drop-in-centres (DICs), 42.7% (95% CI: 36.4-49.3) of the participants were tested for HIV and knew their result within the last year. One-third never received HIV prevention services. During the last one year preceding the survey, 46% (95% CI: 39.3-52.6) reported been beaten and 20.2% (95% CI: 15.3-26.1) been raped. It is urgently necessary to consider the high-risk behaviours and vulnerabilities in designing or to strengthen targeted interventions for female sex partners of the HIV positive PWID in Dhaka city to ensure equality in accessing and utilization of services.

For Better and For Worse: Frequent Gamblers Use Dual Counterfactuals to Justify Continued Gambling

How might frequent gamblers convince themselves to keep playing despite persistent losses or after a win that should be savored? The purpose of this research is to examine the unexplored question of how frequent gamblers’ use counterfactual thinking to motivate their desire to continue gambling. Using a sample of n = 69 high and n = 69 low frequency gamblers in a field setting, we found that infrequent gamblers tended to consider how the perceived outcome of losing “could have been better” (i.e., upward counterfactual thinking), and how a winning outcome “could have been worse” (i.e., downward counterfactual thinking). This pattern of counterfactual thinking is considered typical in many settings and may, in a gambling context, support a potentially more responsible approach by helping infrequent gamblers to learn from past mistakes to avoid significant future losses and to savor wins to protect returns gained. Alternatively, we found that frequent gamblers were more likely to generate ‘dual counterfactuals’ which include both upward and downward counterfactuals in response to losses and wins. We argue that this dual pattern of counterfactual thinking may allow frequent gamblers to more easily justify their desire to continue gambling. Findings suggest that challenging gamblers counterfactual thinking patterns could assist clinicians in moderating the potential for high-risk behaviors.

High-risk fertility behaviour and undernutrition among children under-five in sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveThe study examined high-risk fertility behaviour and its association with under-five undernutrition in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).DesignWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from 32 sub-Saharan African countries’ Demographic and Health...

Populations Vulnerable to HIV Infection: Behavior and Prevention

Introduction: HIV infection is a complex chronic disease, the incidence of which remains quite high. The total number of Russians, both men and women, living with HIV continues to increase. The registered number of people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus in the Russian Federation reached 851.8 thousand people at the end of 2021. The analysis of high-risk behavior of vulnerable groups of the population will help update the problem of self-preservation and develop a set of preventive measures for the groups at risk of acquiring the HIV infection. Objective: To study characteristics of self-preservation of men who have sex with men as one of the key populations at increased risk of HIV. Methods: We used a 2021 database of men who have sex with men, all clients of a non-profit HIV service organization. A total of 3,455 men who had had sex with men in the past twelve months or those who considered themselves homosexual were interviewed. The survey was conducted in Moscow and the Moscow Region by the Charitable Foundation for Support of Social Initiatives and Public Health. The data analysis was carried out in Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0. Results: The study has revealed the main determinants of behavior and the components of self-preservation in the study subjects. Conclusion: The clients of the non-profit HIV service organization included in the survey have high-risk behavior and various social diseases, including the combined ones, such as HIV infection, which must be considered when developing preventive measures for this group of population.

EPH198 The Sustained Impact of COVID-19 on Opioid Dispensing in California

Opioid overprescribing played a major role in the onset of the American opioid epidemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare access had dramatic changes that potentially impacted high-risk opioid prescribing among healthcare providers and high-risk opioid seeking behaviors among opioid recipients. The study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on trends in opioid dispensing during the 14 months before COVID-19 and 21 months after in California. Analyzing dispensing data from California’s Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES)-Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), the study harnessed a segmented regression model to measure changes in temporal trends in high-risk opioid dispensing associated with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Four measures of high-risk opioid utilization were analyzed: (1) multiple provider episodes, (2) overlapping opioid prescription for seven or more days, (3) overlapping opioid and benzodiazepine for seven or more days, and (4) high standardized dosage of opioid prescriptions per month. The study assessed dispensing records from 1,737,984 recipients before the pandemic period from January 18, 2019, to December 17, 2021, and 1,873,962 recipients during the pandemic period from January 18, 2019, to December 17, 2021. The segmented regression analysis showed that the onset of the pandemic significantly changed the decreasing trend on high-risk measurements of (1) multiple provider episodes (P-value=0.0125) and (4) high standardized dosage of opioid prescriptions (P-value=0.0312). Although all four indices presented a decreasing trend from the study initiating time, the model findings show that COVID-19 significantly resisted such long-term declining trends. We observed a gradual decrease in opioid dispensing in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic had a sustained effect on high-risk opioid dispensing behavior, decelerating the declining trend of high-risk behavior occurrences.

4CMenB sustained vaccine effectiveness against invasive meningococcal B disease and gonorrhoea at three years post programme implementation

To evaluate persistence of vaccine effectiveness (VE) and vaccine impact (VI) on invasive meningococcal B (MenB) disease and gonorrhoea at three years after implementation of a state funded 4CMenB program for infants, children, adolescents and young people in South Australia. VI was assessed using a Poisson or negative binomial regression model, and VE was estimated using screening and case-control methods. Chlamydia controls were used to estimate VE in the primary analysis to control potential confounding effects such as high-risk sexual behaviour associated with sexually transmitted infections. During the three-year program, reductions of 63.1% (95%CI 29.0% to 80.9%) and 78.5% (95%CI 33.0% to 93.1%) in incidence of MenB disease were observed in infants and adolescents, respectively. There were no cases in infants who had received three doses of 4CMenB. Two-dose VE against MenB disease was 90.7% (95%CI 6.9% to 99.1%) for the childhood program and 83.5% (95%CI 0 to 98.2%) for the adolescent program. Two-dose VE against gonorrhoea in adolescents was 33.2% (95%CI 15.9% to 47.0%). Lower VE estimates were demonstrated after 36 months post-vaccination (23.2% (95%CI 0 to 47.5%) >36 months post-vaccination compared to 34.9% (95%CI 15.0% to 50.1%) within 6-36 months). Higher VE estimates were found after excluding patients with repeat gonorrhoea infections (37.3%, 95%CI 19.8% to 51.0%). For gonorrhoea cases co-infected with chlamydia VE was maintained (44.7% (95%CI 17.1% to 63.1%). The third-year evaluation results show persistent vaccine effectiveness of 4CMenB against MenB disease in infants and adolescents. As this is the first ongoing program for adolescents, moderate vaccine protection against gonorrhoea with waning effectiveness three years post-vaccination was demonstrated in adolescents and young adults. The additional protection of 4CMenB vaccine against gonorrhoea, likely through cross-protection should be considered in cost-effectiveness analyses. A booster dose may need to be further evaluated and considered in adolescents due to waning protection against gonorrhoea demonstrated after 36 months post-vaccination.

Burden of maternal high-risk fertility behaviour on under-five children’s health status in Hadiya zone, Southern Ethiopia: a facility-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundMaternal high-risk fertility behaviours (HRFBs) are common in African countries and can potentially affect child survival. Evidence of the burden of maternal HRFB on under-five children is scant in Ethiopia.ObjectiveTo...

Exploring Ways of HIV Transmission in Correctional Facilities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the few African countries where human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission is still a silent issue. In the context of the DRC, the purpose of this paper was to investigate how HIV is transmitted among inmates within Congolese correctional facilities. It focuses on the ways certain Congolese correctional services‘ cultures facilitate the spread of HIV. The paper argues that incarceration settings allow for the importation of pre-incarceration lifestyles and risky behaviours into prisons; hence increasing the risk of HIV/AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) transmission among convicts. Methodologically, the paper followed a qualitative approach based mainly on secondary data. A content analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings of the study indicated that prisoners‘ pre-incarceration lifestyle supplemented by prison culture and settings engendered HIV high-risk behaviour among inmates in Congo‘s prisons. In addition, the paper appealed for the government to pay attention to prison cultures generated by the interaction between prison environments and a quest for a sense of psychological wellbeing inside correctional facilities.

Human interactions with bats and bat coronaviruses in rural Côte d'Ivoire

Bats are presumed reservoirs of diverse α- and β- coronaviruses (CoVs) and understanding the diversity of bat-CoVs and the role bats play in CoV transmission is highly relevant in the context of the current COVID pandemic. We sampled bats in Côte d'Ivoire (2016–2018) living at ecotones between anthropogenic and wild habitats in the Marahoué National Park, a recently encroached protected area, to detect and characterize the CoVs circulating in bats and humans. A total of 314 bats were captured, mostly during the rainy season (78%), and CoV RNA was detected in three of the bats (0.96%). A CoV RNA sequence similar to Chaerephon bat coronavirus/Kenya/KY22/2006 (BtKY22) was found in a Chaerephon cf. pumilus and a Mops sp. fecal swab, while a CoV RNA sequence similar to the two almost identical Kenya bat coronaviruses BtKY55 and BtKY56 (BtKY55/56) was detected in an Epomops buettikoferi oral swab. Phylogenetic analyses indicated differences in the degree of evolutionary host-virus co-speciation for BtKY22 and BtKY55/56. To assess potential for human exposure to these viruses, we conducted human syndromic and community-based surveillance in clinics and high-risk communities. We collected data on participant characteristics, livelihoods, animal contact, and high-risk behaviors that may be associated with exposure to zoonotic diseases. We then collected biological samples for viral testing from 401 people. PCR testing of these biological samples revealed no evidence of CoV infection among the enrolled individuals. We identified higher levels of exposure to bats in people working in crop production and in hunting, trapping and fishing. Finally, we used the ‘Spillover’ risk-ranking tool to assess the potential for viral spillover and concluded that, while there is no evidence to suggest imminent risk of spillover for these CoVs, their host range and other traits suggest caution and vigilance are warranted in people with high exposure risk.