Partner Services Research Articles

Implementation of Complex Proportional Assessment and Rank Order Centroid Methods for Selecting Delivery Services

Choosing the right delivery service partner is an important thing for companies to consider. This is because the selection of the right delivery service partner can minimize the risks involved. Generally, choosing a delivery partner service is done by looking at the profile of the freight forwarder's partner. It takes time to determine the right delivery service partner. This study aims to apply the Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS) and Rank Order Centroid (ROC) methods in a decision support system for selecting delivery service partners to make it easier to make the right decisions and meet needs. The ROC weighting method is used to determine the value of the criteria based on priority. Meanwhile, the COPRAS approach is used to determine the best solution based on an analysis of the existing options through alternative assessments by providing interval-based utility judgments. In the case study conducted, the best alternative was obtained, namely J&T Express with a score of 100, followed by JNE Express with a value of 92.09, SiCepat with a value of 91.89, Ninja Express with a value of 91.42. The COPRAS calculation results on the system developed with the manual calculation results show the same value, this means that the calculations on the system are valid. The usability scores, on the other hand, have an average value of 88.33% and are considered good

Modeling the impact of different PrEP targeting strategies combined with a clinic-based HIV-1 nucleic acid testing intervention in Kenya

BackgroundUp to 69% of adults who acquire HIV in Kenya seek care for acute retroviral symptoms, providing an important opportunity for early diagnosis and HIV care engagement. The Tambua Mapema Plus (TMP) trial tested a combined HIV-1 nucleic acid testing, linkage, treatment, and partner notification intervention for adults with symptoms of acute HIV infection presenting to health facilities in coastal Kenya. We estimated the potential impact on the Kenyan HIV epidemic of providing PrEP to individuals testing negative in TMP, if scaled up. MethodsWe developed an agent-based simulation of HIV-1 transmission using TMP data and current Kenyan statistics. PrEP interventions were layered onto a model of TMP as standard of care, to estimate additional potential population-level impact of enrolling HIV-negative individuals identified through TMP on PrEP over 10 years. Four scenarios were modeled: PrEP for uninfected individuals in disclosed serodiscordant couples; PrEP for individuals with concurrent partnerships; PrEP for all uninfected individuals identified through TMP; and PrEP integrated into the enhanced partner services component of TMP. FindingsProviding PrEP to both individuals with concurrent partnerships and uninfected partners identified through enhanced partner services reduced new HIV infections and was efficient based on numbers needed to treat (NNT). The mean percent of infections averted was 2.79 (95%SI:−10.83, 15.24) and 4.62 (95%SI:−9.5, 16.82) when PrEP uptake was 50% and 100%, respectively, and median NNT was 22.54 (95%SI:not defined, 6.45) and 27.55 (95%SI:not defined, 11.0), respectively. Providing PrEP for all uninfected individuals identified through TMP averted up to 12.68% (95%SI:0.17, 25.19) of new infections but was not efficient based on the NNT: 200.24 (95%SI:523.81, 123.23). ConclusionsProviding PrEP to individuals testing negative for HIV-1 nucleic acid after presenting to a health facility with symptoms compatible with acute HIV adds value to the TMP intervention, provided PrEP is targeted effectively and efficiently. FundingNational Institutes of Health, Sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence.

Augmented Reality dengan Model Generate Target dalam Visualisasi Objek Digital pada Media Pembelajaran

Augmented Reality (AR) is a digital technology that allows the creation of a combination between the real world and digital content projections to produce additional valuable information for users. This technology has begun to implement in various fields of human life like industry, health, military, entertainment, and education. AR technology will be applied to the education sector in this community service activity. This activity aims to introduce AR technology and a development model based on the Model Generate Target (MGT) to service partners, namely SMA INS Kayu Tanam. The Generate Target model is an AR application development concept by adopting the concept of Digital Twins, where digital content projections will be made similar to real objects. The projected digital content will serve as a descriptive object from the real world, so users can interact more flexibly with objects from the real world. The activity was carried out by providing an introduction to AR technology, installing AR design software, and practicing making simple AR applications using the MGT concept for partner service to the community. In this activity, the designed AR will use spherical objects in the real world and the resulting digital projection is a virus. Projection of digital content onto spherical objects will provide better information and learning experiences in viral object recognition because 3D objects will appear and be attached to real objects. The expected results of this community service activity are introducing AR technology to partners engaged in education and providing a new solution in implementing new digital content-based teaching media that can be applied to several subjects such as biology, chemistry, and glasses to community service partners.

Financial incentives to improve uptake of partner services for sexually transmitted infections in Zimbabwe antenatal care: protocol for a cluster randomised trial.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, and syphilis, are associated with adverse birth outcomes. Treatment should be accompanied by partner services to prevent re-infection and break cycles of transmission. Partner services include the processes of partner notification (PN) as well as arranging for their attendance for testing and/or treatment. However, due to a complex mix of cultural, socio-economic, and health access factors, uptake of partner services is often very low, in many settings globally. Alternative strategies to facilitate partner services are therefore needed.The aim of this study is to assess the impact of a small financial incentive on uptake of partner services for STIs as part of antenatal care (ANC) services in Zimbabwe. This trial will be embedded within a prospective interventional study in Harare, aiming to evaluate integration of point-of-care diagnostics for STIs into ANC settings. One thousand pregnant women will be screened for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, and syphilis. All individuals with STIs will be offered treatment, risk reduction counselling, and client PN. Each clinic day will be randomised 1:1 to be an incentive or non-incentive day. On incentive days, participants diagnosed with a curable STI will be offered a PN slip, that when returned will entitle their partners to $3 (USD) in compensation. On non-incentive days, regular PN slips with no incentive are provided.The primary outcome measure is the proportion of individuals with at least one partner who returns for partner services based on administrative records. Secondary outcomes will include the number of days between index case diagnosis and the partner attending for partner services, uptake of PN slips by pregnant women, adverse birth outcomes in index cases, partners who receive treatment, and intervention cost. Pan African Clinical Trials Registry: PACTR202302702036850 (Approval date 18 th February 2022).

"I feel good because I have saved their lives": Acceptability of assisted partner services among female index clients and male sexual partners in Kenya.

Assisted partner services (APS), or notification for sexual partners of people diagnosed with HIV, is an efficient, effective, and high yield strategy to identify people living with HIV and is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, there remains a need to further understand the acceptability of APS qualitatively from a client lens, particularly when APS is integrated into the national health system. We investigated acceptability of APS when integrated into HIV services in Kenya. Starting in May 2018, APS was implemented in 31 health facilities in Kisumu and Homa Bay counties in western Kenya. From January to December 2019, we conducted in-depth interviews (IDIs) with female index clients (n = 16) and male sexual partners (n = 17) in 10 facilities participating in an APS scale up study. Interviews assessed APS satisfaction, perceived benefits of the intervention, and challenges that may affect delivery or uptake. We applied the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability by Sekhon et al. (2017) as a guide to organize our findings. We find that views of APS are often guided by an individual's trust in the intervention's design and implementation, and an interest to preserve one's health and that of one's family and children. There were strong and consistent acceptable views of APS as "doing good" and "saving a life" and as a means of showing love towards one's partner(s). The initial acceptability framing of individuals engaging with APS was predicated either on a feeling of comfort with the intervention, or a wariness of divulging sex partner personal information. Health care workers (HCWs) were seen to play an important role in mitigating participant fears linked with the intervention, particularly around the sensitive nature of HIV disclosure and sexual partners. Clients noted considerable challenges that affected acceptability, including the risk to the relationship of disclosing one's HIV status, and the risk of intimate partner violence. We found that APS is acceptable as a strategy to reach male sexual partners of females diagnosed with HIV, and these findings provide opportunities to inform recommendations for further scale-up. Opportunities such as focusing on intervention confidentiality and appropriate counseling, excluding female clients at risk of IPV from this intervention, and highlighting the altruistic benefits of APS to potential clients. Understanding the perspectives of clients receiving APS in a real-world setting may be valuable to policy-makers and stakeholders interested in scaling up or enhancing APS within health systems.

Previous Sexually Transmitted Infections and Partner Services Interviews as Predictors of Subsequent Interview Completion Among Cisgender MSM: Partner Services Fatigue?

Anecdotal reports suggest that partner services (PS) are less successful among people with repeat sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses and/or previous PS interactions. We examine whether having repeated STI diagnoses and/or PS interactions is associated with PS outcomes among men who have sex with men (MSM). With STI surveillance and PS data for MSM diagnosed with gonorrhea, chlamydia, and/or syphilis from 2007 to 2018, in King County, WA, we used Poisson regression models to examine the relationships between PS outcomes (e.g., completing a PS interview and providing identifying information for a contact) with (1) number of previous STI case episodes and (2) number of previous PS interviews completed. Of the 18,501 MSM STI case patients initiated for interview in the analytic period (2011-2018), 13,232 (72%) completed a PS interview, and 8,030 (43%) had at least 1 prior PS interview. The proportion of initiated cases successfully interviewed declined from 71% among those with no previous PS interview to 66% among those with ≥3 prior interviews. Similarly, the proportion of interviews with ≥1 partner identified declined with greater numbers of previous PS interviews (from 46% [0 interviews] to 35% [≥3 interviews]). In multivariate models, having ≥1 prior PS interview was negatively associated with completing a subsequent interview and providing partner locating information. Having a history of STI PS interviews is associated with less PS engagement among MSM. New approaches to PS should be explored to address the growing epidemic of STIs among MSM.

Implementation fidelity to HIV assisted partner services (aPS) during scale-up in western Kenya: a convergent mixed methods study

BackgroundHIV assisted partner services (aPS) is an intervention to improve HIV status awareness among sex and drug-injecting partners of people newly diagnosed with HIV (index clients). Implementation fidelity—the degree to which an intervention is conducted as intended – is critical to effectiveness, but there are limited data about aPS fidelity when delivered by HIV testing service (HTS) providers. We explored factors affecting implementation fidelity to aPS in two high-HIV prevalence counties in western Kenya.MethodsWe used convergent mixed methods adapting the conceptual framework for implementation fidelity within the aPS scale-up project. This was an implementation study examining scale-up of APS within HTS programs in Kisumu and Homa Bay counties that recruited male sex partners (MSPs) of female index clients. We defined implementation fidelity as the extent to which HTS providers followed the protocol for phone and in-person participant tracing at six expected tracing attempts. Quantitative data were collected from tracing reports in 31 facilities between November 2018 and December 2020, and in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with HTS providers. Descriptive statistics were used to describe tracing attempts. IDIs were analyzed using thematic content analysis.ResultsOverall, 3017 MSPs were mentioned of whom 98% (2969/3017) were traced, with most tracing attempts being successful (2831/2969, 95%). Fourteen HTS providers participated in the IDIs—mostly females (10/14, 71%) with a median age of 35 years (range 25–52), who all had post-secondary education (14/14, 100%). The proportion of tracing attempts occurring by phone ranged from 47 to 66%, with the highest proportion occurring on the first attempt and lowest on the sixth attempt. Contextual factors either enhanced or impeded implementation fidelity to aPS. Positive provider attitudes towards aPS and conducive work environment factors promoted implementation fidelity, while negative MSP responses and challenging tracing conditions impeded it.ConclusionInteractions at the individual (provider), interpersonal (client—provider), and health systems (facility) levels affected implementation fidelity to aPS. As policymakers prioritize strategies to reduce new HIV infections, our findings highlight the importance of conducting fidelity assessments to better anticipate and mitigate the impact of contextual factors during the scale-up of interventions.

Effectiveness and safety of community-led assisted partner service among HIV-diagnosed men who have sex with men: a multicentre, randomized controlled trial in China

No randomized controlled trials have involved established HIV-diagnosed men who have sex with men (MSM) diagnosed for more than 6 months into the assisted partner service (aPS). We compared voluntary aPS involving community-based organizations (CBOs) and HIV self-testing (aPSST) with regular partner service (rPS) in HIV-diagnosed MSM irrespective of diagnosis time. In this unblinded, multicentre trial, we enrolled HIV-diagnosed MSM irrespective of diagnosis time in three cities in northern China. Index patients were randomly assigned to aPSST or rPS. Index patients in the aPSST group were additionally provided a comprehensive intervention package including HIV self-testing and CBO-based aPS compared with rPS group. The primary outcome was the number of index patients whose any sexual partner tested for HIV during the 6-month study. Completion of HIV testing was defined as sexual partners taking a clinic-based HIV test or HIV self-testing. Safety was assessed preliminary at the end of the 6-month follow-up. This study has been registered at chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2000038784). From March to December 2021, 325 of HIV-diagnosed MSM were enrolled (90⋅2% were established HIV-diagnosed MSM) and randomly assigned to receive aPSST (n=167) or rPS (n=158). At 6 months, 110 (65⋅9%) index patients in the aPSST group had at least one sexual partner tested for HIV compared with 50 (31⋅6%) in the rPS group (hazard ratio 2⋅86; 95% confidence interval 2⋅03-4⋅03; p<0⋅001). No significant difference was observed in effects of aPSST on HIV testing promotion between established and newly HIV-diagnosed MSM. Self-reported harms were infrequently observed in both groups (approximately 2⋅0%). Among HIV-diagnosed MSM regardless of diagnosis time, voluntary aPS involving CBOs and HIV self-testing was effective and safe for promoting partner HIV testing. This work was supported by the Mega-Projects of National Science Research, the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program, China.

Retailers Perception towards Channel Partner Services with Reference to Adithya Marketing

This study investigates the perception of retailers towards channel partner services, with a sample size of 368 retailers. The aim of the research is to gain insights into retailers' beliefs, attitudes, and opinions regarding the quality, effectiveness, and value of the services provided by their channel partner. The study employs a quantitative research approach, utilizing surveys as the primary data collection method. The survey questionnaire includes measures related to service quality, reliability, responsiveness, communication, which are key dimensions of retailers' perception towards channel partner services. The sample size of 368 retailers ensures a sufficiently diverse representation of different retail sectors, store sizes, and geographical locations. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, such as means, frequencies, and percentages, to provide an overview of retailers' perceptions. Additionally, inferential statistics, such as correlation and regression analysis, is conducted to identify any relationships between retailers' perception and variables such as delay in delivery, Customer service issues, credit facilities. The findings of this study will contribute to the understanding of retailers' perception towards channel partner services and provide valuable insights for both retailers and channel partners. Retailers can use the findings to evaluate their existing partnerships, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions regarding collaboration. Channel partners, on the other hand, can gain insights into retailer’s expectations and tailor their services to better meet retailers' needs, thereby enhancing their value proposition and fostering stronger partnerships.

Implementing HIV Assisted Partner Services in routine settings

Implementing HIV Assisted Partner Services in routine settings

Real-world impact of integrating HIV assisted partner services into 31 facilities in Kenya: a single-arm, hybrid type 2 implementation-effectiveness study

Assisted partner services (APS), or exposure notification and HIV testing for sexual partners of individuals diagnosed with HIV (index clients), have been shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials. We assessed the real-world effectiveness of APS when integrated into HIV clinics in western Kenya. In this single-arm, hybrid type 2 implementation science study, we facilitated APS implementation in 31 health facilities in Kenya by training existing health-care staff. We focused on male partner outcomes to assess the impact of APS in reaching male individuals in sub-Saharan Africa, who have lower rates of HIV testing than female individuals. Female individuals (aged ≥18 years or emancipated minor) who tested positive for HIV at participating facilities in Kenya were offered APS; consenting female participants provided contact information for all male sexual partners in the past 3 years. Male partners were notified of their potential HIV exposure and offered a choice of community-based or facility-based HIV testing services (HTS). Female index clients and male partners with HIV were followed up at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after enrolment, to assess linkage to antiretroviral treatment. Viral load was assessed at 12 months. Between May 1, 2018, and March 31, 2020, 32 722 female individuals received HTS; 1910 (6%) tested positive for HIV, of whom 1724 (90%) received APS. Female index clients named 5137 male partners (median 3 per index [IQR 2-4]), of whom 4422 (86%) were reached with exposure notification and HTS. 524 (12%) of the male partners tested were newly diagnosed with HIV and 1292 (29%) reported a previous HIV diagnosis. At 12 months follow-up, 1512 (88%) female index clients and 1621 (89%) male partners with HIV were taking ART, with few adverse events: 25 (2%) female index clients and seven (<1%) male partners reported intimate partner violence, and 60 (3%) female index clients and ten (<1%) male partners reported relationship dissolution. Evidence from this real-world APS scale-up project shows that APS is a safe, acceptable, and effective strategy to identify males with HIV and retain them in care. The US National Institutes of Health.

School of social work in partnership with community: finding areas for potential collaboration in service delivery

ABSTRACT In seeking to bridge the micro-macro divide in social work education, we conceptualized, developed, and initiated an innovative university-community partnership-based pilot internship program over a two-year period with four social work student interns placed within the cross-section of local government, social service agencies and community. Our goal was to work within the tripartite context to identify gaps in service delivery in the communities and support local organizations in addressing the gaps. The social problems identified through the internship program revealed service gaps in the areas of substance abuse treatment, intimate partner violence, parenting support, poverty alleviation and services for clients of color and individuals presenting with juvenile delinquency issues. While lack of student preparedness, agency policies, cost and lack of a clear understanding of the internship structure and goals constituted some barriers, the first year of the pilot’s implementation provided a strong case for university-community engagement and resulted in the creation of a comprehensive program structure to guide the execution of this internship model in future.

Predictors of HIV Molecular Cluster Membership and Implications for Partner Services.

Public health surveillance data used in HIV molecular cluster analyses lack contextual information that is available from partner services (PS) data. Integrating these data sources in retrospective analyses can enrich understanding of the risk profile of people in clusters. In this study, HIV molecular clusters were identified and matched to information on partners and other information gleaned at the time of diagnosis, including coinfection with syphilis. We aimed to produce a more complete understanding of molecular cluster membership in Houston, Texas, a city ranking ninth nationally in rate of new HIV diagnoses that may benefit from retrospective matched analyses between molecular and PS data to inform future intervention. Data from PS were matched to molecular HIV records of people newly diagnosed from 2012 to 2018. By conducting analyses in HIV-TRACE (TRAnsmission Cluster Engine) using viral genetic sequences, molecular clusters were detected. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between molecular cluster membership and completion of a PS interview, number of named partners, and syphilis coinfection. Using data from 4,035 people who had a viral genetic sequence and matched PS records, molecular cluster membership was not significantly associated with completion of a PS interview. Among those with sequences who completed a PS interview (n = 3,869), 45.3% (n = 1,753) clustered. Molecular cluster membership was significantly associated with naming 1 or 3+ partners compared with not naming any partners [adjusted odds ratio, aOR: 1.27 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.08-1.50), p = .003 and aOR: 1.38 (95% CI: 1.06-1.81), p = .02]. Alone, coinfection with syphilis was not significantly associated with molecular cluster membership. Syphilis coinfection was associated with molecular cluster membership when coupled with incarceration [aOR: 1.91 (95% CI: 1.08-3.38), p = .03], a risk for treatment interruption. Enhanced intervention among those with similar profiles, such as people coinfected with other risks, may be warranted.

Public Health Response to Clusters of Rapid HIV Transmission Among Hispanic or Latino Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men - Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, 2021-2022.

During February 2021-June 2022, the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) detected five clusters of rapid HIV transmission concentrated among Hispanic or Latino (Hispanic) gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in metropolitan Atlanta. The clusters were detected through routine analysis of HIV-1 nucleotide sequence data obtained through public health surveillance (1,2). Beginning in spring 2021, GDPH partnered with health districts with jurisdiction in four metropolitan Atlanta counties (Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett) and CDC to investigate factors contributing to HIV spread, epidemiologic characteristics, and transmission patterns. Activities included review of surveillance and partner services interview data,† medical chart reviews, and qualitative interviews with service providers and Hispanic MSM community members. By June 2022, these clusters included 75 persons, including 56% who identified as Hispanic, 96% who reported male sex at birth, 81% who reported male-to-male sexual contact, and 84% of whom resided in the four metropolitan Atlanta counties. Qualitative interviews identified barriers to accessing HIV prevention and care services, including language barriers, immigration- and deportation-related concerns, and cultural norms regarding sexuality-related stigma. GDPH and the health districts expanded coordination, initiated culturally concordant HIV prevention marketing and educational activities, developed partnerships with organizations serving Hispanic communities to enhance outreach and services, and obtained funding for a bilingual patient navigation program with academic partners to provide staff members to help persons overcome barriers and understand the health care system. HIV molecular cluster detection can identify rapid HIV transmission among sexual networks involving ethnic and sexual minority groups, draw attention to the needs of affected populations, and advance health equity through tailored responses that address those needs.

Healthcare providers’ perspective on barriers to optimal HIV index testing: an interview-based study

Background: HIV testing services (HTS) and antiretroviral therapy have seen a substantial scale-up. Poorly targeted HTS have continued to miss people living with HIV who do not know their HIV status. This requires new and targeted approaches to reach undiagnosed people with HIV, such as HIV partner services. The aim of this study was to assess the barriers to optimal index testing for improved HIV testing yield in Lusaka, Zambia. Methods: One-to-one interviews were conducted with index testing providers to explore provider-related and client-related barriers to testing, and document other experiences arising during the process of HIV index testing. An interview guide was utilized for consistency of information collected. Results: Provider related challenges included inadequate elicitation skills among healthcare workers; low number of volunteers trained in index testing; inadequate index testing knowledge among staff; age and sex differences; limited elicitation of index partners to only wife and husband (not eliciting all sexual partners); and limited transport for contact tracing. On the other hand, client-related challenges were mobile communities due to seasonal activities such as cross boarder trades, sex work and farming; some key populations and adolescent index clients do not have contact details for their casual relationships; provider’s age or gender difference for some clients; missing details on client locator forms or wrong details provided; stigma and discrimination; and limited space dedicated to conduct elicitation of index clients. Discussion: The challenges identified have future implications for index partner testing. These barriers were also gender and age specific. HIV testing services need to adapt to the social context of Zambia where HIV-related stigma and discrimination is still a challenge. As Zambia makes significant progress towards achieving HIV epidemic control, more effort is needed to address specific barriers to optimal HIV index testing.

Ending the HIV Epidemic: Identifying Barriers and Facilitators to Implement Molecular HIV Surveillance to Develop Real-Time Cluster Detection and Response Interventions for Local Communities.

The rapid implementation of molecular HIV surveillance (MHS) has resulted in significant challenges for local health departments to develop real-time cluster detection and response (CDR) interventions for priority populations impacted by HIV. This study is among the first to explore professionals' strategies to implement MHS and develop CDR interventions in real-world public health settings. Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were completed by 21 public health stakeholders in the United States' southern and midwestern regions throughout 2020-2022 to identify themes related to the implementation and development of MHS and CDR. Results for the thematic analysis revealed (1) strengths and limitations in utilizing HIV surveillance data for real-time CDR; (2) limitations of MHS data due to medical provider and staff concerns related to CDR; (3) divergent perspectives on the effectiveness of partner services; (4) optimism, but reluctance about the social network strategy; and (5) enhanced partnerships with community stakeholders to address MHS-related concerns. Conclusions: Enhancing MHS and CDR efforts requires a centralized system for staff to access public health data from multiple databases to develop CDR interventions; designating staff dedicated to CDR interventions; and establishing equitable meaningful partnerships with local community stakeholders to address MHS concerns and develop culturally informed CDR interventions.

Integration of assisted partner services within Kenya's national HIV testing services program: A qualitative study.

Assisted partner service (aPS) augments HIV case-finding among sex partners to individuals newly diagnosed with HIV. In 2016, aPS was incorporated into the national HIV testing services (HTS) program in Kenya. We evaluated the extent of, barriers to, and facilitators of aPS integration into HTS. We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews (IDIs) with 32 stakeholders selected using purposive sampling at national, county, facility, and community levels. IDIs were conducted at two timepoints, at baseline from August-September 2018 in Kisumu and January-June 2019 in Homa Bay, and at follow-up from May-August 2020 to understand changes in aPS integration over time. We defined integration as the creation of linkages between the new intervention (aPS) and the existing HTS program. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. We found varying degrees of aPS integration, highest in procurement/logistics and lowest in HTS provider recruitment/training. At baseline, aPS integration was low and activities were at an introductory phase. At follow-up, aPS was integrated in almost the entire HTS program with the exception of low community awareness, which was noted at both baseline and follow-up. There was increasing routinization with establishment of clear aPS cycles, e.g., quarterly data review meetings, annual budget cycles and work-plans. Major barriers included limited government funding, staff constraints, and inadequate community-level sensitization, while key facilitators included increased resources for aPS, and community health volunteer (CHV) facilitated awareness of aPS. Varying degrees of aPS integration across different units of the national HTS program highlights challenges in funding, human resource, and public awareness. Policymakers will need to address these barriers to ensure optimal provision of aPS.

Gender identity services must better integrate members of transgender people's social networks in care

Gender identity services must better integrate members of transgender people's social networks in care

Two Models for Increasing the Scope and Activities of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Partner Services Programs: Preliminary Findings From the Fast Track Project.

We sought to develop a novel strategy for expanding an existing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) partner services (PS) model to provide comprehensive sexual health services, including sexually transmitted infection testing, a virtual telemedicine visit, and access to immediate start medication (antiretroviral treatment, preexposure or postexposure prophylaxis). Fast Track was a National Institutes of Health-funded implementation science trial in New York City to pilot and refine the new strategy, and examine its feasibility, acceptability, and impact. Over the course of 1 year, health department staff collaborated with the academic research team to develop Fast Track protocols and workflows, create a cloud-based database to interview and track patients, and train disease intervention specialists to deliver the new program. The initial field-based program (Fast Track 1.0) was piloted March to December 2019. A modified telephone-based program (Fast Track 2.0) was developed in response to COVID-19 pandemic constraints and was piloted August 2020 to March 2021. These 2 pilots demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of integrating comprehensive sexual health services into HIV PS programs. Disease intervention specialists were successfully trained to conduct comprehensive sexual health visits, and clients reported that the availability of comprehensive sexual health services made them more willing to engage with PS. Key lessons for scale-up include managing collaboration with a licensed provider, navigating technical and technological issues, and challenges in client engagement and retention. The success of this integrated strategy suggests that telehealth visits may be a critical gateway to care engagement for PS clients. This model is an innovative strategy for increasing engagement with HIV testing, prevention, and treatment for underserved populations.

Adoption of AI integrated partner relationship management (AI-PRM) in B2B sales channels: Exploratory study

Partner relationship management (PRM) is a set of methods, tools, strategies, and web-based capabilities that a business-to-business (B2B) firm uses to manage its relationships with partners, resellers, and other third parties. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into PRM helps automate processes and procedures by eliminating human error and processing data faster and more accurately. Following growing attention from scholars and practitioners to AI-PRM, this study builds on the dynamic capability view (DCV) and absorptive capacity theory to develop a conceptual model to understand the requirements for a B2B firm's adoption of AI-PRM and its impact on business value. Since AI-PRM is still relatively new in scholarly research, there are no specific scales in the existing literature that could be used to capture specific factors and preconditions for its adoption, thus we explore a set of new metrics. We test the conceptual model using structural equation modeling with data from 427 B2B firms. Our results show that firms improve operational performance when an AI-PRM system is reflected in customized partner services and partner engagement, which in turn yields business value.