Browsing by Author "Santelli, John S."
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Item Cell Phones, Sexual Behaviors and HIV Prevalence in Rakai, Uganda: A Cross Sectional Analysis of Longitudinal Data(AIDS and Behavior, 2020) Nalugoda, Fred; Kreniske, Philip; Hofer, Sarah; Zhong, Xiaobo; Wei, Ying; Grilo, Stephanie A.; Chen, Ivy; D. Kigozi, Ssebaggala; Kigozi, Godfrey; Lutalo, Tom; Ssekubugu, Robert; Nakawooya, Hadijja; Kagaayi, Joseph; Chang, Larry W.; Wawer, Maria J.; Gray, Ronald H.; Wang, Qianshu; Santelli, John S.Cell phones have increased communication and connection across the globe and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa—with potential consequences for the HIV epidemic. We examined the association among ownership of cell phones, sexual behaviors (number of sexual partners, alcohol use before sex, inconsistent condom use), and HIV prevalence. Data were from four rounds (2010–2016) of the Rakai Community Cohort Study (N = 58,275). Sexual behaviors and HIV prevalence were compared between people who owned a cell phone to people who did not own a cell phone. We stratified analysis by younger (15–24 years) and older (25+ years) age groups and by gender. Using logistic regression and after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, we found cell phone ownership was independently associated with increased odds of having two or more sexual partners in the past 12 months across age and gender groups (young men AOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.47–1.90; young women AOR 1.28 95% CI 1.08–1.53; older men AOR 1.54 95% CI 1.41–1.69; older women AOR 1.44 95% CI 1.26–1.65). Interestingly, young men who owned cell phones had decreased odds of using condoms inconsistently (AOR 0.66, 95% CI 0.57–0.75). For young women, cell phone ownership was associated with increased odds of using alcohol before sex (AOR 1.38 95% CI 1.17–1.63) and increased odds of inconsistent condom use (AOR 1.40, 95% 1.17–1.67). After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, only young women who owned cell phones had increased odds of being HIV positive (AOR 1.27 95% CI 1.07–1.50). This association was not mediated by sexual behaviors (Adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behaviors AOR 1.24, 95% CI 1.05–1.46). While cell phone ownership appears to be associated with increased HIV risk for young women, we also see a potential opportunity for future cell phone-based health interventions.Item Contraceptive knowledge, perceptions, and concerns among men in Uganda(BMC Public Health, 2017) Thummalachetty, Nityanjali; Mathur, Sanyukta; Mullinax, Margo; DeCosta, Kelsea; Nakyanjo, Neema; Lutalo, Tom; Brahmbhatt, Heena; Santelli, John S.Low contraceptive uptake and high unmet need for contraception remain significant issues in Uganda compared to neighboring countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, and Rwanda. Although prior research on contraceptive uptake has indicated that male partners strongly influence women’s decisions around contraceptive use, there is limited in-depth qualitative research on knowledge and concerns regarding modern contraceptive methods among Ugandan men. Methods: Using in-depth interviews (N = 41), this qualitative study investigated major sources of knowledge about contraception and perceptions of contraceptive side effects among married Ugandan men. RESULTS: Men primarily reported knowledge of contraceptives based on partner’s experience of side effects, partner’s knowledge from health providers and mass media campaigns, and partner’s knowledge from her peers. Men were less likely to report contraceptive knowledge from health care providers, mass media campaigns, or peers. Men’s concerns about various contraceptive methods were broadly associated with failure of the method to work properly, adverse health effects on women, and severe adverse health effects on children. Own or partner’s human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status did not impact on contraceptive knowledge. Conclusions: Overall, we found limited accurate knowledge about contraceptive methods among men in Uganda. Moreover, fears about the side effects of modern contraceptive methods appeared to be common among men. Family planning services in Uganda could be significantly strengthened by renewed efforts to focus on men’s knowledge, fears, and misconceptions.Item Differential Impacts of HIV status on shortterm fertility desires among couples in Rakai, Uganda(PLoS ONE, 2019) Song, Xiaoyu; Grilo, Stephanie A.; Mathur, Sanyukta; Lutalo, Tom; Ssekubugu, Robert; Nalugoda, Fred; Santelli, John S.Fertility desires of female and male partners in current relationships are often correlated. We examined the influence of HIV seropositive status of female and male partners on shortterm fertility desires in Rakai, Uganda, a setting with high fertility and HIV infection rates. Methods Participants were couples (15–49 years old) enrolled in the Rakai Community Cohort Study, from 2011 to 2013 (n = 2,291). Cohen’s kappa coefficient was used to measure the correlation of female and male partners’ short-term fertility desires (measured as ‘wanting a child in the next 12 months’), in both total sample and stratified serostatus groups. HIV serostatus and additional characteristics of female and male partners were included in Poisson regression models to estimate the rate ratios (RR) for each partner’s short-term fertility desires. Individual and partner characteristics included HIV status, partner HIV status, age in years, partner age in years, educational attainment, number of living children, community of residence, and socioeconomic status (SES). Results Short-term fertility desires among female and male partners were moderately associated (Kappa = 0.37, p-value<0.001). The association was weakest among female sero-positive and male sero-negative couples (Kappa = 0.29, p-value<0.001). When adjusting for parity and other covariates in the model, women’s short-term fertility desires were significantly associated with their positive sero-status regardless of male partners’ sero-status (adjRR = 1.58, p<0.001 for F+M-; adjRR = 1.33, p = 0.001 for F+M+; in comparison with F-M-). Men’s short-term fertility desires were significantly associated with their positive sero-status, in addition to their female partners’ positive sero-status (adjRR = 1.23 with p-value = 0.022 for F-M+; adjRR = 1.42 with p-value<0.001 for F+M-; adjRR = 1.26 with p-value<0.001 for F+M +; in comparison with F-M-). When the differential effect of parity was included in the model, similar associations remained for both female and male partners when the number of living children was small, but largely reduced when the number of living children was large (3 or more). Conclusion Female and male partners in couple dyads demonstrated moderate agreements about short-term fertility desires. The HIV seropositive status of female partners was most strongly associated with short-term fertility desires of both genders, and this association was even stronger for women who had few or no living children.Item Impact of combination HIV interventions on HIV incidence in hyperendemic fishing communities in Uganda: a prospective cohort study(The lancet HIV,, 2019) Kagaayi, Joseph; Chang, Larry W.; Ssempijja, Victor; Grabowski, M. Kate; Ssekubugu, Robert; Nakigozi, Gertrude; Kigozi, Godfrey; Serwadda, David M.; Gray, Ronald H.; Nalugoda, Fred; Sewankambo, Nelson K; Nelson, Lisa; Mills, Lisa A.; Kabatesi, Donna; Alamo, Stella; Kennedy, Caitlin E.; Tobian, Aaron A. R.; Santelli, John S.; Mia Ekström, Anna; Nordenstedt, Helena; Quinn, Thomas C.; Wawer, Maria J.; Reynolds, Steven J.Targeting combination HIV interventions to locations and populations with high HIV burden is a global priority, but the impact of these strategies on HIV incidence is unclear. We assessed the impact of combination HIV interventions on HIV incidence in four HIV-hyperendemic communities in Uganda. Methods We did an open population-based cohort study of people aged 15–49 years residing in four fishing communities on Lake Victoria. The communities were surveyed five times to collect self-reported demographic, behavioural, and service-uptake data. Free HIV testing was provided at each interview, with referral to combination HIV intervention services as appropriate. From November, 2011, combination HIV intervention services were rapidly expanded in these geographical areas. We evaluated trends in HIV testing coverage among all participants, circumcision coverage among male participants, antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage and HIV viral load among HIV-positive participants, and sexual behaviours and HIV incidence among HIV-negative participants. Findings From Nov 4, 2011, to Aug 16, 2017, data were collected from five surveys. Overall, 8942 participants contributed 20 721 person-visits; 4619 (52%) of 8942 participants were male. HIV prevalence was 41% (1598 of 3870) in the 2011–12 baseline survey and declined to 37% (1740 of 4738) at the final survey (p<0·0001). 3222 participants who were HIV-negative at baseline, and who had at least one repeat visit, contributed 9477 person-years of follow-up, and 230 incident HIV infections occurred. From the first survey in 2011–12 to the last survey in 2016–17, HIV testing coverage increased from 68% (2613 of 3870) to 96% (4526 of 4738; p<0·0001); male circumcision coverage increased from 35% (698 of 2011) to 65% (1630 of 2525; p<0·0001); ART coverage increased from 16% (254 of 1598) to 82% (1420 of 1740; p<0·0001); and population HIV viral load suppression in all HIV-positive participants increased from 34% (546 of 1596) to 80% (1383 of 1734; p<0·0001). Risky sexual behaviours did not decrease over this period. HIV incidence decreased from 3·43 per 100 person-years (95% CI 2·45–4·67) in 2011–12 to 1·59 per 100 person-years (95% CI 1·19–2·07) in 2016–17; adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0·52 (95% CI 0·34–0·79). Declines in HIV incidence were similar among men (adjusted IRR 0·53, 95% CI 0·30–0·93) and women (0·51, 0·27–0·96). The risk of incident HIV infection was lower in circumcised men than in uncircumcised men (0·46, 0·32–0·67). Interpretation Rapid expansion of combination HIV interventions in HIV-hyperendemic fishing communities is feasible and could have a substantial impact on HIV incidence. However, incidence remains higher than HIV epidemic control targets, and additional efforts will be needed to achieve this global health priority. Funding The National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the National Institute of Child Health and Development, the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases Division of Intramural Research, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Uganda, Karolinska Institutet, and the Johns Hopkins University Center for AIDS Research.Item Migration and risk of HIV acquisition in Rakai, Uganda: a population-based cohort study(The lancet HIV, 2018) Olawore, Oluwasolape; Tobian, Aaron A. R.; Kagaayi, Joseph; Bazaale, Jeremiah M.; Nantume, Betty; Kigozi, Grace; Nankinga, Justine; Nalugoda, Fred; Nakigozi, Gertrude; Kigozi, Godfrey; Gray, Ronald H.; Wawer, Maria J.; Ssekubugu, Robert; Santelli, John S.; Reynolds, Steven J.; Chang, Larry W.; Serwadda, David; Grabowski, Mary K.In sub-Saharan Africa, migrants typically have higher HIV prevalence than non-migrants; however, whether HIV acquisition typically precedes or follows migration is unknown. We aimed to investigate the risk of HIV after migration in Rakai District, Uganda. Methods In a prospective population-based cohort of HIV-negative participants aged 15–49 years in Rakai, Uganda, between April 6, 1999, and Jan 30, 2015, we assessed the association between migration and HIV acquisition. Individuals were classified as recent in-migrants (≤2 years in community), non-recent in-migrants (>2 years in community), or permanent residents with no migration history. The primary outcome was incident HIV infection. We used Poisson regression to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of HIV associated with residence status with adjustment for demographics, sexual behaviours, and time. Data were also stratified and analysed within three periods (1999–2004, 2005–11, and 2011–15) in relation to the introduction of combination HIV prevention (CHP; pre-CHP, early CHP, and late CHP). Findings Among 26 995 HIV-negative people who participated in the Rakai Community Cohort Study survey, 15 187 (56%) contributed one or more follow-up visits (89 292 person-years of follow-up) and were included in our final analysis. 4451 (29%) were ever in-migrants and 10 736 (71%) were permanent residents. 841 incident HIV events occurred, including 243 (29%) among in-migrants. HIV incidence per 100 person-years was significantly increased among recent in-migrants compared with permanent residents, for both women (1·92, 95% CI 1·52–2·43 vs 0·93, 0·84–1·04; IRR adjusted for demographics 1·75, 95% CI 1·33–2·33) and men (1·52, 0·99–2·33 vs 0·84, 0·74–0·94; 1·74, 1·12–2·71), but not among non-recent in-migrants (IRR adjusted for demographics 0·94, 95% CI 0·74–1·19 for women and 1·28, 0·94–1·74 for men). Between the pre-CHP and late-CHP periods, HIV incidence declined among permanent resident men (p<0·0001) and women (p=0·002) and non-recent in-migrant men (p=0·031), but was unchanged among non-recent in-migrant women (p=0·13) and recent in-migrants (men p=0·76; women p=0·84) Interpretation The first 2 years after migration are associated with increased risk of HIV acquisition. Prevention programmes focused on migrants are needed to reduce HIV incidence in sub-Saharan Africa. Funding National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the National Institute of Child Health and Development, the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases Division of Intramural Research, National Institutes of Health; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; and the Johns Hopkins University Center for AIDS Research.Item Migration, hotspots, and dispersal of HIV infection in Rakai, Uganda(Nature Communications, 2020) Grabowski, Mary Kate; Lessler, Justin; Bazaale, Jeremiah; Nabukalu, Dorean; Nankinga, Justine; Nantume, Betty; Ssekasanvu, Joseph; Reynolds, Steven J.; Ssekubugu, Robert; Nalugoda, Fred; Kigozi, Godfrey; Kagaayi, Joseph; Santelli, John S.; Kennedy, Caitlin; Wawer, Maria J.; Serwadda, David; Chang, Larry W.; Gray, Ronald H.HIV prevalence varies markedly throughout Africa, and it is often presumed areas of higher HIV prevalence (i.e., hotspots) serve as sources of infection to neighboring areas of lower prevalence. However, the small-scale geography of migration networks and movement of HIV-positive individuals between communities is poorly understood. Here, we use population-based data from ~22,000 persons of known HIV status to characterize migratory patterns and their relationship to HIV among 38 communities in Rakai, Uganda with HIV prevalence ranging from 9 to 43%. We find that migrants moving into hotspots had significantly higher HIV prevalence than migrants moving elsewhere, but out-migration from hotspots was geographically dispersed, contributing minimally to HIV burden in destination locations. Our results challenge the assumption that high prevalence hotspots are drivers of transmission in regional epidemics, instead suggesting that migrants with high HIV prevalence, particularly women, selectively migrate to these areas.