Project description:BackgroundThe increasing burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV and syphilis among male sex workers (MSWs) is a major global concern. The aim of our study was to evaluate the difference between MSWs and non-commercial MSMs in China.MethodsDuring 2008-09, in a cross-sectional study, 2618 adult MSM were recruited through respondent-driven and snowball sampling from seven cities of China. Information regarding socio-demographics, risk behaviors, HIV-related knowledge and STI-related symptoms were collected and participants were tested for HIV and syphilis.ResultsAmong 2618 participating MSM, 9.97% sold sex to males. HIV prevalence was 7.45% (6.13% among MSWs and 7.59% among non-MSW MSM) and syphilis prevalence was 14.32% (10.73% for MSWs and 14.72% for non-MSW MSM). Compared to non-MSW MSM, MSWs were more likely to be younger (adjusted odds ratio: aOR = 0.91, 95% confidence interval: 95%CI=0.88-0.93), never married (aOR = 4.38, 95% CI = 2.38-6.80), less educated, heterosexual (aOR = 13.04, 95% CI = 6.08-27.95), less knowledgeable regarding HIV (aOR = 0.70, 95% CI=0.51-0.96), experiencing symptoms of STI (aOR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.47-3.19), engaging in condomless vaginal intercourse (aOR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.47-3.19) and less likely to engage in condomless anal intercourse (aOR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.46-0.85).ConclusionsHigh HIV and syphilis prevalence warranted urgent intervention targeting MSWs as a separate sentinel group for efficient surveillance owing to their different distribution from non-MSW MSM. Although male sex workers and non-commercial homosexuals have similar rates of HIV and syphilis, MSWs have different characteristics which should be considered in designing intervention programs targeting them.
Project description:Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, which is prevalent in people over 65 years old. PD reduces patients' quality of life and exerts a heavy economic burden on patients and their families. The purpose of this research is to identify the costs of PD and to evaluate the economic distribution of medical care for PD patients in China.A professional survey was administered to 116 patients with PD. Records of medical cost were reviewed. Direct and indirect costs were analyzed. The main cost-driving factors of PD were identified using multivariate regression analysis.The average annual cost per PD patient in China is $3,225.94, with direct and indirect costs accounting for $2,503.46 and $722.48, respectively. Direct costs consist of $556.27 for surgery, $44.67 for appointment fees, $605.67 for prescription medication, $460.29 for hospitalization, $71.03 for auxiliary examination, $35.64 for transportation, $10.39 for special equipment, and $719.50 for formal care. The total cost is closely related to surgical treatment, dopamine agonist, and levodopa costs.The cost of PD patients in China is considerable and exceeds average economic capacity, especially antiparkinson medication and caring costs. This study may provide a reference for PD healthcare optimization in the future.
Project description:Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) among men who have sex with men (MSM) may protect against HIV acquisition. We conducted a series of analyses to assess if expanded VMMC might reduce HIV incidence among MSM effectively and economically. We used a deterministic compartmental model to project new HIV cases (2016-2026) under annual VMMC coverage rates (λ) ranging from 0.0001 to 0.15. The 'number needed to avert' (NNA) is defined as the cumulative number of VMMCs conducted up to that year divided by the cumulative number of HIV cases averted in that specific year. Compared with the baseline circumcision coverage rate, we projected that new HIV cases would be reduced with increasing coverage. By 2026 (last year simulated), the model generated the lowest ratio (11.10) when the annual circumcision rate was the most optimistic (λ = 0.15). The breakeven point was observed at the year of 2019 with the annual VMMC coverage rate of 0.001. The total cost saved by averting HIV cases would range from 2.5 to 811 million US dollars by the end of 2026 with different hypothetical coverage rates. Our model suggests that acceleration in VMMC implementation among MSM could help stem the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Project description:ObjectiveTo assess the health-related economic burden attributable to smoking in China for persons aged 35 and older.MethodsA prevalence-based, disease-specific approach was used to estimate the smoking attributable direct costs, indirect morbidity costs, and costs of premature deaths caused by smoking-related diseases. The primary data source was the 1998 China National Health Services Survey, which contains the smoking status, medical utilisation, and expenditures for 216,101 individuals.ResultsThe economic costs of smoking in 2000 amounted to $5.0 billion (measured in 2000, USD) in total and $25.43 per smoker (> or = age 35). The share of the economic costs was greater for men than women, and greater in rural areas than in urban areas. Of the $5.0 billion total costs, direct costs were $1.7 billion (34% of the total), indirect morbidity costs were $0.4 billion (8%), and indirect mortality costs were $2.9 billion (58%). The direct costs of smoking accounted for 3.1% of China's national health expenditures in 2000.ConclusionThe adverse health effects of smoking constitute a huge economic burden to the Chinese society. To reduce this burden in the future, effective tobacco control programmes and sustained efforts are needed to curb the tobacco epidemic and economic losses.
Project description:BackgroundSexually transmitted infections (STIs), including Hepatitis B and C virus, are emerging public health risks in China, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). This study aims to assess the magnitude and risks of STIs among Chinese MSM.MethodsChinese and English peer-reviewed articles were searched in five electronic databases from January 2000 to February 2013. Pooled prevalence estimates for each STI infection were calculated using meta-analysis. Infection risks of STIs in MSM, HIV-positive MSM and male sex workers (MSW) were obtained. This review followed the PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO.ResultsEighty-eight articles (11 in English and 77 in Chinese) investigating 35,203 MSM in 28 provinces were included in this review. The prevalence levels of STIs among MSM were 6.3% (95% CI: 3.5-11.0%) for chlamydia, 1.5% (0.7-2.9%) for genital wart, 1.9% (1.3-2.7%) for gonorrhoea, 8.9% (7.8-10.2%) for hepatitis B (HBV), 1.2% (1.0-1.6%) for hepatitis C (HCV), 66.3% (57.4-74.1%) for human papillomavirus (HPV), 10.6% (6.2-17.6%) for herpes simplex virus (HSV-2) and 4.3% (3.2-5.8%) for Ureaplasma urealyticum. HIV-positive MSM have consistently higher odds of all these infections than the broader MSM population. As a subgroup of MSM, MSW were 2.5 (1.4-4.7), 5.7 (2.7-12.3), and 2.2 (1.4-3.7) times more likely to be infected with chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HCV than the broader MSM population, respectively.ConclusionPrevalence levels of STIs among MSW were significantly higher than the broader MSM population. Co-infection of HIV and STIs were prevalent among Chinese MSM. Integration of HIV and STIs healthcare and surveillance systems is essential in providing effective HIV/STIs preventive measures and treatments.Trial registrationPROSPERO NO: CRD42013003721.
Project description:Globally, men have higher tuberculosis (TB) burden but the mechanisms underlying this sex disparity are not fully understood. Recent surveys of social mixing patterns have established moderate preferential within-sex mixing in many settings. This assortative mixing could amplify differences from other causes. We explored the impact of assortative mixing and factors differentially affecting disease progression and detection using a sex-stratified deterministic TB transmission model. We explored the influence of assortativity at disease-free and endemic equilibria, finding stronger effects during invasion and on increasing male:female prevalence (M:F) ratios than overall prevalence. Variance-based sensitivity analysis of endemic equilibria identified differential progression as the most important driver of M:F ratio uncertainty. We fitted our model to prevalence and notification data in exemplar settings within a fully Bayesian framework. For our high M:F setting, random mixing reduced equilibrium M:F ratios by 12% (95% CrI 0-30%). Equalizing male case detection there led to a 20% (95% CrI 11-31%) reduction in M:F ratio over 10 years-insufficient to eliminate sex disparities. However, this potentially achievable improvement was associated with a meaningful 8% (95% CrI 4-14%) reduction in total TB prevalence over this time frame.
Project description:BackgroundMen who have sex with men (MSM) globally face a high risk of HIV infection. Previous studies indicate that customized short message service (SMS) interventions could reduce high-risk behaviors that associated with HIV transmission. This study aims to evaluate the health and economic impacts of such interventions among MSM in China.MethodsA decision tree-Markov model was developed for a simulated cohort of 100,000 MSM of 20 years old. We assessed three intervention strategies: (1) routine strategy with standard health information; (2) SMS strategy with customized messages based on individual high-risk behaviors, with 50.1% efficacy and 50% coverage; (3) LEN-LA (lenacapavir long-acting) strategy as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), with 100% efficacy lasting for 0.5-year and 50% coverage. The study period was 45 years. Primary outcomes included the number of HIV infections and HIV-related deaths. The cost-effectiveness, cost-utility and cost-benefit analyses were conducted along with sensitivity analyses from the healthcare sector perspective.ResultsThe SMS strategy was more effective, averting 6,191 (22.0%) HIV infections and 2,100 (38.5%) HIV-related deaths when compared with routine strategy. The average cost-effectiveness ratios (ACERs) were US$6,361 (95% CI: 5,959-6,613) per HIV infection averted and US$18,752 (95% CI: 17,274 - 20,530) per HIV-related death averted. It had incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of US$1,743 (95% CI: 1,673-1,799) per QALY, with a benefit cost ratio (BCR) of 1.98 (95% CI: 1.94-2.02), compared with routine strategy. While the LEN-LA strategy may be the most effective, its high cost, coupled with the highest ICER, currently presents a considerable obstacle to its widespread adoption. The ICERs were most affected by the probability of HIV infection, intervention cost and coverage.ConclusionsSMS strategy for preventing HIV among MSM in China is cost-effective and could be a promising strategy for HIV prevention. These findings may have implications for public health policy and resource allocation in HIV prevention efforts targeting high-risk populations.
Project description:We investigated health, economic, and social disparities among transgender adults (transgender women, men, and nonbinary) aged 18 years and older. Using population-based data from the Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (WA-BRFSS), we pooled 2016 through 2019 data (n = 47,894). We estimated weighted distributions and prevalence by gender identity for background characteristics, economic, social and health indicators. We performed regressions of these indicators on gender identity, including transgender versus cisgender adults and transgender nonbinary adults compared to cisgender adults, followed by subgroup analyses: transgender women and men compared to each cisgender group and to one another, adjusting for covariates. Compared to cisgender adults, transgender adults overall were significantly younger and lower income with less education; more likely single with fewer children; and had several elevated health risks, including poor physical and mental health, and higher rates of chronic conditions and disability. Alternatively, transgender men and women had higher rates of flu vaccination than cisgender men. Between transgender subgroups, transgender men and transgender nonbinary adults were younger than transgender women; transgender men were significantly less likely married or partnered than transgender women; and, transgender women were more likely to live alone than nonbinary respondents. This is one of the first population-based studies to examine both between and within subgroup disparities among cisgender, transgender binary, and transgender nonbinary adults, revealing patterns of inequities across subgroups. More research understanding the mechanisms of these disparities and the development of targeted interventions is needed to address the unique needs of subgroups of transgender people.
Project description:BackgroundChlamydia trachomatis is one of the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection in China. Although C. trachomatis genotypes can be discriminated by outer membrane protein gene (ompA) sequencing, currently available methods have limited resolutions. This study used a high-resolution genotyping method, namely, multilocus variable number tandem-repeat analysis with ompA sequencing (MLVA)-ompA, to investigate the local epidemiology of C. trachomatis infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) and men who have sex with women (MSW) attending a sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic in Guangzhou, China.MethodsRectal specimens from MSM and urethral specimens from MSW were collected between January 2013 and July 2014 at the Guangdong Provincial Center STD clinic. The specimens were sent to the laboratory for analyses. All specimens that were tested positive for C. trachomatis by the commercial nucleic acid amplification tests were genotyped by MLVA-ompA.ResultsFifty-one rectal specimens from MSM and 96 urethral specimens from MSW were identified with C. trachomatis. One hundred and forty-four of the 147 specimens were fully genotyped by MLVA-ompA. Rectal specimens from MSM were divided into four ompA genotypes and urethral specimens from MSW into nine genotypes. No mixed infections were found among all specimens. The most frequent genotypes were D, G, J, E and F. All specimens were further divided into 46 types after ompA genotyping was combined with MLVA. Genotypes D-8.7.1 and G-3.4a.3 were the most frequent among MSM, whereas genotypes D-3.4a.4, E-8.5.1, F-8.5.1, and J-3.4a.2 were the most frequent subtypes among MSW. The discriminatory index D was 0.90 for MLVA, 0.85 for ompA, and 0.95 for MLVA-ompA.ConclusionsThe most prevalent MLVA-ompA genotypes were significantly different between MSM and MSW from Guangzhou, China. Moreover, MLVA-ompA represented a more favorable degree of discrimination than ompA and could be a reliable complement for ompA for the routine subtypes of C. trachomatis.
Project description:BackgroundAmong Latin America's concentrated HIV epidemics, little is known about men who have sex with men (MSM) in Colombia, the region's third largest country. To date, surveillance studies have been limited to Bogota, while 80% of HIV cases and deaths originate from Colombia's other cities and departments. The extent to which interventions should prioritize MSM outside of Bogota is unknown.MethodsWe recruited 2603 MSM using respondent-driven sampling from seven of Colombia's largest cities. HIV prevalence was estimated by site from dried blood spot samples. Behavioral data were collected through face-to-face interviews and risk factors for HIV infection analyzed using weighted, multi-level logistical regression models accounting for recruitment patterns.ResultsAcross cities, HIV prevalence averaged 15%, varied from 6% to 24% and was highest in Cali, Bogota, and Barranquilla. In the past 12 months, 65% of MSM had ≥ 5 casual male partners and 23% had a female partner. Across partnerships (i.e., casual, stable, and commercial), the proportion of MSM engaging in unprotected sex was ≥ 52% with male partners and ≥ 66% with female partners. Self-reported history of STI (24%) and past-year illicit drug use (38%) were also common. In multivariate analysis, age ≥ 35 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 19.2) and 25-39 (AOR, 5.6) relative to ≤ 18-24 years, identifying as homosexual relative to heterosexual (AOR 0.1), meeting casual partners on the Internet (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.1) and age of sexual debut of ≤ 13 years (AOR, 3.1) predicted HIV infection. HIV testing and prevention messaging reached just 24% of MSM in the past year.ConclusionsFindings support consistently elevated HIV burden among MSM throughout Colombia's largest cities and a need for enhanced behavioral prevention and HIV testing, emphasizing men who use the Internet as well as physical venues to meet sex partners.