Determining the likely place of HIV acquisition for migrants in Europe combining subject-specific information and biomarkers data

In most HIV-positive individuals, infection time is only known to lie between the time an individual started being at risk for HIV and diagnosis time. However, a more accurate estimate of infection time is very important in certain cases. For example, one of the objectives of the Advancing Migrant Access to Health Services in Europe (aMASE) study was to determine if HIV-positive migrants, diagnosed in Europe, were infected pre- or post-migration. We propose a method to derive subject-specific estimates of unknown infection times using information from HIV biomarkers' measurements, demographic, clinical, and behavioral data. We assume that CD4 cell count (CD4) and HIV-RNA viral load trends after HIV infection follow a bivariate linear mixed model. Using post-diagnosis CD4 and viral load measurements and applying the Bayes' rule, we derived the posterior distribution of the HIV infection time, whereas the prior distribution was informed by AIDS status at diagnosis and behavioral data. Parameters of the CD4-viral load and time-to-AIDS models were estimated using data from a large study of individuals with known HIV infection times (CASCADE). Simulations showed substantial predictive ability (e.g. 84% of the infections were correctly classified as pre- or post-migration). Application to the aMASE study ( n = 2009) showed that 47% of African migrants and 67% to 72% of migrants from other regions were most likely infected post-migration. Applying a Bayesian method based on bivariate modeling of CD4 and viral load, and subject-specific information, we found that the majority of HIV-positive migrants in aMASE were most likely infected after their migration to Europe

Process and results of constructing a deprivation index for the districts of Madrid and Barcelona, Spain

BACKGROUND: There are few economic indicators that take the neighbourhood as the unit of reference in our context. The aim of this article is to describe the process and results of secondary data collection and development of a deprivation index (DI) for the neighbourhoods of the cities of Madrid and Barcelona, discussing their utility for research on health inequalities. METHODS: Initial DI conceptual framework contained different elements that characterize deprivation and for which we collected second-level variables. ID was adapted to the availability of variables and to the results of an exploratory analysis. Finally, a factor analysis was performed to validate the IP. We built a DI based on five dimensions for Madrid (economy, population and territory, housing, cars and demographics) and 4 for Barcelona (all except "demographics"). Neighbourhoods were grouped into quartiles according to their score for the DI (Q4: higher levels of deprivation). Premature mortality rates and premature mortality ratios adjusted by age were calculated for each quartile. RESULTS: The IP explained 55% of the observed variability in the indicators for Madrid and 69% for Barcelona. Premature mortality rate in Madrid for Q1 was 1.65 per 10³ in men and 0.92 per 10³ women and 2.81 per 10³ in men and 1.22 per 10³ in women residing in Q4. In Barcelona, the mortality rate was 2.33 per 10³ men and 1.15 per 10³ women in Q1 and 3.49 per 10³ in men and 1.52 per 103 in women living in Q4. CONCLUSION: Premature mortality rates showed higher premature mortality in the most deprived districts. Fundamentos: los indicadores socioeconómicos que toman el barrio como unidad de referencia en nuestro contexto son escasos. Los objetivos de este artículo son describir el proceso de construcción y la validez de un índice de privación a nivel de barrio y analizar su asociación con la mortalidad. Métodos: el esquema conceptual inicial del IP contuvo elementos que caracterizaban teóricamente la privación y para las que se realizó una recogida de variables de segundo nivel. El IP se adaptó a la disponibilidad de variables y a los resultados de sus análisis exploratorios. Finalmente, se realizó un análisis factorial para la validación del IP que se compuso de 5 dimensiones para Madrid (economía, población y territorio, vivienda, parque móvil y demografía) y 4 para Barcelona (las mismas salvo «demografía»). Los barrios fueron agrupados en cuartiles según la puntuación obtenida para el IP (Q4: mayor nivel de privación). Se calcularon tasas de mortalidad prematura estratificadas por sexo y ajustadas por edad y razones de mortalidad para cada cuartil. Resultados: El IP explicó el 55% de la variabilidad observada en los indicadores para Madrid y el 69% para Barcelona. La tasa de mortalidad prematura para el Q1 en Madrid fue 1,65 por 103 en hombres y 0,92 por 103 y de 2,81 por 103 en hombres y 1,22 por 103 en mujeres residentes en Q4. En Barcelona la tasa de mortalidad fue de 2,33 por 103 en hombres y de 1,15 por 103 mujeres en el Q1 y de 3,49 por 103 en hombres y 1,52 por 103 en mujeres del Q4. Conclusión: Las tasas de mortalidad mostraron mayor mortalidad prematura en los barrios con un índice de privación mayor.Este estudio fue realizado en el marco del proyecto de investigación Project DEP2009-09502 «Contexto socioeconómico, disponibilidad de infraestructuras deportivas e inactividad física», financiado por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.S

Disparities in access to and use of HIV-related health services in the Netherlands by migrant status and sexual orientation: a cross-sectional study among people recently diagnosed with HIV infection

Background Migrants often face barriers to accessing healthcare. We examined disparities in access to and use of HIV-related health services between migrant and non-migrant people recently diagnosed with HIV living in the Netherlands, taken into account sexual orientation. Also, we examined differences in experiences in living with HIV between these groups. Methods We used a questionnaire and clinical data collected between July 2013 and June 2015 among migrant and non-migrant participants of the European cross-sectional aMASE (Advancing Migrant Access to health Services in Europe) study in the Netherlands. Using univariable logistic regression analyses, we compared outcomes on between migrants and non-migrants, stratified by sexual orientation (with non-migrant men having sex with men [MSM] as the reference group). Results We included 77 migrant MSM, 115 non-migrant MSM, 21 migrant heterosexual men, 14 non-migrant heterosexual men and 20 migrant women. In univariable analyses, all heterosexual groups were less likely to ever have had an HIV-negative test before their diagnosis and were more likely to be diagnosed late than non-migrant MSM. All migrant groups were more likely to have experienced difficulties accessing general healthcare in the Netherlands and were less likely to have heard of post-exposure prophylaxis than non-migrant MSM. Migrants frequently reported uncertainty about their rights to healthcare and language barriers. Most (93%) participants visited a healthcare facility in the 2 years before HIV diagnosis but only in 41% an HIV test was discussed during that visit (no statistical difference between groups). Migrant heterosexuals were more likely to have missed appointments at their HIV clinic due to the travel costs than non-migrant MSM. Migrant MSM and women were more likely to have experienced HIV discrimination in the Netherlands than non-migrant MSM. Conclusion Disparities in access to and use of HIV-related health services and experiences exist by migrant status but also by sexual orientation. Our data suggests heterosexual men and women may particularly benefit from improved access to HIV testing (e.g., through provider-initiated testing), while migrant MSM may benefit from improved access to HIV prevention interventions (e.g., pre-exposure prophylaxis)

High levels of postmigration HIV acquisition within nine European countries

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to estimate the proportion of post-migration HIV acquisition among HIV-positive migrants in Europe. DESIGN: To reach HIV positive migrants we designed a cross sectional study performed in HIV clinics. METHODS: The study was conducted from July 2013-July 2015 in 57 clinics (9 European countries, targeting individuals over 18 years diagnosed in the preceding 5 years and born abroad. Electronic questionnaires supplemented with clinical data were completed in any of 15 languages. Post-migration HIV acquisition was estimated through Bayesian approaches combining extensive information on migration and patients' characteristics. CD4 counts and HIV-RNA trajectories from seroconversion were estimated by bivariate linear mixed models fitted to natural history data. Post-migration acquisition risk factors were investigated with weighted logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 2009 participants, 46% were men who have sex with men (MSM) and a third originated from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Latin America & Caribbean (LAC), respectively. Median time in host countries was 8 years. Post-migration HIV acquisition was 63% (95% CI: 57%-67%); 72% among MSM, 58% and 51% in heterosexual men and women, respectively. Post-migration HIV acquisition was 71% for LAC migrants and 45% for people from SSA. Factors associated with post-migration HIV acquisition among heterosexual women and MSM were age at migration, length of stay in host country and HIV diagnosis year and among heterosexual men, length of stay in host country, and HIV diagnosis year. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of HIV-positive migrants living in Europe acquired HIV post-migration. This has important implications for European public health policies

Factors Associated With Access to HIV Testing and Primary Care Among Migrants Living in Europe: Cross-Sectional Survey

BACKGROUND: There is a heavy and disproportionate burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among migrant communities living in Europe. Despite this, the published evidence related to HIV testing, prevention, and treatment needs for migrants is sparse. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with access to primary care and HIV testing among migrant groups living in Europe. METHODS: A Web-based survey (available in 14 languages) was open to all people aged 18 years and older, living outside their country of birth in the World Health Organization (WHO) European area. Community organizations in 9 countries promoted the survey to migrant groups, focusing on those at a higher risk of HIV (sub-Saharan Africans, Latin Americans, gay or bisexual men, and people who inject drugs). Multivariable analysis examined factors associated with access to primary care and previous history of an HIV test. RESULTS: In total, 559 women, 395 heterosexual men, and 674 gay or bisexual men were included in the analysis, and 68.1% (359/527) of women, 59.5% (220/371) of heterosexual men, and 89.6% (596/664) of gay or bisexual men had tested for HIV. Low perceived risk was the reason given for not testing by 62.3% (43/69) of gay or bisexual men and 83.3% (140/168) of women and heterosexual men who reported never having tested for HIV. Access to primary care was >60% in all groups. Access to primary care was strongly positively associated with living in Northern Europe compared with Southern Europe (women: adjusted odds ratio, aOR 34.56 [95% CI 11.58-101]; heterosexual men: aOR 6.93 [95% CI 2.49-19.35], and gay or bisexual men: aOR 2.53 [95% CI 1.23-5.19]), whereas those with temporary residency permits were less likely to have access to primary care (women: aOR 0.41 [95% CI 0.21-0.80] and heterosexual men: aOR 0.24 [95% CI 0.10-0.54] only). Women who had experience of forced sex (aOR 3.53 [95% CI 1.39-9.00]) or postmigration antenatal care (aOR 3.07 [95% CI 1.55-6.07]) were more likely to have tested for HIV as were heterosexual men who had access to primary care (aOR 3.13 [95% CI 1.58-6.13]) or reported "Good" health status (aOR 2.94 [95% CI 1.41-5.88]). CONCLUSIONS: Access to primary care is limited by structural determinants such as immigration and health care policy, which varies across Europe. For those migrants who can access primary care and other health services, missed opportunities for HIV testing remain a barrier to earlier testing and diagnosis for migrants in Europe. Clinicians should be aware of these potential structural barriers to HIV testing as well as low perception of HIV risk in migrant groups.This project received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development, and demonstration under EuroCoord grant agreement number 260694. IF was funded by a Doctoral Research Fellowship from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the National Health Service (NHS), the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), or the Department of Health. Additional funding was received from Gilead Sciences Europe Ltd; NIHR Clinical Research Network, the United Kingdom; Foundation for AIDS Research and Prevention in Spain (FISPSE) Project 361036/10; Consortium of Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health, Spain; Spanish HIV Research Network for Excellence (RD06/006 and RD12/0017/0018); Research and Development Fund, Public Health Service of Amsterdam; and the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (project #727), supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (grant #148522) and by the Swiss HIV Cohort Study research foundation. No funder had any role in the study, writing of the manuscript, or decision to submit for publication.S

USO DE RECURSOS SANITARIOS Y COSTES ASOCIADOS AL TRATAMIENTO ANTIRRETROVIRAL DE PRIMERA LÍNEA EN ESPAÑA EN LA ERA DE LOS INHIBIDORES DE LA INTEGRASA

Introducción: El objetivo fue evaluar el uso de recursos sanitarios y costes asociados durante el primer año de tratamiento antirretroviral (TAR) con las pautas de primera línea prescritas más frecuentemente en los pacientes de la cohorte de la Red Española de Investigación en SIDA  en la era de los inhibidores de la integrasa. Métodos: Utilizamos un modelo de evaluación de costes en el que el consumo de recursos sanitarios derivados de iniciar tratamiento con cada pauta se estimó utilizando el método Delphi de dos rondas, mediante cuestionario estructurado, en un panel de 35 expertos en VIH. El coste total incluía los costes de TAR, del manejo clínico y del manejo de efectos adversos (EA). Se aplicó la perspectiva del pagador (Sistema Nacional de Salud), considerando solo costes directos. Resultados: En el análisis por intención de tratar, el coste anual varió entre 8.501 € para TDF/FTC/EFV y 12.840 € para TDF/FTC+RAL. De media, el coste farmacológico supone el 87,6% del coste total, variando entre 83,8 % para TDF/FTC/EFV y 91,1% para TDF/FTC+RAL. El coste del manejo clínico supone el 11,5% del coste total (8,6% para TDF/FTC+RAL y 13,9% para ABC/3TC/DTG). Sólo el 0,9% del coste de la pauta se debe al manejo de EA, más elevados con TDF/FTC/EFV (2,6%) y TDF/FTC+DRV/r (1,1%). Conclusión: El coste para el sistema sanitario del primer año de TAR se debe, fundamentalmente, al precio de los fármacos. Las pautas con menor coste fueron TDF/FTC/EFV, TDF/FTC/RPV y ABC/3TC/DTG, siendo TDF/FTC/EVG/COBI y TDF/FTC+RAL las de coste superior

USO DE RECURSOS SANITARIOS Y COSTES ASOCIADOS AL TRATAMIENTO ANTIRRETROVIRAL DE PRIMERA LÍNEA EN ESPAÑA EN LA ERA DE LOS INHIBIDORES DE LA INTEGRASA

Introducción: El objetivo fue evaluar el uso de recursos sanitarios y costes asociados durante el primer año de tratamiento antirretroviral (TAR) con las pautas de primera línea prescritas más frecuentemente en los pacientes de la cohorte de la Red Española de Investigación en SIDA  en la era de los inhibidores de la integrasa. Métodos: Utilizamos un modelo de evaluación de costes en el que el consumo de recursos sanitarios derivados de iniciar tratamiento con cada pauta se estimó utilizando el método Delphi de dos rondas, mediante cuestionario estructurado, en un panel de 35 expertos en VIH. El coste total incluía los costes de TAR, del manejo clínico y del manejo de efectos adversos (EA). Se aplicó la perspectiva del pagador (Sistema Nacional de Salud), considerando solo costes directos. Resultados: En el análisis por intención de tratar, el coste anual varió entre 8.501 € para TDF/FTC/EFV y 12.840 € para TDF/FTC+RAL. De media, el coste farmacológico supone el 87,6% del coste total, variando entre 83,8 % para TDF/FTC/EFV y 91,1% para TDF/FTC+RAL. El coste del manejo clínico supone el 11,5% del coste total (8,6% para TDF/FTC+RAL y 13,9% para ABC/3TC/DTG). Sólo el 0,9% del coste de la pauta se debe al manejo de EA, más elevados con TDF/FTC/EFV (2,6%) y TDF/FTC+DRV/r (1,1%). Conclusión: El coste para el sistema sanitario del primer año de TAR se debe, fundamentalmente, al precio de los fármacos. Las pautas con menor coste fueron TDF/FTC/EFV, TDF/FTC/RPV y ABC/3TC/DTG, siendo TDF/FTC/EVG/COBI y TDF/FTC+RAL las de coste superior

Migrant Health: Sexual transmission of HIV within migrant groups in the EU/EEA and implications for effective interventions

This report presents the published evidence of sexual transmission of HIV among populations from countries with generalised HIV epidemics in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA). Member states’ surveillance systems for monitoring the sexual transmission of HIV in the EU/EEA among migrant populations are also profiled. The implications of this evidence are summarised and recommendations provided for those Member States that wish to improve their surveillance systems in order to assess the sexual transmission of HIV in their at-risk migrant populations. The evidence can also be used as a basis for policy and programmatic activities targeted toward migrant populations

HIV Testing and Sexual Health Among Black African Men and Women in London, United Kingdom

Importance: Black African adults are disproportionately affected by HIV in the United Kingdom. Many within this population acquire HIV after migration or are diagnosed late. Data are needed to inform targeted interventions to increase HIV testing and prevention in this population. Objective: To inform future HIV prevention strategies by estimating diagnosed and undiagnosed HIV infection and measuring changes in HIV testing rates in black African adults in London, United Kingdom. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used a self-completed survey conducted from September 20 to December 3, 2016. Questionnaires were linked to an optional, anonymous oral fluid HIV test and compared with data from a previous survey (2004). Respondents were recruited from social and commercial venues frequented by black African adults in London. Of 2531 individuals approached in 63 venues, 752 agreed to participate. Data were analyzed initially in March 2017 (as part of internal reporting) and again in August 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures: Self-reported HIV testing within the past 5 years; diagnosed and undiagnosed HIV prevalence. Logistic regression examined factors associated with HIV testing by sex. Results: In total, 292 women (median [interquartile range] age, 31 [25.0-41.5] years) and 312 men (median [interquartile range] age, 35 [25.0-41.5] years) were included in the analysis. More than half of men (159 [51.0%]) and women (154 [52.7%]) had been tested for HIV in the past 5 years. In multivariable analysis, HIV testing was associated with a range of factors in both sexes, including health service attendance, time in the United Kingdom, and sexually transmitted infection diagnosis. Increases in HIV testing in the past 5 years were observed between 2004 and 2016 for both sexes. In the 2016 sample, 219 of 235 women (93.2%) and 206 of 228 men (90.4%) tested HIV negative. Among those testing positive, 56.3% of women (9 of 16) and 40.9% of men (9 of 22) self-reported as HIV negative or untested, indicating they were living with undiagnosed HIV. A fifth of women (20.7%) and 25.0% of men reported condomless last sex with a partner of different or unknown HIV status in the past year. Conclusions and Relevance: Despite efforts to increase HIV testing, uptake in black African communities in London remains modest. This study identified a large fraction of undiagnosed infection-greater than other at-risk populations-suggesting that the prevention and care needs of this group are not adequately met

Climate drives community-wide divergence within species over a limited spatial scale: evidence from an oceanic island

Geographic isolation substantially contributes to species endemism on oceanic islands when speciation involves the colonisation of a new island. However, less is understood about the drivers of speciation within islands. What is lacking is a general understanding of the geographic scale of gene flow limitation within islands, and thus the spatial scale and drivers of geographical speciation within insular contexts. Using a community of beetle species, we show that when dispersal ability and climate tolerance are restricted, microclimatic variation over distances of only a few kilometres can maintain strong geographic isolation extending back several millions of years. Further to this, we demonstrate congruent diversification with gene flow across species, mediated by Quaternary climate oscillations that have facilitated a dynamic of isolation and secondary contact. The unprecedented scale of parallel species responses to a common environmental driver for evolutionary change has profound consequences for understanding past and future species responses to climate variation