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A Global Call for Research Addressing Syndemics of Substance Use, Mental Health, and Structural Determinants in Disparities Related to HIV/STI in Minoritized Populations

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Population Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA
Interests: substance use; inequity; HIV; socioeconomic

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Guest Editor
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
Interests: opioid/other drugs; aging/alcohol; tobacco/trauma; HIV (OATH)
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Guest Editor
College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Interests: mental health; HIV; strength-based assets; prevention

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Co-Guest Editor
Department of Behavioral, Epidemiological, and Clinical Sciences, FHI 360, Durham, NC 27705, USA
Interests: bio-behavioral; HIV prevention; focus on sexual/gender minorities and communities of color in the US

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Research that examines health disparities and addresses underlying structural inequities is complex and often requires multilevel and diverse methodologies. Populations which are marginalized and minoritized on the basis of factors such as race, age, gender identity, and/or sexual orientation experience disproportionate rates of STI/HIV, violence, substance use (alcohol and illicit drugs), and mental health disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, and suicidality), as well as structural determinants of disparities (e.g., racism and intersectional structural discrimination). It is critical that we address how these synergistic epidemics (syndemics) co-occur and mutually reinforce each other, given the rise of syndemics in marginalized populations in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The aftermath of the pandemic has numerous potential severe, long-term impacts on populations who continue to benefit least from innovations in HIV prevention, such as newly approved long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis. This Special Issue is dedicated to methodological considerations and results from original research focused on the investigation of multilevel inequities and HIV-related syndemics among populations experiencing marginalization globally. We are interested in novel or emerging treatments, socio-behavioral interventions, methods, and other recommendations to stop this trend that is unraveling decades of scientific gains and eroding life expectancies and the possibility of sustaining healthy communities worldwide. Examples of such projects include ‘The impact of HIV and violence among women in XX/country’, ‘Recruitment and retention methods for vulnerable hidden XX/population to assess mental health and substance use among individuals living with HIV in XX areas”, etc.

Dr. Elena Cyrus
Dr. Typhanye Vielka Dyer
Dr. Donté T. Boyd
Dr. Allysha C. Maragh-Bass
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • syndemics
  • substance use
  • mental health
  • HIV
  • risk
  • violence
  • disparity

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 289 KiB  
Article
HIV/AIDS-Associated Knowledge and Attitudes towards Treating Disadvantaged Communities among Pre-Community-Based Dental Education Dental Students in the U.S.
by Aditi Tomar, Hannah Balcezak, Shirley Lewis Miranda, Marie C. Latortue, Richa Chinchkhandi and Lisa Wigfall
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(7), 927; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21070927 - 16 Jul 2024
Viewed by 956
Abstract
This study examines HIV/AIDS-associated knowledge and attitudes towards treating disadvantaged communities among predoctoral dental students in U.S. dental schools who have not yet commenced their Community-Based Dental Education (CBDE) training. It also compares the difference in the knowledge and attitudes between students with [...] Read more.
This study examines HIV/AIDS-associated knowledge and attitudes towards treating disadvantaged communities among predoctoral dental students in U.S. dental schools who have not yet commenced their Community-Based Dental Education (CBDE) training. It also compares the difference in the knowledge and attitudes between students with reported community engagement with PLWHA and those without. Our study comprised 89 predoctoral dental students within their D1–D3 years of dental school who had not yet initiated their Community-Based Dental Education (referred to as pre-CBDE dental students). Their responses were collected via an online survey. The participants were 68% females, 94% heterosexual, and with a mean age (years) of 25.9 ± 3.5 SD. The majority (62%) were in their first (D1) and second (D2) years of dental education. Of the thirty knowledge questions, only five received a minimum of 90% correct responses. Similarly, we found no statistical differences in most of the knowledge/attitude sections between those with and without prior PLWHA exposure. Encouragingly, 90% of our participants reported prior experience working with disadvantaged communities. Early community engagement fosters a sense of professional responsibility towards administering dental care to disadvantaged communities and we propose that it must be encouraged among aspiring dental school students. Full article
18 pages, 358 KiB  
Article
Barriers to Accessing and Engaging in HIV Preventive Care and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Experienced by Transgender Women in Florida
by Allysha C. Maragh-Bass, Sandra Kiplagat, Sarah Lavari, Francisco Sastre, Jessy G. Devieux, Daniel Jimenez, Rachel D. Clarke, Ines Noel, Eric W. Schrimshaw, Jae Sevelius and Elena Cyrus
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(3), 376; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21030376 - 21 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2066
Abstract
Background: PrEP, a biomedical HIV prevention option, continues to be underutilized among transgender women who could benefit from sustained use, especially women of color and those who identify as Latina and/or reside in the southeastern US. Objective: We explored the barriers and facilitators [...] Read more.
Background: PrEP, a biomedical HIV prevention option, continues to be underutilized among transgender women who could benefit from sustained use, especially women of color and those who identify as Latina and/or reside in the southeastern US. Objective: We explored the barriers and facilitators experienced by transgender women who live in Florida regarding accessing, using, and/or staying on PrEP. Methods: In-depth interviews and focus groups were conducted in either Spanish or English with adult transgender women living in Florida (N = 22). The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded in ATLAS.ti using thematic analyses. Results: The mean age of the participants was 42.2 years. Among the participants, 73% were Hispanic/Latina, 59% were foreign-born, and approximately one-third were living with HIV (but had past experience with PrEP). Transgender women cited the following barriers to accessing or considering PrEP: (1) costs and benefits of PrEP use; (2) under-representation in clinical trials resulting in unknown or misinformation regarding PrEP side effects; (3) chronic poverty; and (4) trauma and discrimination. Other stressors, such as behavioral healthcare needs, were identified. Conclusions: Our analysis revealed interlocking systems of oppression like transphobia, discrimination, and misgendering, which were common barriers experienced by our participants. These synergistically epidemic (i.e., syndemic) barriers contributed to their feelings of being systematically excluded in social spaces, research, public health planning and policies, laws, and social programs related to PrEP. These structural barriers are impediments to HIV preventive care but also act as a source of stress that contributes to mental health problems, financial vulnerability, substance abuse, and other deleterious health outcomes. Full article

Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

COVID-19 policies as an effect modifier of HIV/SU risk for Transgender women;

Biopsychosocial model of frailty among Black Women living with HIV;

Suicide risk among young Black Men;

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