Lawmaker renews plan for major shift in prevention policies

U.S. Representative Tom Coburn (R-OK) restructured his HIV Prevention Act but AIDS policy advocates are not receptive to it. Coburn proposes mandatory reporting of all HIV cases and imposing criminal sanctions on people who knowingly transmit the virus. His bill includes partner notification, mandatory testing for insurance company applicants, and regulations regarding adopted children. AIDS policy advocates denounce the legislation, claiming similar plans that emphasize coercive testing tactics and policies have been judged ineffective.     

Local school district adoption of state-recommended policies on HIV prevention education

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the extent to which school districts in Massachusetts adopted HIV education policies consistent with state education agency recommendations, and whether adoption of state-recommended policy language was associated with other core components of school-based HIV prevention programs such as staff development, curriculum, and implementation characteristics. METHODS: A census of health coordinators (n = 251) and high school HIV teachers (n = 174) in randomly selected schools in Massachusetts were surveyed. Chi-squares and analysis of variance (ANOVAs) were used to analyze data. RESULTS: Most districts' policies fully incorporated state-recommended language for training HIV teachers (62%), providing HIV education within comprehensive sexuality education (62%), and providing skills-based instruction (57%). Districts adopting state-recommended policies were significantly more likely to have trained more HIV teachers (82% vs. 59% of teachers trained; P < 0.001), provided HIV education to a greater percentage of students (90% vs. 50% of students educated; P < 0.001), and adopted research-based curricula (44% vs. 27%; P < 0.01). High school teachers who received training and those using research-based curricula covered more HIV prevention topics and used more skills-based instructional methods than those who did not receive training or did not use research-based curricula (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that strong, state-level HIV prevention education policy recommendations can help shape local school health policy and, when adopted locally, can positively influence the reach and quality of HIV education.     

HIV prevention education and HIV-related policies in secondary schools--selected sites, United States, 2006

Persons who engage in sexual risk behaviors are at increased risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. School health education can help reduce the prevalence of sexual risk behaviors among students. In addition, school health policies can help protect the rights and health of HIV-infected students and staff members and reduce the likelihood of transmitting HIV infection to others. To determine the prevalence and extent of HIV prevention education and the prevalence of HIV infection policies among public secondary schools, CDC analyzed data from the 2006 School Health Profiles for schools in 36 states and 13 large urban school districts. The results of that analysis indicated that, in 2006, the majority of secondary schools included HIV prevention in a required health education course (state median: 84.2%; district median: 57.2%); however, few secondary schools (state median: 21.1%; district median: 28.5%) taught all 11 topics listed in the questionnaire related to HIV prevention. Approximately half of schools (state median: 51.6%; district median: 48.3%) had a policy regarding students or staff members with HIV infection or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). To help reduce HIV-related risk behavior and protect the rights and health of HIV-infected students and staff members, schools should increase efforts to teach all HIV prevention topics and implement policies regarding students or staff members with HIV infection.     

Smoking prevention policies in European companies

Many companies are exploring the issue of adopting measures to deal with involuntary smoking. The most comprehensive policies aim at systematically taking action in all possible directions (informing employees, stipulating specific smoking areas, treatment for quitting smoking...). Many agencies are likewise carrying out initiatives for intervention at companies. This study reviews interventions currently being carried out and their components, based on company studies from different European countries. The main common principles for a smoking prevention policy with the greatest prospects for success are identified. This information can be used as a reference for a European model for policies on smoking at the workplace.     

Premarital HIV testing in Malaysia: a qualitative exploratory study on the views of major stakeholders involved in HIV prevention

Background

HIV screening has existed in numerous methods as an important part of HIV prevention efforts over the years. Premarital HIV testing for couples who wish to marry has been implemented in a number of regions, which often operate in a mandatory rather than voluntary basis and is considered a contentious issue, with viewpoints held in favour and against. One such region is Malaysia which has a policy of mandatory premarital HIV testing of prospective Muslim married couples. The purpose of this study is to understand stakeholders’ views on premarital HIV testing given the Malaysian Islamic context.

Methods

35 in-depth face to face semi-structured interviews were undertaken with key stakeholder groups involved in HIV prevention policy in Malaysia, namely, officials from the Ministry of Health, religious leaders and people living with HIV. Participants were recruited from the Klang Valley area, from July to December 2013, using purposive sampling techniques. Inclusion criteria necessitated that participants were over the age of 18 and provided full consent. Interviews were audiotaped, followed a standardised topic guide, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a framework analysis.

Results

Participants identified pre-marital HIV testing as an effective HIV prevention policy implemented in Malaysia and was viewed, for the most part, as a positive initiative across all stakeholders. Religious leaders were supportive of testing as it provides a protective mechanism, in line with the teachings of the Shariah, while Ministry of Health officials considered it a normal part of their HIV prevention screening initiatives. However, there were concerns surrounding issues such as confidentiality, counselling and discrimination surrounding the test described by the PLHIV group.

Conclusion

The findings of this study show that among the participants interviewed was strong support for mandatory premarital HIV testing, which could possibly expose the vulnerability to HIV, reluctance to test and other areas in the HIV response in Malaysia that need to be addressed. Furthermore, although international health organisations are vehemently against mandatory premarital HIV testing, the strong local support for such measures and the mismatch between these views is worth exploring in more detail, given the cultural, social and religious context.

     

HIV prevention in Hungary

Hungary is a country with relatively low HIV prevalence. Since 1989, a wide range of HIV prevention projects has been developed both by government agencies and by an increasingly active voluntary sector. While energy and resources continue to be invested in HIV information and education, some senior public health officials have argued that it is the country's compulsory HIV testing and compulsory reporting system which have enabled it to maintain its low seroprevalence levels. The testing and reporting system are soon to be reformed, however, in response to growing demands for better protection of personal privacy and confidentiality. Whether or not the forthcoming reforms will have an impact on HIV prevention, and what the nature of this impact will be, remain to be seen.     

Present HEW policies in primary prevention.

Federal preventive health policies are predicated on factors and conditions deemed likely to pertain to the health field for some time to come: cost es     

David Duke, running for governor, proposes tattooing people with HIV

Former Ku Klux Klan leader, David Duke, planning a second run for governor of Louisiana, said he would curb the AIDS epidemic by tattooing people who are infected with HIV. His suggestion is to put indelible, glow-in-the-dark tattoos on the genitals of people infected with HIV. According to Duke, it may sound very draconian but it would not demean people. He also believes that tattooing would be legal because courts have a history of supporting the quarantining and institutionalizing of people with infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis. Duke said Cuba has had some success in using quarantines to reduce HIV infection, but he does not think it would work in the United States because it would cost too much. According to Duke, many people who get HIV from irresponsible behavior do not tell their partners that they have AIDS--these people are mad at the world and engage in dangerous behaviors even more.     

艾滋病预防控制策略

1世界艾滋病预防控制的经验与措施自1981年在美国首次报告获得性免疫缺陷综合征(简称艾滋病, AIDS)临床患者至今已20多年, AIDS已蔓延至世界各地,成为人类面临的危害最大的疾病之一。目前,全球累计艾滋病病毒(H IV)感染者已超过7000万。世界卫生组织(WHO )和联合国艾滋病规划署(UN-AIDS)估计至2004年底全球存活的H IV /AIDS人数已达3940万(3590~4430万)。在艾滋病的预防控制工作中,世界各国积累了许多丰富的经验和有效的控制策略,其中有些具有基本的、普遍性的原则,我们可以学习借鉴。它们主要体现在以下几方面。1·1政府重视,经…     

A healthy turn in urban climate change policies; European city workshop proposes health indicators as policy integrators

Background

The EU FP6 HENVINET project reviewed the potential relevance of a focus on climate change related health effects for climate change policies at the city region level. This was undertaken by means of a workshop with both scientists, city representatives from several EU-countries, representatives of EU city networks and EU-experts. In this paper we introduce some important health related climate change issues, and discuss the current city policies of the participating cities.

Methods

The workshop used a backcasting format to analyse the future relevance of a health perspective, and the main benefits and challenges this would bring to urban policy making.

Results

It was concluded that health issues have an important function as indicators of success for urban climate change policies, given the extent to which climate change policies contribute to public health and as such to quality of life. Simultaneously the health perspective may function as a policy integrator in that it can combine several related policy objectives, such as environmental policies, health policies, urban planning and economic development policies, in one framework for action. Furthermore, the participants to the workshop considered public health to be of strategic importance in organizing public support for climate change policies. One important conclusion of the workshop was the view that the connection of science and policy at the city level is inadequate, and that the integration of scientific knowledge on climate change related health effects and local policy practice is in need of more attention. In conclusion, the workshop was viewed as a constructive advance in the process of integration which hopefully will lead to ongoing cooperation.

Conclusions

The workshop had the ambition to bring together a diversity of actor perspectives for exchange of knowledge and experiences, and joint understanding as a basis for future cooperation. Next to the complementarities in experience and knowledge, the mutual critical reflection was a bonus, as ideas had the opportunity to be scrutinized by others, leading to more robustness and common ground. The structured backcasting approach was helpful in integrating all of this with one common focus, embracing diversity and complexity, and stimulating reflection and new ideas.

     

Texas revises inmate testing and prevention policies

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice revamped its HIV testing and surveillance procedures for the State's 142,000 inmates. The State Board of Criminal Justice approved the policies based on consultations with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the University of Texas Medical Branch, Texas Tech University, and the Department of Public Health. The changes include routine testing of all inmates, expanded education and prevention efforts, staff training and education programs, the inclusion of antiretroviral treatments, and discharge planning. Inmates will also be monitored following their release. The guidelines took effect March 1.     

HIV prevention in street youth.

Homeless adolescents have remained an underserved population throughout the human immunodeficiency/acquired immune deficiency syndrome epidemic. This article reviews the recent literature investigating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behavior among street youth. Prevalence rates of both adolescent homelessness and HIV seropositivity are unknown. However, data from a number of samples document a high prevalence of HIV risk behavior, sexually transmitted diseases, and alcohol/drug use among homeless adolescents. A number of individual and social factors, often associated with street survival, propel adolescents toward high-risk behavior. For some adolescents, testing HIV positive is perceived as advantageous in the procurement of basic needs such as food and shelter. HIV risk-reduction interventions must take into consideration the cause of homelessness, access to and participation in shelter services, and individual factors (such as the effects of sexual orientation and ethnicity) that frequently have not been systematically included in previous research. HIV risk for many homeless adolescents stems directly from their state of homelessness. National policies and funding are needed to address the health needs of these youth.