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Abstract@#On 18 May 2021, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of X District in P City, Z Province received a co-investigation of a suspected case of intentional HIV transmission from the public security branch, and conducted epidemiological investigations on Zhao and Wang (both males). Wang was confirmed HIV-positive in 2019. Zhao had unprotected sexual encounters several times with Wang in March 2021 without being informed of Wang's HIV infection. Zhao developed fever, sore throat and other symptoms of acute infection phase on 28 March, and were confirmed HIV positive by the CDC of P City on 11 May. Zhao did not have sex with anyone else before or after having sex with Wang. In addition, Zhao had no history of surgery, blood transfusions, drug use or any other history of HIV exposure. Laboratory tests conducted by the CDC of Z Province showed that the HIV nucleic acid sequences between the samples of Zhao and Wang had a high degree of homology. Combined with the epidemiological investigation, laboratory testing and the evidence from the public security branch, it was concluded that Wang intentionally transmitted HIV to Zhao through unprotected anal sex without disclosing his HIV infection status.

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Background: No randomized controlled trials have involved established HIV-diagnosed men who have sex with men (MSM) diagnosed for more than 6 months into the assisted partner service (aPS). We compared voluntary aPS involving community-based organizations (CBOs) and HIV self-testing (aPSST) with regular partner service (rPS) in HIV-diagnosed MSM irrespective of diagnosis time. Methods: In this unblinded, multicentre trial, we enrolled HIV-diagnosed MSM irrespective of diagnosis time in three cities in northern China. Index patients were randomly assigned to aPSST or rPS. Index patients in the aPSST group were additionally provided a comprehensive intervention package including HIV self-testing and CBO-based aPS compared with rPS group. The primary outcome was the number of index patients whose any sexual partner tested for HIV during the 6-month study. Completion of HIV testing was defined as sexual partners taking a clinic-based HIV test or HIV self-testing. Safety was assessed preliminary at the end of the 6-month follow-up. This study has been registered at chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2000038784). Findings: From March to December 2021, 325 of HIV-diagnosed MSM were enrolled (90⋅2% were established HIV-diagnosed MSM) and randomly assigned to receive aPSST (n = 167) or rPS (n = 158). At 6 months, 110 (65⋅9%) index patients in the aPSST group had at least one sexual partner tested for HIV compared with 50 (31⋅6%) in the rPS group (hazard ratio 2⋅86; 95% confidence interval 2⋅03-4⋅03; p < 0⋅001). No significant difference was observed in effects of aPSST on HIV testing promotion between established and newly HIV-diagnosed MSM. Self-reported harms were infrequently observed in both groups (approximately 2⋅0%). Interpretation: Among HIV-diagnosed MSM regardless of diagnosis time, voluntary aPS involving CBOs and HIV self-testing was effective and safe for promoting partner HIV testing. Funding: This work was supported by the Mega-Projects of National Science Research, the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program, China.

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Background: Different machine learning (ML) technologies have been applied in healthcare systems with diverse applications. We aimed to determine the model feasibility and accuracy of predicting patient portal use among diabetic patients by using six different ML algorithms. In addition, we also compared model performance accuracy with the use of only essential variables. Methods: This was a single-center retrospective observational study. From March 1, 2019 to February 28, 2020, we included all diabetic patients from the study emergency department (ED). The primary outcome was the status of patient portal use. A total of 18 variables consisting of patient sociodemographic characteristics, ED and clinic information, and patient medical conditions were included to predict patient portal use. Six ML algorithms (logistic regression, random forest (RF), deep forest, decision tree, multilayer perception, and support vector machine) were used for such predictions. During the initial step, ML predictions were performed with all variables. Then, the essential variables were chosen via feature selection. Patient portal use predictions were repeated with only essential variables. The performance accuracies (overall accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC)) of patient portal predictions were compared. Results: A total of 77,977 unique patients were placed in our final analysis. Among them, 23.4% (18,223) patients were diabetic mellitus (DM). Patient portal use was found in 26.9% of DM patients. Overall, the accuracy of predicting patient portal use was above 80% among five out of six ML algorithms. The RF outperformed the others when all variables were used for patient portal predictions (accuracy 0.9876, sensitivity 0.9454, specificity 0.9969, and AUC 0.9712). When only eight essential variables were chosen, RF still outperformed the others (accuracy 0.9876, sensitivity 0.9374, specificity 0.9932, and AUC 0.9769). Conclusion: It is possible to predict patient portal use outcomes when different ML algorithms are used with fair performance accuracy. However, with similar prediction accuracies, the use of feature selection techniques can improve the interpretability of the model by addressing the most relevant features.

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Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We sought to describe patterns of sexually transmitted co-infections and explore factors associated with increased acquisition of STIs among MSM. Methods: We enrolled MSM in Shenyang, China, between July and December 2020 to test for four STIs, including human papillomavirus (HPV), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Treponema pallidum (TP). Data regarding demographic and behavioral characteristics of participants were collected through a self-administered digital questionnaire. We adopted the ordinal logistic regression model to identify factors associated with acquiring more STIs. Results: Overall, 177 participants with completed test results for all four STIs were analyzed. These participants had a median age of 29.0 (interquartile range: 23.0-38.0) years. The prevalence of STI co-infections was 23.7% [42/177; 95% confidence interval (CI), 17.8%-30.8%], among which HPV/CT (47.1%) and HPV/CT/NG (50.0%) co-infection were the predominant types among participants with dual and multiple infections, respectively. Participants who had a higher educational background [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 0.46; 95% CI, 0.24-0.85; P = 0.014] and had a history of STIs (aOR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.24-5.18; P = 0.011) were positively associated with acquiring more STIs. Conclusions: MSM in Shenyang suffer a substantial burden of sexually transmitted co-infections. An optimized multi-STI integration strategy targeting prevention, surveillance, screening, and treatment is warranted to reduce the prevalence of sexually transmitted co-infections, especially in less-educated MSM.

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Background: The decrease of bone mineral density (BMD) after the intake of Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-based drugs in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and HIV-negative key populations under pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) regimen raised concerns. Previous findings on the effects of vitamin D (VD) and calcium supplements and the recovery of BMD loss were inconclusive. The optimal doses of VD and calcium and its supplementary duration remained unknown. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize current evidence on VD and calcium supplements to inform clinical practice. Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane library, and EMBASE databases for all placebo-controlled trials and prospective cohort studies published before March 5, 2021 that investigated VD and calcium supplements in participants taking TDF-based drugs. The keywords calcium, vitamin D, Tenofovir, and BMD were used for the searches. The primary outcome was changes of spine and hip BMD. A subgroup analysis was performed to determine the factors that were related to the effects of VD supplements on BMD. Locally weighted regression (loess) was used to determine the relationships of VD supplements, supplementary duration, and changes of BMD. This study was registered at PROSPERO (No. 42021231000). Findings: Seven eligible studies including 703 participants were included in the analyses. The meta-analysis found that VD and calcium supplementation was related to a significant increase of BMD in the spine and hip [standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.43; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.61, p = 0.009]. Moreover, positive dose-response relationships were demonstrated between doses of VD and calcium supplements, supplementary duration, and BMD recovery. Patients who took VD with the dose level of 4,000 IU/D obtained the highest BMD improvement (SMD 0.59, 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.74). No side effects were reported on VD and calcium supplementation. Interpretation: We found the VD and calcium supplementation was associated with increases of BMD in participants taking TDF-based drugs. An optimal supplementary dose of 4,000 IU/D for VD was suggested for clinicians. The findings could be used in clinical practice to improve the BMD outcomes in people who were taking TDF-based drugs.Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/.

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Background: Despite the insupportable burden caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and high vaccine acceptability, vaccination programs are not currently available for men who have sex with men (MSM). We aimed to assess HPV infection by examining the willingness for vaccination among MSM and cost-effectiveness of the Chinese 2-valent HPV vaccine. Methods: We recruited MSM in Shenyang, China between July and December 2020 to conduct anal HPV testing and an online survey regarding HPV-related knowledge and vaccine acceptability. We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis to evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of the Chinese 2-valent HPV vaccine. Results: A total of 234 participants completed the online survey; of those, 203 were successfully tested for HPV. The median age was 30 years [interquartile range (IQR): 23-38 years]. Most participants had at least undergraduate education (136/234, 58.1%). The acceptability rate for the free HPV vaccine was 57.7% (135/234). The prevalence of HPV types 16 and 18 was 14.9% (18/121) and 26.8% (22/82) in the willing and unwilling to vaccinate groups, respectively (P > 0.05). The prevalence of high-risk HPV among participants aged <30 and ≥50 years was 48.6 and 38.9%, respectively. Using the Chinese per capita gross domestic product (GDP) as a threshold, the Chinese 2-valent HPV vaccine would be a "very cost-effective" strategy, with an ICER value of USD 4,411. This evidence showed that the Chinese 2-valent HPV vaccine was more cost-effective than other imported vaccines. Conclusions: Targeted strategies should be utilized in MSM with different rates of vaccine acceptability. A pilot HPV vaccination program based on the Chinese 2-valent HPV vaccine for MSM is urgently warranted to reduce the burden of HPV and anal cancer.

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BACKGROUND: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective HIV prevention measure. Clinicians play a crucial role in PrEP implementation, and their knowledge, attitudes, and career experience may affect their willingness to prescribe PrEP. However, little is known about the attitudes and willingness of clinicians to prescribe PrEP in countries without PrEP-specific guidelines. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the factors associated with clinicians being willing to prescribe PrEP in China. METHODS: Between May and June 2019, we conducted an online cross-sectional survey of clinicians in 31 provinces across the six administrative regions in China on the WeChat smartphone app platform. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with willingness to prescribe PrEP. RESULTS: Overall, 777 HIV clinicians completed the survey. Most of the respondents had heard of PrEP (563/777, 72.5%), 31.9% (248/777) thought that PrEP was extremely effective for reducing the risk of HIV infection, and 47.2% (367/777) thought that it was necessary to provide PrEP to high-risk groups. After adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, and educational background of the clinicians, the following factors significantly increased the odds of the clinicians being willing to prescribe PrEP: having worked for more than 10 years, compared to 5 years or less (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.82, 95% CI 1.96-4.05); having treated more than 100 patients living with HIV per month, compared to 50 patients or fewer (aOR 4.16, 95% CI 2.85-6.08); and having heard of PrEP (aOR 7.32, 95% CI 4.88-10.97). Clinicians were less likely to be willing to prescribe PrEP if they were concerned about poor adherence to PrEP (aOR 0.66, 95% CI 0.50-0.88), the lack of PrEP clinical guidelines (aOR 0.47, 95% CI 0.32-0.70), and the lack of drug indications for PrEP (aOR 0.49, 95% CI 0.32-0.76). CONCLUSIONS: About half of all clinicians surveyed were willing to prescribe PrEP, but most surveyed had a low understanding of PrEP. Lack of PrEP clinical guidelines, lack of drug indications, and less than 11 years of work experience were the main barriers to the surveyed clinicians' willingness to prescribe PrEP. Development of PrEP clinical guidelines and drug indications, as well as increasing the availability of PrEP training, could help improve understanding of PrEP among clinicians and, thus, increase the number willing to prescribe PrEP.

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BACKGROUND: Nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP) is an effective HIV biomedical prevention strategy. The research and use of nPEP are mainly concentrated in the developed world, while little is known about the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of nPEP among HIV medical care providers in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the nPEP knowledge and prescribing practice among HIV medical care providers in mainland China. METHODS: HIV medical care providers were recruited in China during May and June 2019 through an online survey regarding nPEP-related knowledge, attitudes, and clinical prescription experiences. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with prescribing nPEP among HIV medical care providers. RESULTS: A total of 777 eligible participants participated in this study from 133 cities in 31 provinces in China. Of the participants, 60.2% (468/777) were unfamiliar with nPEP and only 53.3% (414/777) of participants ever prescribed nPEP. HIV care providers who worked in a specialized infectious disease hospital (vs general hospital, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.49; 95% CI 1.85-3.37), had practiced for 6-10 years (vs 5 or fewer years, aOR 3.28; 95% CI 2.23-4.80), had practiced for 11 years or more (vs 5 or fewer years, aOR 3.75; 95% CI 2.59-5.45), and had previously prescribed occupational PEP (oPEP, aOR 4.90; 95% CI 3.29-7.29) had a significantly positive association with prescribing nPEP. However, unfamiliarity with nPEP (aOR 0.08; 95% CI 0.05-0.11), believing nPEP may promote HIV high-risk behavior (aOR 0.53; 95% CI 0.36-0.77) or result in HIV drug resistance (aOR 0.53; 95% CI 0.36-0.77) among key populations, and self-reported having no written oPEP guideline in place (aOR 0.53; 95% CI 0.35-0.79) were negatively associated with nPEP prescription behavior. CONCLUSIONS: HIV medical care providers have insufficient nPEP knowledge and an inadequate proportion of prescribing, which may impede the scale-up of nPEP services to curb HIV acquisition. The implementation of tailored nPEP training or retraining to HIV medical care providers would improve this situation.

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