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Dear Colleagues,

To ‘ensure healthy lives and promote well-being’ is one of the main goals adopted by the United Nations. According to the World Health Organization’s plan, five of the principal global health needs are related to infectious diseases, such as HIV testing, treatment, and viral suppression of 95%–95%–95%, respectively, and reducing viral hepatitis as a main global threat. To face the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, infection prevention and public health promotion are even more important. Moreover, under-served populations are still a fundamental global issue in planning communicable disease control. This Special Issue aims to include papers on infectious disease prevention and public health promotion in order to propose new approaches and strategies in the field.

Dr. Vito Fiore
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

HIV/AIDS
viral hepatitis B
viral hepatitis C
HIV/HCV co-infection
SARS-CoV-2
sexually transmitted diseases
infectious disease prevention
public health promotion
under-served populations
infectious disease knowledge
sexual health

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 219 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Barriers and Mythical Practices of Teenagers Regarding the Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Rural Areas of Limpopo Province, South Africa

by Jessica Uchechi Damian, Eustacia Hlungwane and Takalani Grace Tshitangano

Healthcare 2024, 12(3), 355; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12030355 - 30 Jan 2024

Viewed by 674

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections in South Africa are increasing at alarming rates. This study’s setting is no. 5, with the highest STI, pregnancy, and HIV statistics in Limpopo province among 13- to 19-year-old teenagers. This study explored preventative measures against STIs practiced by teenagers in rural areas of Limpopo province, South Africa. This study was conducted at a selected rural-based clinic using an exploratory descriptive qualitative research approach. Unstructured in-depth face-to-face interviews were used to collect data from sixteen conveniently sampled teenagers aged 13–19, consisting of 13 females and 3 males, who came to Manavhela Clinic for youth-friendly services in August/September 2022. Open-coding analysis was used to identify themes and sub-themes. Measures to ensure trustworthiness were ensured. Ethical clearance (FSH/21/PH/22/2211) was obtained, and ethics principles were observed throughout this study. Two themes emerged from data analysis: STI preventive measures practiced by teenagers and factors influencing the choice of STI preventive measures practiced by teenagers. Only a few participants aged 13 and 14 years of age practiced abstinence and condom use. Most participants were sexually active and used mythical mixtures made from boiling aloe or morula tree (which they drank before and after sex), applied plain yogurt on the vagina once a week, or practiced vaginal steaming. Participants cited patriarchy, lack of sex education in rural schools, long distances to clinics, and desire to taste sex as reasons for adopting the practiced preventive measures. Risky sexual behavior among 13- to 19-year-old teenagers is still rife in rural areas. Rural clinics in Limpopo province should intensify STI school health education and youth-friendly services programs to raise awareness and improve accessibility to condoms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infectious Disease Prevention and Public Health Promotion: Second Edition)

Review

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13 pages, 1858 KiB

Open AccessReview

Revolutionizing HIV-1 Viral Load Monitoring in India: The Potential of Dried Blood Spot Analysis for Expanding Access and Improving Care

by Madhuri Chandane Tak, Anuradha Vaidyanathan and Anupam Mukherjee

Healthcare 2024, 12(4), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12040413 - 06 Feb 2024

Viewed by 960

Abstract

India continues to grapple with a significant burden of HIV infections. Despite notable progress in prevention and treatment efforts, multiple challenges, such as high-risk populations, inadequate testing facilities, and limited access to healthcare in remote areas, persist. Though the Government of India offers HIV-1 plasma viral load testing at various medical centers, aiding treatment decisions and monitoring antiretroviral therapy effectiveness, enhancing care for individuals living with HIV under the National AIDS Control Program (NACP), the nation’s large population and diverse demographics further complicate its outreach and response. Hence, strategic interventions and alternative methods of testing remain crucial to curbing HIV transmission and improving the quality of life for those affected. Dried blood spot (DBS) sampling has emerged as a convenient and cost-effective alternative for HIV-1 viral load testing, revolutionizing the landscape of diagnostic and monitoring strategies for HIV infection. Though the plasma-based viral load remains the gold standard for monitoring HIV-1, DBS-based HIV-1 viral load testing holds immense promise for improving access to care, particularly in resource-limited settings where traditional plasma-based methods may be logistically challenging. DBS entails the collection of a small volume of blood onto filter paper, followed by drying and storage. This approach offers numerous advantages, including simplified sample collection, transportation, and storage, reducing the need for cold-chain logistics. Recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility and accuracy of DBS-based HIV-1 viral load testing, revealing a strong correlation between DBS and plasma measurements. Its implementation can enhance the early detection of treatment failure, guide therapeutic decisions, and ultimately contribute to better clinical outcomes for HIV-infected individuals. Hence, this review explores the principles, advancements, feasibility, and implications of DBS-based HIV-1 viral load testing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infectious Disease Prevention and Public Health Promotion: Second Edition)

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