Employing Molecular Phylodynamic Methods to Identify and Forecast HIV Transmission Clusters in Public Health Settings: A Qualitative Study

Viruses

NicholeE. Stetten¹  VeronicaL. Richards¹  Mattia Prosperi¹  ShannanN. Rich¹  RobertL. Cook¹  J.Lucas Boatwright²  WilliamM. Switzer³  Karalee Poschman³  Shana Geary⁴  Marco Salemi⁵  CarlaN. Mavian⁵  Brittany Rife Magalis⁵  SpencerB. Bennett⁶  Jason Blanton⁶  StevenE. Broadway⁷  EmmaC. Spencer⁷  Thomas Leitner⁸ 

[1] Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions & College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA;Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;Division of Public Health, Injury and Violence Prevention Branch, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Raleigh, NC 27699, USA;Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Jacksonville, FL 32202, USA;Florida Department of Health, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Bureau of Communicable Diseases, HIV/AIDS Section, Tallahassee, FL 32399, USA;Theoretical Biology & Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA;

关键词: molecular epidemiology;    HIV phylogenetics;    surveillance;    HIV prevention;    qualitative research;    focus groups;   

DOI  :  10.3390/v12090921

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Molecular HIV surveillance is a promising public health strategy for curbing the HIV epidemic. Clustering technologies used by health departments to date are limited in their ability to infer/forecast cluster growth trajectories. Resolution of the spatiotemporal dynamics of clusters, through phylodynamic and phylogeographic modelling, is one potential strategy to develop a forecasting tool; however, the projected utility of this approach needs assessment. Prior to incorporating novel phylodynamic-based molecular surveillance tools, we sought to identify possible issues related to their feasibility, acceptability, interpretation, and utility. Qualitative data were collected via focus groups among field experts (n = 17, 52.9% female) using semi-structured, open-ended questions. Data were coded using an iterative process, first through the development of provisional themes and subthemes, followed by independent line-by-line coding by two coders. Most participants routinely used molecular methods for HIV surveillance. All agreed that linking molecular sequences to epidemiological data is important for improving HIV surveillance. We found that, in addition to methodological challenges, a variety of implementation barriers are expected in relation to the uptake of phylodynamic methods for HIV surveillance. The participants identified several opportunities to enhance current methods, as well as increase the usability and utility of promising works-in-progress.

【 授权许可】

Unknown