Browsing by Author "Cahn, Florencia"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Cumulative Burden of Mental Health Factors and Engagement in HIV Care in Argentina
    (2021-06) Sued, Omar; Cecchini, Diego; Abbamonte, John M; Rodriguez, Violeta J; Mandell, Lissa; Cristofari, Nicholas; Figueroa, Maria Inés; Cassetti, Isabel; Cahn, Pedro; Weiss, Stephen; Alcaide, Maria; Cahn, Florencia; Calanni, Liliana; Crinejo, Ana; David, Daniel; Lupo, Sergio; Pérez, Carolina; Pérez, Rufina; Rodriguez, Claudia; Rolón, María José; Sisto, Alicia; Trapé, Liliana; Jones, Deborah
    Background: Cumulative burden of multiple mental health conditions may worsen physical health outcomes in vulnerable populations. Accordingly, identifying cumulative burdens of mental health conditions that may affect HIV treatment and care can guide public health strategies to reduce their impact on HIV-related health outcomes. This study examined the relationship between the cumulative burden of mental health conditions and factors associated with engagement in HIV care in Argentina. Method: Data for this study was obtained at baseline from Conexiones y Opciones Positivas en la Argentina 2 (COPA2). Participants (N = 360) were cisgender patients living with HIV who were lost to care, recruited from seven clinics serving people living with HIV in four Argentine urban centers. Cumulative burden of mental health conditions (i.e., depressive symptoms, problematic substance use, unhealthy alcohol use, and psychotic symptoms) was assessed. Results: Every one-point increase in the number of mental health conditions present was associated with a decrement in patient-provider communication (b = - 0.22, p < .001), self-efficacy (b = - 0.13, p = .012), and motivation for adherence (b = - 0.11, p = .039). Conclusion: This study found cumulative burden of depression, problematic substance use, unhealthy alcohol use, and psychotic symptoms to be negatively associated with factors related to engagement in HIV care. Results highlight the importance of identification and treatment of challenges to mental health, in order to ameliorate their influence on engagement in HIV care.
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    Design and Development of an Electronic Health Record According to Argentine Gender Identity La
    (2022-06) Giraldo, Liliana; Fink, Valeria; Cahn, Florencia; Aristegui, Ines; Caceres, Betiana; Sued, Omar; Cesar, Carina
    Health information systems face the challenge of collecting data on patients’ gender identity. The absence of this information may lead the patients to situations of vulnerability and discrimination. The objective of this study is to describe the process of designing and developing an Electronic Health Record according to the Argentine Gender Identity Law. This health record allows clinics to record legal names and surnames, other social names, gender identity, sex at birth, and legal sex.
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    Opinions, Attitudes and Factors Related to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Uptake in Eight South American Countries
    (MDPI, 2023) Urueña, Analía; Machado, Ricardo; Cunha, Juarez; López Colmano, Clara; Rancaño, Carolina; Kfouri, Renato; Pírez, Catalina; Bonvehí, Pablo; Calvo, Mario; Cuadros, Robinson; Muñoz, Greta; Rodríguez, Mónica; Torres, Jaime; Cahn, Florencia; Ballalai, Isabella
    This article presents attitudes and practices regarding COVID-19 vaccination in the South American population. The study collected data from a self-administered survey distributed through social media platforms between February and April 2022 (N = 6555). The survey included questions related to participants’ sociodemographic background, flu vaccination practices, sources of information about COVID-19, and opinions regarding pandemic management and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The respondents agreed with the statement that COVID-19 vaccines were necessary (86.4%), effective (79.8%), safe (79.1%), and should be mandatory (64%). Overall, 83.4% accepted vaccination and 12.3% refused it completely. Main rejection reasons were safety (65.8%) and efficacy (54.9%) issues, and rushed development and approvals (49.1%). Vaccine uptake was associated with being ≥60 years, being a healthcare worker, previous influenza vaccine uptake, adherence to preventive measures, the death of ≥1 close people from COVID-19, and being informed through mass media or health authorities’ channels.
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    Redesigning an Electronic Health Record in Argentina to Improve Comprehensive Health Care and Clinical Research
    (2022-06) Giraldo, Liliana; Fink, Valeria; Cahn, Florencia; Caceres, Betiana; Sued, Omar; Duda, Stephany; Cesar, Carina
    Updating electronic health record systems to meet new clinic needs and government regulations presents an ongoing challenge for health care organizations. To redesign an existing system for two HIV clinics in Argentina, we employed a three-phase approach of exploration, participatory design, and prototyping. The process and resulting architecture of the HIV-centered "RedClin" electronic health record may inform electronic health records at other clinics in Latin America and worldwide.