Browsing by Author "Hankins, Catherine"

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    Asking the right questions: developing evidence-based strategies for treating HIV in women and children
    (2011) Karim, Quarraisha A.; Banegura, Antoine; Cahn, Pedro; Christie, Charmagne D.; Dintruff, Robin; Distel, Michael; Hankins, Catherine; Hellmann, Nicholas; Katabira, Elly; Lehrman, Sandra; Montaner, Julio; Purdon, Scott; Rooney, James F.; Woof, Robin; Heidari, Shirin
    In July 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued formal revisions of its guidelines on the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV. The new guidelines greatly expand eligibility for treatment of adults and children, as well as for pregnant women seeking prophylaxis for vertical HIV transmission. WHO's new recommendations bring the guidelines closer to practices in developed countries, and its shift to earlier treatment alone will increase the number of treatment-eligible people by 50% or more. Scaling up access to HIV treatment is revealing important gaps in our understanding of how best to provide for all those in need. This knowledge gap is especially significant in developing countries, where women and children comprise a majority of those living with HIV infection. Given the magnitude and significance of these populations, the International AIDS Society, through its Industry Liaison Forum, prioritized HIV treatment and prophylaxis of women and children. In March 2010, the International AIDS Society and 15 partners launched a Consensus Statement outlining priority areas in which a relative lack of knowledge impedes delivery of optimal prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) and treatment to women and children. The Consensus Statement, "Asking the Right Questions: Advancing an HIV Research Agenda for Women and Children", makes a special appeal for a more gender-sensitive approach to HIV research at all stages, from conception to design and implementation. It particularly emphasizes research to enhance the understanding of sex-based differences and paediatric needs in treatment uptake and response. In addition to clinical issues, the statement focuses on programmatic research that facilitates access and adherence to antiretroviral regimens. Better coordination of HIV management with sexual and reproductive healthcare delivery is one such approach. We discuss here our knowledge gaps concerning effective, safe PMTCT and treatment for women and children in light of the expansion envisioned by WHO's revised guidelines. The guideline's new goals present an opportunity for advancing the women and children's agenda outlined in the Consensus Statement.
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    Gender-sensitive reporting in medical research
    (2012) Heidari, Shirin; Abdool Karim, Quarraisha; Auerbach, Judith D.; Buitendijk, Simone E.; Cahn, Pedro; Curno, Mirjam J.; Hankins, Catherine; Katabira, Elly; Kippax, Susan; Marlink, Richard; Marsh, Jennifer; Marusic, Ana; Nass, Heidi M.; Montaner, Julio; Pollitzer, Elizabeth; Ruiz-Cantero, Maria Teresa; Sherr, Lorraine; Papa Salif Sow; Squires, Kathleen; Wainberg, Mark A.
    Sex and gender differences influence the health and wellbeing of men and women. Although studies have drawn attention to observed differences between women and men across diseases, remarkably little research has been pursued to systematically investigate these underlying sex differences. Women continue to be underrepresented in clinical trials, and even in studies in which both men and women participate, systematic analysis of data to identify potential sex-based differences is lacking. Standards for reporting of clinical trials have been established to ensure provision of complete, transparent and critical information. An important step in addressing the gender imbalance would be inclusion of a gender perspective in the next Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guideline revision. Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals, as a set of well-recognized and widely used guidelines for authors and biomedical journals, should similarly emphasize the ethical obligation of authors to present data analyzed by gender as a matter of routine. Journal editors are also promoters of ethical research and adequate standards of reporting, and requirements for inclusion of gender analyses should be integrated into editorial policies as a matter of urgency.