• Ogunboye, Gbekele
• Hollins, Ashley
• Zhang, Zhen

Abstract

<jats:p>The screening of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a critical component of public health efforts to combat the spread of HIV and improve health outcomes for those living with the virus.1,2 In Mississippi, a state with unique socio-economic and healthcare challenges, understanding the factors associated with HIV testing among adults is essential for designing effective interventions and policies. Particularly, Mississippi of all the states in the United States, faces unique challenges related to HIV screening due to its demographic, socio-economic, and healthcare landscape.3Mississippi is characterized by a population of low socioeconomic status and educational attainment, evidenced by high rates of poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, and uninsured individuals.4,18 In addition, there exist significant disparities in health, income, education, and access to healthcare in the state,16,18 and thereby impacting HIV-care services utilization.17 Furthermore, the predominantly rural population in Mississippi poses additional challenges, including limited access to healthcare services,18 further complicating HIV testing efforts.5,17 Individuals in rural Mississippi have additional barrier to access HIV care due to an inadequate public transportation system4,17 besides the shortage in the health workforce in the rural areas.18 Nonetheless, there have been notable efforts to increase HIV testing rates in the state. Public health campaigns, community outreach programs, and policy initiatives have been implemented to encourage testing and reduce the stigma associated with HIV.4 These efforts are critical in Mississippi where HIV prevalence and incidence rates, HIV-related morbidity, and mortality are relatively high, particularly among certain demographic groups such as African Americans and men who have sex with men (MSM).5</jats:p>

Topics

• impedance spectroscopy