Housing Status, Medical Care, and Health Outcomes Among People Living With HIV/AIDS: A Systematic Review

The Effect of Sleeping Environment and Sleeping Location Change on Positive Airway Pressure Adherence

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Poor adherence undermines the effectiveness of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy for sleep apnea. Disparities exist in PAP adherence by race/ethnicity and neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES), but the etiology of these differences is poorly understood. We investigated whether home environmental factors contribute to PAP adherence and whether identified factors explain disparities in adherence by SES.

METHODS

Adult patients with sleep apnea were surveyed at clinic visits about their sleep environment. Medical records were abstracted for demographic data, sleep apnea severity, comorbidities, and objective PAP adherence. We evaluated the association between aspects of home sleep environment with PAP adherence using multivariate linear and logistic regression, and assessed effect modification by SES factors.

RESULTS

Participants (n = 119) were diverse, with 44% nonwhite and 35% uninsured/Medicaid. After adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance, neighborhood SES, education, and marital status, participants who endorsed changing sleeping location once per month or more (18%, n = 21) had 77% lower odds of meeting PAP adherence criteria (> 4 h/night for 70% of nights) and less PAP use (median -11 d/mo, 95% confidence intervals -15.3, -6.5). Frequency of sleeping location change was the only environmental factor surveyed associated with PAP adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

Frequent change in sleeping location is associated with reduced PAP adherence, independent of sociodemographic factors. This novel finding has implications for physician-patient dialogue. PAP portability considerations in device selection and design may modify adherence and potentially improve treatment outcomes. Prospective investigation is needed to confirm this finding and inform design of possible interventions.

Perceptions of Needs, Assets, and Priorities Among Black Men Who Have Sex With Men With HIV: Community-Driven Actions and Impacts of a Participatory Photovoice Process

Black men who have sex with men (MSM) with HIV experience significant health inequities and poorer health outcomes compared with other persons with HIV. The primary aims of this study were to describe the needs, assets, and priorities of Black MSM with HIV who live in the Southern United States and identify actions to improve their health using photovoice. Photovoice, a participatory, collaborative research methodology that combines documentary photography with group discussion, was conducted with six Black MSM with HIV. From the photographs and discussions, primary themes of discrimination and rejection, lack of mental health services, coping strategies to reduce stress, sources of acceptance and support, and future aspirations emerged. After the photographs were taken and discussed, the participants hosted a photo exhibition and community forum for the public. Here, 37 community attendees and influential advocates collaborated with the participants to identify 12 actions to address the men's identified needs, assets, and priorities. These included making structural changes in the legal and medical systems, encouraging dialogue to eliminate multiple forms of stigma and racism, and advocating for comprehensive care for persons with HIV. As a secondary aim, the impacts of photovoice were assessed. Participants reported enjoying photovoice and found it meaningful. Results suggest that in addition to cultivating rich community-based knowledge, photovoice may result in positive changes for Black MSM with HIV.

The effect of unstable housing on HIV treatment biomarkers: An instrumental variables approach

Unstable housing, including homelessness, is a public policy concern for all populations, and more critically for people with a serious health condition such as HIV. We measure the effect of unstable housing on HIV treatment biomarkers: viral suppression (viral load < 200 HIV RNA copies per ml) and adequate CD4+ T-cell count (CD4>350 cells per μl). We use panel data (1995-2015) from 3082 participants of the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) sites in Bronx and Brooklyn (NY), Chicago (IL), Los Angeles and San Francisco (CA), and Washington (DC). The instrumental variable (IV) measures allocations for the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) per person newly infected with HIV, and it represents actual availability of housing assistance for HIV-positive persons at the metropolitan area level. Using an extended probit model with the IV, we find that unstable housing reduces the likelihood of viral suppression by 51 percentage points, and decreases the probability of having adequate CD4 cell count by 53 percentage points. The endogeneity-corrected results are larger than naïve probits, which show decreases of 8.1 and 7.8 percentage points, respectively. The hypothesized pathways for the effect are: decreased use of mental healthcare/counseling, any healthcare, and less continuity of care. Increasing efforts to improve housing assistance, including HOPWA, and other interventions to make housing more affordable for low-income populations, and HIV-positive populations in particular, may be warranted not only for the benefits of stable housing, but also to improve HIV-related biomarkers.

A New Era of HIV Risk: It's Not What You Know, It's Who You Know (and How Infectious)

HIV is transmitted in social and sexual relationships, and HIV transmission risks, as well as protective actions, are evolving as HIV epidemics unfold. The current focus of HIV prevention is centered on antiretroviral medications used to reduce HIV infectiousness in persons already infected with HIV [treatment as prevention (TasP)]. The same medications used to treat infected persons can also be used by uninfected persons as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the infectivity of HIV. Both PrEP and TasP are effective when adherence is high and individuals do not have co-occurring sexually transmitted infections. HIV prevention is most effective and efficient when delivered within sexual networks with high HIV prevalence. Specific network characteristics are recognized as important facilitators of HIV transmission; these characteristics include the degree of similarity among network members (homophily), gender role norms, and belief systems. Since 2011, HIV risk has been redefined based on infectiousness and infectivity, ushering in a new era of HIV prevention with the potential to end HIV epidemics.

Short-term effectiveness of HIV care coordination among persons with recent HIV diagnosis or history of poor HIV outcomes

The New York City HIV Care Coordination Program (CCP) combines multiple evidence-based strategies to support persons living with HIV (PLWH) at risk for, or with a recent history of, poor HIV outcomes. We assessed the comparative effectiveness of the CCP by merging programmatic data on CCP clients with population-based surveillance data on all New York City PLWH. A non-CCP comparison group of similar PLWH who met CCP eligibility criteria was identified using surveillance data. The CCP and non-CCP groups were matched on propensity for CCP enrollment within four baseline treatment status groups (newly diagnosed or previously diagnosed and either consistently unsuppressed, inconsistently suppressed or consistently suppressed). We compared CCP to non-CCP proportions with viral load suppression at 12-month follow-up. Among the 13,624 persons included, 15∙3% were newly diagnosed; among the 84∙7% previously diagnosed, 14∙2% were consistently suppressed, 28∙9% were inconsistently suppressed, and 41∙6% were consistently unsuppressed in the year prior to baseline. At 12-month follow-up, 59∙9% of CCP and 53∙9% of non-CCP participants had viral load suppression (Relative Risk = 1.11, 95%CI:1.08–1.14). Among those newly diagnosed and those consistently unsuppressed at baseline, the relative risk of viral load suppression in the CCP versus non-CCP participants was 1.15 (95%CI:1.09–1.23) and 1.32 (95%CI:1.23–1.42), respectively. CCP exposure shows benefits over no CCP exposure for persons newly diagnosed or consistently unsuppressed, but not for persons suppressed in the year prior to baseline. We recommend more targeted case finding for CCP enrollment and increased attention to viral load suppression maintenance.

Factors Associated with the Separate and Concurrent Experiences of Food and Housing Insecurity Among Women Living with HIV in Canada

People living with HIV are disproportionately affected by food and housing insecurity. We assessed factors associated with experiencing food and/or housing insecurity among women living with HIV (WLHIV) in Canada. In our sample of WLHIV (N = 1403) 65% reported an income less than $20,000 per year. Most (78.69%) participants reported food and/or housing insecurity: 27.16% reported experiencing food insecurity alone, 14.26% reported housing insecurity alone, and 37.28% reported experiencing food and housing insecurity concurrently. In adjusted multivariable logistic regression analyses, experiencing concurrent food and housing insecurity was associated with: lower income, Black ethnicity versus White, province of residence, current injection drug use, lower resilience, HIV-related stigma, and racial discrimination. Findings underscore the urgent need for health professionals to assess for food and housing insecurity, to address the root causes of poverty, and for federal policy to allocate resources to ameliorate economic insecurity for WLHIV in Canada.

Long-Term Supportive Housing is Associated with Decreased Risk for New HIV Diagnoses Among a Large Cohort of Homeless Persons in New York City

It is unknown whether providing housing to persons experiencing homelessness decreases HIV risk. Housing, including access to preventive services and counseling, might provide a period of transition for persons with HIV risk factors. We assessed whether the new HIV diagnosis rate was associated with duration of supportive housing. We linked data from a cohort of 21,689 persons without a previous HIV diagnosis who applied to a supportive housing program in New York City (NYC) during 2007-2013 to the NYC HIV surveillance registry. We used time-dependent Cox modeling to compare new HIV diagnoses among recipients of supportive housing (defined a priori, for program evaluation purposes, as persons who spent > 7 days in supportive housing; n = 6447) and unplaced applicants (remainder of cohort), after balancing the groups on baseline characteristics with propensity score weights. Compared with unplaced applicants, persons who received ≥ 3 continuous years of supportive housing had decreased risk for new HIV diagnosis (HR 0.10; CI 0.01-0.99). Risk of new HIV diagnosis decreased with longer duration placement in supportive housing. Supportive housing might aid in primary HIV prevention.

Cumulative plasma HIV burden disparities among adults in HIV care: implications for HIV transmission in the era of treatment as prevention

OBJECTIVE

To characterize disparities in cumulative plasma HIV burden in a sample of adults accessing HIV care in San Francisco, California.

DESIGN

Observational cohort and supplemental HIV surveillance data.

METHODS

Data from the San Francisco Medical Monitoring Project 2012-2014 cycles and HIV surveillance data were used to create an analytic cohort followed for 2 years. Matched HIV viral load test results from HIV surveillance were used to create five viral outcome measures: any unsuppressed viral load (>200 copies/ml), any transmittable viral load (>1500 copies/ml), person-time spent unsuppressed, person-time spent transmittable, and 2-year viremia copy-years, a measure of cumulative plasma HIV burden. Rao-Scott chi-squares and analysis of variance examined differences in durable suppression and mean percentage time spent unsuppressed and transmittable. Weighted linear regression was used to describe differences in cumulative HIV burden.

RESULTS

Adults receiving HIV care spent approximately 12% of the 2-year time period with an unsuppressed viral load and approximately 7% of the time at a transmittable viral level. Factors independently associated with higher cumulative HIV viremia in an adjusted model included trans women identity, younger age, lower CD4 cell count, and a history of homelessness, incarceration, not taking ART, and nonadherence to ART.

CONCLUSION

Although 95% of the cohort of adults in HIV care in San Francisco self-reported ART use during MMP interview, they spent on average almost 1 month per year at a transmittable viral level. We identified characteristics of those who were more likely to have higher viral burden, highlighting priorities for resource allocation to reduce onward HIV transmission.

HIV Care After Jail: Low Rates of Engagement in a Vulnerable Population

The criminal justice system is a critical area of focus to improve HIV outcomes and reduce health disparities. We analyzed demographic, incarceration, socioeconomic, and clinical data for HIV-positive persons released to the community from the Dallas County Jail (1450 incarcerations, 1111 unique individuals) between January 2011 and November 2013. The study population was 68% black and 14% Hispanic; overall linkage to care within 90 days of release was 34%. In adjusted analyses, Hispanics were more likely to link than whites (aOR 2.33 [95% CI: 1.55-3.50]), and blacks were as likely to link as whites (aOR 1.14 [95% CI: 0.84-1.56]). The majority of HIV-positive jail releases did not re-engage in HIV care after release, though Hispanics were twice as likely as other groups to link to care. Further efforts are needed to improve the transition from jail to community HIV care with particular attention to issues of housing, mental illness, and substance use.

Antiretroviral Drugs for Treatment and Prevention of HIV Infection in Adults: 2018 Recommendations of the International Antiviral Society-USA Panel

Importance

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the cornerstone of prevention and management of HIV infection.

Objective

To evaluate new data and treatments and incorporate this information into updated recommendations for initiating therapy, monitoring individuals starting therapy, changing regimens, and preventing HIV infection for individuals at risk.

Evidence Review

New evidence collected since the International Antiviral Society-USA 2016 recommendations via monthly PubMed and EMBASE literature searches up to April 2018; data presented at peer-reviewed scientific conferences. A volunteer panel of experts in HIV research and patient care considered these data and updated previous recommendations.

Findings

ART is recommended for virtually all HIV-infected individuals, as soon as possible after HIV diagnosis. Immediate initiation (eg, rapid start), if clinically appropriate, requires adequate staffing, specialized services, and careful selection of medical therapy. An integrase strand transfer inhibitor (InSTI) plus 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) is generally recommended for initial therapy, with unique patient circumstances (eg, concomitant diseases and conditions, potential for pregnancy, cost) guiding the treatment choice. CD4 cell count, HIV RNA level, genotype, and other laboratory tests for general health and co-infections are recommended at specified points before and during ART. If a regimen switch is indicated, treatment history, tolerability, adherence, and drug resistance history should first be assessed; 2 or 3 active drugs are recommended for a new regimen. HIV testing is recommended at least once for anyone who has ever been sexually active and more often for individuals at ongoing risk for infection. Preexposure prophylaxis with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine and appropriate monitoring is recommended for individuals at risk for HIV.

Conclusions and Relevance

Advances in HIV prevention and treatment with antiretroviral drugs continue to improve clinical management and outcomes for individuals at risk for and living with HIV.

Evolution of patients' socio-behavioral characteristics in the context of DAA: Results from the French ANRS CO13 HEPAVIH cohort of HIV-HCV co-infected patients

BACKGROUND

Direct-acting antivirals (DAA) have dramatically increased HCV cure rates with minimal toxicity in HIV-HCV co-infected patients. This study aimed to compare the socio-behavioral characteristics of patients initiating pegylated-interferon (PEG-IFN)-based HCV treatment with those of patients initiating DAA-based treatment.

METHODS

ANRS CO13 HEPAVIH is a national multicenter prospective cohort started in 2005, which enrolled 1,859 HIV-HCV co-infected patients followed up in French hospital outpatient units. Both clinical/biological and socio-behavioral data were collected during follow-up. We selected patients with socio-behavioral data available before HCV treatment initiation.

RESULTS

A total of 580 patients were included in this analysis. Of these, 347 initiated PEG-IFN-based treatment, and 233 DAA-based treatment. There were significant differences regarding patient mean age (45 years±6 for the PEG-IFN group vs. 52 years±8 for the DAA group, p<0.001), unstable housing (21.4% vs. 11.2%, p = 0.0016), drug use (44.7% vs. 29.6%, p = 0.0003), regular or daily use of cannabis (24.3% vs. 15.6%, p = 0.0002), a history of drug injection (68.9% vs 39.0%, p<0.0001) and significant liver fibrosis (62.4% vs 72.3%, p = 0.0293). In multivariable analysis, patients initiating DAA-based treatment were older than their PEG-IFN-based treatment counterparts (aOR = 1.17; 95%CI [1.13; 1.22]). Patients receiving DAA treatment were less likely to report unstable housing (0.46 [0.24; 0.88]), cannabis use (regular or daily use:0.50 [0.28; 0.91]; non-regular use: 0.41 [0.22; 0.77]), and a history of drug injection (0.19 [0.12; 0.31]).

CONCLUSION

It is possible that a majority of patients who had socio-economic problems and/or a history of drug injection and/or a non-advanced disease stage were already treated for HCV in the PEG-IFN era. Today, patients with unstable housing conditions are prescribed DAA less frequently than other populations. As HCV treatment is prevention, improving access to DAA remains a major clinical and public health strategy, in particular for individuals with high-risk behaviors.

Elevated Mortality and Associated Social Determinants of Health in a Community-Based Sample of People Living with HIV in Ontario, Canada: Findings from the Positive Spaces, Healthy Places (PSHP) Study

We examined social determinants of health associated with all-cause mortality among 602 people living with HIV/AIDS in Ontario, Canada. Mortality status was verified at 1-, 3-, and 5-year follow-up visits with information obtained from proxies (family members, partners, and friends), obituaries, and local AIDS memorial lists. Of the 454 people for whom mortality information was available, 53 individuals died yielding a crude mortality rate of 22.3 deaths per 1000 person-years, a rate substantially higher than the rate in the general population (6.8 per 1000 population). Experiencing both homelessness and incarceration independently predicted high risk of mortality among men who have sex with men (MSM) while suboptimal self-rated general health at previous visit predicted higher greater risk of mortality in both MSM and women and heterosexual men. Homelessness and incarceration may contribute to HIV disease progression and mortality. Intensive case management that increases retention in care and facilitates linkage to housing services may help to reduce excess deaths among people with HIV.

Enhancing Patient Navigation with Contingent Incentives to Improve Healthcare Behaviors and Viral Load Suppression of Persons with HIV and Substance Use

This secondary analysis compares health behavior outcomes for two groups of HIV+ substance users randomized in a 3-arm trial [1] to receive Patient Navigation with (PN+CM) or without (PN) contingent financial incentives (CM). Mean age of participants was 45 years; the majority was male (67%), African American (78%), unemployed (35%), or disabled (50%). Behaviors incentivized for PN+CM were (1) attendance at HIV care visits and (2) verification of an active HIV medication prescription. Incentives were associated with shorter time to treatment initiation and higher rates of behaviors during the 6-month intervention with exception of month 6 HIV care visits. Median HIV care visits were 3 (IQR 2-4) for PN+CM versus 1.5 (IQR 0-3) for PN (Wilcoxon p < 0.001); median validated medication checks were 4 (IQR 2-6) for PN+CM versus 1 (IQR 0-3) for PN (Wilcoxon p < 0.001). Viral suppression rates at end of treatment were not significantly different for the two groups but were directly related to the number of behaviors completed for both care visits (χ²(1) = 7.69, p = 0.006) and validated medication (χ²(1) = 8.49, p = 0.004). Results support use of incentives to increase performance of key healthcare behaviors. Adjustments to the incentive program may be needed to achieve greater rates of sustained health behavior change that result in improved viral load outcomes.

An evaluation of impact of social support and care-giving on medication adherence of people living with HIV/AIDS: A nonrandomized community intervention study

To evaluate the effect of the social support on adherence of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) of people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (PLWHA). Participants of PLWHA at Beijing, China were intervened by 1-year social support program intervention. Difference of social support scale and medication adherence scale before and after the intervention were evaluated. Our results showed that there were statistically significant difference for total score and subjective score, medication adherence between before and after intervention (t = -3.62, -2.81, 5.75, P < .05), and there were statistically significant correlation between the difference of total social support score and that of social support utilization score, and the difference of medication adherence score (r = 0.14, 0.12, all P < .05). Multifactor linear regression showed that the medication adherence score was influenced by the insurance status, the residential status, and the difference in the social support utilization score (β = -0.14, 0.17, 0.16, all P < .05). Social support and care-giving can exert some influence and facilitate PLWHAs adherence of HAART.

Housing and income effects on HIV-related health outcomes in the San Francisco Bay Area - findings from the SPNS transwomen of color initiative

Transwomen of color are disproportionately impacted by HIV and may have worse health outcomes than other populations. This analysis was conducted to examine structural factors associated with poor health outcomes among transwomen of color living with HIV in the San Francisco Bay Area (N = 159). Univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to determine if structural factors were associated with poor HIV-related health outcomes. A majority of participants were Black or African American (110/159, 69.2%), 32 (20.1%) identified their primary race/ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino/a or Spanish, and 17 (10.7%) identified as another race/ethnicity. Transwomen of color in our sample faced extreme structural barriers, including residential transience, extreme low income, high prevalence of running out of money in the last six months, high rates of food insecurity, high prevalence of income via entitlement programs, engagement in sex work and other illicit activities for income. Unstable housing was the structural factor most consistently associated with poor health outcomes along the HIV care continuum and may explain engagement in other sources of income generation. Interventions are needed that go beyond the individual and health care-level to address needs for housing and economic opportunities to improve HIV care outcomes among transwomen of color living with HIV in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Use of Unannounced Telephone Pill Counts to Measure Medication Adherence Among Adolescents and Young Adults Living With Perinatal HIV Infection

Objective

To examine unannounced telephone pill counts as a measure of adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adolescents and young adults living with perinatal HIV infection.

Methods

Participants were recruited from an ongoing longitudinal study to complete four monthly, unannounced telephone pill counts. Detailed notes concerning participants' medication habits surrounding adherence were recorded.

Results

Two-thirds of 102 eligible participants aged 18-27 years participated; 57% were female, 69% were Black. Blacks and participants with viral loads >40 and >1,000 copies/ml were less likely to participate. Average adherence across calls was 77%. Those who completed all calls averaged significantly higher adherence scores than those who did not. Calls revealed adherence barriers at individual (e.g., medication disorganization), social (e.g., limited support), and system (e.g., pharmacy problems) levels.

Conclusions

Despite challenges, this procedure can be implemented with this population and can help identify adherence barriers important for interventions that address medication-taking behaviors.

Where Are They Now? Assessing if Persons Returned to HIV Care Following Loss to Follow-Up by Public Health Case Workers Were Engaged in Care in Follow-Up Years

We examined care engagement and viral suppression (VS) over a 1- to 5-year period among persons re-engaged in HIV care using retrospective cohort study and longitudinal follow-up. The population comprised five cohorts of persons re-engaged in care from 2009 to 2013. We used surveillance data [CD4 T cell count or HIV viral load (VL) RNA] to measure four outcomes 1-5 years post-care engagement. Engagement-in-care indicated persons with laboratory reports in each follow-up year. Continuous engagement or sustained engagement, respectively, included persons with ≥1 or ≥2 (separated by 90 days) CD4 or VL reports in each follow-up year. VS indicated persons living with HIV (PLWH) re-engaged in care with VL ≤200 copies/mL in any follow-up year, and we measured re-engaged PLWH who subsequently became out of care (OOC) in each follow-up year. Overall, 84-86% PLWH were engaged in care in any follow-up year. The proportions of PLWH cohorts continuously engaged in care [86% (1 year), 77% (2 years), 72% (3 years), 67% (4 years), and 63% (5 years)] declined over time. Thirty-four percent of the PLWH who were re-engaged in care were subsequently OOC in the follow-up years. Most re-engaged PLWH became OOC in their first (40%) and second (30%) follow-up years. In follow-up years (1-5 years), fewer PLWH continuously engaged in care with ≥1 CD4 or VL reports in the registry had VS ≤200 copies/mL: 65%, 58%, 49%, 44%, and 42%, respectively. Encouragingly, higher proportions had VL ≤1500 copies/mL in follow-up years (1-5): (75%, 72%, 73%, 75%, and 70%), likely reflecting levels of HIV treatment. Our results support the use of surveillance data to identify and re-engage OOC PLWH in care. However, structures and programs are needed to support retention in care and reduce repeat OOC.

Impact of insurance coverage on HIV transmission potential among antiretroviral therapy-treated youth living with HIV

OBJECTIVE

To identify the prevalence of high HIV transmission potential in a cohort of youth living with HIV (YLWH), and determine the impact of insurance coverage on potential for HIV transmission.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated YLWH at a US adolescent HIV clinic, 2002-2015.

METHODS

The primary exposure was presence or absence of insurance, defined as private, public or pharmacy-only coverage. The primary outcome was high HIV transmission potential, defined as time-concurrent incident bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI) (gonorrhea, chlamydia or syphilis) and HIV RNA greater than 1500 copies/ml. Marginal structural models adjusting for baseline demographic covariates, prior history of STI and time-varying retention in care assessed the relationship between insurance status and HIV transmission potential.

RESULTS

Participants (n = 240) were followed for a median of 22 (IQR 8.1-49) months after ART initiation, and were predominately African-American men and transgender women who have sex with men, with a median age at HIV diagnosis of 19 years (IQR 17-21). We identified 37 (15%) participants with at least one episode of high HIV transmission potential. Insurance coverage was associated with a greater than 50% lower odds of high HIV transmission potential (aOR 0.46, 95% CI 0.26-0.84), and history of STI at or before entry to HIV care conferred more than three-fold higher odds of high transmission potential (aOR 3.21, 95% CI 1.55-6.63).

CONCLUSION

We found 15% of YLWH to have episodic high HIV transmission potential despite receiving ART. Insurance coverage, including pharmacy-only benefits, was protective against transmission risk, suggesting a pivotal role for universal ART coverage in treatment as prevention.

Degree of Housing Instability Shows Independent "Dose-Response" With Virologic Suppression Rates Among People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Housing instability negatively impacts outcomes in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV), yet the effect of diverse living arrangements has not previously been evaluated. Using 6 dwelling types to measure housing status, we found a strong inverse association between housing instability and viral suppression across a spectrum of unstable housing arrangements.

A Mixed-Methods Exploration of the Needs of People Living with HIV (PLWH) Enrolled in Access to Care, a National HIV Linkage, Retention and Re-Engagement in Medical Care Program

Competing needs pose barriers to engagement in HIV medical care. Mixed methods were used to explore and describe the needs of participants enrolled in Access to Care, a national HIV linkage, retention and re-engagement in care (LRC) program that served people living with HIV who knew their status but were not engaged in care. When asked to prioritize their most urgent needs, participants reported housing or shelter (31%), HIV medical services (24%), and employment (8%). When we assessed the HIV continuum of care by needs status, we found no significant differences in linkage, retention, or viral suppression between participants with and without basic needs. Qualitative interviews with program staff contextualized the barriers to HIV medical care faced by participants and explored the strategies used by LRC programs to address participant needs. Study findings will be of use to future programs and have implications for HIV policy, in particular the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (2015-2020).

Concurrent Disorders and Health Care Utilization Among Homeless and Vulnerably Housed Persons in Canada

OBJECTIVE

Individuals who are homeless or vulnerably housed have a higher prevalence of concurrent disorders, defined as having a mental health diagnosis and problematic substance use, compared to the general housed population. The study objective was to investigate the effect of having concurrent disorders on health care utilization among homeless or vulnerably housed individuals, using longitudinal data from the Health and Housing in Transition Study.

METHODS

In 2009, 1190 homeless or vulnerably housed adults were recruited in Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver, Canada. Participants completed baseline interviews and four annual follow-up interviews, providing data on sociodemographics, housing history, mental health diagnoses, problematic drug use with the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10), problematic alcohol use with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), chronic health conditions, and utilization of the following health care services: emergency department (ED), hospitalization, and primary care. Concurrent disorders were defined as the participant having ever received a mental health diagnosis at baseline and having problematic substance use (i.e., DAST-10 ≥ 6 and/or AUDIT ≥ 20) at any time during the study period. Three generalized mixed effects logistic regression models were used to examine the independent association of having concurrent disorders and reporting ED use, hospitalization, or primary care visits in the past 12 months.

RESULTS

Among our sample of adults who were homeless or vulnerably housed, 22.6% (n = 261) reported having concurrent disorders at baseline. Individuals with concurrent disorders had significantly higher odds of ED use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-2.11), hospitalization (AOR = 1.45; 95% CI, 1.16-1.81), and primary care visits (AOR = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.05-1.71) in the past 12 months over the four-year follow-up period, after adjusting for potential confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent disorders were associated with higher rates of health care utilization when compared to those without concurrent disorders among homeless and vulnerably housed individuals. Comprehensive programs that integrate mental health and addiction services with primary care as well as community-based outreach may better address the unmet health care needs of individuals living with concurrent disorders who are vulnerable to poor health outcomes.

Exploring the Healthcare Environment and Associations with Clinical Outcomes of People Living with HIV/AIDS

Despite three decades of dramatic treatment breakthroughs in antiretroviral regimens, clinical outcomes for people living with HIV vary greatly. The HIV treatment cascade models the stages of care that people living with HIV go through toward the goal of viral suppression and demonstrates that <30% of those living with HIV/AIDS in the United States have met this goal. Although some research has focused on the ways that patient characteristics and patient-provider relationships contribute to clinical adherence and treatment success, few studies to date have examined the ways that contextual factors of care and the healthcare environment contribute to patient outcomes. Here, we present qualitative findings from a mixed-methods study to describe contextual and healthcare environment factors in a Ryan White Part C clinic that are associated with patients' abilities to achieve viral suppression. We propose a modification of Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Utilization, and its more recent adaptation developed by Ulett et al., to describe the ways that clinic, system, and provider factors merge to create a system of care in which more than 86% of the patient population is virally suppressed.

Punto Seguro: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Using Conditional Economic Incentives to Reduce Sexually Transmitted Infection Risks in Mexico

Randomized controlled pilot evaluated effect of conditional economic incentives (CEIs) on number of sex partners, condom use, and incident sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among male sex workers in Mexico City. Incentives were contingent on testing free of new curable STIs and/or clinic attendance. We assessed outcomes for n = 227 participants at 6 and 12 months (during active phase with incentives), and then at 18 months (with incentives removed). We used intention-to-treat and inverse probability weighting for the analysis. During active phase, CEIs increased clinic visits (10-13 percentage points) and increased condom use (10-15 percentage points) for CEI groups relative to controls. The effect on condom use was not sustained once CEIs were removed. CEIs did not have an effect on number of partners or incident STIs. Conditional incentives for male sex workers can increase linkage to care and retention and reduce some HIV/STI risks such as condomless sex, while incentives are in place.

A virtual clinic improves pneumococcal vaccination coverage among patients living with HIV at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center

People living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) should receive pneumococcal vaccinations as part of their routine health maintenance. Our goal was to create a "virtual clinic" to help increase rates of pneumococcal vaccination among people living with HIV without adding substantially to the workload of primary providers. We used administrative data from our Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center to identify a cohort of veterans living with HIV who were not current with either the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) or both. We enrolled these individuals (n = 99) into a virtual clinic, notified providers via the electronic medical record and mailed letters to the veterans recommending they receive a pneumococcal vaccine. We also wrote orders for the appropriate pneumococcal vaccine that expired after 90 days. Among the virtual clinic cohort, 38% (38/99) of patients received the recommended vaccine within 180 days. Concurrent with our intervention, the Veterans Health Administration deployed a system-wide pneumococcal vaccine clinical reminder that incorporated recent PCV13 recommendations. To discern any effect of the virtual clinic beyond that of the clinical reminder, we compared the rate of PCV13 vaccinations among all HIV-positive veterans at our institution to the equivalent population from 2 other VA medical centers in Ohio. With consideration of the VHA's system-wide clinical reminder, the proportion of HIV-positive patients who received PCV13 in the first 90 days following the virtual clinic intervention was greater at our facility compared to another Ohio VA medical center (P < 0.05). The virtual clinic improved the pneumococcal vaccine coverage among HIV-positive veterans. These outcomes suggest that even in conjunction with a system-wide clinical reminder, the virtual clinic strategy improves vaccination rates among a high-risk population.

Trends and Comparisons of Utilization of Emergency Departments Due to Traumatic or Non-Traumatic Causes among the HIV-Positive Population in Taiwan, 2006-2011

It is important that the utilization of emergency departments (EDs) among people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) be epidemiologically evaluated in order to assess and improve the HIV care continuum. All participants newly-diagnosed with HIV in Taiwan registered in the National Health Insurance Database from 2000 to 2005 were enrolled in this study and followed-up from 2006 to 2011. In total, 3500 participants newly-diagnosed with HIV in 2000–2005 were selected as a fixed-cohort population and followed-up from 2006 to 2011. Overall, 704, 645, 591, 573, 578, and 568 cases made 1322, 1275, 1050, 1061, 1136, and 992 ED visits in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively, with an average number of ED visits ranging from 1.75 to 1.98 per person, accounting for 20.1–22.6% of the whole HIV-positive population. Fewer ED visits were due to traumatic reasons, accounting for 19.6–24.4% of all cases. The incidence of traumatic and non-traumatic ED visits among the HIV-positive participants ranged from 7.2–9.3 and 27.0–33.9 per 100 people, respectively. The average direct medical cost of traumatic and non-traumatic ED visits ranged from $89.3–112.0 and $96.6–120.0, respectively. In conclusion, a lower incidence of ED visits for all reasons and fewer ED visits owing to traumatic causes were observed in the population living with HIV in comparison with the general population; however, the direct medical cost of each ED visit owing to both traumatic and non-traumatic causes was greater among those living with HIV than in the general population.

Use of national standards to monitor HIV care and treatment in a high prevalence city-Washington, DC

We sought to benchmark the quality of HIV care being received by persons living with HIV in care in Washington, DC and identify individual-level and structural-level differences. Data from the DC Cohort, an observational HIV cohort of persons receiving outpatient care in DC, were used to estimate the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) quality of care measures. Differences in care by demographics and clinic type were assessed using χ2 tests and multivariable regression models. Among 8,047 participants, by HHS standards, 69% of participants were retained in care (RIC), 95% were prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 84% were virally suppressed (VS). By IOM standards, 84% were in continuous care; and 78% and 80% underwent regular CD4 and VL monitoring, respectively. Screening for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea was 51%, 31%, and 26%, respectively. Older participants were 1.5 times more likely to be RIC compared to younger participants (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.3, 1.8). Participants enrolled in community-based clinics were more likely to be RIC (OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.4, 2.0) versus those enrolled at hospital-based clinics. Older participants were more likely to achieve VS than younger participants (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.5, 2.2) while Black participants were less likely compared to white participants (OR: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.3, 0.5). Despite high measures of quality of care, disparities remain. Continued monitoring of the quality of HIV care and treatment can inform the development of public health programs and interventions to optimize care delivery.

Barriers and Facilitators to the Implementation of a National HIV Linkage, Re-Engagement, and Retention in Care Program

The 2020 National HIV AIDS Strategy (NHAS) sets a target of 90% of diagnosed people living with HIV (PLWH) retained in HIV care. Access to Care (A2C) was a national HIV linkage, re-engagement, and retention in care program funded by AIDS United with support from the Corporation for National and Community Service that aimed to link and retain the most vulnerable PLWH into high-quality HIV care. This study explores the barriers and facilitators of implementing the A2C program from the perspective of program staff. Ninety-eight qualitative interviews were conducted with staff at implementing organizations over the 5 years of the project. Barriers included challenges with recruiting and retaining participants, staffing and administration, harmonizing partnerships, and addressing the basic and psychosocial needs of participants. Facilitators included strong relationships with partner organizations, flexible program models, and the passion and dedication of staff. Findings will inform the development of future programs and policy.

Impact and economic evaluation of a novel HIV service delivery model in rural Malawi

OBJECTIVE

We performed an impact and cost-effectiveness analysis of a novel HIV service delivery model in a high prevalence, remote district of Malawi with a population of 143 800 people.

DESIGN

A population-based retrospective analysis of 1-year survival rates among newly enrolled HIV-positive patients at 682 health facilities throughout Malawi, comparing facilities implementing the service delivery model (n = 13) and those implementing care-as-usual (n = 669).

METHODS

Through district-level health surveillance data, we evaluated 1-year survival rates among HIV patients newly enrolled between July 2013 and June 2014 - representing 129 938 patients in care across 682 health facilities - using a multilevel modeling framework. The model, focused on social determinants of health, was implemented throughout Neno District at 13 facilities and compared with facilities in all other districts. Activity-based costing was used to annualize financial and economic costs from a societal perspective. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were expressed as quality-adjusted life-years gained.

RESULTS

The national average 1-year survival rate for newly enrolled antiretroviral therapy clients was 78.9%: this rate was 87.9% in Neno District, compared with 78.8% across all other districts in Malawi (P < 0.001; 95% confidence interval: 0.079-0.104). The economic cost of receiving care in Neno district (n = 6541 patients) was $317/patient/year, compared with an estimated $219/patient in other districts. This translated to $906 per quality-adjusted life-year gained.

CONCLUSION

Neno District's comprehensive model of care, featuring a strong focus on the community, is $98 more expensive per capita per annum but demonstrates superior 1-year survival rates, despite its remote location. Moreover, it should be considered cost-effective by traditional international standards.

When "the Cure" Is the Risk: Understanding How Substance Use Affects HIV and HCV in a Layered Risk Environment in San Juan, Puerto Rico

BACKGROUND

Substance use, particularly injection drug use, continues to fuel the HIV/HCV (hepatitis C virus) epidemics in San Juan, Puerto Rico (PR).

AIM

This article examines individual and sociostructural factors that affect HIV/HCV risk among people who use drugs (PWUD) living with or at risk for HIV/HCV in San Juan, PR. Findings were used to inform a community-level intervention to enhance HIV care access and retention for this population.

METHOD

A rapid ethnographic assessment in collaboration with a community-based organization was conducted. Data collection took place between June and December 2013 and included field observations, 49 unstructured interviews with PWUD, and 19 key informant interviews with community stakeholders. Fieldnotes, photographs, and interview transcripts were analyzed for recurrent themes and to address the intervention-planning needs. Study results are presented as fieldnote excerpts, direct quotes from interviews, and photographs.

RESULTS

Findings suggest that PWUD in PR face myriad challenges that affect HIV/HCV risk and hinder linkage to and retention in care. Results describe a layered risk environment where PWUD encounter many barriers to prevention, care, and treatment such as transience, social isolation, stigma, limited housing options, and inadequate medical and substance use disorder treatment services.

DISCUSSION

These observed circumstances provide an empirical basis for the development and evaluation of comprehensive interventions that may serve to reduce barriers to care and link individuals to other supportive services.

CONCLUSION

New approaches and comprehensive interventions are needed to break the structures that perpetuate risk and lack of engagement and retention in HIV care and substance use disorder treatment in San Juan.

Continuing Links Between Substance Use and HIV Highlight the Importance of Nursing Roles

Links between HIV and substance use were identified early in the U.S. HIV epidemic. People who use drugs are at risk of HIV infection through shared injection equipment and risky sexual behaviors. In addition, substance use has negative health consequences for people living with HIV. The prescription opioid misuse epidemic, linked to injection drug use, hepatitis C infection, and HIV, poses a new threat to declining HIV rates. We reviewed evidence-based interventions that decrease HIV risk in people who use drugs (needle/syringe programs, medication-assisted treatment, engagement in HIV care, and preexposure prophylaxis/postexposure prophylaxis). The critical roles of nurses in HIV prevention/care for this population are described, including applying the principles of harm reduction, screening for substance use, and undertaking implementation and research efforts. As the nation's largest health care profession, nurses are positioned to contribute to the quality of HIV-related prevention/care for people who use drugs and to lead practice initiatives.

Mobile Text Messaging to Improve Medication Adherence and Viral Load in a Vulnerable Canadian Population Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Repeated Measures Study

Background

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) as treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is effective and available, but poor medication adherence limits benefits, particularly in vulnerable populations. In a Kenyan randomized controlled trial, a weekly text-messaging intervention (WelTel) improved cART adherence and HIV viral load (VL). Despite growing evidence for short message service (SMS) text-message interventions in HIV care, there is a paucity of data utilizing these interventions in marginalized or female cohorts.

Objective

This study was undertaken to assess whether the standardized WelTel SMS text-message intervention applied to a vulnerable, predominantly female, population improved cART adherence and VL.

Methods

We conducted a repeated measures study of the WelTel intervention in high-risk HIV-positive persons by measuring change in VL, CD4 count, and self-reported adherence 12 months before and 12 months after the WelTel intervention was introduced. Inclusion criteria included VL ≥200 copies/mL, indication for treatment, and meeting vulnerability criteria. Participants were given a mobile phone with unlimited texting (where required), and weekly check-in text messages were sent for one year from the WelTel computer platform. Clinical data were collected for control and intervention years. Participants were followed by a multidisciplinary team in a clinical setting. Outcomes were assessed using Wilcoxon signed ranks tests for change in CD4 and VL from control year to study end and mixed-effects logistic regressions for change in cART adherence and appointment attendance. A secondary analysis was conducted to assess the effect of response rate on the outcome by modeling final log₁₀ VL by number of responses while controlling for mean log₁₀ VL in the control year.

Results

Eighty-five participants enrolled in the study, but 5 withdrew (final N=80). Participants were predominantly female (90%, 72/80) with a variety of vulnerabilities. Mean VL decreased from 1098 copies/mL in the control year to 439 copies/mL at study end (P=.004). Adherence to cART significantly improved (OR 1.14, IQR 1.10-1.18; P<.001), whereas appointment attendance decreased slightly with the intervention (OR 0.81, IQR 0.67-0.99; P=.03). A response was received for 46.57% (1753/3764) of messages sent and 9.62% (362/3764) of text messages sent were replied to with a problem. An outcome analysis examining relationship between reply rate and VL did not meet statistical significance (P=.07), but may be worthy of investigating further in a larger study.

Conclusions

WelTel may be an effective tool for improving cART adherence and reducing VLs among high-risk, vulnerable HIV-positive persons.

Trial Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02603536; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02603536 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6qK57zCwv)

High mortality among male HIV-infected patients after prison release: ART is not enough after incarceration with HIV

Context

French Guiana is a South American French territory, where HIV prevalence consistently exceeds 1% in the adult population. In the only correctional facility, HIV prevalence fluctuates at around 4%.

Aims

After describing the population of HIV-positive inmates, we aimed to evaluate mortality after release from the correctional facility, and to identify its predictive factors.

Rationale

Outside North American settings, data on treatment outcome and vital status of HIV-positive former inmates are scarce. There were no data in French Guiana. Filling this gap represents a basis for potential improvements.

Methods

All HIV-infected adults released from an incarceration of 30 days or more, between 2007 and 2013, were enrolled in a retrospective cohort study. Mortality was described over time, one to seven years following release, using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Factors associated with mortality were identified through a non-parametric survival regression model.

Results

147 former inmates were included. The male to female ratio was 4.4. The median age was 37.3 years. The majority were migrants, 25.8% were homeless, 70.1% suffered from substance abuse, with 34.0% of crack-cocaine users. On admission, 78.1% had an early HIV-stage infection (CDC-stage A), with a median CD4 count of 397.5/mm3, 34.0% had one comorbidity, mainly hypertension. Upon release, 50.3% were on ART. Reasons for not being treated were not fulfilling the criteria for 74.6%, and refusing for 15.1%. Before release, 84.5% of the patients on ART had a viral load≤200cp/ml. After release, 8.2% of the cohort had died, with a crude incidence of 33.8/1000 person-years. All recorded deaths were males, with an incidence of 42.2/1000 person-years. Comparing with the age-specific mortality rates for males in French Guiana, the standardized mortality ratio was 14.8. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with death were age and CD4 count before release.

Conclusion

Despite access to ART while incarcerated, with good virological outcome, the post-release mortality was very high for males, almost 15 times what is observed in the general male population living in French Guiana, after age standardization. Access to ART in correctional facilities may be a necessary, but not sufficient condition to protect male inmates from death after release.

Correlates of quality of life among individuals with epilepsy enrolled in self-management research: From the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Managing Epilepsy Well Network

RATIONALE

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition that causes substantial burden on patients and families. Quality of life may be reduced due to the stress of coping with epilepsy. For nearly a decade, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Prevention Research Center's Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) Network has been conducting research on epilepsy self-management to address research and practice gaps. Studies have been conducted by independent centers across the U.S. Recently, the MEW Network sites, collaboratively, began compiling an integrated database to facilitate aggregate secondary analysis of completed and ongoing studies. In this preliminary analysis, correlates of quality of life in people with epilepsy (PWE) were analyzed from pooled baseline data from the MEW Network.

METHODS

For this analysis, data originated from 6 epilepsy studies conducted across 4 research sites and comprised 459 PWE. Descriptive comparisons assessed common data elements that included gender, age, ethnicity, race, education, employment, income, seizure frequency, quality of life, and depression. Standardized rating scales were used for quality of life (QOLIE-10) and for depression (Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9).

RESULTS

While not all datasets included all common data elements, baseline descriptive analysis found a mean age of 42 (SD 13.22), 289 women (63.0%), 59 African Americans (13.7%), and 58 Hispanics (18.5%). Most, 422 (92.8%), completed at least high school, while 169 (61.7%) were unmarried, divorced/separated, or widowed. Median 30-day seizure frequency was 0.71 (range 0-308). Depression at baseline was common, with a mean PHQ-9 score of 8.32 (SD 6.04); 69 (29.0%) had depression in the mild range (PHQ-9 score 5-9) and 92 (38.7%) had depression in the moderate to severe range (PHQ-9 score >9). Lower baseline quality of life was associated with greater depressive severity (p<.001), more frequent seizures (p<.04) and lower income (p<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The MEW Network Integrated Database offers a unique opportunity for secondary analysis of data from multiple community-based epilepsy research studies. While findings must be tempered by potential sample bias, i.e. a relative under-representation of men and relatively small sample of some racial/ethnic subgroups, results of analyses derived from this first integrated epilepsy self-management database have potential to be useful to the field. Associations between depression severity and lower QOL in PWE are consistent with previous studies derived from clinical samples. Self-management efforts that focus on mental health comorbidity and seizure control may be one way to address modifiable factors that affect quality of life in PWE.

Predictors of CD4 health and viral suppression outcomes for formerly homeless people living with HIV/AIDS in scattered site supportive housing

Stable housing is key to improving health outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS. Though many formerly homeless HIV positive individuals reside in supportive housing, little research has examined biometric HIV health outcomes for residents of these programs. Through a community-based research partnership, this study analyzed secondary data from a Shelter Plus Care supportive housing program in Cincinnati, Ohio to examine the likelihood of participants achieving a healthy CD4 count (>500 cells/mm³) and viral suppression (viral load <200 copies/mL) while in supportive housing and to identify participant characteristics associated with these outcomes. The study sample was 86 participants who entered the program between 2008 and 2016, including 50 current residents and 36 exited participants. Participants' average length of stay in Shelter Plus Care was 35.2 months (range 3.2-108.1 months) during the study period. Bivariate analysis indicated statistically significant improvements on both outcome variables, with 45% of participants achieving a healthy CD4 count and 79% achieving viral suppression by program exit or most recent time point. Participants who had health insurance at intake and who had never been incarcerated were more likely to achieve viral suppression, and longer length of stay in the program was also positively associated with viral suppression. These results add to the literature on the relationship between housing conditions and HIV health outcomes by demonstrating that residence in supportive housing is associated with improvements in CD4 count and viral load for a sample of formerly homeless persons living with HIV/AIDS, two-thirds of whom had co-occurring physical health, mental health, or substance abuse problems. Further research collaborations should expand on these findings to examine the service packages that are associated with optimal HIV health outcomes for supportive housing residents.

Associations between Methamphetamine Use, Housing Status, and Incarceration Rates among Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women

The present study examined associations between methamphetamine use and social factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women. Over a four-year period, 7,419 HIV outreach encounters were conducted with MSM (n=6,243) and transgender women (n=1,176). Logistic and negative binomial regressions estimated associations between sociodemographics, incarceration history, housing status, and methamphetamine use. Incarceration history was associated with marginal housing or homelessness (AOR=3.4) and with increased likelihood (AOR = 6.00) and rate (AIRR = 3.57) of methamphetamine use. African American/Black MSM and transgender women were more likely to report a recent incarceration history compared to non-African American/Black participants (AOR=2.18). Incarceration history was associated with a HIV-positive status (AOR=1.69), and transgender women were 5.2 times more likely to report recent incarceration relative to MSM. Understanding these associations may provide a basis for developing interventions that account for the social factors influencing health outcomes among these high-risk populations.

How are women living with HIV in France coping with their perceived side effects of antiretroviral therapy? Results from the EVE study

OBJECTIVE

Side effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) can have a negative impact on health-related quality of life threatening long-term retention in HIV care and adherence to ART. The aim of the French community-based survey EVE was to document personal experiences with side effects, the related physician-patient communication, and solutions found to deal with them.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study of women between September 2013 to September 2014.

METHODS

An anonymous online questionnaire included the HIV Symptom Distress Module, which explores 20 symptoms.

RESULTS

In all, 301 women on ART participated in the study (median age: 49 years; median duration of ART: 14 years). They reported having experienced a median of 12 symptoms (Q1-Q3: 9-15) during the previous 12 months. Overall, 56% of them reported having found at least a partial solution to dealing with their symptoms. Women reporting financial difficulties were twice less likely to have found solutions to coping with their side effects (AOR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.8). Feeling supported by the health-care provider (AOR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1-3.9) and being in contact with HIV/AIDS organisations (AOR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2-3.2) were positively associated with coping. Seventeen percent reported having modified their ART regimen to improve tolerance, with only 2 in 3 informing their physician afterwards. Reporting financial difficulties and living with more bothersome symptoms increased the risk of ART regimen modification without health-care provider consultation.

CONCLUSION

The EVE study has called attention to the large number of side effects experienced by WLWHIV, only half of whom have found self-care strategies to manage their symptoms. Modification of ART regimen by the women themselves was not uncommon.

Housing Stability and Medication Adherence among HIV-Positive Individuals in Antiretroviral Therapy: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in the United States

BACKGROUND

Previous research has produced inconsistent evidence of an association between housing stability and medication adherence among HIV-positive individuals in antiretroviral therapy.

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a meta-analysis of the housing-adherence relationship based on a comprehensive search of observational studies in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases (January 2000-January 2016). Ten qualifying studies were identified representing 10,556 individuals.

METHODS

A random-effects model was used to estimate the overall effect size and 95% confidence interval (CI). Robustness of the estimate was determined by sensitivity analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed by meta-regression analysis, subgroup analysis, and quality effects estimation. Publication bias was evaluated with a funnel plot and the Egger and Begg tests.

RESULTS

The summary effect for the association between housing stability and medication adherence was positive and significant (standardized mean difference = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.29). The association was slightly larger in the quality effects analysis (standardized mean difference = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.39). Sensitivity analysis disclosed that the association was robust at the P = 0.09 level. Results of the subgroup and meta-regression analyses were nonsignificant. Publication bias was not detected.

CONCLUSION

Antiretroviral medication adherence is an increasing function of housing stability, but the magnitude of the effect is small. The finding challenges the view that unstable housing is incompatible with adherence and questions the potential benefit of deferring antiretroviral therapy initiation until the patient's housing circumstances are improved.

The interactive effects of social support and physical functioning on HIV medical outcomes among African Americans whom inject drugs

Research suggests a syndemic of substance use, mental illness, and familial conflict is associated with poor HIV medical outcomes among African American persons living with HIV (PLHIV). Social support may facilitate positive health outcomes. This study explores psychosocial correlates of HIV medical outcomes, defined as undetectable viral load (UVL) and acute care minimization. Data were from baseline of the BEACON study (N = 351). UVL was ≤40 copies/mL. Acute care minimization was defined as no ER visits and/or hospitalizations in 6 months. Descriptive statistics and Poisson regression were implemented (N = 351). Moderate syndemic burden was associated with viral suppression. Individuals with main partner caregivers had 35% higher likelihood of viral suppression than individuals whose main supporters were neither kin nor main partners (adjusted point-prevalence rate ratio [APR] = 1.35; 95% CI [1.05, 1.74]). Surprisingly, individuals with more health-related support were more likely to use acute care than individuals with less health-related support (p<.05). Interaction analyses showed that physical function modified the relationship between main supporter type and acute care minimization. Results suggest that social support receipt was not consistently associated with HIV medical outcomes. Conversely, higher syndemic burden may have facilitated positive outcomes through necessitating increased rates of health care engagement. Health care professionals should elicit discussion of social support to strengthen PLHIVs' and their supporters' relationships to improve their health. Results highlight the need for culturally tailored interventions to improve HIV medical outcomes among African American PLHIV substance users.

Mental health in 2020 for men who have sex with men in the United States

Despite continued advances in HIV prevention and treatment, gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) remain the population most impacted by HIV/AIDS in the US and many other Western countries. Additionally, MSM are disproportionately affected by various psychological problems, including depression, distress, trauma and substance use. These challenges frequently co-occur, and are associated with higher rates of behaviours related to HIV acquisition and transmission, HIV infection, and, for those living with HIV/AIDS, lower levels of treatment engagement. Moreover, racial disparities exist among MSM in the US; for example, young African American MSM bear a disproportionate burden of the continuing HIV epidemic, likely related to disparate HIV prevalence in partner pools as well as long-standing structural inequities. In this review, the mental health challenges facing MSM primarily in the US, related to HIV and STI prevention and across the HIV care cascade, including HIV diagnosis, engagement and retention in care, and antiretroviral adherence, are illustrated. Disparities among MSM including racial and ethnic, age-related and structural barriers associated with HIV prevention and treatment, as well as current interventions, are also described. Moving forward towards 2020, resources will be needed to assess and implement scalable intervention strategies to address psychological and social barriers to HIV and STI risk reduction and treatment for MSM, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable subpopulations. As access to prevention and treatment strategies expand, and new breakthroughs continue to emerge, behavioural strategies will continue to be needed to reduce risk and increase uptake and engagement among MSM most at risk through 2020 and beyond.

Barriers to Viral Suppression Among Female Sex Workers: Role of Structural and Intimate Partner Dynamics

OBJECTIVE

Despite global evidence that sex workers (SWs) are disproportionately impacted by HIV, data on HIV treatment outcomes among SWs living with HIV remains sparse. This study examined the correlates of undetectable plasma viral load (pVL) among street- and off-street SWs living with HIV and on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Metro Vancouver, Canada.

METHODS

Analyses drew on data (2010-2014) from a longitudinal cohort of SWs (An Evaluation of Sex Workers Health Access) and confidential linkages with the Drug Treatment Program (DTP) data on ART dispensation and outcomes. Bivariate and multivariable generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to identify longitudinal correlates of undetectable pVL (<50 copies/mL).

RESULTS

Of the 72 SWs living with HIV who had ever used ART, 38.9% had an undetectable pVL at baseline. Although 84.7% had undetectable pVL at least once over the study period, 18.1% exhibited sustained undetectable pVL. In multivariable generalized linear mixed-effects model analyses, ≥95% pharmacy refill adherence (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.21; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.16 to 8.19) and length of time since diagnosis (AOR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.13) were positively correlated with undetectable pVL. Having an intimate male partner (AOR = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.78) and being homelessness were negatively correlated with undetectable pVL (AOR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.47).

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS

There is a need to more closely consider the social and structural contexts that shape SWs' experiences on ART and impact treatment outcomes, including the gendered power dynamics within intimate partnerships. Future research on HIV care among SWs is urgently needed, alongside structural and community-led interventions to support SWs' access to and retention in care.

Residential Stability Reduces Unmet Health Care Needs and Emergency Department Utilization among a Cohort of Homeless and Vulnerably Housed Persons in Canada

This study examined the association of housing status over time with unmet physical health care needs and emergency department utilization among homeless and vulnerably housed persons in Canada. Homeless and vulnerably housed individuals completed interviewer-administered surveys on housing, unmet physical health care needs, health care utilization, sociodemographic characteristics, substance use, and health conditions at baseline and annually for 4 years. Generalized logistic mixed effects regression models examined the association of residential stability with unmet physical health care needs and emergency department utilization, adjusting for potential confounders. Participants were from Vancouver (n = 387), Toronto (n = 390), and Ottawa (n = 396). Residential stability was associated with lower odds of having unmet physical health needs (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 0.82; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 0.67, 0.98) and emergency department utilization (AOR, 0.74; 95 % CI, 0.62, 0.88) over the 4-year follow-up period, after adjusting for potential confounders. Residential stability is associated with fewer unmet physical health care needs and lower emergency department utilization among homeless and vulnerably housed individuals. These findings highlight the need to address access to stable housing as a significant determinant of health disparities.

Advancing health equity to improve health: the time is now

Health inequities, or avoidable inequalities in health between groups of people, are increasingly recognized and tackled to improve public health. Canada's interest in health inequities goes back over 40 years, with the landmark 1974 Lalonde report, and continues with the 2011 Rio Political Declaration on Social Determinants of Health, which affirmed a global political commitment to implementing a social determinants of health approach to reducing health inequities. Research in this area includes documenting and tracking health inequalities, exploring their multidimensional causes, and developing and evaluating ways to address them. Inequalities can be observed in who is vulnerable to infectious and chronic diseases, the impact of health promotion and disease prevention efforts, how disease progresses, and the outcomes of treatment. Many programs, policies and projects with potential impacts on health equity and determinants of health have been implemented across Canada. Recent theoretical and methodological advances in the areas of implementation science and population health intervention research have strengthened our capacity to develop effective interventions. With the launch of a new health equity series this month, the journals Canada Communicable Disease Report and Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada will continue to reflect and foster analysis of social determinants of health and focus on intervention studies that advance health equity.