A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Adherence Interventions for Women Living with HIV

Peer advice for women living with HIV in the Southern USA

Peer advice can provide emotional, social and practical assistance for the sustained self-management of chronic conditions. For stigmatised diseases such as HIV, finding support can be challenging. Women living with HIV in the Southern USA are additionally impacted upon by region-specific barriers such as stigma, poverty and limited access to services. The effectiveness of peer advice has been studied, yet little is known about the advice shared amongst women living with HIV. Therefore, we aimed to qualitatively explore the context and content of the advice participants offered to other women. With the assistance of a Community Clinician Advisory Board, women were recruited from across the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention South Census Region. In-depth interviews were conducted with (N = 40) participants, aged 23 to 72 years (M = 51.2). Qualitative inductive thematic analysis was used to explore both the solicited and unprompted advice shared during individual interviews. Analysis of interview transcripts revealed three advice themes: Consistency in disease management Practical, non-medical advice; and Emotional and social support. The findings are valuable in shaping future peer-delivered programmes and interventions to enhance HIV care engagement, medication adherence, and the well-being of women living with HIV in the Southern USA.

Inhibition of caspase pathways limits CD4+ T cell loss and restores host anti-retroviral function in HIV-1 infected humanized mice with augmented lymphoid tissue

The study of HIV infection and pathogenicity in physical reservoirs requires a biologically relevant model. The human immune system (HIS) mouse is an established model of HIV infection, but defects in immune tissue reconstitution remain a challenge for examining pathology in tissues. We utilized exogenous injection of the human recombinant FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (rFLT-3 L) into the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) cord blood HIS mouse model to significantly expand the total area of lymph node (LN) and the number of circulating human T cells. The results enabled visualization and quantification of HIV infectivity, CD4 T cell depletion and other measures of pathogenesis in the secondary lymphoid tissues of the spleen and LN. Treatment with the Caspase-1/4 inhibitor VX-765 limited CD4+ T cell loss in the spleen and reduced viral load in both the spleen and axillary LN. In situ hybridization further demonstrated a decrease in viral RNA in both the spleen and LN. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that in vivo inhibition of caspase-1/4 led to an upregulation in host HIV restriction factors including SAMHD1 and APOBEC3A. These findings highlight the use of rFLT-3 L to augment human immune system characteristics in HIS mice to support investigations of HIV pathogenesis and test host directed therapies, though further refinements are needed to further augment LN architecture and cellular populations. The results further provide in vivo evidence of the potential to target inflammasome pathways as an avenue of host-directed therapy to limit immune dysfunction and virus replication in tissue compartments of HIV+ persons.

Increasing Urban African American Women's Readiness for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis: A Pilot Study of the Women Prepping for PrEp Plus Program (WP3+)

BACKGROUND

African American women are disproportionately at risk for HIV infection. To increase women's readiness to consider taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), we conducted a pilot study of Women Prepping for PrEP Plus (WP3+). Adapted from an evidence-based HIV risk reduction intervention for African American couples who are HIV-serodiscordant, WP3+ is a group-based culturally congruent program designed for African American women without HIV.

METHODS

Women were screened for eligibility; if eligible, they were invited to participate in the four-session WP3+ group. Participants completed surveys at baseline (n = 47) and post-implementation (n = 28); surveys assessed demographics, HIV and PrEP knowledge, depression and posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms, substance use, sexual risk behaviors, health care-related discrimination, and social support. In a process evaluation, a subset of women completed qualitative interviews at baseline (n = 35) and post-implementation (n = 18); the interviews were designed to converge with (e.g., on HIV and PrEP knowledge) and expand upon (e.g., unmeasured perceived impacts of WP3+) quantitative measures. To triangulate with the quantitative data, deductive qualitative analysis concentrated on women's knowledge and awareness of PrEP and HIV, their relationship dynamics and challenges, and their considerations (e.g., barriers, facilitators) related to taking PrEP; inductive analysis focused on women's experiences in the intervention.

RESULTS

Participants in the WP3+ intervention reported: improved proportion of condom use in the past 90 days (p < .01) and in a typical week (p < .05); reduced PTS symptoms (p < .05); increased HIV knowledge (p < .0001) and awareness of PrEP (p < .001); and greater consideration of using PrEP (p < .001). In interviews, participants expressed not only increased knowledge but also appreciation for learning how to protect themselves against HIV, communicate with their partners, and take charge of their health, and they expressed greater receptiveness to using PrEP as a result of the knowledge and skills they gained.

CONCLUSIONS

The WP3+ pilot study demonstrated preliminary efficacy and acceptability as an HIV-prevention program for African American women. A controlled trial is needed to confirm its efficacy for increasing PrEP use among African American women.

Adherence to option B + antiretroviral therapy and associated factors in pregnant and breastfeeding women in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To assess the adherence to option B + antiretroviral therapy (ART) and associated factors in pregnant and breastfeeding women in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive search from 01st January 2012 to 03rd October 2022, across four databases: PubMed, Scopus, Proquest Central, and Index Medicus Africain, to identify studies focused on pregnant and/or breastfeeding women living with HIV and receiving option B+ ART in SSA. Studies reporting adherence data were included in the meta-analysis. Were excluded studies published before 01st January 2012, grey literature, systematic reviews, and meta-analysis studies. Articles selection and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. We evaluated pooled adherence and pooled association between various factors and adherence using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Overall, 42 studies involving 15,158 participants across 15 countries contributed to the meta-analysis. The overall pooled adherence was 72.3% (95% CI: 68.2-76.1%). Having high education level (pooled odds ratio (OR): 2.25; 95% CI: 1.57-3.21), living in urban area (pooled OR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.10-2.81), disclosing status to a family/partner (pooled OR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.27-2.40), having a support system (pooled OR: 3.19; 95% CI: 1.89-5.36), receiving counseling (pooled OR: 3.97; 95% CI: 2.96-5.34), initiating ART at early clinical HIV stage (pooled OR: 2.22; 95% CI: 1.08-4.56), and having good knowledge on PMTCT/HIV (pooled OR: 2.71; 95% CI: 1.40-5.25) were factors significantly associated with adherence to option B + ART.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the implementation of option B+ ART, the level of adherence among pregnant and breastfeeding women in SSA falls short of meeting the critical thresholds for viral load suppression as outlined in the 95-95-95 objectives set for 2025. These objectives are integral for achieving HIV elimination, and in turn, preventing HIV mother-to-child transmission. To bridge this gap, urgent tailored interventions based on individual and structural factors are essential to enhance adherence within these subgroups of women. This targeted approach is crucial in striving towards the HIV elimination target in SSA.

Accuracy of Provider Predictions of Viral Suppression Among Adolescents and Young Adults With HIV in an HIV Clinical Program

BACKGROUND

Providers caring for adolescents and young adults with HIV (AYA-HIV) mostly base their adherence counseling during clinical encounters on clinical judgment and expectations of patients' medication adherence. There is currently no data on provider predictions of viral suppression for AYA-HIV. We aimed to assess the accuracy of provider predictions of patients' viral suppression status compared to viral load results.

METHODS

Providers caring for AYA-HIV were asked to predict the likelihood of viral suppression of patients before a clinical encounter and give reasons for their predictions. Provider predictions were compared to actual viral load measurements of patients. Patient data were abstracted from electronic health records. The final analysis included 9 providers, 28 patients, and 34 observations of paired provider predictions and viral load results.

RESULTS

Provider prediction accuracy of viral suppression was low (59%, Cohen's Kappa = 0.16). Provider predictions of lack of viral suppression were based on nonadherence to medications, new patient status, or structural vulnerabilities (e.g., unstable housing). Anticipated viral suppression was based on medication adherence, history of viral suppression, and the presence of family or other social forms of support.

CONCLUSIONS

Providers have difficulty accurately predicting viral suppression among AYA-HIV and may base their counseling on incorrect assumptions. Rapid point-of-care viral load testing may provide opportunities to improve counseling provided during the clinical encounter.

Barriers and facilitators to engagement in care and medication adherence for women living with HIV in the Southern United States

Women living in the South have the second highest rate of HIV and the lowest rate of viral suppression among women in all regions in the United States (U.S.). Viral suppression is achieved by successfully linking women to HIV care and supporting adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). We aimed to qualitatively explore perceived barriers and facilitators to HIV care engagement and ART adherence among women living with HIV in the South. Participants (N = 40) were recruited across a broad geographic area of the South, assisted by a location-specific Community/Clinician Advisory Board (CCAB). Qualitative research methods were used to generate in-depth descriptions of women's experiences in accessing HIV care and adhering to ART. Intrapersonal qualities expressed through resilience and self-efficacy were amongst the most prominent themes for both engagement in care and adherence to medications. Structural barriers such as transportation and distance to care continued to be a barrier to engagement, while medication delivery facilitated adherence. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the complexity and interrelated nature of factors impacting care and adherence. Multilevel interventions that incorporate structural factors in addition to individual-level behavioral change are needed to facilitate engagement in care and adherence to ART.

Womandla Health: development and rationale of a behavioral intervention to support HIV treatment adherence among postpartum women in South Africa

BACKGROUND

While Option B + has made great strides in eliminating vertical transmission of HIV and improving access to lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) for women, the postpartum period remains a risk period for disengagement from HIV care and non-adherence.

METHODS

Longitudinal qualitative data was collected from 30 women living with HIV in Cape Town, South Africa from pregnancy through 1 year postpartum to examine key barriers and facilitators to HIV treatment adherence across this transition. Participants were also asked about their preferences for behavioral intervention content, format, and scope. The intervention development process was guided by Fernandez et al.'s Intervention Mapping process and was informed by the qualitative data, the wider literature on ART adherence, and Transition Theory.

RESULTS

The Womandla Health Intervention is a multicomponent intervention consisting of four individual sessions with a lay health worker and four peer group sessions, which span late pregnancy and early postpartum. These sessions are guided by Transition Theory and utilize motivational interviewing techniques to empower women to ascertain their own individual barriers to HIV care and identify solutions and strategies to overcome these barriers.

CONCLUSIONS

This intervention will be tested in a small scale RCT. If successful, findings will provide an innovative approach to HIV treatment by capitalizing on the transition into motherhood to bolster self-care behaviors, focusing on ART adherence and also women's overall postpartum health and psychosocial needs.

Understanding ART Adherence among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Western Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study of Barriers and Facilitators

BACKGROUND

HIV remains a leading cause of death for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa. This population has a high incidence of HIV and other comorbidities, such as experiencing violence, and low antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. To reach global HIV goals, data are needed on the specific adherence barriers for AGYW living with HIV, so interventions can be targeted effectively.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data were collected at urban and rural health facilities in and around Kisumu County, western Kenya, from January to June 2022, from AGYW 15-24 years of age who were living with HIV. Surveys included questions on intimate partner violence, mental health issues, food security, and orphanhood. Adherence was categorized using viral load testing where available and the Center for Adherence Support Evaluation (CASE) adherence index otherwise. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between potential explanatory variables and adherence.

FINDINGS

In total, 309 AGYW participated. AGYW with experiences of emotional violence (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.94, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.03-3.66), moderate or severe depression (OR = 3.19, 95% CI = 1.47-6.94), and/or substance use (OR = 2.71, 95% CI = 1.24-5.92) had significantly higher odds of poor adherence when compared to AGYW without these respective experiences. Physical and sexual violence, food insecurity, and orphanhood were not associated with poor adherence in this cohort.

INTERPRETATION

Elucidating the risk factors associated with poor adherence among AGYW living with HIV allows us to identify potential targets for future interventions to improve ART adherence and HIV care outcomes. Mental health and violence prevention interventions, including combination interventions, may prove to be promising approaches.

Cost-Effectiveness of Anti-retroviral Adherence Interventions for People Living with HIV: A Systematic Review of Decision Analytical Models

BACKGROUND

Although safe and effective anti-retrovirals (ARVs) are readily available, non-adherence to ARVs is highly prevalent among people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (PLWHA). Different adherence-improving interventions have been developed and examined through decision analytic model-based health technology assessments. This systematic review aimed to review and appraise the decision analytical economic models developed to assess ARV adherence-improvement interventions.

METHODS

The review protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022270039), and reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist. Relevant studies were identified through searches in six generic and specialized bibliographic databases, i.e. PubMed, Embase, NHS Economic Evaluation Database, PsycINFO, Health Economic Evaluations Database, tufts CEA registry and EconLit, from their inception to 23 October 2022. The cost-effectiveness of adherence interventions is represented by the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). The quality of studies was assessed using the quality of the health economics studies (QHES) instrument. Data were narratively synthesized in the form of tables and texts. Due to the heterogeneity of the data, a permutation matrix was used for quantitative data synthesis rather than a meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies, mostly conducted in North America (8/15 studies), were included in the review. The time horizon ranged from a year to a lifetime. Ten out of 15 studies used a micro-simulation, 4/15 studies employed Markov and 1/15 employed a dynamic model. The most commonly used interventions reported include technology based (5/15), nurse involved (2/15), directly observed therapy (2/15), case manager involved (1/15) and others that involved multi-component interventions (5/15). In 1/15 studies, interventions gained higher quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) with cost savings. The interventions in 14/15 studies were more effective but at a higher cost, and the overall ICER was well below the acceptable threshold mentioned in each study, indicating the interventions could potentially be implemented after careful interpretation. The studies were graded as high quality (13/15) or fair quality (2/15), with some methodological inconsistencies reported.

CONCLUSION

Counselling and smartphone-based interventions are cost-effective, and they have the potential to reduce the chronic adherence problem significantly. The quality of decision models can be improved by addressing inconsistencies in model selection, data inputs incorporated into models and uncertainty assessment methods.

Trajectories of Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence and Virologic Failure in Women With HIV in the United States

BACKGROUND

Women with HIV (WHIV) in the United States face many challenges with adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and suboptimal adherence often leads to virologic failure. This study aimed to determine the association between ART adherence trajectories and the risk of virologic failure.

METHODS

We included WHIV (aged 18 years or older) enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study in the United States from April 2014 to September 2019 who had at least 2 consecutive measurements of HIV RNA and ≥3 measurements of self-reported adherence. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify adherence trajectories. Cox proportional hazard ratios were used to measure the association.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Virologic failure was defined as HIV RNA ≥200 copies/mL at 2 consecutive visits.

RESULTS

We included 1437 WHIV (median age 49 years). Of all women, 173 (12.0%) experienced virologic failure. Four adherence trajectories were identified, namely "consistently high" (26.3%), "moderate increasing" (9.5%), "moderate decreasing" (30.6%), and "consistently low" (33.5%). Women in the consistently low adherence group consumed alcohol and experienced depression more than other groups. Compared with the "consistently high" trajectory, the risk of virologic failure was higher among women with "consistently low" [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.8; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6 to 4.9; P < 0.001] and "moderate decreasing" adherence trajectories (aHR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.0 to 3.2; P = 0.04), but it was similar to those with "moderate increasing" adherence trajectory (aHR 1.0; 95% CI: 0.4 to 2.5; P = 0.94).

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to ART remains a challenge among WHIV. Multilevel behavioral interventions to address poor adherence, alcohol consumption, and depression are needed.

Entertainment-education to reduce internalized stigma, increase intimate partner status disclosure intentions, and increase antiretroviral medical adherence intentions: A randomized controlled trial targeting black women living with HIV in the Southern U.S

BACKGROUND

Black women in the Southern U.S. account for 67% of all new HIV diagnoses across women of all races and ethnicities. In comparison to women of other racial and ethnic identities, Black women disproportionately experience internalized stigma, lower levels of disclosure self-efficacy, and lower rates of medical adherence. The disclosure processes model hypothesizes that persons living with HIV can be disclosure avoidance oriented or disclosure approach oriented. Disclosure avoidance is facilitated by various forms of stigma and negative outcome expectations. While disclosure approach orientation is facilitated by factors such as positive disclosure attitudes and disclosure self-efficacy. Despite the important role of disclosure in ending the HIV epidemic, extant interventions are limited. Recent research suggests entertainment-education (EE) may be an effective intervention for HIV status disclosure. Entertainment-education is a persuasive strategy that consists of intentionally embedding health and social messages into entertaining content.

METHODS

The present study evaluated the comparative efficacy of the 90 DAYS film for improving internalized HIV stigma, disclosure beliefs, positive disclosure attitudes, disclosure self-efficacy, HIV disclosure intentions, and medical adherence intentions. A randomized controlled trial was employed consisting of 130 Black women living with HIV in the Southern U.S. Participants were recruited primarily via a Qualtrics panel and randomly assigned to either view the 90 DAYS film or a standard of care brochure.

RESULTS

Results indicated the EE condition significantly outperformed the brochure condition on the following outcomes: disclosure beliefs (p = .046), positive disclosure attitudes (p = .008), disclosure self-efficacy (p = .007), and intentions to disclose to an intimate partner (p = .038). Statistically significant differences were not observed for internalized stigma or medical adherence intentions.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that EE is an effective strategy for improving psychosocial influences of disclosure and disclosure intentions. Theoretical and practical implications of this work are discussed.

Development and Validation of a New Comprehensive Assessment Scale of HIV-Related Psychological Distress in China: A Methodological Study

ABSTRACT

Instruments evaluating HIV-related psychological distress (HRPD) in people living with HIV may lack sensitivity to capture patients' psychological burden. We developed a comprehensive scale measuring HRPD and evaluated its psychometric properties. A mixed-method study was conducted from July 2021 to April 2022; it involved a literature review, semistructured interviews (n = 15), three rounds of panel discussions, two rounds of Delphi studies (n = 20), a pilot test (n = 20) to generate new scale items, and a cross-sectional survey (n = 659) to evaluate the psychometric properties of the HIV-related psychological distress scale. The scale contains 22 items across 4 subscales (i.e., disease-related distress, treatment adherence distress, identity distress, and disclosure distress). The confirmatory factor analysis revealed high goodness of fit (χ2/df = 2.412, comparative fit index = 0.916, incremental fit index = 0.917, and Tucker‒Lewis index = 0.902), showing that the HIV-related psychological distress scale is a reliable (Cronbach's α = 0.871 overall) and valid scale for evaluating HRPD in China and can be used to dynamically evaluate and monitor HRPD levels during patient follow-up.

Perinatal Depressive Symptoms and Viral Non-suppression Among a Prospective Cohort of Pregnant Women Living with HIV in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania

Depression is common during pregnancy and is associated with reduced adherence to HIV-related care, though little is known about perinatal trajectories of depression and viral suppression among women living with HIV (WLHV) in sub-Saharan Africa. We sought to assess any association between perinatal depressive symptoms and viral non-suppression among WLWH. Depressive symptomatology and viral load data were collected every 6 months from WLWH enrolled in the African Cohort Study (AFRICOS; January 2013-February 2020). Generalized estimating equations modeled associations between depressive symptoms [Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) ≥ 16] and viral non-suppression. Of 1722 WLWH, 248 (14.4%) had at least one pregnancy (291 total) and for 61 pregnancies (21.0%), women reported depressive symptoms (13.4% pre-conception, 7.6% pregnancy, 5.5% one-year postpartum). Depressive symptomatology was associated with increased odds of viral non-suppression (aOR 2.2; 95% CI 1.2-4.0, p = 0.011). Identification and treatment of depression among women with HIV may improve HIV outcomes for mothers.

Protocol for the pilot quasi-experimental controlled trial of a gender-responsive implementation strategy with providers to improve HIV outcomes in Uganda

BACKGROUND

Antiretroviral treatment (ART) is the most effective clinical intervention for reducing morbidity and mortality among persons living with HIV. However, in Uganda, there are disparities between men and women in viral load suppression and related HIV care engagement outcomes, which suggests problems with the implementation of ART. Gender norms are a known driver of HIV disparities in sub-Saharan Africa, and patient-provider relationships are a key factor in HIV care engagement; therefore, the role of gender norms is important to consider in interventions to achieve the equitable provision of treatment and the quality of ART counseling.

METHODS

The overall research objective of this study is to pilot test an implementation strategy (i.e., methods to improve the implementation of an evidence-based intervention) to increase providers' capacity to provide gender-responsive treatment and counseling to men and women on HIV treatment in Uganda. Delivered to HIV providers, this group training adapts evidence-based strategies to reduce gender biases and increase skills to deliver gender-specific and transformative HIV counseling to patients. The implementation strategy will be piloted through a quasi-experimental controlled trial. Clinics will be randomly assigned to either the intervention or control conditions. The trial will assess feasibility and acceptability and explore barriers and facilitators to implementation and future adoption while gathering preliminary evidence on the implementation strategy's effectiveness by comparing changes in patient (N = 240) and provider (N = 80-140) outcomes across intervention and control clinics through 12-month follow-up. Quantitative data will be descriptively analyzed, qualitative data will be analyzed through thematic analysis, and these data will be mixed during the presentation and interpretation of results where appropriate.

DISCUSSION

This pilot intervention trial will gather preliminary evidence on the acceptability, feasibility, and potential effect of a novel implementation strategy to improve men and women's HIV care engagement, with the potential to reduce gender disparities in HIV outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05178979 , retrospectively registered on January 5, 2022.

Interventions to improve antiretroviral adherence in HIV-infected pregnant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Medication adherence in HIV-infected pregnant women remains suboptimal. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions on improving antiretroviral adherence targeting among HIV-infected pregnant women.

Methods

Five databases were screened to identify quasi-experimental studies and randomized controlled trials. The risk ratios (RR) and confidential intervals (CI) were extracted to estimate the improvement in antiretroviral adherence after interventions compared with control conditions. This study was registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42021256317.

Results

Nine studies were included in the review, totaling 2,900 participants. Three interventions had significance: enhanced standard of care (eSOC, RR 1.14, 95%CI 1.07-1.22, Z = 3.79, P < 0.01), eSOC with supporter (RR 1.12, 95%CI 1.04-1.20, Z = 2.97, P < 0.01) and device reminder (RR 1.33, 95%CI 1.04-1.72, Z = 2.23, P = 0.03).

Discussion

The study supported the eSOC and the device reminder as effective intervention strategies for improving HIV medication adherence. Based on the current findings, the study called for more efforts to improve antiretroviral care for pregnant women through involving multicenter, large-sample, and high-quality research and combining the device reminder with other intervention methods.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021256317, identifier CRD42021256317.

Realizing the promise of long-acting antiretroviral treatment strategies for individuals with HIV and adherence challenges: an illustrative case series

BACKGROUND

Adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) remains the cornerstone of optimal HIV outcomes, including viral suppression (VS), immune recovery, and decreased transmission risk. For many people with HIV (PWH), particularly those with early-acquired HIV, structural, behavioral, and cognitive barriers to adherence and competing priorities related to life events may be difficult to overcome, resulting in nonadherence. Long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapies (LAI-ART) may be a useful strategy to overcome some of these barriers. However, to date, the approved LAI-ART strategies (e.g., cabotegravir and rilpivirine (CAB/RPV)) have targeted those who have already attained viral suppression, precluding their use in the 40% of adolescents and young adults (AYA) that VS has eluded.

CASE PRESENTATION

Ms. X is a 30-year-old woman with perinatally-acquired HIV and barriers to adherence. Despite many interventions, she remained persistently viremic, with resultant immune suppression and multiple comorbid opportunistic conditions, and viral load (VL) > 10,000,000 copies/ml. Given her longstanding history of poor adherence to an oral regimen, a switch to monthly intramuscular (IM) injections and biweekly infusions of ibalizumab were initiated leading to decreased viral load to 8,110 copies/ml within two weeks. Ms. H is a 33-year-old woman with cognitive limitations due to childhood lead poisoning. Her viral load trajectory took a downward turn, precipitated by various life events, remaining elevated despite intensive case management. Initiation of LAI-ART (CAB/RPV) in this patient led to an undetectable VL (< 20 copies/ml) within two months of treatment initiation. Miss Y. is a 37-year-old woman with perinatally-acquired HIV and chronic challenges with nonadherence and longstanding immunosuppression with CD4 < 200 cells/mm³ for > 5 years. She received a 1-month oral lead-in (OLI) of cabotegravir/rilpivirine, followed by the injectable loading dose. She has since adhered to all her monthly dosing appointments, sustained VS, and transitioned to a bi-monthly injection schedule.

CONCLUSION

These three individuals with HIV (perinatally and non-perinatally acquired) with longstanding nonadherence and persistent viremia were successfully initiated on LAI-ART through the process of care coordination and the collective efforts of the care team, highlighting the barriers, challenges, and the multidisciplinary coordination needed to assure successful implementation of this strategy for the most vulnerable of patients.

Supporting Treatment for Anti-Retroviral Therapy (START) Together: Protocol for a pilot, randomized, couple-based intervention to promote women's ART adherence and men's engagement in HIV care in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Background

South Africa currently has the greatest number of people with HIV globally. The country has not yet met its 95-95-95 goals, with different gaps in the HIV care cascade for women and men. This paper reports on a protocol to pilot test a couple-based intervention designed to improve women's antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and men's engagement in care in heterosexual couples living in the Vulindlela area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Study goals are two-fold: (1) assess the acceptability, feasibility, and fidelity of the experimental intervention, START Together, and (2) collect efficacy data on START Together for women's ART adherence, men's engagement in HIV care, and the couple's relationship functioning.

Methods

Women (N = 20) who were not engaged with ART adherence (defined via self-reported ART difficulties, record of missed clinic visits, or viral non-suppression) are the target patients; male partners are not required to know or disclose their HIV status to be part of the study. Couples are randomized 1:1 to the experimental treatment (START Together) or treatment as usual (referrals to the local clinic to support ART adherence or any other HIV-related care). START Together is a 5-session intervention based in cognitive-behavioral couple therapy, which is a skill-based intervention focusing on communication and problem-solving skills, and Life Steps, a problem-solving intervention identifying barriers and solutions to medication adherence. Couples are assessed at baseline, post-treatment (8 weeks post-randomization), and follow-up (12 weeks post-randomization).

Conclusion

This study will provide preliminary implementation and efficacy data on whether this novel approach has potential to improve women and men's HIV and healthcare-related needs.

A Patient Decision Aid (i.ARTs) to Facilitate Women's Choice Between Oral and Long-Acting Injectable Antiretroviral Treatment for HIV: Protocols for its Development and Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

BACKGROUND

Many women with HIV (WWH) have suboptimal adherence to oral antiretroviral therapy (ART) due to multilevel barriers to HIV care access and retention. A long-acting injectable (LAI) version of ART was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in January 2021 and has the potential to overcome many of these barriers by eliminating the need for daily pill taking. However, it may not be optimal for all WWH. It is critical to develop tools that facilitate patient-provider shared decision making about oral versus LAI ART modalities to promote women's adherence and long-term HIV outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

This study will develop and pilot test a web-based patient decision aid called i.ART+support (i.ARTs). This decision aid aims to support shared decision making between WWH and their providers, and help women choose between oral and LAI HIV treatment.

METHODS

The study will occur in 3 phases. In phase 1, we will utilize a mixed methods approach to collect data from WWH and medical and social service providers to inform i.ARTs content. During phase 2, we will conduct focus groups with WWH and providers to refine i.ARTs content and develop the web-based decision aid. In phase 3, i.ARTs will be tested in a randomized controlled trial with 180 women in Miami, Florida, and assessed for feasibility, usability, and acceptability, as well as to evaluate the associations between receiving i.ARTs and viral suppression, ART pharmacy refills, and clinic attendance.

RESULTS

This study was funded in March 2021. Columbia University's IRB approved the study protocols (approval number IRB-AAAT5314). Protocols for phase 1 interviews have been developed and interviews with service providers started in September 2021. We will apply for Clinicaltrials.gov registration prior to phase 3, which is when our first participant will be enrolled in the randomized controlled trial. This is anticipated to occur in April 2023.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to develop a web-based patient decision aid to support WWH choices between oral and LAI ART. Its strengths include the incorporation of both patient and provider perspectives, a mixed methods design, and implementation in a real-world clinical setting.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/35646.

Adherence to option B+ and its association with disclosure status and counseling among HIV-positive pregnant and lactating women in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the pooled estimate of option B+ level of adherence and its association with disclosure status and counseling among pregnant and lactation women in Ethiopia after option B+ implementation.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

We searched Web of Science, MEDLINE, PUBMED, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, and Google Scholar databases for studies reporting adherence to option B+ and its association with disclosure status and counseling among pregnant and lactating women in Ethiopia. Heterogeneity was assessed by forest plot, Cochran's Q test, and I² test. A random effects model was calculated to estimate the pooled prevalence of adherence toward option B+.

RESULTS

We included eight studies, which gives a total of 1852 pregnant and lactating women in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The overall pooled estimate of good adherence toward option B+ antiretroviral therapy (ART) drug among pregnant and lactating women in Ethiopia was 84.23% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 80.79-87.66). Women who have disclosed their HIV status to their partner (adjusted odds ratio = 4.48, 95% CI: 1.86-10.76) and got counseling during the antenatal period (adjusted odds ratio = 5.02, 95% CI: 2.43-10.34) had a positive association with good adherence to option B+ ART drugs.

CONCLUSION

Four of five pregnant and lactating women have good adherence to option B+ ART drugs in Ethiopia. Therefore, promoting HIV disclosure status to partners and enhancing counseling services should be strengthened to improve adherence toward option B+ among pregnant and lactating women.

Gender Moderates Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial for the Khanya Intervention for Substance Use and ART Adherence in HIV Care in South Africa

Little is known about gender effects of alcohol and drug use (AOD) among people living with HIV (PLWH) in resource-limited settings. Using multilevel models, we tested whether gender moderated the effect of Khanya, a cognitive-behavioral therapy-based intervention addressing antiretroviral (ART) adherence and AOD reduction. We enrolled 61 participants from HIV care and examined outcomes at 3- and 6-months compared to enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU). Gender significantly moderated the effect of Khanya on ART adherence (measured using electronically-monitored and biomarker-confirmed adherence), such that women in Khanya had significantly lower ART adherence compared to men in Khanya; no gender differences were found for AOD outcomes. Exploratory trajectory analyses showed men in Khanya and both genders in ETAU had significant reductions in at least one AOD outcome; women in Khanya did not. More research is needed to understand whether a gender lens can support behavioral interventions for PLWH with AOD.

Trial registry ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03529409. Trial registered on May 18, 2018.

Advancing behavioral interventions for African American/Black and Latino persons living with HIV using a new conceptual model that integrates critical race theory, harm reduction, and self-determination theory: a qualitative exploratory study

BACKGROUND

Rates of participation in HIV care, medication uptake, and viral suppression are improving among persons living with HIV (PLWH) in the United States. Yet, disparities among African American/Black and Latino PLWH are persistent, signaling the need for new conceptual approaches. To address gaps in services and research (e.g., insufficient attention to structural/systemic factors, inadequate harm reduction services and autonomy support) and improve behavioral interventions, we integrated critical race theory, harm reduction, and self-determination theory into a new conceptual model, then used the model to develop a set of six intervention components which were tested in a larger study. The present qualitative study explores participants' perspectives on the study's acceptability, feasibility, and impact, and the conceptual model's contribution to these experiences.

METHODS

Participants in the larger study were African American/Black and Latino PLWH poorly engaged in HIV care and with non-suppressed HIV viral load in New York City (N = 512). We randomly selected N = 46 for in-depth semi-structured interviews on their experiences with and perspectives on the study. Interviews were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed verbatim, and data were analyzed using directed qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

On average, participants were 49 years old (SD = 9) and had lived with HIV for 19 years (SD = 7). Most were male (78%) and African American/Black (76%). All had taken HIV medication previously. Challenging life contexts were the norm, including poverty, poor quality/unstable housing, trauma histories exacerbated by current trauma, health comorbidities, and substance use. Participants found the study highly acceptable. We organized results into four themes focused on participants' experiences of: 1) being understood as a whole person and in their structural/systemic context; 2) trustworthiness and trust; 3) opportunities for self-reflection; and 4) support of personal autonomy. The salience of nonjudgment was prominent in each theme. Themes reflected grounding in the conceptual model. Participants reported these characteristics were lacking in HIV care settings.

CONCLUSIONS

The new conceptual model emphasizes the salience of systemic/structural and social factors that drive health behavior and the resultant interventions foster trust, self-reflection, engagement, and behavior change. The model has potential to enhance intervention acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness with African American/Black and Latino PLWH.

Interpersonal violence and other social-structural barriers associated with needing HIV treatment support for women living with HIV

Women living with HIV (WLWH), experience disproportionate rates of violence, along with suboptimal HIV health outcomes, despite recent advancements in HIV treatment, known as antiretroviral therapy (ART). The objectives of this study were to: (a) describe different types of support needed to take ART and (b) investigate the social and structural correlates associated with needing support for ART adherence among WLWH. Data are drawn from Sexual health and HIV/AIDS: Women's Longitudinal Needs Assessment, a community-based open research cohort with cisgender and transgender WLWH, aged 14+ who live or access HIV services in Metro Vancouver, Canada (2014-present). Baseline and semi-annual questionnaires are administered by community interviewers alongside a clinical visit with a sexual health research nurse. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression using generalized estimating equations and an exchangeable working correlation matrix was used to model factors associated with needing supports for ART adherence. Among 276 WLWH, 51% (n = 142) reported needing support for ART adherence; 95% of participants reported lifetime gender-based violence and identified many interpersonal, structural, community, and clinical supports that would facilitate and support ART adherence. In multivariable logistic regression, participants who were Indigenous (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.70, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.07-2.72), or otherwise racialized (AOR: 2.36, 95% CI : 1.09-5.12) versus white, experienced recent gender-based physical violence (AOR : 1.54, 95% CI : 1.03-2.31), lifetime post-traumatic stress disorder (AOR : 1.97, 95% CI : 1.22-3.18), and recent illicit drug use (AOR : 2.15, 95% CI : 1.43-3.22), had increased odds of needing support for ART adherence. This research suggests a need for trauma-informed, culturally safe and culturally responsive practice and services for WLWH along the HIV care continuum to support ART adherence. All services should be developed by, with, and for WLWH and tailored according to gender identity, taking into account history, culture, and trauma, including the negative impacts of settler colonialism for Indigenous people.

Re-visiting the relevance and importance of health psychology in South Africa

Health psychology as a discipline has existed for more than four decades and is primarily concerned with research, theory, and practice at the nexus of psychology and health. The discipline is well established across Europe, the United States, and Australia with health psychology societies, postgraduate programmes, conferences, and academic journals dedicated to the discipline in the majority of these countries. However, in South Africa, health psychology remains a broad umbrella term under which psychologists and other health care professionals conduct research. Health psychology is concerned with the biological, social, psychological, contextual, and structural drivers of health and illness, and relies on theory and empirically-driven research to identify and understand important links between health and behaviour. In South Africa, where a large proportion of the population faces multiple co-occurring disease epidemics, such as HIV/AIDS, TB, COVID-19, diabetes, and heart disease, there is a need for a uniting sub-discipline like health psychology to focus intervention efforts and to meet the sustainable development goals. The recent re-establishment of a special interest group in health psychology in the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) is an important first step. In this article, and as members of the newly re-established special interest group in health psychology, we call attention to the need to promote health psychology in South Africa. In this article, we describe the paradigmatic traditions and theoretical models that inform the discipline. We then argue why health psychology should be prioritised again and recommend future directions for health psychology in South Africa.

Integrative literature review of evidence-based guidelines on antiretroviral therapy adherence among adult persons living with HIV

AIM

To summarize recommendations from available evidence-based guidelines that enhance, address or guide antiretroviral therapy adherence among adult persons living with human immunodeficiency virus.

DESIGN

An integrative literature review approach.

DATA SOURCE

Guidelines were accessed through Google from the databases of the Canadian Medical Association InfoBase clinical practice database, National Guidelines Clearinghouse, Writer's Guidelines database, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, UNICEF and WHO. Databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, EBSCOhost (CINAHL, ERIC, Academic search complete, E-journals, Psych Info and MEDLINE), EMERALD INSIGHT, JSTOR, SCIENCE DIRECT and FINDPLUS were also searched, followed by a citation search. Data sources were searched between 1996 and January 2022.

REVIEW METHODS

The five steps of the integrative literature review process, as described by Whittemore and Knafl, were used. These steps are as follows: step one; problem identification, step two; literature search, step three; data evaluation; step four: data analysis and the final step was data presentation.

RESULTS

Sixteen guidelines related to antiretroviral therapy adherence were included for data extraction and synthesis. The findings revealed two themes as follows: theme 1: monitoring antiretroviral therapy adherence and theme 2: interventions to promote antiretroviral therapy adherence related to education and counselling, adherence tools, health service delivery and antiretroviral strategies.

CONCLUSION

Antiretroviral therapy adherence in adult persons requires both interventions as well as monitoring. The various contributing factors relating to antiretroviral therapy adherence should be further explored.

IMPACT

Evidence from the included guidelines can assist nurses in promoting a person's adherence to antiretroviral treatment, which could improve their health and well-being.

Empowerment in pregnancy: ART adherence among women living with HIV in Cape Town, South Africa

RATIONALE

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a global concern among pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV (WLHIV). Research focusing on peripartum WLHIV and how they balance adherence, engaging in HIV care, and other forms of self-care is limited. Women's empowerment theories have been applied to myriad health behaviors to understand patterns, establish mechanisms, and develop interventions; yet empowerment theory as applied to ART is under-researched.

OBJECTIVE

Seeking deeper insight into peripartum health behaviors, we examine these factors using Naila Kabeer's (1999) women's empowerment theory, which denotes resources, agency, and achievements as three primary and interrelated components of empowerment.

METHODS

Data were collected in Gugulethu, South Africa, between March and July 2018. Thirty in-depth interviews were conducted with WLHIV at 32-35 weeks of pregnancy, with topics including experiences related to ART adherence and meanings of empowerment in motherhood. Analyses had two phases: (1) inductive open-coding for emergent themes; and (2) classifying themes into Kabeer's empowerment theory.

RESULTS

Participants expressed that resources play a critical role in adherence, ranging from practical support to motivational support provided by both family and partners. Agency is experienced as a desire to be an independent mother in the often-expected event that partners withdraw support. Participants described achievements as time-oriented goals, ranging from having a baby born without HIV to living a long and productive life.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that a promising and innovative approach to improving ART adherence across the peripartum transition would focus on understanding resources as an enabling environment, build on existing feelings of agency, and highlight the lifelong goals achievable with high levels of adherence. A better understanding of how women's empowerment evolves over the course of pregnancy and into the postpartum period will support intervention development aimed at improving ART adherence and potentially additional peripartum health behaviors.

Adherence Predictors in Pregnant Women Living with HIV on Tenofovir Alafenamide and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate

BACKGROUND

Medication adherence to antiretroviral medications is critical during pregnancy in women living with HIV (WLHIV) for multiple reasons. In this study, we report medication adherence to tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) compared to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) during pregnancy in WLHIV.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of pregnant women living with HIV aged 18-48 years who received either tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) during pregnancy. Medication adherence was assessed during each visit in all trimesters of pregnancy, and was self-reported. Demographics and outcomes were analyzed using standard statistical tests. Logistic regression analysis models accounting for potential confounders, with adjusted odds-ratios (aORs) and associated 95% confidence intervals were reported.

RESULTS

One hundred women met inclusion criteria, with thirty-four women on TAF and sixty-six women on TDF. While medication adherence was higher in women using TAF compared to TDF, with 76% adherent to TDF vs 83% adherent to TAF; p=0.282, in the 1^st trimester; 82% adherent to TDF vs 88% adherent to TAF; p=0.924, in the 2^nd trimester, and 88% adherent to TDF vs 91% adherent to TAF; p=0.176, in the 3^rd trimester of pregnancy, these differences in medication adherence were not statistically significant. In the third trimester of pregnancy, multiparous women were more likely to be adherent to TDF/TAF antiretroviral medications compared to nulliparous women - univariable odds ratio, OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.12, 1.57; p<0.05; multivariable (adjusted odds ratio, aOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.08, 1.52; p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnant women living with HIV on TDF and TAF achieved high adherence, but medication adherence was better in the third trimester compared to the first or second trimesters of pregnancy. These findings support the need to continually assess medication adherence during pregnancy.

Multilevel and Multifactorial Interventions to Reduce Alcohol Consumption and Improve ART Adherence and Related Factors Among HIV Positive Men in Mumbai, India

Alcohol use has a deleterious effect on the health status of persons living with HIV, negatively affecting antiretroviral adherence and increasing the risk of transmission. Alcohol use is not an isolated behavior but intimately linked to stigma and poor psychological status among other factors. This paper utilizes a crossover design to test the efficacy of three multilevel interventions, individual counselling (IC), group intervention (GI) and collective advocacy (CA) for change, among HIV positive males who consume alcohol, treated at five ART Centers in urban Maharashtra, India. While GI shows a significant effect on the largest number of outcome variables, IC through its psychosocial emphasis demonstrated a significant impact over time on stigma and depression, and CA with its emphasis on societal change showed positive impact on stigma and advocacy for self and others. Each of the interventions had variable effects on CD4 count and viral load.Clinical Registration Number: NCT03746457; Clinical Trial.Gov.

Intimate partner violence and the HIV care and treatment cascade among adolescent girls and young women in DREAMS, South Africa

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.

Background:

Intimate partner violence (IPV) may affect the HIV-treatment cascade.

Setting:

Four high HIV-prevalence DREAMS health districts in South Africa.

Methods:

Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data collected March 2017–June 2018, using random household sample of young (12–24 years) girls and women. Face-to-face interviews assessed IPV and HIV-status knowledge, and finger-prick blood draws assessed ART (antiretroviral therapy) uptake and viral suppression. We used logistic regression to estimate crude and adjusted effects of IPV on HIV knowledge, ART uptake, and viral suppression.

Results:

Of 18,230 adolescent girls and young women, 8413 (46%) reported ever having had sex, of whom 1118 (13%) were HIV positive. The 90:90:90 benchmarks were 61% knew their status, 86% had ART present in their blood sample, and 91% were virally suppressed. Among the entire sample of young women living with HIV, 65.6% were virally suppressed. Past year IPV was reported by 15%. In adjusted models, IPV trended toward increasing the odds that a young woman was aware she was living with HIV [adjusted odds ratios (aOR) = 1.40, 2.00–9.98, P = 0.067]. There was no association between IPV and reduced treatment use (aOR = 0.73, 0.41–1.29). IPV was independently associated with reduced viral suppression (aOR = 0.30, 0.13–0.66).

Conclusions:

Addressing the role of IPV in undermining the treatment cascade for adolescent and young women is a critical issue for HIV programming.

A Review of Interventions to Enhance HIV Medication Adherence

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is crucial for the successful treatment of HIV. Unfortunately, it is estimated that 45% of persons living with HIV (PLWH) have poor adherence to ART. To provide health care professionals and PLWH with effective tools for supporting adherence, researchers have investigated the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions to enhance adherence to ART. In this paper, interventional studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses that examine ART adherence interventions for PLWH are reviewed.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is great variability among interventions in terms of quality, sample, measures, and outcome characteristics. Despite a diverse and wide-ranging assortment of ART adherence interventions, consistent lessons have been learned. Interventions that focus on individual and interpersonal factors have been effective for improving ART adherence; however, the improvement in adherence tends to be short-lived. Additionally, interventions are most successful when tailored to those at risk for poor adherence. Finally, theory-based interventions are more likely to be effective than non-theory-based interventions. A variety of individual-level psychological interventions have been shown to be effective in improving ART adherence in the short term. Digital and mobile interventions have the potential to improve dissemination and implementation of these evidence-based interventions and could be used to extend intervention effects. Future interventions that address issues of accessibility, inequality, structural and institutional barriers to ART adherence should also be tested and prioritized. Implementation science frameworks can be used to assess and address issues of accessibility and systematic barriers to care.

Perceived sensitivity to medicines and the experience of side-effects: understanding intentional medication nonadherence among people living with HIV

Patient initiated decisions to forgo taking medications (i.e. intentional nonadherence) pose significant challenges to managing chronic health conditions. Identifying factors and their underlying mechanisms that impede medication adherence is essential to designing treatment improvement interventions. This study tested a conceptual model that posits the effects of perceived sensitivity to medicines on adherence can be explained by the experience of side-effects, leading to intentionally nonadherent behaviors. Patients receiving HIV care in the southern United States (N = 209) completed measures of perceived sensitivity to medicines, antiretroviral therapy (ART) side-effects, intentional nonadherence and overall adherence. Patients also provided consent to access their electronic medical records to collect subsequent reports of HIV viral load tests. Results indicated that more than one in four participants were intentionally nonadherent to ART. Mediation modeling showed that perceived sensitivity to medicines was associated with greater experience of ART side-effects and intentional nonadherence, which impacted overall ART adherence and HIV viral load. There were also significant indirect effects of perceived sensitivity to medicines on HIV viral load through side-effects and intentional nonadherence. Patients with increased perceived sensitivity to medicines are at risk for poor treatment outcomes and these negative outcomes are partly explained by experiencing greater side-effects and intentional nonadherence.

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Program to Promote Positive Affect, Well-Being and Gender Empowerment in Black Women Living with HIV

While programs and interventions intended to increase positive affect among people living with HIV (PLWH) and other chronic diseases have been associated with improved health outcomes, including decreased depression, programs have not been tailored specifically for Black women. We tailored a program designed to increase positive affect and to decrease depressive symptoms in PLWH to a group format for Black WLWH. We also added skills to increase gender empowerment. We then tested the acceptability and feasibility of this program with 8 Black WLWH. The program was acceptable and relatively feasible, as assessed by women’s participation and feedback about program clarity and helpfulness, which women rated above 9 on a 10-point scale. A few women suggested that optimal delivery point for some skills taught would be shortly after HIV diagnosis. A proof-of-concept program intended to bolster positive emotions and gender empowerment and decrease depression can be tailored for Black WLWH and is relatively feasible and acceptable. A randomized controlled trial is needed to assess the preliminary efficacy of this program on positive affect, depression, and other health outcomes for WLWH.

Pregnancy in an Urban Cohort of Adolescents Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Characteristics and Outcomes in Comparison to Adults

Adolescents (13-24 years of age) account for more than one-fifth of new HIV diagnoses yearly, and the United States has one of the highest rates of adolescent pregnancy among high resource countries. However, there is limited information on the characteristics and outcomes of adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV) during pregnancy and differences with pregnancy in adults living with HIV. We performed a retrospective cohort study to compare demographic characteristics, HIV viral suppression, and pregnancy outcomes in adolescents (n = 90) as compared with adults (n = 250) in an urban HIV pregnancy clinic from 2003 to 2015. Seventy-one women overall were diagnosed with HIV during pregnancy (adolescents, 25/90; adults, 46/250). One-fifth of adolescents acquired HIV perinatally. Adolescents were more likely than adults to have unintended pregnancy (83.6% vs. 68.7%, p = 0.016) and were less likely to be virally suppressed at delivery (50.0% vs. 69.7% overall, p = 0.001; 48.0% vs. 78.2% in postuniversal antiretroviral therapy era, p = 0.007%). Over one-third of adolescents reported a history of any illicit substance use, and adolescents were more likely than adults to use marijuana during pregnancy (29.2% vs. 16.9%, p = 0.013). Adolescents were less likely to experience preterm labor (11.0% vs. 24.1%, p = 0.012) or preterm premature rupture of membranes (3.7% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.003). There was one case of maternal-fetal transmission, which occurred in an adult pregnancy. Despite the high rate of unintended pregnancy, one-third of adolescents were discharged without an identified contraception plan. We identify several opportunities for intervention to improve reproductive health outcomes in ALWHIV.

Mini-review: Elucidating the psychological, physical, and sex-based interactions between HIV infection and stress

Stress is generally classified as any mental or emotional strain resulting from difficult circumstances, and can manifest in the form of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other neurocognitive disorders. Neurocognitive disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD are large contributors to disability worldwide, and continue to affect individuals and communities. Although these disorders affect men and women, women are disproportionately represented among those diagnosed with affective disorders, a result of both societal gender roles and physical differences. Furthermore, the incidence of these neurocognitive disorders is augmented among People Living with HIV (PLWH); the physical ramifications of stress increase the likelihood of HIV acquisition, pathogenesis, and treatment, as both stress and HIV infection are characterized by chronic inflammation, which creates a more opportunistic environment for HIV. Although the stress response is facilitated by the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, when the response involves a psychological component, additional brain regions are engaged. The impact of chronic stress exposure and the origin of individual variation in stress responses and resilience are at least in part attributable to regions outside the primary stress circuity, including the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus. This review aims to elucidate the relationship between stress and HIV, how these interact with sex, and to understand the physical ramifications of these interactions.

Family Support for Adolescent Girls and Young Women Living With HIV in Zambia: Benefits, Challenges, and Recommendations for Intervention Development

ABSTRACT

Lack of family involvement is barrier to antiretroviral therapy adherence among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). This study assessed family support for AGYW's engagement along the HIV care continuum to inform the design of a family-focused intervention in Lusaka, Zambia. We conducted 16 in-depth interviews and four focus group discussions with 40 AGYW living with HIV. Three strategies were identified to strengthen family support. First, emotional and instrumental support are highly valued by AGYW and should be further developed or reinforced. Second, AGYW wanted more informational support and open discussion of HIV from family, and an intervention should aim to enhance these types of support. Third, existing appraisal support reinforced anticipated stigma among AGYW and discouraged disclosure, yet participants wished for more interactions with peers living with HIV. Appraisal support should therefore be reframed to help AGYW decide to whom they should disclose and how to do so safely.

'Mothers moving towards empowerment' intervention to reduce stigma and improve treatment adherence in pregnant women living with HIV in Botswana: study protocol for a pragmatic clinical trial

BACKGROUND

With high rates of HIV and multiple vulnerable subgroups across diverse settings, there is a need for culturally based, HIV stigma reduction interventions. Pregnant women who are living with HIV are especially in need of services to protect not only their own but also their children's lives. Uptake of HIV services worldwide is hindered by stigma towards persons living with HIV/AIDS. While cultural context plays a key role in shaping HIV stigma, these insights have not yet been fully integrated into stigma reduction strategies. By utilizing the "What Matters Most" stigma framework, we propose that an intervention to counter culturally salient aspects of HIV stigma will improve treatment adherence and other relevant outcomes. A pragmatic clinical trial in Botswana will evaluate the "Mothers Moving towards Empowerment" (MME) intervention, which seeks to address HIV stigma in Botswana and to specifically engage pregnant mothers so as to promote antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence in the postpartum period.

METHODS

This study will test MME against treatment as usual (TAU) among pregnant mothers diagnosed with HIV and their infants. Outcomes will be assessed during pregnancy and 16 weeks postpartum. Women who meet eligibility criteria are assigned to MME or TAU. Women assigned to MME are grouped with others with similar estimated delivery dates, completing up to eight intervention group sessions scheduled before week 36 of their pregnancies. Primary outcomes among mothers include (i) reducing self-stigma, which is hypothesized to mediate improvements in (ii) psychological outcomes (quality of life, depression and social functioning), and (iii) adherence to antenatal care and ART. We will also examine a set of follow-up infant birth outcomes (APGAR score, preterm delivery, mortality (at < 16 weeks), birth weight, vaccination record, and HIV status).

DISCUSSION

Our trial will evaluate MME, a culturally based HIV stigma reduction intervention using the "What Matters Most" framework, to reduce stigma and improve treatment adherence among pregnant women and their infants. This study will help inform further refinement of MME and preparation for a future large-scale, multisite, randomized controlled trial (RCT) in Botswana.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03698981 . Registered on October 8, 2018.

Fertility among women living with HIV in western Ethiopia and : a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine fertility (live births) in the last 3 years and its associated factors among women living with HIV (WLHIV) in western Ethiopia .

DESIGN

Participants were recruited into a cross-sectional survey using systematic sampling.

SETTINGS

Four healthcare facilities in western Ethiopia were included.

PARTICIPANTS

Eligible participants were WLHIV of reproductive age (15-49 years) from western Ethiopia who found out about their HIV-positive status more than 3 years ago (N=866).

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The fertility (live births) of HIV-positive women in the last 3 years was surveyed using face-to-face interviews (March-June 2018). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine factors influencing fertility in the last 3 years.

RESULTS

A total of 108 (12.5%) HIV-positive women gave birth to 121 live children in the last 3 years. Of these births, 18.2% were reported as mistimed at conception, while 26.4% were reported as unwanted. Of the live births, 8.3% ended in death. Of the 76 (62.8%) children with known HIV status born to HIV-positive women in the last 3 years, 7.9% were HIV-positive. In terms of predictors of fertility, women aged 15-24 years (adjusted OR (AOR) 2.72; 95% CI 1.14 to 6.49) and 25-34 years (AOR 4.34; 95% CI 2.61 to 7.21) had increased odds of fertility compared with women aged 35-49 years. Women using antiretroviral therapy (ART) for less than 5 years were more likely to have given birth in the last 3 years compared with those using ART for 10 years or more (AOR 2.96; 95% CI 1.19 to 7.36), even after controlling for age.

CONCLUSIONS

WLHIV in Ethiopia are having children and so it is imperative that safe conception strategies are readily available as well as support to reduce HIV-related risks for children born to these mothers. Strengthening reproductive health services for HIV-positive women in order to achieve their family planning goals is therefore important.

Brief Report: Linking Depressive Symptoms to Viral Nonsuppression Among Women With HIV Through Adherence Self-Efficacy and ART Adherence

BACKGROUND

Depression plays a key role in suboptimal HIV outcomes, possibly mediated by adherence self-efficacy beliefs and antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence behavior. Applying social-cognitive theory, we examined a longitudinal sequential path model of the association between depressive symptoms and viral nonsuppression in women with HIV (WWH) through these mediating mechanisms.

METHODS

This was an observational longitudinal study using data from the Women's Adherence and Visit Engagement substudy of the Women's Interagency HIV Study. WWH (N = 375) completed measures of depressive symptoms, adherence self-efficacy, and ART adherence. Viral load was measured through blood draw. We examined a longitudinal sequential path model spanning 3 time points at least 6 months apart between 2015 and 2017. Indirect effects were assessed of depressive symptoms at time 1 (T1) on viral nonsuppression at T3 through adherence self-efficacy at T2 and ART adherence at T3. Covariates included age, income, recreational drug use, race, and months on ART.

RESULTS

Depressive symptoms were associated with subsequent viral nonsuppression through its association with adherence self-efficacy and ART adherence [indirect effect: adjusted odds ratio = 1.004, 95% confidence interval: (1.001 to 1.008)]. Months on ART and recreational drug use were also significantly associated with viral nonsuppression at T3.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support depressive symptoms' association with adherence self-efficacy that in turn lead to suboptimal ART adherence and ultimately to viral nonsuppression for WWH. Tailoring of interventions aimed at addressing depressive symptoms, substance use, and adherence self-efficacy among WWH is needed to help close the gap between ART prescription and viral suppression on the HIV care continuum.

Effectiveness of interventions targeting self-regulation to improve adherence to chronic disease medications: a meta-review of meta-analyses

Adherence to chronic disease medication regimens depends in part on successful self-regulation. However, the overall benefit of interventions targeting self-regulatory mechanisms is not well-understood. Accordingly, we conducted a meta-review of meta-analyses assessing the effect of interventions targeting self-regulation on medication adherence. For this meta-review, meta-analyses appearing between January 2006 and March 2019 were eligible if they included experimental trials that assessed the effect of an intervention targeting self-regulation on adherence to chronic disease medication. A systematic literature search of multiple databases for published and unpublished literature identified 16,001 abstracts. Twelve meta-analyses met eligibility criteria and had variable quality according to AMSTAR 2 item completion (M = 50%; range: 31-66%). Overall, meta-reviews showed small to medium effect sizes for interventions that targeted self-monitoring, provided personalised feedback on adherence, or involved complete self-management. Other interventions, such as goal setting, barrier identification and problem solving, and stress management showed little evidence of improving adherence. Only a limited number of self-regulation intervention components were able to be evaluated. Additional research is needed to advance the understanding of the efficacy of adherence interventions focussed on self-regulation by expanding the scope of self-regulation elements targeted (e.g., emotion regulation).

Global implementation of PrEP for HIV prevention: setting expectations for impact

INTRODUCTION

Questions remain whether HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can be translated into a successful public health intervention, leading to a decrease in population-level HIV incidence. We use examples from HIV treatment and contraceptives to discuss expectations for PrEP uptake, adherence, and persistence and their combined impact on the epidemic.

DISCUSSION

Targets for PrEP uptake must be based on the local HIV epidemic and will depend on appropriate estimates of the key populations at risk for HIV. However, there is evidence that targets, once established, can successfully be met and that uptake may increase with awareness. Messaging around adherence should include that daily adherence is the goal (except for those MSM for whom event-driven dosing is a good fit), but perfect adherence should not be a barrier. Ideally, clients persist on PrEP for as long as they are at risk for HIV. While PrEP will be most effective when coverage is focused on high-risk populations, normalizing rather than stigmatizing PrEP will be highly beneficial.

CONCLUSIONS

While many challenges to PrEP implementation exist, we focused on the three key steps of uptake, adherence and persistence as measurable processes that can lead to improved coverage and decreased HIV incidence.