HIV in adolescents

Cumulative Psychosocial Risk is a Salient Predictor of Depressive Symptoms among Vertically HIV-Infected and HIV-Affected Adolescents at the Kenyan Coast

BACKGROUND

Little is known of mental health outcomes among vertically HIV-infected or HIV-affected adolescents in Africa.

OBJECTIVES

The current study set out to describe depressive symptoms and their correlates among vertically HIV-infected and HIV-affected adolescents at the Kenyan Coast.

METHODS

130 adolescents (vertically HIV-infected [n = 44], HIV-affected [n = 53], and unexposed [n = 33]) and their caregivers participated in this cross-sectional study. An adapted version of the Beck Depression Inventory-11 (BDI) was administered to examine depressive symptoms in both adolescents and caregivers, together with measures of sociodemographic, medical, and anthropometric characteristics.

FINDINGS

Our analysis indicated a main effect of HIV status on mean BDI scores in HIV-infected (18.4 [SD = 8.3) and HIV-affected (16.8 [SD = 7.3]) adolescents compared to the community controls (12.0 [SD = 7.9]), F (2, 127) = 6.704, P = .002, η² = .095. Post hoc analysis showed that BDI scores of HIV-infected adolescents were higher than those of community controls (P < .001). Similarly, HIV-affected adolescents had BDI scores that were higher than those of community controls (P = .007). However, there was no difference in BDI scores between HIV-infected and HIV-affected adolescents (P = .304). A path analytic model indicated that cumulative psychosocial risk (orphanhood, family poverty, and caregiver depressive symptoms) were positive predictors of BDI scores among adolescents, while nutritional status had a limited role.

CONCLUSIONS

Both HIV-infected and HIV-affected adolescents are at a high risk of experiencing depressive symptoms, largely due to the multiple psychosocial risk factors in their environment. The provision of adequate psychosocial support and counseling needs to become an integral part of the care program for adolescents from families living with HIV/AIDS at the Kenyan coast and other similar settings.

HIV-1 infection and pregnancy in young women in Brazil: socioeconomic and drug resistance profiles in a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To describe socioeconomic and antiretroviral (ARV) drug resistance profiles among young pregnant women infected with HIV-1.

SETTING

A public health antenatal programme responsible for screening ∼90 000 pregnant women per year for nine different infectious diseases in Central Western Brazil.

PARTICIPANTS

96 young pregnant women (15-24 years) infected with HIV-1.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Standard interviews and blood samples were taken at the time of recruitment, at the first medical appointment after confirmation of diagnosis of HIV-1 infection, and before ARV prophylaxis initiation. Clinical and laboratory data were retrieved from medical files. HIV-1 pol gene sequences (entire protease/PR, partial reverse transcriptase/RT) were obtained from plasma RNA. ARV resistance mutations (CPR/Stanford HIV-1; International AIDS Society-USA databases) were identified.

RESULTS

The median age was 21 years; most reported <8 years education; 73% were recently diagnosed. Approximately 20% (19/96) presented late for antenatal care (after 26 gestational weeks), while 49% reported ≥2 previous pregnancies. Possible heterosexual transmission by an HIV-1 infected partner (17%) and commercial sex work (2%) were reported. The median of CD4 cell count was 526 cells/mm(3); the median viral load was: 10 056 copies/mL in ARV-naïve (48/96) patients and 5881 copies/mL in ARV-exposed (48/96) patients. Two probable seroconversion cases during pregnancy were identified in adolescents. One mother-to-child transmission case (1.0%) was observed. Transmitted drug resistance among ARV-naïve patients was 9.3% (CI 95% 3.3% to 19.6%); secondary drug resistance among ARV-exposed patients was 12.5% (CI 95% 4.7% to 25.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite high access to antenatal care, the low socioeconomic-educational profiles seen in these young HIV-1-infected women highlight the necessity of improved public health educational and preventive strategies regarding HIV infection and early unplanned pregnancy.

Determinants of utilization of a no-cost HIV transition clinic: a cross-sectional study of young adults living with HIV/AIDS

There is minimal research that has been conducted among young adults to understand the determinants of the utilization of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) health services in this population. The purpose of this study was to explore the levels and determinants of HIV transition clinic (HTC) services utilization by young adults living with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (YALHA). The study used a cross-sectional design and quantitative methods to collect data from a sample of 379 YALHA between the ages of 15–24 years who were registered clients of an HTC in Uganda. During data analysis, utilization was categorized into two levels: regular (kept all appointment visits) and irregular (missed one or more appointment visits) utilization. Univariable, bivariable, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine the determinants associated with HTC utilization. The HTC services that were most utilized by the YALHA were those based at the clinic and provided by professional health care providers and these were: clinical examination (96%); laboratory services (87.1%); and counseling (69.7%). The services that were least utilized were home visiting (5.8%) and peer support services (19.8%). Of the 379 YALHA, only 32.4% regularly utilized the HTC. Multivariable analysis showed that the main determinants of HTC utilization were CD4 count category of ≥251/μL (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] =0.36–0.95); not being on antiretroviral therapy (AOR =0.27, 95% CI =0.15–0.47); and not receiving counseling services (AOR =0.47, 95% CI =0.27–0.83). Regular utilization of the HTC by YALHA was low and utilization seems to be influenced by HIV infection stage and HIV counseling services, but not sociodemographic factors or community factors.

Changes in Advanced Immunosuppression and Detectable HIV Viremia Among Perinatally HIV-Infected Youth in the Multisite United States HIV Research Network

BACKGROUND

Due to successful antiretroviral therapy (ART), perinatally human immunodeficiency virus (PHIV)-infected children are reaching adolescence and young adulthood. Adolescence is characterized by factors (eg, increased risk-taking) that may hamper management. We examined PHIV-infected youth in a multisite US cohort, assessing factors associated with changes in advanced immunosuppression and detectable viremia over time.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of 521 PHIV-infected youth, 12 years and older, followed at 16 HIV clinics in the HIV Research Network between 2002 and 2010. We assessed demographic and clinical factors associated with CD4 <200 cells/mm(3) and viral load ≥2.60 log10 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Between 2002 and 2010, the median age of PHIV-infected youth in care increased from 14 to 18 years. The proportion prescribed ART increased from 67.4% to 84%, with virologic suppression increasing from 35.5% to 63.0% (P trend < .01). Older age, Black and Hispanic race/ethnicity, and increasing viremia were independently associated with CD4 <200 cells/mm(3). Older age, Black race and Hispanic ethnicity were independently associated with higher likelihood of detectable viremia, whereas more recent year of evaluation and being prescribed ART were associated with a lower likelihood.

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of PHIV-infected youth on ART has increased. Rates of viremia and advanced immunosuppression have decreased in recent years, but both rates are higher for older PHIV-infected youth. Factors associated with advanced immunosuppression and viremia offer the chance to define strategies to optimize outcomes.

Predictors of highly active antiretroviral therapy utilization for behaviorally HIV-1-infected youth: impact of adult versus pediatric clinical care site

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) utilization in youth infected with HIV through risk behaviors who met treatment criteria for HAART. We assessed the impact of receiving care at an adult or pediatric HIV clinical site on initiation and discontinuation of the first HAART regimen in behaviorally infected youth (BIY).

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of treatment-naive BIY, aged 12-24 years, who enrolled in the HIV Research Network between 2002 and 2008 and who met criteria for HAART. The outcomes were time from meeting criteria to initiation of HAART and time to discontinuation of the first HAART regimen. Analyses were conducted using Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS

Of 287 treatment-eligible youth, 198 (69%) received HAART; of these 198 youth, 58 (29.3%) subsequently discontinued HAART. In multivariable analyses, there was no significant difference in the time between meeting treatment criteria and initiating HAART for BIY followed at adult or pediatric HIV clinical sites. However, BIY followed at adult sites discontinued HAART sooner than BIY followed at pediatric HIV clinical sites (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR]: 3.19 [1.26-8.06]).

CONCLUSIONS

Two-thirds of treatment-eligible BIY in the HIV Research Network cohort initiated HAART; however, one-third who initiated HAART discontinued it during the study period. Identifying factors associated with earlier HAART initiation and sustainability can inform interventions to enhance HAART utilization among treatment-eligible youth. The finding of earlier HAART discontinuation for youth at adult care sites deserves further study.

Development of a protocol for transitioning adolescents with HIV infection to adult care

As HIV infection in childhood and adolescence has evolved from a terminal to a chronic illness, new challenges are posed for both medical and psychosocial teams serving these clients. Although specialized programs for transition to adult care have been reported for persons with cystic fibrosis, diabetes mellitus, sickle cell disease, and other chronic illnesses, there are few published reports of integral programs designed to transition adolescents who were infected with HIV during the adolescent period to adult HIV services. This article describes a model of transition from a University-based, federally funded adolescent HIV program to adult HIV services, addresses barriers to transition, and provides strategies and recommendations for improving adherence to the transition process.

Elevated HIV prevalence despite lower rates of sexual risk behaviors among black men in the District of Columbia who have sex with men

The District of Columbia (DC) has among the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the United States, with 3.2% of the population and 7.1% of black men living with HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this study was to examine HIV risk behaviors in a community-based sample of men who have sex with men (MSM) in DC. Data were from the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance system. MSM who were 18 years were recruited via venue-based sampling between July 2008 and December 2008. Behavioral surveys and rapid oral HIV screening with OraQuick ADVANCE ½ (OraSure Technologies, Inc., Bethlehem, PA) with Western blot confirmation on positives were collected. Factors associated with HIV positivity and unprotected anal intercourse were identified. Of 500 MSM, 35.6% were black. Of all men, 14.1% were confirmed HIV positive; 41.8% of these were newly identified HIV positive. Black men (26.0%) were more likely to be HIV positive than white (7.9%) or Latino/Asian/other (6.5%) men (p<0.001). Black men had fewer male sex partners than non-black, fewer had ever engaged in intentional unprotected anal sex, and more used condoms at last anal sex. Black men were less likely to have health insurance, have been tested for HIV, and disclose MSM status to health care providers. Despite significantly higher HIV/AIDS rates, black MSM in DC reported fewer sexual risks than non-black. These findings suggest that among black MSM, the primary risk of HIV infection results from nontraditional sexual risk factors, and may include barriers to disclosing MSM status and HIV testing. There remains a critical need for more information regarding reasons for elevated HIV among black MSM in order to inform prevention programming.

Characteristics associated with retention among African American and Latino adolescent HIV-positive men: results from the outreach, care, and prevention to engage HIV-seropositive young MSM of color special project of national significance initiative

BACKGROUND

Surveillance points to an urgent public health need for HIV prevention, access, and retention among young men of color who have sex with men (YMSM). The purpose of this multisite study was to evaluate the association between organizational- and individual-level characteristics and retention in HIV care among HIV-positive YMSM of color.

METHODS

Data were collected quarterly via face-to-face interviews and chart abstraction between June 2006 and September 2008. Participants were aged 16-24 years, enrolled at 1 of 8 participating youth-specific demonstration sites, and engaged or reengaged in HIV care within the last 30 days. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine factors associated with missing research and care visits. Stata v.9.0se was used for analysis.

RESULTS

Of 224 participants, the majority were African American (72.7%), 19-22 years old (66.5%), had graduated high school or equivalent (71.8%), identified as gay or homosexual (80.8%), and disclosed having had sex with a man before HIV diagnosis (98.2%). Over the first 2(1/4) years of the study, only 11.4% of visits were missed without explanation or patient contact. Characteristics associated with retention included being <21 years old, a history of depression, receipt of program services, and feeling respected at clinic; those associated with poorer retention included having a CD4 count <200 at baseline and being Latino.

CONCLUSIONS

Special Projects of National Significance programs were able to achieve a high level of retention over time, and individual and program characteristics were associated with retention. Latino YMSM, those not receiving services, and those not perceiving respect at the clinic were at increased risk of falling out of care. Retention is essential to providing HIV+ adolescents with treatment, including reducing antiretroviral resistance development. Innovative programs that address the needs of the YMSM of color population may result in improved retention.

A blinded survey of the seroprevalence of HIV-1 infection in an inner-city adolescent and young adult population attending a community hospital in the United States

The seroprevalence of HIV-1 infection in youth aged 12-24 years attending a Bronx community hospital was studied by blinded testing of unused sera. A crude prevalence of 0.98% (95% CI 0.08-1.88%) was observed, higher than rates in United States national HIV surveys, underscoring the need for enhanced screening and preventive services.