Relationship between intimate partner violence and antiretroviral adherence and viral suppression in pregnancy

Experiences of childhood, intimate partner, non-partner, and hate crime-related violence among a sample of people living with HIV in the epicenter of the U.S. HIV epidemic

Introduction

Experiences of violence among people living with HIV (PLWH) are thought to be highly prevalent but remain inadequately captured. As a first step toward acceptable, trauma informed practices that improve engagement and retention in care for PLWH, we must acquire more comprehensive understanding of violence experiences. We examined experiences of various forms of lifetime violence: adverse childhood experiences (ACES), intimate partner violence (IPV), non-partner violence (NPV), and hate crimes among diverse sample of PLWH in Atlanta, Georgia.

Methods

Cross sectional data collected from in- and out-of-care PLWH (N = 285) receiving care/support from Ryan White Clinics (RWCs), AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs), or large safety-net hospital, February 2021-December 2022. As part of larger study, participants completed interviewer-administered survey and reported on experiences of violence, both lifetime and past year. Participant characteristics and select HIV-related variables were collected to further describe the sample. Univariate and bivariate analyses assessed participant characteristics across types of violence.

Results

High prevalence of past violence experiences across all types (ACES: 100%, IPV: 88.7%, NPV: 97.5%, lifetime hate crimes 93.2%). People assigned male at birth who identified as men experienced more violence than women, with exception of non-partner forced sex. Participants identifying as gay men were more likely to have experienced violence.

Conclusion

Among our sample of PLWH at the epicenter of the United States HIV epidemic, histories of interpersonal and community violence are common. Findings emphasize need for RWCs, ASOs, and hospital systems to be universally trained in trauma-informed approaches and have integrated onsite mental health and social support services.

Identifying the barriers faced by obstetricians and registrars in screening or enquiry of intimate partner violence in pregnancy: A systematic review of the primary evidence

INTRODUCTION

Intimate partner violence (IPV) disproportionally affects women compared to men. The impact of IPV is amplified during pregnancy. Screening or enquiry in the antenatal outpatient setting regarding IPV has been fraught with barriers that prevent recognition and the ability to intervene.

AIMS

The aim of this systematic review was to determine the barriers that face obstetricians/gynaecologists regarding enquiry of IPV in antenatal outpatient settings. The secondary objective was to determine facilitators.

METHODS

Primary evidence was searched using Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Maternity and Infant Care, PubMed and Proquest from 1993 to May 2023. The included studies comprised empirical studies published in English language targeting a population of doctors providing antenatal outpatient care. The review was PROSPERO-registered (CRD42020188994). Independent screening and review was performed by two authors. The findings were analysed thematically.

RESULTS

Nine studies addressing barriers and two studies addressing facilitators were included: three focus-group or semi-structured interviews, six surveys and two randomised controlled trials. Barriers for providers centred at the system level (time, training), provider level (personal beliefs, cultural bias, experience) and provider-perceived patient level (fear of offending, patient readiness to disclose). Increased experience and the use of validated tools were strong facilitators.

CONCLUSION

Barriers to screening reflect multi-level obstruction to the identification of women exposed to IPV. Although the antenatal outpatient clinic setting addresses a particular population vulnerable to IPV, the barriers for obstetricians are not unique. The use of validated cueing tools provides an evidence-based method to facilitate enquiry of IPV among antenatal women, assisting in identification by clinicians. Together with education and human resources, such aids build capacity in women and obstetric providers.

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.

Adverse Impact of Intimate Partner Violence Against HIV-Positive Women During Pregnancy and Post-Partum: Results From a Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Objectives: Intimate partner violence (IPV) against pregnant or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive women have been previously studied. However, data on the impact of IPV on HIV-positive pregnant women have not been systematically synthesized. We performed a meta-analysis to explore this issue and provide evidence regarding IPV prevention and HIV infection control. Method: The PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were systematically searched. Studies that quantitatively assessed the association between IPV and its adverse impact on HIV-positive women during pregnancy and post-partum were eligible for inclusion. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. Findings: Eight studies were identified to meet our eligibility criteria. The adverse impacts of IPV against HIV-positive pregnant women mainly included nonadherence to maternal antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy, nondisclosure of HIV-positive status to male partners, nonadherence to infant antiretroviral prophylaxis, and antenatal depression. IPV caused a 180% and 145% increase in the odds of antenatal depression and nonadherence to infant antiretroviral prophylaxis, respectively, among HIV-positive women, compared to the odds of their IPV-free counterparts [OR = 2.80, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.66-4.74; OR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.40-4.27]. Conclusion: Limited evidence has suggested that IPV against HIV-positive pregnant women caused maternal depression during pregnancy and led to the possible failure of HIV prophylaxis adherence in infants. Interventions to address IPV may ultimately reduce the risk of depression-related adverse birth outcomes and vertical transmission in infants exposed to maternal HIV. Prevention and control against IPV should be developed for HIV-positive pregnant women.

The prevalence, incidence, and recurrence of intimate partner violence and its association with adverse childhood experiences among pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV in Malawi

Background

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with suboptimal HIV treatment outcomes, but its distribution and risk factors among certain subpopulations of people living with HIV in resource-limited settings are not well known. We examined the prevalence, incidence, and recurrence of IPV and its association with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among pregnant/breastfeeding women living with HIV in Malawi.

Methods

This study used longitudinal data for 455 pregnant women living with HIV continuously enrolled in the VITAL Start trial. IPV was assessed at baseline and months 1, 6, and 12 using the widely validated WHO IPV survey. Forms of IPV assessed were physical IPV, emotional IPV, and sexual IPV measured as prevalence, incidence, and recurrence. ACE histories were assessed using WHO's ACE International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) tool. Logistic and log-binomial regressions were used in multivariable analyses that controlled for factors such as depression and alcohol use.

Results

Participants' mean age was 27.6 ± 5.7 years. Forty-three percent (43%) reported IPV prevalence, 13% reported IPV incidence, and another 13% reported IPV recurrence, with emotional IPV being the most commonly reported IPV type. Over 96% reported experiencing ⩾1 ACE. In regression analysis, cumulative ACE scores were significantly associated with IPV prevalence and IPV recurrence and in both cases, the magnitude of association was greatest for sexual IPV compared with physical IPV and emotional IPV. ACE scores were not significantly associated with IPV incidence.

Conclusions

IPV is highly prevalent among pregnant women living with HIV and continues to occur throughout the pregnancy and postpartum period; its graded relationship with ACEs is a concern in resource-limited settings where HIV/AIDS remains a public health concern. Strategies aimed to address the needs of pregnant/breastfeeding women living with HIV may benefit from the regular screening of this population for IPV and ACE, including in antenatal care clinics.

Perceived Barriers to HIV Care and Viral Suppression Comparing Newly Diagnosed Women Living with HIV in Rural Uganda with and without a History of Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with poor HIV care linkage and retention, medication adherence, and viral suppression. However, limited knowledge exists regarding potential mechanisms linking IPV to these outcomes. We aimed to (a) identify the top barriers to accessing HIV care experienced by women living with HIV (WLHIV) who report a history of IPV and have suppressed viral load (VL) versus unsuppressed VL and (b) understand how these barriers influence VL, comparing WLHIV with a history of IPV to WLHIV without a history of IPV. Study data come from newly diagnosed WLHIV in rural Uganda participating in the standard-of-care control arm of a randomized trial (n = 152). Descriptive results ranking mean scores from highest to lowest showed that, among women with a history of IPV, irrespective of viral suppression status, paying for transportation to come to clinic, having to wait at the clinic for long periods of time, and finding a clinic within reasonable travel distance were the top three barriers to accessing HIV care. WLHIV with a history of IPV were significantly more likely to have unsuppressed VL versus suppressed VL if they reported higher levels of difficulty finding a clinic within reasonable travel distance (RRR = 1.7, 95% CI [1.1-2.7]), getting permission to take time off from work (RRR = 1.5, 95% CI [1.0-2.9]), and finding time to come to the clinic for an appointment (RRR = 1.6, 95% CI [1.0-2.6]). The same relationships were not present among WLHIV without a history of IPV, suggesting these barriers and their effect on VL may be uniquely related to IPV. Interventions should address IPV and HIV care continuum outcomes in tandem, targeting barriers to accessing HIV care likely associated with IPV. Additional research is necessary to better understand how IPV relates to HIV care barriers and VL.

Factors associated with viral suppression among cisgender women living with human immunodeficiency virus in the United States: An integrative review

INTRODUCTION

Women account for 23% of new human immunodeficiency virus diagnoses in the United States, yet remain understudied. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy and consequent viral suppression are keys to preventing human immunodeficiency virus transmission, reducing risk of drug resistance, and improving health outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This review identified and synthesized peer-reviewed studies in the United States describing factors associated with viral suppression among cisgender women living with human immunodeficiency virus.

METHODS

We searched five databases: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and PsycINFO, and reported the findings using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Eligible studies included: (1) peer-reviewed English-language articles published since 2010; (2) includes only cisgender women; (3) participants were at least 18 years of age; (4) reported metrics on viral loads; and (5) conducted in the United States.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies in total were reviewed. Eight studies had adult women living with human immunodeficiency virus, four recruited only pregnant women, and two included only racial minority women. The most commonly reported factors negatively associated with viral suppression were substance use (n = 4), followed by availability of health insurance, financial constraint, complexity of human immunodeficiency virus treatment regimen (n = 3), and intimate partner violence (n = 2). Other factors were depression, race, and age. In addition, all four studies that included only pregnant women reported early human immunodeficiency virus care engagement as a significant predictor of low viral loads pre- and post-partum.

CONCLUSION

Substance use, financial constraint, lack of health insurance, human immunodeficiency virus treatment regimen type, intimate partner violence, and late human immunodeficiency virus care pre-post pregnancy were the most common factors negatively associated with viral suppression. There is a paucity of data on viral suppression factors related to transgender and rural populations. More human immunodeficiency virus research is needed to explore factors associated with human immunodeficiency virus treatment outcomes in transgender women and cisgender women in rural U.S. regions.

Mental Health in Women Living With HIV: The Unique and Unmet Needs

Women living with HIV (WLWH) experience depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms at higher rates than their male counterparts and more often than HIV-unaffected women. These mental health issues affect not only the well-being and quality of life of WLWH, but have implications for HIV management and transmission prevention. Despite these ramifications, WLWH are under-treated for mental health concerns and they are underrepresented in the mental health treatment literature. In this review, we illustrate the unique mental health issues faced by WLWH such as a high prevalence of physical and sexual abuse histories, caregiving stress, and elevated internalized stigma as well as myriad barriers to care. We examine the feasibility and outcomes of mental health interventions that have been tested in WLWH including cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, and supportive counseling. Future research is required to address individual and systemic barriers to mental health care for WLWH.

Association of Adverse Neighborhood Exposures With HIV Viral Load in Pregnant Women at Delivery

IMPORTANCE

Racial disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality are in large part driven by poor control of chronic diseases. The association between adverse neighborhood exposures and HIV virologic control has not been well described for women with HIV during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between adverse neighborhood exposures and HIV viral load at delivery.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This population-based cohort study assessed HIV surveillance data for pregnant women with HIV who had live deliveries in Philadelphia from January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2015. Data analyses were completed in August 2020.

EXPOSURES

Neighborhood exposures included extreme poverty, educational attainment, crime rates (using separate and composite measures), and social capital categorized above or below the median. Each neighborhood exposure was modeled separately to estimate its association with elevated HIV viral load.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The main outcome was elevated HIV viral load of ≥200 copies/mL at delivery. We hypothesized that adverse neighborhood exposures would be associated with higher odds of having an elevated viral load at delivery. Confounders included birth year, age, race/ethnicity, previous birth while living with HIV, and prenatal HIV diagnosis. Prenatal care and substance use were considered potential mediators. We used logistic mixed effects models to estimate the association between neighborhood exposures and elevated viral load, adjusting for confounders in Model 1 and confounders and mediators in Model 2.

RESULTS

There were 905 births among 684 women with HIV, most of whom were aged 25 to 34 years (n = 463 [51.2%]) and were Black non-Hispanic (n = 743 [82.1%]). The proportion of women with elevated viral load decreased from 58.2% between 2005 and 2009 to 23.1% between 2010 and 2015. After adjusting for confounders in Model 1, higher neighborhood education was associated with lower odds of having an elevated viral load (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.70; 95% CI, 0.50-0.96). More violent crime (AOR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.10-2.07), prostitution crime (AOR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.06-2.00), and a composite measure of crime (AOR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.05-1.98) were positively associated with having a higher HIV viral load. These associations remained after adjusting for mediators in Model 2. In addition, the AOR for intermediate prenatal care varied between 1.93 (95% CI, 1.28-2.91) and 1.97 (95% CI, 1.31-2.96), whereas the AOR for inadequate prenatal care varied between 3.01 (95% CI, 2.05-4.43) and 3.06 (95% CI, 2.08-4.49) across regression models.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study, adverse neighborhood exposures during pregnancy and poor engagement in prenatal care were associated with poor virologic control at delivery. These findings suggest that interventions targeted at improving maternal health need to take the social environment into consideration.

Severe intimate partner violence is associated with all-cause mortality among women living with HIV

OBJECTIVE

To examine the independent association between intimate partner violence (IPV) severity and all-cause mortality among women living with HIV (WLHIV).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional questionnaire linked to longitudinal vital statistics data.

METHODS

We examined the lifetime prevalence of IPV and age-standardized all-cause mortality rates by IPV severity reported by WLHIV. Lifetime IPV (emotional/verbal, physical, or sexual) severity was assessed as a categorical variable: no history of any IPV (none); experienced one or two forms of IPV (moderate); or experienced all three forms of IPV (severe IPV). Two separate logistic regression models examined associations between any IPV (vs. none) as well as IPV severity (none vs. moderate, severe) and all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

At the time of interview (2007-2010), 260 participants self-identified as women with a median (Q1-Q3) age of 41 years (35-46). Of these women, the majority were unemployed (85%), 59% reported any IPV and 24% reported severe IPV. Of the 252 women followed until 31 December 2017, 25% (n = 63) died. Age-standardized all-cause mortality rates for WLHIV who experienced severe IPV were two-times higher than women with no history of IPV (44.7 per 1000 woman-years vs. 20.9 per 1000 woman-years). After adjustment for confounding, experiences of severe IPV (vs. none) were significantly associated with all-cause mortality (aOR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.03-5.70).

CONCLUSION

Although we found that any lifetime experience of IPV was not associated with all-cause mortality, women ever experiencing severe IPV were significantly more likely to die during the study period. This may suggest a need for increased trauma- and violence-aware approaches.