Depression, substance use, viral load, and CD4+ count among patients who continued or left antiretroviral therapy for HIV in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation

The Impact of HIV-Related Stigma on Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Retention in HIV Care Among Adults Living with HIV in Florida

BACKGROUND

Our study examines the effects of distinct HIV stigma subtypes on retention in care and racial-ethnic differences among persons with HIV (PWH).

METHODS

Using Florida Medical Monitoring Project 2015-2017 data, we analyzed patients' clinical and behavioral characteristics. We analyzed 89,889 PWH in Florida (50.0% non-Hispanic Blacks, 20.8% Hispanics, 29.2% non-Hispanic whites). HIV stigma subtypes, negative self-image, anticipated stigma, personalized stigma, and retention in care were examined with logistic regressions.

RESULTS

People with high negative self-image and anticipated stigma were less likely to be retained (CI: 0.84-0.92; 0.47-0.53). The association between HIV-related stigma subtypes and retention in care differed between Black, White, and Hispanic participants. Negative self-image was associated with higher retention rates among Hispanics (CI: 5.64-9.26) and Whites (CI: 1.04-1.27), while low retention rates among Blacks (0.617-0.686). The likelihood of staying in care was lower across all racial-ethnic groups when the anticipated stigma was high or moderate. In contrast, personalized stigma increased retention across all racial-ethnic groups.

CONCLUSION

Results showed that distinct types of HIV stigma differentially impact retention, and these associations differ by race and ethnicity. Future interventions should address the effect HIV stigma subtypes have on racially minoritized PWH retention.

Stigma, serostatus disclosure, coping strategies, and the role of social capital resources among HIV care-nonadherent MSM in Russia: a qualitative analysis

The HIV epidemic continues to expand in Russia, with suboptimal levels of care uptake. This qualitative study aimed to characterize social capital resources and lived stigma experiences, coping, and disclosure among care-nonadherent men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV in Russia. Twenty-five HIV-positive MSM - recruited online - completed in-depth interviews over Zoom, with data analyzed using MAXQDA software. Stigma was more likely to be encountered in interactions with persons with whom social ties were weaker such as medical providers and relatives, particularly males. Close friends - often other HIV-positive MSM and female relatives - were the most supportive and least stigmatizing. Similar persons were most often considered for HIV serostatus disclosure. Coping strategies to reduce the impact of stigma included ignoring stigmatizing experiences, seeking support from members of one's social circle, minimizing contact with stigmatizing persons, seeking new relationships with persons who are also HIV-positive, proactively reducing stigma through involvement in advocacy roles, and correcting myths and educating others about HIV infection. These findings underscore the need for interventions to assist HIV-positive MSM in building accepting social capital resources to reduce the impact of stigma and to build support within their social networks, often with other HIV-positive MSM.

People Living With HIV in St. Petersburg, Russia: Gender and Exposure Group Differences in HIV Care Engagement, Psychosocial Health, Substance Use, and Transmission Risk Behavior

This study examined psychosocial and health needs of persons living with HIV (PLWH) in Russia. The study combined baseline datasets from two social network samples of PLWH in St. Petersburg (N = 872). Samples were recruited between 2014 and 2018 by enrolling a PLWH seed who was either out-of-care or treatment nonadherent as well as network members surrounding each seed, assessing each participant's HIV care, transmission risk, substance use, and mental health characteristics. Almost one-quarter of participants said they were never offered antiretroviral therapy (ART), and-among those offered ART-one-quarter refused or discontinued therapy and 45% were <95% ART-adherent. Almost half of participants had detectable viral load, and many reported continued condomless intercourse with potentially nonconcordant serostatus partners or needle sharing. Over 46% of participants had elevated scores on measures of depression, hopelessness, state anxiety, or poor social support. Study findings illustrate unmet needs of PLWH in Russia.

Attrition and Its Predictors Among Adults Receiving First-Line Antiretroviral Therapy in Woldia Town Public Health Facilities, Northeast Ethiopia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction

There is an expansion and advancement of antiretroviral therapy. However, attrition of patients from HIV care is one of the major drivers of poor performance of HIV/AIDS programs, which leads to drug resistance, morbidity and mortality. The study aimed to assess the incidence of attrition and its predictors among adults receiving first-line antiretroviral therapy.

Methods

An institution-based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 634 adults receiving antiretroviral therapy, and study participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were cleaned and entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to STATA 14.1 for further analysis. The predictors of attrition were identified using bivariable and multivariable Cox Proportional hazard models; then, variables at a p-value of less than 0.25 and 0.05 were included in the multivariable analysis and statistically significant, respectively.

Results

The total time observed was found to be 1807.08 person-years of observation with a median follow-up time of 2.67 years (IQR 1.25−4.67). The incidence rate of attrition was 8.36 (95% CI: 7.12−9.80) per 100 person-years. Significant predictors of attrition were being young age [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) =2.0, 95% CI, (1.11−3.58)], nearest calendar year of ART initiation [AHR =2.32, 95% CI, (1.08–5.01)], bedridden functional status [AHR=3.25, 95% CI, (1.33−7.96)], WHO stage III [AHR=3.57, 95% CI, (1.58−8.06)] and stage IV [AHR=5.46, 95% CI, (1.97−15.13)], viral load result of ≤1000 [AHR=0.11, 95% CI, (0.06−0.23)], disclosure status [AHR=2.03, 95% CI, (1.22−3.37)] and adherence level of poor [AHR=3.19, 95 CI, (1.67−6.09)].

Conclusion

The result of this study showed that the incidence of attrition among adults receiving antiretroviral therapy was high. However, as a standard, every client who started antiretroviral therapy should be retained. Positive predictors of attrition were young age (15–24), recent year of ART initiation, baseline functional status, advanced WHO stage III and IV, no disclosure status, fair/poor adherence whereas, viral load result of ≤1000 copies/mL had a preventive effect on attrition.

The relationship between diabetes and depressive symptoms in men with or at risk of HIV infection

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence of comorbid diabetes and depressive symptoms in men living with HIV (MLWH) with that in men without HIV infection and to determine associations between glycaemic control and depressive symptoms.

METHODS

Participants included 920 MLWH and 840 men without HIV infection from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) with available data regarding glycaemic status [categorized as normal for fasting blood glucose (FBG) < 100 mg/dL, prediabetes for FBG 100-125 mg/dL, and diabetes, defined by self-report, diabetes medication use or FBG ≥ 126 mg/dL on at least two consecutive visits, with diabetes classified as controlled if Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) < 7.5% and uncontrolled if HbA1C ≥ 7.5%]. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) score, with CES-D ≥ 16 scores classified as elevated depressive symptoms. A modified Poisson regression model with robust variance was used and adjusted for covariates including HIV serostatus.

RESULTS

Compared to men without HIV infection, MLWH had a higher mean CES-D score, but a similar prevalence of diabetes (11.3% versus 12.8%, respectively; P = 0.33). The concomitant prevalence of diabetes and elevated depressive symptoms did not differ by HIV serostatus (P = 0.215). In an adjusted analysis, men with uncontrolled diabetes had a greater prevalence of depressive symptoms compared to men with normoglycaemia (prevalence ratio = 1.43; 95% confidence interval 1.11, 1.84). The association between glycaemic status and depressive symptoms did not differ by HIV serostatus (P = 0.22 for interaction).

CONCLUSIONS

Both controlled and uncontrolled diabetes were independently associated with a greater prevalence of depressive symptoms, regardless of HIV serostatus. These results highlight the importance of identifying depression in people with diabetes.

Anxiety and Depression Among Women Living with HIV: Prevalence and Correlations

INTRODUCTION

It has been found that HIV positive women are becoming increasingly affected by various illnesses, including Common Mental Disorders (CMDs) such as depression. Such comorbidity escalates the disease progression to the severe stage and commonly hinders treatment adherence. This study determined the prevalence of anxiety and depression amidst women living with HIV.

METHODS

Based on a cross-sectional and facility-based study, 357 HIV positive women were recruited using the systematic sampling technique from two public hospitals in Jijiga town, Ethiopia. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was administered for screening, and followed by a pre-tested questionnaire that comprised of Perceived Social Support and HIV stigma.

RESULTS

The results revealed that the prevalence of both anxiety and depression amidst HIV positive women was 28.9% and 32.5%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, it was discovered that lack of formal education, being divorced, unemployed, and earning a monthly income less than 1400 ETB (37.5 USD) were significantly associated with depression. Women with symptomatic HIV clinical stage III (AOR =2.06, 95% C.I (0.75-5.61), with CD4 cell count below 250 (AOR = 1.14, 95% C.I (0.57-2.28), and with co-infections (AOR= 1.04, 95% C.I (0.40-2.71) also suffered from depression.

CONCLUSION

The study outcomes show that the prevalence of depression in women with HIV was 32.5%, but they were more likely to be depressed if they were illiterate, divorced, unemployed or had a financial burden. In addition, HIV positive women with less CD4 cell count and in the final clinical stage or suffered from a co-infection were also associated with depressive symptoms. This signifies the public health implications of psychological and cognitive morbidities of the illness among these women with chronic illnesses. Hence, future mental health interventions and HIV care should be integrated with substantial emphasis given to vulnerable groups, including HIV positive women.

Risk factors for loss to follow-up from antiretroviral therapy programmes in low-income and middle-income countries

INTRODUCTION

Loss to follow-up (LTFU) rates from antiretroviral treatment (ART) programmes in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) are high, leading to poor treatment outcomes and onward transmission of HIV. Knowledge of risk factors is required to address LTFU. In this systematic review, risk factors for LTFU are identified and meta-analyses performed.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Psycinfo and Cochrane were searched for studies that report on potential risk factors for LTFU in adults who initiated ART in LMICs. Meta-analysis was performed for risk factors evaluated by at least five studies. Pooled effect estimates and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using random effect models with inverse variance weights. Risk of bias was assessed and sensitivity analyses performed.

RESULTS

Eighty studies were included describing a total of 1 605 320 patients of which 87.4% from sub-Saharan Africa. The following determinants were significantly associated with an increased risk of LTFU in meta-analysis: male sex, older age, being single, unemployment, lower educational status, advanced WHO stage, low weight, worse functional status, poor adherence, nondisclosure, not receiving cotrimoxazole prophylactic therapy when indicated, receiving care at secondary level and more recent year of initiation. No association was seen for CD4 cell count, tuberculosis at baseline, regimen, and geographical setting.

CONCLUSION

There are several sociodemographic, clinical, patient behaviour, treatment-related and system level risk factors for LTFU from ART programs. Knowledge of risk factors should be used to better target retention interventions and develop tools to identify high-risk patients.

Mobilizing individual social capital resources for HIV care support: results of a pilot intervention in St. Petersburg, Russia

Half of HIV-positive persons in Russia are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and only 27% are virally suppressed. A feasibility pilot intervention to mobilize social capital resources for HIV care support was conducted in St. Petersburg. Out-of-care or ART-nonadherent HIV-positive persons (n = 24) attended a five-session intervention to increase access social capital resources (i.e., family, friends, or providers) to mobilize supports for entering care, initiating care, and adhering to ART. HIV care indicators were assessed at baseline, an immediate followup (FU-1), and 6-month followup (FU-2) points. At FU-1, participants more frequently discussed their care experiences with others, verifying the intervention's mechanism of action. Participants increased in scales of medication taking adherence (p = 0.002, FU-1; p = 0.011, FU-2), self-efficacy (p = 0.042; FU-1), and outcome expectancies (p = 0.016, FU-2). Among persons not on ART, HIV Medication Readiness scale scores increased at FU-1 (p = 0.032) but became attenuated at FU-2. Participants tended to more frequently keep care appointments (79%, baseline to 90%, FU-1, p = 0.077); to have undetectable viral load (54%, baseline to 74%, FU-2; p = 0.063); and to have fewer past-month days with delayed or incomplete medication doses (7.8, baseline to 4.2, FU-1; p = 0.084). This novel social capital intervention is promising for improving HIV care-related outcomes and warrants a full-scale evaluation.

Depression and HIV Disease Progression: A Mini-Review

Background

Depression is the most common mental disorder and a leading cause of disability, which commonly presents unexplained psychological and physical symptoms. Depression and HIV/AIDS are commonly comorbid. This review provides an insight into the effect of depression on disease progression among people living with HIV.

Methods

A search for relevant articles was conducted using a database like MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycINFO and CINAHL. Peer-reviewed English journals published between 2015 and 2019 were included in the review.

Results

A total of eight studies conducted in different settings were included in the review. This review has found that psychosocial, neurohormonal and virologic factors associated with depression affect HIV disease progression. Yet, the chronicity of depression, absence of the hormones that have a buffer effect on depression and lack of examination if depression is a predictor, or an outcome of disease progression, were some of the gaps that require further investigation.

Conclusion

Considerably, more research is needed to better understand the effect of mental disorder, especially depression, on HIV disease progression to AIDS and future interventions should, therefore, concentrate on the integration of mental health screening in HIV clinical setup.

The roles of heavy drinking and drug use in engagement in HIV care among hospitalized substance using individuals with poorly controlled HIV infection

BACKGROUND

Substance use can reduce care engagement for individuals with HIV. However, little is known as to whether heavy drinkers differ from drug users. This study compares heavy drinkers, drug users, and those drinking heavily and using drugs on their HIV care engagement.

METHODS

HIV-infected adult inpatients (n = 801; 67% male; 78% Black) from 11 urban hospitals across the United States participated in a multisite clinical trial to improve patient engagement in HIV care and virologic outcomes. All participants drank heavily and/or used drugs, and had poorly controlled HIV. Participants reported care history at baseline. We compared heavy drinkers, drug users, and those both drinking heavily and using drugs (reference group) on their engagement in care.

RESULTS

Heavy drinkers reported lowest rates of lifetime HIV care, AOR = 0.59 (95% CI = 0.36, 0.97). Groups did not differ in recent care, prescription of HIV medication, medical mistrust, or patient-provider relationship. Drug users evidenced the best medication adherence, AOR = 2.38 (95% CI = 1.33, 4.23). Exploratory analyses indicated that drinkers had lower initial care engagement, but that it increased more rapidly with duration of known HIV infection, with similar rates of recent care. Drinkers had the lowest CD4 counts (B=-0.28, p < 0.0001), but no difference in viral load.

CONCLUSIONS

Heavy drinkers were least likely to have ever been in HIV care. More research is needed to determine why heavy drinkers evidence the lowest initial care engagement and current CD4 counts, and whether drinking intervention early in infection may increase HIV care engagement.

Factors Associated with HIV Viral Suppression Among Transgender Women in Lima, Peru

PURPOSE

Globally, transgender women (TGW) experience a high burden of adverse health outcomes, including a high prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well as psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders. To address gaps in HIV research in Peru focused specifically on TGW, this study presents characteristics of a sample of HIV-positive TGW and identifies factors associated with viral suppression.

METHODS

Between June 2015 and August 2016, 50 HIV-positive TGW were recruited in Lima, Peru. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with viral suppression (<200 copies/mL) among the TGW.

RESULTS

Among TGW, 85% achieved viral suppression. Approximately half (54%) reported anal sex with more than five partners in the past 6 months, 38% reported sex work, 68% had not disclosed their HIV status to one or more of their partners, and 38% reported condomless sex with their last partner. The prevalence of alcohol use disorders was high (54%), and 38% reported use of drugs in the past year. Moderate-to-severe drug use significantly reduced odds of achieving viral suppression (adjusted odds ratio 0.69; 95% confidence interval: 0.48-0.98).

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight the need for integrated treatment for substance disorders in HIV care to increase the viral suppression rate among TGW in Lima, Peru.

Prevalence and Predictors of Depression Among People Living With HIV/AIDS: A National Study

BACKGROUND

Depression is prevalent among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), but there are few longitudinal studies investigating the prevalence of depression among HIV respondents in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the trend in the prevalence of depression and its main predictors among PLWHA in Taiwan.

METHODS

This study analyzed the 2-million random-sample data set of the Taiwanese longitudinal health research database using data from 2000 to 2011and applied the Internal Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification diagnostic codes for the detection of HIV infection and depression. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine predictive factors for depression.

RESULTS

A total of 769 PLWHA who met the criterion of HIV infection were extracted from the database. Of these respondents, 20.03% had a diagnosis of depression after their HIV-positive diagnosis. The annual prevalence of depression among the study respondents increased significantly from 1.95% in 2000 to 6.93% in 2011 according to time trend analysis (χ = 6.428, df =11, p = .03). Multivariate, logistic regression analysis indicated a history of drug abuse was the main predictor of a diagnosis of depression.

DISCUSSION

The increasing trend in the prevalence of depression revealed an urgent need for the development of care programs for PLWHA with depression. Such programs should take into consideration a history of drug abuse as a strong risk factor for the development of depression.

Correlates of viral suppression among HIV-infected men who have sex with men and transgender women in Lima, Peru

In Peru, HIV is concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW). Between June 2015 and August 2016, 591 HIV-positive MSM and TGW were recruited at five clinical care sites in Lima, Peru. We found that 82.4% of the participants had achieved viral suppression (VS; VL < 200) and 73.6% had achieved maximal viral suppression (MVS; VL < 50). Multivariable modeling indicated that patients reporting transportation as a barrier to HIV care were less likely to achieve VS (aOR = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.30-0.75) and MVS (aOR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.37-0.84). Alcohol use disorders were negatively associated with MVS (aOR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.30-0.75) and age was positively associated with achieving MVS (aOR = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.04-1.59). These findings underscore the need for more accessible HIV care with integrated behavioral health services in Lima, Peru.

'If she gave birth to a healthy child, then she may forget about her own health': Postpartum engagement in HIV care and treatment among women living with HIV in Russia

There is a dearth of information about the factors influencing postpartum engagement in HIV treatment and care in Russia, a country with an expanding HIV epidemic and poor treatment coverage. The goal of our community-based study was to identify and explore the factors influencing engagement in care after pregnancy. We conducted in-depth interviews with 50 women living with HIV who had recently given birth, and with 20 health care and social service providers in two locations: a large metropolitan city (St. Petersburg) and a semi-urban town near the Ural Mountains. Thematic analysis led us to identify the following themes in regard to factors influencing postpartum engagement in care: feeling overwhelmed with caring for an infant; sense of responsibility for child's health and well-being; misinformation and AIDS denialism; HIV-related stigma and fear; benefits versus side-effects of ART; professional and personal support; drug and alcohol use; and structural factors. Structural factors include poverty, continued provision of ART after pregnancy, dosage, obtaining necessary documents, and distance to clinic. These findings are important to consider in developing much-needed interventions to promote women's longer-term engagement in HIV care and treatment in Russia.

Correlates of depressive symptoms among older adults living with HIV

OBJECTIVE

To establish the correlates of depressive symptoms among Mexican community-dwelling older people living with HIV (PLWHIV).

METHODS

Cross-sectional, 2-center study of 328 participants aged 50 or older being followed in the outpatient HIV clinics of 2 tertiary care hospitals in Mexico. Data were obtained through a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the correlates of depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

Mean age of participants was 58.4 years (SD = 7.2), and 82.9% were men. Depressive symptoms were present in 15.9% of participants. The multivariate logistic regression models showed that frailty and disability for activities of daily living were both independently associated with depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Frailty and disability were independent correlates of depressive symptoms in older PLWHIV. Future studies should attempt to explore the role of physical frailty and disability on psychosocial morbidity among older PLWHIV.

Association Between Depressive Symptom Patterns and Clinical Profiles Among Persons Living with HIV

To describe patterns of depressive symptoms across 10-years by HIV status and to determine the associations between depressive symptom patterns, HIV status, and clinical profiles of persons living with HIV from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (N = 980) and Women's Interagency HIV Study (N = 1744). Group-based trajectory models were used to identify depressive symptoms patterns between 2004 and 2013. Multinomial logistic regressions were conducted to determine associations of depression risk patterns. A 3-group model emerged among HIV-negative women (low: 58%; moderate: 31%; severe: 11%); 5-groups emerged among HIV-positive women (low: 28%; moderate: 31%; high: 25%; decreased: 7%; severe: 9%). A 4-group model emerged among HIV-negative (low: 52%; moderate: 15%; high: 23%; severe: 10%) and HIV-positive men (low: 34%; moderate: 34%; high: 22%; severe: 10%). HIV+ women had higher odds for moderate (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.10, 95% CI 1.63-2.70) and severe (AOR 1.96, 95% CI 1.33-2.91) depression risk groups, compared to low depression risk. HIV+ men had higher odds for moderate depression risk (AOR 3.23, 95% CI 2.22-4.69), compared to low risk. The Framingham Risk Score, ART use, and unsuppressed viral load were associated with depressive symptom patterns. Clinicians should consider the impact that depressive symptoms may have on HIV prognosis and clinical indicators of comorbid illnesses.

Is substance use associated with HIV cascade outcomes in Latin America?

BACKGROUND

The HIV care cascade has improved in Latin America over the last decade. However, the influence of alcohol and noninjected drug use (NIDU) on cascade outcomes is mostly unknown. This study estimated the association of alcohol and NIDU with retention in care, loss to follow up (LTFU), and virologic failure (VF).

METHODS

Individuals ≥18 years attending routine HIV clinic visits and completing the Rapid Screening Tool (RST; evaluating NIDU and ART adherence in 7-day recall period) during 2012-13 were followed up to 2015 in the Caribbean, Central and South America network for HIV epidemiology. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were calculated for the association of alcohol consumption and NIDU with retention in care by logistic regression; adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) were estimated for the associations with LTFU and VF by Cox regression.

RESULTS

Among 3604 individuals, the proportions retained in care for one year were 84%, 79%, 72%, and 69% for patients reporting non-use, alcohol use, NIDU, and both alcohol and NIDU, respectively. For the same patient groups, the proportions LTFU over 18 months were 6%, 8%, 12%, and 13%, respectively. There were 1901 patients (53%) with HIV RNA results; VF proportions were similar between users and nonusers (ranging from 14-16%). After controlling for age, sex, study site, HIV transmission mode, time on ART, AIDS status, and CD4 count, neither alcohol use (aOR = 1.1, CI = 0.9-1.4; aHR = 1.0, CI = 0.8-1.3) nor NIDU (aOR = 1.3, CI = 0.9-1.8; aHR = 1.4, CI = 0.9-2.1) were significantly associated with retention or VF, respectively. However, both alcohol use (aHR = 1.2, CI = 1.02-1.4) and NIDU (aHR = 1.3, CI = 1.00-1.8) were associated with increased LTFU.

CONCLUSION

Alcohol use and NIDU in a 7-day recall period increased the risk of being LTFU during the next 18 months, highlighting the need for routine screening and targeted interventions to keep these individuals in care and on ART.

Psychiatric Symptoms and Barriers to Care in HIV-Infected Individuals Who Are Lost to Care

Past studies of barriers to HIV care have not comprehensively assessed psychiatric symptoms, and few have assessed barriers to care among people living with HIV (PLWH) who are lost to care (LTC). We examined psychiatric symptoms, barriers to HIV care, and immune functioning in PLWH who were retained in care (RIC; n = 21) or LTC (n = 21). Participants completed diagnostic interviews for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric disorders, self-report measures of HIV risk behaviors and psychiatric symptoms, and a blood draw to assess viral load. Compared to RIC participants, LTC participants met criteria for a greater number of psychiatric disorders and reported greater depressive symptoms and more barriers to HIV care. There were no group differences in PTSD severity, risk behaviors, or viral load, suggesting that LTC individuals experience greater psychiatric problems and perceive more barriers to care than RIC participants, but are not less likely to have achieved viral suppression.

"It is easier for me to shoot up": stigma, abandonment, and why HIV-positive drug users in Russia fail to link to HIV care

Many HIV-positive people who inject drugs (PWID) globally are not receiving HIV care. This represents a major challenge among key populations to end the global HIV epidemic. This qualitative study explored the process and associated barriers of linking HIV-positive PWID who are in addiction treatment to HIV care in St. Petersburg, Russia. We conducted three focus groups and seven semi-structured interviews with participants in the LINC ("Linking Infectious and Narcology Care") project at addiction and HIV hospitals in St. Petersburg. The sample consisted of 25 HIV-infected patients with opioid dependence and seven health-care providers, including addiction and infectious disease physicians and case managers. A variety of intertwining factors influence effective engagement of PWID with HIV treatment. Stigma, problematic patient-provider relationships, and fragmented health care were the main challenges for HIV care initiation by PWID, which were further exacerbated by injection drug use. Effective linkage of PWID to HIV care requires acknowledging and addressing stigma's role and different perspectives of patients and providers.

Fears about antiretroviral therapy among users of the internet forum for people living with HIV/AIDS in Russia

The purpose of this research was to identify different types of fear related to starting and adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Russia. Data were collected from the Russian-language internet forum for PLHIV (hivlife.info). Qualitative data analysis focused on the sections of the forum where users discussed health-related issues in order to identify fears related to HIV treatment. The following types of fear were revealed: fear of the illness, fear to learn negative information about one's health, fear of side effects, fear of therapy to be ineffective, fear that the appropriate medications will become unavailable, fear of lifestyle changes, and fear for the well-being of significant others. Efforts to increase the uptake of and adherence to ART should take into account the fears of PLHIV.

Validation of screening tools for depression and anxiety disorders in a primary care population with high HIV prevalence in Zimbabwe

BACKGROUND

In low income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa there are few validated tools to screen for common disabling mental disorders such as depression and general anxiety disorder (GAD).

OBJECTIVES

We validated three screening tools: the Shona Symptom Questionnaire for common mental disorders (SSQ-14), the Patient Health Questionnaire for depression (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire (GAD-7). The study participants were attendees at a primary health care clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe.

METHODS

Consecutive adults aged 18 and above attending the clinic were enrolled over a two-week period in September 2013. Trained research assistants administered the screening tools to eligible participants after obtaining written consent. Participants were then interviewed by one of four psychiatrists using the Structured Clinical Interview of the DSM-IV (SCID). Performance characteristics were calculated for each tool, against the SCID as the gold standard.

RESULTS

A total of 264 participants were enrolled, of whom 52 (20%) met the SCID criteria for depression alone, 97 (37%) for mixed depression and anxiety and 9 (3%) for anxiety alone. Of the 237 where HIV status was known, 165 (70%) were HIV positive. With the optimal cutoff of ≥9, the sensitivity and specificity for the SSQ-14 against a diagnosis of either depression and/or general anxiety were 84% (95%CI:78-89%) and 73% (95%CI:63-81%) respectively. Internal reliability was high (Cronbach α=0.74). The optimal cutoff for PHQ-9 was ≥11, which provided a sensitivity of 85% (95%CI:78-90%) and specificity of 69% (95%CI:59-77%) against a SCID diagnosis of depression (Cronbach α=0.86). The GAD-7 (optimal cutoff ≥10) had sensitivity and specificity of 89% (95%CI:81-94%) and 73% (95%CI:65-80%) respectively against a SCID diagnosis of GAD (Cronbach α=0.87).

CONCLUSION

Screening tools for depression and GAD had good performance characteristics in a primary health care population in Zimbabwe with a high prevalence of HIV. These can be used for research and also in clinical care to screen patients who may benefit from treatment.

Prevalence and correlates of probable common mental disorders in a population with high prevalence of HIV in Zimbabwe

BACKGROUND

In 2014 close to 10 million people living with HIV (PLWH) in sub-Saharan Africa were on highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). The incidence of non-communicable diseases has increased markedly in PLWH as mortality is reduced due to use of HAART. Common mental disorders (CMD) are highly prevalent in PLWH. We aimed to determine factors associated with probable CMD and depression, assessed by 2 locally validated screening tools in a population with high prevalence of HIV in Harare, Zimbabwe.

METHODS

We carried out a cross-sectional survey of a systematic random sample of patients utilizing the largest primary health care facility in Harare. Adults aged ≥18 years attending over a 2-week period were eligible, excluding those who were critically ill or unable to give written informed consent. Two locally validated screening tools the Shona symptom questionnaire (SSQ-14) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were administered by trained research assistants to identify probable CMD and depression.

RESULTS

Of the 264 participants, 165 (62.5 %) were PLWH, and 92 % of these were on HAART. The prevalence of probable CMD (SSQ14 > = 9) and depression (PHQ9 > = 11) were higher among people living with HIV than among those without HIV (67.9 and 68.5 % vs 51.4 and 47.2 % respectively). Multivariable analysis showed female gender and recent negative life events to be associated with probable CMD and depression among PLWH (gender: OR = 2.32 95 % CI:1.07-5.05; negative life events: OR = 4.14; 95 % CI 1.17-14.49) and with depression (gender: OR = 1.84 95 % CI:0.85-4.02; negative life events: OR = 4.93.; 95 % CI 1.31-18.50) CONCLUSION: Elevated scores on self-report measures for CMD and depression are highly prevalent in this high HIV prevalence population. There is need to integrate packages of care for CMD and depression in existing primary health care programs for HIV/AIDS.

Retention in care among HIV-positive patients initiating second-line antiretroviral therapy: a retrospective study from an Ethiopian public hospital clinic

Background

Access to second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-positive patients remains limited in sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, outcomes of second-line ART may be compromised by mortality and loss to follow-up (LTFU).

Objective

To determine retention in care among patients receiving second-line ART in a public hospital in Ethiopia, and to investigate factors associated with LTFU among adults and adolescents.

Design

HIV-positive persons with documented change of first-line ART to a second-line regimen were retrospectively identified from hospital registers, and data were collected at the time of treatment change and subsequent clinic visits. Baseline variables for adults and adolescents were analyzed using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models comparing subjects remaining in care and those LTFU (defined as a missed appointment of ≥90 days).

Results

A total of 383 persons had started second-line ART (330 adults/adolescents; 53 children) and were followed for a median of 22.2 months (the total follow-up time was 906 person years). At the end of study follow-up, 80.5% of patients remained in care (adults and adolescents 79.8%; children 85.7%). In multivariate analysis, LTFU among adults and adolescents was associated with a baseline CD4 cell count <100 cells/mm³ and a first-line regimen failure that was not confirmed by HIV RNA testing.

Conclusions

Although retention in care during second-line ART in this cohort was satisfactory, and similar to that reported from first-line ART programs in Ethiopia, our findings suggest the benefit of earlier recognition of patients with first-line ART failure and confirmation of suspected treatment failure by viral load testing.

Proactive coping and spirituality among patients who left or remained in antiretroviral treatment in St Petersburg, Russian Federation

Positive Psychology, the study of "positive" factors or strengths and evidence-based interventions to increase them, is a rapidly developing field that is beginning to be applied to HIV care. Proactive coping and spirituality are two positive characteristics that have been examined in multiple chronic serious health conditions. In the present study, lost-to-care (LTCs; did not attend treatment for ≥12 months; n = 120) and engaged-in-care HIV clinic patients (EICs; attended treatment for ≥12 months and adherent with antiretrovirals; n = 120) in Leningrad Oblast, Russian Federation were compared on the Proactive Coping Inventory and View of God Scale. EICs had higher scores in proactive coping [t(229) = 3.69; p = .001] and instrumental [t(232) = 2.17; p = .03] and emotional [t(233) = 2.33; p = .02] support, indicating that they engage in autonomous goal setting and self-regulate their thoughts and behaviors; obtain advice and support from their social network; and cope with emotional distress by turning to others. LTCs had higher scores in avoidance coping [t(236) = -2.31; p = .02]. More EICs were spiritual, religious, or both [ χ(2)(1, N = 239) = 7.49, p = .006]. EICs were more likely to believe in God/Higher Power [χ(2)(1, N = 239 = 8.89, p = .002] and an afterlife [ χ(2)(1, N = 236) = 5.11, p = .024]; have a relationship with God/Higher Power [ χ(2)(1, N = 237) = 12.76, p = .000]; and call on God/Higher Power for help, healing, or protection [ χ(2)(1, N = 239) = 9.61]. EICs had more positive [t(238) = 2.78; p = .006] and less negative [t(236) = -2.38; p = .002] views of God. Similar proportions, but slightly more EICs than LTCs were members of a faith community; members of a12-step group; or attended religious or spiritual services, meetings, or activities. More EICs than LTCs engaged in private spiritual or religious activities, such as prayer or meditation [ χ(2)(1, N = 239) = 9.226, p = .002].

Comparison of behavioral characteristics of dogs in the United States and Japan

This study examined the difference in dog owning between Japan and the United States, and the effect of these differences on dogs' behavioral characteristics. Behavioral evaluations of privately-owned dogs were obtained by using online questionnaire. We compared background and demographic information from the two countries and analyzed the effects of these differences on behavioral characteristics in dogs. The results indicated that there was a bias in the dog breeds kept in Japan compared to the United States and that Japanese dogs' body weight was lower than the US dogs. The main source of dog acquisition was pet stores in Japan and breeders and/or shelters in the United States. Multiple linear regression analysis found that Japanese dogs showed more aggression to household members and higher energy, restlessness and fear of non-social stimuli than US dogs, while US dogs showed more fear of unfamiliar persons, separation-related behavior and excitability. US dogs also showed higher levels of trainability and attachment to owners. The lower dog's body weight was, the higher the behavioral scores except for trainability were. When dogs that were obtained under 3 months of age were analyzed, the younger the dogs were when their owners obtained them, the higher the scores on some behavioral problem factors were. The higher rates of problem behaviors among Japanese dogs compared with US dogs suggest that the preference for small breed dogs and poor early development environment influenced the behavioral characteristics of dogs.

Alcohol Consumption among HIV-Infected Persons in a Large Urban HIV Clinic in Kampala Uganda: A Constellation of Harmful Behaviors

INTRODUCTION

Alcohol use by persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) negatively impacts the public health benefits of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Using a standardized alcohol assessment tool, we estimate the prevalence of alcohol use, identify associated factors, and test the association of alcohol misuse with sexual risk behaviors among PLWHA in Uganda.

METHODS

A cross-section of PLWHA in Kampala were interviewed regarding their sexual behavior and self-reported alcohol consumption in the previous 6 months. Alcohol use was assessed using the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT). Gender-stratified log binomial regression analyses were used to identify independent factors associated with alcohol misuse and to test whether alcohol misuse was associated with risky sexual behaviors.

RESULTS

Of the 725 subjects enrolled, 235 (33%) reported any alcohol use and 135 (18.6%) reported alcohol misuse, while 38 (5.2%) drank hazardous levels of alcohol. Alcohol misuse was more likely among subjects not yet on ART (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] was 1.65 p=0.043 for males and 1.79, p=0.019 for females) and those with self-reported poor adherence (aPR for males=1.56, p=0.052, and for females=1.93, p=0.0189). Belonging to Pentecostal or Muslim religious denominations was protective against alcohol misuse compared to belonging to Anglican and Catholic denominations in both sexes (aPR=0.11 for men, p<0.001, and aPR=0.32 for women, p=0.003). Alcohol misuse was independently associated with reporting risky sexual behaviors (aPR=1.67; 95% CI: 1.07-2.60, p=0.023) among males, but not significant among females (aPR=1.29; 95% CI: 0.95-1.74, p=0.098). Non-disclosure of HIV positive status to sexual partner was significantly associated with risky sex in both males (aPR=1.69; p=0.014) and females (aPR 2.45; p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Alcohol use among PLWHA was high, and was associated with self-reported medication non-adherence, non-disclosure of HIV positive status to sexual partner(s), and risky sexual behaviors among male subjects. Interventions targeting alcohol use and the associated negative behaviors should be tested in this setting.