A community-based study of barriers to HIV care initiation

A process and impact evaluation of a peer-led HIV self-management program

There is evidence that people with HIV (PWH) receive health-related benefits from having peer support and learning self-management skills. This evaluation assessed the effect of The Positive Life Workshop (TPLW)-a 7-session peer-led HIV self-management program-on psychosocial and HIV treatment outcomes. The overall sample included 1360 PWH who completed TPLW during 3/2015-2/2019. Surveys were administered before and after the program, and three months following program completion. Analyses examined changes in outcomes from pre-test to both post-test and 3-month follow-up using non-parametric tests. Subgroup analyses were conducted for 406 participants with ≥ 1 characteristic of the priority population for TPLW (i.e., recent HIV diagnosis, not taking antiretroviral therapy (ART), suboptimal ART adherence, unsuppressed viral load). In the overall sample, there were statistically significant improvements in HIV-related knowledge, social support, patient self-advocacy, and confidence in self-management between pre-test and post-test/3-month follow-up assessment. Analyses for the priority population showed significant increases from pre-test to 3-month follow-up in the proportion of participants who were ≥ 90 % adherent to ART (59-83 %, p < 0.01) and virally suppressed (42 % to 66 %, p < 0.01). The findings suggest the importance of ensuring HIV self-management interventions reach vulnerable populations of PWH who struggle with initiating and maintaining HIV-related health-promoting behaviors.

Determinants of the Discriminatory Behavior Experienced by People Living with HIV in Indonesia: A Cross-sectional Study of the Demographic Health Survey

Introduction:

The discriminatory behavior experienced by People Living With HIV (PLWH) remains an unresolved problem in Indonesia. The aims of this research were to determine the factors associated with the discriminatory behavior experienced by PLWH in Indonesia.

Methods:

This study used cross-sectional design data by processing secondary data from the Indonesian Demographic Health Survey (IDHS) conducted in 2017. The total sample in this study was 15,413 records obtained via the two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique. The variables in this study were knowledge, information, socioeconomic and demographic details and the discriminatory behavior experienced by PLWH. The instrument refers to IDHS 2017. The data were analyzed using a chi-squared test and multinomial logistic regression.

Results:

The results obtained show that approximately 78.87% of respondents exhibited discriminatory behavior against PLWH in Indonesia. Respondents who had more knowledge about HIV [RRR: 25.35; CI: 2.85, 225.18] and who had earnings [RRR: 2.15; CI: 1.18, 3.92] were more at risk of discriminatory behavior than others. Respondents who lived in a rural area were less likely to engage in discriminatory behavior against PLWH than those who lived in urban areas [RRR: 0.51; CI: 0.29, 0.91].

Conclusion:

An increased understanding of HIV-AIDS and Indonesian people's acceptance of PLWH can occur through the provision of accurate information that is designed to prevent discriminatory behavior against PLWH. The government can consider this problem and further related policies so that PLWH can coexist in society and enjoy the same rights as those living without discrimination.

Neighborhood and Network Characteristics and the HIV Care Continuum among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men

In order for treatment as prevention to work as a national strategy to contain the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States (US), the HIV care continuum must become more robust, retaining more individuals at each step. The majority of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the US are gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). Within this population, there are distinct race- and ethnicity-based disparities in rates of HIV infection, engagement, and retention in HIV care, and viral suppression. Compared with White MSM, HIV-infected Black MSM are less likely to be on anti-retroviral therapy (ART), adhere to ART, and achieve viral suppression. Among MSM living in urban areas, falling off the continuum may be influenced by factors beyond the individual level, with new research identifying key roles for network- and neighborhood-level characteristics. To inform multi-level and multi-component interventions, particularly to support Black MSM living in urban areas, a clearer understanding of the pathways of influence among factors at various levels of the social ecology is required. Here, we review and apply the empirical literature and relevant theoretical perspectives to develop a series of potential pathways of influence that may be further evaluated. Results of research based on these pathways may provide insights into the design of interventions, urban planning efforts, and assessments of program implementation, resulting in increased retention in care, ART adherence, and viral suppression among urban-dwelling, HIV-infected MSM.

Timely care linkage of people living with HIV in a reference health service, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais

INTRODUCTION

Linkage is a critical step in the ongoing care of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/aids) infection and is essential for providing access to antiretroviral therapy, as well as comprehensive care.

METHODOLOGY

Cross-sectional study on people living with HIV (PLHIV), aged ≥ 18 years old, linked between January and December 2015, in a referral service for outpatient and hospital care specialized in HIV/AIDS in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Linkage time was defined as the time from diagnosis to service linkage. Timely care linkage was considered when this time was ≤ 90 days. Data were collected through clinical records. A logistic regression analysis with a confidence interval of 95% (95%CI) was performed.

RESULTS

Among 208 patients, most of them were males (77.8%) with a mean age of 39 years. About 45% presented AIDS-defining conditions at the moment of linkage. Linkage time presented a mean of 138 ± 397 days. And timely linkage occurred for 76.9% of the patients. The variables associated with timely care linkage were: age ≥ 48 years (odds ratio - OR = 8.50; 95%CI 1.53 - 47.28), currently working (OR = 3.69; 95%CI 1.33 - 10.25) at the time of linkage, and present CD4+ T lymphocyte count (CD4+ T) ≤ 200 cells/mm3 at the time of HIV diagnosis (OR = 4.84; 95%CI 1.54 - 15.18). There was an important proportion of timely care linkage among PLHIV, but with late diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Interventions should be targeted at younger people with higher CD4+ T lymphocyte counts, in order to better provide continuous HIV care.

Age, Sex, Race, Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation: Intersectionality of Marginalized-Group Identities and Enacted HIV-Related Stigma Among People Living with HIV in Florida

HIV-related stigma is associated with many negative health outcomes among people living with HIV (PLHIV). The theory of intersectionality suggests that the interactions of social identities affect PLHIV's experiences of stigma. This study aims to identify individual and interactive marginalized-group identities correlated with enacted HIV-related stigma among PLHIV in Florida. The sample (n = 932) was majority male (66.6%), Black (58.5%), and non-Latino (80.2%) with 53% reporting experiences of HIV-related stigma. In multinomial regression models, the interaction between race and ethnicity was significant where non-White Latinos had higher odds of experiencing high levels of enacted stigma [AOR (CI) 7.71 (2.41, 24.73), p < 0.001] compared to white non-Latinos. Additionally, racial minorities were less likely to have experienced moderate or high levels of enacted stigma [AOR (CI) 0.47 (0.31, 0.72), p < 0.001; AOR (CI) 0.39 (0.22, 0.70), p = 0.002, respectively]. Moreover, women had higher odds of experiencing high levels of enacted stigma [AOR (CI) 2.04 (1.13, 3.67), p = 0.018]. The results suggest that intersectionality is important to consider in HIV-related stigma research and future interventions.

Health Information Exchange: A Novel Re-linkage Intervention in an Urban Health System

Background

Public health information exchanges (HIEs) link real-time surveillance and clinical data and can help to re-engage out-of-care people with HIV (PWH).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of out-of-care PWH who generated an HIE alert in the Grady Health System (GHS) Emergency Department (ED) between January 2017 and February 2018. Alerts were generated for PWH who registered in the GHS ED without Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) CD4 or HIV-1 RNA in the prior 14 months. The alert triggered a social work (SW)–led re-linkage effort. Multivariate logistic regression analyses used HIE-informed SW re-linkage efforts as the independent variable, and linkage to care and 3- and 6-month viral suppression (HIV-1 RNA < 200 c/mL) as primary outcomes. Patients admitted to the hospital were excluded from primary analysis.

Results

One hundred forty-seven out-of-care patients generated an alert. Ninety-eight were included in the primary analysis (mean age [SD], 41 ± 12 years; 70% male; 93% African American), and 20 received the HIE-informed SW intervention. Sixty percent of patients receiving the intervention linked to care in 6 months, compared with 35% who did not. Patients receiving the intervention were more likely to link to care (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.99–2.68) and no more likely to achieve viral suppression (aRR, 1.49; 95% CI, 0.50–4.46) than those who did not receive the intervention.

Conclusions

An HIE-informed, SW-led intervention systematically identified out-of-care PWH and may increase linkage to care for this important population. HIEs create an opportunity to intervene with linkage and retention strategies.

Implementing a Data to Care Strategy to Improve Health Outcomes for People With HIV: A Report From the Care and Prevention in the United States Demonstration Project

OBJECTIVES

The Care and Prevention in the United States Demonstration Project included implementation of a Data to Care strategy using surveillance and other data to (1) identify people with HIV infection in need of HIV medical care or other services and (2) facilitate linkages to those services to improve health outcomes. We present the experiences of 4 state health departments: Illinois, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Virginia.

METHODS

The 4 state health departments used multiple databases to generate listings of people with diagnosed HIV infection (PWH) who were presumed not to be in HIV medical care or who had difficulty maintaining viral suppression from October 1, 2013, through September 29, 2016. Each health department prioritized the listings (eg, by length of time not in care, by viral load), reviewed them for accuracy, and then disseminated the listings to staff members to link PWH to HIV care and services.

RESULTS

Of 16 391 PWH presumed not to be in HIV medical care, 9852 (60.1%) were selected for follow-up; of those, 4164 (42.3%) were contacted, and of those, 1479 (35.5%) were confirmed to be not in care. Of 794 (53.7%) PWH who accepted services, 694 (87.4%) were linked to HIV medical care. The Louisiana Department of Health also identified 1559 PWH as not virally suppressed, 764 (49.0%) of whom were eligible for follow-up. Of the 764 PWH who were eligible for follow-up, 434 (56.8%) were contacted, of whom 269 (62.0%) had treatment adherence issues. Of 153 PWH who received treatment adherence services, 104 (68.0%) showed substantial improvement in viral suppression.

CONCLUSIONS

The 4 health departments established procedures for using surveillance and other data to improve linkage to HIV medical care and health outcomes for PWH. To be effective, health departments had to enhance coordination among surveillance, care programs, and providers; develop mechanisms to share data; and address limitations in data systems and data quality.

Gender Differences in HIV Testing, Diagnosis, and Linkage to Care in Healthcare Settings: Identifying African American Women with HIV in Chicago

Women account for 25% of all people living with HIV and 19% of new diagnoses in the United States. African American (AA) women are disproportionately affected. Yet, differences in the care continuum entry are not well understood between patient populations and healthcare sites. We aim to examine gender differences in diagnosis and linkage to care (LTC) in the Expanded HIV Testing and Linkage to Care (X-TLC) program within healthcare settings. Data were collected from 14 sites on the South and West sides of Chicago. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the differences in HIV diagnoses and LTC by gender and HIV status. From 2011 to 2016, X-TLC performed 281,017 HIV tests; 63.7% of those tested were women. Overall HIV seroprevalence was 0.57%, and nearly one third (29.4%) of HIV-positive patients identified were cisgender women. Of newly diagnosed HIV-positive women, 89% were AA. 58.5% of new diagnoses in women were made at acute care hospitals, with the remainder at community health centers. Women who were newly diagnosed had a higher baseline CD4 count at diagnosis compared with men. Overall, women had lower odds of LTC compared with men (adjusted odds ratio = 0.58, 95% confidence interval 0.44-0.78) when controlling for patient demographics and newly versus previously diagnosed HIV status. Thus, interventions that focus on optimizing entry into the care continuum for AA women need to be explored.

Role of Country of Birth, Testing Site, and Neighborhood Characteristics on Nonlinkage to HIV Care Among Latinos

The objective of this study was to estimate disparities in linkage to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care among Latinos by country/region of birth, HIV testing site, and neighborhood characteristics. A retrospective study was conducted using Florida HIV surveillance records of Latinos/Hispanics aged ≥13 diagnosed during 2014-2015. Linkage to HIV care was defined as a laboratory test (HIV viral load or CD4) within 3 months of HIV diagnosis. Multi-level Poisson regression models were used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) for nonlinkage to care. Of 2659 Latinos, 18.8% were not linked to care within 3 months. Compared with Latinos born in mainland United States, those born in Cuba [aPR 0.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47-0.76] and Puerto Rico (aPR 0.61, 95% CI 0.41-0.90) had a decreased prevalence of nonlinkage. Latinos diagnosed at blood banks (aPR 2.34, 95% CI 1.75-3.12), HIV case management and screening facilities (aPR 1.76, 95% CI 1.46-2.14), and hospitals (aPR 1.42, 95% CI 1.03-1.96) had an increased prevalence of nonlinkage compared with outpatient general, infectious disease, and tuberculosis/sexually transmitted diseases/family planning clinics. Latinos who resided in the lowest (aPR 1.57, 95% CI 1.19-2.07) and third lowest (aPR 1.33, 95% CI 1.01-1.76) quartiles of neighborhood socioeconomic status compared with the highest quartile were at increased prevalence. Latinos who resided in neighborhoods with <25% Latinos also had increased prevalence of nonlinkage (aPR 1.23, 95% CI 1.01-1.51). Testing site at diagnosis may be an important determinant of HIV care linkage among Latinos due to neighborhood or individual-level resources that determine location of HIV testing.

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Failure to Initiate HIV Care: Role of HIV Testing Site, Individual Factors, and Neighborhood Factors, Florida, 2014-2015

Delayed initiation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care affects disease progression. To determine the role of HIV testing site and neighborhood- and individual-level factors in racial/ethnic disparities in initiation of care, we examined Florida population-based HIV/AIDS surveillance system records. We performed multilevel Poisson regression to calculate adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) for non-initiation of care by race/ethnicity adjusting for HIV testing site type and individual- and neighborhood-level characteristics. Of 8,913 people diagnosed with HIV during 2014-2015 in the final dataset, 18.3% were not in care within three months of diagnosis. The APR for non-initiation of care for non-Hispanic Blacks relative to non-Hispanic Whites was 1.57 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38-1.78) and for those tested in plasma/donation centers relative to outpatient clinics was 2.45 (95% CI 2.19-2.74). Testing site and individual variables contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in non-initiation of HIV care. Linkage procedures, particularly at plasma/blood donation centers, warrant improvement.

Factors Associated with Delayed Enrollment in HIV Medical Care among HIV-Positive Individuals in Odessa Region, Ukraine

In Ukraine, about one-third of identified HIV-positive individuals are not connected to care. We conducted a cross-sectional survey (n = 200) among patients registered at Odessa AIDS centers in October to December 2011. Factors associated with delayed enrollment in HIV care (>3 months since positive HIV test) were evaluated using logistic regression. Among study participants (mean age 35 ± 8.2 years, 47.5% female, 42.5% reported history of injecting drugs), 55% delayed HIV care enrollment. Odds of delayed enrollment were higher for those with lower educational attainment (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-6.76), not feeling ill (aOR: 2.98, 95% CI: 1.50-5.93), or not having time to go to the AIDS center (aOR: 3.89, 95% CI: 1.39-10.89); injection drug use was not associated with delayed enrollment. Programs linking HIV-positive individuals to specialized care should address enrollment barriers and include education on HIV care benefits and case management for direct linkage to care. HIV testing and treatment should be coupled to ensure a continuum of care.

Linkage and Referral to HIV and Other Medical and Social Services: A Focused Literature Review for Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control Programs

BACKGROUND

Sexually transmitted disease (STD) program and clinic staff play an important role in providing linkage and referrals to programs and services that address the complex medical and psychosocial needs of their clients. We synthesized recent published literature related to effective practices for linkage to care for HIV and referral to other medical and social services.

METHODS

Three PubMed searches were conducted to identify relevant studies published since 2004 on (1) linkage to HIV care, (2) referral within STD clinical contexts, and (3) (review articles only) referral practices among all medical specialties. Systematic review procedures were not used.

RESULTS

Thirty-three studies were included in this review. Studies highlight the limited value of passive referral practices and the increased effectiveness of active referral and linkage practices. Numerous studies on linkage to HIV care suggest that case management approaches, cultural-linguistic concordance between linkage staff and clients, and structural features such as colocation facilitate timely linkage to care. Integration of other medical and social services such as family planning and alcohol screening services into STD settings may be optimal but resource-intensive. Active referral practices such as having a written referral protocols and agreements, using information technology to help transfer information between providers, and making appointments for clients may offer some benefit. Few studies included information on program costs associated with linkage and referral.

CONCLUSIONS

Recent literature provides some guideposts for STD program and clinical staff to use in determining their approach to helping link and refer clients to needed care. Much experience with these issues within STD services remains unpublished, and key gaps in the literature remain.

Cell phone utilization among foreign-born Latinos: a promising tool for dissemination of health and HIV information

Latinos in the US are disproportionately affected by HIV and are at risk for late presentation to care. Between June 2011 and January 2012, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 209 Baltimore Latinos at community-based venues to evaluate the feasibility of using information communication technology-based interventions to improve access to HIV testing and education within the Spanish-speaking community in Baltimore. Participants had a median age of 33 years interquartile range (IQR) (IQR 28-42), 51.7 % were male, and 95.7 % were foreign-born. Approximately two-thirds (63.2 %) had been in the US less than 10 years and 70.1 % had been previously tested for HIV. Cell phone (92.3 %) and text messaging (74.2 %) was used more than Internet (52.2 %) or e-mail (42.8 %) (p < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, older age and lower education were associated with less utilization of Internet, e-mail and text messaging, but not cell phones. Interest was high for receiving health education (73.1 %), HIV education (70.2 %), and test results (68.8 %) via text messaging. Innovative cell phone-based communication interventions have the potential to link Latino migrants to HIV prevention, testing and treatment services.

Welcome back survey: exploring concerns impacting HIV care engagement and retention

The current study describes the development of a short pre-clinic survey that helped multidiscipline providers to elicit patient perspective on barriers to HIV primary care. The survey was piloted with 318 patients returning to care after being lost to care for at least 12 months. Reasons for breaks in care were dependent on age, gender, and race. Concerns about confidentiality in care were more commonly reported by African-American, Latino, and younger patients, while concerns relating to acceptance of diagnosis and side effects were greater for women, African-American, and Latino participants. Further, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and transportation were greater concerns for women and younger patients in the sample.

Homonegativity, Religiosity, and the Intersecting Identities of Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men

Young, Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV. Homonegativity, or the stigma associated with homosexuality, may be an important social factor influencing racial disparities in HIV. This research, conducted using an intersectional framework, examines experiences of homonegativity among YBMSM with a particular emphasis on the influence of the Black Church. We conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with YBMSM ages 16-24. Interview transcripts were analyzed in MAXQDA using thematic content analysis, guided by principles of grounded theory and constant comparative method. The Black Church is an integral aspect of YBMSM's identity, history, family, and community life. As such, the Church's construction of homosexuality dominated throughout YBMSM's lives. The expectations of masculinity facing YBMSM emphasize expectations of physical and sexual dominance, which are viewed as incompatible with homosexuality. Participants describe complex decision-making around whether to disclose their sexuality and to whom, and weigh the consequences of disclosure and non-disclosure. For many YBMSM, their multiple, intersecting identities significantly influenced their experiences with homonegativity and their decisions about disclosing their sexual orientation. Findings lend support for the need to develop community-, family-, and church-based stigma reduction interventions that address homonegativity among YBMSM.

Understanding internalized HIV/AIDS-related stigmas in the Dominican Republic: a short report

HIV/AIDS-related stigmas can become internalized, resulting in declines in physical and mental health. Pathways to internalized HIV-related stigma (IS), characterized by persistently negative, self-abasing thoughts, are not well established among women living with HIV/AIDS (WLWHA) in the Dominican Republic (DR). Identifying factors involved in self-directed shaming and blaming is important, given the high HIV prevalence in the DR's most vulnerable populations. The present study sheds light on factors involved in negative and self-abasing thoughts in WLWHA in the DR by examining the relationship between depression, perceived HIV-related stigma from the community (PSC), perceived HIV-related stigma from family (PSF), and IS. The Internalized AIDS-Related Stigma Scale (IA-RSS), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale (CES-D 10), and an instrument designed to measure perceived HIV-related stigma from the community and family was administered to 233 WLWHA in Puerto Plata, DR. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ordered multiple logistic regression. Results showed that depression (OR = 1.60; p < .05), PSC (OR = 3.68; p < .001), and PSF (OR = 1.60; p < .01) were positively associated with IS. These findings indicate that IS-reducing interventions should address HIV-related depression. Additionally, HIV-related treatment and care services should work with WLWHA to adopt healthier attitudes about how community members view people living with HIV/AIDS in the DR.

Behavioral intervention improves treatment outcomes among HIV-infected individuals who have delayed, declined, or discontinued antiretroviral therapy: a randomized controlled trial of a novel intervention

Nationally up to 60 % of persons living with HIV are neither taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) nor well engaged in HIV care, mainly racial/ethnic minorities. This study examined a new culturally targeted multi-component intervention to address emotional, attitudinal, and social/structural barriers to ART initiation and HIV care. Participants (N = 95) were African American/Black and Latino adults with CD4 < 500 cells/mm(3) not taking ART, randomized 1:1 to intervention or control arms, the latter receiving treatment as usual. Primary endpoints were adherence, evaluated via ART concentrations in hair samples, and HIV viral load suppression. The intervention was feasible and acceptable. Eight months post-baseline, intervention participants tended to be more likely to evidence "good" (that is, 7 days/week) adherence (60 vs. 26.7 %; p = 0.087; OR = 3.95), and had lower viral load levels than controls (t(22) = 2.29, p = 0.032; OR = 5.20), both large effect sizes. This highly promising intervention merits further study.

Constructing a representative sample of out-of-care HIV patients from a representative sample of in-care patients

Individuals infected with HIV who are out of care are at a higher risk of HIV-related morbidity and mortality. It has been difficult to recruit a representative sample of out-of-care patients for epidemiological studies. Using a novel weighting method, we constructed a representative sample of out-of-care HIV patients from a representative sample of in-care patients. In-care patients were weighted based on the probability of receiving care during the study period and the probability of selection to participate in the study, and out-of-care patients were represented by those who were previously out of care and recently returned. The method can be used in other patient populations, if every patient in the population has a known, non-zero probability of receiving care and a known, non-zero probability of participating in the study.

Achieving Core Indicators for HIV Clinical Care Among New Patients at an Urban HIV Clinic

Following the release of the 2010 National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued core clinical indicators for measuring health outcomes in HIV-positive persons. As early retention in HIV primary care is associated with improved long-term health outcomes, we employed IOM indicators as a guide to examine a cohort of persons initiating HIV outpatient medical care at a university-affiliated HIV clinic in the Southern United States (January 2007-July 2012). Using indicators for visit attendance, CD4 and viral load laboratory testing frequency, and antiretroviral therapy initiation, we evaluated factors associated with achieving IOM core indicators among care- and treatment-naïve patients during the first year of HIV care. Of 448 patients (mean age = 35 years, 35.7% white, 79.0% male, 58.4% education beyond high school, 35.9% monthly income > $1,000 US, 47.3% uninsured), 84.6% achieved at least four of five IOM indicators. In multivariable analyses, persons with monthly income > $1,000 (ORadj. = 3.71; 95% CI: 1.68-8.19; p = 0.001) and depressive symptoms (ORadj. = 2.13; 95% CI: 1.02-4.45; p = 0.04) were significantly more likely to achieve at least four of the five core indicators, while patients with anxiety symptoms were significantly less likely to achieve these indicators (ORadj. = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.26-0.97; p = 0.04). Age, sex, race, education, insurance status, transportation barriers, alcohol use, and HIV status disclosure to family were not associated with achieving core indicators. Evaluating and addressing financial barriers and anxiety symptoms during the first year of HIV outpatient care may improve individual health outcomes and subsequent achievement of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

'Not Until I'm Absolutely Half-Dead and Have To:' Accounting for Non-Use of Antiretroviral Therapy in Semi-Structured Interviews with People Living with HIV in Australia

Current debates regarding the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to promote both individual- and population-level health benefits underscore the importance of understanding why a subpopulation of people with diagnosed HIV and access to treatment choose not to use it. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between 2012 and 2014 with 27 people living with HIV in Australia who were not using ART at the time of interview. Analytic triangulation permitted an appreciation of not only the varied personal reasons for non-use of treatment, but also underlying views on HIV treatment, and the ideal conditions imagined necessary for treatment initiation. Policy goals to increase the number of people with HIV using ART must recognize the diverse explanations for non-use of ART, which include concerns about the various impacts of committing to lifelong pharmaceutical treatment use. Our research identified distinctive subgroups among people who are not using antiretroviral therapy, with a range of individual and social needs that may affect treatment decisions. These findings challenge assumptions about treatment non-use in resource-rich settings, revealing persistent consumer fears about the potent and unknown effects of HIV medications that deserve greater recognition in policy debate on treatment uptake.

Proportions of patients with HIV retained in care and virally suppressed in New York City and the United States: higher than we thought

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this analysis is to compare 2 newly developed methods (a "likelihood" method and a "weighting" method) with the widely used method (the "include-all" method) to estimate the proportions of HIV-infected persons retained in care and virally suppressed in New York City (NYC).

METHODS

The NYC HIV registry data were used for the analysis. The include-all method included all patients in the denominator who were diagnosed and/or receiving care in NYC and not known to be dead by December 31, 2012. The likelihood method included patients in the denominator who were likely to reside in NYC in 2012 based on their length of absence from HIV care. The weighting method included patients in the denominator who were residing in NYC in 2012 by weighting each in-care patient based on their probability of receiving HIV care.

RESULTS

The include-all method estimated that 114,926 persons were diagnosed and living with HIV in NYC, 63.7% were retained in care (≥1 care visit in 2012), and 48.9% were virally suppressed (≤200 copies/mL). The likelihood method and the weighting method produced equivalent estimates with 80,074 and 80,509 persons diagnosed and living with HIV in NYC, 91.5% and 91.0% retained in care, and 70.2% and 71.7% virally suppressed, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Using 2 newly developed methods, we were able to report more accurate estimates of the proportions of patients retained in care and virally suppressed. Other local health jurisdictions should consider using these new methods to measure care outcomes and monitor the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

Optimism, well-being, and perceived stigma in individuals living with HIV

Given the significant psychological challenges posed by HIV-related stigma for individuals living with HIV, investigating psychological resource factors for coping with HIV-related stigma is important. Optimism, which refers to generalized expectations regarding favorable outcomes, has been associated with enhanced psychological adaptation to health conditions, including HIV. Therefore, this cross-sectional study investigated associations among optimism, psychological well-being, and HIV stigma in a sample of 116 adults living with HIV and seeking mental health services. Consistent with study hypotheses, optimism was positively associated with psychological well-being, and psychological well-being was negatively associated with HIV-related stigma. Moreover, results of a full structural equation model suggested a mediation pattern such that as optimism increases, psychological well-being increases, and perceived HIV-related stigma decreases. The implications of these findings for clinical interventions and future research are discussed.

Factors Associated with Late Engagement to HIV Care in Western Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Late presentation of patients contributes significantly to the high mortality reported in HIV -care and treatment programs in sub-Saharan Africa.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess factors associated with late engagement to HIV care at the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare in western Kenya. Late engagement was defined as baseline CD4 ≤100 cells/mm³.

RESULTS

Of the 10 533 participants included in the analysis, 67% were female and mean age was 36.7 years. Overall, 23% of the participants presented late. Factors associated with late engagement included male gender (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.35-1.75), older age (AOR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.02-2.56), and longer travel time to clinic (AOR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.04-1.34).

CONCLUSION

Nearly one-quarter of HIV-infected patients in our setting present with advanced immune suppression at initial encounter. Being male, older age, and living further away from clinic are associated with late engagement to care.

Personal meaning, social support, and perceived stigma in individuals receiving HIV mental health services

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) stigma represents a significant source of stress among individuals living with HIV disease, prompting interest in research to identify factors that may help to ameliorate the stress burden associated with HIV stigma. Consistent with this research line, the current study was conducted as a cross-sectional investigation examining associations between positive global personal meaning, social support, and perceived HIV stigma. Global personal meaning refers to beliefs and aspirations through which one ascribes value and purpose in living. The study sample was comprised of individuals living with HIV disease who presented for an initial visit in a specialty HIV mental health services program. In bivariate analyses, social support was negatively correlated with multidimensional aspects of HIV stigma that included distancing, blaming, and discrimination stigma, whereas personal meaning was negatively associated only with blaming stigma. In further analyses using structural equation modeling, social support significantly mediated the association between personal meaning and both distancing and blaming stigma. Interactions between positive personal meaning and social support may be useful to consider in future research on psychological resource factors and HIV stigma. Understanding these interactions may also inform clinical efforts to address HIV stigma concerns.

Using an intersectional approach to study the impact of social determinants of health for African American mothers living with HIV

Heightened awareness of the social determinants of health by health scientists and clinicians has failed to translate into significant progress in the amelioration of those social determinants contributing to health inequities. The purpose of this article is to broaden the discussion about conceptual approaches nurse scientists can use to address health and health inequities. We will apply an intersectional approach to the study of the social determinants of health for African American mothers living with human immunodeficiency virus and through this explore the utility of an intersectional approach to generate knowledge in nursing.

A randomized controlled trial of the efficacy of a stigma reduction intervention for HIV-infected women in the Deep South

The aim of this study was to compare outcomes (self-esteem, coping self-efficacy, and internalized stigma) across time in HIV-infected women living in the Deep South who received a stigma reduction intervention (n=51) with those of a control group (n=49) who received the usual care at baseline, and at 30 and 90 days. We recruited 99 women from clinics and an AIDS service organization; they were randomized by recruitment site. A video developed from the results of a qualitative metasynthesis study of women with HIV infection was loaded onto iPod Touch devices. Participants were asked to watch the video weekly for 4 weeks, and to record the number of times they viewed it over a 12-week period. We examined the trajectory model results for efficacy outcomes for the intent-to-treat and the supplemental completers groups. There was a treatment-by-time effect for improved self-esteem (intent-to-treat: p=0.0308; completers: p=0.0284) and decreases in internalized stigma (intent-to-treat: p=0.0036; completers: p=0.0060), and a treatment-by-time-by-time effect for improved coping self-efficacy (intent-to-treat: p=0.0414; completers: p=0.0321). A medium effect of the intervention in terms of improving self-esteem was observed when compared with the control condition in those who completed the study. The magnitude of the intervention effect, however, was large with regard to reducing overall stigma, improving social relationships, and decreasing stereotypes in both groups.

Retention in care and viral suppression among persons living with HIV/AIDS in New York City, 2006-2010

OBJECTIVES

We estimated the proportions of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in New York City (NYC) retained in care and virally suppressed.

METHODS

We used routinely reported laboratory surveillance data to measure trends in retention in care and viral suppression in PLWHA in NYC from 2006 through 2010. Our denominator excluded persons lacking any HIV-related laboratory tests during the 5 years prior to the year of analysis.

RESULTS

The proportion of patients retained in care (≥ 1 care visit in a calendar year) was stable, at 82.5% in 2006 and 81.8% in 2010. However, the proportion of persons with evidence of viral suppression increased significantly, from 44.3% to 59.1%. Blacks were least likely to have viral suppression (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR] = 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.87, 0.90). A U-shaped relationship between age and viral suppression was observed, with the 20- to 29-year age group least likely to have a suppressed viral load.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher and more plausible proportions retained in care and virally suppressed than national estimates may reflect the difference in methodology and our comprehensive HIV-related laboratory reporting system.

Perceived stigma reductions following participation in mental health services integrated within community-based HIV primary care

HIV stigma remains a significant challenge for individuals living with HIV disease that can adversely affect overall well-being and patterns of HIV health service engagement. Finding ways to effectively address stigma concerns is, therefore, an important consideration in the clinical management of HIV disease. This study examined changes in perceived stigma in a sample of 48 adults living with HIV disease as an outcome of their participation in a mental health services program integrated with community-based HIV primary care. Participants completed a self-report instrument that provided a multidimensional measure of perceived HIV stigma, including distancing, blaming, and discrimination dimensions. This scale was administered at the baseline mental health service visit and then re-administered at the three-month follow-up point. Study results showed reductions in self-reported perceived HIV stigma over time for the distancing (t = 4.01, p = 0.000, d = 0.43), blaming (t = 2.79, p = 0.008, d = 0.35), and discrimination (t = 2.90, p = 0.006, d = 0.42) dimensions of stigma. These findings suggest that participation in HIV mental health services may have a favorable impact on perceived HIV stigma. Implications of these findings are discussed, including possible mechanisms that might explain the observed results as well as suggested directions for future research in this area. Randomized controlled trials would represent an important next step to investigate the extent to which HIV mental health services can reduce levels of perceived HIV stigma.

How does antiretroviral treatment attenuate the stigma of HIV? Evidence from a cohort study in rural Uganda

Program implementers and qualitative researchers have described how increasing availability of HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) is associated with improvements in psychosocial health and internalized stigma. To determine whether, and through what channels, ART reduces internalized stigma, we analyzed data from 262 HIV-infected, treatment-naïve persons in rural Uganda followed from ART initiation over a median of 3.4 years. We fitted Poisson regression models with cluster-correlated robust estimates of variance, specifying internalized stigma as the dependent variable, adjusting for time on treatment as well as socio-demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables. Over time on treatment, internalized stigma declined steadily, with the largest decline observed during the first 2 years of treatment. This trend remained statistically significant after multivariable adjustment (χ(2) = 28.3; P = 0.03), and appeared to be driven by ART-induced improvements in HIV symptom burden, physical and psychological wellbeing, and depression symptom severity.

The validity of clinic-based samples in approximating out-of-care HIV-infected populations

Tremendous strides have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); perhaps now the largest barrier to controlling HIV is retaining those diagnosed in care. Data on out-of-care populations are needed to develop effective retention methods, yet obtaining these remains methodologically challenging due to inherent difficulties in sampling. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether individuals identified by two sampling methods commonly used to approximate out-of-care populations were significantly different from a sample of newly identified out-of-care persons. We compared medical records of 345 out-of-care persons identified by a novel population-based health information exchange who had not received CD4 or viral load monitoring in >1 year with: medical records from a randomly selected, time-matched sample of 488 HIV-infected persons with at least one HIV care visit in the past 5 years, and interviews with 382 participants from a time-matched clinic-based convenience sample. Newly identified out-of-care persons were significantly different from both proxies with respect to demographic, clinical, and utilization characteristics, suggesting that samples of in-care proxy persons are inadequate to describe those not engaged in care. Novel approaches to sampling out-of care populations are urgently needed in order to better understand these populations and ways to improve retention and slow the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Linking and retaining HIV patients in care: the importance of provider attitudes and behaviors

Retention in HIV treatment may reduce morbidity and mortality, as well as slow the epidemic. Myriad barriers to retention include stigma, homophobia, structural barriers, transportation, and insurance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient perceptions of provider attitudes among HIV-infected persons within a state-wide public hospital system in Louisiana. A convenience sample of patients attending HIV clinics throughout the state participated in an anonymous interview. Factors associated with negative perceptions of care were evaluated in conjunction with a validated stigma measure. Factors associated with having a delayed entry into or break in care were evaluated in conjunction with perceived stigma. Between 2/1/09 and 7/31/11, 479 participants were interviewed and had sufficient data available, of whom 53.4% were male, 79.3% were African American, and 29.4% reported a break or delayed entry into HIV care of >1 year. A break in care was associated with perceiving that the doctor or health professionals do not listen carefully most or all of the time (p<0.01), having an elevated stigma score (p<0.05), and indicating that providers dislike caring for HIV-infected people (p<0.01). Women were more likely to have an elevated stigma score than men (p<0.01), as were participants over 30 (p<0.01); those with a gay/bisexual orientation (p<0.05) were less likely to have an elevated stigma score. Those with a break in care were less likely to have Medicaid (p<0.05). Providers play a key role in the retention of HIV-infected persons in care and are critical to improving outcomes and slowing the epidemic. Development of novel approaches to reduce stigma are imperative in improving retention.

Macro-level approaches to HIV prevention among ethnic minority youth: state of the science, opportunities, and challenges

The HIV epidemic continues to disproportionately affect ethnic minority youth. These disconcerting health disparities indicate that although existing HIV preventive strategies for ethnic minority youth have been efficacious, they have not significantly reduced the impact of the epidemic in this population. Macro-level interventions, such as structural or policy interventions, have the potential to impact the HIV epidemic at a population level, and thus reduce the HIV health disparities that exist among ethnic minority youth and other segments of the U.S. population. This article calls for a paradigm shift to develop, evaluate, and disseminate interventions that target upstream/macro-level factors or that, at a minimum, integrate both a macro and individual level perspective. The article also discusses the challenges in developing and evaluating such interventions. Psychologists and other behavioral scientists can play a critical role in reducing the impact of HIV on ethnic minority youth by integrating macro-level approaches to future HIV prevention strategies.

Missed connections: HIV-infected people never in care

OBJECTIVE

Clinical interventions that lengthen life after HIV infection and significantly reduce transmission could have greater impact if more HIV-diagnosed people received HIV care. We tested a surveillance-based approach to investigating reasons for delayed entry to care.

METHODS

Health department staff in three states and two cities contacted eligible adults diagnosed with HIV four to 24 months previously who had no reported CD4+ lymphocyte (CD4) or viral load (VL) tests. The staff conducted interviews, performed CD4 and VL testing, and provided referrals to HIV medical care. Reported CD4 and VL tests were prospectively monitored to determine if respondents had entered care after the interview.

RESULTS

Surveillance-based follow-up uncovered problems with reporting CD4 and VL tests, resulting in surveillance improvements. However, reporting problems led to misspent effort locating people who were already in care. Follow-up proved difficult because contact information in surveillance case records was often outdated or incorrect. Of those reached, 37% were in care and 29% refused participation. Information from 132 people interviewed generated ideas for service improvements, such as emphasizing the benefits of early initiation of HIV care, providing coverage eligibility information soon after diagnosis, and leveraging other medical appointments to provide assistance with linkage to HIV care.

CONCLUSIONS

Surveillance-based follow-up of HIV-diagnosed individuals not linked to care provided information to improve both surveillance and linkage services, but was inefficient because of difficulties identifying, locating, and recruiting eligible people. Inefficiencies attributable to missing, incomplete, or inaccurate surveillance records are likely to diminish as data quality is improved through ongoing use.

Measuring HIV- and AIDS-related stigma and discrimination in Nicaragua: results from a community-based study

Psychometric properties of external HIV-related stigma and discrimination scales and their predictors were investigated. A cross-sectional community-based study was carried out among 520 participants using an ongoing health and demographic surveillance system in León, Nicaragua. Participants completed an 18-item HIV stigma scale and 19 HIV and AIDS discrimination-related statements. A factor analysis found that 15 of the 18 items in the stigma scale and 18 of the 19 items in the discrimination scale loaded clearly into five- and four-factor structures, respectively. Overall Cronbach's alpha of .81 for the HIV stigma scale and .91 for the HIV discrimination scale provided evidence of internal consistency. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis identified that females, rural residents, people with insufficient HIV-related transmission knowledge, those not tested for HIV, those reporting an elevated self-perception of HIV risk, and those unwilling to disclose their HIV status were associated with higher stigmatizing attitudes and higher discriminatory actions towards HIV-positive people. This is the first community-based study in Nicaragua that demonstrates that overall HIV stigma and discrimination scales were reliable and valid in a community-based sample comprised of men and women of reproductive age. Stigma and discrimination were reported high in the general population, especially among sub-groups. The findings in the current study suggest community-based strategies, including the monitoring of stigma and discrimination, and designing and implementing stigma reduction interventions, are greatly needed to reduce inequities and increase acceptance of persons with HIV.

Improved HIV-related outcomes associated with implementation of a novel public health information exchange

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate HIV-related outcomes associated with use of a novel public health information exchange that was designed to identify out of care HIV-infected individuals seen within a large, integrated delivery network (IDN).

METHODS

A novel, secure, bidirectional health care delivery-public health information exchange, the Louisiana Public Health Information Exchange (LaPHIE) was developed between a multi-geographical IDN and the Louisiana public health authority in response to the high proportion of out of care HIV-infected persons. The system provides real-time provider alerts when any HIV-infected person who has not had CD4 or HIV viral load (VL) monitoring in >1 year receives non-HIV care within the IDN, allowing immediate linkage to HIV specialty care. Persons identified over the first 30 months of the system's implementation were characterized using a case-cohort approach to compare out-of-care individuals with randomly sampled, time-matched in-care controls.

RESULTS

Between 2/1/09 and 7/31/11, 549 alerts identified 419 unduplicated HIV-infected individuals without a CD4 count or VL in >1 year. Patients were identified at 60 clinics and alerts shown to 223 clinicians in 7 participating facilities. A quarter (24%) of those identified had not had a CD4 count or VL conducted since their initial diagnosis. Of the remaining 76% who had been in care previously, over half (55%) had been out of care for ≥18 months, with a median time of 19.4 months [IQR 15.0-32.5] since their previous visit. Following LaPHIE identification, 42% had CD4 counts<200 cells/mm(3) and 62% had VL>10,000 RNA copies/mL. Of the 344 patients with at least 6 months of follow up, 85% had at least one CD4 and/or VL test after being identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study demonstrate that an information exchange can effectively facilitate engagement, re-engagement, and retention of out-of care HIV-infected persons in HIV specialty care. Within two years, we were able to observe significant improvements in HIV-related utilization and disease progression indices. Future programs should consider adopting this innovative strategy to improve HIV care at both the individual and population levels.

A binational study of patient-initiated changes to antiretroviral therapy regimen among HIV-positive Latinos living in the Mexico-U.S. border region

Research is lacking on factors associated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) sub-optimal adherence among U.S. Latinos, who are disproportionately affected by HIV and face substantial health care barriers. We examined self-reported, patient-initiated changes to ART (i.e., made small/major changes from the antiretroviral drugs prescribed) among HIV-positive Latinos. Trained interviewers administered surveys to 230 participants currently on ART in San Diego, U.S. and Tijuana, Mexico. We identified factors independently associated with ART changes. Participants were Spanish-language dominant (86%), mean age of 41 years, male (77%), and born in Mexico (93%). Patient-initiated changes to ART were reported in 43% of participants. Being female, having ≥1 sexual partner (past 3 months), ≤6 years since HIV diagnosis and poor health were associated with increased odds of ART changes. Findings raise concern about sub-optimal adherence among this binational population. Longitudinal studies are needed to further explore adherence barriers and avenues for intervention.

Using laboratory surveillance data to estimate engagement in care among persons living with HIV in Los Angeles County, 2009

Poor engagement in HIV care has been associated with delayed access to antiretroviral treatment and increased HIV transmission. Using viral load (VL) results from HIV laboratory surveillance data to conduct longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses, we examined linkage to care, retention in care, and their associated factors in 37,325 persons living with HIV (PLWH) in Los Angeles County (LAC). Linkage to care was considered timely if a VL test result was present ≤3 months of diagnosis. Successful retention in care was defined as having two or more VL test results ≥90 days apart during 2009. Of 6841 persons newly diagnosed with HIV in 2007-2009, 67% were linked to care within 3 months of diagnosis. Factors associated with delayed linkage to care included being African American, Latino, and Asian/Pacific Islander (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR]=0.81; 95% CI=0.75-0.87, AHR=0.83; 95% CI=0.77-0.89, AHR=0.82; 95% CI=0.71-0.94, respectively). Of the 37,325 PLWH, 52% were retained in care during 2009. Factors associated with lack of retention in care included injection drug use (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR]=0.88; 95% CI=0.84-0.93), incarceration at diagnosis (APR=0.56; 95% CI=0.51-0.61), being diagnosed in pre-highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era (APR=0.94; 95% CI=0.92-0.96) or at a public facility (APR=0.97; 95% CI=0.95-1.00), age <45 years (APR=0.87; 95% CI=0.86-0.89), and having concurrent HIV/AIDS diagnoses (APR=0.94; 95% CI=0.92-0.96). This study demonstrates the value of using VL surveillance data to monitor engagement in care among PLWH, and its potential to improve linkage and retention efforts where disparities in care are observed.

Development and validation of a measure for intention to adhere to HIV treatment

We present the development and validation of a theory-derived scale measuring patients' behavioral intention to adhere to HIV care. Adherence to HIV care includes attendance at appointments and adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens. These two components have been independently associated with long-term HIV outcomes. Items were chosen to reflect behavioral intention as defined by the Health Action Process Approach to health-seeking behavior. Items reflecting self-reported HIV knowledge were also included after expert panel review. The study took place from October 2009 to April 2010 at two HIV clinics in Houston, Texas. Participants were 287 adults with HIV/AIDS (10.1% female, mean age 50.8); 56.5% were African-American and 17% were Hispanic. Of the total, 87.1% were on HAART at enrollment. Factor analysis of survey items resulted in the retention of two domains, knowledge and intention, based on scree plot analysis of eigenvalues. Questions with factor loadings >0.4 were retained, yielding 4 knowledge questions and 10 intention questions. The survey had good internal consistency for knowledge (Cronbach's α=0.83) and for intention (Cronbach's α=0.81). In multivariate analysis, intention was associated with HIV viral suppression, defined as HIV-1 viral load <400 RNA copies/mL, (odds ratio [OR]=1.75, 95% .confidence interval [CI]=1.00-3.07). Knowledge was also associated with HIV suppression (OR=1.55, 95%, CI=1.09-2.12). The resulting study describes the development and preliminary validation of an HIV treatment-seeking intention measure. Additional studies are needed to validate this instrument in other populations.

Medication-related barriers to entering HIV care

Early entry to HIV care and receipt of antiretroviral therapy improve the health of the individual and decrease the risk of transmission in the community. To increase the limited information on prospective decisions to enter care and how these decisions relate to beliefs about HIV medications, we analyzed interview data from the Never in Care Project, a multisite project conducted in Indiana, New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington State. From March 2008 through August 2010, we completed structured interviews with 134 persons with no evidence of HIV care entry, 48 of whom also completed qualitative interviews. Many respondents believed that HIV care entails the passive receipt of medications that may be harmful or unnecessary, resulting in reluctance to enter care. Respondents voiced concerns about prescription practices and preserving future treatment options, mistrust of medications and medical care providers, and ambivalence about the life-preserving properties of medications in light of an assumed negative impact on quality of life. Our results support the provision of information on other benefits of care (beyond medications), elicitation of concerns about medications, and assessment of psychosocial barriers to entering care. These tasks should begin at the time a positive test result is delivered and continue throughout the linkage-to-care process; for persons unwilling to enter care immediately, support should be provided in nonmedical settings.