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Araujo Chaveron L, Pham TTP, Nguyen BT, Tran TH, Le NTH, Pham TH, Ngo KP, Tong HT, Phan HTT, Ait-Ahmed M, Nguyen TA, Taieb F, Madec Y. Injecting drug use increases the risk of death in HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy in Vietnam. AIDS Care 2024; 36:631-640. [PMID: 37339000 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2023.2224549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic remains a major public health issue worldwide. In Vietnam, the HIV epidemic is essentially driven by people who inject drugs (PWID). This study aims to compare mortality and loss to follow-up (LTFU) between PWID and other patients. From June 2017 to April 2018, HIV-infected adults were enrolled in a prospective cohort from time of ART initiation in six provinces of North Vietnam. The end date was July 2020. Mortality and LTFU were described using competing-risk survival models. Factors associated with mortality and with LTFU were identified using Cox models with a competing-risk approach. Of the 578 participants, 261 (45.2%) were PWID and almost exclusively male. 49 patients died, corresponding to a mortality rate (95% confidence interval (CI)) of 3.7 (2.8-4.9) per 100 person-months, and 79 were lost to follow-up, corresponding to a rate (95% CI) of 6.0 (4.8-7.4) per 100 person-months. PWID were at higher risk of death but not of LTFU. Overall, LTFU was high in both groups. Latecomers to clinical visits were more at risk of both death and LTFU. Therefore, this should be a warning to clinical teams and preventive actions taken in these patients.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03249493..
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Araujo Chaveron
- EHESP French School of Public Health, Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, Epidemiology of Emerging Diseases, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Tram Thi Phuong Pham
- HIV Molecular Laboratory, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Binh Thanh Nguyen
- HIV Molecular Laboratory, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Tram Hong Tran
- HIV Molecular Laboratory, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nhung Thi Hong Le
- HIV Molecular Laboratory, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thang Hong Pham
- HIV Molecular Laboratory, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Khanh Phuong Ngo
- Training and Research Management Center, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ha Thi Tong
- Training and Research Management Center, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Huong Thi Thu Phan
- Ministry of Health, Vietnam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control (VAAC), Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Mohand Ait-Ahmed
- Institut Pasteur, Center for Translational Research, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Tuan Anh Nguyen
- HIV and AIDS Department, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Fabien Taieb
- Institut Pasteur, Center for Translational Research, Université de Paris, Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, Department of international affairs, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Yoann Madec
- Institut Pasteur, Epidemiology of Emerging Diseases, Université de Paris, Paris, France
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Monroe-Wise A, Mbogo L, Sambai B, Ludwig-Barron N, Guthrie BL, Bukusi D, Chohan BH, Masyuko S, Scott J, Juma E, Macharia P, Kingston H, Sinkele W, Gitau E, Bosire R, Musyoki H, Herbeck J, Farquhar C. Efficacy of assisted partner services for people who inject drugs in Kenya to identify partners living with HIV and hepatitis C virus infection: a prospective cohort study. Lancet Glob Health 2024; 12:e859-e867. [PMID: 38614633 PMCID: PMC11097040 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(24)00051-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs are at increased risk of both HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections but face barriers to testing and engagement in care. Assisted partner services are effective in locating people with HIV but are understudied among people who inject drugs. We assessed whether assisted partner services could be used to find, test for HIV and HCV infections, and link to care the partners of people who inject drugs in Kenya. METHODS In this prospective study at eight sites offering harm-reduction services in Kenya, we enrolled people aged 18 years or older who inject drugs and were living with HIV (index participants) between Feb 27, 2018, and Nov 1, 2021. Index participants provided information about their sexual and injecting partners (ie, anyone with whom they had had sexual intercourse or injected drugs in the previous 3 years), and then community-embedded peer educators located partners and referred them for enrolment in the study (partner participants). All participants underwent testing for HCV infection, and partner participants also underwent HIV testing. Index and partner participants with HIV but who were not on antiretroviral therapy (ART) were linked with treatment services, and those positive for HCV were linked to treatment with direct-acting antivirals. We calculated the number of index participants whom we needed to interview to identify partner participants with HIV and HCV infection. FINDINGS We enrolled 989 people living with HIV who inject drugs, who mentioned 4705 sexual or injecting partners. Of these 4705 partners, we enrolled 4597 participants, corresponding to 3323 unique individuals. 597 (18%) partner participants had HIV, of whom 506 (85%) already knew their status. 358 (71%) of those who knew they were HIV positive were virally suppressed. 393 (12%) partner participants were HCV antibody positive, 213 (54%) of whom had viraemia and 104 (26%) of whom knew their antibody status. 1·66 (95% CI 1·53-1·80) index participants had to be interviewed to identify a partner with HIV, and 4·24 (3·75-4·85) had to be interviewed to find a partner living with HIV who was unaware of their HIV status, not on ART, or not virally suppressed. To find a partner seropositive for HCV who did not know their antibody status, 3·47 (3·11-3·91) index participants needed to be interviewed. Among the 331 index and partner participants living with HIV who were not on ART at enrolment, 238 (72%) were taking ART at 6-month follow-up. No adverse events were attributed to study procedures. INTERPRETATION Use of assisted partner services among people with HIV who inject drugs was safe and identified partners with HIV and HCV infections. Assisted partner services was associated with increased uptake of ART for both index participants and partners. FUNDING US National Institutes of Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliza Monroe-Wise
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Loice Mbogo
- University of Washington Global Assistance Program-Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Betsy Sambai
- University of Washington Global Assistance Program-Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Brandon L Guthrie
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Bhavna H Chohan
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sarah Masyuko
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Kenya National AIDS and STI Control Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - John Scott
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Emily Juma
- University of Washington Global Assistance Program-Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Hanley Kingston
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - William Sinkele
- Support for Addictions Prevention and Treatment in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Esther Gitau
- Support for Addictions Prevention and Treatment in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Rose Bosire
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Helgar Musyoki
- Kenya National AIDS and STI Control Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joshua Herbeck
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Carey Farquhar
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Wolfson-Stofko B, Hirode G, Vanderhoff A, Karkada J, Capraru C, Biondi MJ, Hansen B, Shah H, Janssen HLA, Feld JJ. Real-world hepatitis C prevalence and treatment uptake at opioid agonist therapy clinics in Ontario, Canada. J Viral Hepat 2024; 31:240-247. [PMID: 38385850 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Widespread screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is necessary for Canada to meet its HCV elimination goals by 2030. People who currently or previously injected drugs are at high risk for HCV. Opioid agonist therapy (OAT, such as methadone and buprenorphine) has been shown to help stabilize the lives of people who are opioid-dependent. The distribution of OAT in North America typically requires daily, weekly, or monthly clinic visits and presents an opportunity for engagement, screening and treatment for those at high-risk of HCV. In this study, HCV screening was conducted by staff at OAT clinics in Ontario from 2016 to 2020 and those with chronic infections were treated on-site with direct-acting antivirals. Point-of-care or dried blood spot (DBS) testing was used for antibodies, DBS or serum for HCV RNA and serum for HCV RNA at SVR12 (sustained virological response). Clinics screened 1954 people (mean age 40 years ±12, 63% male). Forty-five percent were antibody positive, of whom 64% were HCV RNA+. Eighty percent of those RNA+ set an appointment in which 99% attended. Ninety-six percent started treatment with 87% completing treatment. Sixty-eight percent of people who completed treatment submitted a sample for SVR12 testing of which 97% achieved a virological cure. Results suggest that HCV screening and treatment at OAT clinics is feasible, effective and warrants expansion. Data suggest strong treatment adherence due to high rates of SVR12 comparable with other OAT-based HCV treatment programs. The lack of SVR12 sampling could be addressed by either on-site phlebotomy or incentivizing SVR12 sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Wolfson-Stofko
- Viral Hepatitis Care Network (VIRCAN), Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research (CDUHR), College of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - G Hirode
- Viral Hepatitis Care Network (VIRCAN), Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - A Vanderhoff
- Viral Hepatitis Care Network (VIRCAN), Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - J Karkada
- Viral Hepatitis Care Network (VIRCAN), Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - C Capraru
- Viral Hepatitis Care Network (VIRCAN), Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - M J Biondi
- Viral Hepatitis Care Network (VIRCAN), Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- School of Nursing, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - B Hansen
- Viral Hepatitis Care Network (VIRCAN), Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - H Shah
- Viral Hepatitis Care Network (VIRCAN), Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - H L A Janssen
- Viral Hepatitis Care Network (VIRCAN), Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J J Feld
- Viral Hepatitis Care Network (VIRCAN), Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Grebely J, Matthews S, Causer LM, Feld JJ, Cunningham P, Dore GJ, Applegate TL. We have reached single-visit testing, diagnosis, and treatment for hepatitis C infection, now what? Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2024; 24:177-191. [PMID: 38173401 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2023.2292645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Progress toward hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination is impeded by low testing and treatment due to the current diagnostic pathway requiring multiple visits leading to loss to follow-up. Point-of-care testing technologies capable of detecting current HCV infection in one hour are a 'game-changer.' These tests enable diagnosis and treatment in a single visit, overcoming the barrier of multiple visits that frequently leads to loss to follow-up. Combining point-of-care HCV antibody and RNA tests should improve cost-effectiveness, patient/provider acceptability, and testing efficiency. However, implementing HCV point-of-care testing programs at scale requires multiple considerations. AREAS COVERED This commentary explores the need for point-of-care HCV tests, diagnostic strategies to improve HCV testing, key considerations for implementing point-of-care HCV testing programs, and remaining challenges for point-of-care testing (including operator training, quality management, connectivity and reporting systems, regulatory approval processes, and the need for more efficient tests). EXPERT OPINION It is exciting that single-visit testing, diagnosis, and treatment for HCV infection have been achieved. Innovations afforded through COVID-19 should facilitate the accelerated development of low-cost, rapid, and accurate tests to improve HCV testing. The next challenge will be to address barriers and facilitators for implementing point-of-care testing to deliver them at scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Susan Matthews
- Flinders University International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Louise M Causer
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Philip Cunningham
- Flinders University International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Gregory J Dore
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tanya L Applegate
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- NSW State Reference Laboratory for HIV, St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Winiker AK, Schneider KE, Hamilton White R, O'Rourke A, Grieb SM, Allen ST. A qualitative exploration of barriers and facilitators to drug treatment services among people who inject drugs in west Virginia. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:69. [PMID: 37264367 PMCID: PMC10233537 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00795-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The opioid overdose crisis in the USA has called for expanding access to evidence-based substance use treatment programs, yet many barriers limit the ability of people who inject drugs (PWID) to engage in these programs. Predominantly rural states have been disproportionately affected by the opioid overdose crisis while simultaneously facing diminished access to drug treatment services. The purpose of this study is to explore barriers and facilitators to engagement in drug treatment among PWID residing in a rural county in West Virginia. METHODS From June to July 2018, in-depth interviews (n = 21) that explored drug treatment experiences among PWID were conducted in Cabell County, West Virginia. Participants were recruited from locations frequented by PWID such as local service providers and public parks. An iterative, modified constant comparison approach was used to code and synthesize interview data. RESULTS Participants reported experiencing a variety of barriers to engaging in drug treatment, including low thresholds for dismissal, a lack of comprehensive support services, financial barriers, and inadequate management of withdrawal symptoms. However, participants also described several facilitators of treatment engagement and sustained recovery. These included the use of medications for opioid use disorder and supportive health care workers/program staff. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that a range of barriers exist that may limit the abilities of rural PWID to successfully access and remain engaged in drug treatment in West Virginia. Improving the public health of rural PWID populations will require expanding access to evidence-based drug treatment programs that are tailored to participants' individual needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail K Winiker
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Kristin E Schneider
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Rebecca Hamilton White
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Allison O'Rourke
- DC Center for AIDS Research, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, George Washington University, 2125 G St. NW, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Suzanne M Grieb
- Center for Child and Community Health Research, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Sean T Allen
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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Jaibat L, Cui Z, Mitra S, Loh J, Reddon H, Fairbairn N, Milloy MJ. Perceived Mistreatment in Health Care Settings and its Relationship with HIV Clinical Outcomes in HIV-positive People who Use Drugs in Vancouver, Canada. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:1636-1646. [PMID: 36318426 PMCID: PMC10149567 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03895-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
People living with HIV (PLWH) often experience stigma and discrimination by health care professionals. We investigated the prevalence of perceived mistreatment in health care settings and its associations with HIV clinical outcomes and health care-seeking behaviour using data from a long-running prospective cohort of PLWH who use drugs. Of the 857 participants included, 19% reported at least one instance of perceived mistreatment during the study period. In adjusted longitudinal analyses, perceived mistreatment was positively associated with not being on ART in the same follow-up period, and participants who reported perceived mistreatment were less likely to report seeing a physician in the subsequent follow-up period. Daily use of injection drugs was positively associated with reporting perceived mistreatment. These findings demonstrate the implications of negative health care interactions in a population that must consistently engage with the health care system, and the need for stigma-reducing educational interventions for health care professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Jaibat
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Zishan Cui
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, 400-1045 Howe St, V6Z2A9, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sanjana Mitra
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, 400-1045 Howe St, V6Z2A9, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jane Loh
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, 400-1045 Howe St, V6Z2A9, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hudson Reddon
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nadia Fairbairn
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, 400-1045 Howe St, V6Z2A9, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Division of social medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - M-J Milloy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, 400-1045 Howe St, V6Z2A9, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Division of social medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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Lefrancois LH, Nguyen BT, Pham TTP, Le NTH, Dao HTT, Tran TH, Ngo KP, Tong HT, Phan HTT, Ait-Ahmed M, Pham TH, Nguyen TA, Taieb F, Madec Y. Assessment of HIV viral load monitoring in remote settings in Vietnam - comparing people who inject drugs to the other patients. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281857. [PMID: 36802388 PMCID: PMC9942987 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Increasing access to viral load (VL) monitoring is essential to fight HIV epidemics. In remote settings in Vietnam, using dried blood spot (DBS) sampling for specimen collection could improve the situation. Here, people who inject drugs (PWID) represent many newly antiretroviral therapy (ART)-initiated patients. The goals of this evaluation were to evaluate if access to VL monitoring and the rate of virological failure differed between PWID and non-PWID. METHODS Prospective cohort study of patients newly initiated on ART in remote settings in Vietnam. DBS coverage at 6, 12 and 24 months of ART was investigated. Factors associated with DBS coverage were identified through logistic regression, as were factors associated with virological failure (VL ≥1,000 copies/mL) at 6, 12 and 24 months of ART. RESULTS Overall 578 patients were enrolled in the cohort, of whom 261 (45%) were PWID. DBS coverage improved from 74.7% to 82.9% between 6 and 24 months of ART (p = 0.001). PWID status was not associated with DBS coverage (p = 0.74), but DBS coverage was lower in patients who were late to clinical visits and in those in WHO stage 4 (p = 0.023 and p = 0.001, respectively). The virological failure rate decreased from 15.8% to 6.6% between 6 and 24 months of ART (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, PWID were more at risk of failure (p = 0.001), as were patients who were late to clinical visits (p<0.001) and not fully adherent (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Despite training and simple procedures, DBS coverage was not perfect. DBS coverage was not associated with PWID status. Close management is required for effective routine HIV VL monitoring. PWID were more at risk of failure, as were patients who were not fully adherent and patients who were late to clinical visits. Specific interventions targeting these patients are needed to improve their outcomes. Overall, efforts in coordination and communication are essential to improve global HIV care. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Trial Number: NCT03249493.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise H. Lefrancois
- Epidemiology of Emerging Diseases, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Binh Thanh Nguyen
- National Reference Laboratory of HIV Molecular Biology, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Tram Thi Phuong Pham
- National Reference Laboratory of HIV Molecular Biology, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nhung Thi Hong Le
- National Reference Laboratory of HIV Molecular Biology, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Huyen Thi Thanh Dao
- National Reference Laboratory of HIV Molecular Biology, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Tram Hong Tran
- National Reference Laboratory of HIV Molecular Biology, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Khanh Phuong Ngo
- Training and Research Management Center, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ha Thi Tong
- Training and Research Management Center, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Huong Thi Thu Phan
- Vietnam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control, Ministry of Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Mohand Ait-Ahmed
- Center for Translational Research, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Thang Hong Pham
- National Reference Laboratory of HIV Molecular Biology, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
- HIV/AIDS Department, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Tuan Anh Nguyen
- HIV/AIDS Department, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Fabien Taieb
- Center for Translational Research, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Paris, France
- Department of International Affairs, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Yoann Madec
- Epidemiology of Emerging Diseases, Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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8
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Bardwell G, Mansoor M, Van Zwietering A, Cleveland E, Snell D, Kerr T. The "goldfish bowl": a qualitative study of the effects of heightened surveillance on people who use drugs in a rural and coastal Canadian setting. Harm Reduct J 2022; 19:136. [PMID: 36476225 PMCID: PMC9730691 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-022-00725-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A growing body of research has focused on contextual factors that shape health and well-being of people who use drugs (PWUD). However, most of this research focuses on large cities and less is known about the effects of social and structural contexts on drug use and associated risks in rural Canadian settings. Therefore, we undertook this study to examine rural-specific contextual factors that affect the day-to-day experiences of PWUD. METHODS Twenty-seven qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with PWUD in a rural and coastal setting in British Columbia, Canada. Participants had to be ≥ 19 years old, used illegal opioids and/or stimulants regularly, and lived in the qathet region. Interview transcripts were coded based on themes identified by the research team. RESULTS Participants described progressive shifts in politics and culture in the qathet region while also identifying resource scarcity, homelessness, and changes in the drug supply, where illicit drug contents have become highly toxic and unpredictable. Participants discussed the qualities of a small community where everyone knows each other and there is a lack of privacy and confidentiality around drug use, which resulted in experiences of stigma, discrimination, and surveillance. Participants also reported rural-specific policing issues and experiences of surveillance on ferries when traveling to larger cities to purchase drugs. This led to significantly higher drug prices for PWUD due to the time dedication and criminalized risks associated with drug possession and trafficking. CONCLUSIONS Our findings illustrate the unique experiences faced by PWUD in a rural and coastal setting. The "goldfish bowl" effect in this rural community created heightened social and structural surveillance of PWUD, which led to a variety of negative consequences. There is a clear need for interventions to address the larger contextual drivers affecting people who use drugs in rural settings, including decriminalization and peer-led anti-stigma strategies, in order to improve the lives of PWUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoff Bardwell
- grid.46078.3d0000 0000 8644 1405School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1 Canada ,grid.511486.f0000 0004 8021 645XBritish Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada ,grid.416553.00000 0000 8589 2327Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada
| | - Manal Mansoor
- grid.511486.f0000 0004 8021 645XBritish Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada
| | - Ashley Van Zwietering
- qathet Community Action Team, 218-6975 Alberni Street, Powell River, BC V8A 2B8 Canada
| | - Ellery Cleveland
- qathet Community Action Team, 218-6975 Alberni Street, Powell River, BC V8A 2B8 Canada ,Lift Community Services of qathet Society, 218-6975 Alberni Street, Powell River, BC V8A 2B8 Canada
| | - Dan Snell
- qathet Community Action Team, 218-6975 Alberni Street, Powell River, BC V8A 2B8 Canada ,Lift Community Services of qathet Society, 218-6975 Alberni Street, Powell River, BC V8A 2B8 Canada ,Substance Users Society Teaching Advocacy Instead of Neglect (SUSTAIN), 218-6975 Alberni Street, Powell River, BC V8A 2B8 Canada
| | - Thomas Kerr
- grid.511486.f0000 0004 8021 645XBritish Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9 Canada ,grid.416553.00000 0000 8589 2327Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada
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Patel EU, Solomon SS, McFall AM, Prata Menezes N, Tomori C, Srikrishnan AK, Kumar MS, Celentano DD, Lucas GM, Mehta SH. Drug use stigma, antiretroviral therapy use, and HIV viral suppression in a community-based sample of people with HIV who inject drugs. AIDS 2022; 36:1583-1589. [PMID: 35730390 PMCID: PMC9391282 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the association of drug use stigma with antiretroviral therapy (ART) use and HIV viral suppression among people with HIV who inject drugs in India. DESIGN Cross-sectional biobehavioral survey. METHODS Between August 2016 and May 2017, persons aged at least 18 years who reported injection drug use in the past 2 years were recruited via respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in 12 Indian cities (approximately 1000 per city). The analysis was restricted to participants with laboratory-confirmed HIV infection who self-reported a prior HIV diagnosis and were eligible for ART per concurrent national HIV treatment guidelines. Enacted and internalized drug use stigma were each measured by five to six-item subscales. The study outcomes were HIV viral suppression (<150 copies/ml) and self-reported past 30-day ART use. RDS-II weighted multivariable logistic regression with a city-level random-intercept was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS Among 971 ART-eligible participants previously diagnosed with HIV, 65.1% reported ART use and 56.1% were virally suppressed. Reporting any enacted stigma (vs. none) was associated with lower odds of ART use [aOR = 0.26 (95% CI = 0.15-0.44)] and viral suppression [aOR = 0.49 (95% CI = 0.31-0.78)]. High internalized stigma scores (>median vs. ≤median) were associated with lower odds of viral suppression among participants aged at least 35 years [aOR = 0.51 (95% CI = 0.27-0.97)] but not among participants aged less than 35 years [aOR = 1.22 (95% CI = 0.57-2.60)]. Similar associations were observed in analyses restricted to participants ever linked to HIV care. CONCLUSION Drug use stigma may be a barrier to HIV viral suppression among people with HIV who inject drugs, thereby hindering efforts to achieve HIV control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eshan U Patel
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Sunil S Solomon
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Y.R. Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education, Chennai, India
| | - Allison M McFall
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Neia Prata Menezes
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Cecília Tomori
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - David D Celentano
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Gregory M Lucas
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Shruti H Mehta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
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10
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Moallef S, Dale L, Homayra F, Zonneveld C, Milloy MJ, Nosyk B, Hayashi K. Suboptimal nonmedical qualities of primary care linked with care avoidance among people who use drugs in a Canadian setting amid an integrated health care reform. J Subst Abuse Treat 2022; 139:108784. [PMID: 35523704 PMCID: PMC9886230 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2022.108784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who use unregulated drugs (PWUD) often face significant barriers to-and thereby avoid seeking-health care. In Vancouver, Canada, a neighborhood-wide health care system reform began in 2016 to improve health care delivery and quality. In the wake of this reform, we sought to determine the prevalence of health care avoidance and its association with emergency department use among PWUD in this setting and examine patient-reported nonmedical qualities of health care ("responsiveness"). METHODS The study derived data from two prospective cohort studies of community-recruited PWUD in Vancouver in 2017-18. Responsiveness was ascertained by the World Health Organizations' standardized measurements and we evaluated seven domains of responsiveness (dignity, autonomy, communication, confidentiality, prompt attention, choice of provider, and quality of basic amenities). The study used Pearson chi-squared test to examine differences in responsiveness between those who did and did not avoid care. The study team used multivariable logistic regression to determine the relationship between care avoidance due to past mistreatment and emergency department use, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS Among 889 participants, 520 (58.5%) were male, 204 (22.9%) reported avoiding health care, most commonly for chronic pain (47.4%). Overall, 6.6% to 36.2% reported suboptimal levels (i.e., not always meeting the expected quality) across all seven measured domain of responsiveness. Proportions reporting suboptimal qualities were significantly higher among those who avoided care than those who did not across all domains, including care as soon as wanted (51.0% vs. 31.8%), listened to carefully (44.1% vs. 20.4%), and involved in health care decision-making (27.9% vs. 12.7%) (all p < 0.05). In multivariable analyses, avoidance of health care was independently associated with self-reported emergency department use (adjusted odds ratio = 1.49; 95% confidence interval:1.01-2.19). CONCLUSION We found that almost a quarter of our sample of PWUD avoided seeking health care due to past mistreatment, and all seven measured domains of responsiveness were suboptimal and linked with avoidance. Individuals who reported avoidance of health care were significantly more likely to report emergency department use. Multi-level interventions are needed to remedy the suboptimal qualities of health care and thereby reduce care avoidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soroush Moallef
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Laura Dale
- Centre for Health Evaluation & Outcome Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Fahmida Homayra
- Centre for Health Evaluation & Outcome Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Cristy Zonneveld
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - M.-J. Milloy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Bohdan Nosyk
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada,Centre for Health Evaluation & Outcome Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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11
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Anderson NC, Kesten JM, Ayres R, Hickman M, Amlôt R, Michie S, Lorencatto F. Acceptability of, and barriers and facilitators to, a pilot physical health service for people who inject drugs: A qualitative study with service users and providers. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2022; 99:103437. [PMID: 34600415 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs may experience difficulty accessing or maintaining involvement with traditional healthcare services. This is associated with increased health inequalities and bio-psychosocial difficulties. Embedding physical healthcare services within community-based drug services may provide a practical and feasible approach to increase access and delivery of healthcare. This study explored the acceptability of, and barriers and facilitators to, embedding a pilot physical healthcare service within a community-based drug service in the United Kingdom (Bristol, England). METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with service users (people who inject drugs) (n = 13), and a focus group was conducted with service providers (n = 11: nine harm reduction workers, two nurses, one service manager). Topic guides included questions to explore barriers and facilitators to using and delivering the service (based on the COM-B Model), and acceptability of the service (using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability). Transcripts were analysed using a combined deductive framework and inductive thematic analysis approach. RESULTS The service was viewed as highly acceptable. Service users and providers were confident they could access and provide the service respectively, and perceived it to be effective. Barriers included competing priorities of service users (e.g. drug use) and the wider service (e.g. equipment), and the potential impact of the service being removed in future was viewed as a barrier to overall healthcare access. Both service users and providers viewed embedding the physical health service within an existing community-based drug service as facilitating accessible and holistic care which reduced stigma and discrimination. CONCLUSIONS The current study demonstrated embedding a physical health service within an existing community-drug based and alcohol service was acceptable and beneficial. Future studies are required to demonstrate cost-effectiveness and ensure long-term sustainability, and to determine transferability of findings to other settings, organisations and countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niall C Anderson
- Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London, London, WC1E 7HB, UK; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK.
| | - Joanna M Kesten
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK; Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, BS8 1QU, UK; NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West (ARC West), Bristol, BS1 2NT, UK
| | | | - Matthew Hickman
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK; Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, BS8 1QU, UK
| | - Richard Amlôt
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK; Health Protection Agency, Public Health England, Bristol, BS1 6EH, UK; Health Protection Research Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response, Public Health England, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Susan Michie
- Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Fabiana Lorencatto
- Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
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12
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Meyers SA, Earnshaw VA, D’Ambrosio B, Courchesne N, Werb D, Smith LR. The intersection of gender and drug use-related stigma: A mixed methods systematic review and synthesis of the literature. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 223:108706. [PMID: 33901753 PMCID: PMC8168566 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substance use-related stigma is a significant barrier to care among persons who use drugs (PWUD). Less is known regarding how intersectional identities, like gender, shape experiences of substance use-related stigma. We sought to answer the following question: Do men or women PWUD experience more drug use stigma? METHODS Data were drawn from a systematic review of the global, peer-reviewed scientific literature on substance use-related stigma conducted through 2017 and guided by the Stigma and Substance Use Process Model and PRISMA guidelines. Articles were included in the present analysis if they either qualitatively illustrated themes related to the gendered nature of drug use-related stigma, or quantitatively tested the moderating effect of gender on drug use-related stigma. RESULTS Of the 75 studies included, 40 (53 %) were quantitative and 35 (47 %) were qualitative. Of the quantitative articles, 22 (55 %) found no association between gender and drug use-related stigma, 4 (10 %) identified women who use drugs (WWUD) were more stigmatized, and 2 (5 %) determined men who use drugs (MWUD) were more stigmatized. In contrast, nearly all (34; 97 %) of the qualitative articles demonstrated WWUD experienced greater levels of drug use-related stigma. CONCLUSION The quantitative literature is equivocal regarding the influence of gender on drug use-related stigma, but the qualitative literature more clearly demonstrates WWUD experience greater levels of stigma. The use of validated drug use-related stigma measures and the tailoring of stigma scales to WWUD are needed to understand the role of stigma in heightening the disproportionate harms experienced by WWUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. A. Meyers
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, 5500
Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA,Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health,
Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla,
CA 92093, USA
| | - V. A. Earnshaw
- Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Delaware,
Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - B. D’Ambrosio
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health,
Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla,
CA 92093, USA,School of Social Work, College of Health and Human Services,
San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - N. Courchesne
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego,
9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - D. Werb
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health,
Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla,
CA 92093, USA,Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael’s
Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8 Canada
| | - L. R. Smith
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health,
Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla,
CA 92093, USA
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13
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Han WM, Jiamsakul A, Salleh NAM, Choi JY, Huy BV, Yunihastuti E, Do CD, Merati TP, Gani YM, Kiertiburanakul S, Zhang F, Chan YJ, Lee MP, Chaiwarith R, Ng OT, Khusuwan S, Ditangco R, Kumarasamy N, Sangle S, Ross J, Avihingsanon A. HIV treatment outcomes among people who acquired HIV via injecting drug use in the Asia-Pacific region: a longitudinal cohort study. J Int AIDS Soc 2021; 24:e25736. [PMID: 34021711 PMCID: PMC8140190 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Data on HIV treatment outcomes in people who inject drugs (PWID) in the Asia‐Pacific are sparse despite the high burden of drug use. We assessed immunological and virological responses, AIDS‐defining events and mortality among PWID receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). METHODS We investigated HIV treatment outcomes among people who acquired HIV via injecting drug use in the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database (TAHOD) between January 2003 and March 2019. Trends in CD4 count and viral suppression (VS, HIV viral load <1000 copies/mL) were assessed. Factors associated with mean CD4 changes were analysed using repeated measures linear regression, and combined AIDS event and mortality were analysed using survival analysis. RESULTS Of 622 PWID from 12 countries in the Asia‐Pacific, 93% were male and the median age at ART initiation was 31 years (IQR, 28 to 34). The median pre‐ART CD4 count was 71 cells/µL. CD4 counts increased over time, with a mean difference of 401 (95% CI, 372 to 457) cells/µL at year‐10 (n = 78). Higher follow‐up HIV viral load and pre‐ART CD4 counts were associated with smaller increases in CD4 counts. Among 361 PWID with ≥1 viral load after six months on ART, proportions with VS were 82%, 88% and 93% at 2‐, 5‐ and 10‐years following ART initiation. There were 52 new AIDS‐defining events and 50 deaths during 3347 person‐years of follow‐up (PYS) (incidence 3.05/100 PYS, 95% CI, 2.51 to 3.70). Previous AIDS or TB diagnosis, lower current CD4 count and adherence <95% were associated with combined new AIDS‐defining event and death. CONCLUSIONS Despite improved outcomes over time, our findings highlight the need for rapid ART initiation and adherence support among PWID within Asian settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Win Min Han
- Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, Australia.,HIV-NAT, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Nur Afiqah Mohd Salleh
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jun Yong Choi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Bui Vu Huy
- National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Evy Yunihastuti
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia - Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | | | - Tuti P Merati
- Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University & Sanglah Hospital, Bali, Indonesia
| | | | | | - Fujie Zhang
- Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Jiun Chan
- Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Man-Po Lee
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Oon Tek Ng
- Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Tan Tock Seng, Singapore
| | | | - Rossana Ditangco
- Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
| | - Nagalingeswaran Kumarasamy
- Chennai Antiviral Research and Treatment Clinical Research Site (CART CRS), VHS-Infectious Diseases Medical Centre, VHS, Chennai, India
| | - Shashikala Sangle
- BJ Government Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital, Pune, India
| | - Jeremy Ross
- TREAT Asia, amfAR - The Foundation for AIDS Research, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Anchalee Avihingsanon
- HIV-NAT, Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre, Bangkok, Thailand.,Tuberculosis Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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14
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Monroe-Wise A, Mbogo L, Guthrie B, Bukusi D, Sambai B, Chohan B, Scott J, Cherutich P, Musyoki H, Bosire R, Dunbar M, Macharia P, Masyuko S, Wilkinson E, De Oliveira T, Ludwig-Barron N, Sinkele B, Herbeck J, Farquhar C. Peer-mediated HIV assisted partner services to identify and link to care HIV-positive and HCV-positive people who inject drugs: a cohort study protocol. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e041083. [PMID: 33895711 PMCID: PMC8074565 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Targeted, tailored interventions to test high-risk individuals for HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are vital to achieving HIV control and HCV microelimination in Africa. Compared with the general population, people who inject drugs (PWID) are at increased risk of HIV and HCV and are less likely to be tested or successfully treated. Assisted partner services (APS) increases HIV testing among partners of people living with HIV and improves case finding and linkage to care. We describe a study in Kenya examining whether APS can be adapted to find, test and link to HIV care the partners of HIV-positive PWID using a network of community-embedded peer educators (PEs). Our study also identifies HCV-positive partners and uses phylogenetic analysis to determine risk factors for onward transmission of both viruses. METHODS This prospective cohort study leverages a network of PEs to identify 1000 HIV-positive PWID for enrolment as index participants. Each index completes a questionnaire and provides names and contact information of all sexual and injecting partners during the previous 3 years. PEs then use a stepwise locator protocol to engage partners in the community and bring them to study sites for enrolment, questionnaire completion and rapid HIV and HCV testing. Outcomes include number and type of partners per index who are mentioned, enrolled, tested, diagnosed with HIV and HCV and linked to care. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Potential index participants are screened for intimate partner violence (IPV) and those at high risk are not eligible to enrol. Those at medium risk are monitored for IPV following enrolment. A community advisory board engages in feedback and discussion between the community and the research team. A safety monitoring board discusses study progress and reviews data, including IPV monitoring data. Dissemination plans include presentations at quarterly Ministry of Health meetings, local and international conferences and publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03447210, Pre-results stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliza Monroe-Wise
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Loice Mbogo
- HIV Testing and Counseling and HIV Prevention, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Brandon Guthrie
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - David Bukusi
- HIV Testing and Counseling and HIV Prevention, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Betsy Sambai
- HIV Testing and Counseling and HIV Prevention, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Bhavna Chohan
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - John Scott
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | - Rose Bosire
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Matthew Dunbar
- Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology, University of Washinigton, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Sarah Masyuko
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Kenya's Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eduan Wilkinson
- KwaZulu-Natal Research and Innovation Sequencing Platform, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Tulio De Oliveira
- KwaZulu-Natal Research and Innovation Sequencing Platform, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Bill Sinkele
- Support for Addiction Prevention and Treatment in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joshua Herbeck
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Carey Farquhar
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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15
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Felsher M, Koku E, Lankenau S, Brady K, Bellamy S, Roth AM. Motivations for PrEP-Related Interpersonal Communication Among Women Who Inject Drugs: A Qualitative Egocentric Network Study. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2021; 31:86-99. [PMID: 32869694 PMCID: PMC7864555 DOI: 10.1177/1049732320952740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
A qualitative egocentric social network approach was taken to explore motivations for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)-related communication between women who inject drugs and network members. Eligible participants were HIV-negative, 18 years or older, and participating in a PrEP demonstration project in Philadelphia, PA, USA. The study employed content analysis of in-depth interviews to identify themes related to contextual and relational factors impacting PrEP communication within networks. Participants (n = 20) named on average three network members, resulting in a total of 57 unique relationships. PrEP conversations occurred within 30 of the 57 relationships, and motivations were to benefit others, to benefit themselves, and due to a sense of obligation. Some conversations also occurred when a peer unexpectedly found their pills. Taking a qualitative approach to network analysis provided a nuanced understanding of how interpersonal characteristics motivated PrEP conversations. Network interventions that facilitate information diffusion and social support may increase PrEP uptake and adherence among women who inject drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kathleen Brady
- Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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16
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Grebely J, Cerdá M, Rhodes T. COVID-19 and the health of people who use drugs: What is and what could be? THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2020; 83:102958. [PMID: 33183679 PMCID: PMC7837052 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has changed the world as we know it, and continues to do so. How COVID-19 affects people who use drugs, the environments in which they live, and capacities of response, warrants immediate attention. This special issue begins to map how COVID-19 is altering the health of people who use drugs, including in relation to patterns of drug use, service responses, harms that may relate to drug use, interventions to reduce risk of harms, COVID-19 health, and drug policies. We emphasise the need to envisage COVID-19 and its effects as a matter of intersecting ‘complex adaptive systems’: that is, the impacts of COVID-19 extend beyond the virus and related illness conditions to encompass multiple social, cultural, economic, policy and political effects; and these affect the health of people who use drugs directly as well as indirectly by altering the risk and enabling environments in which they live. We synthesize emergent evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on the health of people who use drugs. A key concern we identify is how to sustain policy and service delivery improvements prompted by COVID-19. We need to maintain an ethos of emergent adaptation and experimentation towards the creation of safer environments in relation to the health of people who use drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Magdalena Cerdá
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, United States
| | - Tim Rhodes
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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17
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Risky injection practices and HCV awareness in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand: a respondent-driven sampling study of people who inject drugs. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:1450. [PMID: 32972359 PMCID: PMC7517806 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09549-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background People who inject drugs (PWID) are the most exposed to hepatitis C virus (HCV). In Thailand, drug use is highly criminalized, and harm reduction services are scarce. This study estimates risky injection practices and assesses the proportion of HCV awareness and screening in the PWID population in Northern Thailand. Methods We used respondent-driven sampling (RDS) to recruit PWID in Chiang Mai Province. Social and behavioural data were collected through face-to-face interviews at an addiction treatment facility. Weighted population estimates were calculated to limit biases related to the non-random sampling method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to study factors associated with HCV awareness and screening. Results One hundred seventy-one PWID were recruited between April 2016 and January 2017. Median age was 33 (Interquartile range: 26–40) years, 12.2% were women, and 49.4% belonged to a minority ethnic group. Among participants, 76.8% injected heroin, 20.7% methadone, and 20.7% methamphetamine. We estimate that 22.1% [95% CI: 15.7–28.6] of the population had shared needles in the last 6 months and that 32.0% [95% CI: 23.6–40.4] had shared injection material. Only 26.6% [95% CI: 17.6–35.6] had heard of HCV. Factors independently associated with knowledge of HCV included belonging to a harm reduction organization (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 5.5 [95% CI: 2.0–15.3]) and voluntary participation in a drug rehabilitation programme (aOR = 4.3 [95% CI: 1.3–13.9]), while Lahu ethnicity was negatively associated (aOR = 0.3 [95% CI: 0.1–0.9]). We estimate that 5% of the PWID population were screened for HCV; the only factor independently associated with being screened was membership of a harm reduction organization (aOR = 5.7 [95% CI: 1.6–19.9]). Conclusion Our study reveals that the PWID population is poorly informed and rarely screened for HCV, despite widespread risky injection practices. A public health approach aimed at reducing the incidence of HCV should target the PWID population and combine harm reduction measures with information and destigmatization campaigns. Civil society organizations working with PWID are a major asset for the success of such an approach, based on their current positive interventions promoting awareness of and screening for HCV.
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18
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Byrne C, Radley A, Inglis SK, Beer LJZ, Palmer N, Pham MD, Healy B, Doyle JS, Donnan P, Dillon JF. Reaching m Ethadone users Attending Community p Harmacies with HCV: an international cluster randomised controlled trial protocol (REACH HCV). BMJ Open 2020; 10:e036501. [PMID: 32868356 PMCID: PMC7462226 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global public health threat, and novel models of care are required to treat those currently or previously at highest risk of infection, particularly persons who inject drugs (PWID; ever injected), as conventional healthcare models do not have the reach to deliver cure of HCV to disadvantaged, disproportionately affected communities. In Western Europe and Australasia, it is estimated that HCV affects between 0.4% and 1.0% of the regions' populations, accordingly, it affects between 0.4% and 0.7% of the populations of countries in this study (Scotland, Wales and Australia). Reaching mEthadone users Attending Community pHarmacies with HCV (REACH HCV) will evaluate community pharmacy-based diagnostic outreach and HCV treatment against conventional HCV testing and treatment pathways for clients receiving opioid substitution therapy (OST) in community pharmacies. METHODS AND ANALYSIS REACH HCV is an international multicentre cluster randomised controlled trial with sites in Scotland, Wales and Australia. The sites are community pharmacies which are randomised equally to one of two pathways: the pharmacy intervention pathway or the education-only (control) pathway. Participants are recruited from OST clients in these pharmacies.In the pharmacy intervention pathway, participants receive a rapid point-of-care HCV PCR test in their pharmacy by a study outreach nurse. If positive, direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are delivered to participants via their pharmacist in line with their OST schedule.In the education-only pathway, pharmacists counsel OST clients on HCV and refer them to the nearest nurse-led clinic or general practitioner offering HCV testing according to standard care protocols. If positive, DAAs are delivered as in the intervention pathway.The primary endpoint for both pathways is sustained viral response at 12 weeks post-treatment . Secondary outcomes are: cost-efficacy by pathway; participants tested by pathway; adherence to therapy by pathway and impact of blood test results on treatment decisions.A statistical analysis plan will be finalised prior to data lock. Analysis will be by intention to treat (ITT) to show superiority. Modified ITT analysis will also be undertaken to explore the steps in the pathways. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The trial received ethical favourable opinion from the East of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2 (19/ES/0025) for UK sites and approval from the Alfred Hospital Ethics Committee (148/19) for Australian sites and complies with principles of Good Clinical Practice. Final results will be presented in peer-reviewed journals and at relevant conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ClinicalTrials.gov Registry NCT03935906. PROTOCOL VERSION V.4.0-19 March 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Byrne
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Dundee School of Medicine, Dundee, UK
- Tayside Clinical Trials Unit, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Andrew Radley
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Dundee School of Medicine, Dundee, UK
- Directorate of Public Health, National Health Service Tayside, Dundee, UK
| | | | - Lewis J Z Beer
- Tayside Clinical Trials Unit, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Nicki Palmer
- Public Health Wales Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Minh Duc Pham
- Disease Elimination Programme, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brendan Healy
- Public Health Wales Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
| | - Joseph S Doyle
- Disease Elimination Programme, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter Donnan
- Dundee Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - John F Dillon
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Dundee School of Medicine, Dundee, UK
- Department of Gastroenterology, National Health Service Tayside, Dundee, UK
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Baker P, Beletsky L, Avalos L, Venegas C, Rivera C, Strathdee SA, Cepeda J. Policing Practices and Risk of HIV Infection Among People Who Inject Drugs. Epidemiol Rev 2020; 42:27-40. [PMID: 33184637 PMCID: PMC7879596 DOI: 10.1093/epirev/mxaa010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug-law enforcement constitutes a structural determinant of health among people who inject drugs (PWID). Street encounters between police and PWID (e.g., syringe confiscation, physical assault) have been associated with health harms, but these relationships have not been systematically assessed. We conducted a systematic literature review to evaluate the contribution of policing to risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among PWID. We screened MEDLINE, sociological databases, and gray literature for studies published from 1981 to November 2018 that included estimates of HIV infection/risk behaviors and street policing encounters. We extracted and summarized quantitative findings from all eligible studies. We screened 8,201 abstracts, reviewed 175 full-text articles, and included 27 eligible analyses from 9 countries (Canada, China, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Thailand, Ukraine, and the United States). Heterogeneity in variable and endpoint selection precluded meta-analyses. In 5 (19%) studies, HIV infection among PWID was significantly associated with syringe confiscation, reluctance to buy/carry syringes for fear of police, rushed injection due to a police presence, fear of arrest, being arrested for planted drugs, and physical abuse. Twenty-one (78%) studies identified policing practices to be associated with HIV risk behaviors related to injection drug use (e.g., syringe-sharing, using a "shooting gallery"). In 9 (33%) studies, policing was associated with PWID avoidance of harm reduction services, including syringe exchange, methadone maintenance, and safe consumption facilities. Evidence suggests that policing shapes HIV risk among PWID, but lower-income settings are underrepresented. Curbing injection-related HIV risk necessitates additional structural interventions. Methodological harmonization could facilitate knowledge generation on the role of police as a determinant of population health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter Baker
- Correspondence to Pieter Baker, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 (e-mail: )
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20
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The Impact of Perceptions of Community Stigma on Utilization of HIV Care Services. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2019; 7:383-391. [PMID: 31808137 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-019-00667-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between perceived community stigma and treatment adherence has been established in previous literature. Yet, less is known about explicit circumstances in which perceived community stigma deters people living with HIV (PLWH) from maintaining care. This research examines the impact of perceived community stigma against PLWH on self-reported barriers and supports to remain in HIV care services. We used survey data from a 3-year study of the HIV test and treat (T&T) continuum of services in Hartford, CT, surveying 200 PLWH. Logistic regression was used to determine if perceived community stigma had a statistically significant effect on the willingness of PLWH to utilize HIV care services. Results revealed that an increase in perceived stigma predicted willingness to see a doctor in 6 months for those who 'had a fear of poor treatment' (χ2(6) = 21.995, p < 0.001) and 'were concerned about privacy' (χ2(6) = 16.670, p < 0.01). An increase in perceived stigma was also a significant factor in the belief that supportive case managers helped with accessing HIV care services (χ2(1) = 6.817, p < 0.01). Our findings suggest that having a high degree of perceived community stigma is impactful in instances where individuals anticipate stigma or discrimination.
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21
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Biancarelli DL, Biello KB, Childs E, Drainoni M, Salhaney P, Edeza A, Mimiaga MJ, Saitz R, Bazzi AR. Strategies used by people who inject drugs to avoid stigma in healthcare settings. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 198:80-86. [PMID: 30884432 PMCID: PMC6521691 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 267] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs (PWID) have limited engagement in healthcare services and report frequent experiences of stigma and mistreatment when accessing services. This paper explores the impact of stigma against injection drug use on healthcare utilization among PWID in the U.S. Northeast. METHODS We recruited PWID through community-based organizations (CBOs; e.g., syringe service programs). Participants completed brief surveys and semi-structured interviews lasting approximately 45 min exploring HIV risk behaviors and prevention needs. Thematic analysis examined the emergent topic of stigma experiences in relation to healthcare utilization. RESULTS Among 33 PWID (55% male; age range 24-62 years; 67% White; 24% Latino), most used heroin (94%) and injected at least daily (60%). Experiences of dehumanization in healthcare settings were common, with many participants perceiving that they had been treated unfairly or discriminated against due to their injection drug use. As participants anticipated this type of stigma from healthcare providers, they developed strategies to avoid it, including delaying presenting for healthcare, not disclosing drug use, downplaying pain, and seeking care elsewhere. In contrast to large institutional healthcare settings, participants described non-stigmatizing environments within CBOs, where they experienced greater acceptance, mutual respect, and stronger connections with staff. CONCLUSIONS Stigma against injection drug use carries important implications for PWID health. Increased provider training on addiction as a medical disorder could improve PWID healthcare experiences, and integrating health services into organizations frequented by PWID could increase utilization of health services by this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dea L Biancarelli
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States; Evans Center for Implementation and Improvement Sciences, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - Katie B Biello
- Center for Health Equity Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States; Departments of Behavioral and Social Health Sciences and Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States; The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - Ellen Childs
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - M Drainoni
- Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States; Evans Center for Implementation and Improvement Sciences, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States; Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States; Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, MA, United States.
| | - Peter Salhaney
- Center for Health Equity Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States.
| | - Alberto Edeza
- Center for Health Equity Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States.
| | - Matthew J Mimiaga
- Center for Health Equity Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States; Departments of Behavioral and Social Health Sciences and Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States; The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University Alpert Medical School, Providence, RI, United States.
| | - Richard Saitz
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States; Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit, Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - Angela R Bazzi
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States.
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Ranin J, Salemovic D, Brmbolic B, Marinkovic J, Boricic I, Pesic PI, Zerjav S, Stanojevic M, Jevtovic D. Comparison of Demographic, Epidemiological, Immunological, and Clinical Characteristics of Patients with HIV Mono-infection Versus Patients Co-infected with HCV or/and HBV: A Serbian Cohort Study. Curr HIV Res 2019; 16:222-230. [PMID: 30014804 DOI: 10.2174/1570162x16666180717115614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The study aimed to correlate the status of hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection with clinical and demographic data prior to starting highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and assess the impact of HCV and HBV co-infection on the natural history of HIV infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study involved a total of 836 treatment-naive patients with available serological status for HBV and HCV at the point of therapy initiation. Patients were stratified into four groups: HIV mono-infection, HIV/HCV, HIV/HBV, and HIV/HCV/HBV co-infection. Demographic, epidemiological, immunological and clinical characteristics were analyzed in order to assess the possible impact of HCV and HBV co-infection on HIV - related immunodeficiency and progression to AIDS. RESULTS The prevalence of HCV and HBV co-infection in our cohort was 25.7% and 6.3%, respectively. Triple HIV/HCV/HBV infection was recorded in 1.7% of the patients. In comparison with those co-infected with HCV, patients with HIV mono-infection had lower levels of serum liver enzymes activity and higher CD4 cell counts, and were less likely to have CD4 cell counts below100 cells/µL and clinical AIDS, with OR 0.556 and 0.561, respectively. No difference in the development of advanced immunodeficiency and/or AIDS was recorded between patients with HIV monoinfection and those co-infected with HBV, or both HCV/HBV. CONCLUSION HIV/HCV co-infection was found to be more prevalent than HIV/HBV co-infection in a Serbian cohort. Co-infection with HCV was related to more profound immunodeficiency prior to therapy initiation, reflecting a possible unfavorable impact of HCV on the natural history of HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Ranin
- University of Belgrade Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - D Salemovic
- University of Belgrade Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - B Brmbolic
- University of Belgrade Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - J Marinkovic
- University of Belgrade Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Medical Statistics, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - I Boricic
- University of Belgrade Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Pathohystology, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Pavlovic I Pesic
- Virology Laboratory, Microbiology Department, Clinical Center Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - S Zerjav
- Virology Laboratory, Microbiology Department, Clinical Center Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - M Stanojevic
- University of Belgrade Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - D Jevtovic
- University of Belgrade Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
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Day E, Broder T, Bruneau J, Cruse S, Dickie M, Fish S, Grillon C, Luhmann N, Mason K, McLean E, Trooskin S, Treloar C, Grebely J. Priorities and recommended actions for how researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and the affected community can work together to improve access to hepatitis C care for people who use drugs. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 66:87-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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A scoping review of health-related stigma outcomes for high-burden diseases in low- and middle-income countries. BMC Med 2019; 17:17. [PMID: 30764819 PMCID: PMC6376728 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-019-1250-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stigma is associated with health conditions that drive disease burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including HIV, tuberculosis, mental health problems, epilepsy, and substance use disorders. However, the literature discussing the relationship between stigma and health outcomes is largely fragmented within disease-specific siloes, thus limiting the identification of common moderators or mechanisms through which stigma potentiates adverse health outcomes as well as the development of broadly relevant stigma mitigation interventions. METHODS We conducted a scoping review to provide a critical overview of the breadth of research on stigma for each of the five aforementioned conditions in LMICs, including their methodological strengths and limitations. RESULTS Across the range of diseases and disorders studied, stigma is associated with poor health outcomes, including help- and treatment-seeking behaviors. Common methodological limitations include a lack of prospective studies, non-representative samples resulting in limited generalizability, and a dearth of data on mediators and moderators of the relationship between stigma and health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Implementing effective stigma mitigation interventions at scale necessitates transdisciplinary longitudinal studies that examine how stigma potentiates the risk for adverse outcomes for high-burden health conditions in community-based samples in LMICs.
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Dombrowski JC, Dorabjee J, Strathdee SA. Editorial: Atrocity in the Philippines: How Rodrigo Duterte's War on Drug Users May Exacerbate the Burgeoning HIV Epidemic. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2018; 76:23-25. [PMID: 28797018 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia C Dombrowski
- Departments of *Medicine; and†Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA;‡Asian Network of People who Use Drugs, Bangkok, Thailand; and§Global Health Institute, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA
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Stigmatizing attitudes toward people living with HIV among general adult Thai population: Results from the 5th Thai National Health Examination Survey (NHES). PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187231. [PMID: 29145519 PMCID: PMC5690635 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background HIV-related stigma and discrimination is a significant driver of the HIV and AIDS epidemic. UNAIDS encourages all nations to monitor progress toward elimination of this problem. This study measured the level of stigmatizing attitudes toward people living with HIV (PLHIV) among Thai adults in the general population using recommended global tools. Methods Data from the 5th National Health Examination Survey, conducted in 2014 were used. The survey utilized six questions recommended by the Global Stigma and Discrimination Indicator Working Group and was administered to participants aged 20–59 years old. All analyses were weighted to take into account of the probability of sampling the same-age Thai population. Factors related to a discriminatory attitude according to UNAIDS, defined as agreed to at least one of the two discriminatory issues, were evaluated using Chi square tested and multivariable logistic regression. Results Of the 10,522 respondents, the most prevalent stigmatizing attitude was anticipated stigma (76.9%), followed by perceived stigma (69.2%), fear of HIV infection (57.0%), and social judgment (38.2%). Fifty-eight point six percent had discriminatory attitudes according to the UNAIDS global indicator. Independent predictors were being female (AOR = 1.21: 95% CI 1.14–1.29), aged 20–39 (AOR = 1.19: 95% CI 1.09–1.30) or 50–59 (AOR = 1.18: 95%CI 1.12–1.26), being Muslim (AOR = 2.03: 95%CI 1.55–2.66), earning < 10,000 Baht/month (AOR = 0.93: 95%CI 0.88–0.99), and living in the Northeast (AOR = 1.67: 95%CI 1.39–2.00) or in Bangkok (AOR = 1.73: 95%CI 1.45–2.07). Conclusions More than half of the general adult Thai population had stigmatizing attitudes toward PLHIV. The study provided valuable baseline information which could be used as comparison for follow-up surveys with other countries. Interventions to improve Thai society’s knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS are urgently needed.
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Grebely J, Dore GJ, Morin S, Rockstroh JK, Klein MB. Elimination of HCV as a public health concern among people who inject drugs by 2030 - What will it take to get there? J Int AIDS Soc 2017; 20:22146. [PMID: 28782335 PMCID: PMC5577699 DOI: 10.7448/ias.20.1.22146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Globally, there is a considerable burden of HCV and HIV infections among people who inject drugs (PWID) and transmission of both infections continues. Needle and syringe programme (NSP) and opioid substitution therapy (OST) coverage remains low, despite evidence demonstrating their prevention benefit. Direct-acting antiviral therapies (DAA) with HCV cure >95% among PWID provide an opportunity to reverse rising trends in HCV-related morbidity and mortality and reduce incidence. However, HCV testing, linkage to care, and treatment remain low due to health system, provider, societal, and patient barriers. Between 2015 and 2030, WHO targets include reducing new HCV infections by 80% and HCV deaths by 65%, and increasing HCV diagnoses from <5% to 90% and number of eligible persons receiving HCV treatment from <1% to 80%. This commentary discusses why PWID should be considered as a priority population in these efforts, reasons why this goal could be attainable among PWID, challenges that need to be overcome, and key recommendations for action. DISCUSSION Challenges to HCV elimination as a global health concern among PWID include poor global coverage of harm reduction services, restrictive drug policies and criminalization of drug use, poor access to health services, low HCV testing, linkage to care and treatment, restrictions for accessing DAA therapy, and the lack of national strategies and government investment to support WHO elimination goals. Key recommendations for action include reforming drug policies (decriminalization of drug use and/or possession, or providing alternatives to imprisonment for PWID; decriminalization of the use and provision of sterile needles-syringes; and legalization of OST for people who are opioid dependent), scaling up and improving funding for harm reduction services, making health services accessible for PWID, supporting community empowerment and community-based programmes, improving access to affordable diagnostics and medicines, and eliminating stigma, discrimination, and violence against PWID. CONCLUSIONS The ambitious targets for HCV elimination set by WHO are achievable in many countries, but will require researchers, healthcare providers, policy makers, affected communities, advocates, the pharmaceutical and diagnostics industries, and governments around the world to work together to make this happen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Executive Board, International Network on Hepatitis in Substance Users, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gregory J. Dore
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Executive Board, International Network on Hepatitis in Substance Users, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sébastien Morin
- HIV Programmes and Advocacy, International AIDS Society, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen K. Rockstroh
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Governing Council, International AIDS Society, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marina B. Klein
- Governing Council, International AIDS Society, Geneva, Switzerland
- Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
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Pendse R, Gupta S, Yu D, Sarkar S. HIV/AIDS in the South-East Asia region: progress and challenges. J Virus Erad 2016; 2:1-6. [PMID: 28303199 PMCID: PMC5353351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The South-East Asia region, with 11 member states, has an estimated 3.5 million people living with HIV (PLHIV). More than 99% of PLHIV live in five countries where HIV prevalence among the population aged 15-49 remains low but is between 2% and 29% among key populations. Since 2010, the region has made progress to combat the epidemic. Mature condom programmes exist in most countries but opioid substitution therapy, and needle and syringe exchange programmes need to be scaled up. HIV testing is recommended nationwide in four countries and is prioritised in high prevalence areas or for key populations in the rest. In 2015, PLHIV aware of their HIV status ranged from 26% to 89%. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended for all PLHIV in Thailand and Maldives while six countries recommend ART at CD4 cell counts <500 cells/mm3. In 2015, 1.4 million (39%) PLHIV were receiving ART compared to 670,000 (20%) in 2010. Coverage of HIV testing and treatment among HIV-positive pregnant women has also improved but remains low in all countries except Thailand, which has eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. Between 2010 and 2015, AIDS-related deaths and new HIV infections have shown a declining trend in all the high-burden countries except Indonesia. But the region is far from achieving the 90-90-90 target by 2020 and the end of AIDS by 2030. The future HIV response requires that governments work in close collaboration with communities, address stigma and discrimination, and efficiently invest domestic resources in evidence-based HIV testing and treatment interventions for populations in locations that need them most.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razia Pendse
- World Health Organization South-East Asia Region,
New Delhi,
India
| | - Somya Gupta
- World Health Organization South-East Asia Region,
New Delhi,
India
| | - Dongbao Yu
- World Health Organization South-East Asia Region,
New Delhi,
India
| | - Swarup Sarkar
- World Health Organization South-East Asia Region,
New Delhi,
India
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