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Logie CH, Kinitz DJ, Gittings L, Lalor P, MacKenzie F, Newman PA, Baral SD, Mbuagbaw L, Shuper P, Levermore K. Intersecting Stigma and the HIV Care Cascade: Qualitative Insights from Sex Workers, Men who have Sex with Men, and Transgender Women Living with HIV in Jamaica. AIDS Behav 2024:10.1007/s10461-024-04460-6. [PMID: 39098884 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04460-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
In Jamaica, stigma experiences of sex workers (SW), gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM), and transgender women living with HIV remain understudied. To address this gap, we explored experiences of stigma and linkages with the HIV care cascade among key populations living with HIV in Jamaica, including cisgender women SW, MSM, and transgender women. This qualitative study involved n = 9 focus groups (FG), n = 1 FG per population living with HIV (SW, MSM, transgender women) in each of three sites (Kingston, St. Ann, Montego Bay). We also conducted key informant (KI) interviews. We applied thematic analysis informed by the Health Stigma and Discrimination (HSD) Framework. FG participants (n = 67) included SW (n = 18), MSM (n = 28), and trans women (n = 21); we interviewed n = 10 KI (n = 5 cisgender women, n = 5 cisgender men). Participant discussions revealed that stigma drivers included low HIV treatment literacy, notably misinformation about antiretroviral therapy (ART) benefits and HIV acquisition risks, and a lack of legal protection from discrimination. Stigma targets health (HIV) and intersecting social identities (sex work, LGBTQ identities, gender non-conformity, low socio-economic status). Stigma manifestations included enacted stigma in communities and families, and internalized stigma-including lateral violence. HIV care cascade impacts included reduced and/or delayed HIV care engagement and ART adherence challenges/disruptions. Participants discussed strategies to live positively with HIV, including ART adherence as stigma resistance; social support and solidarity; and accessing affirming institutional support. In addition to addressing intersecting stigma, future research and programing should bolster multi-level stigma-resistance strategies to live positively with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen H Logie
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street W, Room 504, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada.
- United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health, Richmond Hill, Canada.
- Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, Canada.
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
| | - David J Kinitz
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- The PRIDE Study/PRIDEnet, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Lesley Gittings
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Patrick Lalor
- Jamaica AIDS Support for Life (JASL), Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Frannie MacKenzie
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street W, Room 504, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada
| | - Peter A Newman
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street W, Room 504, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada
| | - Stefan D Baral
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
| | - Lawrence Mbuagbaw
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Biostatistics Unit, Father Sean O'Sullivan Research Centre, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Centre for Development of Best Practices in Health (CDBPH), Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Paul Shuper
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), 33 Russell Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada
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Yigit I, Paulino-Ramírez R, Waters J, Long DM, Turan JM, Budhwani H. A Moderated Mediation Analysis of HIV and Intersectional Stigmas and Antiretroviral Adherence in People Living with HIV in the Dominican Republic. AIDS Behav 2024:10.1007/s10461-024-04425-9. [PMID: 38916689 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04425-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Experiencing HIV and intersectional stigmas in healthcare settings may affect antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence among people with HIV (PWH), given their need for frequent interactions with clinical settings and healthcare providers. Considering the importance of reducing stigmas to promote well-being and the need to elucidate how stigma influences health across various settings, we examined how experienced HIV stigma in Dominican Republic healthcare settings impacts ART adherence through internalized HIV stigma and whether race or sexual orientation stigma moderates this relationship. Participants were 471 PWH (aged 17-71) who were recruited from two HIV clinics in the Dominican Republic in 2021-2022. Results revealed a significant mediation effect (B=-0.10, SE = 0.05, CI [-0.234, - 0.014]) after adjusting for effect of age and time since HIV diagnosis, suggesting that experienced HIV stigma in healthcare settings was associated with more internalized HIV stigma (B = 0.39, SE = 0.11, p = .001), subsequently linked to lower ART adherence (B=-0.26, SE = 0.11, p = .016). The indirect effect was significant at low levels of race stigma (B=-0.16, SE = 0.09, CI [-0.369, - 0.001]) but not at high levels of race stigma (B=-0.06, SE = 0.05, CI [-0.175, 0.038]). This indirect effect was also significant at low levels of sexual orientation stigma (B=-0.19, SE = 0.10, CI [-0.401, - 0.023]) but not at high levels of sexual orientation stigma (B=-0.04, SE = 0.06, CI [-0.160, 0.074]). These findings suggest that addressing experienced HIV stigma in Dominican Republic healthcare settings, along with various dimensions of HIV-related stigma (e.g., internalized stigma) and intersecting stigmas (e.g., race, sexual orientation), is vital for improving health outcomes, such as optimal ART adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Yigit
- College of Nursing, Florida State University, 98 Varsity Way, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
- Institute on Digital Health and Innovation, Florida State University (FSU), Tallahassee, FL, USA.
| | | | - John Waters
- Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC), Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Dustin M Long
- School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Janet M Turan
- School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Henna Budhwani
- College of Nursing, Florida State University, 98 Varsity Way, Tallahassee, FL, USA
- Institute on Digital Health and Innovation, Florida State University (FSU), Tallahassee, FL, USA
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Lindh M, Brännström J, Reepalu A, Svedhem V, Mellgren Å. Factors associated with sex differences in viral non-suppression in the Swedish InfCareHIV cohort: An observational real-world study. HIV Med 2024; 25:540-553. [PMID: 38196293 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13607] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Women living with HIV are underrepresented in clinical trials assessing outcomes of antiretroviral treatment (ART), justifying the need for observational studies. We investigated differences in viral non-suppression between women and men in the Swedish InfCareHIV cohort and analysed results in relation to biological and socio-demographic variables and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). METHODS The study included people living with HIV (PLWH) aged ≥18 years, who initiated ART at least 6 months prior to inclusion. Data from the InfCareHIV registry 2011-2018 were collected. Associations between variables and HIV RNA ≥50 copies/mL were investigated in uni- and multivariable analyses using generalized estimating equations, providing relative risks (RRs) as effect size. RESULTS The study included 38% (n = 2981) women. Women were more likely to have HIV RNA ≥50 copies/mL than were men [RR = 1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-1.31]. After adjusting for origin and route of transmission, sex at birth was no longer associated with viral non-suppression. PROMs were available in 52.4% of PLWH, and items associated with viral non-suppression were impaired adherence in women (RR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.79-3.17) and men (RR 1.84, 95% CI: 1.40-2.42), and experience of side effects in women (RR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.10-2.02). CONCLUSIONS This observational study found a 20% higher relative risk of viral non-suppression in women than in men and the difference was associated with socio-demographic factors. The associations between PROMs and viral non-suppression varied between women and men. PROMs are important health outcomes that may identify PLWH in need of support to achieve viral non-suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lindh
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Södra Älvsborg Hospital, Department of Research, Education and Innovation, Borås, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Södra Älvsborg Hospital, Borås, Sweden
| | - Johanna Brännström
- Division of Infection and Dermatology, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases/Venhälsan, South Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anton Reepalu
- Clinical Infection Medicine, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Veronica Svedhem
- Division of Infection and Dermatology, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Åsa Mellgren
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Dominguez-Dominguez L, Campbell L, Barbini B, Fox J, Nikiphorou E, Goff L, Lempp H, Tariq S, Hamzah L, Post FA. Associations between social determinants of health and comorbidity and multimorbidity in people of black ethnicities with HIV. AIDS 2024; 38:835-846. [PMID: 38265411 PMCID: PMC10994070 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003848] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Social determinants of health (SDH) are important determinants of long-term conditions and multimorbidity in the general population. The intersecting relationship between SDH and multimorbidity in people with HIV remains poorly studied. DESIGN A cross-sectional study investigating the relationships between eight socio-economic parameters and prevalent comorbidities of clinical significance and multimorbidity in adults of African ancestry with HIV aged 18-65 years in South London, UK. METHODS Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between SDH and comorbidities and multimorbidity. RESULTS Between September 2020 and January 2022, 398 participants (median age 52 years, 55% women) were enrolled; 85% reported at least one SDH and 72% had at least one comorbidity. There were no associations between SDH and diabetes mellitus or kidney disease, few associations between SDH (job and food insecurity) and cardiovascular or lung disease, and multiple associations between SDH (financial, food, housing and job insecurity, low educational level, social isolation, and discrimination) and poor mental health or chronic pain. Associations between SDH and multimorbidity mirrored those for constituent comorbidities. CONCLUSION We demonstrate strong associations between SDH and poor mental health, chronic pain and multimorbidity in people of black ethnicities living with HIV in the UK. These findings highlight the likely impact of enduring socioeconomic hardship in these communities and underlines the importance of holistic health and social care for people with HIV to address these adverse psychosocial conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucy Campbell
- Department of Sexual Health and HIV, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- HIV Research Group
| | - Birgit Barbini
- Department of Sexual Health and HIV, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- HIV Research Group
| | - Julie Fox
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London
- Guy's and St Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
| | - Elena Nikiphorou
- Department of Rheumatology, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Centre for Rheumatic Diseases
| | - Louise Goff
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, King's College London, London
- Leicester Diabetes Research Centre, Leicester
| | | | | | - Lisa Hamzah
- St George's Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Frank A. Post
- Department of Sexual Health and HIV, Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- HIV Research Group
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Chavez JV, Ewart LD, Ilyas O, Ghanooni D, Diaz JE, Atkins L, Ramos R, Garayua AH, Stewart A, Horvath KJ, Hirshfield S, Carrico AW. I was like sh*t this is gonna hurt': Implementing Self-Sampling of Dried Blood Spots to Measure HIV Viral Load. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4132978. [PMID: 38645181 PMCID: PMC11030538 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4132978/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Background Sexual minority men (SMM) with HIV who use stimulants may experience greater difficulties with antiretroviral therapy adherence which amplifies risk for unsuppressed HIV viral load (VL). Remote monitoring of VL could support efforts to rapidly respond to sub-optimal adherence. Methods This qualitative study enrolled 24 SMM with HIV who use stimulants to examine experiences with two different dried blood spots (DBS) self-sampling devices (i.e., Tasso-M20 vs. HemaSpot HD) to measure VL. Participants were asked to complete self-sampling of DBS using both devices, and then participated in a 45-minute semi-structured interview. Interviews focused on ease of use, device preference, experiences with receiving and mailing kits, and barriers to participating in research. A thematic analysis was conducted to analyze interviews transcripts. Results Twenty-two participants (92%) returned the Tasso-M20 and 21 (88%) returned the Hemaspot HD devices. Among the 22 participants that completed qualitative interviews, twenty-three codes were identified and collapsed within seven themes. Preferences for devices were based on convenience, pain and prior experiences with finger-pricking technology. Participants emphasized that clearer instructions with contingency plans for self-sampling of DBS would improve the user experience with self-sampling of DBS. Intersectional stigma (e.g., HIV, sexual minority status, and substance use) was noted as an important consideration in implementing self-sampling of DBS. Promoting decision making, or the option to choose sampling method based on personal preferences, may improve engagement and likelihood of DBS completion. Conclusions Findings will guide the broader implementation of self-sampling of DBS to optimize VL monitoring in SMM with HIV who use stimulants.
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Logie CH, Shannon K, Braschel M, Krüsi A, Norris C, Zhu H, Deering K. Brief Report: Social Factors Associated With Trajectories of HIV-Related Stigma and Everyday Discrimination Among Women Living With HIV in Vancouver, Canada: Longitudinal Cohort Findings. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2023; 94:190-195. [PMID: 37850977 PMCID: PMC10730092 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Women living with HIV (WLHIV) experience stigma rooted in social inequities. We examined associations between social factors (food insecurity, housing insecurity, violence, sexual minority identity, and substance use) and HIV-related stigma and Everyday Discrimination trajectories among WLHIV. METHODS This community-based open longitudinal cohort study with WLHIV living in and/or accessing HIV care in Metro Vancouver, Canada, plotted semiannual averages (2015-2019) of recent (past 6-month) HIV-related stigma and Everyday Discrimination. We examined distinct trajectories of HIV-related stigma and Everyday Discrimination using latent class growth analysis (LCGA) and baseline correlates of each trajectory using multinomial logistic regression. FINDINGS Among participants (HIV-related stigma sample: n = 197 participants with n = 985 observations; Everyday Discrimination sample: n = 203 participants with n = 1096 observations), LCGA identified 2 distinct HIV-related stigma and Everyday Discrimination trajectories: sustained low and consistently high. In multivariable analysis, concurrent food and housing insecurity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-4.12) and physical/sexual violence (AOR: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.22-5.42) were associated with higher odds of the consistently high (vs. sustained low) HIV-related stigma trajectory. Sexual minority identity (AOR: 2.84, 95% CI: 1.49-5.45), concurrent food and housing insecurity (AOR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.38-5.08), and noninjection substance use (less than daily vs. none) (AOR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.03-4.07) were associated with higher odds of the consistently high (vs. sustained low) Everyday Discrimination trajectory. CONCLUSIONS Social inequities were associated with consistently high HIV-related stigma and Everyday Discrimination among WLHIV. Multilevel strategies can address violence, economic insecurity, intersecting stigma, and discrimination to optimize health and rights among WLHIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen H. Logie
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, Canada
- Women’s College Research Institute, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Kate Shannon
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Andrea Krüsi
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Candice Norris
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Haoxuan Zhu
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kathleen Deering
- Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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