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Tam C, Wang L, Salters K, Moore D, Wesseling T, Grieve S, Parry R, Barath J, Hogg R, Barrios R. Evaluating experiences of HIV-related stigma among people living with HIV diagnosed in different treatment eras in British Columbia, Canada. AIDS Care 2024; 36:238-247. [PMID: 37963415 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2023.2277150] [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: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
There is mixed evidence on whether experiences of HIV-related stigma are mitigated with lived experience. We sought to examine whether people living with HIV (PLWH) with longer living experience reported varying levels of HIV-related stigma. Between January 2016-September 2018, we used purposive sampling to enrol PLWH aged ≥19 across British Columbia, Canada, where participants completed the 10-item Berger HIV Stigma Scale. We conducted bivariate analyzes examining key sociodemographic characteristics and HIV-related stigma scores. Multivariable linear regression modelled the association between year of HIV diagnosis by treatment era and HIV-related stigma scores. We enrolled 644 participants; median age at enrolment was 50 years (Q1-Q3: 42-56), with 37.4% (n = 241) diagnosed before the year 2000. The median HIV-stigma scores of all participants (19.0, Q1-Q3: 13-25, range 0-40) stratified by treatment era were: 17.0 (pre-1996), 20.0 (1996-1999), 20.0 (2000-2009), 19.0 (2010-2018) (p = 0.03). While there was a significant association at the univariate level, year of HIV diagnosis by treatment era was not associated with stigma scores after controlling for age, gender, HIV key populations, ethnicity, relationship status, social support, and ever having a mental health disorder diagnosis. This suggests that PLWH still experience HIV-related stigma today, compared to those diagnosed in earlier time periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Tam
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Lu Wang
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kate Salters
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - David Moore
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Tim Wesseling
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Sean Grieve
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Rebeccah Parry
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Justin Barath
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Robert Hogg
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Rolando Barrios
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Pakhomova TE, Tam C, Wang L, Salters K, Moore DM, Barath J, Elterman S, Dawydiuk N, Wesseling T, Grieve S, Sereda P, Hogg R, Barrios R. Depressive Symptoms, the Impact on ART Continuation, and Factors Associated with Symptom Improvement Among a Cohort of People Living with HIV in British Columbia, Canada. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:43-58. [PMID: 37632606 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04156-3] [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: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Depressive symptoms among people living with HIV (PLWH) are associated with poorer overall health outcomes. We characterized depressive symptoms and improvements in symptomology among PLWH (≥ 19 years old) in British Columbia (BC), Canada. We also examined associations between depressive symptomology and antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment interruptions. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10), within a longitudinal cohort study with three surveys administered 18-months apart. We used multivariable logistic regression to model factors associated with improvements in depressive symptoms (CES-D-10 scores from ≥ 10 to < 10). Of the 566 participants eligible for analysis 273 (48.2%) had CES-D scores indicating significant depressive symptoms (score ≥ 10) at enrollment. Improvements in symptoms at first follow-up were associated with greater HIV self-care on the Continuity of Care Scale (adjusted odds ratio: 1.17; 95% CI 1.03-1.32), and not having a previously reported mental health disorder diagnosis (aOR 2.86; 95% CI 1.01-8.13). Those reporting current cocaine use (aOR 0.33; 95% CI 0.12-0.91) and having a high school education, vs. less than, (aOR 0.25; 95% CI 0.08-0.82) had lower odds of improvement in depressive symptomatology. CES-D scores ≥ 10 were not significantly associated with ART treatment interruptions during follow-up (aOR: 1.08; 95% CI:0.65-1.8). Supporting greater self-care and consideration of mental health management strategies in relation to HIV may be useful in promoting the wellbeing of PLWH who experience depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana E Pakhomova
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608 - 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Y6, Canada.
| | - Clara Tam
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608 - 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Y6, Canada
| | - Lu Wang
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608 - 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Y6, Canada
| | - Kate Salters
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608 - 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Y6, Canada
- Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - David M Moore
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608 - 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Y6, Canada
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Justin Barath
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608 - 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Y6, Canada
| | - Simon Elterman
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608 - 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Y6, Canada
| | - Nicole Dawydiuk
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608 - 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Y6, Canada
| | - Tim Wesseling
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608 - 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Y6, Canada
| | - Sean Grieve
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608 - 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Y6, Canada
| | - Paul Sereda
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608 - 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Y6, Canada
| | - Robert Hogg
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608 - 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Y6, Canada
- Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Rolando Barrios
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608 - 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Y6, Canada
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Tam C, Wesseling T, Wang L, Salters K, Moore DM, Dawydiuk N, Zhu J, Grieve S, Bingham B, McLinden T, Hogg R, Barrios R. It's all about connection: Determinants of social support and the influence on HIV treatment interruptions among people living with HIV in British Columbia, Canada. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2524. [PMID: 38104090 PMCID: PMC10725596 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17416-7] [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: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social support has previously been found to be associated with improved health outcomes of individuals managing chronic illnesses, including amongst people living with HIV (PLWH). For women and people who use injection drugs who continue to experience treatment disparities in comparison to other PLWH, social support may have potential in facilitating better treatment engagement and retention. In this analysis, we examined determinants of social support as measured by the Medical Outcomes Study - Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) scale, and quantified the relationship between MOS-SSS and HIV treatment interruptions (TIs) among PLWH in British Columbia, Canada. METHODS Between January 2016 and September 2018, we used purposive sampling to enroll PLWH, 19 years of age or older living in British Columbia into the STOP HIV/AIDS Program Evaluation study. Participants completed a baseline survey at enrolment which included the MOS-SSS scale, where higher MOS-SSS scores indicated greater social support. Multivariable linear regression modeled the association between key explanatory variables and MOS-SSS scores, whereas multivariable logistic regression modeled the association between MOS-SSS scores and experiencing TIs while controlling for confounders. RESULTS Among 644 PLWH, we found that having a history of injection drug use more than 12 months ago but not within the last 12 months, self-identifying as Indigenous, and sexual activity in the last 12 months were positively associated with MOS-SSS, while being single, divorced, or dating (vs. married), experiences of lifetime violence, and diagnosis of a mental health disorder were inversely associated. In a separate multivariable model adjusted for gender, ethnicity, recent homelessness, sexual activity in the last 12 months, and recent injection drug use, we found that higher MOS-SSS scores, indicating more social support, were associated with a lower likelihood of HIV treatment interruptions (adjusted odds ratio: 0.90 per 10-unit increase, 95% confidence interval: 0.83, 0.99). CONCLUSIONS Social support may be an important protective factor in ensuring HIV treatment continuity among PLWH. Future research should examine effective means to build social support among communities that have potential to promote increased treatment engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Tam
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z1Y6, Canada.
| | - Tim Wesseling
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z1Y6, Canada
| | - Lu Wang
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z1Y6, Canada
| | - Kate Salters
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z1Y6, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - David M Moore
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z1Y6, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Nicole Dawydiuk
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z1Y6, Canada
| | - Julia Zhu
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z1Y6, Canada
| | - Sean Grieve
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z1Y6, Canada
| | - Brittany Bingham
- Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Indigenous Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Taylor McLinden
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z1Y6, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Robert Hogg
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z1Y6, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Rolando Barrios
- Epidemiology and Population Health Program, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z1Y6, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Tattersall T, Tam C, Moore D, Wesseling T, Grieve S, Wang L, Bacani N, Montaner JSG, Hogg RS, Barrios R, Salters K. Healthcare and treatment experiences among people diagnosed with HIV before and after a province-wide treatment as prevention initiative in British Columbia, Canada. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1022. [PMID: 35597938 PMCID: PMC9123764 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13415-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In 2010, the Canadian province of British Columbia (BC) initiated the Seek and Treat for Optimal Prevention of HIV/AIDS (STOP HIV/AIDS) program to improve HIV testing, linkage to care, and treatment uptake, thereby operationalizing the HIV Treatment as Prevention (TasP) framework at the population-level. In this analysis, we evaluated self-reported HIV care experiences and therapeutic outcomes among people diagnosed with HIV prior to and after implementation of this provincial program. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was performed on the baseline data of a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH) (19 years and older) in the province of BC sampled from July 2016 to September 2018. All participants consented to linking their survey data to the provincial HIV treatment registry. Individuals diagnosed with HIV from January 1 2000—December 31 2009 were classified as pre-intervention and those diagnosed January 1 2010—December 31 2018 as post-intervention cohorts. Bivariate analyses were run using Chi-square and Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests. Cox proportional hazards regression model demonstrates time to antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation (from HIV baseline) and virological suppression (2 consecutive plasma viral load measurements < 200 copies/ml). Results Of the 325 participants included in this analysis, 198 (61%) were diagnosed with HIV in the pre-intervention era and 127 (39%) in the post-intervention era. A higher proportion of participants in post-intervention era were diagnosed at walk-in clinics (45% vs. 39%) and hospitals (21% vs. 11%) (vs pre-intervention) (p = 0.042). Post-intervention participants had initiated ART with less advanced HIV disease (CD4 count 410 vs. 270 cells/ul; p = 0.001) and were less likely to experience treatment interruptions at any point in the 5 years after HIV diagnosis (17% vs. 48%; p < 0.001). The post-intervention cohort had significantly more timely ART initiation (aHR: 5.97, 95%CI 4.47, 7.97) and virologic suppression (aHR: 2.03, 95%CI 1.58, 2.60) following diagnosis, after controlling for confounders. Conclusions We found favourable treatment experiences and more timely ART initiation and virologic suppression after a targeted TasP provincial program. Our results illustrate the importance of accessible low-barrier HIV testing and treatment in tackling the HIV epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Tattersall
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z1Y6, Canada
| | - Clara Tam
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z1Y6, Canada
| | - David Moore
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z1Y6, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tim Wesseling
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z1Y6, Canada
| | - Sean Grieve
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z1Y6, Canada
| | - Lu Wang
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z1Y6, Canada
| | - Nic Bacani
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z1Y6, Canada
| | - Julio S G Montaner
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z1Y6, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Robert S Hogg
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z1Y6, Canada.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Rolando Barrios
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z1Y6, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kate Salters
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z1Y6, Canada. .,Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
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Moore DM, Kremer H, Wang L, Lepik KJ, Li J, Salters K, Montaner JSG, Tam C, Kling R, Bharmal A, Goodison K, Pakhomova T, Barrios R. Evaluation of a Public Health Referral System to Re-Engage Individuals Living With HIV Who Have Interrupted Antiretroviral Therapy in British Columbia, Canada. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2022; 90:33-40. [PMID: 35013088 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2016, the British Columbia HIV/AIDS Drug Treatment Program modified its prescriber alert system for antiretroviral therapy (ART) interruptions to include referrals to regional public health nursing teams for direct outreach support for those who remain off treatment for 4 months or longer. We evaluated clinically relevant outcomes of this Re-Engagement and Engagement in Treatment for Antiretroviral Interrupted and Naïve populations (RETAIN) initiative, in comparison to previous time-periods. METHODS We analyzed ART interruptions triggering alerts in pre-RETAIN (July 2013-April 2016) and post-RETAIN periods (May 2016-October 2017) with follow-up continuing until October 2018. We compared the proportions of those who restarted ART and achieved viral suppression in pre-RETAIN and post-RETAIN periods and the time to ART restart using generalized estimating equations. Cox proportional hazards modelling was used to examine associations with time-to-ART-restart. RESULTS A total of 1805 individuals experienced ART interruptions triggering 3219 alerts; 2050 in pre-RETAIN and 1169 in post-RETAIN periods. Participants were predominantly men (74%) and had a median duration of ART of 5 years. Among persons who remained interrupted >4 months after an ART interruption alert was sent, the median time from interruption to ART re-initiation declined from 8.7 months to 7.4 months (P < 0.001) from pre-to post-RETAIN periods. Interruptions in the post-RETAIN era were associated with an increased hazard of restarting ART (adjusted hazard ratio 1.51; 95% CI: 1.34 to 1.69). CONCLUSIONS Public health referrals shortened the length of ART interruptions after alerts sent to prescribers had not resulted in re-engagement. Similar programs should be considered in other jurisdictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Moore
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Hayden Kremer
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Lu Wang
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Katherine J Lepik
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jenny Li
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kate Salters
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
- Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia
| | - Julio S G Montaner
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Clara Tam
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Rakel Kling
- Northern Health Authority, Prince George, British Columbia
| | - Aamir Bharmal
- Fraser Health Authority, Surrey, British Columbia; and
| | | | - Tatiana Pakhomova
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Rolando Barrios
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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