Provider Perceptions of Barriers to HIV Care Among Women with HIV in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and Possible Solutions: A Qualitative Study

Who wants long-Acting injectable antiretroviral therapy? Treatment preferences among adults with HIV in Florida

Long-acting injectable (LAI) antiretroviral therapy (ART) is available to people with HIV (PWH), but it is unknown which PWH prefer this option. Using the Andersen Behavioral Model this study identifies characteristics of PWH with greater preference for LAI ART. Cross-sectional data from the Florida Cohort, which enrolled adult PWH from community-based clinics included information on predisposing (demographics), enabling (transportation, income), and need (ART adherence <90%) factors. ART preference was assessed via a single question (prefer pills, quarterly LAI, or no preference). Confounder-adjusted multinomial logistic regressions compared those who preferred pills to the other preference options, with covariates identified using directed acyclic graphs. Overall, 314 participants responded (40% non-Hispanic Black, 62% assigned male, 63% aged 50+). Most (63%) preferred the hypothetical LAI, 23% preferred pills, and 14% had no preference. PWH with access to a car (aRRR 1.97 95%CI 1.05-3.71), higher income (aRRR 2.55 95%CI 1.04-6.25), and suboptimal ART adherence (aRRR 7.41 95% CI 1.52-36.23) were more likely to prefer the LAI, while those who reported having no social network were less likely to prefer the LAI (aRRR 0.32 95% CI 0.11-0.88). Overall LAI interest was high, with greater preference associated with enabling and need factors.

A qualitative assessment of retention in HIV care among adolescents and young adults (AYA) living with HIV in New York City

Retention in HIV care is a critical precursor to ending the epidemic yet remains suboptimal in the United States. Gaining an understanding of the challenges faced by adolescents and young adults (AYA) living with HIV is essential to improving retention in HIV care. This study explored the barriers and facilitators to retention in care among Black and Hispanic AYA living with HIV. Audio-recorded semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 AYA living with HIV ages 16-29 years in New York City. Our methods entailed an inductive content analysis to explore key concepts, reconcile codes, and identify a theme, categories, and subcategories. Bronfenbrenner's socioecological model evolved as an organizing framework around barriers and facilitators to retention in care at the individual, interpersonal, healthcare system, and structural level. Data analysis yielded one overarching theme-the influence of psychosocial factors on retention in HIV care. Psychological struggles, powerlessness, clinic-level characteristics, and socioeconomic struggles were barriers reported by participants. Self-responsibility, social support, patient-friendly healthcare services, and socioeconomic resources emerged as facilitators. Retention in HIV care among AYA living with HIV is a multifaceted and complex phenomenon that involves multiple systems. Strengthening patients, healthcare system, and community partnerships can help address some of the HIV-related health disparities.

Perceptions and Current Practices in Patient-Centered Care: A Qualitative Study of Ryan White HIV Providers in South Florida

Background: Patient-centered care (PCC) improves HIV adherence and retention, though lack of consensus on its conceptualization and understanding how it is interpreted has hindered implementation. Methods: We recruited 20 HIV providers at Ryan White Programs in FL for in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis identified core consistencies pertaining to: 1) provider perceptions, 2) current practices promoting PCC. Results: Provider perceptions of PCC emerged under four domains: 1) holistic, 2) individualized care, 3) respect for comfort and security, and 4) patient engagement and partnership. PCC practices occurred at multiple levels: 1) individual psychosocial and logistical support, 2) interpersonal support within patient-provider relationships through respectful communication and active engagement, and 3) institutional practices including feedback mechanisms, service integration, patient convenience, and diverse staffing. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the central tenets of PCC as respectful, holistic, individualized, and engaging care. We offer an HIV-adapted framework of PCC as a multilevel construct to guide future intervention.

Patient-Provider Relationships and Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence and Durable Viral Suppression Among Women with HIV, Miami-Dade County, Florida, 2021-2022

Women with HIV in the United States are more negatively affected by adverse social determinants such as low education and poverty than men, and thus, especially need a supportive health care system. This cross-sectional study assessed the role of the patient-provider relationship on antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and durable viral suppression among women with HIV (WHIV) in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Patient-provider relationship was measured, in part, using the Health Care Relationship Trust Scale and Consumer Assessment of Health Care Providers and Systems. The survey was administered by telephone to women in the Ryan White Program June 2021-March 2022. Adherence was defined as 90% adherent on the average of three self-reported items. Lack of durable viral suppression was defined by at least one viral load ≥200 copies/mL among all tests conducted in a year. Logistic regression models were generated using backward stepwise modeling. Of 560 cis-gender women, 401 (71.6%) were adherent, and 450 (80.4%) had durable viral suppression. In the regression model, adherence was associated with higher patient-provider trust and provider communication as well as excellent perceived health, lack of significant depressive symptoms, no alcohol use within the last 30 days, and lack of transportation problems. In the regression model using provider as a random effect, durable viral suppression was associated with older age, Hispanic ethnicity, and lack of illegal drug use. While the results show that a strong patient-provider relationship facilitates ART adherence in WHIV, there was no association with durable viral suppression.

Life Instability Associated with Lower ART Adherence and Other Poor HIV-Related Care Outcomes in Older Adults with HIV

BACKGROUND

Life instability may be an important factor for HIV-related care outcomes in older adults living with HIV (OALWH). This study examined the degree to which an 11-item life instability index (LII) composed of individual- and community-level indicators was associated with HIV-related care outcomes-viral load, antiretroviral (ART) medication adherence, rates of detectable viral load, and HIV care appointment non-adherence among OALWH in the Miami area.

METHODS

Six hundred twenty-three OALWH completed an interviewer-administered assessment (English or Spanish), which was matched with medical record data.

RESULTS

Participants reported about six LII indicators each (M = 6.08, SD = 1.44). Greater index scores were associated with worse self-reported ART adherence (b =  - 1.14, p = 0.03), lower observed appointment adherence (b = 0.02, p < 0.01), higher viral load (b = 0.09, p = 0.02), and greater odds of viral detection (OR = 1.22, p = 0.01). Regarding health behaviors, life instability was significantly associated with increased illicit substance use among participants and not associated with depression or anxiety. The association of life instability to ART adherence remained significant (although attenuated) when controlling for the significant effects of substance use (b =  - 0.40, BSTP [- 0.87, - 0.09]).

CONCLUSION

This present study is the first to examine an additive life instability index and its association with HIV-related behavioral and biomedical health outcomes among a population of OALWH. Greater indicators of life instability among OALWH may lead to poorer HIV-related health outcomes above and beyond the net of the effects of depression, anxiety, and substance use.

Person-time spent with HIV viral load above 1500 copies/mL among Miami-Dade County Ryan White Program clients, 2017-2019: a retrospective analysis

HIV transmission risk significantly increases at HIV viral load (VL) >1500 copies/mL. We sought to determine the percentage of person-time spent with VL >1500 copies/mL (pPT >1500) and the associations of demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors and this outcome among persons with HIV receiving care. A retrospective analysis of data from clients enrolled in the Ryan White Program from 2017 to 2019 was performed. We assessed pPT >1500 in HIV care by utilizing consecutive VL pairs and calculating the length of time between each pair and the corresponding time spent for the observation period. The association between pPT >1500 and selected client characteristics were analyzed using a random-effects zero-inflated negative binomial model. Among the 6390 clients, 42% were aged 50 or older, 52% MSM, and 59% Hispanic. Overall, 7.5% of clients spent, on average, 27.4 days per year at substantial risk of transmitting HIV. Younger age, AIDS diagnosis, and reported drug use in the preceding 12 months were associated with higher pPT >1500. Tailored interventions should be implemented to meet the unique HIV needs of groups with consistent viremia to significantly minimize transmission risk.

HIV Care Access During the COVID-19 Pandemic as Perceived by Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups Served by the Ryan White Program, Miami-Dade County, Florida

The Ryan White Program (RWP) in Miami-Dade County, Florida made several modifications to keep HIV care accessible during the COVID-19 Pandemic, including expanding telehealth services, increasing access to HIV medications, and waiving required lab tests for service recertification. We assessed ease of access to medical providers, medical case managers, and antiretroviral medications during the COVID-19 Pandemic among 298 Non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and Haitian people with HIV (PWH) served by the RWP Part A, Miami-Dade County, Florida using a telephone-administered survey between October 2020 and January 2021. Overall, most clients reported similar or better access compared to before the Pandemic. Use of videocalls to communicate with HIV medical providers varied by race/ethnicity: Hispanics (49.6%), Non-Hispanic Blacks (37.7%), and Haitian clients (16.0%). Results suggest the modifications helped maintain access to care during an unprecedented health crisis. Permanently adopting many of these modifications should be considered to continue to facilitate access to care.