CD4 Counts at Entry to HIV Care in Mexico for Patients under the "Universal Antiretroviral Treatment Program for the Uninsured Population," 2007-2014

HIV Stigma Mechanisms Scale: Factor Structure, Reliability, and Validity in Mexican Adults

We aimed to validate the HIV Stigma Mechanisms Scale (HIV-SMS) in a sample of Mexican adults living with HIV, which differentiates between sources and mechanisms of stigma. Adults (n = 362) with a median age of 32 years old completed a web-based version in Spanish of the HIV-SMS as well as sociodemographic and HIV-related characteristics questionnaire. Exploratory factor analyses with weighted least squares and oblique rotation were performed to assess the construct validity of the scale. The Spanish translation for the Mexican population of the HIV-SMS has adequate internal consistency (Ω = 0.86) and demonstrated a structure similar to the original scale. After excluding the items related to community and social workers, a five-factor solution with internalized, promulgated, and anticipated stigma from family and healthcare workers showed adequate construct validity. The HIV-SMS is a valid and sensitive scale that can be used in a Mexican adult population living with HIV.

Late Diagnosis at Entry on Care in an HIV Clinic in Mexico City: Possibly COVID-19 Pandemic Impact

BACKGROUND

HIV late-stage diagnoses have an important impact on mortality. Unfortunately, a significant number of patients are still diagnosed at late stages. On the other hand, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created an unprecedented crisis in healthcare systems worldwide, including HIV care services. The aim of this study was to compare time-trends in HIV late diagnosis, prevalence, and initial CD4 cell counts of newly diagnosed HIV-positive individuals at the entry to HIV care in a General Hospital in Mexico City and to assess the Covid-19 pandemic possible effects on late diagnosis prevalence.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the data of HIV-infected patients (January 1999 to December 2021) to assess the prevalence of Late presentation (LP, CD4 count < 350 cells/mm3) and presentation with advanced HIV disease (AHIVD CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3). Differences across time were evaluated, focusing on years of the Covid-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

We included 348 newly diagnosed HIV-positive individuals, of which 255 (73.2%) patients entered into care with LP, and 158 (45.4%) were on AHIVD. The proportion of patients with LP and AHIVD decreased significantly across the study period. Nevertheless, we found an increase in this proportion in the years 2020 (70% and 53%) and 2021 (86% and 68%).

CONCLUSION

Despite the progressive decrease in late diagnosis prevalence in our population, it remains high. Even more, our results documented a possible increase in the prevalence of late diagnosis associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the need to prioritize interventions to evaluate and reverse pandemic effects on people living with HIV care.

Virologic failure in people living with HIV in 1st line ART: A 10-year Mexican population-based study

Background

In Mexico, the number of people living with HIV (PLWH) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) has increased in the last 20 years. The elimination of a CD4 threshold to initiate publicly funded ART was a major policy implemented in 2014. The study objective was to assess the determinants of Virologic Failure (VF) in Mexican PLWH on first-line ART between 2008 and 2017 and to evaluate the effects of changes following the 2014 policy.

Methods

A 10-year patient-level data analysis was conducted using the Mexican SALVAR database. The main outcome was the proportion of PLWH with VF. A multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify the association between covariates and VF before and after the 2014 policy implementation.

Results

We found a lower proportion of people with VF in 2014–2017 compared with 2008–2013 (50% vs 33%, p<0.001). The multivariable analysis showed a reduction in the odds of virologic failure after 2014 (Odds ratio: 0.50 [95% CI: 0.48–0.51]). Place of treatment and level of deprivation were significant predictors of VF in during 2014–2017, but not before.

Conclusion

This study indicates that, by lowering threshold levels of CD4 required for treatment initiation in Mexico, a higher number of PLWH initiated treatment during 2014–2017, compared to 2008–2013 and the odds of VF were reduced.

Patient characteristics and determinants of CD4 at diagnosis of HIV in Mexico from 2008 to 2017: a 10-year population-based study

BACKGROUND

In 2007-2012 the Mexican government launched the National HIV program and there was a major change in HIV policies implemented in 2013-2018, when efforts focused on prevention, increase in early diagnosis and timely treatment. Still, late HIV diagnosis is a major concern in Mexico due to its association with the development of AIDS development and mortality. Thus, the objectives of this study were to identify the determinants of late HIV diagnosis (i.e. CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm3) in Mexico from 2008 to 2017 and to evaluate the impact of the 2013-2017 National HIV program.

METHODS

Using patient level data from the SALVAR database, which includes 64% of the population receiving HIV care in Mexico, an adjusted logistic model was conducted. Main study outcomes were HIV late diagnosis which was defined as CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm3 at diagnosis.

RESULTS

The study included 106,830 individuals newly diagnosed with HIV and treated in Mexican public health facilities between 2008 and 2017 (mean age: 33 years old, 80% male). HIV late diagnosis decreased from 45 to 43% (P < 0.001) between 2008 and 2012 and 2013-2017 (i.e. before and after the implementation of the 2013-2017 policy). Multivariable logistic regressions indicated that being diagnosed between 2013 and 2017 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.96 [95% Confidence interval [CI] [0.93, 0.98]) or in health facilities specialized in HIV care (OR = 0.64 [95% CI 0.60, 0.69]) was associated with early diagnosis. Being male, older than 29 years old, diagnosed in Central East, the South region of Mexico or in high-marginalized locality increased the odds of a late diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that the 2013-2017 National HIV program in Mexico has been marginally successful in decreasing the proportion of individuals with late HIV diagnosis in Mexico. We identified several predictors of late diagnosis which could help establishing health policies. The main determinants for late diagnosis were being male, older than 29 years old, and being diagnosed in a Hospital or National Institute.

Factors associated with insufficient weight gain among Mexican pregnant women with HIV infection receiving antiretroviral therapy

Objective

We identified clinical, dietary, and socioeconomic factors associated with insufficient gestational weight gain among Mexican pregnant women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study involving 112 pregnant women with HIV infection receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Data including viral load, complete blood analysis, and CD4 counts were extracted from medical records. An inquiry form was used to collect data on socioeconomic status and frequency of food intake. Pre-gestational weight was calculated based on pregnancy weight to obtain the body mass index (BMI) and weight gain for gestational age according the US Institute of Medicine. Of the study population, 68.7% were in consensual union, 31.3% were single, and 33.9% belonged to the two lowest socioeconomic strata. The median age and CD4 count were 27 (interquartile range [IQR]: 23–32) years and 418 (IQR: 267–591), respectively. The adequacy of energy was 91.8% (IQR: 74.1–117.7). The median energy intake from protein was 13.5% (IQR: 12.2–14.9) and from lipids, 35.5% (IQR: 31.1–40.3). Pregnant women with gastrointestinal symptoms and CD4 count <350 were seven times more likely to have folate deficiency (odds ratio [OR] 7.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6–38.1; p = 0.009) and six times more likely to have poor zinc intake (OR 6.7, 95% CI 1.3–36.8; p = 0.014). In all, 42.9% of the pregnant women consumed iron and folic acid supplements and 54.4% consumed multivitamin supplements. Moreover, 45.5% had a normal pre-gestational BMI, 41.1% were classified overweight, and 13.4% had obesity, whereas 62.5% showed insufficient gestational weight gain, and 18.8% experienced weight loss. The variables associated with insufficient weight gain were consensual union (OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.9–15.0; p = 0.002) and belonging to the lowest socioeconomic stratum (E) (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.0–9.2; p = 0.046).

Conclusion

Dietary strategies to improve gestational weight gain for Mexican women with HIV infection receiving ART must consider clinical and socioeconomic factors.

Identifying risk factors for HIV-positive test results in walk-in and hospitalized patients in a Mexico City HIV clinic: a descriptive study

The objective of this study was to analyze risk factors for HIV-positive tests in walk-in users and in hospitalized patients in a Mexico City hospital. We undertook a cross-sectional study based on routine HIV testing and counseling service data in adults undergoing an HIV test from January 2015 to July 2017. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine risk factors for walk-in and hospitalized patients. The results showed that 2040 people tested during the period; hospitalized patients were more likely to test HIV-positive than walk-in users (18 versus 15%; p < 0.05). HIV risk factors for hospitalized patients included being men who have sex with men (MSM) (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 7.2, 95% CI 2.0-26.5), divorced (aOR 4.4, 95% CI 1.3-14.4), having 3-5 lifetime sexual partners (aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.0-7.4), and being in the emergency room (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 1.1-11.3), intensive care (aOR 27.2, 95% CI 3.4-217.2), or clinical pneumology wards (aOR 33.4, 95% CI 9.7-115.2). In the walk-in group, HIV risk factors included being male (aOR 2.8, 95% CI 1.3-5.9), being MSM (aOR 4.3, 95% CI 2.0-9.5), having sex while using drugs (aOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3-4.0), being referred by a physician for testing (aOR 3.2, 95% CI 1.6-6.3), and perceiving oneself at risk (aOR 3.8, 95% CI 2.3-6.3). Differential risk factors found among hospitalized patients and walk-in testers can be helpful in designing better HIV testing strategies to increase early diagnosis and linkage to care.

HIV pretreatment drug resistance trends in three geographic areas of Mexico

Background

Pretreatment drug resistance (PDR) levels to NNRTI approaching 10% have recently been reported in Mexico. However, subnational differences may exist in PDR prevalence and transmission dynamics.

Objectives

We longitudinally assessed HIV PDR in three geographic areas of Mexico.

Patients and methods

HIV-infected, antiretroviral-naive individuals were recruited from 2008 to 2016, from the Central Metropolitan Zone (CMZ), Cancun and Tijuana (1194, 773 and 668 respectively). PDR was estimated using the Stanford HIVdb tool from plasma HIV pol sequences.

Results

A higher proportion of females, lower education and lower employment rate were observed in Tijuana, while a higher proportion of MSM was observed in the CMZ (P < 0.0001, all cases). For 2012-16, PDR was 13.4%, 8.9% and 11.2% in the CMZ, Tijuana and Cancun respectively. NNRTI PDR was highest in the three regions (8.7%, 4.8% and 8.1% respectively, P < 0.05); nevertheless, NNRTI PDR in Tijuana was lower than in the CMZ (P = 0.01). For 2008-16, we observed increasing efavirenz resistance trends in all regions (P < 0.05, all cases), reaching 11.8%, 6.1% and 8.3% respectively in 2016. Increasing efavirenz resistance was mostly associated with increasing K103N frequency (P = 0.007 CMZ, P = 0.03 Tijuana, not significant for Cancun).

Conclusions

Our study suggests different NNRTI PDR prevalence and transmission dynamics in three geographical areas of Mexico. Even when increasing trends in efavirenz resistance were observed in the three areas, our observations support that, in a large country such as Mexico, subnational surveillance and locally tailored interventions to address drug resistance may be a reasonable option.

Improving antiretroviral therapy adherence in resource-limited settings at scale: a discussion of interventions and recommendations

Introduction: Successful population-level antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence will be necessary to realize both the clinical and prevention benefits of antiretroviral scale-up and, ultimately, the end of AIDS. Although many people living with HIV are adhering well, others struggle and most are likely to experience challenges in adherence that may threaten virologic suppression at some point during lifelong therapy. Despite the importance of ART adherence, supportive interventions have generally not been implemented at scale. The objective of this review is to summarize the recommendations of clinical, research, and public health experts for scalable ART adherence interventions in resource-limited settings. Methods: In July 2015, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation convened a meeting to discuss the most promising ART adherence interventions for use at scale in resource-limited settings. This article summarizes that discussion with recent updates. It is not a systematic review, but rather provides practical considerations for programme implementation based on evidence from individual studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and the World Health Organization Consolidated Guidelines for HIV, which include evidence from randomized controlled trials in low- and middle-income countries. Interventions are categorized broadly as education and counselling; information and communication technology-enhanced solutions; healthcare delivery restructuring; and economic incentives and social protection interventions. Each category is discussed, including descriptions of interventions, current evidence for effectiveness, and what appears promising for the near future. Approaches to intervention implementation and impact assessment are then described. Results and discussion: The evidence base is promising for currently available, effective, and scalable ART adherence interventions for resource-limited settings. Numerous interventions build on existing health care infrastructure and leverage available resources. Those most widely studied and implemented to date involve peer counselling, adherence clubs, and short message service (SMS). Many additional interventions could have an important impact on ART adherence with further development, including standardized counselling through multi-media technology, electronic dose monitoring, decentralized and differentiated models of care, and livelihood interventions. Optimal targeting and tailoring of interventions will require improved adherence measurement. Conclusions: The opportunity exists today to address and resolve many of the challenges to effective ART adherence, so that they do not limit the potential of ART to help bring about the end of AIDS.