Comparing the care needs of people living with and without HIV in Canadian home and long-term care settings

Preference for care models among older people living with HIV: cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The number of people living with HIV (PWH) aged 50 and above is increasing. The question of care among older PWH (aged ≥ 50 years) is an increasing concern. Understanding the care preference of older people can better provide care services for them. The purpose of this study was to investigate the care preference (home-based care, self-care, institutional care, community-based care, and mutual-aid care) among older PWH and identify the factors affecting their care preference.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among older PWH (aged ≥ 50 years) about care preference from May to November 2021. We enrolled 319 participants using convenience sampling. We designed a questionnaire to assess the care preference of older PWH. The Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to conduct univariate analysis of care preference. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing care preference.

RESULTS

Most older PWH (72.7%) preferred home-based care, and few (15.7%) preferred self-care. Fewer older PWH preferred community-based care (5.3%), institutional care (5.0%) and mutual-aid care (1.3%). Multivariate analysis showed that older PWH with a house, spouse and more children were more inclined to choose home-based care (p < .05). Older PWH living alone, having higher monthly income and higher HIV stigma preferred to choose self-care (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Home-based care was the most preferred model of older PWH, and self-care ranked second. The number of those who preferred institutional care, community-based care and mutual-aid care were few. Nation and government should take measures to allocate care resources for older adults reasonably to better meet the care needs of older PWH. It is important to strengthen social security, reduce internalized HIV stigma, improve social support, and explore diversified care models for improving the quality of life of older PWH.

Characteristics of older adults living with HIV accessing home and community care services in British Columbia, Canada

Over half of people living with HIV (PLHIV) engaged in care in British Columbia (BC) are age ≥50. The public home and community care (HCC) system offers formal support that PLHIV may turn to as they age, but little is known about access specific to PLHIV. Using data from the STOP HIV/AIDS cohort, which includes linked treatment and demographic records for PLHIV accessing care in BC, we compared older PLHIV (defined as those age ≥50) who did and did not access HCC services. We estimated adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for factors associated with HCC service utilization using logistic regression. This study included 5,603 PLHIV age ≥50, 837 (14.94%) of whom accessed any HCC service between 2005 and 2015. Services most commonly used were community nursing (8.98%, n = 503) and rehabilitation (7.73%, n = 433). Those who received HCC were more likely to be female (aOR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.24, 1.98), have a history of injection drug use (aOR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.57, 2.25), have a higher Charlson comorbidity score (aOR = 1.11, 95% CI:1.07, 1.15) and to have visited a general practitioner in the past year (aOR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.77, 2.67). Approximately 15% of older PLHIV have accessed HCC, but the extent of potential unmet need for these services requires further research.

A Population-Based Study of Care at the End of Life Among People With HIV in Ontario From 2010 to 2013

BACKGROUND

Aging and increasing comorbidity is changing the end-of-life experience of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the developed world. We quantified, at a population level, the receipt of health care services and associated costs across a comprehensive set of sectors among decedents with and without HIV.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective population-level observational study of all decedents in Ontario and their receipt of health care services, captured through linked health administrative databases, between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2013. We identified PLHIV using a validated algorithm. We described the characteristics of PLHIV and their receipt of health care services and associated costs by health care sector in the last year of life.

RESULTS

We observed 264,754 eligible deaths, 570 of whom had HIV. PLHIV were significantly younger than those without HIV (mean age of death 56.1 years vs. 76.6 years, [P < 0.01]). PLHIV spent a mean of 20.0 days in an acute care hospital in the last 90 days of life compared with 12.1 days for decedents without HIV (P < 0.01); after adjustment, HIV was associated with 4.5 more acute care days (P < 0.01). Mean cost of care in the last year was significantly higher among PLHIV ($80,885.62 vs. $53,869.77), mostly attributable to acute care costs.

INTERPRETATION

PLHIV in Ontario are dying younger, spending more time and dying more often in hospital, and incur significantly increased costs before death. Greater involvement of community-based palliative care may improve the dying experience for this complex population.

Emerging Needs of People Living With HIV Receiving Community-Based Nursing in an Australian Setting

While the lifespan of people living with HIV (PLWH) in Australia has increased, a minority still experience poor health outcomes and have complex needs. Few studies address this group's emerging needs. Our study, a component of a larger evaluation, aimed to identify current and projected needs of PLWH receiving HIV community nursing. We undertook a cross-sectional survey to identify clients' support needs and explore their future concerns. There were 120 of 140 PLWH who met our eligibility criteria to participate in the survey; 86 responded. Respondents overrepresented minority, disadvantaged groups. Mental health support was the most common care reported (86.8%). Respondents' self-identified needs included access to health care, dealing with pain, anticipated grief due to friends dying, and maintaining independence. Time since HIV diagnosis and sexual orientation were primary variables for which differences were observed. Our study highlights the importance of developing and sustaining HIV specialist community nursing services for aging PLWH.