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Vincent W, Siconolfi DE, Pollack L, Campbell CK, Kegeles SM, Storholm ED. What's in Your Dataset? Measuring Engagement in HIV Care Using Routinely Administered Items with a Population Disproportionately Burdened by HIV. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:1423-1434. [PMID: 38150065 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04229-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated the psychometric properties of a measure consisting of items that assess current HIV care continuum engagement based on established definitions in the United States. At baseline, participants in this longitudinal study, which included three time points from 2015 to 2020, were 331 young Black sexual minority men ages 18-29 living with HIV in the southern United States residing in two large southern cities. Self-report items reflected four aspects of HIV care continuum engagement as binary variables: seeing a healthcare provider for HIV care, being on antiretroviral treatment, being retained in HIV care, and being virally suppressed. Of these, the following three variables loaded onto a single factor in exploratory factor analysis: being on antiretroviral treatment, being retained in HIV care, and being virally suppressed. A one-dimensional factor structure was confirmed using confirmatory factor analyses at separate time points. Additionally, the three items collectively showed measurement invariance by age, education level, employment status, and income level. The three-item measure also showed reliability based on coefficient omega and convergent validity in its associations with indicators of socioeconomic distress, depression, resilience, and healthcare empowerment. In sum, the items performed well as a single scale. The study demonstrated the potential psychometric strength of simple, feasible, commonly administered items assessing engagement in the HIV care continuum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilson Vincent
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Weiss Hall, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA.
| | | | - Lance Pollack
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Chadwick K Campbell
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Susan M Kegeles
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Erik D Storholm
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
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2
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Bengtson AM, Filipowicz TR, Mphonda S, Udedi M, Kulisewa K, Meltzer-Brody S, Gaynes BN, Go VF, Chibanda D, Verhey R, Hosseinipour MC, Pence BW. An Intervention to Improve Mental Health and HIV Care Engagement Among Perinatal Women in Malawi: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:3559-3570. [PMID: 37084104 PMCID: PMC10119837 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04070-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Perinatal depression (PND) is common and an important barrier to engagement in HIV care for women living with HIV (WLHIV). Accordingly, we adapted and enhanced The Friendship Bench, an evidence-based counseling intervention, for perinatal WLHIV. In a pilot randomized trial (NCT04143009), we evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, and preliminary efficacy of the Enhanced Friendship Bench (EFB) intervention to improve PND and engagement in HIV care outcomes. Eighty pregnant WLHIV who screened positive for PND symptoms on the Self-Report Questionnaire (≥ 8) were enrolled, randomized 1:1 to EFB or usual care, and followed through 6 months postpartum. Overall, 100% of intervention participants were satisfied with the intervention and 93% found it beneficial to their overall health. Of 82 counseling sessions assessed for fidelity, 83% met or exceeded the fidelity threshold. At 6 months postpartum, intervention participants had improved depression remission (59% versus 36%, RD 23%, 95% CI 2%, 45%), retention in HIV care (82% versus 69%, RD 13%, -6%, 32%), and viral suppression (96% versus 90%, RD 7%, -7%, 20%) compared to usual care. Adverse events did not differ by arm. These results suggest that EFB intervention should be evaluated in a fully powered randomized trial to evaluate its efficacy to improve PND and engagement in HIV care outcomes for WLHIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Bengtson
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Teresa R Filipowicz
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Michael Udedi
- Mental Health Unit, Malawi Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Kazione Kulisewa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Samantha Meltzer-Brody
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Bradley N Gaynes
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Vivian F Go
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dixon Chibanda
- Department of Psychiatry & Research Support Centre, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Mina C Hosseinipour
- UNC Project Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Brian Wells Pence
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Beeman A, Bengtson AM, Swartz A, Colvin CJ, Lurie MN. Cyclical Engagement in HIV Care: A Qualitative Study of Clinic Transfers to Re-enter HIV Care in Cape Town, South Africa. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:2387-2396. [PMID: 35061116 PMCID: PMC9167245 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03582-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Long-term patient engagement and retention in HIV care is an ongoing challenge in South Africa's strained health system. However, some patients thought to be "lost to follow-up" (LTFU) may have "transferred" clinics to receive care elsewhere. Through semi-structured interviews, we explored the relationship between clinic transfer and long-term patient engagement among 19 treatment-experienced people living with HIV (PLWH) who self-identified as having engaged in a clinic transfer at least once since starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Gugulethu, Cape Town. Our findings suggest that patient engagement is often fluid, as PLWH cycle in and out of care multiple times during their lifetime. The linear nature of the HIV care cascade model poorly describes the lived realities of PLWH on established treatment. Further research is needed to explore strategies for reducing unplanned clinic transfers and offer more supportive care to new and returning patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aly Beeman
- Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Angela M Bengtson
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Box GS-121-2, Room 221, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Alison Swartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Box GS-121-2, Room 221, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Christopher J Colvin
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Box GS-121-2, Room 221, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Mark N Lurie
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Box GS-121-2, Room 221, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
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Maiorana A, Zamudio-Haas S, Sauceda J, Rodriguez-Díaz CE, Brooks RA, Santiago-Rodríguez E, Myers JJ. "Holidays Come, Sundays Come. It is Very Sad to be Alone": Transnational Practices and the Importance of Family for Mexican and Puerto Rican Latinxs Living with HIV in the Continental U.S. J Immigr Minor Health 2020:10.1007/s10903-020-01035-0. [PMID: 32500399 PMCID: PMC7271632 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-020-01035-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Latinxs continue to be overrepresented in the U.S. HIV epidemic. We examined the transnational practices, family relationships, and realities of life of Mexicans and Puerto Ricans living with HIV in the continental U.S. We conducted qualitative interviews with 44 persons of Mexican and Puerto Rican origin participating in HIV care engagement interventions. Framework Analysis guided our data analysis. Among participants, a strong connection to the family was intertwined with transnational practices: communication, travel to their place of origin to maintain family ties, and material and/or emotional support. Separation from their family contributed to social isolation. Many participants lacked emotional support regarding living with HIV. Transnational practices and family relationships were intrinsic to the experiences of Mexicans and Puerto Ricans living with HIV in the continental U.S.; and may help understand the points of reference, health-seeking behaviors, and support sources that influence their health, well-being and engagement in HIV care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres Maiorana
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California at San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Sophia Zamudio-Haas
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California at San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - John Sauceda
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California at San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Carlos E Rodriguez-Díaz
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ronald A Brooks
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Edda Santiago-Rodríguez
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California at San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Janet J Myers
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California at San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
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Bengtson AM, Kumwenda W, Lurie M, Klyn B, Owino M, Miller WC, Go V, Hosseinipour MC. Improving Monitoring of Engagement in HIV Care for Women in Option B+: A Pilot Test of Biometric Fingerprint Scanning in Lilongwe, Malawi. AIDS Behav 2020; 24:551-559. [PMID: 31773445 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-019-02748-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Sustained engagement in HIV care is critical to the success of Option B+ for HIV-infected pregnant women. However, monitoring women's engagement in care across clinics and over time is challenging due to migration and clinic transfers. Improved strategies to identify and monitor women's engagement in HIV care across a network of clinics are needed, but have not been pilot tested. We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of biometric fingerprint scanning to identify women and monitor HIV visit attendance among women in Option B+. Over a 3-month period, we enrolled HIV-infected pregnant women receiving care at two antenatal clinics in Lilongwe, Malawi and monitored their engagement in care using biometric fingerprint scanning and the standard-of-care electronic medical record (EMR) monitoring system. Biometric data was collected by trained research assistants, who uploaded and synced data across study sites daily using wireless internet. We collected data weekly on the biometric scanner performance, reliability, and usability. We assessed the feasibility and acceptability of using biometric fingerprint scanning to record HIV visits during exit interviews with a sample of participants and healthcare workers and by comparing visit concordance between the biometric fingerprint scanning and EMR systems. We enrolled 314 HIV-infected pregnant women and 51 HCWs (n = 365 total participants). The majority of participants felt the biometric fingerprint scanning system was easy to use (64%), required no additional assistance (69%) and met their expectations (76%). No major issues with data security, privacy, or scanner functionality were reported by HIV-infected women or healthcare workers. Of the 542 HIV visits captured during the study period among women in Option B+, 80% were recorded in the biometric fingerprint system versus 51% in the EMR system (PR 1.57, 95% CI 1.43, 1.72, p-value < 0.05). Among HIV-infected pregnant women engaged in HIV care, biometric fingerprint scanning is a feasible and acceptable way to monitor HIV visits and may improve the ability to monitor women's engagement in HIV care over time and across clinics. Biometric fingerprint scanning should be scaled-up and evaluated as an implementation strategy to support sustained engagement in HIV care for women during the perinatal period.
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Bengtson AM, Go V, Kumwenda W, Lurie M, Kutengule A, Owino M, Hosseinipour M. "A way of escaping": a qualitative study exploring reasons for clinic transferring and its impact on engagement in care among women in Option B. AIDS Care 2019; 32:72-75. [PMID: 31067986 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1614521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Clinic transfers among women in Option B+ are frequent, often undocumented, and may lead to suboptimal engagement in care and HIV outcomes. The reasons women move between HIV clinics are not well understood. We conducted four focus group discussions (FGD) among HIV-infected pregnant women in Option B+ and four FGDs and five in-depth interviews among healthcare workers (HCWs) at two large ART clinics in Lilongwe, Malawi. Mobility and fear of inadvertent HIV disclosure, particularly due to seeing neighbors or acquaintances at a clinic, were key drivers of transferring between HIV clinics. Women were aware of the need to obtain a formal transfer, but in practice this was often not feasible and led women to self-transfer clinics. Self-transferring to a new clinic frequently resulted to re-testing and re-initiating ART and concerns about disruptions in ART. Strategies to monitor women's engagement in HIV care without requiring a formal transfer are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Bengtson
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Vivian Go
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Mark Lurie
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | | | - Michael Owino
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mina Hosseinipour
- UNC Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi.,Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Christopoulos KA, Cunningham WE, Beckwith CG, Kuo I, Golin CE, Knight K, Flynn PM, Spaulding AC, Coffin LS, Kruszka B, Kurth A, Young JD, Mannheimer S, Crane HM, Kahana SY. Lessons Learned From the Implementation of Seek, Test, Treat, Retain Interventions Using Mobile Phones and Text Messaging to Improve Engagement in HIV Care for Vulnerable Populations in the United States. AIDS Behav 2017; 21:3182-3193. [PMID: 28578543 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-017-1804-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In the United States, little is known about interventions that rely on mobile phones and/or text messaging to improve engagement in HIV care for vulnerable populations. Domestic studies using these technologies as part of the National Institute on Drug Abuse "Seek, Test, Treat, Retain" research initiative were queried regarding intervention components, implementation issues, participant characteristics, and descriptive statistics of mobile phone service delivery. Across five studies with 1,135 predominantly male, minority participants, implementation challenges occurred in three categories: (1) service interruptions; (2) billing/overage issues, and; (3) the participant user experience. Response rules for automated text messages frequently frustrated participants. The inability to reload minutes/texting capacity remotely was a significant barrier to intervention delivery. No study encountered confidentiality breaches. Service interruption was common, even if studies provided mobile phones and plans. Future studies should attend to the type of mobile phone and service, the participant user experience, and human subjects concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina A Christopoulos
- Division of HIV, ID and Global Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, 995 Potrero Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA.
| | - William E Cunningham
- Departments of Medicine and Health Policy and Management, UCLA Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Curt G Beckwith
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Irene Kuo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Carol E Golin
- Department of Health Behavior, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kevin Knight
- Institute of Behavioral Research, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Patrick M Flynn
- Institute of Behavioral Research, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Anne C Spaulding
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lara S Coffin
- Division of HIV, ID and Global Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California San Francisco, 995 Potrero Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA
| | - Bridget Kruszka
- Collaborative Health Studies Coordinating Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ann Kurth
- School of Nursing, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jeremy D Young
- Division of Infectious Disease, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sharon Mannheimer
- Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Heidi M Crane
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Shoshana Y Kahana
- Services Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Higa DH, Crepaz N, Mullins MM; Prevention Research Synthesis Project. Identifying Best Practices for Increasing Linkage to, Retention, and Re-engagement in HIV Medical Care: Findings from a Systematic Review, 1996-2014. AIDS Behav 2016; 20:951-66. [PMID: 26404014 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-015-1204-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
A systematic review was conducted to identify best practices for increasing linkage, retention and re-engagement in HIV care (LRC) for persons living with HIV (PLWH). Our search strategy consisted of automated searches of electronic databases and hand searches of journals, reference lists and listservs. We developed two sets of criteria: evidence-based to identify evidence-based interventions (EBIs) tested with a comparison group and evidence-informed to identify evidence-informed interventions (EIs) tested with a one-group design. Eligible interventions included being published between 1996 and 2014, U.S.-based studies with a comparison or one-group designs with pre-post data, international randomized controlled trials, and having objective measures of LRC-relevant outcomes. We identified 10 best practices: 5 EBIs and 5 EIs. None focused on re-engagement. Providers and prevention planners can use the review findings to identify best practices suitable for their clinics, agencies, or communities to increase engagement in care for PLWH, ultimately leading to viral suppression.
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