Structural Barriers to Women's Sustained Engagement in HIV Care in Southern California

Barriers to Retention in Care among Adults with HIV in Developed Countries: An Integrative Review

Focusing on factors hindering viral suppression is essential for improving the health outcomes of people with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and working towards ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The aim of this integrative review is to create an overview of barriers to retention in care among adults with HIV living in developed countries. Based on a systematic literature search across EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycInfo, 4,089 studies of various methodology were identified. A total of 52 studies met the inclusion criteria. Quality assessment was performed using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. Based on thematic analysis, the following five main themes were identified as most common barriers to retention in care: financial challenges, logistical challenges, stigma, mental health problems, and substance use. The integrative review highlights that various factors can hinder retention in care and underscores that strategies to promote retention in care should be person-centered and targeted the individual person's barriers to retention in care.

Association between mental health and substance use among reproductive-age women with HIV on cervical cancer screening and viral suppression outcomes

Women with HIV (WWH) face a heightened risk of cervical cancer and sub-optimal viral suppression. Although mental health conditions and substance use are known barriers to cervical cancer screening and viral suppression among WWH, little is known about the impact of specific mental health symptoms and substance use issues in reproductive-age WWH. This cross-sectional study examined the associations among depression and anxiety symptoms, substance use, cervical cancer screening, and viral suppression in a cohort of reproductive-age WWH enrolled in the Florida Cohort Study. Of WWH (n = 202) in the study, 42% reported anxiety, 35% reported depressive symptoms, 49% reported drug use, and 64% reported alcohol use within the past 12 months. In addition, 24% were not virally suppressed, 34% did not receive cervical cancer screening within the last year, and 13% did not receive cervical cancer screening within the last 3 years. Sub-optimal cervical cancer screening within the last year was associated with depression (p = 0.04) and anxiety (p = 0.007) symptoms. Mental health symptoms were significantly related to sub-optimal cervical cancer screening, which may be a target for clinical intervention. Future research should include social and structural barriers that may exist for achieving guideline-concordant cervical cancer screening and viral suppression.

HIV/AIDS Mortality Trends in Lang Son, Vietnam: Insights from a Population-Based Mortality Registration from 2005 to 2018

The HIV epidemic remains a major public health issue globally and in Vietnam. This study assesses changes in HIV/AIDS-related mortality rates over time in Lang Son Province, Vietnam, from 2005-2018. We performed a descriptive epidemiological study using a population-based mortality registration system to examine HIV/AIDS-related mortality. HIV/AIDS-related mortality was converted to a crude and adjusted rate per 100,000 person-years using the World Health Organization's standard population for 2000-2025. The mortality rate ratio and 95% confidence interval were estimated to examine the province's time trend from 2005 to 2018. The adjusted mortality rate for HIV/AIDS in Lang Son Province was 12.3 and 2.4 per 100,000 for men and women, respectively, with a male-to-female ratio of 5.1. The province experienced a 94% reduction in HIV/AIDS-related deaths between 2005 and 2018. The mortality rate ratio for 2018 compared to 2005 was lower for men (0.056, 95% CI: 0.029, 0.110) than for women (0.080, 95% CI: 0.019, 0.338). The findings show a gradual decline in HIV/AIDS-related mortality rates in Lang Son Province, Vietnam. However, significant gender disparities in mortality remain a major concern, and HIV remains a significant burden. This highlights the urgency for major efforts to prevent HIV transmission and address these disparities to effectively end the HIV epidemic in Lang Son and throughout Vietnam.

A Qualitative Study of Transportation-Related Barriers to HIV Care in South Carolina

OBJECTIVES

Addressing structural barriers to care for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the southern United States is critical to increase rates of viral suppression and to reduce existing HIV disparities. This qualitative study aimed to describe transportation-related barriers experienced by people living with HIV in South Carolina, understand perceived effects of transportation vulnerability on HIV care, and explore strategies used by individuals to overcome transportation-related challenges.

METHODS

We conducted semistructured interviews with 20 people living with HIV from South Carolina who were either reengaging in HIV care after a prolonged absence (>9 months) or in care but with a detectable viral load (ie, >200 copies/mL). All people living with HIV reported transportation vulnerability. A deductive/inductive approach was used to identify transportation-related barriers perceived to negatively affect HIV care. We also identified strategies and resources described by people living with HIV as helpful in addressing transportation challenges.

RESULTS

Participants described a range of transportation-related barriers to HIV care, including lack of access to reliable, safe, and affordable transportation, as well as stigma due to HIV and socioeconomic statuses. These barriers were reported to negatively affect engagement in care and worsen both physical and mental health. Participants indicated flexible clinic policies and instrumental support from family and friends were useful in overcoming barriers.

CONCLUSIONS

This study offers insight for the development of transportation interventions to improve equitable access to HIV care for people living with HIV in South Carolina. It also calls attention to the ways in which transportation vulnerability, HIV-related stigma, and disability status intersect to create unique challenges for some people living with HIV.

A hybrid type II effectiveness-implementation trial of a positive emotion regulation intervention among people living with HIV engaged in Ryan White Medical Case Management: protocol and design for the ORCHID study

BACKGROUND

The Ryan White Medical Case Management System, which serves more than half of people living with HIV (PLWH) in the USA, is an opportune setting for identifying and addressing depression among PLWH. A growing body of research suggests that interventions that promote positive emotion may lessen symptoms of depression and improve physical and psychological well-being among people experiencing a variety of health-related stress, including living with HIV. Research on how best to integrate standardized mental health screening and referral to evidence-based interventions in Ryan White Medical Case Management settings has the potential to improve the health and wellbeing of PLWH.

METHODS

This mixed-methods study will enroll up to N = 300 Ryan White clients who screen positive for depressive symptoms in ORCHID (Optimizing Resilience and Coping with HIV through Internet Delivery), a web-based, self-guided positive emotion regulation intervention. The study will be conducted in 16 Ryan White Medical Case Management clinics in Chicago, IL. Following pre-implementation surveys and interviews with Medical Case Managers (MCMs) and Supervisors to develop an implementation facilitation strategy, we will conduct a hybrid type 2 implementation-effectiveness stepped wedge cluster randomized trial to iteratively improve the screening and referral process via interviews with MCMs in each wedge. We will test the effectiveness of ORCHID on depression and HIV care outcomes for PLWH enrolled in the program. RE-AIM is the implementation outcomes framework and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research is the implementation determinants framework.

DISCUSSION

Study findings have the potential to improve mental health and substance use screening of Ryan White clients, decrease depression and improve HIV care outcomes, and inform the implementation of other evidence-based interventions in the Ryan White Medical Case Management System.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05123144. Trial registered 6/24/2021.

Exploring experiences of HIV care to optimize patient-centred care in Conakry, Guinea: a qualitative study

Introduction

Studies on the organisation of care and the power dynamic between providers and patients with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are rare. This study aims to describe the patient-provider relationship and explore the challenges to optimal and patient-centred care for HIV patients.

Methods

This was a qualitative exploratory descriptive study using in-depth individual interviews and focus group discussions. In total, 17 individual interviews and 5 focus group discussions were conducted. This was conducted in four urban health facilities in Conakry, the capital of Guinea. Three group of participants were included in this study namely patients with HIV; health providers including facilities and services managers; and psychosocial counsellors. Psychosocial counsellors provide emotional and psychosocial support to HIV patients. Their role in the organization care in Guinea is new and they contribute to strengthening adherence of patients with HIV to ARV treatment.

Results

Patients with HIV, health providers, and psychosocial counsellors have a positive perception of the patient-provider relationship. This relationship was characterized essentially by maintaining confidentiality of HIV status disclosure, caring attitudes towards patients (being available, adjusting locations for accessing ART, based on patients' preferences), and participating in HIV patient's social life. However, scolding and miscommunication about the interpretation of viral load tests were reported. The shortage of human resources, low salaries of health staff, poor infrastructure, and the financial burden borne by patients with HIV impede the implementation of optimal patient-centred care.

Conclusion

Integrating psychosocial counsellors in HIV care organization, improving access to ARV, infrastructure, increasing human resources, and removing the financial burden for HIV patients are needed to optimal patient-centred care in Guinea.

What's in Your Dataset? Measuring Engagement in HIV Care Using Routinely Administered Items with a Population Disproportionately Burdened by HIV

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.

Systematic Review of Neighborhood Factors Impacting HIV Care Continuum Participation in the United States

Social determinants have been increasingly implicated in accelerating HIV vulnerability, particularly for disenfranchised communities. Among these determinants, neighborhood factors play an important role in undermining HIV prevention. However, there has been little research comprehensively examining the impact of neighborhood factors on HIV care continuum participation in the US. To address this, we conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO registration number CRD42022359787) to determine neighborhood factors most frequently associated with diminished HIV care continuum participation. Peer-reviewed studies were included if published between 2013 - 2022, centralized in the US, and analyzed a neighborhood factor with at least one aspect of the HIV care continuum. The review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. Study quality was guided by LEGEND (Let Evidence Guide Every New Decision) evaluation guidelines. Systematic review analysis was conducted using Covidence software. There were 3,192 studies identified for initial screening. Forty-four were included for review after eliminating duplicates, title/abstract screening, and eligibility assessment. Social and economic disenfranchisement of neighborhoods negatively impacts HIV care continuum participation among persons living with HIV. In particular, five key neighborhood factors (socioeconomic status, segregation, social disorder, stigma, and care access) were associated with challenged HIV care continuum participation. Race moderated relationships between neighborhood quality and HIV care continuum participation. Structural interventions addressing neighborhood social and economic challenges may have favorable downstream effects for improving HIV care continuum participation.

Understanding why racial/ethnic inequities along the HIV care continuum persist in the United States: a qualitative exploration of systemic barriers from the perspectives of African American/Black and Latino persons living with HIV

BACKGROUND

Racial/ethnic inequities along the HIV care continuum persist in the United States despite substantial federal investment. Numerous studies highlight individual and social-level impediments in HIV, but fewer foreground systemic barriers. The present qualitative study sought to uncover and describe systemic barriers to the HIV care continuum from the perspectives of African American/Black and Latino persons living with HIV (PLWH) with unsuppressed HIV viral load, including how barriers operated and their effects.

METHODS

Participants were African American/Black and Latino PLWH with unsuppressed HIV viral load (N = 41). They were purposively sampled for maximum variability on key indices from a larger study. They engaged in semi-structured in-depth interviews that were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed. Data were analyzed using directed content analysis.

RESULTS

Participants were 49 years old, on average (SD = 9), 76% were assigned male sex at birth, 83% were African American/Black and 17% Latino, 34% were sexual minorities (i.e., non-heterosexual), and 22% were transgender/gender-nonbinary. All had indications of chronic poverty. Participants had been diagnosed with HIV 19 years prior to the study, on average (SD = 9). The majority (76%) had taken HIV medication in the six weeks before enrollment, but at levels insufficient to reach HIV viral suppression. Findings underscored a primary theme describing chronic poverty as a fundamental cause of poor engagement. Related subthemes were: negative aspects of congregate versus private housing settings (e.g., triggering substance use and social isolation); generally positive experiences with health care providers, although structural and cultural competency appeared insufficient and managing health care systems was difficult; pharmacies illegally purchased HIV medication from PLWH; and COVID-19 exacerbated barriers. Participants described mitigation strategies and evidenced resilience.

CONCLUSIONS

To reduce racial/ethnic inequities and end the HIV epidemic, it is necessary to understand African American/Black and Latino PLWH's perspectives on the systemic impediments they experience throughout the HIV care continuum. This study uncovers and describes a number of salient barriers and how they operate, including unexpected findings regarding drug diversion and negative aspects of congregate housing. There is growing awareness that systemic racism is a core determinant of systemic barriers to HIV care continuum engagement. Findings are interpreted in this context.

Cisgender women with HIV in the United States: how have HIV care continuum outcomes changed over time? 2015-2020

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate HIV care continuum trends over time among women with HIV (WWH).

DESIGN

The Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) is a complex sample survey of adults with diagnosed HIV in the United States.

METHODS

We used 2015-2019 MMP data collected from 5139 adults with diagnosed HIV infection who identified as cisgender women. We calculated weighted percentages with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all characteristics and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) and the associated 95% CI to assess trends. EAPCs were considered meaningful from a public health perspective if at least 1% with P values less than 0.05.

RESULTS

Among cisgender women with diagnosed HIV infection during 2015-2019, 58.8% were Black or African American (95% CI 54.4-63.3), 19% were Hispanic/Latina (95% CI 14.7-23.2), and 16% were Non-Hispanic White (95% CI 14.1-17.9) persons. There was a meaningful increase in the percentage who ever had stage 3 HIV disease from 55.8% (95% CI 51.0-60.5) in 2015 to 61.5% (95% CI 58.1-64.8) in 2019 (EAPC 1.7%; CI 1.5-1.9; P < 0.001). There were no meaningful changes over time among women, overall, in retention in care, antiretroviral therapy (ART) prescription, ART adherence, missed appointments, or recent or sustained viral suppression.

CONCLUSION

The HIV care continuum outcomes among WWH did not meaningfully improve from 2015 to 2019, raising a concern that Ending the HIV Epidemic in the US (EHE) initiative goals will not be met. To improve health and reduce transmission of HIV among WWH, multifaceted interventions to retain women in care, increase ART adherence, and address social determinants of health are urgently needed.

Measuring Unmet Needs among Persons Living with HIV at Different Stages of the Care Continuum

Unmet needs can impede optimal care engagement, impacting the health and well-being of people living with HIV (PLWH); yet, whether unmet needs differ by care engagement status is not well understood. Using surveys and qualitative interviews, we examined and compared unmet needs for PLWH (n = 172) at different levels of care engagement. Unmet needs varied only slightly by care status. Survey findings revealed that provision of housing, emergency financial assistance, employment assistance, and food security were the greatest unmet need; for those in care, housing was the greatest unmet need, whereas for those sporadically in care or out of care, employment assistance was the greatest unmet needs. Qualitative interviews likewise illustrated that a lack of financial resources including insurance, housing, employment, and transportation presented barriers to care engagement across all care groups. Our findings indicate that unmet needs among PLWH are complex and multi-faceted across care engagement status.