1036 UNANTICIPATED SLEEP BENEFITS AMONG GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN PARTICIPATING IN AN EHEALTH INTERVENTION TO REDUCE SEXUAL RISK BEHAVIORS

Abstract

E-health interventions for HIV-positive populations have led to significant declines in transmission risk behaviors, as well as improvements in mental health, antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, and overall well-being. But what impact might these interventions have on sleep health? Research has shown that poor sleep quality in persons living with HIV is associated with psychological distress and suboptimal ART adherence, the latter being critical to viral suppression. Thus, e-health interventions targeting mental health, HIV care, and/or sexual risk may inadvertently have a positive effect on sleep quality. Using data from a video-based e-health sexual risk reduction intervention designed for HIV-positive gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), this presentation examines the potential impact of participation on sleep health and related outcomes. We randomized 830 men to an intervention or attention control arm. Study assessments were conducted online. Mean age was 39 years; 50% identified as Black or Hispanic/Latino. During study screening and at 9-months post-enrollment, we assessed participants’ past month sleep quality (very or fairly bad, very or fairly good) and use of sleep medications. We also assessed recent symptoms of psychological distress, perceived resilience, and ART adherence. Compared to study screening, participants across study arms reported significant improvement in sleep quality (57% vs. 66%; p<.001) and less use of sleep medications (35% vs. 28%; p<.05) at 9-months. Good sleepers at 9-months were more resilient than poor sleepers (p<.001). In age-adjusted logistic regression analyses, good sleepers had significantly decreased odds of reporting suboptimal ART adherence (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.50, 95% Confidence interval [CI] = 0.32–0.78), clinical symptoms of depression (AOR=0.23, CI=0.15–0.34), and clinical symptoms of anxiety (AOR=0.22, CI=0.15–0.33). Findings suggest that participating in research designed to reduce sexual transmission among HIV-positive men may also lead to adoption of other healthy behaviors not accounted for in study design (i.e., sleep). This is of particular relevance to GBMSM who bear a disproportionate burden of HIV, but are underrepresented in HIV-associated sleep research. This research was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (R01 MH100973; PI: Hirshfield).