HIV Clinical Outcomes Research Articles

Food insecurity and unemployment as mediators of the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and psychological well-being in young South Africans with HIV

BackgroundPoor psychological well-being, including depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, is both prevalent among young South Africans living with HIV and associated with poor HIV clinical outcomes. By impacting food insecurity and employment, the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced psychological well-being in this population. This analysis sought to examine whether food insecurity and unemployment mediated the relationship between study cohort (pre- versus during-pandemic) and psychological well-being in our sample of young South Africans living with HIV.MethodsThis was a secondary analysis comparing baseline data from two cohorts of young South Africans ages 18–24 from the Cape Town and East London metro areas who tested positive for HIV at clinics (or mobile clinics) either before or during the COVID-19 pandemic. Baseline sociodemographic, economic, and psychological outcomes were analyzed through a series of bivariate logistic regression and mediation analyses. All data were analyzed in 2023 and 2024.ResultsReported food anxiety, insufficient food quality, and insufficient food quantity were lower in the cohort recruited during the COVID-19 pandemic than those recruited before the pandemic (p < 0.001). Higher levels of food insecurity predicted higher depressive and anxiety symptoms and lower self-esteem. Food anxiety, insufficient food quality, and insufficient food quantity, but not unemployment, mediated the relationship between study cohort and depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and self-esteem.ConclusionFood insecurity may have decreased amongst our sample of young people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings build on our understanding of how the psychological well-being of young people living with HIV was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and may lend support to interventions targeting food insecurity to improve psychological well-being in this population.

"I Don't Feel Judged, I Don't Feel Less of a Person" - Engaged and Supportive Providers in the HIV Care Experiences of Black Sexual Minority Men Living with HIV.

Black sexual minority men (BSMM) in the Southern region of the United States experience a disproportionate burden of HIV. Research findings suggest that having supportive patient-provider relationships are critical for sustained HIV care engagement. The present study explores the role of supportive healthcare providers in the care engagement among BSMM living with HIV (BSMM+) in the US South. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with BSMM+ in Texas (n=27) to explore perceived barriers and facilitators of sustained care engagement. Interviews lasted 60 minutes on average, were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using applied thematic analysis. Participants described how important having relationships with engaged and supportive HIV care and service providers is to sustained engagement in care and positive HIV clinical outcomes. Supportive providers were characterized as non-judgmental, meeting patients' needs, and making patients feel "seen". Less supportive providers were described as making their patients "feel like a number" and having lack of follow through on proposed support and resources. Supportive providers were associated with increased care engagement of their patients while less supportive providers often led to patients switching providers, losing touch with services, and getting off track with their care. We found that among BSMM+ an important facilitator of sustained care engagement was having positive, affirming, and knowledgeable healthcare providers, while negative and dismissive experiences with providers was a notable barrier to care engagement. This work highlights the need for a scale up of comprehensive, ongoing trainings in patient-centered and person-first communication for providers. Further, manageable provider caseloads can facilitate more thorough patient interactions where tailored HIV care and education can be provided in a safe and non-judgmental environment.

The COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity, and psychosocial well-being in young South Africans newly diagnosed with HIV: a mediation analysis.

Poor psychological well-being, including depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, is both prevalent among young South Africans living with HIV and associated with poor HIV clinical outcomes. By impacting food insecurity and employment, the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced psychological well-being in this population. This analysis sought to examine whether food insecurity and unemployment mediated the relationship between study cohort (pre- versus during-pandemic) and psychological well-being in our sample of young South Africans living with HIV. This was a secondary analysis comparing baseline data from two cohorts of young South Africans ages 18-24 from the Cape Town and East London metro areas who tested positive for HIV at clinics (or mobile clinics) either before or during the COVID-19 pandemic. Baseline sociodemographic, economic, and psychological outcomes were analyzed through a series of bivariate logistic regression and mediation analyses. All data were analyzed in 2023 and 2024. Reported food anxiety, insufficient food quality, and insufficient food quantity were lower in the cohort recruited during the COVID-19 pandemic than those recruited before the pandemic (p<0.001). Higher levels of food insecurity predicted higher depressive and anxiety symptoms and lower self-esteem. Food anxiety, insufficient food quality, and insufficient food quality, but not unemployment, mediated the relationship between study cohort and depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and self-esteem. Food insecurity may have decreased amongst our sample of young people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings build on our understanding of how the psychological well-being of young people living with HIV was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and may lend support to interventions targeting food insecurity to improve psychological well-being in this population.

Clinical HIV outcome trajectories associated with a history of child protective service out-of-home care: Longitudinal cohort findings with women living with HIV in Canada.

Knowledge gaps exist regarding the effects of experiencing child protective services (CPS) out-of-home care (e.g. foster homes) among women with HIV. We examined whether CPS out-of-home care was associated with HIV clinical outcome trajectories among women with HIV in a longitudinal cohort study in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec, Canada. At three timepoints across 5 years (2013-2018), we examined self-reported current antiretroviral therapy (ART) use and viral load (VL) detectability (>50 copies/mL). We used latent class growth analysis (LCGA) to identify trajectories of ART use and VL outcomes across study waves. LCGA identifies subgroups (classes) with similar trajectories within the sample. We assessed whether HIV outcome trajectories could be predicted by CPS history. We then conducted a mediation analysis to test whether a mental health latent construct mediated the association between CPS history and detectable VL. Nearly one-fifth (n = 272; 19%) of participants (n = 1422; mean age 42.8 years) reported CPS out-of-home care. Most participants (89%) were in classes that consistently used ART and had an undetectable VL. Individuals with CPS out-of-home care histories were twice as likely to have a consistently detectable VL (β = 0.72, p = 0.02); there were no differences in ART use trajectories. In mediation analyses, we found an indirect path from CPS history to a consistently detectable VL via baseline mental health status (β = 0.02, 95% confidence interval 0.005-0.04, p = 0.02), with a significant odds ratio (1.12, z = 2.43, p = 0.02). Among women with HIV in Canada, experiencing childhood CPS out-of-home care was associated with a reduced likelihood of achieving viral suppression, via poorer mental health.

Disclosure Events and Psychosocial Well-Being Among Young South African Adults Living with HIV.

Poor psychological well-being is both prevalent among South Africans living with HIV and has been associated with poor HIV clinical outcomes. However, the relationship between disclosure and psychological well-being remains unclear. This analysis sought to examine the relationship between two disclosure-related variables, disclosure status and reaction received, and psychosocial well-being among a sample of young adults living with HIV (YALWH) in urban South Africa. This was a secondary analysis using observational data from Standing Tall, a randomized controlled trial that recruited 100 participants ages 18-24 who tested positive for HIV after initially presenting to two well-established mobile clinics for HIV testing. Interviews investigating primary and secondary outcomes of interest were done at baseline and 6 months following recruitment. About half (51%) of participants disclosed their HIV status within 6 months after recruitment. Simple linear regression analyses revealed that disclosure of HIV status within 6 months after study enrollment predicted significantly lower levels of disclosure concerns and internalized stigma (p < 0.05). Reactions to disclosure were not significantly associated with any of the measures of psychosocial well-being considered in this analysis (p > 0.05). The results suggest that the act of disclosure among newly diagnosed YALWH may be associated with reductions in internalized stigma. In addition, the finding that the act of disclosure may be a more important determinant of psychosocial well-being than the reaction to disclosure has important implications for interventions designed to promote disclosure and psychosocial well-being in YALWH.

Comorbidity Burden and Health Care Utilization by Substance use Disorder Patterns among People with HIV in Florida.

Substance use disorder (SUD), a common comorbidity among people with HIV (PWH), adversely affects HIV clinical outcomes and HIV-related comorbidities. However, less is known about the incidence of different chronic conditions, changes in overall comorbidity burden, and health care utilization by SUD status and patterns among PWH in Florida, an area disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic. We used electronic health records (EHR) from a large southeastern US consortium, the OneFlorida + clinical research data network. We identified a cohort of PWH with 3 + years of EHRs after the first visit with HIV diagnosis. International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes were used to identify SUD and comorbidity conditions listed in the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). A total of 42,271 PWH were included (mean age 44.5, 52% Black, 45% female). The prevalence SUD among PWH was 45.1%. Having a SUD diagnosis among PWH was associated with a higher incidence for most of the conditions listed on the CCI and faster increase in CCI score overtime (rate ratio = 1.45, 95%CI 1.42, 1.49). SUD in PWH was associated with a higher mean number of any care visits (21.7 vs. 14.8) and more frequent emergency department (ED, 3.5 vs. 2.0) and inpatient (8.5 vs. 24.5) visits compared to those without SUD. SUD among PWH was associated with a higher comorbidity burden and more frequent ED and inpatient visits than PWH without a diagnosis of SUD. The high SUD prevalence and comorbidity burden call for improved SUD screening, treatment, and integrated care among PWH.

Spatial and temporal analysis of HIV clinical outcomes in Florida reveals counties with persistent racial and ethnic disparities during 2012-2019

BackgroundRacial/ethnic disparities in the HIV care continuum have been well documented in the US, with especially striking inequalities in viral suppression rates between White and Black persons with HIV (PWH). The South is considered an epicenter of the HIV epidemic in the US, with the largest population of PWH living in Florida. It is unclear whether any disparities in viral suppression or immune reconstitution—a clinical outcome highly correlated with overall prognosis—have changed over time or are homogenous geographically. In this analysis, we 1) investigate longitudinal trends in viral suppression and immune reconstitution among PWH in Florida, 2) examine the impact of socio-ecological factors on the association between race/ethnicity and clinical outcomes, 3) explore spatial and temporal variations in disparities in clinical outcomes.MethodsData were obtained from the Florida Department of Health for 42,369 PWH enrolled in the Ryan White program during 2008-2020. We linked the data to county-level socio-ecological variables available from County Health Rankings. GEE models were fit to assess the effect of race/ethnicity on immune reconstitution and viral suppression longitudinally. Poisson Bayesian hierarchical models were fit to analyze geographic variations in racial/ethnic disparities while adjusting for socio-ecological factors.ResultsProportions of PWH who experienced viral suppression and immune reconstitution rose by 60% and 45%, respectively, from 2008-2020. Odds of immune reconstitution and viral suppression were significantly higher among White [odds ratio =2.34, 95% credible interval=2.14-2.56; 1.95 (1.85-2.05)], and Hispanic [1.70 (1.54-1.87); 2.18(2.07-2.31)] PWH, compared with Black PWH. These findings remained unchanged after accounting for socio-ecological factors. Rural and urban counties in north-central Florida saw the largest racial/ethnic disparities.ConclusionsThere is persistent, spatially heterogeneous, racial/ethnic disparity in HIV clinical outcomes in Florida. This disparity could not be explained by socio-ecological factors, suggesting that further research on modifiable factors that can improve HIV outcomes among Black and Hispanic PWH in Florida is needed.

Social Determinants of Health Among Persons Living with HIV Impact Important Health Outcomes in Michigan.

Addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) is a national priority for improving quality of life and addressing obstacles to accessing care for people living with HIV (PLWH). Utilizing the Oregon Social Determinants of HIV Health Index and CDC's Medical Monitoring Project, we examined the association between social determinants of health and various HIV clinical outcomes and quality of life indicators, including stigma and mental health, for people living with HIV in Michigan. We calculated estimates of SDOHs, clinical outcomes, stigma, and mental health using weighted percentages and prevalence ratios with predicted marginal means, adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, and gender/sexual orientation. Compared with PLWH reporting 0-1 SDOH challenges, those reporting ≥ 4 SDOH challenges were more likely to miss ≥ 1 HIV care appointment (aPR: 2.57, 95% CI 1.70-3.88), have symptoms of depression (aPR: 4.03, 95% CI 2.68-6.05) and anxiety (aPR: 3.55, 95% CI 2.25-5.61), and less likely to have 100% antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence (aPR: 0.62, 95% CI 0.50-0.78) and sustained viral suppression (aPR: 0.77, 95% CI 0.65-0.90). Stigma scores were highest for those reporting ≥ 4 SDOH challenges. Our findings indicate significant associations between SDOH and adverse HIV health and quality of life outcomes which can inform and direct federal, state, and local strategies aimed at improving these outcomes. Linking PLWH to social support services and providing mental health screening and care services could benefit their mental and emotional well-being, leading to better healthcare outcomes.

1578. Evaluation of comparative HIV care continuum outcomes following three years of program implementation of the PositiveLinks smartphone intervention among people with HIV with and without substance use

Abstract Background People with HIV (PWH) and substance use (PWSU) have demonstrated inferior HIV care continuum outcomes, including lower retention in care (RIC), poorer ART adherence, and lower rates of viral suppression (VS) relative to peers without substance use within the literature. We compared 3-year outcomes among people with and without substance use who are enrolled in a smartphone intervention, PositiveLinks (PL), to determine the relative impact of PL for this subgroup of PWH. Methods We performed retrospective chart review of clinical encounter and laboratory data and ICD-diagnoses for 600 PWH enrolled in PL from 2017-2020. Substance use was categorized by diagnoses of illicit substance use and/or substance use-related visits conducted at the UVA Ryan White Clinic. Patients with no documented substance use, or documented tobacco or reported alcohol use with no criteria for a substance use disorder were considered non-substance using. We analyzed HIV clinical outcomes (VS, RIC by HRSA-1 measure) for PL members in each group at baseline (April 2017) and three years later (April 2020, t-test). Results Chart review for the 3-year period of interest for 600 PWH enrolled in PL revealed 117 PWH meeting criteria for substance use and 483 not meeting criteria. A mean of 13 Ryan White Clinic visits were conducted per person among 117 PWSU, compared to 8 visits each among 483 PWH without documented substance use (p&amp;lt; .01) over 3 years. Among PWSU, RIC increased from 56% to 79% (p&amp;lt; .01) while among PWH without substance use, RIC increased from 47% to 69% (p&amp;lt; .01). VS increased significantly among PWSU from 71% to 90% (p&amp;lt; .01), while among PWH without documented substance use, VS increased from 70% to 87%, (p&amp;lt; .01). Differences between groups for RIC and VS were not statistically significant at either time point. Conclusion A sample of 600 PWH using PL demonstrated comparable HIV clinical outcomes across 3 years regardless of substance use status. This sample selects for PWSU who stayed enrolled in PL at 3 years, and may not reflect outcomes expected for a broader population of variably engaged PWSU offered non-tailored mobile health interventions for HIV care. Further analysis is planned to determine whether covariates including demographic characteristics and PL usage patterns influence outcomes observed. Disclosures Sylvia Caldwell, MPH, DHSc, Warm Health Technology: Advisor/Consultant Ben Elliott, MSW, Warm Health Technology: Advisor/Consultant Ava Lena Waldman, M.H.S., CHES, CCRP, Warm Health Technology: Advisor/Consultant Rebecca Dillingham, MD MPH, Warm Health Technology: Advisor/Consultant

Development and internal validation of a risk prediction model for HIV disease severity among people living with HIV and mental illness or substance use disorder

PurposeMental illness (MI) and substance use disorders (SUD) are highly prevalent among people living with HIV (PLWH), and have been linked to poor HIV clinical outcomes. Innovative tools for early risk identification can facilitate timely interventions for PLWH and MI/SUD to improve their health outcomes, however, this is currently lacking in Texas, a state with the 4th largest population of PLWH in the United States. To address this gap, we developed a predictive model to estimate the risk of suboptimal HIV clinical outcomes among PLWH and MI/SUD in Texas. MethodsThe Texas Medical Monitoring Project data obtained from June 2015–May 2020 were used to develop and internally validate the predictive model. Univariate descriptive and bivariate inferential statistics were performed to describe the characteristics of the study population and unadjusted associations with HIV clinical outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to develop the prediction model. Internal validation was performed using the bootstrap method. ResultsA total of 518 respondents aged 18 years and above, representing 27,255 adults living with HIV and mental illness or substance use disorders in Texas were included. Most participants were male (77.0%), less than 50 years of age (60.0%), and had mild diagnosed mental illness and substance use disorder (54.8%). The risk predictive model contained eight predictors, which together yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.727. Non-retention in care appeared to be the strongest risk predictor for having suboptimal HIV clinical outcome (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 3.27; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.45, 7.42). ConclusionsThe predictive model had good discrimination between persons at risk of poor HIV clinical outcomes and those not at risk.

Neurotoxoplasmosis: a 5-year story in the Dominican Republic (P14-10.004)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To describe people living with HIV and neurotoxoplasmosis clinical presentation and common outcomes in the Dominican Republic. <h3>Background:</h3> Despite breakthroughs in HIV testing and ART access, advanced HIV is still a Latin American health concern. The Dominican Republic saw only a 4% reduction in HIV incidence rate during the last 5 years. Suboptimal disease control and opportunistic infections like neurotoxoplasmosis may occur from a lack of specialized healthcare facilities, limited resources, and information availability in remote areas. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> Retrospective case series study of individuals with HIV and neurotoxoplasmosis diagnosis from 2017 to 2022. Characteristics included demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory, and imaging. Quantitative data was analyzed using dispersion and central tendency, whereas qualitative data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages. <h3>Results:</h3> 37 patients with HIV and neurotoxoplasmosis (mean[SD] age, 37.8[9.55] years; 70.2%[26] men) had a median CD4 count of 24 k/uL (IQR 53) and a mean viral load of 329.3 (SD 258). 64%(24) were noncompliant, not treated, or had uncertain HAART status. 29.7% (11) had anemia, 11.1%(4) myasthenia gravis, and 8.1%(3) hypertension. Oropharyngeal candidiasis 29.7%(11) and Tuberculosis 10.8%(4) were common coinfections. Headache (72.9%[27]), hemiparesis (54.1%[20]), and seizures (51.4%[19]) were the most common neurological symptoms. CT scans showed hypodense lesions (72.4%[21]), mass effect (48.6%[18]), patchy white matter hypodensities (32.4%[12]), and vasogenic edema (27.02%[10]). Within a year, 10.8%(4) had died. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Although recent advances in HIV management, developing nations still face difficulties in accessing adequate care. HIV patients require continuous monitoring to avoid preventable conditions, such as neurotoxoplasmosis. Given the sociocultural context, what can we do to increase follow-up and HAART adherence? <b>Disclosure:</b> Dr. Cedeño has nothing to disclose. Dr. Agramonte has nothing to disclose. Mr. Rivas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chacón has nothing to disclose. Dr. Medrano Heredia has nothing to disclose. Miss Montilla has nothing to disclose. Dr. Abreu Guaba has nothing to disclose. Mr. Acra-Tolari has nothing to disclose. Mrs. Rojas Fermin has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Pfizer. Mrs. Rojas Fermin has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Msd. Mrs. Rojas Fermin has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Pfizer. Dr. Mejia has nothing to disclose.

Alcohol-focused and transdiagnostic treatments for unhealthy alcohol use among adults with HIV in Zambia: A 3-arm randomized controlled trial.

Clinical and quality of life outcomes in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) are undermined by unhealthy alcohol use (UAU), which is highly prevalent in this population and is often complicated by mental health (MH) or other substance use (SU) comorbidity. In sub-Saharan Africa, evidence-based and implementable treatment options for people with HIV and UAU are needed. We are conducting a hybrid clinical effectiveness-implementation trial at three public-sector HIV clinics in Lusaka, Zambia. Adults with HIV, who report UAU, and have suboptimal HIV clinical outcomes, will be randomized to one of three arms: an alcohol-focused brief intervention (BI), the BI with additional referral to a transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy (Common Elements Treatment Approach [CETA]), or standard of care. The BI and CETA will be provided by HIV peer counselors, a common cadre of lay health worker in Zambia. Clinical outcomes will include HIV viral suppression, alcohol use, assessed by audio computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI) and direct alcohol biomarkers, Phophatidylethanol and Ethyl glucuronide, and comorbid MH and other SU. A range of implementation outcomes including cost effectiveness will also be analyzed. Hybrid and 3-arm trial design features facilitate the integrated evaluation of both brief, highly implementable, and more intensive, less implementable, treatment options for UAU among PLWH in sub-Saharan Africa. Use of ACASI and alcohol biomarkers will strengthen understanding of treatment effects.

Clinical and Behavioral Outcomes for Transgender Women Engaged in HIV Care: Comparisons to Cisgender Men and Women in the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS) Cohort.

Describe health of transgender women (TW) with HIV vs. cisgender men and women (CM, CW) in a U.S. HIV care cohort. Data were from Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS), 2005-2022. TW were identified using clinical data/identity measures. PWH (n = 1285) were included in analyses (275 TW, 547 CM, 463 CW). Cross-sectional multivariable analyses compared HIV outcomes/co-morbidities between TW/CM and TW/CW, and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated. TW had poorer adherence (> 90% adherent; aOR 0.57; 95%CI 0.38, 0.87) and were more likely to miss ≥ 3 visits in the past year than CM (aOR 1.50, 95%CI 1.06, 2.10); indicated more anxiety compared to both CM and CW (p ≤ 0.001, p = 0.02); hepatitis C infection (p = 0.03) and past-year/lifetime substance treatment (p = 0.004/p = 0.001) compared to CM; and substance use relative to CW. TW with HIV differed in HIV clinical outcomes and co-morbidities from CM and CW.

The Association between Mental Illness, Substance Use and HIV Clinical Outcomes among People Living with HIV in Texas

The Association between Mental Illness, Substance Use and HIV Clinical Outcomes among People Living with HIV in Texas

1270. HIV Drug Resistance and Viral Outcomes after 2nd-line Antiretroviral Failure in Kenya

Abstract Background Program data on HIV drug resistance and clinical outcomes after 2nd-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) failure in resource-limited settings are limited, yet can inform care, particularly with better ART access and options. Methods We examined resistance upon 2nd-line failure and subsequent viral outcomes at the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) in Kenya. Charts of people with genotypes upon 2nd-line failure up to 6/2021 were reviewed; and associations with viral suppression (&amp;lt; 1000 copies/mL) closest to 12 months post-genotyping were determined using bi- and multivariate analyses, adjusting for age, sex, time on ART, switch to 3rd-line (darunavir-, dolutegravir-, and/or raltegravir-based ART), and any resistance to regimens upon viral load (VL) testing. Results Of 194 participants (53% female; median age 41 years; median 3.3 and 4.1 years on 1st- and 2nd-line), 60% were on lopinavir/ritonavir and 40% on atazanavir/ritonavir-based regimens. Overall, 178 (92%) had any resistance: 19% mono-, 40% dual-, 41% triple-class; 79% to NRTIs; 81% NNRTIs; and 43% PIs - 33% of those on lopinavir/ritonavir; 58% on atazanavir/ritonavir (p&amp;lt; 0.001); 24% with intermediate-high predicted resistance to darunavir/ritonavir (12 upon LPV/ritonavir, and 8 upon atazanavir/ritonavir failure; p=0.98). Of 140/194 people with post-genotype VLs, 55% stayed on 2nd-line, and 45% switched to 3rd-line. Of those 140, 72% virally suppressed (89% who switched to 3rd-line; 58% who didn't), and 75% had any resistance to their regimen at post-genotype VL (90% who switched to 3rd-line; 62% who didn't). In bivariate analysis, suppression was associated with switching to 3rd-line, and with resistance upon VL testing (Table). In multivariate analysis, suppression remained more likely among those who switched to 3rd-line, and association with resistance was less pronounced. Conclusion In a large Kenyan HIV program, high resistance upon 2nd-line failure, high failure rates, and suppression association with 3rd-line switch suggest the need for dedicated management of this vulnerable population. Potential association between resistance and better viral outcomes, similar to reports upon 1st-line failure, needs further data and suggests significance of inadequate adherence. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.

Perceived Mistreatment in Health Care Settings and its Relationship with HIV Clinical Outcomes in HIV-positive People who Use Drugs in Vancouver, Canada.

People living with HIV (PLWH) often experience stigma and discrimination by health care professionals. We investigated the prevalence of perceived mistreatment in health care settings and its associations with HIV clinical outcomes and health care-seeking behaviour using data from a long-running prospective cohort of PLWH who use drugs. Of the 857 participants included, 19% reported at least one instance of perceived mistreatment during the study period. In adjusted longitudinal analyses, perceived mistreatment was positively associated with not being on ART in the same follow-up period, and participants who reported perceived mistreatment were less likely to report seeing a physician in the subsequent follow-up period. Daily use of injection drugs was positively associated with reporting perceived mistreatment. These findings demonstrate the implications of negative health care interactions in a population that must consistently engage with the health care system, and the need for stigma-reducing educational interventions for health care professionals.

The relationship between substance use and physical activity among people living with HIV, chronic pain, and symptoms of depression: a cross-sectional analysis

ABSTRACT Chronic pain, depression, and substance use are common among people living with HIV (PLWH). Physical activity can improve pain and mental health. Some substances such as cannabis may alleviate pain, which may allow PLWH to participate in more physical activity. However, risks of substance use include poorer mental health and HIV clinical outcomes. This cross-sectional analysis examined the relationships of self-reported substance use (alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine use), gender, and age with self-reports of walking, moderate physical activity, and vigorous physical activity, converted to Metabolic Equivalent of Task Units (METs), among 187 adults living with HIV, chronic pain, and depressive symptoms in the United States. Women reported less walking, vigorous activity, and total physical activity compared to men. Individuals who used cannabis reported more vigorous physical activity relative to those who did not use cannabis. These findings were partially accounted for by substance use*gender interactions: men using cannabis reported more vigorous activity than all other groups, and women with alcohol use reported less walking than men with and without alcohol use. Research is needed to increase physical activity among women who use substances and to evaluate reasons for the relationship between substance use and physical activity among men.

Differentiated HIV services for transgender people in four South African districts: population characteristics and HIV care cascade.

IntroductionTransgender people in South Africa are disproportionately affected by HIV, discrimination and stigma. Access to healthcare and health outcomes are poor. Although integrating gender‐affirming healthcare with differentiated HIV prevention, care and treatment services has shown improvement in HIV service uptake and health outcomes among transgender people, evidence is lacking on the implementation of differentiated service delivery models in southern Africa. This article describes a differentiated service delivery model across four South African sites and transgender individuals who access these services. We assess whether hormone therapy (HT) is associated with continued use of pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and viral load suppression.MethodsIn 2019, differentiated healthcare centres for transgender individuals opened in four South African districts, providing gender‐affirming healthcare and HIV services at a primary healthcare level. Routine programme data were collected between October 2019 and June 2021. Descriptive statistics summarized patient characteristics and engagement with HIV prevention and treatment services. We conducted a multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine whether HT was associated with viral load suppression and PrEP continued use.ResultsIn the review period, we reached 5636 transgender individuals through peer outreach services; 86% (4829/5636) of them accepted an HIV test and 62% (3535/5636) were linked to clinical services. Among these, 89% (3130/3535) were transgender women, 5% (192/3535) were transgender men and 6% (213/3535) were gender non‐conforming individuals. Of those who received an HIV test, 14% (687/4829) tested positive and 91% of those initiated antiretroviral treatment. Viral load suppression was 75% in this cohort. PrEP was accepted by 28% (1165/4142) of those who tested negative. Five percent (161/3535) reported ever receiving HT through the public healthcare system. Service users who received HT were three‐fold more likely to achieve viral load suppression. We did not find any association between HT and continued use of PrEP.ConclusionsA differentiated HIV and gender‐affirming service delivery model at a primary healthcare level is feasible and can enhance service access in South Africa. HT can improve HIV clinical outcomes for transgender people. As trust is established between the providers and population, uptake of HIV testing and related services may increase further.

Using the Positive Peers Mobile App to Improve Clinical Outcomes for Young People With HIV: Prospective Observational Cohort Comparison.

BackgroundDisparities in HIV outcomes persist among racial, gender, and sexual minorities in the United States. Younger people face a greater risk of contracting HIV, often living without knowledge of their HIV status for long periods. The Positive Peers App (PPA) is a multifunctional HIV support tool designed to improve HIV-related clinical outcomes for young people with HIV. The app was designed according to the specifications of an in-care young adult HIV community in Northeast Ohio. Data provided in this study provide preliminary evidence of the usefulness of PPA as a relevant tool for engaging this clinical patient population in care and facilitating viral suppression.ObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to describe variations in PPA use and examine the associations between use and HIV clinical outcomes between self-selected user and nonuser cohorts in the same clinical population.MethodsThe PPA was offered free of charge to persons with HIV, aged 13 to 34 years of age, diagnosed with HIV within the last 12 months, out of care for 6 months during the last 24 months, or not virally suppressed (HIV viral load >200 copies/mL) in the prior 24 months. Baseline and 6- and 12-month surveys were administered via an audio computer-assisted self-interviewing system to all participants. The app’s user activity was tracked natively by the app and stored in a secure server. Participant demographic and HIV care data were extracted from clinical records within 12 months before the start of the study and across the duration of the study period. HIV care outcomes of PPA users (n=114) were compared with those of nonusers (n=145) at the end of the study period (n=259).ResultsThe analysis showed that younger PPA users (aged 13-24 years) were more likely to obtain HIV laboratories (adjusted odds ratio 2.85, 95% CI 1.03-7.90) and achieve sustained viral suppression than nonusers (adjusted odds ratio 4.2, 95% CI 1.2-13.9).ConclusionsThe PPA appears to help younger users sustain HIV suppression. The app offers an important tool for addressing this critical population. The PPA remains in the field and is currently being adopted by other localities to facilitate their efforts to end the HIV epidemic. Although our reported observational results require additional validation and stringent ongoing surveillance, the results represent our best efforts in a pilot study to provide a measure of efficacy for the PPA. Next steps include a large-scale evaluation of the PPA acceptability and effectiveness. Given the building evidence of user reports and outcomes, the freely available PPA could be a helpful tool for achieving Ending the HIV Epidemic goals.

Process evaluation of an intervention to improve HIV treatment outcomes among children and adolescents.

SETTING:Children and adolescents with HIV encounter challenges in initiation and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). A community-based support intervention of structured home visits, aimed at improving initiation, adherence and treatment, was delivered by community health workers (CHWs) to children and adolescents newly diagnosed with HIV.OBJECTIVES:To 1) describe intervention delivery, 2) explore CHW, caregiver and adolescents’ perceptions of the intervention, 3) identify barriers and facilitators to implementation, and 4) ascertain treatment outcomes at 12 months’ post-HIV diagnosis.DESIGN:We drew upon: 1) semi-structured interviews (n = 22) with 5 adolescents, 11 caregivers and 6 CHWs, 2) 28 CHW field manuals, and 3) quantitative data for study participants (demographic information and HIV clinical outcomes).RESULTS:Forty-one children received at least a part of the intervention. Of those whose viral load was tested, 26 (n = 32, 81.3%) were virally suppressed. Interviewees felt that the intervention supported ART adherence and strengthened mental health. Facilitators to intervention delivery were convenience and rapport between CHWs and families. Stigma, challenges in locating participants and inadequate resources for CHWs were barriers.CONCLUSION:This intervention was helpful in supporting HIV treatment adherence among adolescents and children. Facilitators and barriers may be useful in developing future interventions.