Human Immunodeficiency Virus In Canada Research Articles

Enhancing the delivery of comprehensive care for people living with HIV in Canada: insights from citizen panels and a national stakeholder dialogue.

People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are living longer with health-related disability associated with ageing, including complex conditions. However, health systems in Canada have not adapted to meet these comprehensive care needs. We convened three citizen panels and a national stakeholder dialogue. The panels were informed by a plain-language citizen brief that outlined data and evidence about the challenge/problem, elements of an approach for addressing it and implementation considerations. The national dialogue was informed by a more detailed version of the same brief that included a thematic analysis of the findings from the panels. The 31 citizen panel participants emphasized the need for more prevention, testing and social supports, increased public education to address stigma and access to more timely data to inform system changes. The 21 system leaders emphasized the need to enhance person-centred care and for implementing learning and improvement across provinces, territories and Indigenous communities. Citizens and system leaders highlighted that policy actions need to acknowledge that HIV remains unique among conditions faced by Canadians. Action will require a national learning collaborative to support spread and scale of successful prevention, care and support initiatives. Such a collaborative should be grounded in a rapid-learning and improvement approach that is anchored on the needs, perspectives and aspirations of people living with HIV; driven by timely data and evidence; supported by appropriate decision supports and aligned governance, financial and delivery arrangements; and enabled with a culture of and competencies for rapid learning and improvement.

Impact of Canadian human immunodeficiency virus non-disclosure case law on experiences of violence from sexual partners among women living with human immunodeficiency virus in Canada: Implications for sexual rights.

Objectives:People living with human immunodeficiency virus in Canada can face criminal charges for human immunodeficiency virus non-disclosure before sex, unless a condom is used and their viral load is <1500 copies/mL. We measured the reported impact of human immunodeficiency virus non-disclosure case law on violence from sexual partners among women living with human immunodeficiency virus in Canada.Methods:We used cross-sectional survey data from wave 3 participant visits (2017–2018) within Canadian HIV Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study; a longitudinal, community-based cohort of women living with human immunodeficiency virus in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. Our primary outcome was derived from response to the statement: ‘[HIV non-disclosure case law has] increased my experiences of verbal/physical/sexual violence from sexual partners’. Participants responding ‘strongly agree/agree’ were deemed to have experienced increased violence due to the law. Participants responding ‘not applicable’ (i.e. those without sexual partners) were excluded. Multivariate logistic regression identified factors independently associated with increased violence from sexual partners due to human immunodeficiency virus non-disclosure case law.Results:We included 619/937 wave 3 participants. Median age was 46 (interquartile range: 39–53) and 86% had experienced verbal/physical/sexual violence in adulthood. Due to concerns about human immunodeficiency virus non-disclosure case law, 37% had chosen not to have sex with a new partner, and 20% had disclosed their human immunodeficiency virus status to sexual partners before a witness. A total of 21% self-reported that human immunodeficiency virus non-disclosure case law had increased their experiences of verbal/physical/sexual violence from sexual partners. In adjusted analyses, women reporting non-White ethnicity (Indigenous; African/Caribbean/Black; Other), unstable housing and high human immunodeficiency virus–related stigma had significantly higher odds of reporting increased violence from sexual partners due to human immunodeficiency virus non-disclosure case law.Conclusion:Findings bolster concerns that human immunodeficiency virus criminalization is a structural driver of intimate partner violence, compromising sexual rights of women living with human immunodeficiency virus. Human immunodeficiency virus non-disclosure case law intersects with other oppressions to regulate women’s sexual lives.

Developing a short-form version of the HIV Disability Questionnaire (SF-HDQ) for use in clinical practice: a Rasch analysis

BackgroundDisability is an increasingly important health-related outcome to consider as more individuals are now aging with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and multimorbidity. The HIV Disability Questionnaire (HDQ) is a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM), developed to measure the presence, severity and episodic nature of disability among adults living with HIV. The 69-item HDQ includes six domains: physical, cognitive, mental-emotional symptoms and impairments, uncertainty and worrying about the future, difficulties with day-to-day activities, and challenges to social inclusion. Our aim was to develop a short-form version of the HIV Disability Questionnaire (SF-HDQ) to facilitate use in clinical and community-based practice among adults living with HIV.MethodsWe used Rasch analysis to inform item reduction using an existing dataset of adults living with HIV in Canada (n = 941) and Ireland (n = 96) who completed the HDQ (n = 1037). We evaluated overall model fit with Cronbach’s alpha and Person Separation Indices (PSIs) (≥ 0.70 acceptable). Individual items were evaluated for item threshold ordering, fit residuals, differential item functioning (DIF) and unidimensionality. For item threshold ordering, we examined item characteristic curves and threshold maps merging response options of items with disordered thresholds to obtain order. Items with fit residuals > 2.5 or less than − 2.5 and statistically significant after Bonferroni-adjustment were considered for removal. For DIF, we considered removing items with response patterns that varied according to country, age group (≥ 50 years versus < 50 years), and gender. Subscales were considered unidimensional if ≤ 5% of t-tests comparing possible patterns in residuals were significant.ResultsWe removed 34 items, resulting in a 35-item SF-HDQ with domain structure: physical (10 items); cognitive (3 items); mental-emotional (5 items); uncertainty (5 items); difficulties with day-to-day activities (5 items) and challenges to social inclusion (7 items). Overall models’ fit: Cronbach’s alphas ranged from 0.78 (cognitive) to 0.85 (physical and mental-emotional) and PSIs from 0.69 (day-to-day activities) to 0.79 (physical and mental-emotional). Three items were rescored to achieve ordered thresholds. All domains demonstrated unidimensionality. Three items with DIF were retained because of their clinical importance.ConclusionThe 35-item SF-HDQ offers a brief, comprehensive disability PROM for use in clinical and community-based practice with adults living with HIV.

HIV in Canada-Surveillance Report, 2018.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a global public health issue, with an estimated 36.9 million people living with HIV in 2017. HIV has been reportable in Canada since 1985 and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) continues to monitor trends in new HIV diagnoses. The objective of this surveillance report is to provide an overview of the epidemiology of all reported diagnoses of HIV in Canada since 1985 with a focus on 2018 overall, and by geographic location, age group, sex, and exposure category. PHAC monitors HIV through the national HIV/AIDS Surveillance System, a passive, case-based system that collates nonnominal data that is voluntarily submitted by all Canadian provinces and territories. Descriptive epidemiological analyses were conducted on national data and those relating to specific populations provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Canadian Perinatal HIV Surveillance Program. In 2018, a total of 2,561 HIV diagnoses were reported in Canada, an increase of 8.2% compared with 2017. The national diagnosis rate increased to 6.9 per 100,000 population in 2018 from 6.5 per 100,000 population in 2017. Saskatchewan reported the highest provincial diagnosis rate at 14.9 per 100,000 population. The 30-39 year age group continued to have the highest HIV diagnosis rate at 15.4 per 100,000 population. Overall, the diagnosis rate for males continued to be higher than that of females (9.8 versus 4.0 per 100,000 population, respectively); however, females experienced a larger increase in reported cases and diagnosis rate. The gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) exposure category continued to represent the highest proportion of all reported adult cases (41.4%), though the proportion has decreased over time. Five perinatal HIV transmissions were documented, three were related to the mother not receiving perinatal antiretroviral therapy prophylaxis. The number and rate of reported HIV cases in Canada increased in 2018, gbMSM continued to account for the largest exposure category and the number and rate of reported HIV cases among women increased. PHAC will continue to work with its national partners to refine the collection, analysis and publication of national data to better understand the burden of HIV in Canada.

HIV in Canada-Surveillance Report, 2017.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a global public health issue with an estimated 1.8 million people newly infected in 2017. To provide a descriptive overview of reported cases of HIV in Canada by geographic location, sex, age group, exposure category and race/ethnicity, from 1985-2017, with a focus on the most recent data. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) monitors HIV through the national HIV/AIDS Surveillance System, which is a passive, case-based system that collates non-nominal data voluntarily submitted and validated by all Canadian provinces and territories. Additional data sources presented here include data on immigration-related medical screening for HIV by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and data on infants perinatally-exposed to HIV submitted by the Canadian Perinatal HIV Surveillance Program. Data were collated, tables and figures were prepared and descriptive statistics were applied by PHAC and validated by each province and territory. A total of 2,402 new HIV diagnoses were reported in 2017 in Canada; an increase of 3% compared with 2016 and an increase of 17.1% since 2014. The national diagnosis rate increased slightly, from 6.4 per 100,000 population in 2016 to 6.5 per 100,000 population in 2017. In 2017, while Ontario continued to account for the highest number (n=935) and proportion (38.9%) of reported HIV cases, Saskatchewan reported the highest provincial diagnosis rate (15.5 per 100,000 population). In 2017, the diagnostic rate for males at 9.9 per 100,000 population was higher than for females at 3.2 per 100,000 population. As in 2016, the 30-39 year age group had the highest HIV diagnosis rate at 14.8 per 100,000 population. The "gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men" exposure category continued to represent almost half (46.4%) of all reported HIV cases in adults. In 2017, the absolute number of HIV-positive migrants entering Canada increased to a total number of 835 migrants. One mother-to-child HIV transmission was confirmed in a mother who did not receive any perinatal antiretroviral therapy and two transmissions were confirmed in mothers who did receive perinatal antiretroviral therapy. Similar to the annual changes that have been reported since 2014, the number and rate of reported HIV cases in Canada in 2017 increased slightly compared with 2016. Additional data and analysis are needed to determine the extent to which these findings reflect an increase in HIV transmission, an increase in HIV testing, changes in reporting practices and an increase in the number of HIV-positive people migrating to Canada.

Supporting the Sexual Rights of Women Living With HIV: A Critical Analysis of Sexual Satisfaction and Pleasure Across Five Relationship Types

In the context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a focus on protecting others has overridden concern about women’s own sexual well-being. Drawing on feminist theories, we measured sexual satisfaction and pleasure across five relationship types among women living with HIV in Canada. Of the 1,230 women surveyed, 38.1% were completely or very satisfied with their sexual lives, while 31.0% and 30.9% were reasonably or not very/not at all satisfied, respectively. Among those reporting recent sexual experiences (n = 675), 41.3% always felt pleasure, with the rest reporting usually/sometimes (38.7%) or seldom/not at all (20.0%). Sex did not equate with satisfaction or pleasure, as some women were completely satisfied without sex, while others were having sex without reporting pleasure. After adjusting for confounding factors, such as education, violence, depression, sex work, antiretroviral therapy, and provider discussions about transmission risk, women in long-term/happy relationships (characterized by higher levels of love, greater physical and emotional intimacy, more equitable relationship power, and mainly HIV-negative partners) had increased odds of sexual satisfaction and pleasure relative to women in all other relational contexts. Those in relationships without sex also reported higher satisfaction ratings than women in some sexual relationships. Findings put focus on women’s rights, which are critical to overall well-being.

HIV in Canada-Surveillance Report, 2016.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a global public health concern, with 2.1 million people newly infected in 2015. Although many high-income countries have noted decreasing rates of HIV, between 2013 and 2015 Canada's rates had stabilized at 5.8 per 100,000 population. To provide a descriptive overview of reported cases of HIV in Canada up until 2016 by geographic location, sex, age group, exposure category and race/ethnicity, with a focus on the most recent data. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) monitors HIV through the national HIV/AIDS Surveillance System (HASS), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and the Canadian Perinatal HIV Surveillance Program (CPHSP). HASS is a passive, case-based system that collates non-nominal data voluntarily submitted by all Canadian provinces and territories. Data were also received from the IRCC and the CPHSP. Data were collated, tables and figures were prepared, then descriptive statistics were applied by PHAC and validated by each province and territory. A total of 2,344 new diagnoses of HIV were reported in 2016 in Canada, with a cumulative total of 84,409 cases since 1985. The national diagnosis rate increased from 5.8 per 100,000 population in 2015 to 6.4 per 100,000 population in 2016. Saskatchewan reported the highest provincial diagnosis rate in 2016 (15.1 per 100,000 population). In 2016, 76.6% of reported HIV cases were among males. Adults aged 30-39 years old accounted for 28.7% of all reported cases. There was a similar age distribution of HIV cases between sexes with notable increases in the proportion of the 50 years and over age group over the past five years. The "men who have sex with men" exposure category continued to represent the largest number and proportion of all reported HIV cases in adults (44.1%). White (40.4%), Black (21.9%) and Indigenous (21.2%) race/ethnicity categories represented the largest proportions of cases. In 2016, Canada saw a slight increase in the number and rate of reported HIV cases compared with previous years. Although the diagnostic rate was lower than in all years prior to 2012, it is the highest of the past five years. While a number of possibilities exist to explain this increase, further investigation and additional data are needed in order to determine the cause and significance.

Envisioning Women-Centered HIV Care: Perspectives from Women Living with HIV in Canada

BackgroundWomen comprise nearly one-quarter of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Canada. Compared with men, women living with HIV experience inequities in HIV care and health outcomes, prompting a need for gendered and tailored approaches to HIV care. MethodPeer and academic researchers from the Canadian HIV Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study conducted focus groups to understand women's experience of seeking care, with the purpose of identifying key characteristics that define a women-centered approach to HIV care. Eleven focus groups were conducted with 77 women living with HIV across Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia, Canada. ResultsWomen envisioned three central characteristics of women-centered HIV care, including i) coordinated and integrated services that address both HIV and women's health care priorities, and protect against exclusion from care due to HIV-related stigma, ii) care that recognizes and responds to structural barriers that limit women's access to care, such as violence, poverty, motherhood, HIV-related stigma, and challenges to safe disclosure, and iii) care that fosters peer support and peer leadership in its design and delivery to honor the diversity of women's experiences, overcome women's isolation, and prioritize women's ownership over the decisions that affect their lives. ConclusionDespite advances in HIV treatment and care, the current care landscape is inadequate to meet women's comprehensive care needs. A women-centered approach to HIV care, as envisioned by women living with HIV, is central to guiding policy and practice to improve care and outcomes for women living with HIV in Canada.

Third-world realities in a first-world setting: A study of the HIV/AIDS-related conditions and risk behaviors of sex trade workers in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

The transmission and prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among those employed as sex trade workers (STW) is a major public health concern. The present study describes the self-reported responses of 340 STW, at-risk for contracting HIV. The participants were recruited by selective targeting between 2009 and 2010 from within the Saskatoon Health Region (SHR), Saskatchewan, Canada. As of 2012, the SHR has the highest incidence rate of positive test reports for HIV in Canada, at more than three times the national average (17.0 vs. 5.9 per 100,000 people). Additionally, the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in the SHR is different from that seen elsewhere in Canada (still mostly men having sex with men and Caucasians), with its new HIV cases predominantly associated with injection drug use and Aboriginal cultural status. The purpose of this study was to (a) describe the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the STW in the SHR, (b) identify their significant life events, self-reported problems, knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, self-efficacy, and barriers regarding HIV, and (c) determine the significant independent risk indicators for STW self-reporting a chance of greater than 50% of becoming infected with HIV/AIDS. The majority of the study participants were females, who were never married, of Aboriginal descent, without a high school diploma, and had an annual income of less than $10,000. Using multivariate regression analysis, four significant independent risk indicators were associated with STW reporting a greater that 50% chance of acquiring HIV/AIDS, including experiencing sexual assault as a child, injecting drugs in the past four weeks, being homeless, and a previous Chlamydia diagnosis. These findings provide important evidence of the essential sexual and drug-related vulnerabilities associated with the risk of HIV infection among STW and offer insight into the design and implementation of effective and culturally sensitive public health intervention and prevention efforts. To be most effective, it is recommended that such intervention and prevention initiatives: (1) use specifically tailored community-based outreach to high risk STW who are drug users and link them with appropriate drug treatment and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services, (2) provide free and confidential, routine HIV counseling and testing in substance abuse programs, and (3) build capacity among the local, Aboriginal NGOs so as to address with cultural sensitivity both the drug and HIV-related risk factors prevalent among this vulnerable population.

Considerations for Conducting Web-Based Survey Research With People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Using a Community-Based Participatory Approach

BackgroundWeb or Internet-based surveys are increasingly popular in health survey research. However, the strengths and challenges of Web-based surveys with people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are unclear.ObjectiveThe aim of this article is to describe our experience piloting a cross-sectional, Web-based, self-administered survey with adults living with HIV using a community-based participatory research approach.MethodsWe piloted a Web-based survey that investigated disability and rehabilitation services use with a sample of adults living with HIV in Canada. Community organizations in five provinces emailed invitations to clients, followed by a thank you/reminder one week later. We obtained survey feedback in a structured phone interview with respondents. Participant responses were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using directed content analysis.ResultsOf 30 people living with HIV who accessed the survey link, 24/30 (80%) initiated and 16/30 (53%) completed the survey instrument. A total of 17 respondents participated in post-survey interviews. Participants described the survey instrument as comprehensive, suggesting content validity. The majority (13/17, 76%) felt instruction and item wording were clear and easy to understand, and found the software easy to navigate. Participants felt having a pop-up reminder directing them to missed items would be useful.ConclusionsStrengths of implementing the Web-based survey included: our community-based participatory approach, ease of software use, ability for respondents to complete the questionnaire on one’s own time at one’s own pace, opportunity to obtain geographic variation, and potential for respondent anonymity. Considerations for future survey implementation included: respondent burden and fatigue, the potentially sensitive nature of HIV Web-based research, data management and storage, challenges verifying informed consent, varying computer skills among respondents, and the burden on community organizations. Overall, results provide considerations for researchers conducting community-based participatory Web-based survey research with people living with HIV.

BRIEF - SYNOPSIS OF THE HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) SCREENING AND TESTING GUIDE.

BACKGROUND The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) estimates that, in 2011, 25% of people living with HIV in Canada were undiagnosed. Hesitation to seek testing may arise from fear, stigma and discrimination associated with the HIV diagnosis and related risk behaviours. This guide is designed to complement existing efforts to support care providers involved in HIV testing, in order to reduce the number of undiagnosed HIV infections in Canada. APPROACH PHAC commissioned a literature review and consulted with provinces and territories, and key stakeholders, including people living with HIV/AIDS, academics, nurses, physicians, professional associations, non-governmental organizations, policy-makers, community workers, and legal and ethical experts. As a result, the recommendations outlined in the guide are based on the most up-to-date evidence and expert opinion. SCREENING AND TESTING GUIDE The consideration and discussion of HIV testing should be made a component of routine periodic medical care. Offering HIV testing routinely can help normalize testing, and address the multiple barriers to reducing the number of undiagnosed cases in Canada. Begin with a brief explanation to the client on how HIV is transmitted: through unprotected sex, the sharing of drug-use equipment, and from a pregnant mother to her child. Clients can then consider their own situation and indicate whether they would like to have an HIV test. Upon request, a risk assessment may be conducted. As with other tests, testing is voluntary and verbal consent is sufficient. Negative test results provide an opportunity to remind clients of those practices that can help them maintain an HIV-negative status. There are a range of referrals and resources available to assist clients in reducing at-risk activities and maintaining a negative status. Those who are part of a couple should be encouraged to discuss HIV testing with their partners so they're not unknowingly involved in a serodiscordant relationship. Positive test results should always be provided in person and ideally by the initial care provider who has information resources and support referrals at the ready. An HIV positive diagnosis can be difficult news; it is important to take the time to discuss the results and answer any questions the client might have. Focus on positive messages by highlighting advances in HIV care, treatment and support. Note that HIV is now considered a chronic illness, and people living with HIV can live long, active and healthy lives. Advise the client about strategies for managing HIV and link them to care. Provide risk reduction information to prevent transmission Make the client aware that positive test results will be shared confidentially with the local public health department, which can assist in notifying previous and current partners of the need to be tested while protecting the client's anonymity and privacy. Strategies for informing past, current and future partners can be reviewed. If not already completed with the HIV test, clients should be tested for other STIs, hepatitis B and C, and tuberculosis.

Would CLSI M53-A have helped in the diagnosis of HIV in Canada? Results of the performance of Canadian laboratories participating in a recent NLHRS proficiency testing panel containing HIV-1 antigen positive (antibody negative) and HIV-2 samples

IntroductionThe Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recently published M53-A, Criteria for Laboratory Testing and Diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection; Approved Guideline (2011), which includes a state of the art algorithm for identifying HIV-1 acute and HIV-2 infections. To assess the ability of Canadian laboratories to detect these sample types and the impact of M53-A, the National Laboratory for HIV Reference Services distributed a special proficiency testing panel. MethodsHIVS425-2012Nov22 was sent to 42 laboratories across Canada. It contained one HIV negative sample (B), two HIV-1 positive samples (A and E), one HIV-2 positive sample (C) and one HIV-1/2 antibody negative-HIV-1 antigen positive sample (D). Data was collected and analyzed using DigitalPT; a standardized on-line tool. ResultsForty-one laboratories returned results. Sample B (HIV negative) was identified by 95% of laboratories (39/41) and samples A and E (HIV-1 positive) by 98% (40/41). No laboratory identified sample C as HIV-2 positive, although 85% (35/41) detected reactivity prompting a referral for further testing. The remaining laboratories identified sample C as HIV-1 positive (4), indeterminate (1) or gave no final status (1). Sample D (HIV antibody negative-antigen positive) was correctly identified by two laboratories as HIV-1 antigen positive while 78% (32/41) detected reactivity, recommending further testing. One laboratory did not provide a final status. Alarmingly, six laboratories called this sample HIV negative. ConclusionAlthough there is a high quality of HIV testing across Canada, introduction of the M53-A guideline would further improve the ability of laboratories to diagnose HIV-1 acute and HIV-2 infection.

Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in Canada: A Population Health Risk Management Perspective

The standard of prenatal care in Canada for preventing transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from mother to infant is universal counselling and voluntary testing of pregnant women for the virus. Appropriate treatmentof HIV-positive women reduces the risk of viral transmission to the infant to less than 1%. Despite this, too many children in Canada are born with HIV because their mothers were not tested. The barriers to screening include lack of appropriate resources and lack of training in this area. As a result, physicians find HIV test-counselling too time-consuming or believe that testing is not relevant to their patient population. Risk management strategies to improve screening rates and decrease transmission, including community action and technological strategies such as vaccines and rapid testing kits, are reviewed. The "advisory" option, the process of risk communication between health-care providers, the government, and the public, for the purpose of making recommendations, is a key component toward the success of universal screening. A shift to simplified screening and "opt-out" testing procedures is recommended.

Nevirapine Use to Reduce Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV in Canada

Nevirapine (NVP) is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) that is used to treat adults and children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The drug was licensed in Canada in September 1998 and has been widely used in combination antiretroviral therapy regimens, usually along with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. NVP is, generally, well tolerated; however, up to 20% of patients may develop rash, with a severe rash occurring in 6% of patients and Stevens-Johnson syndrome reported in 0.5% of patients. A large number of NNRTI mutations have been documented, and a single mutation, K103N, confers a degree of broad NNRTI resistance. Distinctions occur in resistance patterns to different NNRTIs (1).