Human Immunodeficiency Virus In Ontario Research Articles

Cancer Risk among Adults Living with HIV in Ontario.

Cancer is an important comorbidity and healthcare concern for people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Researchers have quantified the burden of cancer among people living with HIV in Ontario using administrative and registry-linked data held at ICES. Findings showed that although cancer incidence has declined over time, people living with HIV remain at a greater risk for cancers with infectious causes compared with HIV-negative people. There is a need for comprehensive HIV care that includes cancer prevention strategies.

Previous Syphilis Not Associated With Neurocognitive Outcomes in People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Ontario, Canada.

Background About 40% to 60% of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) experience neurocognitive impairments, irrespective of antiretroviral status. We hypothesized that a history of syphilis or neurosyphilis would be associated with worse neurocognitive outcomes in this population. Methods Among health care–engaged people living with HIV in Ontario older than 16 years enrolled in the OHTN Cohort Study, neurocognitive outcomes were as follows: (1) self-reported Medical Outcome Study–HIV Health Survey 4-item cognitive scale; (2) average T score summary scores based on objective neuropsychological testing of complex attention, speed of processing, and learning/memory; and (3) global deficit score dichotomized into impaired/unimpaired neurocognitive status. Syphilis history was determined by laboratory data or chart review. Univariable and multivariable generalized linear mixed models assessed the association between each of: syphilis, number of episodes of syphilis, and years since syphilis diagnosis with these neurocognitive outcomes controlling for age, sex, race, education, income, years of HIV, nadir and most recent CD4 count, most recent HIV viral load, substance use, depression, and number of prior neurocognitive tests. Results Of 1288 eligible participants, 218 (16.9%) had a history of syphilis at baseline and an additional 53 were diagnosed during follow up for a total of 271 (21.0%) at the most recent visit. Of those with past infection at baseline, 179 (82.1%) had 1 and 39 (17.9%) had 2 or more episodes of syphilis. In longitudinal multivariable models, we observed no relationship between syphilis diagnosis or years since syphilis diagnosis and any of the neurocognitive outcomes. Conclusions In this sample, prior syphilis was not associated with worse neurocognitive outcomes over time according to self-reported scales or objective neuropsychological testing.

Low human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake among men living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): Cross-sectional findings from a clinical cohort

Men living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are internationally recognized as a priority population for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Our objective was to explore HPV vaccine uptake among men living with HIV in Ontario, Canada, and investigate differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated men. We used data from a cross-sectional questionnaire administered between 2016 and 2017 among men living with HIV and participating in the Ontario HIV Treatment Network Cohort Study. We calculated the proportion vaccinated against HPV, described vaccination experiences, and HPV vaccine knowledge, and calculated differences in characteristics between vaccinated and unvaccinated men. Among 1651 men (mean age = 51 years, 72% identified as gay), 7% were vaccinated (95% confidence interval[CI] 5.5–7.9%); 85% received their first dose at a primary care or HIV clinic. Among unvaccinated men, 40% were unaware of the HPV vaccine, 65% reported low perceived risk for HPV, and 8% discussed HPV vaccination with a physician. Compared to unvaccinated men, vaccinated men were younger, most identified as gay, had a higher education/income, reported a higher number of recent sex partners, and had a history of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HPV, anogenital warts, and/or anal cancer. Our findings reveal that few men living with HIV were vaccinated against HPV. This may be influenced by low HPV awareness, prohibitive cost, and lack of physician recommendation. Several men reporting lower socio-economic status, older men, and heterosexual, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men were missed for vaccination. Primary care and HIV clinics may be ideal locations to increase uptake.

Physician's Perceptions of Telemedicine in HIV Care Provision: A Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey.

BackgroundTelemedicine, or electronic interactive health care consultation, offers a variety of benefits to both patients and primary care clinicians. However, little is known about the opinions of physicians using these modalities.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine physician perceptions, including challenges, risks, and benefits of the use of telemedicine in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patient care.MethodsA Web-based, self-administered, anonymous, cross-sectional survey was sent to physicians known to be providing medical care to patients living with HIV in Ontario, Canada. Descriptive statistics and frequencies were used to examine physician perceptions and characteristics of participants.ResultsAmong the 51 invited participants, 48 (94%) completed the survey. Sixty-two percent (29/47) of respondents reported that they used some form of telemedicine to care for HIV patients in their practice. Of the respondents who identified as having used telemedicine in their practice, telephone (86%, 25/29), email (69%, 20/29), and teleconsultation (24%, 7/29) were listed as frequent modalities used. A significant number of physicians (83%, 38/46) agreed that an obstacle to adopting telemedicine is their perception that this modality does not allow for a comprehensive assessment of their patients’ health. In addition, 65% (28/43) of physicians agreed that patients may not feel adequately connected to them as a provider if they used telemedicine. However, 85% (39/46) of respondents believed that telemedicine could improve access and timeliness to care along with increasing the number of times physicians can interact with their patients.ConclusionsFrom the perceptions of physicians, telemedicine shows promise in the care of patients living with HIV. More than half of the respondents are already using telemedicine modalities. Whereas many physicians are concerned about their ability to fully assess the health of a patient via telemedicine, most physicians do see a need for it—to reduce patient travel times, reduce exposure to stigma, and improve efficiency and timely access to care. Challenges and risks such as technological gaps, confidentiality, and medicolegal concerns must be addressed for physicians to feel more comfortable using telemedicine.

Sexual behaviors among women living with HIV in Ontario, Canada

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the sexual activities and partnerships of women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains important to promote healthy sexuality and to reduce the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. We described sexual behaviors of women living with HIV enrolled in an ongoing study in Ontario, Canada. Data were available from 582 women who self-completed a sexual behavior questionnaire between 2010 and 2012. Nearly half (46.1%) of women reported a sexual partner in the preceding three months; women less likely to be sexually active were older, Black/African, separated, divorced, widowed, single, and unemployed. Most sexually active women had one partner (76.4%), a regular partner (75.9%), male (96.2%) partner(s), and partners who were HIV-negative or unknown HIV status (75.2%). Women were more likely to use a condom with HIV-negative/status unknown partners (81.3%) than with HIV-positive partners (58.6%; p = .008). Only 8.0% of sexually active women reported condomless sex with a discordant HIV-negative/status unknown partner when their viral load was detectable. Overall, most women living with HIV were sexually inactive or engaged in sexual activities that were low risk for HIV transmission.

‘I'm happy in my life now, I'm a positive person’: approaches to successful ageing in older adults living with HIV in Ontario, Canada

AbstractWorldwide approximately 3.6 million people aged 50 and older are living and ageing with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Few studies have explored successful ageing from the insider perspective of those living well and ageing with HIV. This study draws upon the lived experience and wisdom of older, HIV-positive adults living in Ontario, Canada in order to understand their views and strategies for successful ageing. This qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews with 30 individuals age 50 years and older who are HIV-positive. Purposive sampling techniques were used to recruit individuals who shared their experiences of successful ageing. Constructivist grounded theory coding techniques were used for analysis. Themes related to successful ageing included resilience strategies and challenges, social support and environmental context. Stigma and struggles to maintain health were identified as impediments to successful ageing. Models of successful ageing must take into account the potential for a subjective appraisal of success in populations suffering from chronic and life-threatening illnesses including HIV. Practitioners can draw upon organically existent strengths in this population in order to provide intervention development for older adults around the world who are struggling to manage their HIV.

A population-based study evaluating family physicians' HIV experience and care of people living with HIV in Ontario.

Greater physician experience managing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been associated with better HIV-specific outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the HIV experience of a family physician modifies the association between the model of care delivery and the quality of care for people living with HIV. We retrospectively analyzed data from a population-based observational study conducted between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2012. A total of 13,417 patients with HIV in Ontario were stratified into 5 possible patterns or models of care. We used multivariable hierarchical logistic regression analyses, adjusted for patient characteristics and pairwise comparisons, to evaluate the modification of the association between care model and indicators of quality of care (receipt of antiretroviral therapy, cancer screening, and health care use) by level of physician HIV experience (≤5, 6-49, ≥50 patients during study period). The majority of HIV-positive patients (52.8%) saw family physicians exclusively for their care. Among these patients, receipt of antiretroviral therapy was significantly lower for those receiving care from family physicians with 5 or fewer patients and 6-49 patients compared with those with 50 or more patients (mean levels of adherence [95% CIs] were 0.34 [0.30-0.39] and 0.40 [0.34-0.45], respectively, vs 0.77 [0.74-0.80]). Patients' receipt of cancer screenings and health care use were unrelated to family physician HIV experience. Family physician HIV experience was strongly associated with receipt of antiretroviral therapy by HIV-positive patients, especially among those seeing only family physicians for their care. Future work must determine the best models for integrating and delivering comprehensive HIV care among diverse populations and settings.

Retention in psychiatric treatment in a Canadian sample of HIV-positive women

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is more prevalent in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) than in the general population. This is a concern as MDD is associated with decreased adherence to HIV treatment and contributes significantly to disability and reduced quality of life. Several studies report that, while prevalence is high, people living with HIV often do not access or follow-up with treatment of MDD. This paper examined adherence to psychiatric treatment in women living with HIV in Ontario, Canada. One-third of women referred to a psychiatry outpatient clinic did not attend their first appointment. Over half of the women who did attend came for only one or two appointments and were lost to follow-up. Potential contributing factors were examined. Approaches to enhancing psychiatric care for women living with HIV are discussed.