Prioritization of Evidence-Based and Evidence-Informed Interventions for Retention in Medical Care for Persons with HIV.

Up to 50% of those diagnosed with HIV in the U.S. are not retained in medical care. Care retention provides opportunity to monitor benefits of HIV therapy and enable viral suppression. To increase retention, there is a need to prioritize best practices appropriate for translation and dissemination for real-world implementation. Eighteen interventions from CDC's Compendium of Evidence-Based Interventions were scored using the RE-AIM framework to determine those most suitable for dissemination. A CDC Division of HIV Prevention workgroup developed a RE-AIM scale with emphasis on the Implementation and Maintenance dimensions and less emphasis on the Efficacy dimension since all 18 interventions were already identified as evidence-based or evidence-informed. Raters referenced primary efficacy publications and scores were averaged for a ranked RE-AIM score for interventions. Of 18 interventions, four included care linkage and 7 included viral suppression outcomes. Interventions received between 20.6 and 35.3 points (45 maximum). Scores were converted into a percentage of the total possible with ranges between 45.8 and 78.4%. Top four interventions were ARTAS (78.4%); Routine Screening for HIV (RUSH) (73.2%); Optn4Life (67.4%) and Virology Fast Track (65.9%). All four scored high on Implementation and Maintenance dimensions. Select items within the scale were applicable to health equity, covering topics such as reaching under-served focus populations and acceptability to that population. Navigation-enhanced Case Management (NAV) scored highest on the health equity subscale. RE-AIM prioritization scores will inform dissemination and translation efforts, help clinical staff select feasible interventions for implementation, and support sustainability for those interventions.

RESUMEN: Hasta el 50% de las personas diagnosticadas con VIH en USA no son retenidos en cuidados médicos impactando su monitoreo y supresión viral. Dieciocho intervenciones de retención fueron evaluadas utilizando el marco RE-AIM para determinar su adecuación para la difusión. Evaluadores promediaron las intervenciones. Cuatro intervenciones incluyeron enlace de atención y 7 supresión viral. Las cuatro intervenciones principales fueron ARTAS, detección de rutina para el VIH, Optn4Life y Vía rápida de virología. Elementos del marco fueron usados para evaluar equidad en salud y cubrieron temas de cómo llegar a las poblaciones desatendidas y la aceptabilidad de esa población. La intervención gestión de casos para mejorar con navegación (NAV) obtuvo la puntuación más alta en la subescala de equidad. RE-AIM y los puntajes de priorización de equidad informarán los esfuerzos de difusión y traducción, ayudarán al personal clínico a seleccionar las intervenciones para la implementación y apoyarán la sostenibilidad.

Selecting Evidence-Based HIV Prevention Behavioral Interventions for HIV-Negative Persons for National Dissemination.

This paper describes the development of a formula to determine which evidence-based behavioral interventions (EBIs) targeting HIV-negative persons would be cost-saving in comparison to the lifetime cost of HIV treatment and the process by which this formula was used to prioritize those with greatest potential impact for continued dissemination. We developed a prevention benefit index (PBI) to rank risk-reduction EBIs for HIV-negative persons based on their estimated cost for achieving the behavior change per one would-be incident infection of HIV. Inputs for calculating the PBI included the mean estimated cost-per-client served, EBI effect size for the behavior change, and the HIV incidence per 100,000 persons in the target population. EBIs for which the PBI was ≤ $402,000, the estimated lifetime cost of HIV care, were considered cost-saving. We were able to calculate a PBI for 35 EBI and target population combinations. Ten EBIs were cost-saving having a PBI below $402,000. One EBI did not move forward for dissemination due to high start-up dissemination costs. DHAP now supports the dissemination of 9 unique EBIs targeting 13 populations of HIV-negative persons. The application of a process, such as the PBI, may assist other health-field policymakers when making decisions about how to select and fund implementation of EBIs.

Implementation of Evidence-Based HIV Interventions for Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides trainings to support implementation of five evidence-based HIV prevention interventions (EBIs) for men who have sex with men (MSM): d-up: Defend Yourself!; Many Men, Many Voices; Mpowerment; Personalized Cognitive Counseling; and Popular Opinion Leader. We evaluated trainees' implementation of these EBIs and, using multivariable logistic regression, examined factors associated with implementation. Approximately 43% of trainees had implemented the EBIs for which they received training. Implementation was associated with working in community-based organizations (vs. health departments or other settings); acquiring training for Mpowerment or Popular Opinion Leader (vs. Personalized Cognitive Counseling); having ≥3 funding sources (vs. one); and having (vs. not having) sufficient time and necessary EBI resources. Findings suggest that implementation may vary by trainee characteristics, especially those related to employment setting, EBI training, funding, and perceived implementation barriers. Efforts that address these factors may help to improve EBI implementation among trainees.

Evaluation of the Dissemination, Implementation, and Sustainability of the "Partnership for Health" Intervention.

Partnership for Health (PfH) is an evidence-based, clinician-delivered HIV prevention program conducted in the United States for HIV-positive patients. This intervention strives to reduce risky sexual behaviors through provider-patient discussions on safer sex and HIV status disclosure. A cross-sectional, mixed-methods design was used to evaluate the dissemination and implementation of PfH, including training evaluations, an online trainee survey, and interviews with national trainers for PfH. Descriptive statistics were calculated with the categorical data, whereas thematic analysis was completed with the qualitative data. Between 2007 and 2013, PfH was disseminated to 776 individuals from 104 different organizations in 21 states/territories. The smallest proportion of trainees was physicians (6.9%). More than three-fourths of survey respondents (78.6%) reported using PfH, but less than one-third (31.8%) used the intervention with every patient. The PfH training supports the implementation of the intervention; however, challenges were experienced in clinician engagement. Tailored strategies to recruit and train clinicians providing care to HIV-positive patients are required.

Systematic review of alternative HIV preexposure prophylaxis care delivery models to improve preexposure prophylaxis services.

OBJECTIVES: To identify types, evidence, and study gaps of alternative HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care delivery models in the published literature. DESIGN: Systematic review and narrative synthesis. METHODS: We searched in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Prevention Research Synthesis (PRS) database through December 2022 (PROSPERO CRD42022311747). We included studies published in English that reported implementation of alternative PrEP care delivery models. Two reviewers independently reviewed the full text and extracted data by using standard forms. Risk of bias was assessed using the adapted Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Those that met our study criteria were evaluated for efficacy against CDC Evidence-Based Intervention (EBI) or Evidence-Informed Intervention (EI) criteria or Health Resources and Services Administration Emergency Strategy (ES) criteria, or for applicability by using an assessment based on the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework. RESULTS: This review identified 16 studies published between 2018 and 2022 that implemented alternative prescriber ( n  = 8), alternative setting for care ( n  = 4), alternative setting for laboratory screening ( n  = 1), or a combination of the above ( n  = 3) . The majority of studies were US-based ( n  = 12) with low risk of bias ( n  = 11). None of the identified studies met EBI, EI, or ES criteria. Promising applicability was found for pharmacists prescribers, telePrEP, and mail-in testing. CONCLUSIONS: Delivery of PrEP services outside of the traditional care system by expanding providers of PrEP care (e.g. pharmacist prescribers), as well as the settings of PrEP care (i.e. telePrEP) and laboratory screening (i.e. mail-in testing) may increase PrEP access and care delivery.

A comparison of the Interactive Systems Framework (ISF) for Dissemination and Implementation and the CDC Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention's Research-to-Practice model for behavioral interventions.

Translating evidence-based HIV/STD prevention interventions and research findings into applicable HIV prevention practice has become an important challenge for the fields of community psychology and public health due to evidence-based interventions and evidence-based practice being given higher priority and endorsement by federal, state, and local health department funders. The Interactive Systems Framework (ISF) for Dissemination and Implementation and the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention (DHAP) Research-to-Practice model both address this challenge. The DHAP model and the ISF are each presented with a brief history and an introduction of their features from synthesis of research findings through translation into intervention materials to implementation by prevention providers. This paper describes why the ISF and the DHAP model were developed and the similarities and differences between them. Specific examples of the use of the models to translate research to practice and the subsequent implications for support of each model are provided. The paper concludes that the ISF and the DHAP model are truly complementary with some unique differences, while both contribute substantially to addressing the gap between identifying effective programs and ensuring their widespread adoption in the field.

Implementing packaged HIV-prevention interventions for HIV-positive individuals: considerations for clinic-based and community-based interventions.

Providing efficacious human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention services to HIV-positive individuals is an appropriate strategy to reduce new infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified interventions with evidence of efficacy for prevention with positives (PwP). Through its process of disseminating evidence-based interventions (EBIs), CDC has attempted to diffuse four of these interventions into practice. One of these interventions has been diffused to community-based organizations, whereas another has been diffused to medical clinics serving HIV-positive people. A third intervention was originally developed with HIV-positive individuals using methadone, but uptake by methadone clinics has not occurred. A fourth intervention for HIV-positive adolescents and young adults has had disappointing adoption levels. Unique implementation challenges have been encountered in various intervention settings. Lessons learned in the dissemination of the first four PwP interventions will facilitate implementation of three new PwP EBIs currently being packaged for dissemination.

Lessons Learned From Dissemination of Evidence-Based Interventions for HIV Prevention.

In 1999, IOM issued a report that recommended that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should disseminate evidence-based HIV prevention interventions (EBIs) to be implemented by health departments, community-based organizations, drug treatment centers, and clinics. Based on these recommendations, the Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions Project was initiated in 2000 and began disseminating interventions into public health practice. For 15 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has disseminated 29 EBIs to more than 11,300 agencies. Lessons were identified during the 15 years of implementation regarding successful methods of dissemination of EBIs. Lessons around selecting interventions for dissemination, developing a dissemination infrastructure including a resource website (https://effectiveinterventions.cdc.gov), and engagement with stakeholders are discussed. A continuous development approach ensured that intervention implementation materials, instructions, and technical assistance were all tailored to the needs of end users, focus populations, and agency capacities. Six follow-up studies demonstrated that adopters of EBIs were able to obtain comparable outcomes to those of the original efficacy research. The Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions Project may offer guidance for other large, national, evidence-based public health dissemination projects.

Exploring the influence of social determinants on HIV risk behaviors and the potential application of structural interventions to prevent HIV in women.

When seeking to prevent HIV/AIDS in women, attending to aspects of their lived experience provides opportunities to address the presence of social determinants in prevention strategies. According to the CDC, in 2010, the rate of new HIV infections among Black women was 20 times that of White women, while among Hispanic/Latino women it was 4 times the rate of White women. Additionally, 86% of HIV infections in women were attributed to heterosexual contact and 14% to injection drug use. The WHO indicates that worldwide, 49% of individuals infected by HIV are women, with a predominant source of infection tied to heterosexual transmission. This paper presents social determinants as influential factors in terms of women's sexual behavior decision-making, along with suggested structural interventions to address the social determinants of their HIV risks. Secondary analysis was conducted on data from an earlier study (Abdul-Quader and Collins, 2011) which used concept-mapping to examine the feasibility, evaluability, and sustainability of structural interventions for HIV prevention. The current analysis focused on structural interventions applicable to women and their HIV prevention needs. Three themes emerged: economic interventions, responses to violence against women, and integrated health service delivery strategies. The themes provide a foundation for next steps regarding research, policy planning, and intervention implementation that is inclusive of women's lived experience. The paper concludes with suggestions such as attention to innovative projects and a paradigm shift regarding policy planning as key next steps towards HIV prevention that reflects the contextual complexity of women's lived experiences.

CDC's dissemination of evidence-based behavioral HIV prevention interventions.

The Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention at the National Center for HIV, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention seeks to make evidence-based behavioral HIV prevention interventions (EBIs) accessible to HIV prevention providers through a systematic process of identification, packaging, and dissemination. This update synthesizes that process and describes recent efforts to expand the use of EBIs internationally through partnerships between the CDC's Global AIDS Program, academic research centers, and other international and US agencies.