Intersectional stigma and the non-communicable disease syndemic in the context of HIV: protocol for a multisite, observational study in the USA.

INTRODUCTION: The increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia, presents key challenges to achieving optimal HIV care outcomes among ageing people living with HIV. These diseases are often comorbid and are exacerbated by psychosocial and structural inequities. This interaction among multiple health conditions and social factors is referred to as a syndemic. In the USA, there are substantial disparities by social position (ie, racial, ethnic and socioeconomic status) in the prevalence and/or control of non-communicable diseases and HIV. Intersecting stigmas, such as racism, classism and homophobia, may drive these health disparities by contributing to healthcare avoidance and by contributing to a psychosocial syndemic (stress, depression, violence victimisation and substance use), reducing success along the HIV and non-communicable disease continua of care. Our hypothesis is that marginalised populations experience disparities in non-communicable disease incidence, prevalence and control, mediated by intersectional stigma and the psychosocial syndemic. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Collecting data over a 4 year period, we will recruit sexual minority men (planned n=1800) enrolled in the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study, a long-standing mixed-serostatus observational cohort in the USA, to investigate the following specific aims: (1) assess relationships between social position, intersectional stigma and the psychosocial syndemic among middle-aged and ageing sexual minority men, (2) assess relationships between social position and non-communicable disease incidence and prevalence and (3) assess relationships between social position and HIV and non-communicable disease continua of care outcomes, mediated by intersectional stigma and the psychosocial syndemic. Analyses will be conducted using generalised structural equation models using a cross-lagged panel model design. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol is approved as a single-IRB study (Advarra Institutional Review Board: Protocol 00068335). We will disseminate results via peer-reviewed academic journals, scientific conferences, a dedicated website, site community advisory boards and forums hosted at participating sites.

Intersectional Stigma, Fear of Negative Evaluation, Depression, and ART Adherence Among Women Living with HIV Who Engage in Substance Use: A Latent Class Serial Mediation Analysis.

Women Living with HIV (WLHIV) who use substances face stigma related to HIV and substance use (SU). The relationship between the intersection of these stigmas and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), as well as the underlying mechanisms, remains poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the association between intersectional HIV and SU stigma and ART adherence, while also exploring the potential role of depression and fear of negative evaluation (FNE) by other people in explaining this association. We analyzed data from 409 WLHIV collected between April 2016 and April 2017, Using Multidimensional Latent Class Item Response Theory analysis. We identified five subgroups (i.e., latent classes [C]) of WLHIV with different combinations of experienced SU and HIV stigma levels: (C1) low HIV and SU stigma; (C2) moderate SU stigma; (C3) higher HIV and lower SU stigma; (C4) moderate HIV and high SU stigma; and (C5) high HIV and moderate SU stigma. Medication adherence differed significantly among these classes. Women in the class with moderate HIV and high SU stigma had lower adherence than other classes. A serial mediation analysis suggested that FNE and depression symptoms are mechanisms that contribute to explaining the differences in ART adherence among WLHIV who experience different combinations of intersectional HIV and SU stigma. We suggest that FNE is a key intervention target to attenuate the effect of intersectional stigma on depression symptoms and ART adherence, and ultimately improve health outcomes among WLHIV.

Longitudinal Associations of Experienced and Perceived Community Stigma With Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence and Viral Suppression in New-to-Care People With HIV: Mediating Roles of Internalized Stigma and Depression Symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Although cross-sectional studies have suggested that HIV-related stigma and depression symptoms may result in poor HIV treatment and health outcomes, few studies have investigated potential longitudinal mechanisms in these relationships. Furthermore, longitudinal effects of HIV-related stigma on health outcomes have not been examined in people with HIV (PWH) newly initiating HIV clinical care. We examined longitudinal associations between experienced and perceived community stigma and health outcomes (antiretroviral therapy [ART] adherence and viral load), mediated by internalized stigma and depression symptoms among new-to-care PWH in the United States. SETTING/METHODS: Data were obtained from 371 PWH who initiated HIV medical care at 4 HIV sites at baseline and 48 weeks later between December 2013 and 2018. Validated measures were used to assess experienced stigma, perceived community stigma, internalized stigma, depression symptoms, and ART adherence, and viral load was obtained from medical records at the final study visit. RESULTS: Serial mediation models revealed significant indirect effects of experienced stigma and perceived community stigma on ART adherence and on viral suppression, first through internalized stigma and then through depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PWH may tend to internalize HIV-related stigma when they experience acts of stigmatization or perceive negative attitudes in society, which in turn may result in negative effects on psychological and physical well-being. These findings about how stigma in society may be an antecedent mechanism for PWH to develop internalized stigma, which in turn affects individual health outcomes, can be used to tailor both individual-level and community-level interventions.

Acceptability, feasibility and potential of an intervention using secret Facebook groups to complement existing HIV prevention strategies among female sex workers in Cameroon, a randomized pilot study.

This randomized pilot project evaluated an intervention promoting health care literacy around HIV, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and stigma reduction using private social media groups that complemented existing HIV prevention services among female sex workers (FSWs) in Cameroon. The intervention was 12 HIV and sexual health videos tailored to FSWs that were released over 8 weeks through a secret Facebook group platform. In-person surveys were administered before, after the intervention, and three months later. No HIV seroconversions were detected; all participants completed follow-up and agreed to recommend the intervention to a coworker. Although the intervention was assessed to be acceptable and feasible to implement, poor internet connectivity was a key barrier. In time-series analysis, the intervention group participants reported improved PrEP interest, PrEP knowledge, and condom use along with reduced PrEP and HIV-related stigma, but no impact on sex-work related stigma or social cohesion. Similar results occurred in the control group. Cross-contamination and small pilot study size might have hindered the ability to detect the differential impact of this intervention. As communications technology increases in Cameroon, it is essential to learn more about FSWs preferences on the use of social media platforms for HIV prevention strategies.

Global health reciprocal innovation to address mental health and well-being: strategies used and lessons learnt.

Over the past two decades there have been major advances in the development of interventions promoting mental health and well-being in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), including delivery of care by non-specialist providers, incorporation of mobile technologies and development of multilevel community-based interventions. Growing inequities in mental health have led to calls to adopt similar strategies in high-income countries (HIC), learning from LMIC. To overcome shared challenges, it is crucial for projects implementing these strategies in different global settings to learn from one another. Our objective was to examine cases in which mental health and well-being interventions originating in or conceived for LMIC were implemented in the USA. The cases included delivery of psychological interventions by non-specialists, HIV-related stigma reduction programmes, substance use mitigation strategies and interventions to promote parenting skills and family functioning. We summarise commonly used strategies, barriers, benefits and lessons learnt for the transfer of these innovative practices among LMIC and HIC. Common strategies included intervention delivery by non-specialists and use of digital modalities to facilitate training and increase reach. Common barriers included lack of reimbursement mechanisms for care delivered by non-specialists and resistance from professional societies. Despite US investigators' involvement in most of the original research in LMIC, only a few cases directly involved LMIC researchers in US implementation. In order to achieve greater equity in global mental health and well-being, more efforts and targeted funding are needed to develop best practices for global health reciprocal innovation and iterative learning in HIC and LMIC.

Association of Higher Intake of Plant-Based Foods and Protein With Slower Kidney Function Decline in Women With HIV.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether there exists an association between dietary acid load and kidney function decline in women living with HIV (WLWH) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). SETTING: One thousand six hundred eight WLWH receiving ART in the WIHS cohort with available diet data and a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥15 mL/minute/1.73 m2. METHODS: A brief dietary instrument conducted from 2013 to 2016 under the Food Insecurity Sub-Study was used for assessing fruits and vegetables (FV) and protein intake. A mixed-effects model with random intercept and slope was used to estimate subjects' annual decline rate in eGFR and the association between FV intake and eGFR decline, adjusting for sociodemographics, serum albumin, comorbidities, time on ART, ART drugs, HIV markers, and baseline eGFR. We evaluated whether markers of inflammation mediated the effect of FV intake on decline in eGFR, using causal mediation analysis. RESULTS: We found a dose-response relationship for the association of FV intake and eGFR decline, with lesser annual decline in eGFR in the middle and highest tertiles of FV intake. An increase of 5 servings of FV intake per day was associated with a lower annual eGFR decline (-1.18 [-1.43, -0.94]). On average, 39% of the association between higher FV intake and slower eGFR decline was explained by decreased levels of inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Plant-rich diet was associated with slower decline in kidney function. Inflammation is a potential path through which diet may affect kidney function. The findings support an emerging body of literature on the potential benefits of plant-rich diets for prevention of chronic kidney disease.

Community and Systems Contributors and Strategies to Reduce Racial Inequities in Maternal Health in the Deep South: Provider Perspectives.

Purpose: Black pregnant individuals in Alabama are disproportionately affected by severe maternal morbidity and mortality (SMM). To understand why racial disparities in maternal health outcomes persist and identify potential strategies to reduce these inequities, we sought perspectives from obstetric health care providers, health administrators, and members of local organizations who provide pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care services in Alabama. Methods: We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with stakeholders (n=20), purposively recruited from community-based organizations, clinical settings, government organizations, and academic institutions. Interview guides were based on Howell's conceptual model of pathways to racial disparities in maternal mortality. Data were coded using a modified framework theory approach and analyzed thematically. Results: Racism, unjust laws and policies, and poverty/lack of infrastructure in communities emerged as major themes contributing to racial disparities in maternal health at the community and systems levels. Inadequate health insurance coverage was described as a strong driver of the disparities. Service providers suggested strategies for Alabama should be community focused, evidence based, and culturally sensitive. These should include Medicaid expansion, expanded parental leave, and removal of laws restricting choice. Community- and systems-level interventions should include community infrastructure improvements, choice in maternity services, and provision of digital communication options. Conclusions: Providers shared perspectives on community and structural areas of intervention to reduce racial inequities in SMM. These results can inform discussions with health system and community partners about Alabama and other Deep South initiatives to improve maternal health outcomes in black communities.

Money, chores and emotional support: Kenyan and Zambian fathers' perceptions of male partner involvement in maternal and infant health within the context of HIV.

In sub-Saharan Africa, involving male partners in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV improves maternal and infant outcomes. Male involvement is typically conceptualised as male partners attending antenatal care, which is difficult for many men. Little is known about how men view their involvement in family health within the context of HIV, particularly outside of clinic attendance. Through interviews with 35 male partners of pregnant or postpartum women living with HIV in Kenya and Zambia, this study elicited perceptions of male involvement in maternal and infant health in families affected by HIV. Men supported the importance of clinic attendance but reported conflicts with the need to work and fulfil their role as the family's financial provider. Providing money for necessities was deemed more critical for their family's health than clinic attendance. Men's involvement was conveyed through various other supportive actions, including helping with household chores and providing emotional support (showing love and reducing women's stress). Future strategies to promote male partner involvement in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and maternal and child health should build upon the actions men view as most meaningful to promote their family's health within their real-world life circumstances and cultural context, particularly their role as financial providers.

Contribution of Health Care Practitioner and Maternity Services Factors to Racial Disparities in Alabama: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVE: Black patients are three times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes than White patients in the United States, and Alabama has the third worst maternal mortality rate in the nation. We sought to identify health care practitioner and maternity service factors contributing to disparities in Alabama, as well as potential strategies to address these contributors. METHODS: We conducted key informant interviews with obstetricians, nurses, doulas, lactation counselors, health system administrators, and representatives of professional organizations who deliver maternity care to racially and ethnically diverse patients in Alabama. The interview guide was developed using Howell's conceptual framework on racial and ethnic disparities in severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Adopting a thematic analysis approach, we coded and analyzed transcripts using NVivo 12 software. Open coding and selective coding were conducted to identify themes related to health care practitioner- and maternity services-level determinants. RESULTS: Overall, 20 health care practitioners or administrators were interviewed. Primary themes related to health care practitioners included implicit bias and explicit racism, lack of communication and lack of positive patient-health care practitioner relationships, lack of cultural sensitivity, and variation in clinical knowledge and experience. Primary themes related to maternity services included lack of accessibility, inadequate quality and content of care, lack of continuity of care, discriminatory facility policies, and workforce shortages and lack of diversity. Strategies suggested by participants to address these factors included bias trainings for health care practitioners, improvements in racial and interdisciplinary diversity in the maternity workforce, and evidence-based interventions such as group prenatal care, disparities dashboards, simulation trainings, early warning signs criteria, and coordinated care. CONCLUSION: We gained diverse perspectives from health care practitioners and administrators on how maternity health care practitioner and maternity health services factors contribute to inequities in maternal health in Alabama. Strategies to address these contributing factors were multifaceted.

Longitudinal Relationship Between Food Insecurity, Engagement in Care, and ART Adherence Among US Women Living with HIV.

Food insecurity disproportionately affects people with HIV and women in the United States (US). More evidence is needed to understand the interplay between levels of food insecurity and levels of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence over time, as well as how food insecurity relates to engagement in HIV care. We used random effects models with longitudinal data from the US Women's Interagency HIV Study to estimate the (1) adjusted associations of current and 6-month lagged food security with ART adherence categories (n = 1646), and (2) adjusted associations of food security with engagement-in-care (n = 1733). Very low food security was associated with a higher relative risk of ART non-adherence at prior and current visits compared with food security, and this association increased across non-adherence categories. Very low food security was associated with lower odds of receiving HIV care and higher odds of a missed visit. Food insecurity among US women with HIV is associated with poorer engagement in care and degree of ART non-adherence over time.

The role of social support on cognitive function among midlife and older adult MSM.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the association between social support and cognitive function among midlife and older MSM living with or without HIV. DESIGN: We analyzed longitudinal data from participants enrolled from October 2016 to March 2019 in the Patterns of Healthy Aging Study, a substudy of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis to estimate the association between social support and three measures of cognitive function [Trail Making Test (TMT) Part A, TMT Part B to A ratio, and Symbol Digit Modalities Tasks (SDMT)]. We also used linear mixed-effects models to estimate the association between baseline social support and cognitive function across four subsequent time points. We evaluated a multiplicative interaction term between baseline social support and time, in order to determine whether cognitive trajectories over time vary by baseline social support. RESULTS: Social support was associated with lower TMT Part A scores at baseline and over the subsequent 2 years, indicating better psychomotor ability. Social support was associated with higher SDMT scores at baseline and across 2 years, indicating better information processing. We observed no association between social support and TMT B to A ratio at baseline or across 2 years, indicating no effect on set-shifting ability. Longitudinal cognition outcome trajectories did not vary by the level of baseline social support. CONCLUSION: Social support and cognitive function were associated in this sample over a short time period. Further research should explore causal relationships over the lifespan.

Cost of Home-Based Couples Human Immunodeficiency Virus Counseling and Testing and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Self-Testing During Pregnancy and Postpartum in Southwestern Kenya.

OBJECTIVE: Home-based couples HIV testing and counseling and HIV self-testing (HIVST) for pregnant women can promote HIV status disclosure and male partner testing; however, cost data are lacking. We examined a home-based couples intervention (HBCI) and HIVST intervention costs per couple (unit cost) during pregnancy and postpartum in Kenya. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial is comparing HBCI and HIVST for couples among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in two counties in southwestern Kenya. We used micro-costing to estimate the unit cost per couple receiving the intervention as the total of direct and indirect costs for each study arm in 2019 US$. We used a one-month window to conduct a time and motion study to determine personnel effort and resources. We then compared the unit cost by arm, identified key cost drivers, and conducted sensitivity analyses for cost uncertainties. RESULTS: At base-case, the unit cost was $129.01 and $41.99, respectively, for HBCI and HIVST. Personnel comprised half of the unit cost for both arms. Staff spent more time on activities related to participant engagement in HBCI (accounting for 6.4% of the unit cost) than in HIVST (2.3%). Staff training was another key cost driver in HBCI (20.1% of the unit cost compared to 12.5% in HIVST). Sensitivity analyses revealed that the unit cost ranges were $104.64-$154.54 for HBCI and $30.49-$56.59 for HIVST. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings may guide spending decisions for future HIV prevention and treatment programs for pregnant couples in resource-limited settings such as Kenya.

Intersectional Stigma and Implementation of HIV Prevention and Treatment Services for Adolescents Living with and at Risk for HIV: Opportunities for Improvement in the HIV Continuum in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically adolescent girls and young women, young men who have sex with men, transgender persons, persons who use substances, and adolescents experiencing homelessness experience intersectional stigma, have a high incidence of HIV and are less likely to be engaged in HIV prevention and care. We conducted a thematic analysis informed by the Health and Discrimination Framework using a multiple case study design with five case studies in 3 sub-Saharan African countries. Our analysis found commonalities in adolescents' intersectional stigma experiences across cases, despite different contexts. We characterize how intersectional stigma impacts the uptake and implementation of HIV prevention and treatment services along the continuum for adolescents. Findings reveal how intersectional stigma operates across social-ecological levels and worsens HIV-related outcomes for adolescents. We identify opportunities for implementation science research to address stigma-related barriers to the uptake and delivery of HIV services for adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa.

Resilience and Optimism as Moderators of the Negative Effects of Stigma on Women Living with HIV.

Resilience and optimism may not only have main effects on health outcomes, but may also moderate and buffer negative effects of stressors. We examined whether dispositional resilience and optimism moderate the associations between HIV-related stigma in health care settings and health-related outcomes (trust in HIV health care providers and depression symptoms) among women living with HIV (WLHIV). One thousand four hundred five WLHIV in nine US cities completed validated questionnaires for cross-sectional analyses. Higher self-reported experienced and anticipated stigma and lower resilience and optimism were associated with higher depression symptoms and with lower trust in HIV providers. Importantly, resilience moderated the effects of experienced stigma (but not of anticipated stigma): When resilience was high, the association of experienced stigma with higher depression symptoms and lower trust in HIV providers was weaker compared with when resilience was low. Further, significant moderation effects suggested that when optimism was high, experienced and anticipated stigma was both less strongly associated with depression symptoms and with lower trust in one's HIV care providers compared with when optimism was low. Thus, the effects of experienced stigma on depression symptoms and provider trust were moderated by both resilience and optimism, but the effects of anticipated stigma were moderated only by optimism. Our findings suggest that in addition to their main effects, resilience and optimism may function as buffers against the harmful effects of stigma in health care settings. Therefore, optimism and resilience may be valuable intervention targets to reduce depression symptoms or improve trust in providers among populations that experience or anticipate stigma, such as WLHIV.

Impact of harm reduction care in HIV clinical settings on stigma and health outcomes for people with HIV who use drugs: study protocol for a mixed-methods, multisite, observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Our previous pilot work suggests relational harm reduction strengthens relationships between people with HIV (PWH) who use drugs and their healthcare providers and improves HIV health outcomes. However, there is limited research examining ways that structural (eg, strategies like syringe service programmes) and/or relational (patient-provider relationship) harm reduction approaches in HIV clinical settings can mitigate experiences of stigma, affect patient-provider relationships and improve outcomes for PWH who use drugs. Our mixed methods, multisite, observational study aims to fill this knowledge gap and develop an intervention to operationalise harm reduction care for PWH who use drugs in HIV clinical settings. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Aim 1 will explore the relationship between healthcare providers' stigmatising attitudes towards working with PWH who use drugs and providers' acceptance and practice of structural and relational harm reduction through surveys (n=125) and interviews (n=20) with providers. Aim 2 will explore the interplay between patient-perceived harm reduction, intersectional stigma and clinical outcomes related to HIV, hepatitis C (if applicable) and substance use-related outcomes through surveys (n=500) and focus groups (k=6, total n=36) with PWH who use drugs. We will also psychometrically evaluate a 25-item scale we previously developed to assess relational harm reduction, the Patient Assessment of Provider Harm Reduction Scale. Aim 3 will use human-centred design approaches to develop and pretest an intervention to operationalise harm reduction care for PWH who use drugs in HIV clinical settings. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study was approved via expedited review by the University of Pittsburgh Institutional Review Board (STUDY21090002). Study findings will be presented in peer-reviewed journals and public health conferences as well as shared with patient participants, community advisory boards and harm reduction organisations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05404750.

Recent Stressful Life Events, Lifetime Traumatic Events, Missed Visits, and Antiretroviral Adherence Among Black Women With HIV in the Southeastern United States: A Cross-sectional Study.

ABSTRACT: Lifetime traumatic events are prevalent among people with HIV and consistently associated with deleterious HIV outcomes. Yet, little is known about the impact of recent stressful events on health outcomes among Black women with HIV (WWH). This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of recent stressful events and lifetime traumatic events and their association with HIV outcomes in Black WWH ( n = 200) in the Southeastern United States. We evaluated the association between stressful events and HIV outcomes using chi-square tests and unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyses. In the unadjusted analyses, missed visits were associated with higher odds of recent stressful events (odds ratio [OR] 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.16) and lifetime traumatic events (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.05-1.26). In the adjusted analysis, exposure to recent stressful events was independently associated with missed visits (adjusted OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01-1.15). Interventions addressing recent stressful events are warranted.

Adapting and pilot testing an HIV and intersectional stigma reducing intervention for Dominican Republic healthcare contexts: Protocol for translational research.

Background: This protocol details the adaptation and pilot testing of the Finding Respect and Ending Stigma around HIV (FRESH) intervention in Dominican Republic. FRESH is a healthcare setting stigma-reduction intervention designed to reduce stigmas affecting people living with HIV (PLHIV), focusing on HIV and intersectional stigmas experienced by sexual and gender minority (SGM) people living with HIV. After the successful adaptation of the FRESH intervention, it will be pilot-tested through the conduct of a pilot stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial. Methods: Three aims are included in this study; Aim 1 includes exploratory qualitative assessment, specifically the conduct four focus groups with men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV (n = 24-32) and in-depth interviews with transgender women living with HIV to explore their experiences with stigma in clinics (n = 9-12). In-depth interviews will also be held with HIV healthcare workers to elucidate their perceptions and behaviors towards their SGM clients (n = 9-12). In Aim 2, informed by Aim 1 data, we will use the sequential phases of the ADAPT-ITT framework to iteratively adapt the FRESH intervention for the Dominican Republic. In Aim 3, the adapted intervention will be pilot-tested via a cluster stepped wedge randomized controlled trial to assess feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and study protocols. Conclusions: If this pilot trial is successful, next steps will include testing the adapted intervention across Dominican Republic or in similar Spanish-speaking Caribbean nations in a larger trial to assess effectiveness in reducing stigma in clinical settings towards PLHIV.

Internalized HIV-Related Stigma and Neurocognitive Functioning Among Women Living with HIV.

The prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment persists despite highly effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). In this study we explore the role of internalized stigma, acceptance of negative societal characterizations, and perceptions about people living with HIV (PLWH) on neurocognitive functioning (executive function, learning, memory, attention/working memory, psychomotor speed, fluency, motor skills) in a national cohort of women living with HIV (WLWH) in the United States. We utilized observational data from a multicenter study of WLWH who are mostly African American living in low-resource settings. Neurocognitive function was measured using an eight-test battery. A multiple linear regression model was constructed to investigate the relationship between internalized stigma and overall neurocognitive functioning (mean of all neurocognitive domain standardized T-scores), adjusting for age, education, race, previous neuropsychological battery scores, illicit drug use, viral load, and years on ART. Our analysis revealed that internalized HIV-related stigma is significantly associated with worse performance on individual domain tests and overall neurocognitive performance (B = 0.27, t = 2.50, p = 0.01). This suggests HIV-related internalized stigma may be negatively associated with neurocognitive functioning for WLWH. This finding highlights a specific psychosocial factor associated with poor neurocognitive function that may be targeted to better promote the health of PLWH. Future research on the longitudinal relationship between these variables and the effects of other stigma dimensions on poor neurocognitive function would provide further insights into the pathways explaining the relationship between internalized stigma and neurocognition.

Mechanisms linking gender-based violence to worse HIV treatment and care outcomes among women in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To test whether substance use mediates the associations between gender-based violence (GBV) and suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and GBV and poor engagement in care, among women living with HIV (WLHIV) in the United States (US). DESIGN: We analyzed longitudinal data collected among 1717 WLHIV in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS). METHODS: From 2013 to 2017, WLHIV completed semi-annual assessments on GBV, substance use, and HIV treatment and care. Adjusted multilevel logistic regression models were built to estimate the impact of GBV on; suboptimal (<95%) adherence and at least one missed HIV care appointment without rescheduling in the past 6 months. Mediation analyses were performed to test whether heavy drinking and illicit drug use mediated the associations between GBV and the two HIV outcomes. RESULTS: The mean age was 47 (standard deviation = 9), 5% reported experiencing GBV, 17% reported suboptimal adherence and 15% reported at least one missed appointment in the past 6 months. Women who experienced GBV had a significantly higher odds of suboptimal adherence [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.99; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.40-2.83] and missed appointments (aOR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.32-2.33). Heavy drinking and illicit drug use mediated 36 and 73% of the association between GBV and suboptimal adherence and 29 and 65% of the association between GBV and missed appointments, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Substance use is an underlying mechanism through which GBV affects outcomes along the HIV care continuum among WLHIV in the US. To optimize HIV treatment and care among women, interventions should address the combined epidemics of substance use, violence, and HIV.

Adapting a Motivational Interviewing Intervention to Improve HIV Prevention Among Young, Black, Sexual Minority Men in Alabama: Protocol for the Development of the Kings Digital Health Intervention.

BACKGROUND: African American or Black young men who have sex with men (BYMSM) are at a disproportionate risk for contracting HIV and have high rates of undiagnosed, and therefore untreated, HIV infection. In the southern United States, BYMSM face region-specific hurdles to HIV prevention, such as limited access to care and high levels of racism and intersectional stigma, necessitating HIV testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis interventions that address sociocultural and structural barriers while motivating BYMSM to engage in prevention. Brothers Saving Brothers (BSB) is a motivational interviewing behavioral intervention that successfully and simultaneously increased community-based HIV testing and prevention counseling and education among BYMSM in the midwestern United States. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this protocol is to detail the process for the adaption of the BSB intervention for midwestern BYMSM to the Kings intervention for southern BYMSM. During the adaptation process, the intervention will be modernized to include rapid HIV testing, as opposed to HIV testing that requires BYMSM to return for test results, pre-exposure prophylaxis, and the provision of structural supports, and for relevance in the southern United States. METHODS: Aim 1 is to gather qualitative data through focus groups and in-depth interviews with BYMSM aged 18 to 29 years in Alabama and in-depth interviews with prevention and outreach workers who routinely work with BYMSM in Alabama. NVivo qualitative software (QSR International) will be used for the coding and analysis of the transcripts via a thematic analysis approach. For aim 2, intervention mapping will guide the adaptation process, intervention content, components, and design. Both aims 1 and 2 will leverage the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment implementation science framework, with emphasis on the exploration and preparation phases of this model. By applying these frameworks, the original midwestern BSB intervention will be scientifically adapted to the southern BYMSM Kings intervention. RESULTS: This study is ongoing as of 2022 and is expected to conclude in 2024, with aims 1 and 2 being completed in 2023. Qualitative data will offer insight into the current real-world experiences and preferences of BYMSM in Alabama. Feedback will be collected through the adaptation process to inform intervention refinement. Institutional review board approvals have been received. CONCLUSIONS: The findings will inform next steps, that is, testing the Kings intervention for feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness in a pilot hybrid type 1 effective-implementation randomized controlled trial. The study results will provide insights about important considerations for HIV prevention among BYMSM in the southern United States. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03680729; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03680729. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/36655.