Identifying the Need for and Availability of Evidence-Based Care for Sexually Transmitted Infections in Rural Primary Care Clinics.

BACKGROUND: Increasing rates of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may lead to increased HIV rates, as the STI and HIV epidemics are syndemic. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines recommend including extragenital (i.e., rectal and/or pharyngeal) STI screenings for certain populations at increased risk of STIs and concurrent infections with HIV. METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted by interviewing staff members from 4 rural primary care clinics in areas of high need for STI and HIV services in South Carolina. Qualitative data about their clinical practices in 2021 were obtained. The primary outcome was to determine the awareness and availability of health care services associated with STI and HIV care in these locations. RESULTS: Clinics in target counties provided limited STI and HIV testing and treatment services, especially for populations at risk of infection, indicating the need for additional clinical training and professional development for all clinic staff. Specifically, only 1 of 4 clinics provided extragenital STI testing, and no clinics reported prescribing preexposure prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: Rural primary care clinics can fill important gaps in the availability of STI and HIV services with appropriate support and incentives. Findings from this study may aid in facilitating policy (state Medicaid agency) and program (state health department) decisions related to STI and HIV testing and treatment.

Psychological Distress Mediates the Relationship Between HIV-Related Stigma and Prescription Opioid Misuse Among Chinese People Living with HIV.

Prescription opioid misuse (POM) among people living with HIV (PLWH) is a serious concern due to risks related to dependence and overdose, and PLWH may be at higher risk for POM due to psychosocial stressors including psychological distress. However, scant POM research has examined the role of HIV-related stigma (e.g., internalized stigma, enacted stigma) in POM among PLWH. Guided by minority stress theory, this study examined a hypothesized serial mediation among enacted stigma, internalized stigma, psychological distress, and POM within a sample of Chinese PLWH with pain symptoms enrolled in a wave (between November 2017 and February 2018) of a longitudinal cohort study in Guangxi (n = 116). Models were tested individually for six enacted stigma experiences, controlling for key demographic and health-related variables (e.g., CD4 + count). Results showed HIV-related workplace discrimination was the most common stigma experience (12%,) and 10.3% of PLWH reported POM. Indirect effect analyses showed that internalized stigma was indirectly associated with POM through psychological distress. Internalized stigma and psychological distress mediated the association between workplace discrimination and POM. Family discrimination, gossip, and healthcare discrimination were directly associated with POM. This study suggests that Chinese PLWH may engage in POM to cope with psychological distress that is rooted in HIV-related stigma and highlights the important context of workplace discrimination for PLWH. Implications for interventions to reduce POM among PLWH are discussed.

Associations between perceived discrimination experiences, treatment adherence self-efficacy, and depressive symptoms among people living with HIV in the Southern United States.

This study examined associations between perceived discrimination, treatment adherence self-efficacy, and depressive symptoms among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Southern United States. Cross-sectional survey data were collected from 402 PLHIV who self-reported on interpersonal discrimination experiences based on HIV status, sexuality, gender, income, and living condition. Participants also reported on adherence self-efficacy and depressive symptoms. We employed K-means clustering to identify groups based on discrimination experiences, and logistic regressions to examine group differences on adherence self-efficacy and depressive symptoms. Results suggested three groups: a cluster with high perceived discrimination across all identities/conditions (n = 41; 11%; Cluster 1); a cluster with high perceived discrimination based on HIV status, income, and living condition (n = 49; 13%; Cluster 2); and a cluster with low perceived discrimination across all identities/conditions (n = 288; 76%; Cluster 3). Compared to Cluster 3, Cluster 1 and 2 had 2.22 times (p = .037) and 3.98 times (p<.001) greater odds of reporting depressive symptoms. Compared to Cluster 3, Cluster 2 had 3.40 times (p = .003) greater odds of reporting lower adherence self-efficacy. Findings demonstrate the need for individual-level support for PLHIV with discrimination histories, and broader efforts to end the stigma, discrimination, and marginalization of PLHIV based on HIV status and other characteristics.

A multi-informant qualitative analysis of desired features for an mHealth tool for youth living with HIV in South Carolina.

OBJECTIVE: Youth living with HIV (YLHIV) in the southern United States experience poor outcomes across the HIV care continuum and are at high-risk for virologic failure. This study used a qualitative, community-engaged approach to inform the development of a tailored mobile Health (mHealth) tool for YLHIV in South Carolina (SC). METHODS: Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with YLHIV in SC (n = 16) and their HIV care providers (n = 15). Focus group discussions (FGDs) were also conducted with HIV-focused community-based organization staff (n = 23). Interviews and FGDs queried desired components for a future mHealth tool tailored for YLHIV. Data were analyzed using a team-based rapid qualitative approach. RESULTS: Across informants, key themes emerged related to medical management of HIV, including a desire for connections with medical providers, appointment and medication reminders, and accurate HIV information. In addition, informants voiced a desire for mental health resources to be integrated into the app. Connection with HIV-positive peers also emerged as a key desire from youth informants. In terms of app design, informants emphasized the need for strict privacy practices, a youth-friendly design, compensation for use, and integration with existing healthcare systems. CONCLUSIONS: mHealth interventions developed for YLHIV should meet the mental health and social needs of YLHIV in addition to their medical needs. In addition, the highly stigmatized nature of HIV requires careful consideration when designing digital tools-youth want their privacy prioritized, but also express strong desire for social support to help cope with the isolation and stigma of this chronic health condition.

Dual Barriers: Examining Digital Access and Travel Burdens to Hospital Maternity Care Access in the United States, 2020.

Policy Points The White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis report released in June 2022 highlighted the need to enhance equitable access to maternity care. Nationwide hospital maternity unit closures have worsened the maternal health crisis in underserved communities, leaving many birthing people with few options and with long travel times to reach essential care. Ensuring equitable access to maternity care requires addressing travel burdens to care and inadequate digital access. Our findings reveal socioeconomically disadvantaged communities in the United States face dual barriers to maternity care access, as communities located farthest away from care facilities had the least digital access. CONTEXT: With the increases in nationwide hospital maternity unit closures, there is a greater need for telehealth services for the supervision, evaluation, and management of prenatal and postpartum care. However, challenges in digital access persist. We examined associations between driving time to hospital maternity units and digital access to understand whether augmenting digital access and telehealth services might help mitigate travel burdens to maternity care. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used 2020 American Hospital Association Annual Survey data for hospital maternity unit locations and 2020 American Community Survey five-year ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA)-level estimates of household digital access to telecommunication technology and broadband. We calculated driving times of the fastest route from population-weighted ZCTA centroids to the nearest hospital maternity unit. Rural-urban stratified generalized median regression models were conducted to examine differences in ZCTA-level proportions of household lacking digital access equipment (any digital device, smartphones, tablet), and lacking broadband subscriptions by spatial accessibility to maternity units. FINDINGS: In 2020, 2,905 (16.6%) urban and 3,394 (39.5%) rural ZCTAs in the United States were located >30 minutes from the nearest hospital maternity units. Regardless of rurality, these communities farther away from a maternity unit had disproportionally lower broadband and device accessibility. Although urban communities have greater digital access to technology and broadband subscriptions compared to rural communities, disparities in the percentage of households with access to digital devices were more pronounced within urban areas, particularly between those with and without close proximity to a hospital maternity unit. Communities where nearest hospital maternity units were >30 minutes away had higher poverty and uninsurance rates than those with <15-minute access. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomically disadvantaged communities face significant barriers to maternity care access, both with substantial travel burdens and inadequate digital access. To optimize maternity care access, ongoing efforts (e.g., Affordable Connectivity Program introduced in the 2021 Infrastructure Act), should bridge the gaps in digital access and target communities with substantial travel burdens to care and limited digital access.

"Is it worth living?" psychosocial challenges of childhood sexual abuse survivors aging with HIV.

Older adults living with HIV (OALH) undergo challenges such as comorbidities, social isolation, and "double stigma" associated with their HIV and aging statuses. Simultaneously, research has shown that experiences of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) continue to impact the quality of life across the lifespan and may pose unique hardships for older adults. Despite the high prevalence of trauma among people living with HIV, research examining the psychosocial challenges of OALH with a CSA history is scant. To address this gap in the literature, this study aimed to explore psychosocial challenges among OALH who are CSA survivors using a qualitative approach. Twenty-four in-depth, semi-structured interviews were completed with OALH (age 50 years and older) who reported histories of CSA. Multiple coders and an inductive coding process were employed for data analysis. Four main themes regarding psychosocial challenges emerged from the analysis: (1) depression and suicidal ideation, (2) fear and anxiety, (3) social support issues, and (4) memory issues. The authors discuss the implications of these findings and the importance of trauma-informed treatment for these individuals.

The social value of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine: Willingness to pay estimates from four western countries.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccines give rise to positive externalities on population health, society and the economy in addition to protecting the health of vaccinated individuals. Hence, the social value of such a vaccine exceeds its market value. This paper estimates the willingness to pay (WTP) for a hypothetical SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (or shadow prices), in four countries, namely the United States (US), the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy during the first wave of the pandemic when COVID-19 vaccines were in development but not yet approved. WTP estimates are elicited using a payment card method to avoid "yea saying" biases, and we study the effect of protest responses, sample selection bias, as well as the influence of trust in government and risk exposure when estimating the WTP. Our estimates suggest evidence of an average value of a hypothetical vaccine of 100-200 US dollars once adjusted for purchasing power parity. Estimates are robust to a number of checks.

Racial, Ethnic, and Rural/Urban Disparities in HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections in South Carolina.

Examining the current incidence rates of HIV and STIs among racial and ethnic minority and rural residents is crucial to inform and expand initiatives and outreach efforts to address disparities and minimize the health impact of these diseases. A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted using Medicaid administrative claims data over a 2-year period (July 2019-June 2021) in South Carolina. Our main outcomes of interest were claims for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV. Any beneficiary with at least one claim for a relevant diagnosis throughout the study period was considered to have one of these diseases. Descriptive analyses and multivariable regression models were used to estimate the association between STIs, HIV, race and ethnicity, and rurality. Overall, 158,731 Medicaid beneficiaries had at least one medical claim during the study period. Most were female (86.6%), resided in urban areas (66.6%), and were of non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity (42.6%). In total, 6.3% of beneficiaries had at least one encounter for chlamydia, 3.2% for gonorrhea, 0.5% for syphilis, and 0.8% for HIV. In multivariable models, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV claims were significantly associated with non-Hispanic Black or other minority race/ethnicity compared to non-Hispanic white race/ethnicity. Rural residents were more likely to have a claim associated with chlamydia and gonorrhea compared to urban residents. The opposite was observed for syphilis and HIV. Providing updated evidence on disparities in STIs and HIV among racial/ethnic minority and rural populations in a southern state is essential for shaping state Medicaid policies to address health disparities.

Racial disparities in the association between resilience and ART adherence among people living with HIV: the mediating role of depression.

Research examining the mediating role of depressive symptoms in the association between resilience and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence is lacking. Therefore, this study aims to examine the mediating role of depression between resilience and ART adherence, as well as to explore whether this relationship varies across racial background. A total of 327 people living with HIV and on ART in South Carolina were surveyed about their ART adherence and mental health, including resilience and depressive symptoms. Path analyses were conducted to determine the direct and indirect effects between resilience, depressive symptoms, and ART adherence. After adjusting for age, gender, income, education, employment and time since diagnosis, among Black individuals, resilience was negatively associated with depressive symptoms (ß = --0.248, p < 0.001); depressive symptoms were negatively associated with ART adherence (ß = -0.166, p = 0.020); however, resilience was not significantly associated with ART adherence. Among White individuals, there was no statistically significant association. The indirect effect between resilience and ART adherence through depressive symptoms was statistically significant (ß = 0.041, p = 0.040) for Black individuals, while not statistically significant for White individuals (ß = 0.024, p = 0.578). Interventions aimed at improving ART adherence, which attenuate depressive symptoms through accentuating resilience may be especially beneficial for Black populations living with HIV.

"Do I want PrEP or do I want a roof?": Social determinants of health and HIV prevention in the southern United States.

Scaling up use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) among young men who have sex with men and transgender women (YMSM/TGW) is a critical part of the Ending the HIV Epidemic plan. This qualitative study contextualized the social determinants of health (SDOH) that can impede HIV prevention in rural North and South Carolina with 14 key informant interviews with stakeholders and 3 focus groups with YMSM/TGW (N = 23). A deductive-inductive approach with multiple coders was employed to identify themes related to SDOH in rural areas, including economic challenges (e.g., housing and food insecurity), neighborhood characteristics (e.g., lack of transportation), healthcare-related issues (e.g., provider shortages) and educational barriers (e.g., lack of comprehensive and inclusive sexual education). The socio-environmental context of the rural South and prioritization of local, community-based partnerships are necessary to reduce the burden of HIV.

Primary Care Clinicians' Perceived Role in Addressing Childhood Obesity in the Southern United States.

OBJECTIVES: Primary care is an opportune setting to promote healthy behaviors for children and families. In 2007, an expert committee recommended that pediatric primary care clinicians assess nutrition and physical activity at wellness visits and offer recommendations; however, little is known about what pediatric primary care clinicians perceive their role as in childhood weight management. This qualitative study aimed to describe the perceived role of pediatric primary care clinicians in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity in South Carolina, a state in the southern United States with high rates of childhood obesity. METHODS: Pediatric primary care clinicians (n = 23) from South Carolina were recruited for two focus groups. Participants were asked semistructured, open-ended questions, and audio recordings were transcribed verbatim. Themes and subthemes were identified through an iterative coding and consensus-building process with two coders. Excerpts coded under the parent code of "clinician role" centered on three themes: conducting assessments, making referrals, and providing education. RESULTS: Pediatric primary care clinicians in South Carolina coalesced around the important role of addressing childhood obesity within primary care. Notably, clinicians primarily discussed treatment rather than prevention strategies and described changes in the scope of their practice over time as a result of the increasing numbers of pediatric patients with obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Addressing childhood obesity within primary care is a critical component of obesity prevention and treatment in the southern United States. Effective, sustainable prevention and treatment within primary care will depend on the involvement of pediatric clinicians, thus emphasizing the importance of understanding how they perceive their role within this setting.

Long-term effects of a resilience-based intervention on mental health of children affected by parental HIV in China: Testing the mediation effects of emotion regulation and coping.

Resilience-based interventions have been suggested to improve mental health among children affected by parental HIV. Very few studies, however, have explicitly tested the mechanisms of change underlying the effects of resilience-based interventions on mental health among this group of children. The present study utilized a cluster randomized controlled trial to determine the effects of the Child-Caregiver-Advocacy Resilience (ChildCARE) intervention on mental health for children affected by parental HIV. Specifically, we examined the effects of the intervention on three mental health outcomes (i.e., depressive symptoms, school anxiety, loneliness) and whether emotion regulation and coping played mediating roles in the intervention's effectiveness. Child-caregiver dyads (N = 790) were randomly assigned by clusters to three intervention groups and a control group. Children reported on mental health outcomes for 36 months at 6-month intervals. Latent growth curve models showed that there were no direct impacts of the ChildCARE intervention on changes in mental health outcomes beyond 18-month follow-up. Mediation analyses showed that the ChildCARE intervention yielded significant improvements in positive coping, but not negative coping or emotion regulation at 18 months. Emotion regulation, positive coping, and negative coping were consistently associated with the intercepts (i.e., mean at 18 months) of mental health outcomes. Negative coping also significantly predicted the rates of change of mental health outcomes over time. Findings provide important implications for future resilience-based intervention development and highlight the promise of interventions that aim to strengthen emotion regulation and coping skills to improve mental health for children affected by parental HIV.

A systematic review of psychosocial interventions for older adults living with HIV.

The rapidly growing segment of older adults living with HIV faces unique set of psychosocial challenges that may differ from their younger counterparts. The objective of this review is to systematically examine current published literature on interventions designed to improve the psychosocial wellbeing of older adults living with HIV. A pre-specified search strategy was applied to four databases: PubMed, CINAHL Plus with Text, PsycINFO, and Health Source. Authors reviewed published studies on psychosocial interventions for older adults with HIV and reported psychosocial variables as primary outcomes of the interventions. The final review included nine intervention studies. Psychosocial outcomes measured across multiple studies included depression, quality of life, social support, cognitive functioning, and coping skills. Some studies also measured physical activity, HIV-related discrimination, lack of affordable housing, and access to substance abuse treatment. Our study suggests a paucity of psychosocial intervention research on adults aging with HIV. This review suggests that most psychosocial interventions had small to moderate effects in improving the psychosocial wellbeing of older people living with HIV. Findings highlight the need for clinical, community, and home-based interventions to ensure that individuals can achieve a higher quality of life while aging with HIV.

Sociodemographic factors affecting viral load suppression among people living with HIV in South Carolina.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) enables people living with HIV (PLWH) to reach and maintain viral suppression. As viral suppression significantly reduces risk for secondary transmission, this study aimed to examine sociodemographic factors associated with viral suppression among PLWH in South Carolina (SC). We analyzed cross-sectional data collected from 342 PLWH receiving HIV care from a large clinic in SC and provided complete information on most recent viral load, ART adherence, and sociodemographic factors. Bivariate analysis examined associations between key variables, and logistic regression was used to calculate the odds of viral suppression among select sociodemographic groups and adherence levels. Results indicated that approximately 82% of participants reported achieving viral suppression. PLWH who were older, male, and employed full-time had higher odds of being virally suppressed compared to those who were younger, female, and unemployed. PLWH with medium (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR]: 3.79; 95% CI: 1.15-12.48) and high (aOR: 3.51; 95% CI: 1.21-10.24) levels of adherence were more likely to report viral suppression than those with low adherence. Targeted interventions are warranted for groups at-risk of low ART adherence, and healthcare providers should also be aware of contextual factors that serve as barriers to adherence for PLWH.

Age and Sex Disparities in Sexual Trauma, Depressive Symptoms, and Antiretroviral Adherence Among People Living with HIV in the Deep South: A Mediation Analysis.

People living with HIV (PLWH) have a higher risk of experiencing sexual assault compared to populations without HIV. Prior studies have shown independent associations between sexual assault, depression, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. However, research analyzing the potential mediating effects of depressive symptoms between sexual assault and ART adherence, and the associated age and sex disparities, especially among PLWH in the Southern United States, is lacking. Therefore, the current study sought to determine whether depressive symptoms mediate the association between sexual assault and ART adherence and to evaluate the associated age and sex disparities among PLWH in South Carolina. Data were collected from 337 individuals who received HIV care from an immunology center in South Carolina. Crude and adjusted path analysis models stratified by age and sex were used to determine the association between sexual assault, depressive symptoms, and ART adherence. Depressive symptoms were associated with ART adherence among adults aged 18-34 (ß = - 0.281, p = .018) and 35-49 (ß = - 0.185, p = .005), and men (ß = - 0.205, p = .011). Sexual assault was associated with depressive symptoms (ß = 0.211, p = .001) and with ART adherence (ß = - 0.172, p = .010) among adults 35-49. Among men (ß = - 0.238; p = .029) and women (ß = - 0.344, p = .001), sexual assault was associated with ART adherence; among women, sexual assault was associated with depressive symptoms (ß = 0.280, p = .006). Depressive symptoms mediated the association between sexual assault and ART adherence among adults 35-49 (ß = - 0.039, p = .035). Interventions addressing depressive symptoms may improve ART adherence among adults aged 18-34 and 35-49 and men. Programs also addressing depressive symptoms and using trauma-informed approaches may improve ART adherence, especially among middle-age populations, men, and women.

Telepsychiatry adoption across hospitals in the United States: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Access to psychiatric care is critical for patients discharged from hospital psychiatric units to ensure continuity of care. When face-to-face follow-up is unavailable or undesirable, telepsychiatry becomes a promising alternative. This study aimed to investigate hospital- and county-level characteristics associated with telepsychiatry adoption. METHODS: Cross-sectional national data of 3475 acute care hospitals were derived from the 2017 American Hospital Association Annual Survey. Generalized linear regression models were used to identify characteristics associated with telepsychiatry adoption. RESULTS: About one-sixth (548 [15.8%]) of hospitals reported having telepsychiatry with a wide variation across states. Rural noncore hospitals were less likely to adopt telepsychiatry (8.3%) than hospitals in rural micropolitan (13.6%) and urban counties (19.4%). Hospitals with both outpatient and inpatient psychiatric care services (marginal difference [95% CI]: 16.0% [12.1% to 19.9%]) and hospitals only with outpatient psychiatric services (6.5% [3.7% to 9.4%]) were more likely to have telepsychiatry than hospitals with neither psychiatric services. Federal hospitals (48.9% [32.5 to 65.3%]), system-affiliated hospitals (3.9% [1.2% to 6.6%]), hospitals with larger bed size (Quartile IV vs. I: 6.2% [0.7% to 11.6%]), and hospitals with greater ratio of Medicaid inpatient days to total inpatient days (Quartile IV vs. I: 4.9% [0.3% to 9.4%]) were more likely to have telepsychiatry than their counterparts. Private non-profit hospitals (- 6.9% [- 11.7% to - 2.0%]) and hospitals in counties designated as whole mental health professional shortage areas (- 6.6% [- 12.7% to - 0.5%]) were less likely to have telepsychiatry. CONCLUSIONS: Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, telepsychiatry adoption in US hospitals was low with substantial variations by urban and rural status and by state in 2017. This raises concerns about access to psychiatric services and continuity of care for patients discharged from hospitals.

Coverage and adherence of antiretroviral therapy among Chinese HIV-positive men who have sex with men with high CD4 counts in the era of 'Treat all'.

OBJECTIVES: HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) with CD4 cell counts> 350 cells/mm3 in China recently became eligible for free antiretroviral therapy (ART) due to updated national guidelines. This study aimed to investigate ART coverage and adherence among a large sample of HIV-positive MSM in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Chengdu and Hangzhou, China, from February to November 2016. Participants were 277 MSM who had received a confirmatory HIV diagnosis and had CD4 levels of> 350 cells/mm3 . Trained staff of collaborating non-governmental organizations contacted all HIV-positive MSM listed in their service records and invited them to join the study. The ART initiation, ART adherence and interactions between healthcare professionals and the patients were assessed. RESULTS: ART coverage was 60.3%. Among those who were on ART (n = 167), no participants reported missing any doses in the last four days, but 25.7% reported non-compliance to either ART dosing schedule or dosage instructions. After adjusting for background variables and perceived eligibility for ART, two variables were significant factors of higher ART coverage: (i) receiving a recommendation from healthcare professionals for immediate ART initiation and (ii) perceiving having received an adequate explanation of potential harms of ART. Being prescribed> 3 pills per dose and not having a temporary resident permit were associated with non-compliance. CONCLUSIONS: Significant efforts are needed to increase ART coverage among HIV-positive MSM with high CD4 counts in China. Although prevalence of missing doses was low, non-compliance to dosing schedule/instructions should not be neglected. Interactions between healthcare professionals and MSMs play an important role in facilitating ART initiation.

OBJECTIFS: Les hommes VIH positifs ayant des rapports sexuels avec des hommes (HSH) avec un taux de cellules CD4 >350 cellules/mm3 en Chine sont récemment devenus éligibles à la thérapie antirétrovirale (ART) gratuite à la suite de la mise à jour des directives nationales. Cette étude visait à étudier la couverture et la compliance à l'ART dans un large échantillon de HSH VIH positifs en Chine. MÉTHODES: Etude transversale menée à Chengdu et Hangzhou, en Chine de février à novembre 2016. Les participants étaient 277 HSH qui avaient reçu un diagnostic de confirmation du VIH et avaient un taux de CD4 >350 cellules/mm3 . Le personnel formé d'organisations non gouvernementales collaboratrices a contacté tous les HSH positifs pour le VIH répertoriés dans les dossiers de leurs services et les ont invité à prendre part à l'étude. L'initiation de l'ART, la compliance à l'ART et les interactions entre les professionnels de santé et les patients ont été évaluées. RÉSULTATS: La couverture de l'ART était de 60,3%. Parmi ceux qui étaient sous ART (n = 167), aucun participant n'a déclaré avoir manqué de prises au cours des quatre derniers jours, mais 25,7% ont déclaré un manque de compliance soit vis-à-vis du schéma posologique de l'ART ou aux instructions de dosage. Après ajustement pour les variables de base et l'éligibilité perçue pour l'ART, deux variables étaient des facteurs significatifs d'une couverture ART plus élevée: (1) le fait de recevoir une recommandation des professionnels de la santé pour l'initiation immédiate de l'ART et (2) la perception d'avoir reçu une explication adéquate sur les méfaits potentiels de l'ART. Avoir été prescrit >3 comprimés par dose et ne pas detenir un permis de séjour temporaire était associé à la non-compliance. CONCLUSIONS: Des efforts importants sont nécessaires pour augmenter la couverture de l'ART chez les HSH positifs pour le VIH ayant un taux élevé de CD4 en Chine. Bien que la prévalence des doses manquantes ait été faible, la non-compliance au calendrier/instructions posologiques ne doit pas être négligée. Les interactions entre les professionnels de la santé et les HSH jouent un rôle important dans la facilitation de l'initiation de l'ART.

Links between sexual trauma exposure and Quality of Life (QoL) domains among people living with HIV in the Southern United States.

People living with HIV (PLHIV) in the United States (US) are more likely to experience traumatic events than non-affected peers. Sexual violence is a unique trauma that has important implications for HIV-related treatment and care. The aim of the current study was to examine links between sexual violence and Quality of Life (QoL) among PLHIV in South Carolina - a Southern state that is disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic. Specifically, we surveyed 402 PLHIV about their past exposure to sexual traumas and their current QoL across multiple domains. Results indicated that women living with HIV were more likely to have experienced sexual trauma than men. Participants with histories of sexual trauma reported poorer overall QoL, as well as less satisfaction with their health. Multiple regression analyses indicated that exposure to sexual violence was associated with lower QoL in four of six domains, including psychological functioning, independence, social relationships, and environment. Sexual trauma was not associated with physical health QoL in the current study. Surprisingly, sexual trauma was associated with higher spiritual QoL. Findings support the need to screen PLHIV for sexual trauma exposure, adopt trauma-informed practices, and ensure that all PLHIV have access to comprehensive psychological services when indicated.

Stigma and psychosocial wellbeing among children affected by parental HIV in China.

OBJECTIVES: Parental HIV infection presents unique psychosocial challenges for families. Affected children are vulnerable to stigma-related distress from a parent's HIV status and are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and low self-esteem than unaffected peers. This study examined whether HIV-related stigma predicted poorer mental health among children affected by parental HIV and whether psychosocial assets mediated this relationship. METHODS: A sample of 790 children (ages 6-17) affected by parental HIV in Henan, China reported on HIV-related stigma, social support, emotional regulation, future outlook, and mental health symptoms. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the direct and indirect effects of stigma on mental health. RESULTS: Results indicated that stigma was associated with psychosocial resources, which in turn were associated with mental health symptoms. The indirect pathways from stigma to mental health symptoms through psychosocial resources were consistent across age and gender. CONCLUSION: The experience of HIV-related stigma was associated with poorer overall mental health among children affected by parental HIV in China. Children's psychosocial resources, including social support, emotional regulation, and future outlook, mediated the relationship between HIV-related stigma and mental health symptoms. Future interventions may wish to target these modifiable aspects of wellbeing to improve social and behavioral outcomes in this vulnerable population.

Expanding access to HPV vaccination in South Carolina through community pharmacies: A geospatial analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancer rates are higher in rural areas. Despite the preventive benefits of HPV vaccination, uptake is lower among rural populations. Community-based pharmacies with a strong presence in rural communities may be ideal for improving HPV vaccination access. Our objective was to determine whether spatial access to pharmacies among adolescents and young adults in South Carolina varied by rurality and geographic access to primary care providers. METHODS: Geographic information systems methods were used to evaluate spatial access to community-based pharmacies among persons aged 10-24 years in South Carolina census tracts (CTs). CTs were categorized as metropolitan, micropolitan, or small-town and isolated rural CTs using rural-urban commuting area codes and as health provider shortage areas (HPSAs) or not. Descriptive and spatial statistics were calculated to compare access across CT groupings and to evaluate geospatial clustering. RESULTS: Areas of highest access clustered among the metropolitan CTs. Whereas spatial access was higher in metropolitan than micropolitan CTs, there was no difference in spatial access between metropolitan and small-town and rural CTs. In general, HPSA-designated areas had lower spatial access to pharmacies than non-HPSA-designated areas. However, in micropolitan areas, there was no difference in spatial access to pharmacies based on HPSA designation. CONCLUSION: Spatial access to pharmacies among small town and rural areas was comparable to urban areas as was HPSA-designated micropolitan areas and non-HPSA micropolitan areas. This suggests that pharmacies are equally accessible to both urban and rural populations in South Carolina, but additional research is needed to identify effective strategies to promote the uptake of and the availability of HPV vaccination in pharmacies (e.g., insurance coverage) and to ensure patients are educated on the benefits of HPV vaccinations and its availability in nonprimary care settings.