Identifying barriers to ART initiation and adherence: An exploratory qualitative study on PMTCT in Zambia.

BACKGROUND: Though antiretroviral therapy (ART) is widely available, HIV positive pregnant women in Zambia are less likely to start and remain on therapy throughout pregnancy and after delivery. This study sought to understand readiness to start ART among HIV pregnant women from the perspectives of both women and men in order to suggest more holistic programs to support women to continue life-long ART after delivery. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study with HIV positive pregnant women before and after ART initiation, and men with female partners, to understand readiness to start lifelong ART. We conducted 28 in-depth interviews among women and 2 focus group discussions among male partners. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed in NVivo 12 using thematic analysis. Emerging themes from the data were organized using the social ecological framework. RESULTS: Men thought of their female partners as young and needing their supervision to initiate and stay on ART. Women agreed that disclosure and partner support were necessary preconditions to ART initiation and adherence and, expressed fear of divorce as a prominent barrier to disclosure. Maternal love and desire to look after one's children instilled a sense of responsibility among women which motivated them to overcome individual, interpersonal and health system level barriers to initiation and adherence. Women preferred adherence strategies that were discrete, the effectiveness of which, depended on women's intrinsic motivation. CONCLUSION: The results support current policies in Zambia to encourage male engagement in ART care. To appeal to male partners, messaging on ART should be centered on emphasizing the importance of male involvement to ensure women remain engaged in ART care. Programs aimed at supporting postpartum ART adherence should design messages that appeal to both men's role in couples' joint decision-making and women's maternal love as motivators for adherence.

Perceived efficacy of HIV treatment-as-prevention among university students in Johannesburg, South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) nearly eliminates HIV transmission. Yet information on treatment as prevention (TasP) has been slow to diffuse in sub-Saharan Africa. We assessed TasP knowledge among university students in South Africa. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of first-year university students at a large public university in Johannesburg, South Africa, all of whom would have recently completed secondary school HIV curricula. Respondents were asked to consider the likelihood of HIV transmission in a serodiscordant couple having condomless sex with and without virally suppressive ART. Beliefs were elicited using a 0-20 visual scale. Perceived TasP efficacy was computed as the relative reduction in risk associated with virally suppressive ART. We compared beliefs with estimates from the scientific literature and assessed associations with demographics, HIV testing history and qualitative measures of HIV knowledge and risk perception. RESULTS: The analysis included 365 university students ages 18-25 years (48% female, 56% from Gauteng Province). On average, perceived annual risk of HIV transmission with virally suppressive ART was 73%; the objective risk is <1%. On average, respondents perceived that virally suppressive ART reduced annual transmission risk by 17%; the objective reduction in risk is >96%. We observed no differences in perceived TasP efficacy by participant characteristics and testing history. Perceived TasP efficacy was correlated with the (correct) belief that HIV risk increases with sexual frequency. CONCLUSIONS: University students in South Africa underestimated the prevention benefits of HIV treatment. Low knowledge of TasP could limit demand for HIV testing and treatment among young adults.

Predictors of antiretroviral therapy interruptions and factors influencing return to care at the Nkolndongo Health District, Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy is a lifelong commitment that requires consistent intake of tablets to optimize health outcomes, attain and maintain viral suppression. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to elicit predictors of treatment interruption amongst PLHIV and identify motivating factors influencing return to care. METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a mixed-method approach in four hospitals in Yaoundé. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from ART registers. Using purposeful sampling, thirteen participants were enrolled for interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using Epi-Info and Atlas-TI for qualitative analysis. Ethical clearance approved by CBCHS-IRB. RESULTS: A total of 271 participants records were assessed. The mean age was 33 years (SD±11years). Private facilities CASS and CMNB registered respectively 53 (19.6%) and 14 (5.2%) participants while CMA Nkomo and IPC had 114 (42.1%) and 90 (33.2%) participants. Most participants (75.3%) were females [OR 1.14; CI 0.78-1.66] compare with males. 78% had no viral load test results. Transport cost and stigmatization constituted the most prominent predictors of treatment interruption (47.5%) and (10.5%) respectively. Belief in the discovery of an eminent HIV cure and the desire to raise offspring motivated 30% and 61%, respectively to resume treatment. CONCLUSION: Structural barriers like exposed health facility, and dispensing ARVs in open spaces stigmatizes clients and increases odds of attrition. Attrition of patients on ART will be minimized through implementation of client centered approaches like multiplying proxy ART pick points, devolving stable clients to community ARV model.

Cross-sectional evaluation of perceived health care provider engagement, self-efficacy, and ART adherence in people living with HIV/AIDS.

Despite advancements in the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS, adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains suboptimal. Research indicates that health care provider (HCP) engagement is related to adherence, yet little is known about the specific pathways that underlie this relation. This cross-sectional study examined the relation between perceived HCP engagement and ART adherence in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), as well as the role of adherence self-efficacy in this relation. Participants (N = 207) completed self-report measures assessing monthly ART adherence, perceived ability to take ART as prescribed, and perceptions of HCP engagement. Results of a path analysis revealed a direct positive relation between perceived HCP engagement and ART adherence, and a significant indirect relation of perceived HCP engagement to ART adherence through adherence self-efficacy. Higher perceived HCP engagement was related to greater adherence self-efficacy, which, in turn was related to higher ART adherence. Findings are consistent with research demonstrating that HCP support leads to increased motivation to engage in treatment and extends past work on the importance of positive patient-provider relationships. Notably, results suggest that increasing patient perceptions of HCP engagement may be one way to boost adherence self-efficacy and improve ART adherence in PLWHA.

Mechanisms from Food Insecurity to Worse HIV Treatment Outcomes in US Women Living with HIV.

Food insecurity (FI) contributes to HIV-related morbidity and mortality, but the mechanisms whereby FI negatively impacts HIV health are untested. We tested the hypothesis that FI leads to poor HIV clinical outcomes through nutritional, mental health, and behavioral paths. We analyzed data from Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) among 1803 women living with HIV (WLWH) (8225 person-visits) collected from 2013 to 2015 biannually from nine sites across the United States participating in the WIHS. FI was measured with the US Household Food Security Survey Module. Outcomes included HIV viral nonsuppression, CD4 cell counts, and physical health status (PHS). We used longitudinal logistic and linear regression models with random effects to examine associations adjusting for covariates and path analysis to test nutritional, mental health, and behavioral paths. Increasing severity of FI was associated with unsuppressed viral load, lower CD4 counts, and worse PHS (all p < 0.05). Report of FI 6 months earlier was independently associated with most outcomes after adjusting for concurrent FI. For viral nonsuppression, the nutritional and behavioral paths accounted for 2.09% and 30.66% of the total effect, with the mental health path operating via serial mediation through the behavioral path. For CD4 count, the mental health and behavioral paths accounted for 15.21% and 17.0% of the total effect, respectively. For PHS, depressive symptoms accounted for 60.2% of the total effect. In conclusion, FI is associated with poor health among WLWH through different paths depending on the outcome. Interventions should target FI and its behavioral and mental health mechanisms to improve HIV outcomes.

Health related quality of life of people receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy in Southwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is a standard of HIV management to suppress viral load and delay progression to AIDS. However, questions have been raised about the use of antiretroviral therapy and how it affects quality of life (QoL) of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The study hence aimed to assess the QoL of PLWHA who were taking HAART at Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital (MTUTH) and identify factors associated with QoL. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted among PLWHA receiving HAART at MTUTH from March 04-April 1, 2018. Patients were recruited consecutively and interviewed with structured questionnaire. A data abstraction tool was used to extract data from patient medical records. Quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life HIV- BREF (WHOQOL-HIV-BREF) standard tool. Data was entered to Epi-Info version 3.5.3 and analyzed using SPSS version 22 for windows. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was fitted to identify factors associated with QoL. A statistical significance was established at a p value <0.05. RESULTS: A total of 240 participants with the mean age of 35.11 (SD = 9.08) years were included in the study. This study found that 57.1% of the patients had high global score of QoL. Patients with normal current health (AOR = 3.38, 95% CI = 1.56-7.31)) and having family support (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI = 1.51-6.46) were positively associated with high global score of QoL, while patients with low HAART adherence (AOR = 0.40, 95%, CI = 0.19-0.86) were negatively associated with high global score of QoL. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that more than half of the participants had high global score of QoL. Normal current health and family support were associated with better global score of QoL, while low HAART adherence was found to be associated with the lower global score of QoL.

Viral load outcomes in a cohort of alcohol-consuming people living with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy in Mumbai, India.

We examined the association between alcohol consumption, adherence and viral load (VL) in a cohort of 940 alcohol-consuming, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive men receiving antiretroviral therapy in Mumbai. Some of the participants (16.7%) had missed >1 doses in the last four days and 17.6% reported >1 treatment interruptions in the last 12 months; 60.8% of the participants consumed alcohol >2 times/month, 62.8% consumed >3 drinks/typical day and 11.5% reported binge drinking >1 times/month; 76.4% of the participants had VL<200 copies/mL. Higher alcohol consumption was associated with nonadherence (odds ratio [OR]: 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-1.31) and treatment interruptions (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.11-1.31). We found no association between alcohol use and VL. There was, however, a significant interaction effect of alcohol use and nonadherence on virological failure (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.03-1.47) implying that alcohol negatively impacts VL outcomes but mediated through adherence. Alcohol use was associated with poor adherence, which in turn was a strong predictor of virological failure.

Barriers to optimal antiretroviral therapy adherence among HIV-infected formerly incarcerated individuals in New York City.

In the United States (U.S.), the HIV infection rate is disproportionately high among incarcerated individuals. HIV-infected individuals typically receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) to suppress HIV and reduce the threat of transmission. Although HIV-infected individuals are generally ART-adherent while incarcerated, the public health benefits experienced during incarceration are often lost as HIV-infected individuals struggle to maintain optimal adherence post-incarceration. While the importance of maintaining adherence in the post-incarceration period has been acknowledged, research on barriers to ART adherence during this period is limited. To better understand post-release barriers to ART adherence, we conducted in-depth interviews with 20 HIV-infected formerly incarcerated individuals in New York City; we also followed up with 18 (90%) participants after three months to explore whether their adherence challenges changed over time. Viral load testing results from their most recent physician visit were also recorded at each interview. Interviews were transcribed using transcription software and reviewed for accuracy by a researcher. Thematic coding based on discussion guide prompts were then used to identify commonly mentioned barriers to adherence. The results identified four overarching themes that affected study participants' efforts to adhere to their ART regimen: medication burden, forgetfulness, mental health and emotional difficulties, and perceived conflict between substance use and medication adherence. These barriers were the most commonly cited and largely persisted at three-month follow-up. The results suggest that interventions addressing these challenges are essential for promoting ART adherence among HIV-infected formerly incarcerated individuals. Effective interventions may include mobile-based text messaging reminders and those that facilitate patient-provider communication. Additionally, interventions or programs that integrate substance use and mental health treatment into HIV-related care, along with other types of behavioral health support, may also be beneficial for this population. Such interventions should be a routine part of discharge planning and support for incarcerated individuals returning to the community.

Interventions to improve self-management of adults living with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Since its initial recognition, HIV has been responsible for around 35 million deaths globally. The introduction of Antiretroviral Therapy has helped to reduce mortality from HIV. However, the resulting increased longevity has influenced the experience of people living with HIV, which now manifests as a chronic condition requiring effective self-management. This review aimed to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to improve self-management of adults living with HIV on Antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: The review included published experimental studies addressing interventions to improve self-management of adults living with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy. Studies were included if they addressed two or more outcomes of self-management, as defined by the Theory of Individual and Family Self-Management. The search covered four databases and was limited to papers published in the English language from 2001 to March 30, 2019. The reference lists of included studies were further searched for additional studies. Two independent reviewers using the Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI SUMARI) assessed the methodological quality of the reviewed papers. Data extraction was undertaken using the JBI SUMARI standardized data extraction tool. As the included papers were not homogeneous, it was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis. A narrative synthesis was undertaken to synthesize the findings of the included studies. RESULTS: The search identified 337 articles from which 10 experimental and 2 quasi-experimental studies were included. The total participant sample in the included studies was 1661 adults living with HIV. The overall evidence quality of the findings was considered moderate. Many of the studies included in this review comprised multi-component interventions to improve self-management. Skills training, in conjunction with other forms of interventions, particularly phone counseling, was commonly employed and generally effective in improving self-management outcomes. Counseling with a symptom management manual was another employed and effective intervention, followed by technology-assisted self-management interventions. The most common outcomes measured were maintaining medication adherence and quality of life, followed by symptom management, self-efficacy, coping, and social support. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to improve self-management varied across studies. However, promising outcomes achieved in the majority of studies through interventions comprising a combination of skills training, phone counseling, counseling with symptom management manuals, and technology-assisted interventions.

Perceptions of HIV Virologic Control Strategies Among Younger and Older Age Groups of People Living with HIV in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Two HIV virologic control advances are in various stages of development, including long-acting antiretroviral therapy (ART) formulations and strategies aimed at sustained ART-free HIV control. Perceptions of risks and benefits toward HIV virologic control strategies may be different based on an individual's age due to differing experiences of the impacts of the domestic HIV epidemic, altruistic attitudes toward research participation, and general levels of engagement in health care. We examined preferences of HIV virologic control strategies by age groups. In 2018, we conducted a nationwide, online cross-sectional survey to examine differences in HIV virologic control strategies among a sample of people living with HIV who were <50 and ≥50 years of age. From a total of 281 participants, 3 findings were noteworthy: (1) Participants <50 years of age were more likely to be demotivated by perceived social risks (e.g., stigma, discrimination, HIV disclosure, and fear of transmitting HIV during a treatment interruption), compared with those ≥50 years; (2) participants ≥50 years of age were more motivated by altruistic notions compared with those <50 years; and (3) we noted greater desirability of longer long-acting ART and new HIV cure-related strategies among participants <50 years versus those ≥50 years. Our analysis provides a deeper understanding of differences in perceptions among various age groups regarding desirable future ART characteristics, and motivations and barriers to participating in HIV cure-related strategies. Our findings can help inform community engagement and education, and assist researchers in tailoring study design and recruitment efforts to major age groups.

Determinants of health-related quality of life among human immunodeficiency virus positive (HIV-positive) patients at Ahmadu Bello University teaching hospital, Zaria, Nigeria- 2015.

BACKGROUND: The advent of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is associated with improved clinical and laboratory outcomes resulting in prolonged life and well-being of people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLHIV). However, the needs for life-long therapy, medications' side effects and stigma have raised concerns about their quality of life (QOL). This study assessed the determinants of Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among HIV-positive patients at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Zaria. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 353 HIV-positive adults on HAART attending the HIV clinic of ABUTH, Zaria. The participants were recruited into the study using a systematic sampling technique. Data on socio-demographics, medical parameters, QOL and family functionality were collected using structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. The World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life HIV short form instrument (WHOQOL-HIV BREF) item and Family APGAR tool were respectively used in assessing the QOL and family functionality of the participants. We performed univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Mean age was 39.1(±10.9) years, 239 (67.7%) were females, 208 (58.9%) were Hausa-Fulani, 240 (68.2%) married and up to 210 (59.4%) had at least a secondary education. The overall mean scores on the scale of 4-20 for HRQOL were similar in three domains: environment domain 14.5(±2.8); social relationship 14.4(±3.1) and level of independence 14.4(±2.5). Lower scores were recorded in spirituality/religion/personal beliefs 12.3(±4.3). Identified determinants of HRQOL were spousal HIV- positive status (AOR = 3.37; CI; 1.46-7.74) and high family function (AOR = 2.57; CI: 1.51-4.39). CONCLUSION: Having highly functional family and having HIV-positive partner were the major determinants of HRQOL. Routine family counselling and strengthening the HIV social-support network should be incorporated into the routine patients' care in HIV treatment centers.

Mechanisms of Motivational Interviewing for Antiretroviral Medication Adherence in People with HIV.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV requires strict regimen adherence. Motivational interviewing (MI) can improve ART adherence. MI process studies have rarely focussed on ART adherence. Such studies may facilitate MI modifications to improve outcomes. This study employed a single group pre and post-test design with 62 adults with HIV (16 female; mean age 40 years). Therapist use of MI-consistent (MICO) methods, MI spirit, and client change and sustain talk were coded from an MI session. Relationships were assessed with ART schedule adherence. MICO methods positively correlated with change and sustain talk and were negatively associated with proportion of change talk. No variables were associated with ART adherence change. Mediation analysis did not support the MI model of change. This may be due to the fact that ART adherence is determined by both motivational and non-motivational factors. It may also be that bidirectional relationships exist between therapist and client speech.

Influences on Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in Early-Stage HIV Disease: Qualitative Study from Uganda and South Africa.

Realization of optimal treatment and prevention benefits in the era of universal antiretroviral therapy (ART) and "U=U" (undetectable = untransmittable) requires high adherence at all stages of HIV disease. This article draws upon qualitative interview data to characterize two types of influences on ART adherence for 100 Ugandans and South Africans initiating ART during early-stage HIV infection. Positive influences are: (a) behavioral strategies supporting adherence; (b) preserving health through adherence; (c) support from others; and (d) motivating effect of adherence monitoring. "De-stabilizing experiences" (mobility, loss, pregnancy) as barriers are posited to impact adherence indirectly through intervening consequences (e.g. exacerbation of poverty). Positive influences overlap substantially with adherence facilitators described for later-stage adherers in previous research. Adherence support strategies and interventions effective for persons initiating ART later in HIV disease are likely also to be helpful to individuals beginning treatment immediately upon confirmation of infection. De-stabilizing experiences merit additional investigation across varying populations.

Correlates of ART Use Among Newly Diagnosed HIV Positive Adolescent Girls and Young Women Enrolled in HPTN 068.

Despite expanded access to HIV treatment worldwide, poor HIV care outcomes persist among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). This study was conducted among AGYW recruited from the HPTN 068 cohort who had sero-converted to HIV during the main trial between 2011 and 2014. The aim was to examine correlates of anti-retroviral treatment (ART) use. Log binomial regression was used to estimate the crude associations between social support, stigma, and HIV status disclosure and current ART use. Adjusted analyses were also conducted controlling for age and time since diagnosis. Seventy-nine AGYW were included in this analysis. Median age of participants was 20 (range: 17 to 24) and time since diagnosis ranged from 0.5 to 4.8 years (median = 2.1). Over 75% of AGYW (n = 60) had sought HIV care at some point, with the same number reporting previous disclosure of their sero-status. However, just 43% (n = 34) of participants were on treatment at the time of the interview. Over half of participants (n = 44; 55.7%) reported social support was available to them most or all of the time, and the median stigma score was 90 (range 80-113). Adjusted analyses found higher current ART use among those who had disclosed their status (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 3.19; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09, 9.32; p = 0.0339) and those with lower scores on the disclosure concern sub-scale of the Berger HIV Stigma Scale (aPR: 0.88; 95% CI 0.79, 0.98; p = 0.0236). ART use among AGYW living with HIV and enrolled in HPTN 068 was low despite relatively high linkage to care during the trial. Interventions aimed at minimizing individuals' concerns about disclosure and improving onward disclosure of one's status could further improve ART utilization among AGYW living with HIV in South Africa.

Iterative Development of an mHealth Intervention to Support Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation and Adherence Among Female Sex Workers in Mombasa, Kenya.

Nurses have an integral role to play in achieving the 95-95-95 goals to stem the HIV epidemic. We used the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) theoretical model to develop a nurse-delivered, mHealth intervention to support antiretroviral therapy adherence among female sex workers living with HIV in Mombasa, Kenya. Twenty-three purposively sampled female sex workers living with HIV participated in 5 focus group discussions to iteratively develop the message content as well as the format and structure of the nurse-delivered, text-based intervention. Focus group discussion interview guides were developed in accordance with the IMB model. Transcripts were analyzed according to IMB themes, and findings were used to develop the intervention. Information-oriented texts addressed concerns and misconceptions; motivation-oriented texts reinforced women's desires to feel healthy enough to engage in activities; and behavioral skills-oriented texts included strategies to remember medication doses. The nurse-delivered, theory-based, culturally tailored intervention to support medication adherence was evaluated.

Alcohol Use and Antiretroviral Therapy Non-Adherence Among Adults Living with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is efficacious in improving clinical outcomes among people living with HIV (PLWH) and reducing HIV transmission when taken regularly. Research examining modifiable factors associated with ART non-adherence is critical for informing novel intervention development in settings with high HIV prevalence. Alcohol use has been linked with ART non-adherence in studies in sub-Saharan Africa; however, no review has pooled estimates across studies. We reviewed studies of alcohol use and ART non-adherence conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. We searched PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO through August 2019 with terms related to ART non-adherence, alcohol use, and sub-Saharan Africa. One author reviewed titles/abstracts (n = 754) and two authors reviewed full texts (n = 308) for inclusion. Discrepancies were resolved by group consensus. Studies were retained if they quantitatively measured associations between alcohol use and ART non-adherence or viral non-suppression. We defined ART non-adherence using the definitions from each parent study (e.g., patients with > 5% missed ART doses during the previous four, seven or 30 days were considered non-adherent). A random effects meta-analysis was conducted to pool associations and we conducted additional analyses to assess between-study heterogeneity and publication bias and sensitivity analyses to determine robustness of our results when considering only certain study designs, alcohol use or ART scales, or studies that used viral non-suppression as their primary outcome. Of 56 articles meeting our inclusion criteria, 32 articles were included in the meta-analysis. All studies measured alcohol use via self-report. ART non-adherence was assessed using self-report, pill counts, or pharmacy records and definition of non-adherence varied depending on the measure used. Individuals who used alcohol had twice the odds of ART non-adherence compared with those who did not use alcohol (34% non-adherence among alcohol users vs. 18% among non-users; pooled odds ratio: 2.25; 95% confidence interval: 1.87-2.69; p < 0.001). We found evidence of a high degree of heterogeneity between studies (Cochrane Q statistic: 382.84, p< 0.001; I2 proportion: 91.9%) and evidence of publication bias. However, the magnitude of our pooled odds ratio was consistent across a number of sensitivity analyses to account for heterogeneity and publication bias. In a secondary analysis with studies using viral non-suppression as their primary outcome, we also estimated a statistically significant pooled effect of alcohol use on viral non-suppression (pooled odds ratio: 2.47; 95% confidence interval: 1.58-3.87). Evidence suggests alcohol use is associated with ART non-adherence in Sub-Saharan Africa, potentially hindering achievement of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 HIV treatment targets.

Receipt of opioid agonist treatment halves the risk of HIV-1 RNA viral load rebound through improved ART adherence for HIV-infected women who use illicit drugs.

BACKGROUND: Women living with HIV who use illicit drugs may be particularly vulnerable to HIV-1 RNA viral load (VL) rebound. METHODS: We used longitudinal data from 2006 to 2017 to evaluate the impact of sociodemographic, behavioral, social-structural, and clinical factors on the hazard of viral rebound for women enrolled in the ACCESS study, a prospective cohort with systematic VL monitoring. Women were included if they achieved VL suppression (<50 copies/mL) following antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and had more than one study interview. Sociodemographic as well as substance use, social-structural, addiction treatment, and HIV clinical factors were evaluated as predictors of viral rebound (VL > 1000 copies/mL). Cox regressions using a recurrent events framework, time-varying covariates, robust standard errors, and a frailty component were used. RESULTS: Of the 185 women included, 62 (34%) experienced at least one viral rebound event over an 11-year period, accumulating a total of 87 viral rebound events. In adjusted analysis, stimulant use more than doubled the hazard of viral rebound (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR]: 2.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-5.14) while the only factor protective against viral rebound was receipt of opioid agonist treatment (OAT) in the past six months (AHR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.26-0.81). After adjusting for ART adherence in the past six months, the effect of OAT was attenuated (AHR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.32-1.02). CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to improve access to and retention within OAT programs and decrease stimulant use may improve rates of viral suppression for HIV-positive women who use illicit drugs.

Antiretroviral therapy and mental health among people living with HIV/AIDS in China.

Several methodological gaps exist regarding assessing the relationship between antiretroviral therapy (ART) and mental health. Adopting an "HIV care continuum" perspective, cross-sectional data from 2987 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Guangxi, China were used. ART uptake was retrieved from medical records and ART adherence was self-reported (good vs. poor adherence with a percent adherence cut-off of 90%). Depression, anxiety, and mental-health related quality of life were used as mental health indicators. Separate analysis was conducted for ART uptake and ART adherence. Differences in mental health were investigated using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) adjusting for propensity scores was further conducted. MANCOVA results showed statistically significant multivariate effects for ART adherence (Wilk's λ = 0.984, F [3, 1885] =10.26, p<0.001) but not ART uptake (Wilk's λ = 0.998, F [3, 2476] =1.67, p=0.17). Post-hoc comparisons with Bonferroni adjustment (α=0.05/3 = 0.0167) showed that well-adherent ART users had lower scores on anxiety (p=0.006) and higher scores on MHS (p=0.007), but no difference was found for depression (p=0.023). As only ART adherence was associated with better mental health among PLHIV, to maximize the potential mental health benefits of ART, intervention efforts need to emphasize on treatment adherence.

Using Real-Time Adherence Feedback to Enhance Communication About Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy: Patient and Clinician Perspectives.

New technologies for real-time adherence monitoring hold the potential to enhance antiretroviral therapy adherence interventions by providing objective information about daily medication-taking behavior. To realize this potential, we need to understand how to integrate real-time adherence feedback into existing best practices to promote antiretroviral therapy adherence at the point of care. Using in-depth interviews with 30 HIV-infected patients and 29 HIV care clinicians, our primary aims were to understand patients' and clinicians' perceptions of anticipated benefits and preferred uses of objective feedback to enhance conversations about adherence and to identify concerns about the impact of objective monitoring on patient-clinician relationships and communication. Both patients and clinicians suggested that identifying patterns of nonadherence with real-time feedback could (a) facilitate collaborative adherence problem-solving, (b) motivate patient adherence, and (c) reinforce the importance of optimal adherence. Some clinicians worried that delivery of real-time feedback could imply mistrust of patient-reported adherence and suggested careful framing of monitoring results. A few patients and clinicians were concerned that negative reactions to monitoring could discourage retention in care and reduce adherence motivation. These results indicate the potential of real-time feedback to enhance existing evidence-based adherence interventions targeting the key adherence precursors of adherence information, motivation, and behavioral skills. Guidance for the delivery of real-time adherence feedback should focus on both optimizing adherence and mitigating negative perceptions of adherence monitoring.

[Quality of life and psychological variables affecting adherence to antiretroviral treatment in Mexican patients with HIV/AIDS]. / Calidad de vida y variables psicológicas que afectan la adherencia al tratamiento anti-retroviral en pacientes mexicanos con infección por VIH/SIDA.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral treatment (ART) is essential in HIV/AIDS patients. Suppressing viral load requires strict adherence to ART in addition to the patient's commitment to treatment. The failure of ART is mainly due to lack of adherence, which may in turn be due to poor quality of life and/or to psychological variables. AIM: To determine the quality of life and psychological variables and adherence to ART, in patients with HIV/AIDS. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 160 patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and with ART were included. The MOS SF-36 and VPAD-24 instruments, a socio-demographic survey, and clinical data were collected. Quantitative and qualitative associations were made between the variables. RESULTS: The adherence to ART was associated with avoidance of depressive behavior and with the absence of addictions. Depressive behavior associated with addictions. 87% of patients ranked in the best quality of life. Below the average of the general health score were males, with MSM sexual orientation, single, in vitality at ≥ 38 years, in corporal pain and with social function to three ART schemes. CONCLUSION: Good adherence to ART was associated with avoiding depressive behavior and with non-addictions and not associated with quality of life.