Africa may lead rollout of long-lasting HIV drug.

U.S. agency plans to make inexpensive prevention shots widely available for people at risk.

Social, Structural, Behavioral, and Clinical Barriers Influencing Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Use Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in the South: A Qualitative Update to a 2016 Study.

Antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective in preventing HIV. Despite its promise, PrEP use is low, especially among young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM). The prevalence of HIV in Mississippi (MS) is among the highest in the United States, with the bulk of new infections occurring amongst YBMSM living in Jackson, MS. We recruited 20 PrEP-eligible YBMSM and 10 clinic staff from MS health clinics between October 2021 and April 2022. Data were collected remotely using in-depth interviews and a brief survey, which lasted approximately 45-60 min. Interview content included PrEP knowledge/experiences, HIV risk perception, and PrEP use barriers and facilitators. Qualitative data were coded then organized using NVivo. Using thematic analysis methodology, data were assessed for current barriers to PrEP use. An array of barriers were identified by participants. Barriers included structural factors (cost of PrEP, lack of discreet clinics, time commitment, competing interests); social factors (unaware of HIV risk, stigma and homophobia, fear that partners would find out about PrEP use, not knowing anyone on PrEP); behavioral factors (sexual risk factors, denial, less priority for prevention vs treatment); and clinical factors (misunderstood side effects, fear PrEP won't work). Significant barriers to PrEP use among YBMSM stem from structural, social, behavioral, and clinical factors. These results will inform intervention efforts tailored to mitigate barriers and improve PrEP uptake among YBMSM in the southern United States.

Application of CMO (capacity, motivation, and opportunity) methodology in pharmaceutical care to optimize the pharmacotherapy in older people living with HIV. DISPIMDINAC project / Intervención farmacéutica basada en la metodología CMO para optimizar la farmacoterapia en pacientes VIH mayores. Proyecto DISPIMDINAC

Objective. To determine the effectiveness of a pharma ceutical intervention, based on the CMO methodology (capac ity, motivation and opportunity), to decrease the prevalence of the PIMDINAC concept (potentially inappropriate medica tion+drug interactions+non-adherence to concomitant med ication) in people living with HIV infection. Material and methods. Longitudinal prospective multi center study, conducted between October 2021 and October 2022. Patients living with HIV older than 65 years, on antiret roviral treatment and concomitant drug prescription were included. Demographic, clinical, and pharmacotherapeutic variables were collected. Pharmaceutical care was provided for 6 months according to the CMO model in each patient. The main variable was the percentage of patients who simultane ously fulfilled the PIMDINAC concept, comparing the baseline value with the same value at the end of the study. In addi tion, the percentage of patient’s adherent to concomitant and antiretroviral treatment and the percentage of patients meet ing the pharmacotherapeutic targets established for the pre scribed medication at 24 weeks of follow-up were compared. Results. Sixty-eight patients were included. Seventy-two percent were men, with a median age of 68 years. The medi an number of concomitant drugs was 7. A 60.6% of the pa tients had polypharmacy. The prevalence of the presence of the PIMDINAC concept decreased significantly (10.3 vs. 0%). In isolation, each of the aspects also decreased significantly (p <0.031) The percentage of patients who met the objectives improved significantly from 48,5 at baseline to 88.2 (p <0.001). Conclusions. The pharmaceutical intervention based on the CMO methodology significantly decreased the prevalence of the PIMDINAC concept and increased the number of pa tients who achieved the objectives, optimising their pharma cotherapy (AU)

Objetivo. Determinar la efectividad de una intervención farmacéutica, basada en la metodología CMO (Capacidad, Motivación y oportunidad) para disminuir la prevalencia de criterios PIMDINAC (medicación potencialmente inapropiada interacciones farmacológica-no adherencia a la medicación concomitante) en pacientes VIH+. Material y métodos. Estudio multicéntrico prospectivo longitudinal, realizado entre octubre-2021 y octubre-2022. Se incluyeron pacientes VIH+ ≥65 años, en tratamiento an tirretroviral activo y medicación concomitante prescrita. Se recogieron variables demográficas, clínicas y farmacote rapéuticas. La intervención de atención farmacéutica se rea lizó durante los 6 meses de seguimiento a través de la me todología CMO. La variable principal fue la diferencia en el porcentaje de pacientes que presentaban los tres criterios PIMDINAC de forma simultánea al inicio-fin del estudio. Se analizó la variación del porcentaje de pacientes adheren tes tanto al TAR y a la medicación concomitante, así como el porcentaje de pacientes que alcanzaron sus objetivos farma coterapéuticos previamente definidos a los 6 meses de segui miento. Resultados. Se incluyeron 67 pacientes, 72.0% varones con una mediana de edad de 68 años. El 60.6% de los pacientes tenían polifarmacia de forma basal con una mediana de fárma cos de 7.0. La presencia de criterios PIMDINAC disminuyó sig nificativamente de un 10.3 a 0%. De forma individual se redujo el porcentaje de cada criterio de forma significativa (p=0.031). Se incrementó el porcentaje de pacientes que alcanzaron sus objetivos farmacoterapéuticos (48,5% vs 88,2%; p<0.001). Conclusiones. La estrategia basada en la metodología CMO disminuye significativamente la prevalencia de los cri terios PIMDINAC, así como incrementa la consecución de los objetivos farmacoterapéuticos de los pacientes, optimizando su farmacoterapia (AU)

Evolución temporal de la terapia antirretroviral (2017-2021): análisis de la modificación del tratamiento y su impacto económico / Temporal evolution of antiretroviral therapy (2017-2021): analysis of treatment change and its economic impact

Objetivos. Analizar las modificaciones de la terapia antirre troviral (TAR) y su impacto económico en la práctica clínica diaria. Material y métodos. Estudio observacional, retrospectivo de los pacientes que iniciaron TAR entre 01/2017-12/2021 (se guimiento hasta 12/2022). Variables recogidas: TAR, duración, motivo del cambio y costes del tratamiento. Resultados. 280 pacientes iniciaron TAR. La mediana de durabilidad de la 1ª línea fue: 19,9 meses en 2017 (IC95% 13,9-25,9), 12,2 meses en 2018 (IC95% 4,7-19,7), 27,4 meses en 2019 (IC95% 6,8-48,1) y no se alcanzó la mediana para los años 2020 y 2021 (p p<0,001). De un total de 541 líneas prescri tas, la triple terapia con inhibidores de la proteasa se modificó en el 63,8% (81/127), seguido de los inhibidores de la integrasa 52,1% (159/305), mientras que, la terapia dual (DTG/3TC) solo en el 8,3% (7/84). De un total de 261 modificaciones, la simpli ficación/optimización 47,5% (124/261) fue el principal motivo, seguido de efectos adversos 21,8% (57/261), siendo el 2017 el único año donde ambos motivos se encontraban al mismo nivel. El impacto económico de los cambios supusieron una re ducción del coste medio de 34,0€ [-391,4 a +431,4] al mes/ paciente. El año 2019 es el único año donde estos cambios se asociaron con un incremento del coste adicional medio (23,4€ [-358,3 a +431,4]). Conclusiones. Dejando atrás el fracaso virológico, la sim plificación a regímenes de un solo comprimido y de mayor tolerancia han marcado la nueva la era TAR. Con un impacto económico que, a pesar del punto de inflexión del 2019, refleja una reducción progresiva de costes mantenida en el tiempo (AU)

Objectives. To analyze the modifications of antiretrovi ral therapy (ART) and their economic impact on daily clinical practice. Material and methods. Observational, retrospective study of patients who started ART between 01/2017-12/2021 (follow-up until 12/2022). Variables collected: prescribed ART, duration, the reason for the change, and treatment costs. Results. A total of 280 patients initiated ART therapy. The median durability of 1st line was: 19.9 months in 2017 (95%CI 13.9-25.9), 12.2 months in 2018 (95%CI 4.7-19.7), 27.4 months in 2019 (95%CI 6.8-48.1) and the median was not reached for the years 2020 and 2021 (p<0.001). Triple therapy with protease inhibitors was changed in 63.8% (81/127) of cases, followed by integrase inhibitors 52.1% (159/305), while dual therapy (DTG/3TC) only in 8.3% (7/84). The main cause of dis continuation was simplification/optimization 47.5% (124/261), followed by adverse effects 21.8% (57/261), with 2017 being the only year where simplification/optimization was at the same level as adverse effects. The economic impact of ART changes resulted in an average cost reduction of 34.0€ [-391.4 to +431.4] per month per patient. The year 2019 stands out as the only year where these changes were associated with an increase in mean additional cost (23.4€ [-358.3 to +431.4]). Conclusions. Optimization/simplification accounts for almost half of the reasons for TAR change, with an econom ic impact that, despite the inflection point of 2019, each year manages to exceed the previous one, achieving a progressive cost reduction maintained over time (AU)

Preexposure Prophylaxis for the Prevention of HIV: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.

Importance: A 2019 review for the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) found oral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) associated with decreased HIV infection risk vs placebo or no PrEP in adults at increased HIV acquisition risk. Newer PrEP regimens are available. Objective: To update the 2019 review on PrEP, to inform the USPSTF. Data Sources: Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Embase (January 2018 to May 16, 2022); surveillance through March 24, 2023. Study Selection: Randomized clinical trials of PrEP vs placebo or no PrEP or newer vs older PrEP regimens and diagnostic accuracy studies of instruments for predicting incident HIV infection. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Dual review of titles and abstracts, full-text articles, study quality, and data abstraction. Data were pooled using the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model. Main Outcomes and Measures: HIV acquisition, mortality, and harms; and diagnostic test accuracy. Results: Thirty-two studies were included in the review (20 randomized clinical trials [N = 36 543] and 12 studies of diagnostic accuracy [N = 5 544 500]). Eleven trials in the 2019 review found oral PrEP associated with decreased HIV infection risk vs placebo or no PrEP (n = 18 172; relative risk [RR], 0.46 [95% CI, 0.33-0.66]). Higher adherence was associated with greater efficacy. One new trial (n = 5335) found oral tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine (TAF/FTC) to be noninferior to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) in men who have sex with men (RR, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.19-1.14]). Two new trials found long-acting injectable cabotegravir associated with decreased risk of HIV infection vs oral TDF/FTC (RR, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.18-0.62] in cisgender men who have sex with men and transgender women [n = 4490] and RR, 0.11 [95% CI, 0.04-0.31] in cisgender women [n = 3178]). Discrimination of instruments for predicting incident HIV infection was moderate in men who have sex with men (5 studies; n = 25 488) and moderate to high in general populations of persons without HIV (2 studies; n = 5 477 291). Conclusions and Relevance: In adults at increased HIV acquisition risk, oral PrEP was associated with decreased risk of acquiring HIV infection compared with placebo or no PrEP. Oral TAF/FTC was noninferior to oral TDF/FTC, and injectable cabotegravir reduced the risk of HIV infection compared with oral TDF/FTC in the populations studied.

Safety and Efficacy of Long-Acting Injectable Agents for HIV-1: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: HIV-1 infection continues to affect global health. Although antiretrovirals can reduce the viral load or prevent HIV-1 infection, current drugs require daily oral use with a high adherence level. Long-acting antiretrovirals (LA-ARVs) significantly improve medication adherence and are essential for HIV-1 prophylaxis and therapy. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) and long-acting rilpivirine (RPV-LA) in the prevention and treatment of HIV-1 infection. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies from database inception to November 12, 2022. We included studies that reported efficacy and safety data on LA-ARV intervention in people living with HIV and excluded reviews, animal studies, and articles with missing or duplicate data. Virological suppression was defined as plasma viral load <50 copies/mL 6 months after antiviral therapy initiation. We extracted outcomes for analysis and expressed dichotomous data as risk ratios (RRs) and continuous data as mean differences. Depending on the heterogeneity assessment, a fixed- or random-effects model was used for data synthesis. We performed subgroup analyses of the partial safety and efficacy outcomes of CAB-LA+RPV-LA. The protocol was registered with the Open Science Framework. RESULTS: We included 12 trials comprising 10,957 individuals, of which 7 were prevention trials and 5 were treatment trials. CAB-LA and RPV-LA demonstrated safety profiles comparable with those of the placebo in terms of adverse event-related withdrawal. Moreover, the efficacy data showed that CAB-LA had a better effect on HIV-1 prevention than tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-emtricitabine (17/5161, 0.33% vs 75/5129, 1.46%; RR 0.21, 95% CI 0.07-0.61; I2=70%). Although CAB-LA+RPV-LA had more drug-related adverse events (556/681, 81.6% vs 37/598, 6.2%; RR 12.50, 95% CI 3.98-39.23; I2=85%), a mild or moderate injection site reaction was the most common reaction, and its frequency decreased over time. The efficacy of CAB-LA+RPV-LA was comparable with that of daily oral drugs at 48 and 96 weeks (1302/1424, 91.43% vs 915/993, 92.2%; RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.97-1.02; I2=0%), and a high level of virological suppression of 80.9% (186/230) was maintained even after 5 years of LA-ARV use. Similar efficacy outcomes were observed in both treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients (849/911, 93.2% vs 615/654, 94%; RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.96-1.02; I2=0%). According to the questionnaires, more than 85% of people living with HIV favored LA-ARVs. CONCLUSIONS: LA-ARVs showed favorable safety profiles for both the prevention and treatment of HIV-1 infection and were well tolerated. CAB-LA has more satisfactory efficacy than tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-emtricitabine, significantly reducing the rate of HIV-1 infection. CAB-LA+RPV-LA maintains virological suppression for a long time and may be a viable switching strategy with enhanced public health benefits by reducing transmission. However, further trials are required to confirm the efficacy of these drugs.

Sociocultural and structural influences on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Engagement and Uptake among African American Young adults.

BACKGROUND: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) demonstrates effectiveness in decreasing new cases of HIV. However, few African Americans use PrEP, despite being disproportionately impacted by HIV. Understanding the influence of sociocultural and structural factors on PrEP use among multiple priority groups of African Americans, including but not limited to men who have sex with men, may improve PrEP engagement and uptake. The social ecological model (SEM) as a framework guided the understanding of how these factors operate on multiple levels to influence PrEP use among this population. METHODS: This study derived data from the Afya PrEP study consisting of eleven focus groups (N = 63) with 18-29-year-old African American sexual and gender minority and heterosexual individuals at heightened behavioral vulnerability to HIV. We employed constructivist grounded theory processes to inductively analyze the data. A pooled kappa score of 0.90 indicated excellent inter-rater agreement. RESULTS: Factors impacting PrEP engagement among African American young adults included: (1) Community/social network influences; (2) medical mistrust; (3) stigma; (4) PrEP availability and accessibility, which had two sub-categories: (a) cost and (b) where to obtain PrEP; and (5) PrEP engagement strategies, which had two sub-categories: (a) current AIDS service organizations' PrEP engagement practices and (b) recommended future PrEP engagement strategies. Categories one through three represent sociocultural factors, and categories four and five represent structural factors that influence perceptions and attitudes of African American young adults regarding PrEP. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights sociocultural and structural factors that act as barriers and facilitators to PrEP engagement. The SEM guided the understanding of how these factors operated on multiple levels. One of the sociocultural factors, community/social network influences operated at the interpersonal level of the SEM; the other two, stigma and medical mistrust, operated at the community level. The structural factors (PrEP availability, accessibility, and engagement strategies) operated at the institutional/organizational level. Thus, multi-level interventions are warranted to improve PrEP engagement among various African American young adult priority groups.

Individual and Health System Factors for Uptake of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Young Black and Latino Gay Men.

BACKGROUND: Young Black and Latino men who have sex with men (YBLMSM) have the highest rates of new HIV infections in the USA and use PrEP at lower rates than White MSM. OBJECTIVE: To explore YBLMSM's perspectives and experiences of PrEP use to identify factors enabling or impeding uptake. DESIGN: Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews conducted between August 2015 and April 2016. PARTICIPANTS: Black and Latino MSM, 18-20 years of age, who live, socialize, or work in the Bronx, and were fluent in English or Spanish. APPROACH: We used a thematic analysis to identify themes related to not taking PrEP and PrEP uptake. KEY RESULTS: Half the participants (n = 9) were currently using PrEP, a majority had Medicaid (n = 13), all reported having a PCP, all identified English as their primary language (n = 15), and all identified as gay. Salient themes included concerns over-side effects, stigma related to HIV and sexuality, mistrust of medical providers, provider's refusal to prescribe PrEP, and insurance and cost. CONCLUSIONS: Modifiable barriers for PrEP uptake and persistence were reported by most participants, with an emphasis on PrEP misinformation and the pervasiveness of intersectional stigma, providers' low awareness, and hesitant attitudes towards PrEP and barriers created by insurance companies. Supportive infrastructures for PrEP providers and patients are needed.

An Assessment of HIV Risk, Perceptions of Risk, and Potential Adherence to Preexposure Prophylaxis Among HIV-Negative People With Injection Drug Use Who Access Mobile Outreach Services.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess HIV risk, perceptions of risk, and potential adherence to preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for the prevention of HIV infection among people who inject drugs (PWID), who self-report HIV negative status and access mobile outreach intravenous drug use (IVDU) services. METHODS/SAMPLE: Participants (N = 93) were non-Hispanic White (59.1%) and Hispanic (36.6%), between the ages of 18 and 63 years, primarily male (58.1%), who reported a length of IVDU between 1 and >20 years and accessed mobile outreach IVDU services in a metropolitan area of the Southwestern United States; all self-reported HIV-negative status. Self-report questionnaires completed via iPad included HIV risk behavior, perceived risk of HIV, and beliefs about medicines. RESULTS: PWID perceived themselves at a low risk for HIV with minimal concerns about contracting HIV. High levels of comorbidities (schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, hepatitis, diabetes, and hypertension), substance use, and limited HIV protective behavior and social support existed; women reported significantly more risk behaviors and comorbidities. Positive attitudes toward and interest in use of medication for HIV prevention were present, however, with concurrent concerns regarding long-term medication use and the potential to forget medications. CONCLUSIONS: PrEP adherence for PWID presents challenges for clinicians. Addressing perceptions of PrEP, perceived and actual risk for contracting HIV, potential barriers to PrEP adherence, social support, and treatment of comorbidities in primary care and IVDU outreach services potentially enhances PrEP maintenance among PWID, notably women.

Bioequivalence of a Pediatric Fixed-Dose Combination Tablet Darunavir/Cobicistat/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide Compared With Coadministration of the Separate Agents in Healthy Adults: An Open-Label, Randomized, Replicate Crossover Study.

Darunavir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (D/C/F/TAF) 800/150/200/10 mg is a fixed-dose combination (FDC) for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents weighing 40 kg or greater. This Phase 1, randomized, open-label, 2-treatment, 2-sequence, 4-period replicate crossover study (NCT04661397) evaluated the pivotal bioequivalence of a pediatric D/C/F/TAF 675/150/200/10-mg FDC compared with coadministration of the separate commercially available formulations in healthy adults under fed conditions. During each period, participants received either a single oral dose of D/C/F/TAF 675/150/200/10-mg FDC (test) or a single oral dose of darunavir 600 and 75 mg, cobicistat 150 mg, and emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide 200/10-mg FDC (reference). Thirty-seven participants were randomly assigned to one of 2 treatment sequence groups: test-reference-reference-test or reference-test-test-reference, with 7 days or more washout between periods. The 90% confidence intervals of the geometric mean ratios for maximum plasma concentration, area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to last measurable concentration, and area under the concentration-time curve extrapolated to infinity for darunavir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide fell within conventional bioequivalence limits (80%-125%). No Grade 3/4 adverse events, serious adverse events, or deaths occurred. In conclusion, administration of D/C/F/TAF 675/150/200/10-mg FDC was bioequivalent to coadministration of the separate commercially available formulations.

Dysphagia and pill swallowing in HIV/AIDS in South Africa: Results of a scoping review.

BACKGROUND:  South Africa has the highest prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) worldwide. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is expected to improve the quality of life for these individuals but requires long-term medication intake. Poor pill adherence and related dysphagia are undocumented for individuals on HAART regimens living in South Africa. AIM:  To conduct a scoping review describing the presentation of pill swallowing difficulties and dysphagia experiences of individuals with HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in South Africa. METHOD:  This review describes the presentation of pill swallowing difficulties and dysphagia experiences of individuals with HIV and AIDS in South Africa using a modified version of the Arksey and O'Malley framework. Five search engines targeting published journal articles were reviewed. Two hundred and twenty-seven articles were retrieved; however, following the exclusion criteria based on PICO, only three articles were included. Qualitative analysis was completed. RESULTS:  The reviewed articles identified swallowing difficulties that adults with HIV and AIDS experienced and confirmed non-adherence to medical regimens. Barriers and facilitators of pill swallowing with dysphagia due to the side-effects of the pill itself were documented with physical properties of the pill not influencing adherence. CONCLUSION:  The speech-language pathologists (SLPs) role with individuals with HIV/AIDS to facilitate improved pill adherence was lacking with limited research on the management of swallowing difficulties in this population. The review identified dysphagia and pill adherence management by the SLP in South Africa as caveats for further research.Contribution: Speech-language pathologists must monitor swallowing during mealtimes as well as pill swallowing in individuals with HIV/AIDS due to the compromise of their oral health and oral structures. Speech-language pathologists therefore have to advocate for their role in the team managing this population of patients. Their involvement may reduce the risk of nutritional compromise as well as patient non-compliance with medication stemming from pain and inability to swallow solid oral dosage forms of medication.

"If I don't take my treatment, I will die and who will take care of my child?": An investigation into an inclusive community-led approach to addressing the barriers to HIV treatment adherence by postpartum women living with HIV.

INTRODUCTION: Initiatives to support adherence to HIV treatment in South Africa are often centred on service delivery thereby avoiding key challenges to adherence: stigma and poverty. In contrast, this study aims to demonstrate the strength of an inclusive research and programme approach to improving the lives of people living with HIV and simultaneously ARV adherence. METHODS: Participatory Action Research combined with a visual participatory method (Photovoice) was used by postpartum women to share their experience of taking ARVs. The research was analysed from an interpretative and critical paradigm where both the women and a non-governmental organisation collaborated in the data collection, analysis and interpretation of the findings. Together, they then disseminated the findings and used a community-led approach to create a programme addressing these barriers effectively. FINDINGS: Two main barriers to ARV adherence emerged: the anticipated stigma associated with issues of disclosure and poverty epitomized by alcohol abuse, gender-based violence and hunger. The women and the NGO staff successfully presented their findings at conferences and collaborated to develop a programme of support for all women living with HIV in the area. The programme addresses each of the issues raised by the co-researchers and is run via a community-led process where the participants lead on design, implementation, and monitoring and ultimately will revise the programme as needed. DISCUSSION: The inclusive approach of this study enabled these postpartum women to portray the intersectional nature of both HIV stigma and poverty that affects their lives. By working with the local NGO to develop a programme based on these insights, they were able to tailor specific interventions to the issues women living with HIV face in their area. In doing so, they aim to improve the lives of people living with HIV by demonstrating a more sustainable way to impact ARV adherence. CONCLUSION: Currently, health service insistence on measuring ARV adherence does not address the core barriers to taking ARVs and misses the opportunity to focus on the long term health and well-being of people living with HIV. In contrast, locally targeted participatory research and programme development based on inclusivity, collaboration and ownership do address the fundamental challenges of people living with HIV. In doing so, it can have a greater impact on their long term well-being.

Implementation strategies to screen, refer and link women involved in the carceral system to PrEP for HIV prevention.

PURPOSE: Women involved in the carceral system (CS) experience several conditions that increase their risk for HIV (e.g. high rates of substance use, psychiatric disorders, histories of victimization). The purpose of this study is to explore perspectives on potential strategies to connect women in the CS to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This study conducted in-depth interviews with 27 women involved in the CS eligible for PrEP. Using vignettes, interviews explored attitudes, barriers and facilitators toward PrEP screening, referral and linkage facilitated via a CS stakeholder, an mHealth application or providing PrEP service referrals during detention via a navigator. FINDINGS: Most women were, on average, 41.3 years, from racial and ethnic minority groups (56% black/African American; 19% Latinx). Inductive thematic analysis revealed CS involved women expressed mostly positive attitudes toward CS-based PrEP implementation. Younger women were more accepting of and interested in mHealth interventions. Implementation facilitators included leveraging relationships with trusted allies (e.g. "peers") and existing systems collaborations. Recommended implementation strategies included providing HIV and PrEP-specific education and training for system stakeholders and addressing issues related to privacy, system mistrust and stigma. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Results provide a critical foundation for the implementation of interventions to improve PrEP access for women involved in the CS and have important implications for implementation strategies for all adults involved in the CS. Improving access to PrEP among this population may also support progress toward addressing national disparities in PrEP uptake, where women, black and Latinx populations have substantial unmet need.

Atencion Farmaceutica al paciente VIH en tratamiento con Dolutegravir y Lamivudina / Pharmaceutical Care for HIV patients on treatment with Dolutegravir and Lamivudine

Introducción: De acuerdo con la Organización Mundial de la Salud el Virus de la Inmunodeficiencia Humana (VIH) continúa siendo uno de los mayores problemas para la salud pública mundial. A día de hoy, la importancia de la adherencia al tratamiento continúa siendo el centro de atención de todos los profesionales sanitarios. La falta de adherencia supone un gran problema económico y sanitario. Método: Este estudio se centra en el servicio de atención farmacéutica (AF) realizado a los pacien-tes VIH en tratamiento con el comprimido coformulado dolutegravir/lamivudina (DTG/3TC) desde su comercialización en julio de 2019 hasta mayo 2021.Variables estudiadas: sexo, edad, adherencia, carga viral, recuento de linfocitos CD4, terapia anti-rretroviral (TAR) previa en paciente no naive, tratamientos concomitantes, interacciones, en pacientes no naive el motivo que ha conducido al cambio de TAR y los efectos adversos (EA) desarrollados. Fuente de datos: programa informático dispensación pacientes externos e historia clínica electrónica. Resultados: En el servicio de AF en la primera entrevista con el farmacéutico se tratan cinco aspectos: adherencia, EA, tratamientos y/o productos de herboristería concomitantes, interacciones y motivo de cambio de TAR. 62 pacientes iniciaron tratamiento con DTG/3TC: 24,1% (15/62) naive y 75,8% (47/62) no naive. El 100% de los pacientes naive presentaron una alta adherencia, solamente el 6,4% de los pacientes pretratados fueron identificados como no adherentes. Se encontró una contraindicación: hipérico. Conclusiones: Los pacientes presentan una alta adherencia, el tratamiento es efectivo y seguro. Se realiza el servicio de AF de forma eficaz. Conocemos la adherencia de nuestros pacientes y realizamos un estrecho seguimiento farmacoterapéutico. (AU)

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) continues being one of the world's major public health problems. Currently, the importance of adherence to treatment continues being the focus of attention of health professionals. Lack of adherence is a major economic and health problem. Method: This study focuses on the pharmaceutical care service performed on all HIV patients (naive and non-naive) on treatment with the coformulated tablet dolutegravir/lamivudine (DTG/3TC) from its commercialization in July 2019 until May 2021. Variables studied: sex, age, adherence, viral load, CD4 lymphocyte count, previous antiretroviral therapy (ART) in non-naïve patients, concomitant treatments, interactions, the reason that led to the change of ART in non-naïve patient and the adverse effects developed. Results: In the first interview with the pharmacist in the pharmaceutical care service, five fundamental aspects are discussed: adherence, adverse effects, concomitant treatments and/or herbal products, interactions and reason for changing antiretroviral drugs in non-naive patients. 62 patients started treatment with DTG/3TC: 24.1% (15/62) naive and 75.8% (47/62) no naive. 100% of naive patients were highly adherent, only 6.4% of pre-treated patients were identified as non-adherent. Only one contraindication was found: hypericum. Conclusions: Patients are highly adherent, the treatment is effective and safe. The pharmaceutical care service is carried out efficiently. We are aware of our patients' adherence and carry out close phar-macotherapeutic monitoring. (AU)

HIV Prevention Services for Hispanic/Latino Persons in THRIVE, 2015-2020.

INTRODUCTION: Hispanic/Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) are disproportionately affected by HIV in the U.S. This study evaluated HIV prevention services and outcomes among Hispanic/Latino MSM and TGW in the Targeted Highly Effective Interventions to Reduce the HIV Epidemic (THRIVE) demonstration project and consider lessons learned. METHODS: The authors described the THRIVE demonstration project services provided to Hispanic/Latino MSM and TGW in 7 U.S. jurisdictions from 2015 to 2020. HIV prevention service outcomes were compared between 1 site with (2,147 total participants) and 6 sites without (1,129 total participants) Hispanic/Latino-oriented pre-exposure prophylaxis clinical services, and Poisson regression was used to estimate the adjusted RR between sites and pre-exposure prophylaxis outcomes. Analyses were conducted from 2021 to 2022. RESULTS: The THRIVE demonstration project served 2,898 and 378 Hispanic/Latino MSM and TGW, respectively, with 2,519 MSM (87%) and 320 TGW (85%) receiving ≥1 HIV screening test. Among 2,002 MSM and 178 TGW eligible for pre-exposure prophylaxis, 1,011 (50%) MSM and 98 (55%) TGW received pre-exposure prophylaxis prescriptions, respectively. MSM and TGW were each 2.0 times more likely to be linked to pre-exposure prophylaxis (95% CI=1.4, 2.9 and 95% CI=1.2, 3.6, respectively) and 1.6 and 2.1 times more likely to be prescribed pre-exposure prophylaxis (95% CI=1.1, 2.2 and 95% CI=1.1, 4.1), respectively, at the site providing Hispanic/Latino-oriented pre-exposure prophylaxis clinical services than at other sites and adjusted for age group. CONCLUSIONS: The THRIVE demonstration project delivered comprehensive HIV prevention services to Hispanic/Latino MSM and TGW. Hispanic/Latino-oriented clinical settings may improve HIV prevention service delivery to persons in Hispanic/Latino communities.

"Sex. Maybe We Should Do Things to be Healthy About It." Adolescent-Caregiver Discussions About Sex.

PURPOSE: Adolescents are disproportionately burdened with HIV. Numerous barriers limit adolescent pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use for HIV prevention. We explored adolescent-caregiver perspectives on discussing sexual health and PrEP to inform future caregiver interventions as a possible strategy to promote PrEP use. METHODS: We conducted separate in-depth interviews with adolescents aged 14-18 living in Alabama and their parent/guardian (caregiver). Interviews explored attitudes about sex, knowledge and attitudes about HIV prevention and PrEP, and attitudes about PrEP communication within adolescent-caregiver groups. Thematic analysis of adolescent and caregiver interviews was conducted independently and then triangulated to compare shared themes. RESULTS: Nine adolescents and seven caregivers contributed to five dyads and two triads. Adolescents had a median age of 16 years (range 14-18); five were girls (55%), and five were non-Hispanic Black (55%). Most caregivers were mothers (5, 71%), non-Hispanic Black (5, 71%), with a median age of 41 (36-56) years. All adolescents expressed willingness to involve their caregiver around PrEP use. Major themes included as follows: 1) caregiver efforts to overcome cultural taboos about sex and sexuality foster adolescents' willingness to talk with caregivers about sex; 2) evolving societal norms and reflections on their own upbringings motivate caregivers to discuss and support adolescents with sexual health; and 3) caregivers desire to engage in sexual health discussions with providers and support their teens with PrEP. DISCUSSION: As socio-cultural norms around sex evolve, adolescent-caregiver discussions about sexual health and PrEP may be an opportunity to increase PrEP use and reduce HIV infections among select adolescent sub-populations.

Clinical-epidemiological characterization of women who received post-exposure HIV prophylaxis in a public hospital in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul / Caracterização clínico-epidemiológica de mulheres que receberam a profilaxia pós-exposição ao HIV em um hospital público de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul

Introduction: Prevention strategies are key to combating the epidemic of infections such as HIV and syphilis. The epidemiological scenario of Porto Alegre/RS for these infections shows the need for greater efforts in the area of prevention, seeking to characterize both the population that uses these strategies and the services involved in the care of exposed people. Objective: This study aimed to characterize the clinical and epidemiological profile of patients who received post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to HIV treated in a public hospital in Porto Alegre/RS. Methods: This is a retrospective, research, descriptive study based on the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for PEP, updated in 2018 by the Ministry of Health. Prophylaxis request forms and medical records of patients treated were analyzed. Results: The population consisted of 87 women who received PEP from January to September 2019. There was a predominance of women aged between 20 and 29 years old (55.2%). The most frequent sexual exposure was consensual (69.0%) followed by sexual assault (31.0%). Porto Alegre was the place of residence of most patients (73.6%). The most frequently used therapeutic regimen was the combination of atazanavir, ritonavir, and tenofovir plus lamivudine. On the first visit, 8.0% of the patients showed reactive results for the treponemal syphilis test. Only 23.0% and 14.9% of patients returned for anti-HIV tests in the first and third months after exposure, respectively, and the results were non-reactive. Only 19 patients (21.8%) attended the consultations between 0 and 28 days after PEP. Conclusion: It was identified that a considerable percentage of women already had reactive serology for syphilis, most women did not return for follow-up within 28 and 90 days after the first consultation, more than half of the women were aged between 20 and 29 years old, and the most frequent sexual exposure was consensual. In this sense, efforts are needed, such as adequate counseling, adoption of interventions such as sending messages by cell phone, telephone calls, and preparation of educational materials, seeking to improve adherence to treatment and follow-up in the service, which is important given the scenario of epidemiology in Porto Alegre.Keywords: HIV. Sexually transmitted diseases. Post-exposure prophylaxis. Disease prevention

Introdução: Estratégias de prevenção são fundamentais para o combate à epidemia de infecções como o vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) e sífilis. O cenário epidemiológico de Porto Alegre/RS para essas infecções mostra a necessidade de maiores esforços na área de prevenção, buscando caracterizar tanto a população que utiliza essas estratégias quanto os serviços envolvidos no atendimento das pessoas expostas. Objetivo: Caracterizar o perfil clínico-epidemiológico das pacientes que receberam a profilaxia pós-exposição (PEP) ao HIV atendidas em um hospital público de Porto Alegre/RS. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo, documental, descritivo e baseado no Protocolo Clínico e Diretrizes Terapêuticas para PEP, atualizado em 2021 pelo Ministério da Saúde. Foram analisados os formulários de solicitação da profilaxia e prontuários das pacientes atendidas. Resultados: A população foi composta de 87 mulheres que receberam a PEP no período de janeiro a setembro de 2019. Predominaram mulheres com idades entre 20 e 29 anos (55,2%). A exposição sexual mais frequente foi a consentida (69,0%), seguida pela violência sexual (31,0%). Porto Alegre foi o local de residência da maioria das pacientes (73,6%). O esquema terapêutico utilizado com maior frequência foi a combinação com atazanavir, ritonavir e tenofovir associado à lamivudina. No primeiro atendimento, 8,0% das pacientes demonstraram resultados reagentes para o teste treponêmico de sífilis. Retornaram para a realização dos testes anti-HIV no primeiro e terceiro mês após a exposição apenas 23,0 e 14,9% das pacientes, respectivamente, e os resultados foram não reagentes. Apenas 19 delas (21,8%) compareceram às consultas entre zero e 28 dias posteriores à PEP. Conclusão: Foi identificado que um percentual considerável de mulheres já apresentava sorologia reagente para sífilis, a maioria das mulheres não retornou para o seguimento no período de 28 e 90 dias após o primeiro atendimento, mais da metade delas tinha idade entre 20 e 29 anos e a exposição sexual mais frequente foi a consentida. Nesse sentido, são necessários esforços como aconselhamento adequado, adoção de intervenções como o envio de mensagens pelo celular, ligações telefônicas e elaboração de materiais educativos, buscando a melhoria da adesão ao tratamento e do acompanhamento no serviço, o que é importante diante do cenário epidemiológico de Porto Alegre.Palavras-chave: HIV. Infecções sexualmente transmissíveis. Profilaxia pós-exposição. Prevenção