Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Linkage to HIV Care Interventions in the United States, Canada, and Ukraine (2010-2021).

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions targeting linkage to HIV care in the US, Canada, and Europe. We searched six databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CINAHL). Inclusion criteria were English language studies in adults in the US, Canada, or Europe, published January 1, 2010 to January 1, 2021. We synthesized interventions by type and linkage to care outcome. The outcome was cumulative incidence of 3-month linkage. We estimated cumulative incidence ratios of linkage with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We screened 945 studies; 13 met selection criteria (n = 1 from Canada, n = 1 from Ukraine, n = 11 from the US) and were included after full text review (total 37,549 individuals). The cumulative incidence of 3-month linkage in the intervention group was 0.82 (95% CI 0.68-0.94) and control group 0.71 (95% CI 0.50-0.90); cIR of linkage for intervention versus control was 1.30 (95% CI 1.13, 1.49). Interventions to improve linkage to care after HIV diagnosis warrant further attention.

Adaptation of an Evidence-Based Intervention for Disability Prevention, Implemented by Community Health Workers Serving Ethnic Minority Elders.

INTRODUCTION: Changing demographics have created substantial unmet needs for mental health and physical disability services for immigrant and racial/ethnic minority elders. Workforce shortages can be reduced by task-shifting to community health workers (CHWs) who speak the same language and share the culture of these elders. Yet, implementation of interventions offered by CHWs requires adaptations of content and delivery, ideally under clinical supervision. OBJECTIVE: To culturally adapt two evidence-based interventions, offered in community settings, to address mental health and physical disability prevention for diverse minority elders. METHODS: We followed the Castro-Barrera stepped model for cultural adaptation of two evidence-based interventions into one combined program of disability management and prevention delivered by CHWs. We used feedback from key stakeholders, including four clinical supervisors, 16 CHWs, 17 exercise trainers, and 153 participants, collected at three time points to further adapt the intervention to a diverse population of elders. RESULTS: Adaptations for administration by CHWs/exercise trainers included: systematization of supervision process, increased flexibility in sessions offered per participants' needs, inclusion of self-care content, modification of materials to better reflect elders' daily life experiences, and greater focus on patient engagement in care. Areas for additional adaptation included enhancing examples with culturally relevant metaphors, incorporating visual aids, and training CHWs in the importance of building trust. CONCLUSION: This study identifies key aspects of the cultural adaptation process that facilitates broader cultural sensitivity of service delivery by CHWs to diverse elders in community settings.

Barriers and strategies for implementing community-based interventions with minority elders: positive minds-strong bodies.

BACKGROUND: By 2040, one out of three older adults in the USA are expected to belong to a racial/ethnic minority group. This population has an increased risk of mental and physical disability with significant barriers to access care. Community-based organizations (CBOs) often provide programming to serve minority and immigrant elders. Limited resources and other barriers such as lack of trained staff make it difficult to implement evidence-based interventions (EBIs) in CBOs for long-term adoption. Yet little is known about what factors can facilitate adoption of EBIs in CBOs serving minority elders. METHODS: Positive-Minds-Strong Bodies (PM-SB), an evidence-based intervention offered in four languages, aims to reduce mental and physical disability for minority and immigrant elders through the efforts of community health workers and exercise trainers. The intervention consists of cognitive behavior therapy and exercise training sessions delivered over 6 months. During a recent clinical trial of this intervention, we elicited feedback from CBO staff to determine how best to facilitate the implementation and long-term sustainability of PM-SB within their agencies. We surveyed 30 CBO staff members, held four focus groups, and conducted 20 in-depth interviews to examine staff perspectives and to reveal factors or changes needed to facilitate long-term adoption in prospective CBOs. RESULTS: Participants reported that staff motivation and implementation could be improved through the following changes: increasing patient compensation for treatment sessions, decreasing levels of organizational accountability, and reducing staff demands embedded in the intervention. Although most staff perceived that PM-SB improved their agency's ability to address the health and well-being of elders, capacity-building strategies such as a "train-the-trainer" initiative were identified as priorities to address staff turnover for sustainability. Adapting the intervention to get financial reimbursement also emerged as vital. CONCLUSIONS: Augmenting financial incentives, streamlining procedures, and simplifying staff accountability were suggested strategies for facilitating the transition from a disability prevention clinical trial in minority and immigrant elders to a scalable implementation in routine services at CBOs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02317432.