A Longitudinal Examination of HIV Risk Perception Accuracy among Sexual Minority Men with History of Childhood Sexual Abuse.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) with history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) are at high risk for HIV acquisition. One reason is posttraumatic responses compromise ability to accurately appraise risk for danger/vulnerability. Health behavior change models and related interventions assume risk perception can be changed in an enduring manner. Given paucity of studies examining how risk perception changes or sustains over time post-intervention, this underlying assumption is not confirmed. Among this particularly high-risk group who struggle with perceiving risk due to trauma-related cognitions, it may be accuracy of risk perception is fluid. The study primarily aimed to examine accuracy of HIV risk perception over time post-HIV prevention behavioral intervention. Leveraging data from a larger RCT, N = 190 MSM in Boston, MA and Miami, FL USA completed a psychosocial baseline assessment, an intervention aimed to increase awareness of personal HIV risk level, then four follow-up assessments three months apart for a year. Linear mixed effect models were used to examine the degree to which accuracy of HIV risk perception (vs. traditional construct of risk perception with no information about accuracy) predicts sex risk behavior over time delineated by between-person (trait level) and within-person (state level) effects. Majority (92%) of participants fluctuated in HIV risk accuracy over time post-intervention. Within-person risk accuracy (one's accuracy at any given timepoint) predicted sex risk behavior (condomless sex not protected by adherent PrEP) over time, but not between-person (one's average of accuracy). Findings have implications for intervention and counseling related to specific HIV prevention strategies.

Smartphone and Wearable Device-Based Digital Phenotyping to Understand Substance use and its Syndemics.

Digital phenotyping is a process that allows researchers to leverage smartphone and wearable data to explore how technology use relates to behavioral health outcomes. In this Research Concepts article, we provide background on prior research that has employed digital phenotyping; the fundamentals of how digital phenotyping works, using examples from participant data; the application of digital phenotyping in the context of substance use and its syndemics; and the ethical, legal and social implications of digital phenotyping. We discuss applications for digital phenotyping in medical toxicology, as well as potential uses for digital phenotyping in future research. We also highlight the importance of obtaining ground truth annotation in order to identify and establish digital phenotypes of key behaviors of interest. Finally, there are many potential roles for medical toxicologists to leverage digital phenotyping both in research and in the future as a clinical tool to better understand the contextual features associated with drug poisoning and overdose. This article demonstrates how medical toxicologists and researchers can progress through phases of a research trajectory using digital phenotyping to better understand behavior and its association with smartphone usage.

"What if I got rejected by the girl? I would rather stop the pills": barriers and facilitators of adherence to antiretroviral therapy for emerging adults aged 18-29 living with HIV in Zimbabwe.

Emerging adults aged 18-29 have high rates of viral non-suppression, and poorer adherence to ART when compared to older adults. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 emerging adults in Zimbabwe who had a recent history of viral non-suppression, to explore barriers and facilitators of adherence to ART. Interviews were coded using inductive thematic analysis. The mean age of participants was 23, 65% were male, and 79% reported acquiring HIV at birth. Twelve barriers to adherence were identified. Hiding HIV status due to the possible negative consequences of disclosure had a significant impact on adherence to ART. This was particularly important for emerging adults navigating starting intimate relationships. Being away from home, poverty, poor mental health, isolation, significant life events, alcohol, health systems barriers, and stigma were reported as barriers to adherence. Support from peers and family after disclosure of HIV status, phone-based reminders, problem-solving strategies to adhere, knowing others living with HIV, acted as facilitators to adherence to ART. Beliefs about medicines and relationships with health care providers acted as both barriers and facilitators to adherence. Interventions to reduce stigma, foster peer support, and therapy for common mental disorders could facilitate emerging adults aged 18-29 to adhere to ART.

Acceptance of digital phenotyping linked to a digital pill system to measure PrEP adherence among men who have sex with men with substance use.

Once-daily oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective strategy to prevent HIV, but is highly dependent on adherence. Men who have sex with men (MSM) who use substances face unique challenges maintaining PrEP adherence. Digital pill systems (DPS) allow for real-time adherence measurement through ingestible sensors. Integration of DPS technology with other digital health tools, such as digital phenotyping, may improve understanding of nonadherence triggers and development of personalized adherence interventions based on ingestion behavior. This study explored the willingness of MSM with substance use to share digital phenotypic data and interact with ancillary systems in the context of DPS-measured PrEP adherence. Adult MSM on PrEP with substance use were recruited through a social networking app. Participants were introduced to DPS technology and completed an assessment to measure willingness to participate in DPS-based PrEP adherence research, contribute digital phenotyping data, and interact with ancillary systems in the context of DPS-based research. Medical mistrust, daily worry about PrEP adherence, and substance use were also assessed. Participants who identified as cisgender male and were willing to participate in DPS-based research (N = 131) were included in this subsample analysis. Most were White (76.3%) and non-Hispanic (77.9%). Participants who reported daily PrEP adherence worry had 3.7 times greater odds (95% CI: 1.03, 13.4) of willingness to share biometric data via a wearable device paired to the DPS. Participants with daily PrEP adherence worry were more likely to be willing to share smartphone data (p = 0.006) and receive text messages surrounding their daily activities (p = 0.003), compared to those with less worry. MSM with substance use disorder, who worried about PrEP adherence, were willing to use DPS technology and share data required for digital phenotyping in the context of PrEP adherence measurement. Efforts to address medical mistrust can increase advantages of this technology for HIV prevention.

The salience of structural barriers and behavioral health problems to ART adherence in people receiving HIV primary care in South Africa.

Multilevel factors (individual and structural) influence adherence to antiretroviral therapy, particularly in high HIV prevalence areas such as South Africa. The present study examined the relative importance of structural barriers to HIV care and behavioral health factors, depression and alcohol use, in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa. People receiving HIV care in six primary care clinics in Khayelitsha (N = 194) completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, the Structural Barriers to Medication Taking questionnaire, and a qualitative rating of past-two-week adherence. Correlations were employed to examine associations among these variables, and hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the unique effects of structural barriers over and above depression and alcohol use as predictors of adherence. Participants were primarily Black South African (99%) women (83%), and 41 years old on average. All four variables were significantly correlated. The hierarchical regression analysis showed that among behavioral health predictors, alcohol use alone significantly predicted ART adherence (b = -.032, p = .002). When structural barriers was added to the model, it was the only significant unique predictor of ART adherence (b = -1.58, p < .001). Findings highlight the need to consider structural vulnerabilities in HIV care in South Africa when developing behavioral health interventions.

HIV, multimorbidity, and health-related quality of life in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A population-based study.

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assesses the perceived impact of health status across life domains. Although research has explored the relationship between specific conditions, including HIV, and HRQoL in low-resource settings, less attention has been paid to the association between multimorbidity and HRQoL. In a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the Vukuzazi ("Wake up and know ourselves" in isiZulu) study, which identified the prevalence and overlap of non-communicable and infectious diseases in the uMkhanyakunde district of KwaZulu-Natal, we (1) evaluated the impact of multimorbidity on HRQoL; (2) determined the relative associations among infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and HRQoL; and (3) examined the effects of controlled versus non-controlled disease on HRQoL. HRQoL was measured using the EQ-5D-3L, which assesses overall perceived health, five specific domains (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression), and three levels of problems (no problems, some problems, and extreme problems). Six diseases and disease states were included in this analysis: HIV, diabetes, stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, and TB. After examining the degree to which number of conditions affects HRQoL, we estimated the effect of joint associations among combinations of diseases, each HRQoL domain, and overall health. Then, in one set of ridge regression models, we assessed the relative impact of HIV, diabetes, stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, and tuberculosis on the HRQoL domains; in a second set of models, the contribution of treatment (controlled vs. uncontrolled disease) was added. A total of 14,008 individuals were included in this analysis. Having more conditions adversely affected perceived health (r = -0.060, p<0.001, 95% CI: -0.073 to -0.046) and all HRQoL domains. Infectious conditions were related to better perceived health (r = 0.051, p<0.001, 95% CI: 0.037 to 0.064) and better HRQoL, whereas non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were associated with worse perceived health (r = -0.124, p<0.001, -95% CI: 0.137 to -0.110) and lower HRQoL. Particular combinations of NCDs were detrimental to perceived health, whereas HIV, which was characterized by access to care and suppressed viral load in the large majority of those affected, was counterintuitively associated with better perceived health. With respect to disease control, unique combinations of uncontrolled NCDs were significantly related to worse perceived health, and controlled HIV was associated with better perceived health. The presence of controlled and uncontrolled NCDs was associated with poor perceived health and worse HRQoL, whereas the presence of controlled HIV was associated with improved HRQoL. HIV disease control may be critical for HRQoL among people with HIV, and incorporating NCD prevention and attention to multimorbidity into healthcare strategies may improve HRQoL.

Real-World Implementation Challenges Associated with a Digital Pill System to Measure Adherence to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis from Two Studies of Men Who Have Sex With Men.

Once-daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective for HIV prevention, but its efficacy is dependent on adherence, which can be challenging for men who have sex with men (MSM) with substance use. Digital pill systems (DPS) represent a novel tool for directly measuring adherence through ingestible radiofrequency sensors that confirm ingestions in real-time. We examined operational challenges across two studies involving DPS to measure PrEP adherence. While most participants successfully operated the system, a number of technological and sociobehavioral challenges requiring intervention were identified across both studies. Technological issues were both system- and participant-related, and were primarily addressed with technical updates and participant re-education, while sociobehavioral issues, including health and housing changes and issues with technology access, warranted innovative solutions. Future research leveraging DPS technology should develop robust supportive infrastructure and mitigation procedures to promptly identify and resolve operational issues to optimize the potential benefits of DPS use.

Informing Acceptability and Feasibility of Digital Phenotyping for Personalized HIV Prevention among Marginalized Populations Presenting to the Emergency Department.

For marginalized populations with ongoing HIV epidemics, alternative methods are needed for understanding the complexities of HIV risk and delivering prevention interventions. Due to lack of engagement in ambulatory care, such groups have high utilization of drop-in care. Therefore, emergency departments represent a location with those at highest risk for HIV and in highest need of novel prevention methods. Digital phenotyping via data collected from smartphones and other wearable sensors could provide the innovative vehicle for examining complex HIV risk and assist in delivering personalized prevention interventions. However, there is paucity in exploring if such methods are an option. This study aimed to fill this gap via a cross-sectional psychosocial assessment with a sample of N=85 emergency department patients with HIV risk. Findings demonstrate that although potentially feasible, acceptability of digital phenotyping is questionable. Technology-assisted HIV prevention needs to be designed with the target community and address key ethical considerations.

Sexual Networking and HIV/STI Prevention Among Men who have Sex with Men and Identify as Persons of Color in the Era of COVID-19 in Boston, MA: Qualitative Findings from the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Project.

Men who have sex with men and identify as persons of color (MSM of color) are significantly impacted by HIV in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic may have disproportionately exacerbated HIV-related disparities among MSM of color by affecting sexual networking behaviors and disrupting access to sexual health care. The current study explored the impact of COVID-19 on sexual networking and HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention behaviors among MSM of color in Boston, MA. Eighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted via the 2020-2021 Boston sample of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) project. Eligible participants were at least 18 years old, identified as a man or non-binary person assigned male at birth and as a person of color, and endorsed ever having sex with men. Interviews were coded using inductive and deductive approaches, and themes were extracted using thematic analysis. When participants were asked about the impact of COVID-19 on sexual networking and HIV/STI prevention, the following themes emerged: (1) differing interpretations of COVID-19 public health guidance, (2) behavior change to meet social and sexual needs, (3) limited or changed access to HIV/STI prevention services; and (4) avoidance of healthcare appointments. Overall, the pandemic affected sexual networking and HIV/STI prevention behaviors among MSM of color. Though changes in sexual networking varied, most participants decreased in-person networking, increased dating app use, and prioritized longer-term relationships. Despite loosening of restrictions, these impacts may persist and should inform the adaptation of sexual networking guidance and interventions to mitigate HIV-related disparities in communities of color.

Preliminary feasibility of a wrist-worn receiver to measure medication adherence via an ingestible radiofrequency sensor.

Adherence to medications is a complex task that requires complex biobehavioral support. To better provide tools to assist with medication adherence, digital pills provide an option to directly measure medication taking behaviors. These systems comprise a gelatin capsule with radiofrequency emitter, a wearable Reader that collects the radio signal and a smartphone app that collects ingestion data displays it for patients and clinicians. These systems are feasible in measuring adherence in the real-world, even in stigmatized diseases like HIV treatment adherence. While the current iteration of the digital pill system utilizes a wearable Reader worn like a necklace, preliminary feedback demonstrated that a miniaturized system that was worn on the wrist could be more functional in the real-world. This paper therefore describes the development and preliminary field testing of a wrist-borne wearable Reader to facilitate acquisition of oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) adherence data among individual prescribed PrEP.

Sex Differences in the Cognitive Performance of a South African Cohort of People With HIV and Comorbid Major Depressive Disorder.

Women with HIV (WWH) may be more vulnerable to cognitive impairment than men with HIV (MWH), which may be explained by the direct effects of HIV or by sociodemographic and psychiatric characteristics. We recruited 105 people with HIV (PWH; 76 women) with incomplete antiretroviral therapy adherence, comorbid major depressive disorder, and socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Participants completed neuropsychological testing and measures gathering sociodemographic, medical, and psychiatric information. We compared WWH and MWH cognitive performance using unadjusted and adjusted regressions, and within each respective group, we explored predictors of cognitive performance. Results showed no significant between-sex differences in cognitive performance, both globally and within domains. Fewer years of education (ß = 0.94), illiteracy (ß = 4.55), and greater food insecurity (ß = -0.28) predicted lower cognitive performance in WWH but not MWH. We conclude that sex differences in PWH are likely due to sample characteristics representing broader inequalities, rather than true biological differences.

Associations Between Health Insurance Coverage with HIV Detection and Prevention Behaviors Among Individuals with Undiagnosed HIV or at Increased Risk for HIV Infection in the USA.

BACKGROUND: Improving HIV detection and prevention remains a critical public health initiative that requires policy-based solutions. This study sought to compare HIV detection/prevention behaviors before and after healthcare reform in Massachusetts, USA, among heterosexually active persons - the group with the highest reported number of undiagnosed HIV cases. The current study sought to (1) characterize differences in insurance coverage and HIV detection/prevention behaviors between cycles 1 (2006) to 5 (2019); (2) evaluate socio-demographic disparities in insurance coverage accounting for cycle; and (3) evaluate associations between health insurance coverage and HIV detection/prevention behaviors accounting for cycle and socio-demographics. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) project: Boston HET cycle (i.e., made up of heterosexually active persons living in the Boston area) data. Descriptive, bivariate (e.g., chi-square), and multiple logistic and negative binomial loglink regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: In chi-square analyses with post hoc Bonferroni tests, the proportion of participants with current health insurance significantly increased from cycle 1 (77%) to cycle 2 (95%), p < .001. In the regression models that controlled for NHBS cycle, 1-year change in age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02, 1.05), female gender (aOR = 3.41, 95% CI = 2.48, 4.69), and change in education category (aOR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.39) were associated with a higher likelihood of having health insurance. In regression models that controlled for cycle, age, gender, and education, participants with health insurance were more likely than those without insurance to report seeing a medical provider in the past year (aOR = 3.49, 95% CI = 2.32, 4.66), ever having an HIV test (aOR = 1.52, 95% CI = 0.35, 2.69) and more frequent HIV testing in the past 2 years (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.44, 95% = 1.14, 1.82). Participants with health insurance did not differ from those without insurance in number of vaginal condomless sex partners (IRR = 1.16, 95% CI = 0.95, 1.41) but did report more condomless anal sex partners in the past year (IRR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.46, 2.65). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates how health insurance coverage is positively associated with HIV detection and prevention relevant to both US and international efforts to end the HIV epidemic.

Injection of Methamphetamine Has Increased in Boston, Massachusetts: 5 Waves of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention State Surveillance Data.

OBJECTIVES: In the United States, the number of overdose deaths related to opioids in combination with stimulants has increased; however, the Northeast has typically been less impacted by stimulant overdose. Injection drug use (IDU) results in high mortality from overdose and infectious disease and there are racial disparities observed in overdose death rates. We examined trends in stimulant and opioid IDU, including trends stratified by race, using 5 waves of cross-sectional state surveillance data. METHODS: Data came from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National HIV Behavioral Surveillance system Boston, Massachusetts site, which includes 5 waves of data (2005-2018) among adults in the Boston metropolitan area reporting IDU (N = 2550). Outcome measures were type of substance injected in the past 12 months (heroin, prescription opioids, "speedball," cocaine, crack, and/or methamphetamine). RESULTS: Participants were 70% male, 58% non-Hispanic White, and injected a mean of 3 different drugs in the past 12 months. From 2015 to 2018, there was a more than 2-fold increase in injection of methamphetamine (15% vs 38%, P < 0.001), a pattern which held across racial groups. Combination heroin and methamphetamine injection increased from 2015 (15%) to 2018 (35%, P < 0.001). Multiple drug injection (injecting >1 drug) increased significantly across years compared with single drug injection ( P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that increased use of methamphetamine and opioids extends to Boston. There is an urgent need for enhanced screening of methamphetamine use among those using opioids and increased access and payor coverage of efficacious treatments for stimulant and opioid use disorders (eg, contingency management and medication treatment for opioid use disorder).

Tobacco Smoking and Pack-Years Are Associated With Frailty Among People With HIV.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoking increases frailty risk among the general population and is common among people with HIV (PWH) who experience higher rates of frailty at younger ages than the general population. METHODS: We identified 8608 PWH across 6 Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems sites who completed ≥2 patient-reported outcome assessments, including a frailty phenotype measuring unintentional weight loss, poor mobility, fatigue, and inactivity, and scored 0-4. Smoking was measured as baseline pack-years and time-updated never, former, or current use with cigarettes/day. We used Cox models to associate smoking with risk of incident frailty (score ≥3) and deterioration (frailty score increase by ≥2 points), adjusted for demographics, antiretroviral medication, and time-updated CD4 count. RESULTS: The mean follow-up of PWH was 5.3 years (median: 5.0), the mean age at baseline was 45 years, 15% were female, and 52% were non-White. At baseline, 60% reported current or former smoking. Current (HR: 1.79; 95% confidence interval: 1.54 to 2.08) and former (HR: 1.31; 95% confidence interval: 1.12 to 1.53) smoking were associated with higher incident frailty risk, as were higher pack-years. Current smoking (among younger PWH) and pack-years, but not former smoking, were associated with higher risk of deterioration. CONCLUSIONS: Among PWH, smoking status and duration are associated with incident and worsening frailty.

The Relationship Between Cigarette Dependence and Cessation Methods: Implications for Smoking Cessation Among People With HIV.

OBJECTIVE: These analyses investigate how dependence may be related to cessation method choice and how this relationship may vary by subpopulation among people with HIV (PWH) who smoke cigarettes. METHOD: PWH who smoke (N = 71) were recruited from clinics in Boston, MA. The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and Smoking History Questionnaire (SHQ) were completed to assess for cigarette dependence, past-week cigarettes per day (CPD), and past cessation method use. Logistic regression examined the association between dependence and previous cessation methods for the whole sample, and moderation analyses assessed this relationship by age and race. RESULTS: Higher FTND was associated with less use of behavioral modification methods (odds ratio [OR] = 0.658, 95% CI [0.435, 0.994], p = .047). Higher past-week CPD was associated with use of the American Cancer Society/American Lung Association (ACS/ALA) programs (OR = 1.159, 95% CI [1.011, 1.328], p = .035) and telephone counselling (OR = 1.142, 95% CI [1.006, 1.295], p = .040]). Older participants with more past-week CPD were more likely to have used the ACS/ALA programs (B = 0.0169, 95% CI [0.0008, 0.0331], p = .0401), and White participants with more past-week CPD were less likely to have tried to quit "cold turkey" (B = 0.1676, 95% CI [0.0027, 0.3326], p = .0464). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that there is likely not a "one-size-fits-all" approach to cessation for PWH who smoke, especially within subpopulations (i.e., age and race). Implications include ensuring access to multiple cessation methods, identifying methods that could be culturally appropriate outside of the clinical intervention setting, and providing education and support on cessation methods offered.

Buprenorphine treatment receipt characteristics and retention among people who inject drugs at Integrated Care Centers in India.

BACKGROUND: India is facing overlapping opioid injection and HIV epidemics among people who inject drugs (PWID) in several cities. Integrated Care Centers (ICCs) provide single-venue HIV and substance use services to PWID. We evaluated PWID engagement in daily observed buprenorphine treatment at 7 ICCs to inform interventions. METHODS: We analyzed 1-year follow-up data for PWID initiating buprenorphine between 1 January - 31 December 2018, evaluating receipt frequency, treatment interruptions (no buprenorphine receipt for 60 consecutive days with subsequent re-engagement), and drop-out (no buprenorphine receipt for 60 consecutive days without re-engagement). Using descriptive statistics, we explored differences between ICCs in the opioid-endemic Northeast region and ICCs in the emerging opioid epidemic North/Central region. We used a multivariable logistic regression model to determine predictors of treatment drop-out by 6 months. RESULTS: 1312 PWID initiated buprenorphine (76% North/Central ICCs vs. 24% Northeast ICCs). 31% of PWID in North/Central, and 25% in Northeast ICCs experienced ≥ 1 treatment interruption in 1 year. Over 6 months, 48% of PWID in North/Central vs. 60% in Northeast ICCs received buprenorphine ≤ 2 times/week (p < 0.0001). A third of PWID in North/Central vs. half in Northeast ICCs experienced treatment drop-out by 6 months (p < 0.001). In the multivariable model, living in Northeast cities was associated with increased odds of drop-out while counseling receipt was associated with decreased odds. CONCLUSIONS: Retention among PWID initiating buprenorphine at ICCs was comparable to global reports. However, regional heterogeneity in retention, and low daily buprenorphine receipt suggest patient-centered interventions adapted to regional contexts are urgently needed.

"You Almost Feel Out of Touch [For Saying] 'Oh, and by the way, Stop Smoking.'" A Qualitative Exploration of Provider Perspectives About Discussing Tobacco and Cannabis Use With 18-24-Year-Old Young Adults With HIV.

Background: Youth with HIV (YWH) aged 18-24 are overburdened by tobacco, with half also using cannabis recreationally. Increasing tobacco cessation necessitates exploring providers' approaches to cessation. Methods: Grounded in social cognitive theory, we explored cognitive, socioenvironmental, and behavioral factors impacting providers' approaches to tobacco use among recreational cannabis users. Virtual interviews were conducted among healthcare providers caring for YWH in Washington (legalized cannabis), Massachusetts (legalized cannabis), and Alabama (cannabis not legal). Interviews were transcribed and analyzed via deductive and exploratory, thematic approaches using NVivo 12 Plus. Results: Twelve providers participated; 80% were subspecialist physicians. All providers (N = 12) reported discussing tobacco use; none reported discussing tobacco use in conjunction with cannabis use. Identified themes included competing demands including cannabis co-use, prioritization of social determinants of health, and need for youth-tailored tools. Conclusions: YWH disproportionately use tobacco and recreational cannabis. Optimizing clinical visits to identify opportunities to address tobacco is crucial.

The Clinical Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Clinic-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for People With HIV, Depression, and Virologic Failure in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Depression affects 25%-30% of people with HIV (PWH) in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) and is associated with both antiretroviral therapy (ART) nonadherence and increased mortality. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of task-shifted, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for PWH with diagnosed depression and virologic failure from a randomized trial in RSA. SETTING: RSA. METHODS: Using the Cost-Effectiveness of Preventing AIDS Complications model, we simulated both trial strategies: enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU) and ETAU plus CBT for ART adherence and depression (CBT-AD; 8 sessions plus 2 follow-ups). In the trial, viral suppression at 1 year was 20% with ETAU and 32% with CBT-AD. Model inputs included mean initial age (39 years) and CD4 count (214/µL), ART costs ($7.5-22/mo), and CBT costs ($29/session). We projected 5- and 10-year viral suppression, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), lifetime costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs: $/QALY [discounted 3%/yr]; cost-effectiveness threshold: ≤$2545/QALY [0.5× per capita GDP]). In sensitivity analyses, we determined how input parameter variation affected cost-effectiveness. RESULTS: Model-projected 5- and 10-year viral suppression were 18.9% and 8.7% with ETAU and 21.2% and 9.7% with CBT-AD, respectively. Compared with ETAU, CBT-AD would increase discounted life expectancy from 4.12 to 4.68 QALYs and costs from $6210/person to $6670/person (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio: $840/QALY). CBT-AD would remain cost-effective unless CBT-AD cost >$70/session and simultaneously improved 1-year viral suppression by ≤4% compared with ETAU. CONCLUSIONS: CBT for PWH with depression and virologic failure in RSA could improve life expectancy and be cost-effective. Such targeted mental health interventions should be integrated into HIV care.

Associations between alcohol and cigarette use and type 1 and 2 myocardial infarction among people with HIV.

OBJECTIVES: People with HIV have a higher risk of myocardial infarction (MI) than the general population, with a greater proportion of type 2 MI (T2MI) due to oxygen demand-supply mismatch compared with type 1 (T1MI) resulting from atherothrombotic plaque disruption. People living with HIV report a greater prevalence of cigarette and alcohol use than do the general population. Alcohol use and smoking as risk factors for MI by type are not well studied among people living with HIV. We examined longitudinal associations between smoking and alcohol use patterns and MI by type among people living with HIV. DESIGN AND METHODS: Using longitudinal data from the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems cohort, we conducted time-updated Cox proportional hazards models to determine the impact of smoking and alcohol consumption on adjudicated T1MI and T2MI. RESULTS: Among 13 506 people living with HIV, with a median 4 years of follow-up, we observed 177 T1MI and 141 T2MI. Current smoking was associated with a 60% increase in risk of both T1MI and T2MI. In addition, every cigarette smoked per day was associated with a 4% increase in risk of T1MI, with a suggestive, but not significant, 2% increase for T2MI. Cigarette use had a greater impact on T1MI for men than for women and on T2MI for women than for men. Increasing alcohol use was associated with a lower risk of T1MI but not T2MI. Frequency of heavy episodic alcohol use was not associated with MI. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reinforce the prioritization of smoking reduction, even without cessation, and cessation among people living with HIV for MI prevention and highlight the different impacts on MI type by gender.

Perspectives of Young Men Who Have Sex with Men on PrEP Adherence and Peer Navigation: A Qualitative Study.

HIV incidence is disproportionately high among young cisgender men who have sex with men (YMSM), but YMSM are less likely than adults to use HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Among YMSM living with HIV, peer navigation programs have been effective in linkage to care and increasing medication adherence; such programs may aid HIV-uninfected YMSM in overcoming barriers to engagement in PrEP care. We conducted 32 semi-structured qualitative interviews at a community health center in Massachusetts, USA, specializing in sexual and gender minority health with four sub-groups of YMSM who: (1) had never discussed PrEP with a medical provider, (2) had discussed PrEP with a medical provider but declined a prescription, (3) were prescribed PrEP and have sub-optimal adherence (taking fewer than 4 pills per week), and (4) were prescribed PrEP and were optimally adherent. Domains addressed in the interviews included knowledge of PrEP and HIV prevention, barriers and facilitators to PrEP adherence, and attitudes toward peer navigation for PrEP. Interviews were transcribed and coded using thematic analysis methodology. Multiple themes emerged from the interviews, including finding that perceived costs, anticipated stigma, sexual activity, and relationship status influence PrEP uptake and adherence; establishing pill-taking routines is an important adherence facilitator; and peer navigators could offer benefits for PrEP adherence.