Previous experiences of pregnancy and early motherhood among women living with HIV: a latent class analysis.

Previous maternity experiences may influence subsequent reproductive intentions and motherhood experiences. We used latent class analysis to identify patterns of early motherhood experience reported for the most recent live birth of 905 women living with HIV enrolled in the Canadian HIV Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS). Four indicators were used: difficulties getting pregnant, feelings when finding out pregnancy, feelings during pregnancy, and feelings during the first year postpartum. Most (70.8%) pregnancies analyzed occurred before HIV diagnosis. A four-class maternity experience model was selected: "overall positive experience" (40%); "positive experience with postpartum challenges" (23%); "overall mixed experience" (14%); and "overall negative experience" (23%). Women represented in the "overall negative experience" class were more likely to be younger at delivery, to not know the HIV status of their pregnancy partner, and to report previous pregnancy termination. Women represented in the "positive experience with postpartum challenges" class were more likely to report previous miscarriage, stillbirth or ectopic pregnancy. We found no associations between timing of HIV diagnosis (before, during or after pregnancy) and experience patterns. Recognition of the different patterns of experiences can help providers offer a more adapted approach to reproductive counseling of women with HIV.

HIV-related stigma, racial discrimination, and gender discrimination: Pathways to physical and mental health-related quality of life among a national cohort of women living with HIV.

Social inequities compromise health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) among women living with HIV (WLWH). Little is known about health impacts of intersecting stigma based on HIV status, race and gender among WLWH or potential mechanisms to promote HR-QoL. We tested pathways from multiple types of stigma (HIV-related, racial, gender) to physical and mental HR-QoL utilizing baseline survey data from a national cohort of WLWH in Canada (2013-2015). Structural equation modeling was conducted using maximum likelihood estimation methods to test the direct effects of HIV-related stigma, racial discrimination, and gender discrimination on HR-QoL and indirect effects via social support and economic insecurity, adjusting for socio-demographic factors. Among 1425 WLWH (median age: 43years [IQR=35-50]), HIV-related stigma and gender discrimination had significant direct effects on mental HR-QoL. Social support mediated the relationship between HIV-related stigma and mental HR-QoL, accounting for 22.7% of the effect. Social support accounted for 41.4% of the effect of gender discrimination on mental HR-QoL. Economic insecurity accounted for 14.3% of the effect of HIV-related stigma, and 42.4% of the effect of racial discrimination, on physical HR-QoL. Fit indices suggest good model fit (χ2[1]=3.319, p=0.069; CFI=0.998; RMSEA=0.042 (90% CI: 0-0.069); SRMR=0.004). Findings reveal complex relationships between intersecting stigma and HR-QoL. Strategies that address intersecting stigma and economic insecurity among WLWH may prevent the harmful impacts of HIV-related stigma and gender discrimination on physical HR-QoL. Increasing social support may mitigate the impacts of stigma on mental health. Findings can inform multi-level interventions to promote health and wellbeing among WLWH.

Sexual Orientation Differences in Health and Wellbeing Among Women Living with HIV in Canada: Findings from a National Cohort Study.

Sexual orientation differences in health and wellbeing among women living with HIV (WLH) are underexplored. Limited research available, however, suggests that sexual minority WLH may experience barriers to HIV care. Cross-sectional baseline data was analyzed from a Canadian cohort study with WLH (sexual minority women [SMW]: n = 180; heterosexual women: n = 1240). SMW (median age 38 years, IQR 13) included bisexual (58.9%), lesbian (17.8%) and other sexualities (23.3%). In multivariable analyses adjusting for age, poverty, education, and ethnicity, SMW identity was associated with increased odds of: clinical (80% vs. 100% antiretroviral adherence), intrapersonal (previous/current injection drug use [IDU] vs. no IDU history, depression, lower resilience), interpersonal (childhood abuse, sex work, adulthood abuse), and structural (HIV support services barriers, unstable housing, racial discrimination, gender discrimination) factors in comparison with heterosexual identity. Sexual minority WLH experience social and health disparities relative to heterosexual WLH, highlighting the need for interventions to promote health equity.

Factors Associated with the Separate and Concurrent Experiences of Food and Housing Insecurity Among Women Living with HIV in Canada.

People living with HIV are disproportionately affected by food and housing insecurity. We assessed factors associated with experiencing food and/or housing insecurity among women living with HIV (WLHIV) in Canada. In our sample of WLHIV (N = 1403) 65% reported an income less than $20,000 per year. Most (78.69%) participants reported food and/or housing insecurity: 27.16% reported experiencing food insecurity alone, 14.26% reported housing insecurity alone, and 37.28% reported experiencing food and housing insecurity concurrently. In adjusted multivariable logistic regression analyses, experiencing concurrent food and housing insecurity was associated with: lower income, Black ethnicity versus White, province of residence, current injection drug use, lower resilience, HIV-related stigma, and racial discrimination. Findings underscore the urgent need for health professionals to assess for food and housing insecurity, to address the root causes of poverty, and for federal policy to allocate resources to ameliorate economic insecurity for WLHIV in Canada.

Exploring social ecological pathways from resilience to quality of life among women living with HIV in Canada.

Resilience, positive growth in contexts of stress and adversity, is shaped by social ecological factors. Among people living with HIV, resilience is associated with myriad positive health benefits and improved health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). Identifying contextual factors associated with resilience among women living with HIV (WLWH) is particularly important as this population experiences many stressors and inequalities. We examined social-ecological factors associated with resilience and its relationship with HR-QoL among WLWH. We utilized baseline survey data from a national cohort of WLWH (n = 1424) in Canada. We conducted structural equation modelling using maximum likelihood estimation methods to test the direct effects of social support and women-centred HIV care (WCHC) on resilience, and the direct effects of resilience on mental and physical HR-QoL. We also tested the indirect effects of resilience on HR-QoL via HIV disclosure concerns and economic insecurity. Participant median age was 43 years (IQR = 35-50); most participants were women of colour (29% Black; 22% Indigenous; 7% other ethnicities; 41% Caucasian). Social support and WCHC were associated with increased resilience. The direct path from resilience to mental HR-QoL was significant, accounting for the mediation effects of economic insecurity and social support. The direct path from resilience to physical HR-QoL was significant, accounting for the mediation effects of economic insecurity. Economic insecurity partially mediated the relationship between resilience and mental HR-QoL and physical HR-QoL. HIV disclosure concerns partially mediated the relationship between resilience and mental-HR-QoL. Model fit indices suggested that the model fit the data well (χ2[14] = 160.378, P < 0.001; CFI = 0.987; RMSE = 0.048 [90% CI:0.042-0.080]; SRMR = 0.036). Findings suggest social (social support) and structural (WCHC) factors increase resilience. While resilience is associated with improved HR-QoL, social (HIV disclosure concerns) and structural (economic insecurity) factors partially mediate these associations and threaten HR-QoL. Multi-level interventions can address social ecological contexts to advance resilience and HR-QoL among WLWH.

No. 354-Canadian HIV Pregnancy Planning Guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the Canadian HIV Pregnancy Planning Guidelines is to provide clinical information and recommendations for health care providers to assist Canadians affected by HIV with their fertility, preconception, and pregnancy planning decisions. These guidelines are evidence- and community-based and flexible and take into account diverse and intersecting local/population needs based on the social determinants of health. INTENDED OUTCOMES: EVIDENCE: Literature searches were conducted by a librarian using the Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Embase databases for published articles in English and French related to HIV and pregnancy and HIV and pregnancy planning for each section of the guidelines. The full search strategy is available upon request. VALUES: The evidence obtained was reviewed and evaluated by the Infectious Diseases Committee of the SOGC under the leadership of the principal authors, and recommendations were made according to the guidelines developed by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care and through use of the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation instrument for the development of clinical guidelines. BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS: Guideline implementation should assist the practitioner in developing an evidence-based approach for the prevention of unplanned pregnancy, preconception, fertility, and pregnancy planning counselling in the context of HIV infection. VALIDATION: These guidelines have been reviewed and approved by the Infectious Disease Committee and the Executive and Council of the SOGC. SPONSOR: Canadian Institutes of Health Research Grant Planning and Dissemination grant (Funding Reference # 137186), which funded a Development Team meeting in 2016.

Geographic differences in the experiences of HIV-related stigma for women living with HIV in northern and rural communities of Ontario, Canada.

INTRODUCTION: In Canada, individuals living in northern and rural regions report more barriers to health service access. For people living with HIV, these barriers may be exacerbated by experiences of HIV-related stigma, and women living with HIV can be disproportionately affected because of intersections of multiple forms of oppression, including racism, sexism and classism. To further understand the impact of geography on the wellbeing of women living with HIV, this study assessed geographic differences in HIV-related stigma experiences among women in the Canadian HIV Women's Sexual & Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS). METHODS: CHIWOS is a multisite cohort study of women living with HIV in Canada that operates under community-based participatory research methodology along with GIPA (greater involvement of people with HIV/AIDS) and MIWA (meaningful involvement of women living with HIV/AIDS) principles. This analysis compared peer research associate-administered questionnaire data between participants in northern and southern Ontario, Canada, and between participants in rural and non-rural Ontario. Northern regions were defined by healthcare delivery jurisdiction. The primary outcome was the 10-item shortened HIV Stigma Scale score. Multivariable linear regression models assessed the association between rural and northern regions and stigma score. RESULTS: Sixteen women were excluded due to incomplete HIV Stigma Scale data. Of 701 women included in the analysis, 66 (9.4%) were from northern regions and 24 (3.4%) were from rural regions. Mean stigma scores were 23.9 (standard deviation (SD) 8.0) overall, 26.7 (SD 8.8) in northern regions, 23.6 (SD 7.9) in southern regions, 28.3 (SD 10.1) in rural regions, and 23.8 (SD 7.8) in non-rural regions. In multivariable analyses, northern and rural regions of residence were associated with a 3.05 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.77, 5.32) and 4.83 (95% CI: 1.37, 8.28) point increase in stigma score, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Living in both northern and rural regions of Ontario was associated with higher HIV Stigma Scale scores. These geographic discrepancies in experiences of HIV-related stigma highlight the need for region-specific programs to reduce HIV-related stigma and to support people living with HIV who are affected by HIV-related stigma, particularly those living in geographically isolated regions. Prior qualitative studies have documented the important impact of HIV-related stigma, and this study supports these observations with quantitative data from a population that is often under-represented in HIV research.

Access and engagement in HIV care among a national cohort of women living with HIV in Canada.

Attrition along the cascade of HIV care poses significant barriers to attaining the UNAIDS targets of 90-90-90 and achieving optimal treatment outcomes for people living with HIV. Understanding the correlates of attrition is critical and particularly for women living with HIV (WLWH) as gender disparities along the cascade have been found. We measured the proportion of the 1425 WLWH enrolled in the Canadian HIV Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS) who had never accessed HIV medical care, who reported delayed linkage into HIV care (>3 months between diagnosis and initial care linkage), and who were not engaged in HIV care at interview (<1 visit in prior year). Correlates of these cascade indicators were determined using univariate and multivariable logistic regression. We found that 2.8% of women had never accessed HIV care. Of women who had accessed HIV care, 28.7% reported delayed linkage and 3.7% were not engaged in HIV care. Indigenous women had higher adjusted odds of both a lack of access and delayed access to HIV care. Also, a younger age, unstable housing, history of recreational drug use, and experiences of everyday racism emerged as important barriers to ever accessing care. Programmatic efforts to support early linkage to and engagement in care for WLWH in Canada must address several social determinants of health, such as housing insecurity and social exclusion, and prioritize engagement of Indigenous women through culturally safe and competent practices.

Establishing the Canadian HIV Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS): Operationalizing Community-based Research in a Large National Quantitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Community-based research has gained increasing recognition in health research over the last two decades. Such participatory research approaches are lauded for their ability to anchor research in lived experiences, ensuring cultural appropriateness, accessing local knowledge, reaching marginalized communities, building capacity, and facilitating research-to-action. While having these positive attributes, the community-based health research literature is predominantly composed of small projects, using qualitative methods, and set within geographically limited communities. Its use in larger health studies, including clinical trials and cohorts, is limited. We present the Canadian HIV Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS), a large-scale, multi-site, national, longitudinal quantitative study that has operationalized community-based research in all steps of the research process. Successes, challenges and further considerations are offered. DISCUSSION: Through the integration of community-based research principles, we have been successful in: facilitating a two-year long formative phase for this study; developing a novel survey instrument with national involvement; training 39 Peer Research Associates (PRAs); offering ongoing comprehensive support to PRAs; and engaging in an ongoing iterative community-based research process. Our community-based research approach within CHIWOS demanded that we be cognizant of challenges managing a large national team, inherent power imbalances and challenges with communication, compensation and volunteering considerations, and extensive delays in institutional processes. It is important to consider the iterative nature of community-based research and to work through tensions that emerge given the diverse perspectives of numerous team members. CONCLUSIONS: Community-based research, as an approach to large-scale quantitative health research projects, is an increasingly viable methodological option. Community-based research has several advantages that go hand-in-hand with its obstacles. We offer guidance on implementing this approach, such that the process can be better planned and result in success.

"We can hardly even do it nowadays. So, what's going to happen in 5 years from now, 10 years from now?" The health and community care and support needs and preferences of older people living with HIV in Ontario, Canada: a qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: The population of people living with HIV (PLWH) is ageing consequent to effective treatment and a steady stream of new diagnoses among older adults. PLWH experience a greater burden of age-related comorbidities and poorer social determinants of health compared to their HIV-negative peers, yet comprehensive requisites for care and support as PLWH age remain poorly understood. Preferences And Needs for Ageing Care among HIV-positive Elderly people in Ontario, Canada (PANACHE ON), explored the health and community care and social support needs and preferences of a diverse group of older PLWH (age 60+) and described life course experiences among older PLWH that shape these needs and preferences and whether they are met. METHODS: PANACHE ON was a qualitative community-based participatory research study. In-person focus groups using a semi-structured interview guide were co-facilitated by pairs of trained older PLWH from July to October 2019. Purposive sampling bolstered the inclusion of communities disproportionately affected by HIV in Ontario. Descriptive analysis was used to summarize demographic data; participatory data analysis was conducted by a subset of the research team, with transcripts double-coded and analysed using NVIVO 12 Plus. RESULTS: A total of 73 PLWH participated, 66% identified as men. The mean age was 64 years (range 55-77) and median time living with HIV was 23 years (range 2-37). The current and anticipated needs of older PLWH, many of which were only partially met, included necessities such as food and housing, mobility and sensory aids, in-home support, social and emotional support, transportation and information. Three experiences-trauma, stigma and uncertainty-intersected in the lives of many of our participants, shaping their needs for care and support, and impacting the ease with which these needs were met. CONCLUSIONS: Unmet health and social needs and limited control over the availability and accessibility of ageing-related care and support due to resource constraints or reduced capacity for self-advocacy results in anxiety about the future among older PLWH, despite their well-developed coping strategies and experience navigating systems of care. These study findings will inform the development of the first national needs assessment of older PLWH in Canada.

Key recommendations for developing a national action plan to advance the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women living with HIV in Canada.

Action on the World Health Organization Consolidated guideline on sexual and reproductive health and rights of women living with HIV requires evidence-based, equity-oriented, and regionally specific strategies centred on priorities of women living with HIV. Through community-academic partnership, we identified recommendations for developing a national action plan focused on enabling environments that shape sexual and reproductive health and rights by, with, and for women living with HIV in Canada. Between 2017 and 2019, leading Canadian women's HIV community, research, and clinical organizations partnered with the World Health Organization to convene a webinar series to describe the World Health Organization Consolidated guideline, define sexual and reproductive health and rights priorities in Canada, disseminate Canadian research and best practices in sexual and reproductive health and rights, and demonstrate the importance of community-academic partnerships and meaningful engagement of women living with HIV. Four webinar topics were pursued: (1) Trauma and Violence-Aware Care/Practice; (2) Supporting Safer HIV Disclosure; (3) Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice; and (4) Resilience, Self-efficacy, and Peer Support. Subsequent in-person (2018) and online (2018-2021) consultation with > 130 key stakeholders further clarified priorities. Consultations yielded five cross-cutting key recommendations:1. Meaningfully engage women living with HIV across research, policy, and practice aimed at advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights by, with, and for all women.2. Centre Indigenous women's priorities, voices, and perspectives.3. Use language that is actively de-stigmatizing, inclusive, and reflective of women's strengths and experiences.4. Strengthen Knowledge Translation efforts to support access to and uptake of contemporary sexual and reproductive health and rights information for all stakeholders.5. Catalyse reciprocal relationships between evidence and action such that action is guided by research evidence, and research is guided by what is needed for effective action.Topic-specific sexual and reproductive health and rights recommendations were also identified. Guided by community engagement, recommendations for a national action plan on sexual and reproductive health and rights encourage Canada to enact global leadership by creating enabling environments for the health and healthcare of women living with HIV. Implementation is being pursued through consultations with provincial and national government representatives and policy-makers.

Development of the Canadian Women-Centred HIV Care Model Using the Knowledge-to-Action Framework.

In Canada, women make up 25% of the prevalent HIV cases and represent an important population of those living with HIV, as a high proportion are racialized and systemically marginalized; furthermore, many have unmet healthcare needs. Using the knowledge-to-action framework as an implementation science methodology, we developed the "Women-Centred HIV Care" (WCHC) Model to address the needs of women living with HIV. The WCHC Model is depicted in the shape of a house with trauma- and violence-aware care as the "foundation". Person-centred care with attention with attention to social determinants of health and family make up the "first" floor. Women's health (including sexual and reproductive health and rights) and mental and addiction health care are integrated with HIV care, forming the "second" floor. Peer support, leadership, and capacity building make up the "roof". To address the priorities of women living with HIV in all their diversity and across their life course, the WCHC Model should be flexible in its delivery (e.g., single provider, interdisciplinary clinic or multiple providers) and implementation settings (e.g., urban, rural).

Examining the association between stress and antiretroviral therapy adherence among women living with HIV in Toronto, Ontario.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to identify the association between stress and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among women in HIV care in Toronto, Ontario participating in the Ontario HIV Treatment Network Cohort Study (OCS) between 2007 and 2012. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted cross-sectional analyses with women on ART completing the AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) Adherence Questionnaire. Data closest to, or at the last completed interview, were collected from medical charts, through record linkage with Public Health Ontario Laboratories, and from a standardized self-reported questionnaire comprised of socio-demographic and psycho-socio-behavioral measures (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)), and stress measures (National Population Health Survey). Logistic regression was used to quantify associations with optimal adherence (≥95% adherence defined as missing ≤ one dose of ART in the past 4 weeks). RESULTS: Among 307 women, 65.5% had optimal adherence. Women with suboptimal compared to optimal adherence had higher median total stress scores (6.0 [interquartile range (IQR): 3.0-8.1] vs. 4.1 [IQR: 2.0-7.1], p = 0.001), CES-D scores (16 [IQR: 6-28] vs. 12 [IQR: 3-22], p = 0.008) and reports of hazardous and harmful alcohol use (31.1% vs. 17.9%, p = 0.008). In our multivariable model, we found an increased likelihood of optimal adherence with the absence of hazardous and harmful alcohol use (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)=2.20, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12-4.32) and a decreased likelihood of optimal adherence with more self-reported stress (AOR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.33-0.94). CONCLUSIONS: Interventions supporting optimal ART adherence should address stress and include strategies to reduce or eliminate hazardous and harmful alcohol use for women living with HIV.

Prevalence and Correlates of Forced Sex as a Self-Reported Mode of HIV Acquisition Among a Cohort of Women Living With HIV in Canada.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global epidemic associated with increased HIV exposure. We assessed the prevalence and correlates of HIV acquisition via forced sex among women living with HIV (WLWH) in Canada. Baseline questionnaire data were analyzed for WLWH (≥16 years) with data on self-reported mode of HIV acquisition, enrolled in a community-based cohort study in British Columbia, Ontario, and Québec. We assessed forced sex (childhood, adulthood) as a self-reported mode of HIV acquisition. Of 1,330 participants, the median age was 42 (interquartile range [IQR] = 35-50) years; 23.5% were Indigenous, 26.3% African/Caribbean/Black, 43% White, and 7.2% of Other ethnicities. Forced sex was the third dominant mode of HIV transmission at 16.5% (n = 219; vs. 51.6% consensual sex, 19.7% sharing needles, 5.3% blood transfusion, 3.8% perinatal, 1.3% contaminated needles, 0.4% other, 1.6% do not know/prefer not to answer). In multivariable analyses, significant correlates of HIV acquisition from forced versus consensual sex included legal status as a landed immigrant (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.99; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.12, 3.54]) or refugee (aOR = 3.62; 95% CI = [1.63, 8.04]) versus Canadian citizen; African/Caribbean/Black ethnicity versus Caucasian (aOR = 2.49; 95% CI = [1.43, 4.35]), posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (aOR = 3.00; 95% CI = [1.68, 5.38]), histories of group home residence (aOR = 2.40; 95% CI = [1.10, 5.23]), foster care (aOR = 2.18; 95% CI = [1.10, 4.34]), and having one child relative to having three or more children (aOR = 0.52; 95% CI = [0.31, 0.89]). GBV must be considered a distinct HIV risk factor; forced sex is a significant underrecognized risk factor and mode of women's HIV acquistion. Public health reporting systems can separate consensual and forced sex in reporting modes of HIV acquisition. Practitioners can engage in screening practices to meet client needs.

A longitudinal study of associations between HIV-related stigma, recent violence and depression among women living with HIV in a Canadian cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Women living with HIV (WLHIV) experience stigma and elevated exposure to violence in comparison with HIV-negative women. We examined the mediating role of experiencing recent violence in the relationship between stigma and depression among WLHIV in Canada. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study with WLHIV in three Canadian provinces. Recent violence was assessed through self-reported experiences of control, physical, sexual or verbal abuse in the past three months. At Time 1 (2013-2015) three forms of stigma were assessed (HIV-related, racial, gender) and at Time 2 (2015-2017) only HIV-related stigma was assessed. We conducted structural equation modelling (SEM) using the maximum likelihood estimation method with Time 1 data to identify direct and indirect effects of gender discrimination, racial discrimination and HIV-related stigma on depression via recent violence. We then conducted mixed effects regression and SEM using Time 1 and Time 2 data to examine associations between HIV-related stigma, recent violence and depression. RESULTS: At Time 1 (n = 1296), the direct path from HIV-related stigma (direct effect: ß = 0.200, p < 0.001; indirect effect: ß = 0.014, p < 0.05) to depression was significant; recent violence accounted for 6.5% of the total effect. Gender discrimination had a significant direct and indirect effect on depression (direct effect: ß = 0.167, p < 0.001; indirect effect: ß = 0.050, p < 0.001); recent violence explained 23.15% of the total effect. Including Time 1 and Time 2 data (n = 1161), mixed-effects regression results indicate a positive relationship over time between HIV-related stigma and depression (Acoef: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.06, p < 0.001), and recent violence and depression (Acoef: 1.95, 95% CI: 0.29, 4.42, p < 0.05), controlling for socio-demographics. There was a significant interaction between HIV-related stigma and recent violence with depression (Acoef: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.07, p < 0.05). SEM analyses reveal that HIV-related stigma had a significant direct and indirect effect on depression over time (direct effect: ß = 0.178, p < 0.001; indirect effect: ß = 0.040, p < 0.001); recent violence experiences accounted for 51% of the total effect. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that HIV-related stigma is associated with increased experiences of recent violence, and both stigma and violence are associated with increased depression among WLHIV in Canada. There is an urgent need for trauma-informed stigma interventions to address stigma, discrimination and violence.

Examining Multilevel Factors Associated with the Process of Resilience among Women Living with HIV in a Large Canadian Cohort Study: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach.

OBJECTIVES: We examined how multiple, nested, and interacting systems impact the protective process of resilience for women living with HIV (WLWH). METHODS: Using data from a Cohort Study, we conducted univariate analyses, multivariable logistic regression, and a 2-step structural equation modeling for the outcome, high resilience (N = 1422). RESULTS: Participants reported high overall resilience scores with a mean of 62.2 (standard deviation = 8.1) and median of 64 (interquartile range = 59-69). The odds of having high resilience were greater for those residing in Quebec compared to Ontario (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.1 [1.6, 2.9]) and British Columbia (aOR = 1.8 [1.3, 2.5]). Transgender women had increased odds of high resilience than cisgender women (aOR = 1.9 [1.0, 3.6]). There were higher odds of resilience for those without mental health diagnoses (aOR = 2.4 [1.9, 3.0]), non-binge drinkers (aOR=1.5 [1.1, 2.1]), and not currently versus previously injecting drugs (aOR = 3.6 [2.1, 5.9]). Structural equation modeling confirmed that factors influencing resilience lie at multiple levels: micro, meso, exo, and macro systems of influence. CONCLUSION: There is a need to consider resilience as the interaction between the person and their environments, informing the development of multilevel interventions to support resilience among WLWH.

Quality of life of older women living with HIV: comparative assessment of physical and mental health-related markers using a large Canadian Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study.

Objective: This study assessed and compared physical and mental health components of quality of life (QoL) for older and younger women living with HIV (WLWH). Method: Using survey data from the Canadian HIV Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study, demographic, well-being, and physical and mental health-related QoL (HR-QoL) variables were compared between older (≥50 years) and younger (<50 years) WLWH. As the only significantly different QoL component, bivariate analyses and linear regression were used to assess factors associated with physical HR-QoL of older women. Results: The sample frame comprised 1,422 women (28.0% older women). Younger WLWH's mean age was 37.8 years (SD = 7.4) compared to older WLWH (55.8 years, SD = 5.3). Compared to younger WLWH, older WLWH had poorer physical HR-QoL (40.0 vs. 50.7; p < 0.001) but similar mental HR-QoL (42.7 vs. 42.1; p > 0.001). Older WLWH had lower social support (p < 0.001) with no significant differences in depressive symptoms or resilience. Resilience was associated with improved physical HR-QOL. Food insecurity, poorer mental HR-QoL and depressive symptoms were associated with poorer physical health. Discussion: Compared to younger WLWH, older WLWH had poorer physical HR-QoL, which was associated with resilience, food insecurity and mental health factors, highlighting the complex interactions of health-related social-ecological factors impacting aging WLWH.

High prevalence of abnormal menstruation among women living with HIV in Canada.

OBJECTIVES: To measure the prevalence and correlates of abnormal menstruation among women living with HIV (WLWH) in Canada. METHODS: We used cross-sectional questionnaire data from the community-based Canadian HIV Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS), which enrolled WLWH aged ≥16 from British Columbia (BC), Ontario, and Quebec. For this analysis, we excluded women >45 years, who had primary amenorrhea, were pregnant, on hormonal contraception, or who reported history of endometrial cancer, last menstrual period >12 months ago, or premature ovarian failure. The primary outcome was abnormal menstruation (Yes vs No) based on responses to five questions about menstrual regularity, frequency, volume, duration, and intermenstrual bleeding in the six months prior to interview. An exploratory multivariable logistic regression analysis examined independent correlates of abnormal menstruation. RESULTS: Of 1422 women enrolled, 521 (37%) met eligibility criteria. Overall, 55.9% (95% CI:52%-60%) reported abnormal menstruation. In adjusted analyses, abnormal menstruation was associated with having a biologic sister/mother who entered menopause before age 40 (AOR 5.01, 95%CI 1.39-18.03), Hepatitis B co-infection (AOR 6.97, 95%CI 1.52-31.88), current smoking (AOR 1.69, 95%CI 1.55-3.41); and currently taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) (AOR 2.36, 95%CI 1.25-4.45) compared to being ART-naïve. Women in BC had higher adjusted odds of abnormal menstruation (AOR 2.95, 95%CI 1.61-5.39), relative to women in Ontario and Quebec. CONCLUSIONS: Over half of WLWH in this analysis had abnormal menstruation. Correlates of abnormal menstruation include genetic, socio-behavioural factors (province of residence, smoking), Hepatitis B co-infection, and current ART use.

High rates of posttraumatic stress symptoms in women living with HIV in Canada.

PURPOSE: Women living with HIV experience high levels of trauma exposure before and after diagnosis. One of the most challenging outcomes following trauma exposure is posttraumatic stress disorder. Despite high exposure to traumatic events, the presence and contributors to posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms have not been examined in women living with HIV in Canada. METHODS: The current study examines the presence of, contributors to, and geographical regions associated with self-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) among 1405 women enrolled in the Canadian HIV Women's Sexual & Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS). RESULTS: Separate linear regression models were run for the three provinces in the cohort: British Columbia, Ontario and Québec. Scores consistent with posttraumatic stress disorder were reported by 55.9%, 39.1% and 54.1% of the participants in each province, respectively (F(2, 1402) = 13.53, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that women living with HIV have high rates of PTSS, and that rates and variables associated with these symptoms vary by province. These results suggest the need for trauma-informed practices and care for women living with HIV in Canada, which may need to be tailored for the community and identities of the women.