Does the Relationship Between HIV Stigma Subtypes and Viral Suppression Differ by Age?: A Stratified Analysis of Data from the Florida Medical Monitoring Project
AbstractHIV-related stigma is recognized as a top barrier to achieve viral suppression in the United States, but data describing who is most affected by HIV stigma is limited. The study sought to (1) identify the relationships between HIV-related stigma and unsuppressed viral load and (2) examine whether the association between HIV stigma subtypes and unsuppressed viral load differ by age group (i.e., 18 –34, 35–49, and 50+ years-old) using surveillance data from the Florida Medical Monitoring Project (n = 1195). Most participants were 50+ years-old (55%), male (71%), and Black (51%). Enacted stigma was signifi...
Source: AIDS and Behavior - May 1, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Global Online Interest in HIV/AIDS care Services in the time of COVID-19: A Google Trends Analysis
AbstractThe Covid-19 pandemic has compounded the challenge of HIV/AIDS elimination, creating difficulties in accessing HIV care services such as early testing and treatment. This paper characterized the global online interest in HIV care services-related search terms before and during the pandemic. Global online search interest for HIV was measured using the Google Trends ™ database. Spearman’s rank-order correlation correlated country-specific characteristics and HIV prevalence data with the search volume index (SVI). We found a significant decrease in the global online search interest for HIV/AIDS care services-relat...
Source: AIDS and Behavior - May 1, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Binge Drinking Moderates Unprotected Sex Among HIV Sero-Similar Same Sex Male Couples: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model
AbstractMost new HIV diagnoses in the US occur among sexual minority men (SMM). The majority (69%) of new HIV diagnoses among US SMM are due to transmission from main sex partners. We identified multilevel correlates of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI; condomless anal intercourse while not using a biomedical strategy) among SMM couples using the Actor Partner Interdependence Model (APIM). Participants were US SMM over 18 years, with a primary male partner > 6 months. Couples were recruited online from April 2016 until June 2017 and interviewed using self-administered computer-assisted surveys. We used a series...
Source: AIDS and Behavior - May 1, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
“Men Rule… this is the Normal Thing. We Normalise it and it’s Wrong”: Gendered Power in Decision-Making Around Sex and Condom Use in Heterosexual Relationships Amongst Adolescents and Young People in South Africa
We examined power and decision-making in heterosexual relationships amongst South African adolescents and young people. A survey conducted with 515 adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) included items from the Sexual Relationship Power Scale (SRPS) adapted for South African women. Qualitative interviews with fifty AGYW aged between 15 and 24, and nine males aged 18 years and above, explored decision-making in heterosexual relationships, particularly relating to timing of sex and condom use. Theories of gendered power, sexual relationship power and sexual scripting were used in interpreting the data. Findings showed that ...
Source: AIDS and Behavior - May 1, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Longitudinal Trajectories of Alcohol Use in Vietnamese Adults with Hazardous Alcohol Use and HIV
AbstractA three-armed drinking cessation trial in Vietnam found that both a brief and intensive version of an intervention effectively reduced hazardous drinking in people living with HIV. We used group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) to assess the extent to which findings may vary by latent subgroups distinguished by their unique responses to the intervention. Using data on drinking patterns collected over the 12 months, GBTM identified five trajectory groups, three of which were suboptimal [“non-response” (17.2%); “non-sustained response” (15.7%), “slow response” (13.1%)] and two optimal [“abstinent” (...
Source: AIDS and Behavior - May 1, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Slow and Steady But Not Related to HIV Stigma: Physical Activity in South Africans Living with HIV and Chronic Pain
AbstractHIV stigma may influence physical activity in people living with HIV (PLWH) and chronic pain. We prospectively examined the relationship between stigma, activity and chronic pain in a convenience sample of PLWH initiating antiretroviral therapy in an inner-city clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa. Participants wore accelerometers to measure daily duration and intensity of activity for 2 weeks. Stigma was assessed with the Revised HIV Stigma Scale. Participants [n = 81, 89% female, age mean (SD) 42 (8)] were active for a median of 7 h daily (IQR 5.2, 9.2), but at very low intensity, equivalent to a slow walk ...
Source: AIDS and Behavior - May 1, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Same-Sex Marriage Laws, Provider-Patient Communication, and PrEP Awareness and Use Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who have Sex with Men in the United States
AbstractState-level structural stigma and its consequences in healthcare settings shape access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). Our objective was to assess the relationships between same-sex marriage laws, a measure of structural stigma at the state level, provider-patient communication about sex, and GBMSM awareness and use of PrEP. Using data from the Fenway Institute ’s MSM Internet Survey collected in 2013 (N = 3296), we conducted modified Poisson regression analyses to evaluate associations between same-sex marriage legality, ...
Source: AIDS and Behavior - May 1, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
HIV Related Behaviors Among Male Partners of Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Rural South Africa
AbstractImproving men ’s engagement in HIV prevention is not only essential for reducing their own HIV risk but also the risk of transmitting HIV to their female partners. We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a population-based sample of men (age 18–30) who reported being a partner of an adolescent girls and y oung women (AGYW) in South Africa (N = 2827). We used logit-binomial regression models to examine associations among men’s partnership characteristics, HIV risk perceptions, and HIV-related behaviors and examine differences by male partner age (younger men (18–24) vs. older men (25–30)) an d age ...
Source: AIDS and Behavior - April 26, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Effect of Social Support Interventions on Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Among People Living with HIV: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
AbstractThis systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of social support interventions (SSIs) on adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV. We systematically searched Web of Science, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library in September 9, 2020. English-language publications of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in peer-reviewed journals were considered eligible. To estimate the effects of SSIs on adherence to ART, odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using random effects models. Subgroup analysis was used to investigate the sources of heterogene...
Source: AIDS and Behavior - April 26, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Distribution of HIV Self-tests by Men Who have Sex with Men (MSM) to Social Network Associates
AbstractInternet-recruited gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) were offered HIV self-tests (HIVSTs) after completing baseline, 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow-up surveys. The surveys asked about the use and distribution of these HIVSTs. Among 995 who reported on their distribution of HIVSTs, 667 (67.0%) distributed HIVSTs to their social network associates (SNAs), which resulted in 34 newly identified HIV infections among 2301 SNAs (1.5%). The main reasons participants reported not distributing HIVSTs included: wanting to use the HIVSTs themselves (74.9%); thinking that their SNAs would get angry or upset i...
Source: AIDS and Behavior - April 26, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
The 1982 Medicaid Funding Cessation for Circumcision in California and Circumcision Rates
We examined male neonatal circumcision rates for those born 1977–1981 and 1983–1987 by region, race, and insurance status. Overall, West-Medicaid circumcision rates decreased from 56.5% in 1979-81 to 26.7% in 1983-85. California’ s 1982 decision to defund Medicaid circumcision coverage was associated with a 25.0-30.8% point decrease in West-Medicaid circumcision rates compared other groups, p < 0.01. This provides the earliest data to support that funding coverage for neonatal circumcision affects circumcision rates and magnifies healthcare disparities. Other states have since defunded Medicaid male neonatal ...
Source: AIDS and Behavior - April 26, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Community Mobilization is Associated with HIV Testing Behaviors and Their Psychosocial Antecedents Among Zambian Adults: Results from a Population-Based Study
AbstractCommunity mobilization (CM) is a vital yet under-explored avenue for increasing HIV testing in generalized HIV epidemic settings. Using multi-stage cluster sampling, a population-based sample of 3535 Zambian adults (mean age: 28 years, 50% women) were recruited from 14 districts to complete a household survey. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to re-validate a 23-item, 5-factor CM scale. Multivariable logistic and Poisson regression were then used to identify associations of CM with HIV testing behaviors and thei r psychosocial antecedents. A 21-item, 3-factor (“Leadership”, “Collective Action Capa...
Source: AIDS and Behavior - April 26, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Awareness, Willingness to Use, and Preferred Places for Access Among the Cambodian Female Entertainment Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study
AbstractThe aim of the study was to determine the awareness, desire to use, and preferred providers of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among Female Entertainment Workers (FEWs) aged 18 –35 years in Cambodia’s Phnom Penh region. Of 1003 FEWs, 31.8% of them had heard of PrEP. When informed about PrEP, 67.4% said they would use PrEP and the most preferred location to access PrEP was a local non-governmental organization (NGO) (63.2%), followed by a government clinic/center (39.8% ), ART clinic (26.5%), pharmacy (20.7%), and CBO (14.8%). FEWs who had heard about PrEP (aOR: 2.46; CI: 1.79–3.39) and those with no additiona...
Source: AIDS and Behavior - April 26, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Testing Together Behaviors in Secondary Distribution of HIV/Syphilis Self-testing Program Among Men Who have Sex with Men in China
AbstractHIV self-testing (HIVST) is recommended as a promising way to increase HIV testing uptake among MSM. MSM sometimes used HIVST kits together with their sexual partners or friends. However, limited data was reported on MSM ’s testing together behaviors with sexual partners and non-sexual contacts. Data were collected among MSM in China from June 2018 to June 2019. Eligible participants (referred to as “index participants”) finished a baseline survey and applied for HIVST kits. They were encouraged to distribute the kits to other people (referred to as “alters”). Index participants finished a 3-month follow-...
Source: AIDS and Behavior - April 26, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Predicting Adolescent Intervention Non-responsiveness for Precision HIV Prevention Using Machine Learning
AbstractInterventions to teach protective behaviors may be differentially effective within an adolescent population. Identifying the characteristics of youth who are less likely to respond to an intervention can guide program modifications to improve its effectiveness. Using comprehensive longitudinal data on adolescent risk behaviors, perceptions, sensation-seeking, peer and family influence, and neighborhood risk factors from 2564 grade 10 –12 students in The Bahamas, this study employs machine learning approaches (support vector machines, logistic regression, decision tree, and random forest) to identify important pre...
Source: AIDS and Behavior - April 26, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
