Systematic Review of Neighborhood Factors Impacting HIV Care Continuum Participation in the United States.

Social determinants have been increasingly implicated in accelerating HIV vulnerability, particularly for disenfranchised communities. Among these determinants, neighborhood factors play an important role in undermining HIV prevention. However, there has been little research comprehensively examining the impact of neighborhood factors on HIV care continuum participation in the US. To address this, we conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO registration number CRD42022359787) to determine neighborhood factors most frequently associated with diminished HIV care continuum participation. Peer-reviewed studies were included if published between 2013 - 2022, centralized in the US, and analyzed a neighborhood factor with at least one aspect of the HIV care continuum. The review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. Study quality was guided by LEGEND (Let Evidence Guide Every New Decision) evaluation guidelines. Systematic review analysis was conducted using Covidence software. There were 3,192 studies identified for initial screening. Forty-four were included for review after eliminating duplicates, title/abstract screening, and eligibility assessment. Social and economic disenfranchisement of neighborhoods negatively impacts HIV care continuum participation among persons living with HIV. In particular, five key neighborhood factors (socioeconomic status, segregation, social disorder, stigma, and care access) were associated with challenged HIV care continuum participation. Race moderated relationships between neighborhood quality and HIV care continuum participation. Structural interventions addressing neighborhood social and economic challenges may have favorable downstream effects for improving HIV care continuum participation.

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and PrEP intentions among Black American young adults at high-risk for HIV.

OBJECTIVES: Black Americans bear the greatest burden of HIV, accounting for 43% of new diagnoses. Yet Black Americans also evidence the lowest utilization rates of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a highly effective biomedical strategy for preventing HIV infection. Predictors of PrEP acceptance vary; however, little is known about psychological distress, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, as a predictor. DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, n = 195 Black Americans, evidencing behaviors found in the research literature to heighten risk for contracting HIV (e.g. sex work, injection drug use) ages 18-29, 55% cisgender women, 39.5% cisgender men, 3% transgender/non-binary, completed audio-computer-assisted self-interviews. RESULTS: Bivariate analyses indicated significant positive associations between PTSD symptoms and PrEP acceptance and self-confidence. In multinomial logistic regression analyses, after controlling for Perceived HIV Risk, participants had a higher likelihood of responding they 'probably would' take PrEP (as opposed to 'definitely would not' take PrEP) if they reported higher levels of PTSD symptoms. Post-hoc analyses revealed a curvilinear relationship between PTSD symptoms and PrEP acceptance with those reporting the highest level of PTSD in the sample having slightly lower PrEP acceptance than those reporting moderately high levels of PTSD. CONCLUSION: Findings are discussed in the context of the negative impacts of high levels of PTSD and potential positive adaptations subsequent to moderate levels of PTSD that could be relevant to advances in HIV prevention efforts.

Predictors of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Awareness among African American Young Adults in Louisville, Kentucky.

Low pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP; medication to reduce HIV risk among HIV-negative people) awareness may be partially responsible for racial/ethnic differences in treatment uptake. Little research has examined PrEP awareness among African Americans with diverse HIV risk profiles. Audio computer-assisted self-interviews were distributed to 204 African American young adults (age 18-29) demonstrating heightened HIV vulnerability. Chi square analysis and logistic regressions were conducted to determine factors associated with PrEP awareness. While unadjusted logistic regression indicates that age 18-21 years (p<.01), heterosexuality (p<.05), lower education (p<.05), less frequent HIV testing (p<.01), STI diagnosis history (p<.05), not having casual sex (p<.05), and not having a one night stand (p<.01) were associated with decreased PrEP awareness, only heterosexuality (p<.05), lower education (p<.05), and less HIV testing (p<.01) remained significant in adjusted analysis. PrEP-focused education efforts should include outreach across education gradients and sexual orientations. Counselling efforts included with HIV testing may be responsible for accelerating PrEP knowledge among testers.

A Qualitative Exploration of Various Stigmas Impacting HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Uptake Among African American Young Adults.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has promise for reducing racial/ethnic HIV disparities; yet, acceptance among African Americans remains low. PrEP-related stigmas may impact uptake, but this is understudied. This study examines mechanisms by which stigma impacts PrEP acceptance among various priority African American populations. Focus group data from 63 African American young adults (aged 18-29 years) in Louisville, Kentucky, explore how various stigmas impact attitudes toward PrEP. Data were analyzed using grounded theory analytic techniques. PrEP stigma, HIV stigma, sexual behavior stigma, and homophobia/transphobia individually reduce PrEP uptake. These stigmas also interact synergistically to undermine PrEP acceptance. Key challenges resulting from various stigmas and their interactions include medical hesitancy, lack of perceived susceptibility based on gender and sexuality, the role of gender norms in HIV prevention, and deprioritizing HIV prevention due to social rejection. Interventions to increase awareness, destigmatize PrEP, remediate social marginalization related to identity, HIV status, and gendered perceptions of sexual risk, as well as more focus on diverse priority groups, are needed to present PrEP as a viable HIV prevention option for African American communities. More research is needed to optimize strategies that address stigma and increase acceptance of novel HIV prevention technologies.