Changing Narratives and Provoking Dialogue: An Analysis of the HIV Stigma and Faith Summit.

GLAAD in partnership with the Gilead COMPASS Initiative® Coordinating Centers conducted a three-day summit to address the HIV epidemic in the Southern region of the United States. The summit featured virtual panel discussions with HIV experts, faith leaders, community advocates, and entertainers to bring about conversation and change around HIV stigma.

Popular Culture and Shaping HIV Perception.

The Gilead COMPASS Initiative® used celebrity partnerships to highlight HIV prevalence in the Southern U.S. and support Southern HIV and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) organizations. Using various media platforms, HIV organizations engaged with popular culture in collaboration with national media advocacy and public relations organizations to campaign against stigmatization and raise awareness about HIV.

Centralizing Evaluation to Amplify the Impact of Focused Grantmaking and Capacity Building Across a Southern US Large-Scale HIV Initiative.

Education, Training and Research Associates (ETR) employed a centralized evaluation (CE) approach to monitor progress toward COMPASS (COMmitment to Partnership in Addressing HIV/AIDS in Southern States) goals and demonstrate the impact of grantmaking, capacity-building, and HIV-related service delivery. Evaluators 1) developed streamlined surveys to capture people served and impact; 2) held routine meetings with partners to contextualize data; 3) implemented partner feedback loops for refinement; and 4) provided partners with evaluation technical assistance. This streamlined the evaluation process for more than 350 organizations serving people living with HIV (PLWH), which permitted timely outcomes and impact data. Centralized evaluation has been pivotal in offering considerations for data use, informing strategic funding, and facilitating alignment across the initiative. By standardizing measures, evaluators developed a cross-site data collection strategy measuring impact on PLWH. This adoption of CE produced vital recommendations for social impact evaluation and replicability for other large-scale projects.

Engaging Black men who have sex with men (MSM) in the South in identifying strategies to increase PrEP uptake.

BACKGROUND: Promotion, uptake, and adherence of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is paramount to ending the HIV epidemic among young Black men who have sex with men in the South. The purpose of this study was to explore strategies needed for and barriers to PrEP uptake needed to achieve HIV prevention goals identified in the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services initiative to reduce new HIV infections in the United States by 90 percent by 2030. METHOD: Young adults (n = 25) between the ages of 15-34 were recruited from community-based organizations in Memphis to participate in four focus group discussions. Discussion topics included motivations, barriers, and facilitators to PrEP use. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: All (100%) of participants self-identified as HIV-negative, Black (96%), men who have sex with men (96%), and currently prescribed PrEP/Truvada (60%). Themes identified for increasing uptake included 1) trusted peers, 2) relatable healthcare provider (e.g., Historically Black College and University (HBCU) trained, LGBTQ), and 3) use of social media. Mislabeling of PrEP as promiscuity promoting and limitations with PrEP marketing (e.g., solely LGBTQ) were recognized as barriers that perpetuated stigma. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest the importance of increasing awareness among health professions students matriculating at HBCUs of their perceived role as relatable healthcare providers by Black MSM; working closely with couples; and crafting of PrEP messaging that is non-stigmatizing. Findings will inform public health interventions for young Black MSM and facilitate HIV prevention efforts with other groups disproportionally affected by HIV in the South.

Temporal Trends and Sociodemographic Correlates of PrEP Uptake in Tennessee, 2017.

Client-level data from two Tennessee-based PrEP navigation demonstration projects reported to the Tennessee Department of Health from January to December 2017 were evaluated to determine the proportion of clients who accepted, were linked to, and were prescribed PrEP. Disparities by age, race, transmission risk, and geographic region as well as trends over time were examined via bivariate and multivariable modified Poisson regression models accounting for potential confounders. Among 1385 PrEP-eligible individuals, 50.5% accepted, 33.4% were linked, and 27.3% were prescribed PrEP. PrEP uptake varied by age, race, and HIV transmission risk, and most disparities persisted across Tennessee throughout evaluation period. Multivariable regression models revealed significant independent associations between age, race/ethnicity, transmission risk, and region and PrEP acceptance and linkage. While differences in PrEP acceptance by race narrowed over time, success among black MSM was limited, underscoring a significant need to improve upstream PrEP continuum outcomes for this important population.

Use of Social Network Strategy Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men for HIV Testing, Linkage to Care, and Reengagement in Care, Tennessee, 2013-2016.

OBJECTIVES: Tennessee was 1 of 8 states that received funding from the Care and Prevention in the United States Demonstration Project, which aimed to reduce HIV-related morbidity and mortality among racial/ethnic and sexual minority populations. The objective of this study was to describe implementation of a social network strategy (SNS) program, which leverages personal connections in social networks, to reach people with undiagnosed HIV infection for HIV testing. We targeted young black men who have sex with men (MSM) at 3 agencies in Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee, during 2013-2016. METHODS: Specialists at the 3 agencies identified MSM with and without diagnosed HIV infection (ie, recruiters) who could recruit members from their social networks for HIV testing (ie, network associates). Both recruiters and network associates received OraQuick rapid and confirmatory HIV tests. We used χ2 and Fisher exact tests to assess differences in demographic characteristics, HIV testing, and care engagement status by agency. RESULTS: Of 1752 people who were tested for HIV in the SNS program, 158 (9.0%) tested positive; of these, 80 (50.6%) were newly diagnosed with HIV. Forty-seven of the 78 (60.3%) people who were previously diagnosed with HIV were not in care in the previous 12 months; of these, 27 (57.4%) were reengaged in medical care. Of 80 people newly diagnosed with HIV, 44 (55.0%) were linked to care. CONCLUSIONS: The SNS program ascertained HIV status among a high-risk population in a heavily burdened region. Further program evaluation is needed to understand how to improve linkage to care among people with newly diagnosed HIV.

Implementing a Data to Care Strategy to Improve Health Outcomes for People With HIV: A Report From the Care and Prevention in the United States Demonstration Project.

OBJECTIVES: The Care and Prevention in the United States Demonstration Project included implementation of a Data to Care strategy using surveillance and other data to (1) identify people with HIV infection in need of HIV medical care or other services and (2) facilitate linkages to those services to improve health outcomes. We present the experiences of 4 state health departments: Illinois, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Virginia. METHODS: The 4 state health departments used multiple databases to generate listings of people with diagnosed HIV infection (PWH) who were presumed not to be in HIV medical care or who had difficulty maintaining viral suppression from October 1, 2013, through September 29, 2016. Each health department prioritized the listings (eg, by length of time not in care, by viral load), reviewed them for accuracy, and then disseminated the listings to staff members to link PWH to HIV care and services. RESULTS: Of 16 391 PWH presumed not to be in HIV medical care, 9852 (60.1%) were selected for follow-up; of those, 4164 (42.3%) were contacted, and of those, 1479 (35.5%) were confirmed to be not in care. Of 794 (53.7%) PWH who accepted services, 694 (87.4%) were linked to HIV medical care. The Louisiana Department of Health also identified 1559 PWH as not virally suppressed, 764 (49.0%) of whom were eligible for follow-up. Of the 764 PWH who were eligible for follow-up, 434 (56.8%) were contacted, of whom 269 (62.0%) had treatment adherence issues. Of 153 PWH who received treatment adherence services, 104 (68.0%) showed substantial improvement in viral suppression. CONCLUSIONS: The 4 health departments established procedures for using surveillance and other data to improve linkage to HIV medical care and health outcomes for PWH. To be effective, health departments had to enhance coordination among surveillance, care programs, and providers; develop mechanisms to share data; and address limitations in data systems and data quality.

The 2013 HIV Continuum of Care in Tennessee: Progress Made, but Disparities Persist.

OBJECTIVES: We measured patient engagement in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continuum of care in Tennessee after implementation of enhanced surveillance activities to assess progress toward 2015 statewide goals. We also examined subgroup disparities to identify groups at risk for poor outcomes. METHODS: We estimated linkage to care, retention in care, and viral suppression among HIV-infected people in Tennessee in 2013, overall and by subgroup, after implementation of enhanced laboratory reporting, address verification, and death-matching procedures. RESULTS: Of 792 people newly diagnosed with HIV infection in 2013, 632 (79.8%) were linked to care, close to the 2015 goal of ≥80%. Of 15 473 people living and diagnosed with HIV infection before 2013, 8458 (54.7%) were retained in care, approaching the 2015 goal of ≥64.0%. A total of 8640 (55.8%) were virally suppressed, surpassing the 2015 goal of ≥51.0%. Compared with people living and diagnosed with HIV infection before 2013, newly diagnosed people were more likely to be younger, male, non-Hispanic black, and men who have sex with men (MSM). For linkage to care, retention in care, and viral suppression, younger and non-Hispanic black people fared worse, whereas females and those enrolled in the Ryan White program fared better. For retention in care and viral suppression, Hispanic people, injection drug users, and East Tennessee residents fared worse than those in Memphis, whereas MSM fared better. Nashville residents fared worse in retention in care than Memphis residents. CONCLUSION: Tennessee's HIV continuum of care in 2013 showed progress toward 2015 goals. Future efforts to improve the HIV continuum of care should be directed toward vulnerable groups and regions, particularly young, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic people; injection drug users; and residents of the East Tennessee and Nashville regions.

Improving HIV Surveillance Among Transgender Populations in Tennessee.

PURPOSE: HIV prevalence and outcome disparities among sexual and gender minorities are profound in the United States. Tennessee HIV surveillance practices have not been uniform for transgender status, although data collection capabilities exist. We, therefore, describe current reporting of data on transgender individuals in Tennessee to identify targets for improvement. METHODS: Data for all HIV-diagnosed individuals living in Tennessee as of December 31, 2013, were extracted from the Enhanced HIV/AIDS Reporting System (eHARS). The birth_sex ("Male" or "Female") and current_gender ("Male," "Female," "Male-to-Female," "Female-to-Male," or "Additional Gender Identity") variables were examined, and proportion missing current_gender data by region was ascertained. Transgender individuals were defined as having different birth_sex and current_gender values. To ensure the protection of health information, data were cleaned, deidentified, and aggregated using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) Version 9.3 (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC). RESULTS: Among 16,063 HIV-diagnosed individuals in Tennessee, 27 were transgender: 52% (n = 14) with "Male-to-Female," 26% (n = 7) with "Female," and 22% (n = 6) with "Male" as their current_gender values. Proportions missing current_gender differed significantly by region across Tennessee (global, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: While HIV-positive transgender individuals should be recognized as integral members of the LGBT community, they should also be acknowledged as a separate subgroup when appropriate. Collecting information about current self-identified gender identity should no longer be optional in Tennessee HIV surveillance. Although making efforts to collect both birth_sex and current_gender mandatory with each interview will improve surveillance, it is critical to train all staff properly on the correct way to inquire about gender identity in a culturally sensitive manner. Revamping data collection methods will not only improve inconsistent methods currently in place but will also allow staff to become more competent in asking the relevant questions and serving transgender individuals.

The potential for elimination of racial-ethnic disparities in HIV treatment initiation in the Medicaid population among 14 southern states.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to explore the racial and ethnic disparities in initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ARV treatment or ART) among HIV-infected Medicaid enrollees 18-64 years of age in 14 southern states which have high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and high racial disparities in HIV treatment access and mortality. METHODS: We used Medicaid claims data from 2005 to 2007 for a retrospective cohort study. We compared frequency variances of HIV treatment uptake among persons of different racial- ethnic groups using univariate and multivariate methods. The unadjusted odds ratio was estimated through multinomial logistic regression. The multinomial logistic regression model was repeated with adjustment for multiple covariates. RESULTS: Of the 23,801 Medicaid enrollees who met criteria for initiation of ARV treatment, only one third (34.6%) received ART consistent with national guideline treatment protocols, and 21.5% received some ARV medication, but with sub-optimal treatment profiles. There was no significant difference in the proportion of people who received ARV treatment between black (35.8%) and non-Hispanic whites (35.7%), but Hispanic/Latino persons (26%) were significantly less likely to receive ARV treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Overall ARV treatment levels for all segments of the population are less than optimal. Among the Medicaid population there are no racial HIV treatment disparities between Black and White persons living with HIV, which suggests the potential relevance of Medicaid to currently uninsured populations, and the potential to achieve similar levels of equality within Medicaid for Hispanic/Latino enrollees and other segments of the Medicaid population.

Recruiting injection drug users: a three-site comparison of results and experiences with respondent-driven and targeted sampling procedures.

Several recent studies have utilized respondent-driven sampling (RDS) methods to survey hidden populations such as commercial sex-workers, men who have sex with men (MSM) and injection drug users (IDU). Few studies, however, have provided a direct comparison between RDS and other more traditional sampling methods such as venue-based, targeted or time/space sampling. The current study sampled injection drug users in three U.S. cities using RDS and targeted sampling (TS) methods and compared their effectiveness in terms of recruitment efficiency, logistics, and sample demographics. Both methods performed satisfactorily. The targeted method required more staff time per-recruited respondent and had a lower proportion of screened respondents who were eligible than RDS, while RDS respondents were offered higher incentives for participation.