Perceptions of a community-based HIV/STI testing program among Black gay, bisexual, and other MSM in Baltimore: a qualitative analysis.

Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) are disproportionately affected by HIV and STIs. Safe Spaces 4 Sexual Health (SS4SH), a community-informed, status-neutral HIV/STI testing intervention combines online outreach via geo-social networking apps and social media with mobile van testing. During 2018-2019, we recruited 25 participants for interviews about their perceptions of SS4SH compared to clinic-based testing. Participants were aged 21-65 years (mean 35); 22 (88%) identified as Black/African American; 20 (80%) identified as gay; and 10 (40%) were living with HIV. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using a modified thematic constant comparative approach. Five themes emerged; two related to perceptions of online outreach materials (participants were drawn to eye-catching and to-the-point messages and desired more diversity and representation in messages), and three related to preference for the mobile van (participants found SS4SH provided more comfort, more privacy/confidentiality, and increased accessibility and efficiency). GBM is increasingly using geo-social networking apps to meet sexual partners, and tailored online outreach has the potential to reach historically underserved populations. SS4SH is a barrier-reducing strategy that may serve as an entry to a status-neutral approach to services and help reduce stigma and normalize accessing HIV services.

Factors Associated with the Awareness of and Willingness to Use HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men, Baltimore, MD, 2017-2019.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective tool in protecting persons from acquiring HIV infection through sex or injection drug use. However, awareness and willingness to use PrEP among Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (BMSM) remain suboptimal compared to White MSM (WMSM) in the United States. Our aims were to (1) assess the factors associated with PrEP awareness and willingness to use PrEP among MSM and (2) compare the PrEP perceptions among BMSM versus non-Black MSM. Data were drawn from two cross-sectional behavioral surveys in Baltimore, MD: Behavioral Surveillance Research (BESURE) conducted in 2017, and Safe Spaces 4 Sexual Health (SS4SH), conducted in 2018 and 2019. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the study population. We used Poisson regression models to identify variables associated with awareness of PrEP and willingness to use PrEP. PrEP perceptions were assessed via 13 items scored on a 5-point Likert scale. Finally, we conducted a post-hoc exploratory bivariate analysis of the relationship between PrEP perception and willingness to use PrEP, stratified by race/ethnicity. A total of 261 MSM participated in this study. Many of the participants were aware of PrEP (75.1%). Factors associated with greater PrEP awareness included having greater than a high school education (aRR 1.22, 95% CI 1.04, 1.43); and earning more than $25,000 annually (aRR 1.24, 95% CI 1.08, 1.42). Participants who had received money in exchange for sex one or more times were less likely to be aware of PrEP (aRR 0.59, 95% CI 0.36, 0.95). More than half of the participants were willing to use PrEP (55.3%). In bivariate and multivariable analyses, demographic or behavioral characteristics were not significantly associated with willingness to use PrEP. Higher agreement with the following statements was associated with lower willingness to use PrEP: "Having to take a pill every day is difficult" (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.82-0.97) and, "I am concerned about the side effects of PrEP" (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.82-0.96), and "PrEP is for people who have riskier sex lives than I do" (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.78-0.95). Conversely, higher willingness to use PrEP was associated with comfortable having sex without a condom (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.02-1.21), less anxious about sex (RR 1.12, 95% CI 1.02-1.24), and my friends think that I should take PrEP (RR 1.19, 95% CI 1.07-1.32). We found BMSM compared to non-Black MSM had higher mean scores related to taking a daily pill (p = 0.041), concerns about side effects (p = 0.012), concerns about people thinking they had HIV (p = 0.001), concerns about the financial costs of PrEP (p = 0.038) and caution when dealing with healthcare organizations/medical mistrust (p = 0.019). Perceptions with a statistically significant lower score among BMSM versus non-Black MSM included statements such as, comfortable having sex without a condom (p = 0.003) and less anxious about sex (p < 0.001). We conclude HIV prevention strategies, programs, and interventions should be cognizant of PrEP perceptions that facilitate or hinder PrEP uptake in Baltimore City, MD.

Trends in Hepatitis C Virus and HIV Care Outcomes Among People With HIV in Georgia, United States, 2014-2019.

OBJECTIVE: If untreated, hepatitis C virus (HCV) leads to poor health outcomes, including liver disease and death, particularly among people with HIV (PWH). We describe trends over time in incidence rates of HCV diagnoses among PWH in the state of Georgia. METHODS: We constructed a retrospective cohort of PWH in Georgia by using matched HIV and HCV case surveillance data from people diagnosed with HCV infection from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2019. We calculated annual incidence rates per 1000 person-years and estimated trends over time in HCV diagnoses among the cohort of PWH by demographic characteristics and HIV care outcomes using Poisson regression analysis, with α = .05 considered significant. RESULTS: From 2014 through 2019, among 49 530 PWH in Georgia, 1945 (3.9%) were diagnosed with HCV infection. During this period, overall incidence per 1000 person-years of newly diagnosed HCV infection among PWH decreased from 8.7 to 4.5 (P for trend < .001). However, from 2014 through 2019, the annual incidence rates of PWH who were newly diagnosed with HCV infection increased from 4.6 to 7.1 (P for trend = .003) among people born from 1980 through 1989 and from 3.3 to 12.8 (P for trend < .001) among people born in 1990 or later. CONCLUSION: Strategies are needed to increase prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of HIV/HCV coinfection, particularly among PWH born in 1980 and later. Routine linkage of state surveillance data can inform prioritization of PWH at highest risk of HCV infection.

HIV and HCV testing at clinical encounters among people who inject drugs, 2013-2018-Opportunities for increased testing and prevention.

People who inject drugs (PWID) with unsafe injection practices have substantial risk for HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. We describe frequency of, and factors associated with, HIV and HCV testing during clinical encounters with PWID. Inpatient and Emergency Department clinical encounters at an Atlanta hospital were abstracted from medical records spanning January 2013-December 2018. We estimated frequency of HIV and HCV testing during injection drug use (IDU)-related encounters among PWID without previous diagnoses. We assessed associations between patient factors and testing using generalized estimating equations models. HIV testing occurred in 39.3% and HCV testing occurred in 17.1% of eligible IDU-related encounters. Testing was more likely in IDU-related encounters during 2017-2018 than in encounters during 2013-2014; (HIV, AOR = 2.14, 95% CI, 1.32-3.49, p < .01). Testing was less likely among Black/African American patients compared to White patients (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: HIV, AOR = 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.33-0.72, p < .01); HCV, AOR = 0.41, 95% CI, 0.24-0.70, p < .01). This difference may be attributable to recent testing among Black patients in non-IDU related encounters. HIV and HCV testing improved over time; however, missed opportunities for testing still existed. Strategies should aim to improve equitable HIV and HCV testing among PWID.

Utilizing Community Based Participatory Research Methods in Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx Communities in the US: The CDC Minority HIV Research Initiative (MARI-Round 4).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Minority HIV Research Initiative (MARI) funded 8 investigators in 2016 to develop HIV prevention and treatment interventions in highly affected communities. We describe MARI studies who used community-based participatory research methods to inform the development of interventions in Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx communities focused on sexual minority men (SMM) or heterosexual populations. Each study implemented best practice strategies for engaging with communities, informing recruitment strategies, navigating through the impacts of COVID-19, and disseminating findings. Best practice strategies common to all MARI studies included establishing community advisory boards, engaging community members in all stages of HIV research, and integrating technology to sustain interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Implementing community-informed approaches is crucial to intervention uptake and long-term sustainability in communities of color. MARI investigators' research studies provide a framework for developing effective programs tailored to reducing HIV-related racial/ethnic disparities.

Missed opportunities for prevention: prevalence and incidence of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus diagnoses among a cohort of individuals discharged from an urban hospital with injection drug-related diagnoses, 2012-2019.

PURPOSE: Risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections has increased due to the ongoing opioid epidemic and unsafe injection practices. We estimated the prevalence and incidence of HIV and HCV diagnoses among people who inject drugs from hospital-based clinical encounters. METHODS: We linked clinical encounters at an Atlanta hospital during 2012-2018 with state HIV and HCV surveillance records to examine the prevalence of infections at discharge and incidence of infections post clinical encounter. RESULTS: At discharge, 32.9% and 28.6% of patients with injection drug use-related clinical encounters had an HIV or HCV diagnosis, respectively. HIV and HCV diagnoses at the time of discharge were mostly among 40-64 years old patients, males, and Black/African Americans. Post clinical encounter, 3.8% of patients were later diagnosed with HIV, and 16.5% were later diagnosed with HCV, translating to incidence rates of 9.3 per 1000 person-years and 41.5 per 1000 person-years, respectively. The majority of HIV and HCV diagnoses post clinical encounter occurred among Black/African Americans and males. Of patients with HIV and HCV diagnoses post clinical encounter, 27.3% and 11.9% had been tested during their clinical encounter, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted interventions for HIV/HCV prevention, screening, diagnosis, and linkage to treatment are needed to reduce the incidence of new infections among people who inject drugs.

The Potential of Telecommunication Technology to Address Racial/Ethnic Disparities in HIV PrEP Awareness, Uptake, Adherence, and Persistence in Care: A Review.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective in preventing new HIV infection, but uptake remains challenging among Black and Hispanic/Latino persons. The purpose of this review was to understand how studies have used electronic telecommunication technology to increase awareness, uptake, adherence, and persistence in PrEP care among Black and Hispanic/Latino persons and how it can reduce social and structural barriers that contribute to disparities in HIV infection. Of the 1114 articles identified, 10 studies were eligible. Forty percent (40%) of studies focused on Black or Hispanic/Latino persons and 80% addressed social and structural barriers related to PrEP use such as navigation or access to PrEP. Mobile health designs were more commonly used (50%) compared to telehealth (30%) and e-health (20%) designs. There is a need to increase the development of telecommunications interventions that address the needs of Black and Hispanic/Latino persons often challenged with uptake and adherent use of PrEP.

A qualitative study of service engagement and unmet needs among unstably housed people who inject drugs in Massachusetts.

INTRODUCTION: People who inject drugs (PWID) are disproportionately affected by HIV in the United States, and HIV prevention and care services may be inaccessible to or underutilized by PWID. In 2018, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigated an increase in HIV diagnoses primarily among unstably housed PWID in Lawrence and Lowell. METHODS: The response team interviewed 34 PWID in Lawrence and Lowell, with and without HIV, to inform effective response strategies. Qualitative interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded using a thematic analysis approach structured around pre-designated research questions related to service engagement (including harm reduction services, substance use disorder treatment, medical services, shelters, and other community services), unmet needs, and knowledge gaps regarding HIV prevention. RESULTS: Participants ranged in age from 20 to 54 years (median: 32); 21 of the 34 participants (62%) were male, and 21 were non-Hispanic white. Fifteen (44%) self-reported being HIV positive. All 34 participants had experienced homelessness in the past 12 months, and 29 (85%) had ever received services at syringe service programs (SSP). We identified five key themes: substance use as a barrier to accessing health and social services; experiences of trauma and mental illness as factors impacting substance use and utilization of services; unstable housing as a barrier to accessing services; negative perceptions of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD); and the desire to be treated with dignity and respect by others. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the need for well-resourced and integrated or linked service provision for PWID, which includes mental health services, housing, MOUD, harm reduction, and infectious disease prevention and care services. Co-locating and integrating low-barrier services at trusted community locations, such as SSPs, could increase service engagement and improve health outcomes for PWID. Further implementation science research may aid the development of effective strategies for services for PWID and build trusting relationships between service providers and PWID.