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Internalized HIV stigma is associated with several adverse mental and physical health outcomes among people living with HIV (PLWH). PLWH and other marginalized identities may experience worse internalized HIV stigma due to minority stress and structural oppression. This study conceptualized intersectionality via a multiplicative approach and examined the associations between intersectional marginalized-group identities and internalized HIV stigma among a sample of PLWH in South Florida ( N = 1343) using hierarchical linear regression models. Interaction terms within these models were used to test the effects of having more than one marginalized identity over and above the main effects of each single marginalized identity. Overall, participants reported moderate levels of internalized HIV stigma (M = 2.47, SD = 1.93, range 1−6) with main effects for those identifying with age, race, ethnicity, and/or gender marginalization experiencing higher levels. The interaction between gender and ethnic marginalization (b = 0.82) and the interaction between age and ethnic marginalization (b = 0.32), predicted significantly higher levels of internalized HIV stigma over and above the main effects of these variables on their own. Additionally, the interaction between age and racial marginalization (b = −0.54) and the interaction between age and sexual orientation marginalization (b = −0.47) both significantly predicted less internalized HIV stigma over and above the main effects of these variables on their own. Findings highlight the importance of considering how intersectional marginalized identifies influence PLWH’s internalized stigma. Data offers insight into the subgroups of PLWH who could benefit from targeted interventions to reduce internalized HIV stigma and improve HIV care outcomes.

OBJECTIVE:--Depression is common in patients with diabetes and is associated with worse treatment outcomes. Its relationship to treatment adherence, however, has not been systematically reviewed. We used meta-analysis to examine the relationship between depression and treatment nonadherence in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--We searched MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases for all studies published by June 2007 and reviewed references of published articles. Meta-analytic procedures were used to estimate the effect size r in a random effects model. Significance values, weighted effect sizes, 95% CIs, and tests of homogeneity of variance were calculated. RESULTS:--Results from 47 independent samples showed that depression was significantly associated with nonadherence to the diabetes treatment regimen (z = 9.97, P < 0.0001). The weighted effect size was near the medium range (r = 0.21, 95% CI 0.17-0.25). Moderator analyses showed that the effect was significantly larger in studies that measured self-care as a continuous versus categorical variable (P = 0.001). Effect sizes were largest for missed medical appointments and composite measures of self-care (r values = 0.31, 0.29). Moderation analyses suggest that effects for most other types of self-care are also near the medium range, especially in studies with stronger methodologies. CONCLUSIONS:--These findings demonstrate a significant association between depression and treatment nonadherence in patients with diabetes. Studies that used stronger methodologies had larger effects. Treatment nonadherence may represent an important pathway between depression and worse diabetes clinical outcomes.

Randomized clinical trials of oral antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention have widely divergent efficacy estimates, ranging from 0% to 75%. These discrepancies are likely due to differences in adherence. To our knowledge, no studies to date have examined the impact of improving adherence through monitoring and/or intervention, which may increase PrEP efficacy, or reported on objective behavioral measures of adherence, which can inform PrEP effectiveness and implementation. Within the Partners PrEP Study (a randomized placebo-controlled trial of oral tenofovir and emtricitabine/tenofovir among HIV-uninfected members of serodiscordant couples in Kenya and Uganda), we collected objective measures of PrEP adherence using unannounced home-based pill counts and electronic pill bottle monitoring. Participants received individual and couples-based adherence counseling at PrEP initiation and throughout the study; counseling was intensified if unannounced pill count adherence fell to <80%. Participants were followed monthly to provide study medication, adherence counseling, and HIV testing. A total of 1,147 HIV-uninfected participants were enrolled: 53% were male, median age was 34 years, and median partnership duration was 8.5 years. Fourteen HIV infections occurred among adherence study participants--all of whom were assigned to placebo (PrEP efficacy = 100%, 95% confidence interval 83.7%-100%, p<0.001). Median adherence was 99.1% (interquartile range [IQR] 96.9%-100%) by unannounced pill counts and 97.2% (90.6%-100%) by electronic monitoring over 807 person-years. Report of no sex or sex with another person besides the study partner, younger age, and heavy alcohol use were associated with <80% adherence; the first 6 months of PrEP use and polygamous marriage were associated with >80% adherence. Study limitations include potential shortcomings of the adherence measures and use of a convenience sample within the substudy cohort. The high PrEP adherence achieved in the setting of active adherence monitoring and counseling support was associated with a high degree of protection from HIV acquisition by the HIV-uninfected partner in heterosexual serodiscordant couples. Low PrEP adherence was associated with sexual behavior, alcohol use, younger age, and length of PrEP use. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.

Background Young gay and bisexual men disproportionately experience depression, anxiety, and substance use problems and are among the highest risk group for HIV infection in the U.S. Diverse methods locate the source of these health disparities in young gay and bisexual men’s exposure to minority stress. In fact, minority stress, psychiatric morbidity, substance use, and HIV risk fuel each other, forming a synergistic threat to young gay and bisexual men’s health. Yet no known intervention addresses minority stress to improve mental health, substance use problems, or their joint impact on HIV risk in this population. This paper describes the design of a study to test the efficacy of such an intervention, called ESTEEM (Effective Skills to Empower Effective Men), a 10-session skills-building intervention designed to reduce young gay and bisexual men’s co-occurring health risks by addressing the underlying cognitive, affective, and behavioral pathways through which minority stress impairs health. Methods This study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, is a three-arm randomized controlled trial to examine (1) the efficacy of ESTEEM compared to community mental health treatment and HIV counseling and testing and (2) whether ESTEEM works through its hypothesized cognitive, affective, and behavioral minority stress processes. Our primary outcome, measured 8 months after baseline, is condomless anal sex in the absence of PrEP or known undetectable viral load of HIV+ primary partners. Secondary outcomes include depression, anxiety, substance use, sexual compulsivity, and PrEP uptake, also measured 8 months after baseline. Discussion Delivering specific stand-alone treatments for specific mental, behavioral, and sexual health problems represents the current state of evidence-based practice. However, dissemination and implementation of this one treatment-one problem approach has not been ideal. A single intervention that reduces young gay and bisexual men’s depression, anxiety, substance use, and HIV risk by reducing the common minority stress pathways across these problems would represent an efficient, cost-effective alternative to currently isolated approaches, and holds great promise for reducing sexual orientation health disparities among young men. Trial registration Registered October 10, 2016 to ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02929069 .

Adolescents and young adults with substance use disorders (SUD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are increasingly presenting in clinical practice. The overlap and role of treatment for these co-occurring disorders remains unclear. A review of the literature was conducted to highlight and update recent evidence on the overlap of ADHD and SUD, the role of ADHD medication on later SUD, and the treatment of ADHD and SUD in adolescents and young adults. Recent work continues to highlight the high risk for comorbid ADHD in patients with SUD; and conversely, the high risk for SUD developing in ADHD across the lifespan, particularly in the context of comorbid conduct disorder. Although the data remains discordant, it appears that ADHD pharmacotherapy does not increase the risk for SUD. Medication treatment alone does not appear to be particularly effective in treating SUD in currently active substance abusing individuals with ADHD. Structured therapies may be effective in treating adolescents and young adults with ADHD and SUD. Further controlled trials evaluating the sequence and effect of structured psychotherapies and/or ADHD pharmacotherapy on SUD relapse in these groups are warranted.

Background People living with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PLHIV) have high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which contributes to poor health outcomes. Avoidant behavior, a hallmark feature and overlapping symptom of PTSD and HIV stigma, may undermine antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. Few studies have evaluated PTSD treatment effects on HIV outcomes. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), an evidence-based PTSD treatment, can be adapted to address internalized stigma and adherence by reducing avoidance. In alignment with the U = U (Undetectable = Untransmissible) campaign, this pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) tested feasibility of integrating CPT with an adherence intervention (Life-steps; CPT-L) in a Ryan White clinic. Methods Forty-one adults with HIV, PTSD, and suboptimal HIV care (e.g., missed appointments, detectable viral load) were recruited from a South Carolina Ryan White clinic. Participants were randomized 1:1 to CPT-L ( n  = 20) or Life-steps only ( n  = 21). Outcomes included PTSD symptoms, HIV stigma, quality of life, viral load, and appointment engagement, assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. Analyses used linear regression/ANOVA, with viral load detection examined via Fisher’s exact test. Results CPT-L participants showed significantly greater reductions in PTSD symptoms (Δ = 11.55, SE = 4.32, p  = .01) and HIV stigma (Δ = 22.63, SE = 7.33, p  = .006) compared with Life-steps only. Preliminary trends also indicated improved HIV care indicators, including appointment attendance, ART adherence, and viral suppression. Conclusions Integrating CPT with adherence counseling reduced PTSD symptoms and HIV stigma, and showed potential to improve HIV outcomes. This innovative approach may advance U = U goals by increasing viral suppression among PLHIV with PTSD.

Many men living with HIV want to have children. Opportunities to reduce periconception HIV transmission include antiretroviral therapy as prevention, pre-exposure prophylaxis, limiting condomless sex to peak fertility, and sperm processing. Whether men have knowledge of or want to adopt these strategies remains unknown. We conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with men accessing HIV care in South Africa in 2014 to inform a safer conception intervention for men. Eligible men were 25-45 years old, living with HIV, not yet accessing treatment, and wanting to have a child with an HIV-negative or unknown serostatus female partner (referred to as the \"desired pregnancy partner\"). FGDs explored motivations for having a healthy baby, feasibility of a clinic-based safer conception intervention, and acceptability of safer conception strategies. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Twelve participants from three FGDs had a median age of 37 (range 23-45) years, reported a median of 2 (range 1-4) sexual partners, and 1 (range 1-3) desired pregnancy partner(s). A third (N = 4) had disclosed HIV-serostatus to the pregnancy partner. Emergent themes included opportunities for and challenges to engaging men in safer conception services. Opportunities included enthusiasm for a clinic-based safer conception intervention and acceptance of some safer conception strategies. Challenges included poor understanding of safer conception strategies, unfamiliarity with risk reduction [versus \"safe\" (condoms) and \"unsafe\" (condomless) sex], mixed acceptability of safer conception strategies, and concerns about disclosing HIV-serostatus to a partner. Men living with HIV expressed interest in safer conception and willingness to attend clinic programs. Imprecise prevention counseling messages make it difficult for men to conceptualize risk reduction. Effective safer conception programs should embrace clear language, e.g. undetectable = untransmittable (U = U), and support multiple approaches to serostatus disclosure to pregnancy partners.

Serostatus disclosure may facilitate decreased HIV transmission between serodiscordant partners by raising risk awareness and heightening the need for prevention. For women living with HIV (WLWH), the decision to disclose may be influenced by culturally determined, community-level stigma and norms. Understanding the impact of community HIV stigma and gender norms on disclosure among WLWH in different countries may inform intervention development. HPTN063 was a longitudinal, observational study of sexually active HIV-infected individuals, including heterosexual women, in care in Zambia, Thailand and Brazil. At baseline, a questionnaire measuring community HIV stigma and gender norms, anticipated stigma, demographic, partner/relationship characteristics, and intimate partner violence was administered. Longitudinal HIV disclosure to sexual partners was determined via audio-computer assisted self-interview (ACASI) at the baseline and quarterly during the one year following up. Logistic regression was conducted to identify the predictors of disclosure. Almost half (45%) of women living with HIV acknowledged perceived community HIV stigma (the belief that in their community HIV infection among women is associated with sex work and multiple sexual partners). Many women (42.9%) also acknowledged perceived community gender norms (the belief that traditional gender norms such as submissiveness to husbands/male sexual partners is necessary and that social status is lost if one does not procreate). HIV disclosure to current sex partners was reported by 67% of women. In multivariate analysis, among all women, those who were older [OR 0.16, 95%CI(0.06,0.48)], reported symptoms of severe depression [OR 0.53, 95%CI(0.31, 0.90)], endorsed anticipated stigma [OR 0.30, 95%CI(0.18, 0.50)], and were unmarried [OR 0.43, 95%CI(0.26,0.71)] were less likely to disclose to current partners. In an analysis stratified by marital status and cohabitation, unmarried [OR 0.41, 95%CI(0.20,0.82)] and non-cohabiting women [OR 0.31, 95%CI(0.13,0.73)] who perceived community HIV stigma were less likely to disclose to their sex partners. Perceived community level HIV stigma, along with individual level factors such as anticipated stigma, depressive symptoms, and older age, predict non-disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners among WLWH in diverse geographic settings. Interventions to promote disclosure among women in serodiscordant relationships should incorporate community-level interventions to reduce stigma and promote gender equality.

IntroductionNon-adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the main cause of viral non-suppression and its risk is increased by depression. In countries with high burden of HIV, there is a lack of trained professionals to deliver depression treatments. This paper describes the protocol for a 2-arm parallel group superiority 1:1 randomised controlled trial, to test the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the TENDAI stepped care task-shifted intervention for depression, ART non-adherence and HIV viral suppression delivered by lay interventionists.Methods and analysisTwo hundred and ninety people living with HIV aged ≥18 years with probable depression (Patient Health Questionnaire=>10) and viral non-suppression (≥ 1000 HIV copies/mL) are being recruited from HIV clinics in towns in Zimbabwe. The intervention group will receive a culturally adapted 6-session psychological treatment, Problem-Solving Therapy for Adherence and Depression (PST-AD), including problem-solving therapy, positive activity scheduling, skills to cope with stress and poor sleep and content to target barriers to non-adherence to ART. Participants whose score on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 remains ≥10, and/or falls by less than 5 points, step up to a nurse evaluation for possible antidepressant medication. The control group receives usual care for viral non-suppression, consisting of three sessions of adherence counselling from existing clinic staff, and enhanced usual care for depression in line with the WHO Mental Health Gap intervention guide. The primary outcome is viral suppression (<1000 HIV copies/mL) at 12 months post-randomisation.Ethics and disseminationThe study and its tools were approved by MRCZ/A/2390 in Zimbabwe and RESCM-18/19–5580 in the UK. Study findings will be shared through the community advisory group, conferences and open access publications.Trial registration numberNCT04018391.