scholarly journals 2496. Qualitative Thematic Analysis of Social Media Data to Assess Perceptions of Daily Oral and Long-Acting Injectable Antiretroviral Treatment among People Living with HIV

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S866-S866
Author(s):  
Louis S Matza ◽  
Trena Paulus ◽  
Cindy Garris ◽  
Nicolas Van de Velde ◽  
Vasiliki Chounta ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Current HIV treatment options consist of daily oral antiretroviral therapies (ART). A long-acting injectable HIV treatment is in development for monthly or every other month administration. Patient preferences for ART are important to understand and can impact retention in care, adherence and outcomes. The purpose of this study was to obtain and analyze patient perceptions of oral and injectable ART using a novel approach. Methods Qualitative thematic analysis was conducted to examine online discussion threads posted by people living with HIV (PLHIV) in POZ Community Forums from 2013 to 2018. Perceptions of ART were analyzed using keywords (e.g., dose, pill, daily, long-acting, injection, monthly, cabotegravir). Relevant threads were extracted, reviewed and coded using qualitative data analysis software (ATLAS.ti.8). Results Analyses identified 684 relevant discussion threads including 2,629 coded quotations posted by 568 PLHIV. Oral ART (2,517 quotations) was discussed more frequently than injectable ART (112). Positive statements on oral ART commonly mentioned the small number of pills (278), dose frequency (248), ease of scheduling (154), and ease-of-use (146). PLHIV also noted disadvantages of oral ART including negative emotional impact (179), difficulty with medication access (137), scheduling (131), and treatment adherence (128). Among the PLHIV discussing injectable ART, common positive comments focused on less frequent administration (34), emotional benefits of not taking a daily pill (7), potential benefits for adherence (6), overall convenience (6), and benefits for traveling (6). Some quotations (10) perceived the frequency of injections negatively, and others had negative perceptions of needles (8) or appointments required to receive injections (8). Conclusion ART was frequently discussed among PLHIV on this online forum. This innovative approach for obtaining and analyzing unsolicited comments revealed that while many PLHIV expressed positive views about their daily oral regimen, others perceived inconveniences and challenges. Among PLHIV who were aware of a possible long-acting injectable treatment, many viewed this potential new option as a convenient alternative with the potential to improve adherence. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

2021 ◽  
pp. sextrans-2020-054648
Author(s):  
Babatunde Akinwunmi ◽  
Daniel Buchenberger ◽  
Jenny Scherzer ◽  
Martina Bode ◽  
Paolo Rizzini ◽  
...  

ObjectivesA novel long-acting regimen (LAR) of cabotegravir and rilpivirine for HIV treatment requires dosing every 2 months instead of daily. We assessed what proportion of people living with HIV and physicians would be interested in trying and offering LAR respectively and why.Methods688 people living with HIV on treatment, and 120 HIV physicians completed web-based surveys in Germany, Italy, the UK and France during 2019. Balanced description of a hypothetical LAR regarding efficacy, administration and possible side effects were provided. The hypothetical long-acting injections were assumed to be cost-neutral to current daily oral antiretrovirals. Interest of people living with HIV in trying (‘very’/’highly’) and physicians’ willingness to offer (‘definitely’/’probably’) this LAR in different situations, with perceived benefits/concerns was measured.ResultsOf people living with HIV, 65.8% were interested in trying LAR. The majority (~80%–90%) of those with unmet needs felt LAR would help, including those with strong medical needs (malabsorption and interfering gastrointestinal conditions), suboptimal adherence, confidentiality/privacy concerns and emotional burden of daily dosing. Of physicians, percentage willing to offer LAR varied situationally: strong medical need (dysphagia, 93.3%; malabsorption, 91.6%; interfering gastrointestinal issues, 90.0%; central nervous system disorders, 87.5%); suboptimal adherence (84.2%); confidentiality/privacy concerns (hiding medications, 86.6%) and convenience/lifestyle (84.2%). People living with HIV liked LAR for not having to carry pills when travelling (56.3%); physicians liked the increased patient contact (54.2%). Furthermore, 50.0% of people living with HIV perceived LAR would minimise transmission risk and improve their sexual health. The most disliked attribute was scheduling appointments (37.2%) and resource constraints (57.5%) for people living with HIV and physicians, respectively. Physicians estimated 25.7% of their patients would actually switch.ConclusionProviders and people living with HIV viewed the described LAR as addressing several unmet needs. Alternative treatment routes and especially LAR may improve adherence and quality of life.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Baros ◽  
A Bozinovic-Knezevic

Abstract Background Anti-discrimination regulation is a condition for reaching UNAIDS's “zero discrimination” target. In Serbia, there are laws that forbid discrimination and guarantee the confidentiality of health status. However, about 24% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) had experienced discrimination and most do not report the discrimination to the proper institutions. Methods We conducted qualitative research among PLHIV from December 2018-May 2019. We reached 43 persons, with five focus groups in the four cities where there were centers for HIV treatment. We transcribed and coded the interviews in Serbian and used thematic analysis to explore experiences of discrimination among PLHIV. Results PLHIV are aware of laws protecting the confidentiality of their HIV status and against discrimination. However, PLHIV do not believe implementation of those laws are appropriate. Most participants experienced discrimination in the health system and described that medical doctors demand to know their HIV status. This demand led to unequal treatment of PLHIV patients, and sometimes to non-consensual disclosure of one's HIV status to others. For employed PLHIV regular medical check-ups and eventual hospitalizations introduce an additional risk of discrimination. For sick leave requests by the law they have to submit documents with medical information to their employer and participants feared that HIV status will be a part of the documentation. Some participants described the loss of employment because of this disclosure. Majority of PLHIV fear further disclosure of their HIV status and additional discrimination if they follow complaint procedures. Conclusions Contradictory regulations increase the risk of discrimination of PLHIV. Anticipated stigma and fear of discrimination hinder the full attainment and respect for human rights by PHLIV. Harmonization of regulation and procedures of the anti-discrimination legislation is the first step to the “zero discrimination” target.


Somatechnics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-253
Author(s):  
Eli Manning

Since the pharmaceutical turn, using HIV treatment to prevent transmission is increasingly common. Treatment as Prevention®, or TasP, has relied on HIV treatment to prevent HIV transmission, targeting people living with HIV. However, TasP is predicated on troublesome heterosexist, classist, and racist medical practices borrowed from various times and spaces that enact biopolitical and necropolitical relations. This paper discusses the debate surrounding the first clinical trial that used HIV treatment to prevent transmission from woman-to-foetus. The 1994 landmark AIDS Clinical Trials Group 076 study laid the groundwork for using HIV treatment to prevent HIV transmission, the essential precursor to TasP. By examining the concerns of HIV positive women of colour and other AIDS activists, we are able to understand the ethical dilemmas and practical consequences that still haunt today's game-changing uses of HIV treatment for prevention and to see how biopolitics and necropolitics persist in TasP.


Author(s):  
Kimberly K. Scarsi ◽  
Susan Swindells

As with other chronic conditions, adherence to daily medications remains a challenge for many individuals living with HIV due to structural, behavioral, and social barriers. Unfortunately, high levels of adherence to antiretroviral therapy are required to maintain virologic suppression. Alternative approaches are being explored to decrease the burden of daily pill administration, including long-acting injectable, oral, and implantable products. Phase 3 data support the efficacy of nanoformulated injectable cabotegravir and rilpivirine for HIV treatment in patients with undetectable viremia, but we have yet to learn how this strategy may benefit those with medication adherence challenges. Despite this, the affected community and HIV providers are very interested in exploring the role of long-acting therapies to address some types of barriers to medication adherence. This review summarizes available information about the potential for long-acting therapy to improve adherence for some patients and outlines associated opportunities and challenges with the implementation of long-acting therapy for the treatment and prevention of HIV.


Author(s):  
M Neyens ◽  
H M Crauwels ◽  
J J Perez-Ruixo ◽  
S Rossenu

Abstract Objectives To characterize the population pharmacokinetics of the rilpivirine long-acting (LA) formulation after intramuscular administration. Methods Rich and sparse rilpivirine plasma concentration data were obtained from seven clinical studies. In total, 18 261 rilpivirine samples were collected from 986 subjects (131 healthy subjects from Phase I studies and 855 people living with HIV from Phase IIb/III studies). Doses ranged from 300 to 1200 mg, as single-dose or multiple-dose regimens (every 4 or 8 weeks). In Phase III studies, an initiation injection of 900 mg followed by continuation injections of 600 mg every 4 weeks was used. Non-linear mixed-effects modelling was performed using NONMEM® software. Results A one-compartment model with linear elimination and two parallel absorption pathways (fast and slow) with sequential zero-first-order processes adequately captured rilpivirine flip-flop pharmacokinetics after intramuscular administration of the LA formulation. The estimated apparent elimination half-life of rilpivirine LA was 200 days. None of the evaluated covariates (age, body weight, BMI, sex, race, health status and needle length) had a clinically relevant impact on rilpivirine pharmacokinetics. Conclusions The population pharmacokinetic model suitably describes the time course and associated variability of rilpivirine plasma concentrations after rilpivirine LA intramuscular administration. The monthly regimen consists of an oral lead-in period (rilpivirine 25 mg tablets once daily for 4 weeks), followed by an initiation injection of 900 mg rilpivirine LA, then 600 mg rilpivirine LA continuation injections monthly. The absence of a clinically relevant effect of covariates on rilpivirine pharmacokinetics suggests that rilpivirine LA dose adjustments for specific subgroups are not warranted.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasiliki Papageorgiou ◽  
Bethan Davies ◽  
Emily Cooper ◽  
Ariana Singer ◽  
Helen Ward

AbstractDespite developments in HIV treatment and care, disparities persist with some not fully benefiting from improvements in the HIV care continuum. We conducted a systematic review to explore associations between social determinants and HIV treatment outcomes (viral suppression and treatment adherence) in high-income countries. A random effects meta-analysis was performed where there were consistent measurements of exposures. We identified 83 observational studies eligible for inclusion. Social determinants linked to material deprivation were identified as education, employment, food security, housing, income, poverty/deprivation, socioeconomic status/position, and social class; however, their measurement and definition varied across studies. Our review suggests a social gradient of health persists in the HIV care continuum; people living with HIV who reported material deprivation were less likely to be virologically suppressed or adherent to antiretrovirals. Future research should use an ecosocial approach to explore these interactions across the lifecourse to help propose a causal pathway.


2021 ◽  
pp. sextrans-2021-055222
Author(s):  
Hui Chen ◽  
Rusi Long ◽  
Tian Hu ◽  
Yaqi Chen ◽  
Rongxi Wang ◽  
...  

ObjectivesSuboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) dramatically hampers the achievement of the UNAIDS HIV treatment targets. This study aimed to develop a theory-informed predictive model for ART adherence based on data from Chinese.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Shenzhen, China, in December 2020. Participants were recruited through snowball sampling, completing a survey that included sociodemographic characteristics, HIV clinical information, Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills (IMB) constructs and adherence to ART. CD4 counts and HIV viral load were extracted from medical records. A model to predict ART adherence was developed from a multivariable logistic regression with significant predictors selected by Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression. To evaluate the performance of the model, we tested the discriminatory capacity using the concordance index (C-index) and calibration accuracy using the Hosmer and Lemeshow test.ResultsThe average age of the 651 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the training group was 34.1±8.4 years, with 20.1% reporting suboptimal adherence. The mean age of the 276 PLHIV in the validation group was 33.9±8.2 years, and the prevalence of poor adherence was 22.1%. The suboptimal adherence model incorporates five predictors: education level, alcohol use, side effects, objective abilities and self-efficacy. Constructed by those predictors, the model showed a C-index of 0.739 (95% CI 0.703 to 0.772) in internal validation, which was confirmed be 0.717 via bootstrapping validation and remained modest in temporal validation (C-index 0.676). The calibration capacity was acceptable both in the training and in the validation groups (p>0.05).ConclusionsOur model accurately estimates ART adherence behaviours. The prediction tool can help identify individuals at greater risk for poor adherence and guide tailored interventions to optimise adherence.


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