scholarly journals Promising Approaches for Engaging Youth and Young Adults Living with HIV in HIV Primary Care Using Social Media and Mobile Technology Interventions: Protocol for the SPNS Social Media Initiative (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Medich ◽  
Dallas T Swendeman ◽  
W Scott Comulada ◽  
Uyen H Kao ◽  
Janet J Myers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Youth And Young Adults ◽  
Living With Hiv

BACKGROUND In the United States, disparities in the rates of HIV care among youth and young adults result from the intersections of factors that include stigma, substance use, homelessness or marginal housing, institutional neglect, and mental health issues. Novel interventions are needed that are geared to youth and young adults. OBJECTIVE In this paper, we aim to describe the interventions used by participating sites for Using Social Media initiative, the process for classifying the intervention components, and the methods for conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the interventions. METHODS In 2015, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau, Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) funded the Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center (ETAC) at the University of California, Los Angeles and 10 demonstration projects at sites across the United States that incorporated innovative approaches using a variety of social media and mobile technology strategies designed specifically for youth and young adults living with HIV. The ETAC developed a typology, or a classification system, that systematically summarizes the principal components of the interventions into broader groups and developed a multisite, mixed-methods approach to evaluate them based on the Department of Health and Human Services HIV health outcomes along the HIV care continuum. The mixed-methods approach is key to remove potential biases in assessing the effectiveness of demonstration projects. RESULTS This SPNS project was funded in September 2015, and enrollment was completed on May 31, 2018. A total of 984 participants have been enrolled in the multisite evaluation. Data collection will continue until August 2019. However, data analysis is currently underway, and the first results are expected to be submitted for publication in 2019. CONCLUSIONS This HRSA-funded initiative seeks to increase engagement in HIV medical care, improve health outcomes for people living with HIV, and reduce HIV-related health disparities and health inequities that affect HIV-positive youth and young adults. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR1-10.2196/10681

scholarly journals Qualitative Evaluation of Social Media and Mobile Technology Interventions Designed to Improve HIV Health Outcomes for Youth and Young Adults Living With HIV: A HRSA SPNS Initiative

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 693-704
Author(s):  
Ronald A. Brooks ◽  
Omar Nieto ◽  
Dallas Swendeman ◽  
Janet Myers ◽  
Ricardo Mendoza Lepe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Youth And Young Adults ◽  
Living With Hiv

Youth and young adults living with HIV (YYALH) are less likely to be engaged in HIV care, adhere to their medications, and achieve viral suppression compared to older adult populations. In the United States, the majority of YYALH belong to racial/ethnic, sexual, and gender minority groups. HIV care interventions are needed that specifically target YYALH and that exploit the use of social media and mobile technology (SMMT) platforms, where youth and young adults have a ubiquitous presence. We conducted a qualitative evaluation of SMMT interventions included in a Health Resources and Services Administration Special Projects of National Significance initiative designed to improve medical care engagement, retention, and medication adherence to achieve viral suppression among YYALH. However, in this study, only young adults living with HIV (YALH) ages 18 to 34 years participated. A total of 48 YALH were interviewed. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis and revealed three main themes supporting the usefulness of the SMMT interventions, which included (1) acceptability of SMMT interventions in managing HIV care with subthemes of medical information accessibility, reminders, and self-efficacy; (2) feelings of support and personal connection afforded by SMMT interventions; and (3) SMMT interventions help to alleviate negative feelings about status and mitigate HIV-related stigma. A few participants identified problems with using their respective intervention, primarily related to the functionality of the technologies. Overall, findings from our qualitative evaluation suggest that SMMT-based interventions have the potential to increase engagement and retention in care, support YALH in adhering to medication, and help them adjust to their diagnosis.

Sociocultural Factors Influencing The Transmission of HIV/AIDS in The United States

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E Fullilove
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Correctional Facility ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Persons Living With Hiv ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

This chapter discusses the unique impact that social disadvantage in general and the criminal justice systems in the United States in particular have on the conditions that drive the HIV/AIDS epidemic in this country. HIV/AIDS is classified as an important racial/ethnic health disparity because residents of marginalized black and Hispanic communities are overrepresented among persons living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. Members of black and Hispanic communities are also overrepresented in the criminal justice; in terms of the epidemic, approximately one out of seven persons living with HIV/AIDS will pass through a U.S. correctional facility in any given year. A history of incarceration is associated with poor treatment outcomes for HIV illness. Improving the quality of HIV care in correctional facilities and in the communities to which incarcerated persons will return is imperative, as is effective interventions in incarcerated populations and communities. Having AIDS activists, scientists, and healthcare workers join in efforts to reform incarceration policies and practices will improve efforts to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, particularly in communities that confront high rates of HIV/AIDS and incarceration.

scholarly journals Poverty stigma is associated with suboptimal HIV care and treatment outcomes among women living with HIV in the United States

AIDS ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1379-1384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna M. Leddy ◽  
Janet M. Turan ◽  
Mallory O. Johnson ◽  
Torsten B. Neilands ◽  
Mirjam-Colette Kempf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Treatment Outcomes ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Women Living With Hiv ◽  
Care And Treatment ◽  
Living With Hiv

scholarly journals WYZ: Results of a pilot study of a mobile health application for engagement in care and antiretroviral therapy adherence among youth and young adults living with HIV (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parya Saberi ◽  
Nadra E. Lisha ◽  
Xavier A. Erguera ◽  
Estie S. Hudes ◽  
Mallory O. Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Art Adherence ◽  
Engagement In Care ◽  
Youth And Young Adults ◽  
Living With Hiv

BACKGROUND Youth are globally recognized as being vulnerable to HIV. Younger age has been correlated with worse health outcomes. Mobile health (mHealth) delivered interventions have the potential to meet youth where they are, using a device they already access. OBJECTIVE Using pre-defined benchmarks, we sought to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of WYZ, an mHealth application, for improved engagement in care and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among youth and young adults living with HIV (YLWH). WYZ was designed and developed with input from YLWH using a Human-Centered Design approach and based on the Information, Motivation, Behavioral Skills framework to address common barriers to care and ART adherence among YLWH. METHODS We recruited YLWH (18–29 years old) in the San Francisco Bay Area to take part in a six-month pilot trial. Their participation included completing a baseline and exit survey and participating in seven phone check-ins about their use of WYZ. RESULTS YLWH (N= 79) reported high levels of feasibility and acceptability with WYZ use. We met pre-defined benchmarks for recruitment, mean log-ins per week, tracking ART adherence, posting chat topics, and app crashes reported. Ease of app download, install, and set up, as well as comfort with security, privacy, and anonymity were highly rated. Additionally, participants reported high satisfaction for a research project that was remotely conducted. Participants used the app for shorter timeframes compared to the pre-defined benchmarks. CONCLUSIONS We noted high feasibility and acceptability with WYZ. Further research to examine the efficacy of WYZ will enable YLWH and their providers to make informed decisions when using, recommending, and prescribing it for improved engagement in HIV care and ART adherence. CLINICALTRIAL NCT03587857

scholarly journals Adhering to antiretroviral therapy: A qualitative analysis of motivations for and obstacles to consistent use of antiretroviral therapy in people living with HIV

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205031212091540
Author(s):  
Lisa Fleischer ◽  
Ann Avery
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Care Team ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Main Motivation ◽  
Living With Hiv

Objectives: Based on the 2015 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, 40% of people living with HIV in the United States with an HIV diagnosis and 18.5% of people living with HIV in HIV care in the United States are not virally suppressed. Many HIV care clinics have implemented recommendations to improve the percentage of people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. To understand what more could be done, we examine patients’ motivations and obstacles to maintaining adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Methods: We conducted qualitative analysis using a qualitative description framework of in-depth interviews with people living with HIV receiving care at an urban HIV care clinic in the midwestern United States. Results: We found that while many traditional barriers to care have been addressed by existing programs, there are key differences between those consistent with antiretroviral therapy and those inconsistent with antiretroviral therapy. In particular, self-motivation, diagnosis acceptance, treatment for depression, spiritual beliefs, perceived value of the HIV care team, and prior experience with health care distinguish these two groups. Most significantly, we found that people living with HIV consistent with antiretroviral therapy describe their main motivation as coming from themselves, whereas people living with HIV inconsistent with antiretroviral therapy more often describe their main motivation as coming from the HIV care team. Conclusion: Our results highlight the importance of the HIV care team’s encouragement of maintaining antiretroviral adherence, as well as encouraging treatment for depression.

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