Interactive Transition Support for Adolescents Living with HIV using Social Media (InTSHA): Research Protocol (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian C. Zanoni ◽  
Moherndran Archary ◽  
Thobekile Sibaya ◽  
Madeleine Goldstein ◽  
Scarlett Bergam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Retention In Care ◽  
Adolescent And Young Adult ◽  
Perinatally Acquired ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Transition Support

BACKGROUND Adolescents living with perinatally-acquired HIV often have poor retention in care and viral suppression during the transition from pediatric to adult based care. OBJECTIVE To evaluate a mobile phone-based intervention, InTSHA: Interactive Transition Support for Adolescents Living with HIV using Social Media, among adolescents living with perinatally-acquired HIV as they transition from pediatric to adult care in South Africa. METHODS InTSHA uses encrypted, closed group chats delivered via WhatsApp to develop peer support and improve communication between adolescents, their caregivers, and healthcare providers. The intervention is based on formative work with adolescents, caregivers, and healthcare providers and builds on several existing adolescent support programs as well as the Socioecological Model for Adolescent and Young Adult Readiness to Transition (SMART). The final InTSHA intervention involves ten modules conducted weekly through moderated WhatsApp group chats with adolescents and separately with their caregivers. We will randomize 80 South African adolescents living with perinatally-acquired HIV who are aware of their HIV status and aged between 15 to 19 years to receive either the intervention (n=40) or standard of care (n=40). RESULTS We will measure acceptability of the intervention as primary outcome and evaluate feasibility and preliminary effectiveness for retention in care and viral suppression after completion of the intervention and at least six months after randomization. In addition, we will measure secondary outcomes evaluating the impact of the InTSHA intervention on peer support, self-esteem, depression, stigma, sexual education, connection to healthcare providers and transition readiness. CONCLUSIONS If successful, the intervention will be evaluated in a fully powered randomized controlled trial with a larger number of adolescents from urban and rural populations to further evaluate the generalizability of InTSHA. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03624413

scholarly journals Covid-19, the perfect time to broaden our horizons about social media use in oncology? A survey study with healthcare professionals caring for youth with cancer

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Rost ◽  
Vittoria Espeli ◽  
Marc Ansari ◽  
Nicholas von der Weid ◽  
Bernice Elger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
Adolescent And Young Adult ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Ethical Guidelines ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Health Crisis

Abstract Purpose The study aims to explore the attitudes of Swiss healthcare professionals towards the use of social media in adolescent and young adult oncology and to examine whether the ongoing social restrictions due COVID-19 might have altered these attitudes. Methods This study was cross-sectional in design. The subjects were healthcare providers working in pediatric or adult oncology settings in Switzerland. We performed descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. Results While considered useful, only a small minority of participants actually used social media for professional reasons and considered themselves skillful in using these platforms. Although institutional guidelines were deemed crucial to improve social media use, many respondents seemed unaware of their existence. Only a minority reported an impact of Covid-19 on their attitudes towards the professional implementation of social media. Conclusion The global health crisis creates important challenges for young patients with cancer and their healthcare providers. In times of social restrictions, social media may be promising tools to facilitate health information provision, connectivity and patient care. Virtual mentorship and target social media training interventions might be the best way to improve familiarity with social media and with ethical guidelines for their use.

scholarly journals The impact of drug coverage on viral suppression among people living with HIV in Ontario, Canada

2018 ◽  
Vol 109 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 800-809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth Rachlis ◽  
Lucia Light ◽  
Sandra Gardner ◽  
Ann N. Burchell ◽  
Janet Raboud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Drug Coverage ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

The Impact of Psychosocial Factors on Health and Retention Outcomes for People Living With HIV: Implications for Rehabilitation Counselors and Educators

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-107
Author(s):  
Yung-Chen Jen Chiu ◽  
K. B. Boomer ◽  
Liza M. Conyers
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Case Management ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Retention In Care ◽  
Rehabilitation Counselors ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Management Service ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

Despite medical advancements that have significantly improved the health outcomes of people living with HIV (PLWH), many do not achieve optimal health outcomes due to psychosocial barriers. This 5-year retrospective longitudinal study draws upon the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework to conceptualize the relationships between personal and environmental factors and health and retention outcomes among a sample of 704 PLWH in Pennsylvania. A generalized estimated equations (GEE) model was used to model retention in care outcomes (at least one medical visit every 6 months) and a general linear mixed (GLM) model was used to analyze immune system health outcomes (CD4%). This exploratory study reveals that gender, age, race, use of antiretroviral (ARV) medications, use of case management service, mental health diagnosis, and alcohol use were significantly associated with retention in care, whereas race, ethnicity, gender, mental health treatment, use of ARV medications, use of case management services, and retention in care status were significantly associated with the immune system health outcome of CD4%. The results suggest a need for rehabilitation interventions to address key psychosocial issues, as rehabilitation counselors have a unique skill set to address the medical case management needs of individuals with HIV. Implications for rehabilitation counselors and educators are discussed.

scholarly journals Brazilian vascular surgeons experience during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Vascular ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 170853812095496
Author(s):  
Rafael D Malgor ◽  
Marcone Lima Sobreira ◽  
Nicolas J Mouawad ◽  
Adam P Johnson ◽  
Max V Wohlauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Vascular Surgery ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Brief Cope ◽  
Anxiety Levels ◽  
The Impact

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has made a significant impact on all spheres of society. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the practices, finances, and social aspects of Brazilian vascular surgeons’ lives. Methods This is a descriptive analysis of the responses from Brazilian vascular surgeons to the cross-sectional anonymous Society for Vascular Surgery Wellness Task Force Pandemic Practice, Anxiety, Coping, and Support Survey for Vascular Surgeons disseminated 14–24 April 2020. Survey dissemination in Brazil occurred mainly via the Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery (SBACV) and social media. The survey evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vascular surgeons’ lives by assessing COVID-19-related stressors, anxiety using theGeneral Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-7 scale, and coping strategies using the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief-COPE) inventory. Results A total of 452 responses were recorded from Brazil, with 335 (74%) respondents completing the entire survey. The majority of respondents were males ( N = 301, 67%) and practiced in an urban hospitals. The majority of respondents considered themselves at high risk to be infected with COVID-19 ( N = 251, 55.8%), and just over half the respondents noted that they had adequate PPE at their primary hospital ( N = 171, 54%). One hundred and nine (35%) surgeons confirmed that their hospitals followed professional surgical society guidelines for prioritizing surgeries during the pandemic. At the time of the survey, only 33 (10%) surgeons stated they have pre-operative testing of patients for COVID-19 available at their hospital. Academic vascular surgeons reported being redeployed more often to help with other non-vascular duties compared to community-based or solo practitioners (43% vs. 30% vs. 21% respectively, P = .01). Severe anxiety due to pandemic-related financial concerns was similar in those surgeons practicing solo compared to those in community- or academic-based/group practice (46% vs. 38% vs. 22%; P = .54). The respondents reported their anxiety levels as mild based on the stressors investigated instead of moderate-severe (54% vs. 46%; P = .04). Social media was utilized heavily during the pandemic, with video gatherings being the most commonly used tool (76%). Self-distraction (60%) and situational acceptance (81%) were the most frequently reported coping mechanisms used among Brazilian vascular surgeons. Conclusion The COVID pandemic has greatly affected healthcare providers around the world. At the time of this survey, Brazilian vascular surgeons are reporting low anxiety levels during this time and are using mostly active coping mechanisms.

scholarly journals Identifying patterns of retention in care and viral suppression using latent class analysis among women living with HIV in Florida 2015–2017

AIDS Care ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-135
Author(s):  
Rahel Dawit ◽  
Diana M. Sheehan ◽  
Semiu O. Gbadamosi ◽  
Kristopher P. Fennie ◽  
Tan Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latent Class Analysis ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Retention In Care ◽  
Class Analysis ◽  
Women Living With Hiv ◽  
Living With Hiv

scholarly journals 1322. A Mobile Technology-Based Intervention Improves HIV Care Continuum for Young People Living with HIV

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S478-S478
Author(s):  
Ping Du ◽  
John Zurlo ◽  
Tarek Eshak ◽  
Tonya Crook ◽  
Cynthia Whitener
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Technology ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Retention In Care ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Care Continuum ◽  
Care Continuum ◽  
Hiv Viral Suppression ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Living With Hiv

Abstract Background Young people living with HIV (YPLWH) have lower rates of retention in care and HIV viral suppression. Multiple barriers exist to engage YPLWH in care. As nearly all YPLWH use their mobile phones to access health information and to communicate with other people, we implemented a mobile technology-based intervention with the goal to improve HIV care continuum in YPLWH. Methods YPLWH were eligible for this study if they were: (1) aged 18–34 years; (2) newly diagnosed with HIV; (3) having a history of being out of care; or (4) not virally suppressed. We recruited YPLWH during January 2017-May 2018 and followed them every 6 months. We developed a HIPAA-compliant mobile application, “OPT-In For Life,” and let participants use this app to manage their HIV care. The app integrated multiple features that enabled users to communicate with the HIV treatment team via a secure messaging function, to access laboratory results and HIV prevention resources, and to set up appointment or medication reminders. We obtained participants’ demographics, app-usage data, and medical records to evaluate if this mobile technology-based intervention would improve HIV care continuum among YPLWH. We used a quasi-experiment study design to compare the rates of retention in care and HIV viral suppression every 6 months between study participants and YPLWH who were eligible but not enrolled in the study. Results 92 YPLWH participated in this study (70% male, 56% Hispanics or Blacks, 54% retained in care, and 66% virally suppressed at baseline). On average study participants used the app 1–2 times/week to discuss various health issues and supportive services with HIV providers, to access HIV-related health information, and to manage their HIV care. At the 6-month evaluation, compared with 88 eligible YPLWH who were not enrolled in this intervention, study participants had increased rates of retention in care (baseline-to-6-month between participants and nonparticipants: 54%–84% vs. 26%–25%) and HIV viral suppression (66%–80% vs. 56%–60%). Conclusion Our study demonstrates using a HIPAA-compliant mobile app as an effective intervention to engage YPLWH in care. This intervention can be adapted by other HIV programs to improve HIV care continuum for YPLWH or broader HIV populations. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals The Impact of Illicit Drug Use on Viral Suppression and Retention in Care among HIV-Positive Adolescents and Young Adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amelia Thompson ◽  
Scott E. Gillespie ◽  
Jasper Hood ◽  
Lateshia Seaton ◽  
Andres Camacho-Gonzalez
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Retention In Care ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Viral Reservoir in Early-Treated HIV-Infected Children and Markers for Sustained Viral Suppression

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gbolahan Ajibola ◽  
Pilar Garcia-Broncano ◽  
Kenneth Maswabi ◽  
Kara Bennett ◽  
Michael D Hughes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
Viral Reservoir ◽  
Hiv Dna ◽  
Sustained Viral Suppression ◽  
Early Infant ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Plasma Rna ◽  
Dna Pcr

Abstract Background The impact of very early infant treatment on HIV reservoir, and markers for treatment success, require study. Methods The Early Infant Treatment Study (EIT) enrolled 40 children living with HIV started on antiretroviral treatment (ART) at <7 days of age and 23 who had started treatment between 30-365 days to serve as controls. Quantitative HIV DNA was evaluated every 1-3 months in PBMCs. 84-week repeat qualitative whole blood DNA PCR and dual enzyme EIA were performed. Results Median quantitative cell-associated DNA after at least 84 weeks was significantly lower among the first 27 EIT children tested than among 10 controls (40.8 vs. 981.4 copies/million cells; p<0.001) and correlated with pre-ART DNA. Median DNA after 84 weeks did not differ significantly by negative or positive serostatus at 84 weeks (p=0.94), and appeared unaffected by periods of unsuppressed plasma RNA from 24-84 weeks (p=0.70). However, negative 84-week serostatus was 67% predictive for sustained RNA suppression and positive serostatus was 100% predictive for viremia. Loss of qualitative DNA positivity at 84 weeks was 73% predictive for sustained suppression and persistent positivity was 77% predictive for viremia. Conclusions Lower viral reservoir was associated with starting ART at <1 week. Negative serostatus and qualitative DNA were useful markers of sustained viral suppression from 24-84 weeks.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Peer Support Interventions for Adolescents and Young Adults Living with HIV Globally

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Hernandez ◽  
Hanna Craven ◽  
Judith Toromo ◽  
Leslie Enane
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Retention In Care ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Favorable Effect ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Current Evidence Base ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Peer Interventions

Background: Adolescents and young adults living with HIV (AYALHIV, ages 10-24) have poorer outcomes in care compared to other age groups. The global Treat All strategy aims to extend antiretroviral therapy (ART) to all individuals living with HIV. Efforts to improve outcomes in the AYALHIV population are essential to successfully achieving viral suppression and improving the long-term health outcomes of young people, and ultimately to ending the HIV pandemic. Peer support interventions are increasingly implemented by care programs, and are broadly favored by AYALHIV. This systematic review will evaluate the current evidence for quantitative effects of peer support interventions on AYALHIV treatment outcomes.   Methods:  We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health, CINAHL Complete, Cochrane, and Scopus databases for papers published between 1994 and October 2019, in all languages and regions. Studies of the effect of peer support interventions for AYALHIV on measures of adherence or retention in care were included. Solely qualitative studies and those without a comparator or control were excluded. Three researchers screened the papers independently, and those meeting criteria were included. Abstracted variables included study characteristics, participant population, peer intervention characteristics, and outcomes.   Results: The current evidence base for the effect of peer interventions for AYALHIV is very limited. Included studies were of small sample size, and primarily consisted of observational cohort studies with imperfect comparators. In initial analyses we find that studies of peer interventions have had mixed findings regarding the effect of such interventions on adherence to ART. By contrast, studies have consistently reported a favorable effect of peer interventions on increased retention in care among AYALHIV.   Conclusion/Implications: Rigorous studies of interventions to improve outcomes among AYALHIV are urgently needed. Further analyses in this review will examine differences according to study population, design, or intervention characteristics, which may underlie variable effects identified. 

Social media and gynecologic cancers: The impact of Twitter #GYNCSM.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14113-e14113
Author(s):  
Christina Lizaso ◽  
Dorinda Sparacio ◽  
Shannon Neville Westin ◽  
Richard Mark Boulay ◽  
Sarah Madhu Temkin
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Needs Assessment ◽  
Vulvar Cancer ◽  
Uterine Cancer ◽  
Genetic Counselor ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Gynecologic Malignancies ◽  
Priority Table ◽  
The Impact

e14113 Background: Patients (pts) with gynecologic malignancies look for support and information outside traditional clinical settings. We report the results of a needs assessment of the GYN Cancer Social Media (#gyncsm) Twitter community. Methods: An online needs assessment was publicized on Twitter using the #gyncsm hashtag in 2019 for 23 days. Percentages were calculated to provide observational data. Results: Of 33 respondents, 26 (79%) were pts, 7 (21%) healthcare providers, 2 (6%) cancer researchers, and 1 (3%) caregiver. 15 (60%) pts reported having ovarian cancer; 6 (24%) endometrial/uterine cancer; 2 (8%) sarcoma; 2 (8%) breast cancer; and 1 (4%) vulvar cancer. Participating providers were gynecologic oncologists 3 (21%); pharmacists 2 (14%); medical and radiation oncologist, researcher, social worker therapist and genetic counselor 1 (7%) each. 41% (13) reported tweeting and retweeting #gyncsm tweets; 22% (11) read the blog posts or transcripts of a twitter chat; 28% (9) followed or participated in a twitter chat. Chat topics with importance are shown in the Table. Pts reported that #gyncsm twitter chat helped them advocate for themselves (9, 60%); learn about genetic testing (7, 46%); and investigate clinical trials (4, 26%). Conclusions: Social media has a role in healthcare, especially in pt education and empowerment. Side effects, toxicity, and communication were topics of interest. Inclusion of cervical cancer pts and rare malignancies should be a priority. [Table: see text]

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