Importance of HIV Care Continuum

2020 ◽  
pp. 50-67
Author(s):  
Simon George Taukeni ◽  
Eveline Ndinelao Kalomo
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Research Direction ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Hiv Care Continuum ◽  
Viral Load Suppression ◽  
Hiv Counseling ◽  
Care Continuum ◽  
Counseling And Testing

This chapter seeks to create further awareness and public health education on the importance of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care continuum as one of the key policy focal areas to significantly reduce the HIV epidemic. Specific efforts were directed into the need to implement comprehensive HIV care continuum. The chapter argues that rolling out HIV counseling and testing, enrolled and linked patients to care, prescribing antiretroviral therapy, viral load testing and monitoring are key to achieve viral load suppression. Recommendations and future research direction have put much emphasis on an effort to address psychosocial factors such as stigma, inadequate healthcare facilities, laboratory testing equipment, social and cultural barriers to testing and treatment, to improve access and overall implementation of HIV care continuum.

scholarly journals HIV Care Continuum from diagnosis in a Counseling and Testing Center

2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angélica da Mata Rossi ◽  
Silvia Paulino Ribeiro Albanese ◽  
Ingridt Hildegard Vogler ◽  
Flávia Meneguetti Pieri ◽  
Edvilson Cristiano Lentine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Retention In Care ◽  
Late Diagnosis ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Hiv Care Continuum ◽  
Viral Load Suppression ◽  
Care Continuum ◽  
Counseling And Testing ◽  
Testing Center ◽  
Hiv Aids

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the HIV care continuum from the diagnosis in an HIV/AIDS Counseling and Testing Center (CTC), and the sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics related to gender. Method: Epidemiological study, conducted with data of individuals assisted at a Counseling and Testing Center, and followed in an outpatient clinic for HIV/AIDS. Pearson’s Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to obtain odds ratios, considering alpha value <0.05. Results: The prevalence of HIV among 5,229 users was 5%. The highest chance of positive results was among men, aged 14 to 33 years old, who were not in a domestic partnership. In the analysis of TCD4+ lymphocytes and viral load (VL) of 238 cases, 56.1% had a late diagnosis. We have identified gaps in the care cascade, especially linkage to the care, retention in care, and viral load suppression. Conclusion: The results suggest a late diagnosis for both genders, as well as difficulty in reaching the viral suppression goal.

scholarly journals Care Facilitation Advances Movement Along The Hepatitis C Care Continuum For Persons With Hiv, Hepatitis C And Substance Use: A Randomized Clinical Trial (Ctn-0064)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa R Metsch ◽  
Daniel J Feaster ◽  
Lauren K Gooden ◽  
Carmen Masson ◽  
David C Perlman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Viral Load ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Sustained Viral Response ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Hiv Care Continuum ◽  
Care Continuum ◽  
Viral Response

Abstract Background Direct-acting antivirals can cure HCV. Persons with HCV/HIV and living with substance use are disadvantaged in benefitting from advances in HCV treatment. Methods In this randomized controlled trial, participants with HCV/HIV were randomized between February 2016 and January 2017 to either care facilitation or control. Twelve-month follow-up assessments completed in January 2018. Care facilitation group participants received motivation and strengths-based case-management addressing retrieval of HCV load results, engagement in HCV/HIV care and medication adherence. Control group participants received referral to HCV evaluation and an offer of assistance in making care appointments. Primary outcome was number of steps achieved along a series of 8 clinical steps (e.g., receiving HCV results, initiating treatment, sustained viral response) of the HCV/HIV care continuum over 12 months post-randomization. Results Three hundred and eighty-one individuals were screened and 113 randomized. Median age was 51 years; 58.4% male and 72.6% Black/African American. Median HIV-1 viral load was 27,209 copies/ml with 69% having a detectable viral load. Mean number of steps completed was statistically significantly higher in the intervention (2.44 steps) vs. control group (1.68 steps) [χ 2(1)=7.36, p=0.0067]. Men in the intervention (vs. control) group completed a statistically significantly higher number of steps. Eleven participants achieved sustained viral response with no difference by treatment group. Conclusions The care facilitation intervention increased progress along the HCV/HIV care continuum, as observed for men and not women. Study findings also highlight the continued challenges to achieve individual patient sustained viral responses and population level HCV elimination.

scholarly journals A modified HIV continuum of care: A six-year evaluation of a viral load cascade at a hospital-based clinic in Kingston, Jamaica

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 748-755 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey J Barrow ◽  
Margaret L Brandeau
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Continuum Of Care ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Viral Load Suppression ◽  
Outcome Indicators ◽  
Care Continuum ◽  
Hiv Continuum Of Care

To achieve the goal of HIV viral suppression, provision of medication alone is not sufficient. Concomitant frameworks to evaluate HIV care delivery programmes are needed. This study examined the care continuum at a hospital-based HIV clinic in Kingston, Jamaica using a modified HIV continuum of care, with an increased focus on viral load indicators (viral load samples taken, results returned and viral suppression). A statistical analysis of patient flow through the care continuum to identify gaps in programme delivery was performed. Key programmatic areas for process improvement and the utility of this approach for viral load suppression interpretation were identified. Between 2010 and 2015, more than 1600 patients had been registered for care and more than 1000 had accessed antiretroviral therapy at this location. Consistent trends in programme performance were seen from 2010 to 2012. Although declines in the proportion of viral load samples taken and results returned occurred because of laboratory failures in 2013, the trend of increasing numbers and proportions of virally suppressed patients continued. Statistical analysis indicated that improvements in laboratory quality (fraction of viral load samples returned with accurate test results) could increase viral load suppression among patients at the clinic by up to 17%. Refining care delivery processes can significantly improve HIV viral load suppression rates. Expanding monitoring frameworks to include all of the essential processes that affect final outcome indicators can provide valuable insight into trends of outcome indicators and programme performance.

scholarly journals New York City HIV Care Continuum Dashboards: Using Surveillance Data to Improve HIV Care Among People Living With HIV in New York City (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L Braunstein ◽  
Karen Coeytaux ◽  
Charulata J Sabharwal ◽  
Qiang Xia ◽  
Rebekkah S Robbins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
York City ◽  
Surveillance Data ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Care Continuum ◽  
Viral Load Suppression ◽  
Care Continuum ◽  
Hiv Surveillance

BACKGROUND HIV surveillance data can be used to improve patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe and present findings from the HIV care continuum dashboards (CCDs) initiative, which uses surveillance data to quantify and track outcomes for HIV patients at major clinical institutions in New York City. METHODS HIV surveillance data collected since 2011 were used to provide high-volume New York City clinical facilities with their performance on two key outcomes: linkage to care (LTC), among patients newly diagnosed with HIV and viral load suppression (VLS), among patients in HIV care. RESULTS The initiative included 21 facilities covering 33.78% (1135/3360) of new HIV diagnoses and 46.34% (28,405/61,298) of patients in HIV care in New York City in 2011 and was extended to a total of 47 sites covering 44.23% (1008/2279) of new diagnoses and 69.59% (43,897/63,083) of New York City patients in care in 2016. Since feedback of outcomes to providers began, aggregate LTC has improved by 1 percentage point and VLS by 16 percentage points. CONCLUSIONS Disseminating information on key facility–level HIV outcomes promotes collaboration between public health and the clinical community to end the HIV epidemic. Similar initiatives can be adopted by other jurisdictions with mature surveillance systems and supportive laws and policies.

scholarly journals 1312. Increasing Care Engagement Amongst People Living with HIV Through a Text Messaging Intervention at a Tertiary Center

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S473-S474
Author(s):  
Nupur Gupta ◽  
Sarah McBeth ◽  
Ella Kaplan ◽  
Greg Valdisera ◽  
Deborah McMahon
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Care Continuum ◽  
Care Continuum ◽  
Tertiary Center ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Living With Hiv

Abstract Background HIV has transitioned from an acute illness to a chronic disease due to potent antiretroviral therapy (ART). People living with HIV (PLWH) must be highly compliant which is difficult due to multiple barriers. The HIV care continuum was developed as a series of steps that PLWH take in their treatment cascade. At our HIV clinic, 90% of the patients are virally suppressed (viral load <200 copies/mL). Although this is higher than the national average, PLWH who are not virally suppressed and not retained in care carry the highest risk of transmission. We have several resources to engage patients, but text messaging has not been utilized for at-risk patients at the clinic or at the academic center. Methods The aim is to demonstrate that a pilot study of a text messaging-based intervention will increase the proportion of PLWH along the care continuum. The pre-intervention data consists of the clinic population with a viral load ≥200 copies/mL between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018. After chart review, eligible patients were consented to receive weekly text messages with content regarding appointment and medication reminders, and motivational messages. In the consented group, effectiveness of the intervention will be measured by tracking their appointments, viral loads, and ART prescriptions. Results After chart review, 80 patients were eligible, and 18 patients were consented for the intervention. In the eligible group, the average length of care is 8 years (range 0 to 26) and average number of years since initial ART prescription is 6.8 (range 0 to 20). The average viral load is 27,372 copies/mL. Amongst the consented group (n = 18), compared with the pre-intervention, there was a 6% increase in those who made an appointment, 33% increase in those who kept an appointment, 50% increase in those who had a viral load <200, and 62% increase in those who had ART dispensed post-intervention. Conclusion The intervention group is small due to difficulties in consenting this vulnerable population. This is an observational study that demonstrated the impact of text messaging a high-risk population with minimal harm that not only improved the local HIV care continuum, but also addressed the barriers to care. The next steps are to determine how this method can link other at-risk patients to care at a large HIV clinic at a tertiary center. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

The HIV care continuum in publicly funded clinics

2002 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.Anne Richards ◽  
Karen Vernon ◽  
Herminia Palacio ◽  
James G Kahn ◽  
Stephen F Morin
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Care ◽  
Hiv Care Continuum ◽  
Publicly Funded ◽  
Care Continuum

scholarly journals Timing of HIV diagnosis relative to pregnancy and postpartum HIV care continuum outcomes among Latin American women, 2000 to 2017

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathaniel T Yohannes ◽  
Cathy A Jenkins ◽  
Kate Clouse ◽  
Claudia P Cortés ◽  
Fernando Mejía Cordero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Hiv Care Continuum ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Care Continuum ◽  
American Women ◽  
Pregnancy And Postpartum

Machine Learning and Clinical Informatics for Improving HIV Care Continuum Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-236
Author(s):  
Jessica P. Ridgway ◽  
Alice Lee ◽  
Samantha Devlin ◽  
Jared Kerman ◽  
Anoop Mayampurath
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Clinical Informatics ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Hiv Care Continuum ◽  
Care Continuum

scholarly journals 1311. Ryan White HIV Care Continuum Model Doubled the Rate of Community HIV Viral Suppression for Newly Diagnosed Patients: A 10-Year Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S473-S473
Author(s):  
Christina Rizk ◽  
Alice Zhao ◽  
Janet Miceli ◽  
Portia Shea ◽  
Merceditas Villanueva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Linkage To Care ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Hiv Care Continuum ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
New Haven ◽  
Care Continuum ◽  
Art Initiation ◽  
Ryan White ◽  
Hiv Viral Suppression

Abstract Background It is estimated that 1,295 per 100,000 are people living with HIV (PLWH) in New Haven, which is the second highest rate of HIV prevalence in Connecticut. Since 2009, New Haven has established the Ryan White (RW) HIV Care Continuum. The main goals of HIV care are early linkage to care, ART initiation, and HIV viral suppression. This study is designed to understand the trends and outcomes in newly diagnosed PLWH in New Haven County. Methods This study is a retrospective medical record review of all newly diagnosed RW eligible PLWH from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2018. The data were collected in REDCap database and included demographics, HIV risk factor, presence of mental health and/or substance abuse disorder, date of diagnosis, date of initial visit, and ART initiation. Health outcomes such as AIDS at diagnosis and rate of viral suppression were evaluated. The data were then analyzed to show the trends over 10 years. Results From January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2018 there were 420 newly diagnosed RW PLWH. Sixty-seven percent of those were male, 56% were non-white, 47% self-identified as Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), and 41% were heterosexual. Twenty-nine percent had AIDS-defining condition at the time of the diagnosis. Thirty-four percent of the 420 patients had a mental health and/or substance use disorder; 53% of those were MSM and 51% were non-white. Over the 10-year period, it was noted that the duration between date of HIV diagnosis and linkage to care as well as ART initiation decreased. This decline was associated with a substantial increase in viral suppression. The average time between the dates of HIV diagnosis and initial visit decreased from 269 days in 2009 to 13 days in 2018. Moreover, the average time between the dates of diagnosis and ART initiation dropped from 308 days in 2009 to 15 days in 2018. The 1-year HIV viral suppression rate subsequently doubled from 44% in 2009 to 87% in 2018 (P < 0.01). Conclusion The Ryan White HIV Care Continuum Model with emphasis on early linkage to care and ART initiation can have a significant impact on HIV viral suppression at a community level for newly diagnosed patients. Another important observation in this study was the alarming high rate of AIDS at diagnosis, which highlights the need for universal HIV testing, and early diagnosis. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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