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Abstract Background In Vietnam and other global settings, men who have sex with men (MSM) have become the population at greatest risk of HIV infection. Although HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been implemented as a prevention strategy, PrEP outcomes may be affected by low persistence and adherence among MSM with unhealthy alcohol use. MSM have a high prevalence of unhealthy alcohol use in Vietnam, which may affect PrEP outcomes. Methods Design: We will conduct a two-arm hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation randomized controlled trial of a brief alcohol intervention (BAI) compared to the standard of care (SOC) at the Sexual Health Promotion (SHP) clinic Hanoi, Vietnam. Participants: Sexually active MSM (n=564) who are newly initiating PrEP or re-initiating PrEP and have unhealthy alcohol use will be recruited and randomized 1:1 to the SOC or BAI arm. A subgroup of participants (n=20) in each arm will be selected for longitudinal qualitative interviews; an additional subset (n=48) in the BAI arm will complete brief quantitative and qualitative interviews after completion of the BAI to assess the acceptability of the intervention. Additional implementation outcomes will be assessed through interviews with clinic staff and stakeholders (n=35). Intervention: Study participants in both arms will receive standard care for PrEP clients. In the BAI arm, each participant will receive two face-to-face intervention sessions and two brief booster phone sessions, based on cognitive behavioral therapy and delivered in motivational interviewing informed style, to address their unhealthy alcohol use. Outcomes: Effectiveness (PrEP and alcohol use) and cost-effectiveness outcomes will be compared between the two arms. Intervention implementation outcomes (acceptability, feasibility, adoption) will be assessed among MSM participants, clinic staff, and stakeholders. Discussion This proposed trial will assess an alcohol intervention for MSM with unhealthy alcohol use who initiate or re-initiate PrEP, while simultaneously preparing for subsequent implementation. The study will measure the effectiveness of the BAI for increasing PrEP persistence through reducing unhealthy alcohol use in a setting where excessive alcohol consumption is a normative behavior. If effective, implementation-focused results will inform future scale-up of the BAI in similar settings. Trial registration NCT06094634 on clinicaltrials.gov. Registered 16 October 2023.

Abstract Background Evidence-based interventions (EBIs) often address normative behaviors. If a behavior is also common among clinicians, they may be skeptical about the necessity or effectiveness of an EBI. Alternatively, clinicians’ attitudes and behaviors may be misaligned, or they may lack the knowledge and self-efficacy to deliver the EBI. Several EBIs address unhealthy alcohol use, a common and often culturally acceptable behavior. But unhealthy alcohol use may be particularly harmful to people with HIV (PWH). Here, we present an implementation trial using an experiential implementation strategy to address clinicians’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Clinicians receive the experiential intervention before they begin delivering an evidence-based brief alcohol intervention (BAI) to PWH with unhealthy alcohol use. Methods Design: In this hybrid type 3 implementation-effectiveness cluster randomized controlled trial, ART clinics (n = 30) will be randomized 1:1 to facilitation, a flexible strategy to address implementation barriers, or facilitation plus the experiential brief alcohol intervention (EBAI). In the EBAI arm, clinicians, irrespective of their alcohol use, will be offered the BAI as experiential learning. EBAI will address clinicians’ alcohol-related attitudes and behaviors and increase their knowledge and confidence to deliver the BAI. Participants: ART clinic staff will be enrolled and assessed at pre-BAI training, post-BAI training, 3, 12, and 24 months. All PWH at the ART clinics who screen positive for unhealthy alcohol use will be offered the BAI. A subset of PWH (n = 810) will be enrolled and assessed at baseline, 3, and 12 months. Outcomes: We will compare implementation outcomes (acceptability, fidelity, penetration, costs, and sustainability) and effectiveness outcomes (viral suppression and alcohol use) between the two arms. We will assess the impact of site-level characteristics on scaling-up the BAI. We will also evaluate how experiencing the BAI affected clinical staff’s alcohol use and clinic-level alcohol expectations in the EBAI arm. Discussion This trial contributes to implementation science by testing a novel strategy to implement a behavior change intervention in a setting in which clinicians themselves may engage in the behavior. Experiential learning may be useful to address normative and difficult to change lifestyle behaviors that contribute to chronic diseases. Trial Registration NCT06358885 (04/10/2024), https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06358885 .

Abstract Background We use a novel, longitudinal approach to describe average time spent in opioid use disorder (OUD) cascade of care stages for people with HIV (PWH) and with OUD, incorporating four definitions of treatment retention. Using this approach, we describe the impact of cocaine or hazardous alcohol use on time spent retained on buprenorphine. Methods We followed PWH with OUD enrolled in the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinical Cohort from their first buprenorphine treatment episode between 2013 and 2020. We estimated 4-year restricted mean time spent on buprenorphine below buprenorphine retention threshold, on buprenorphine above retention threshold, off buprenorphine and in HIV care, loss to follow-up, and death. Retention definitions were based on retention threshold (180 vs 90 days) and allowable treatment gap (7 vs 30 days). Differences in 2-year restricted mean time spent retained on buprenorphine were estimated for patients with and without cocaine or hazardous alcohol use. Results The study sample (N = 179) was 63% male, 82% non-Hispanic Black, and mean age was 53 (SD 8) years. Patients spent on average 13.9 months (95% CI 11.4, 16.4) on buprenorphine over 4 years. There were differences in time spent retained on buprenorphine based on the retention definition, ranging from 6.5 months (95% CI 4.6, 8.5) to 9.6 months (95% CI 7.4, 11.8). Patients with cocaine use spent fewer months retained on buprenorphine. There were no differences for patients with hazardous alcohol use. Conclusions PWH with OUD spend relatively little time receiving buprenorphine in their HIV primary care clinic. Concurrent cocaine use at buprenorphine initiation negatively impact time on buprenorphine.

Background and Aims: Substance use among persons with Crohn’s disease (CD) is associated with symptomatic exacerbation and poorer quality of life. However, data on the prevalence of substance use among individuals with CD are limited. Therefore, our study aimed to estimate the burden of alcohol and drug use among individuals with incident CD in the United States. We also assessed the associations between CD-related interventions and substance use after CD diagnosis. Methods: Our retrospective cohort study of the national Medicaid databases from 2010 to 2019 identified participants with newly diagnosed CD and defined substance use (ie, alcohol, opioids, cocaine, amphetamine, and cannabis) using diagnosis codes. Multivariable logistic regression models assessed the associations between CD-related interventions and substance use after CD diagnosis. Results: Overall, 16.3% of Medicaid enrollees with incident CD had substance ever-use, most commonly alcohol or opioids (each 8.0%). Any substance use saw an absolute decrease of 3.8% after CD diagnosis, but changes were less than 1% in either direction for each substance. CD-related hospitalization was associated with increased alcohol or opioid use post-CD diagnosis. Surgery was associated with lower use post-CD of opioids but not alcohol. CD medications (except steroids) were generally associated with decreased post-CD alcohol or opioid use. Conclusion: Among Medicaid enrollees with incident CD, alcohol and opioid use were more frequent than previously published estimates for the general US population (6% and 4%, respectively, in 2019). Consequently, medical communities must be more aware of substance use by patients with CD to provide quality patient-centered care.

BackgroundSubstance use disorders are prevalent and undertreated among people with HIV. Computer-delivered interventions (CDIs) show promise in expanding reach, delivering evidence-based care, and offering anonymity. Use in HIV clinic settings may overcome access barriers. Incorporating digital counselors may increase CDI engagement, and thereby improve health outcomes. ObjectiveWe aim to develop and pilot a digital counselor–delivered brief intervention for people with HIV who use drugs, called “C-Raven,” which is theory grounded and uses evidence-based practices for behavior change. MethodsIntervention mapping was used to develop the CDI including a review of the behavior change research in substance use, HIV, and digital counselors. We conducted in-depth interviews applying the situated-information, motivation, and behavior skills model and culturally adapting the content for local use with people with HIV. With a user interaction designer, we created various digital counselors and CDI interfaces. Finally, a mixed methods approach using in-depth interviews and quantitative assessments was used to assess the usability, acceptability, and cultural relevance of the intervention content and the digital counselor. ResultsParticipants found CDI easy to use, useful, relevant, and motivating. A consistent suggestion was to provide more information about the negative impacts of drug use and the interaction of drug use with HIV. Participants also reported that they learned new information about drug use and its health effects. The CDI was delivered by a “Raven,” digital counselor, programmed to interact in a motivational interviewing style. The Raven was perceived to be nonjudgmental, understanding, and emotionally responsive. The appearance and images in the intervention were perceived as relevant and acceptable. Participants noted that they could be more truthful with a digital counselor, however, it was not unanimously endorsed as a replacement for a human counselor. The C-Raven Satisfaction Scale showed that all participants rated their satisfaction at either a 4 (n=2) or a 5 (n=8) on a 5-point Likert scale and all endorsed using the C-Raven program again. ConclusionsCDIs show promise in extending access to care and improving health outcomes but their development necessarily requires integration from multiple disciplines including behavioral medicine and computer science. We developed a cross-platform compatible CDI led by a digital counselor that interacts in a motivational interviewing style and (1) uses evidence-based behavioral change methods, (2) is culturally adapted to people with HIV who use drugs, (3) has an engaging and interactive user interface, and (4) presents personalized content based on participants’ ongoing responses to a series of menu-driven conversations. To advance the continued development of this and other CDIs, we recommend expanded testing, standardized measures to evaluate user experience, integration with clinician-delivered substance use treatment, and if effective, implementation into HIV clinical care.

Significance: People with HIV (PWH) who smoke cigarettes have lower cessation rates than the general population. This study investigated whether changes in cannabis use frequency impedes cigarette cessation among PWH who are motivated to quit. Methods: Between 2016-2020, PWH who smoked cigarettes were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial for cigarette cessation. Analyses were limited to PWH who reported on their past 30-day (P30D) cannabis use during four study visits (baseline, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month) (N=374). Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used to evaluate changes in cannabis use frequency from baseline to 6 months and associations with cigarette abstinence at 6 months among PWH who reported no use during all four visits (n=176), as well as those who reported use during at least one visit and who increased (n=39), decreased (n=78), or had no change (n=81) in use frequency. Results: Among those who reported cannabis use during at least one visit (n=198), at baseline, 18.2% reported no use. At 6 months, 34.3% reported no use. Controlling for covariates, increased cannabis use frequency from baseline was associated with reduced odds of cigarette abstinence at 6 months versus decreased use frequency (aOR=0.22, 95% CI=0.03, 0.90) or no use at either time-point (aOR=0.25, 95% CI=0.04, 0.93). Conclusions: Increased cannabis use over 6 months was associated with reduced odds of cigarette smoking abstinence among PWH who were motivated to quit. Additional factors that influence cannabis use and cigarette cessation simultaneously are in need of further study.

Background: Alcohol use among people with HIV is associated with worse HIV treatment outcomes. Its impact on self-reported health status is unclear. Setting: Longitudinal cohort of people with HIV engaged in care across 7 clinics participating in the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Care Systems between January 2011 and June 2014. Methods: A total of 5046 participants were studied. A quantile regression model estimated the association of alcohol use levels with subsequent self-reported health status score, accounting for multiple covariates including depressive symptoms. Women, men who have sex with women, and men who have sex with men were analyzed separately. Results: Prevalence of heavy alcohol use was 21%, 31%, and 37% among women, men who have sex with women, and men who have sex with men, respectively. Women with heavy alcohol use had a subsequently decreased median self-reported health status score compared to women with no or moderate alcohol use (odds ratio [OR]: 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58–0.99); this association was not explained by the presence of depressive symptoms. There was no observed association of alcohol use level on subsequent self-reported health status among men who have sex with women. Men who have sex with men reporting no alcohol use had a subsequently decreased median self-reported health status compared to moderate alcohol use (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.80-0.97). Conclusion: Heavy alcohol use is associated with worsened self-reported health status at subsequent visits among women with HIV and not men with HIV.

BackgroundThe prevalence of substance use in people with HIV (PWH) in the United States is higher than in the general population and is an important driver of HIV-related outcomes. We sought to assess if previously identified genetic associations that contribute to substance use are also observed in a population of PWH.MethodsWe performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of alcohol, smoking, and cannabis use phenotypes in a multi-ancestry population of 7,542 PWH from the Center for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS). We conducted multi-ancestry GWAS for individuals of African (n = 3,748), Admixed American (n = 1,334), and European (n = 2,460) ancestry. Phenotype data were self-reported and collected using patient reported outcomes (PROs) and three questions from AUDIT-C, an alcohol screening tool. We analyzed nine phenotypes: 1) frequency of alcohol consumption, 2) typical number of drinks on a day when drinking alcohol, 3) frequency of five or more alcoholic drinks in a 30-day period, 4) smoking initiation, 5) smoking cessation, 6) cigarettes per day, 7) cannabis use initiation, 8) cannabis use cessation, 9) frequency of cannabis use during the previous 30 days. For each phenotype we considered a) variants previously identified as associated with a substance use trait and b) novel associations.ResultsWe observed evidence for effects of previously reported single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to alcohol (rs1229984, p = 0.001), tobacco (rs11783093, p = 2.22E-4), and cannabis use (rs2875907, p = 0.005). We also report two novel loci (19p13.2, p = 1.3E-8; and 20p11.21, p = 2.1E-8) associated with cannabis use cessation.ConclusionsOur analyses contribute to understanding the genetic bases of substance use in a population with relatively higher rates of use compared to the general population.

Abstract Background Information regarding the impact of substance use on the timing of entry into HIV care is lacking. Better understanding of this relationship can help guide approaches and policies to improve HIV testing and linkage. Methods We examined the effect of specific substances on stage of HIV disease at entry into care in over 5000 persons with HIV (PWH) newly enrolling in care. Substance use was obtained from the AUDIT-C and ASSIST instruments. We examined the association between early entry into care and substance use (high-risk alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine/crack, illicit opioids, marijuana) using logistic and relative risk regression models adjusting for demographic factors, mental health symptoms and diagnoses, and clinical site. Results We found that current methamphetamine use, past and current cocaine and marijuana use was associated with earlier entry into care compared with individuals who reported no use of these substances. Conclusion Early entry into care among those with substance use suggests that HIV testing may be differentially offered to people with known HIV risk factors, and that individuals with substances use disorders may be more likely to be tested and linked to care due to increased interactions with the healthcare system.

BackgroundUnhealthy alcohol use is associated with increased morbidity and mortality among persons with HIV and tuberculosis (TB). Computer-based interventions (CBIs) can reduce unhealthy alcohol use, are scalable, and may improve outcomes among patients with HIV or TB. ObjectiveWe assessed the acceptability, adaptability, and feasibility of a novel CBI for alcohol reduction in HIV and TB clinical settings in Pune, India. MethodsWe conducted 10 in-depth interviews with persons with alcohol use disorder (AUD): TB (6/10), HIV (2/10), or HIV-TB co-infected (1/10) selected using convenience sampling method, no HIV or TB disease (1/10), 1 focus group with members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA; n=12), and 2 focus groups with health care providers (HCPs) from a tertiary care hospital (n=22). All participants reviewed and provided feedback on a CBI for AUD delivered by a 3D virtual counselor. Qualitative data were analyzed using structured framework analysis. ResultsThe majority (9/10) of in-depth interview respondents were male, with median age 42 (IQR 38-45) years. AA focus group participants were all male (12/12), and HCP focus group participants were predominantly female (n=15). Feedback was organized into 3 domains: (1) virtual counselor acceptability, (2) intervention adaptability, and (3) feasibility of the CBI intervention in clinic settings. Overall, in-depth interview participants found the virtual counselor to be acceptable and felt comfortable honestly answering alcohol-related questions. All focus group participants preferred a human virtual counselor to an animal virtual counselor so as to potentially increase CBI engagement. Additionally, interaction with a live human counselor would further enhance the program’s effectiveness by providing more flexible interaction. HCP focus group participants noted the importance of adding information on the effects of alcohol on HIV and TB outcomes because patients were not viewed as appreciating these linkages. For local adaptation, more information on types of alcoholic drinks, additional drinking triggers, motivators, and activities to substitute for drinking alcohol were suggested by all focus group participants. Intervention duration (about 20 minutes) and pace were deemed appropriate. HCPs reported that the CBI provides systematic, standardized counseling. All focus group and in-depth interview participants reported that the CBI could be implemented in Indian clinical settings with assistance from HIV or TB program staff. ConclusionsWith cultural tailoring to patients with HIV and TB in Indian clinical care settings, a virtual counselor–delivered alcohol intervention is acceptable and appears feasible to implement, particularly if coupled with person-delivered counseling.

Objective: We sought to determine if a computer delivered brief alcohol intervention (CBI) with or without interactive voice response counseling and text messages (CBI-IVR-TM), reduced alcohol use and sexual risk behaviors compared to attention control. Methods: We conducted a 3-arm RCT among women (n = 439) recruited from Baltimore City Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Clinics. Eligibility included: 1) consumption of >7 drinks per week or 2) ≥2 episodes of heavy episodic drinking or ≥2 episodes of sex under the influence of alcohol in the prior three months. Research assessments conducted at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months included a 30-day Timeline Followback querying daily alcohol use, drug use, and sexual activity. We used the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview-DSM-IV to ascertain drinking severity. Primary alcohol outcomes included: drinking days, heavy drinking days, drinks per drinking day. Secondary sexual risk outcomes included number of sexual partners, days of condomless sex, and days of condomless sex under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Results: Median age was 31 (IQR 25–44 years), 88% were African American, 65% reported current recreational drug use, and 26% endorsed depressive symptoms. On the MINI 66% met criteria for alcohol use disorder (49% alcohol dependence, 18% abuse). At follow-up, all three groups reduced drinking days, heavy drinking days, drinks per drinking day and drinks per week with no significant differences between study arms. There was no difference in sexual risk outcomes among the groups. Conclusions: Among women attending an urban STI clinic single session CBI with or without IVR and text message boosters was insufficient to reduce unhealthy alcohol use or sexual risk behaviors beyond control. The high severity of alcohol use and the prevalence of mental health symptoms and other substance use comorbidity underscores the importance of developing programs that address not only alcohol use but other determinants of STI risk among women.

Aims: Prevalence of unhealthy alcohol use and co-occurring mental health problems is high among persons living with HIV (PLWH) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Yet, there is a dearth of evidence-based treatment options that can address both unhealthy alcohol use and comorbidities in SSA HIV care settings. Recent studies testing single-session alcohol brief interventions (BIs) among PLWH in SSA have suggested that more robust treatments are needed. This paper describes the protocol of a pilot randomized controlled superiority trial that will test the effectiveness of an evidence-based transdiagnostic multi-session psychotherapy, the Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA), compared to a control condition consisting of a single session brief alcohol intervention (BI) based on CETA, at reducing unhealthy alcohol use, mental health problems, and other substance use among PLWH in urban Zambia. Methods: The study is a single-blind, parallel, individually randomized trial conducted in HIV treatment centers in Lusaka. 160 PLWH who meet criteria for unhealthy alcohol use + mental health or substance use comorbidities and/or have a more severe alcohol use disorder are eligible. Participants are randomized 1:1 to receive the single-session BI or CETA. Outcomes are assessed at baseline and a six-month follow-up and include unhealthy alcohol use, depression, trauma symptoms, and other substance use. Conclusions: The trial is a first step in establishing the effectiveness of CETA at reducing unhealthy alcohol use and comorbidities among PLWH in SSA. If effectiveness is demonstrated, a larger trial featuring long-term follow-ups and HIV treatment outcomes will be undertaken.

Background Hazardous alcohol use is detrimental to persons with HIV (PWH), impacting medication adherence and liver function, yet globally resources to target alcohol use behavior in this population are limited. Few studies have identified the costs of integrating alcohol reduction interventions into HIV care. Objective To estimate the costs of implementing and delivering two evidence-based behavioral counseling interventions targeting hazardous alcohol use among persons with HIV and to estimate the costs of scale-up in ART clinics in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam. Methods We undertook a micro-costing approach to determine the costs of delivering two adapted evidence-based interventions to reduce alcohol use: an intensive combined cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement therapy-informed intervention (CoI) and an abbreviated brief alcohol intervention (BI). A total of 294 participants with hazardous alcohol use were identified through a brief screening tool and received the CoI (n = 147) and the BI (n = 147) over 3 months. We estimated costs using time and motion studies, budget analysis, staff interviews, and participant questionnaires. Data were collected from 2016 to 2018 in VND and converted to USD. Results The total cost of implementation and administration of the intervention to 147 participants receiving the CoI was $13,900 ($95 per participant) and to 147 participants receiving the BI was $5700 ($39 per participant). Implementation and startup costs including training accounted for 27% of costs for the CoI and 28% for the BI. Counselor costs accounted for a large proportion of both the CoI (41%) and the BI (30%). Conclusions Implementing and delivering alcohol reduction interventions to people with HIV in Vietnam with appropriate fidelity is costly. These costs may be reduced, particularly counselor labor costs, by using an evidence-based brief intervention format. Future research should explore the budgetary impact of brief and combined interventions to reduce hazardous alcohol use, particularly among vulnerable populations.

BackgroundWhile the link between alcohol use and male-perpetrated intimate partner violence (IPV) has been well-established, research is needed to test whether psychosocial factors interact with alcohol use to exacerbate IPV perpetration. We tested whether depressive symptoms influenced the strength and/or direction of the alcohol-IPV relationship among men with HIV in Vietnam.MethodsThis study is a secondary analysis using data from a randomized controlled trial conducted in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam. Participants were clinic patients with HIV and hazardous alcohol use. Questionnaires were administered at baseline, three, six, and 12 months. Alcohol use was assessed as proportion of days alcohol abstinent. Analyses were restricted to males who reported being married/cohabitating at baseline (N = 313). Multilevel growth models were used to test whether time-varying depressive symptoms modified the time-varying effect of alcohol use on IPV perpetration.ResultsTime-varying depressive symptoms modified the effect of proportion of days alcohol abstinent on IPV perpetration. However, the pattern of effect modification was not as expected, as reporting depressive symptoms weakened the alcohol-IPV relationship. At times when participants screened negative for depressive symptoms, those who reported higher proportion of days alcohol abstinent than usual had significantly lower odds of IPV perpetration (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.17, 95% Confidence Interval 0.06, 0.45, p = 0.0004). At times when participants screened positive for depressive symptoms, there was no observed effect of alcohol use on IPV perpetration (OR = 4.28, 95% CI 0.80, 22.78, p = 0.09).ConclusionThe findings highlight the complex nature of the alcohol-IPV relationship and the need to investigate the intersection between hazardous drinking, mental health, and IPV. Men who concurrently report depressive symptoms and heightened alcohol use may be socially isolated from an intimate partner or experiencing fatigue, leading to less alcohol-related IPV perpetration. Mental health interventions addressing depression and alcohol misuse integrated into HIV services may reduce IPV perpetration.

BackgroundHazardous alcohol use is prevalent among people living with HIV (PWH), leading to sub-optimal HIV treatment outcomes. In Vietnam, alcohol use is highly normative making it socially challenging for PWH to reduce or abstain. We used mixed methods to develop a quantitative scale to assess alcohol abstinence stigma and examined the association between alcohol abstinence stigma with alcohol use among PWH in Vietnam.MethodsWe conducted qualitative interviews with 30 PWH with hazardous alcohol use from an antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic in the Thai Nguyen to inform item development. Alcohol use was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. We tested items in a survey of 1,559 ART clinic patients to assess internal consistency and structural validity. We used log binomial modeling to estimate associations between any reported alcohol abstinence stigma and alcohol use.ResultsUsing the results from the qualitative interview data, we developed the alcohol abstinence stigma scale with seven final items with scores ranging from 0 (no stigma) to 28 (high stigma). The scale had good internal consistency (α = 0.75). Exploratory factor analysis suggested the presence of three factors: internalized, experienced, and anticipated stigma that explained 56.9% of the total variance. The mean score was 2.74, (SD = 4.28) and 46% reported any alcohol abstinence stigma. We observed a dose-response relationship between alcohol abstinence stigma and alcohol use. PWH who reported any alcohol abstinence stigma had greater hazardous alcohol use (aPR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.56), harmful alcohol use (aPR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.37, 3.72), and dependence symptoms (aPR = 3.81, 95% CI: 2.19, 6.64).ConclusionAlcohol abstinence stigma is associated with increased alcohol levels of alcohol use among PWH in Vietnam, signaling challenges for alcohol reduction. Consideration of alcohol abstinence stigma will be essential for the design of effective alcohol reduction interventions and policy efforts to prevent adverse health consequences of alcohol use among PWH.

BackgroundTransgender women (TW) are disproportionately affected by both HIV and cardiovascular disease (CVD).ObjectivesWe aim to quantify prevalence of elevated predicted CVD risk for TW compared to cisgender women (CW) and cisgender men (CM) in HIV care and describe the impact of multiple operationalizations of CVD risk score calculations for TW.DesignWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis of patients engaged in HIV care between October 2014 and February 2018.SettingThe Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems, a collaboration of 8 HIV clinical sites in the United States contributed data for this analysis.Patients221 TW, 2983 CW, and 13467 CM.MeasurementsThe measure of interest is prevalence of elevated 10-year cardiovascular disease risk based on ACC/AHA Pooled Cohort Risk Assessment equations (PCE) and the Framingham Risk Score (FRS), calculated for TW by: birth-assigned sex (male); history of exogenous sex hormone use (female/male); and current gender (female).ResultsUsing birth-assigned sex, the adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) was 2.52 (95% CI: 1.08,5.86) and 2.58 (95% CI: 1.71,3.89) comparing TW to CW, by PCE and FRS, respectively. It was 1.25 (95% CI: 0.54,2.87) and 1.25 (95% CI: 0.84,1.86) comparing TW to CM, by PCE and FRS, respectively. If TW were classified according to current gender versus birth-assigned sex, their predicted CVD risk scores were lower.LimitationsPCE and FRS have not been validated in TW with HIV. Few adjudicated CVD events in the data set precluded analyses based on clinical outcomes.ConclusionsAfter adjustment for demographics and history of HIV care, prevalence of elevated CVD risk in TW was similar to CM and equal to or higher than in CW, depending operationalization of the sex variable. Future studies with CVD outcomes are needed to help clinicians accurately estimate CVD risk among TW with HIV.

Abstract Background Inadequate identification and treatment of substance use (SU) and mental health (MH) disorders hinders retention in HIV care. The objective of this study was to elicit stakeholder input on integration of SU/MH screening using computer-assisted patient-reported outcomes (PROs) into clinical practice. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with HIV-positive patients who self-reported SU/MH symptoms on a computer-assisted PROs (n = 19) and HIV primary care providers (n = 11) recruited from an urban academic HIV clinic. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. We iteratively developed codes and organized key themes using editing style analysis. Results Two themes emerged: (1) Honest Disclosure: Some providers felt PROs might improve SU/MH disclosure; more were concerned that patients would not respond honestly if their provider saw the results. Patients were also divided, stating PROs could help overcome stigma but that it could be harder to disclose SU/MH to a computer versus a live person. (2) Added Value in the Clinical Encounter: Most providers felt PROs would fill a practice gap. Patients had concerns regarding confidentiality but indicated PROs would help providers take better care of them. Conclusions Both patients and providers indicated that PROs are potentially useful clinical tools to improve detection of SU/MH. However, patients and providers expressed conflicting viewpoints about disclosure of SU/MH using computerized PROs. Future studies implementing PROs screening interventions must assess concerns over confidentiality and honest disclosure of SU/MH to understand the effectiveness of PROs as a clinical tool. More research is also needed on patient-centered integration of the results of PROs in HIV care.

Abstract Background There is substantial variation in the practice of preoperative medical evaluation (PME) and limited evidence for its benefit, which raises concerns about overuse. Surgeons have a unique role in this multidisciplinary practice. The objective of this qualitative study was to explore surgeons’ practices and their beliefs about PME. Methods We conducted of semi-structured interviews with 18 surgeons in Baltimore, Maryland. Surgeons were purposively sampled to maximize diversity in terms of practice type (academic vs. private practice), surgical specialty, gender, and experience level. General topics included surgeons’ current PME practices, perceived benefits and harms of PME, the surgical risk assessment, and potential improvements and barriers to change. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were analyzed using content analysis to identify themes, which are presented as assertions. Transcripts were re-analyzed to identify supporting and opposing instances of each assertion. Results A total of 15 themes emerged. There was wide variation in surgeons’ described PME practices. Surgeons believed that PME improves surgical outcomes, but not all patients benefit. Surgeons were cognizant of the financial cost of the current system and the potential inconvenience that additional tests and office visits pose to patients. Surgeons believed that PME has minimal to no risk and that a normal PME is reassuring to them and patients. Surgeons were confident in their ability to assess surgical risk, and risk assessment by non-surgeons rarely affected their surgical decision-making. Hospital and anesthesiology requirements were a major driver of surgeons’ PME practices. Surgeons did not receive much training on PME but perceived their practices to be similar to their colleagues. Surgeons believed that PME provides malpractice protection, welcomed standardization, and perceived there to be inadequate evidence to significantly change their current practice. Conclusions Views of surgeons should be considered in future research on and reforms to the PME process.

In Vietnam where alcohol use is culturally normative and little treatment is available, persons living with HIV (PLWH) who consume alcohol at unhealthy levels are at greatly increased risk for negative health outcomes. We describe the first systematic adaptation of 2 evidence-based alcohol interventions for use in Vietnam: a combined motivational enhancement therapy/cognitive behavioral therapy and a brief alcohol intervention. Using the situated information, motivation and behavioral skills model, and systematic procedures for tailoring evidence-based treatments, we identified core intervention content to be preserved and key characteristics to be tailored for relevance to the clinical setting. We describe the use of in-depth interviews with antiretroviral treatment clients and providers, expert input, and counselor training procedures to develop tailored manuals for counselors and clients. Adapting evidence-based alcohol treatments for global settings is facilitated by the use of a model of behavior change and systematic procedures to operationalize the approach.