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Author(s): Renee El-Krab [sup.1] , Natalie Brousseau [sup.2] , Seth C. Kalichman [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) https://ror.org/02der9h97, grid.63054.34, 0000 0001 0860 4915, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, , [...], Medical mistrust is fueled by conspiracy theories and histories of healthcare systems abuse and is a known determinant of health outcomes in minority populations. Plagued by multiple and pervasive conspiracy theories, HIV/AIDS has proven to be particularly hampered by medical mistrust. The current paper systematically reviews the literature on medical mistrust among people at risk for or living with HIV infection. The bulk of evidence from 17 studies supports medical mistrust as a barrier to HIV testing, engagement in prevention and care services, treatment uptake and adherence, and clinical outcomes. While findings mostly indicate that medical mistrust is a barrier to HIV prevention and care, some studies report null results and others suggest that medical mistrust may actually improve some HIV-related outcomes. Additionally, most of the reviewed literature was cross-sectional. Thus longitudinal, theory-driven research is needed to reconcile inconsistent findings and determine long term outcomes of medical mistrust. Interventions may then be developed to reduce the negative consequences associated with medical mistrust.

INTRODUCTION Men who have sex with men (MSM) are particularly affected by the HIV epidemic worldwide [1, 2]. However, the number of new HIV diagnoses among MSM has declined in [...], : Introduction: In a context of declining condom use and high sexually transmitted infection (STI) incidence, the diffusion of “treatment as prevention” (Tasp) and more recently pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may have changed the sexual behaviour of newly diagnosed men who have sex with men (MSM) with HIV. Methods: Six hundred and nine MSM were enrolled and followed annually between 2014 and 2021 in the ANRS PRIMO Cohort (ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT03148964) from the time of HIV seroconversion. We studied changes over calendar time in sexual behaviour before and after HIV diagnosis. Factors associated with inconsistent condom use (ICU) after HIV diagnosis, PrEP use by partner(s) and bacterial STI acquisition were studied in random‐effects models. Results: In the 6 months preceding HIV diagnosis, the number of sexual partners decreased from a median of 10 (IQR: 4−19) in 2014 to 6 (3−11) in 2021. After HIV diagnosis, ICU increased from 57.1% (16/28) of visits in 2014 up to 84.2% (229/272) in 2020−2021. Up to 25% (63/229) of MSM with HIV in recent years reported the use of PrEP by their partner(s) as the reason for ICU; these MSM were less frequently in a stable relationship, had a higher number of sexual partners and higher education level than those who did not report the use of PrEP by their partner(s). STI incidence after HIV diagnosis increased between 2014 and 2016 and remained high afterwards. STI risk was no longer associated with PrEP use by partners after adjustment for the number of partners and calendar period. ICU, age below 35 years, not being in a stable relationship, higher number of sexual partners were independently associated with an increased risk of STI. Conclusions: Implementation of TasP and more recently PrEP has led to major changes in the sexual behaviour of MSM with HIV. ICU has become overwhelmingly prevalent, PrEP use by the partner increasingly being the reported reason for ICU, behind TasP, which remains the main reason. Characteristics of MSM at the time of diagnosis of HIV have changed, with fewer number of sexual partners today than in 2014, which must lead to broaden the indications for PrEP prescription. STIs incidence remains high in MSM with HIV and requires improvements in screening and prevention methods such as pre‐ or post‐exposition antibiotics or vaccines.

INTRODUCTION Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 15–24 represented nearly one‐quarter of new HIV infections in 2022 in sub‐Saharan Africa [1]. In parallel, AGYW living with HIV in sub‐Saharan [...], : Introduction: Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) living with HIV experience poor HIV outcomes and high rates of unintended pregnancy. Little is known about which healthcare provisions can optimize their HIV‐related outcomes, particularly among AGYW mothers. Methods: Eligible 12‐ to 24‐year‐old AGYW living with HIV from 61 health facilities in a South African district completed a survey in 2018–2019 (90% recruited). Analysing surveys and medical records from n = 774 participants, we investigated associations of multiple HIV‐related outcomes (past‐week adherence, consistent clinic attendance, uninterrupted treatment, no tuberculosis [TB] and viral suppression) with seven healthcare provisions: no antiretroviral therapy (ART) stockouts, kind and respectful providers, support groups, short travel time, short waiting time, confidentiality, and safe and affordable facilities. Further, we compared HIV‐related outcomes and healthcare provisions between mothers (n = 336) and nulliparous participants (n = 438). Analyses used multivariable regression models, accounting for multiple outcomes. Results: HIV‐related outcomes were poor, especially among mothers. In multivariable analyses, two healthcare provisions were “accelerators,” associated with multiple improved outcomes, with similar results among mothers. Safe and affordable facilities, and kind and respectful staff were associated with higher predicted probabilities of HIV‐related outcomes (p Conclusions: Accessible and adolescent‐responsive healthcare is critical to improving HIV‐related outcomes, reducing morbidity, mortality and onward HIV transmission among AGYW. Combining these provisions can maximize benefits, especially for AGYW mothers.

INTRODUCTION Young women living with HIV (YWHIV) commonly experience overlapping vulnerabilities, especially in low‐resource, HIV‐endemic settings. They are likelier to experience violence, and have poorer antiretroviral adherence, HIV care disengagement [...]

1 | INTRODUCTION Sexual and gender minority (SGM) people are often stigmatized and mistreated based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Training healthcare workers on serving SGM [...], Introduction: Training in care for sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations is critical for ending the HIV epidemic. SGM people, particularly men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women, experience disproportionate HIV infection across the globe. The objective of this commentary was to synthesize facilitators of and barriers to SGM health training efforts for healthcare workers in Uganda, in order to help inform potential priorities, strategies and next steps to advance culturally responsive HIV-related care for SGM communities across Uganda and sub-Saharan Africa. Discussion: SGM health training often includes education on: foundational concepts and language; stigma, discrimination and SGM health disparities; understanding and addressing implicit bias; sensitive and effective communication and building SGM-inclusive and welcoming healthcare environments. Clinicians' education includes sexual and gender histories, sex-positive HIV counselling, sexually transmitted infections, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and gender-affirming hormone therapy. SGM communities in sub-Saharan Africa have often experienced discrimination, persecution, incarceration and physical violence, and they encounter unique barriers to engagement in sexual health services and HIV prevention and treatment. SGM health training efforts in Uganda reveal challenges to and opportunities for advancing equity for SGM communities in sexual health and HIV medical care across the region. In Uganda, SGM community advocacy, as well as policies and programmes of the Ministry of Health and US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, have increased readiness and need for scaling up training and skills-sharing in SGM-focused HIV and sexual healthcare, including Ugandan-led and international initiatives. Conclusions: Numerous challenges exist to widespread culturally responsive HIV and sexual healthcare for SGM communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Lessons learned from healthcare worker training efforts in Uganda may inform future replication, adaptation and dissemination initiatives to meet the needs of more SGM communities in the region. Evaluation of SGM health training programmes to determine the impact on HIV virological suppression and sexual health outcomes will be critical for identifying best practices and strategies that may support advancing HIV epidemic control for SGM communities in Uganda and across sub-Saharan Africa. Keywords: sexual and gender minorities; HIV; education; training; sub-Saharan Africa; Uganda; PEPFAR

Introduction The improved life expectancy and stabilized HIV infection prevalence in many countries suggest that the number of HIV?serodiscordant couples (i.e. one member of the couple is living with HIV [...], : Introduction: Better knowledge about fertility desires/intentions among HIV?serodiscordant partners who face unique challenges when considering childbearing may be helpful in the development of targeted reproductive interventions. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize the published literature regarding the prevalence of fertility desires/intentions and its associated factors among individuals in HIV?serodiscordant relationships while distinguishing low? and middle?income countries (LMIC) from high?income countries (HIC). Methods: A systematic search of all papers published prior to February 2017 was conducted in four electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Cochrane Library). Empirical studies published in peer?reviewed journals with individuals in HIV?serodiscordant relationships assessing the prevalence of fertility desires/intentions and/or the associated factors were included in this systematic review. This review adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta?Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results and discussion: After screening 1852 references, 29 studies were included, of which 21 were conducted in LMIC and eight in HIC. A great variability in the prevalence of fertility desires/intentions was observed in LMIC (8% to 84% (one member of the dyad included)). In HIC, the results showed a smaller discrepancy between in the prevalence (32% to 58% (one member of the dyad included)); the prevalence was higher when the couple was the unit of analysis (64% to 73%), which may be related to the fact that all these studies were conducted in the context of assisted reproduction. Few studies examined the factors associated with fertility desires/intentions, and all except one were conducted in LMIC. Individuals (e.g. number of children), couple?level (e.g. belief that the partner wanted children) and structural factors (e.g. discussions with health workers) were found to be associated. Conclusions: The results of this systematic review suggest that many individuals in HIV?serodiscordant relationships have fertility desires/intentions, although the prevalence is particularly heterogeneous in LMIC in comparison to HIC. Well?known factors such as younger age and a fewer number of living children were consistently associated with increased fertility desires/intentions. Different couple?level factors emerged, reflecting the importance of considering both the individual and the couple. However, further studies that specifically focus on the dyad as the unit of analysis are warranted.

Abbreviations Introduction The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS? (UNAIDS) goals for addressing the HIV epidemic include that 95% of people who have been diagnosed with HIV will have initiated [...], : Introduction: Cross?sectional evidence suggests that internalized HIV stigma is associated with lower likelihoods of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and HIV?1 RNA suppression among people living with HIV (PLWH). This study examined these associations with longitudinal data spanning the first nine months following HIV diagnosis and explored whether avoidant coping mediates these associations. Methods: Longitudinal data were collected from 398 South African PLWH recruited from testing centres in 2014 to 2015. Self?report data, including internalized stigma and avoidant coping (denying and distracting oneself from stressors), were collected one week and three months following HIV diagnosis. ART initiation at six months and HIV?1 RNA at nine months were extracted from the South Africa National Health Laboratory Service database. Two path analyses were estimated, one testing associations between internalized stigma, avoidant coping and ART initiation, and the other testing associations between internalized stigma, avoidant coping and HIV?1 RNA suppression. Results: Participants were 36 years old, on average, and 63% identified as female, 18% as Zulu and 65% as Xhosa. The two path models fit the data well (ART initiation outcome: X[sup.2] (7) = 8.14, p = 0.32; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.02; comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.92; HIV?1 RNA suppression outcome: X[sup.2] (7) = 6.58, p = 0.47; RMSEA = 0.00; CFI = 1.00). In both models, internalized stigma one week after diagnosis was associated with avoidant coping at three months, controlling for avoidant coping at one week. In turn, avoidant coping at three months was associated with lower likelihood of ART initiation at six months in the first model and lower likelihood of HIV?1 RNA suppression at nine months in the second model. Significant indirect effects were observed between internalized stigma with ART non?initiation and unsuppressed HIV?1 RNA via the mediator of avoidant coping. Conclusions: Internalized stigma experienced soon after HIV diagnosis predicted lower likelihood of ART initiation and HIV?1 RNA suppression over the first year following HIV diagnosis. Avoidant coping played a role in these associations, suggesting that PLWH who internalize stigma engage in greater avoidant coping, which in turn worsens medication? and health?related outcomes. Interventions are needed to address internalized stigma and avoidant coping soon after HIV diagnosis to enhance treatment efforts during the first year after HIV diagnosis.

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