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BackgroundHIV-positive persons who use stimulants (eg, methamphetamine) experience profound health disparities, but it remains unclear whether these persist after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) initiation. Conducted within the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, this investigation examined whether stimulant use is associated with progression to AIDS or all-cause mortality after the initiation of HAART.MethodsUsing marginal structural modeling, the cumulative proportion of visits where any stimulant use was reported (ie, 0%, 1%-49%, 50%-99%, and 100%) was examined as a time-varying predictor of (1) all-cause mortality and (2) AIDS or all-cause mortality.ResultsAmong the 1313 men who have sex with men (MSM) who initiated HAART, findings showed no significant association of any level of stimulant use with all-cause mortality. A competing risk analysis indicated that no level of stimulant use was associated with increased AIDS-related or non-AIDS mortality separately. Among the 648 participants without AIDS at HAART initiation, a secondary analysis indicated that stimulant use at 50% or more of study visits was associated with a 1.5-fold increase in the odds of progression to AIDS or all-cause mortality (adjusted odds ratio = 1.54; 95% confidence interval: 1.02 to 2.33; P < 0.05).ConclusionsHIV-positive stimulant-using MSM receiving HAART seem to face no greater overall risks for all-cause, AIDS-related, or non-AIDS mortality compared with nonusers. However, men without AIDS at HAART initiation who more frequently reported stimulant use demonstrated modestly increased odds of progression to AIDS or all-cause mortality. Comprehensive approaches are needed to optimize the effectiveness of HAART with stimulant-using MSM.

BackgroundDespite evidence supporting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) efficacy, there are concerns regarding the feasibility of widespread PrEP implementation among men who have sex with men (MSM). To inform the development of targeted PrEP delivery guidelines, sexual risk trajectories among HIV-negative MSM were characterized.MethodsAt semiannual visits from 2003 to 2011, HIV-negative MSM (N = 419) participating in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study provided data on sexual risk behaviors (SRBs) since their last visit. Based on their reported behaviors, participants were assigned a SRB score at each visit as follows: 0 = no insertive or receptive anal intercourse, 1 = no unprotected insertive or receptive anal intercourse, 2 = only unprotected insertive anal intercourse, 3 = unprotected receptive anal intercourse with 1 HIV-negative partner, 4 = condom serosorting, 5 = condom seropositioning, and 6 = no seroadaptive behaviors. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to examine SRB scores (

BackgroundDespite evidence supporting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) efficacy, there are concerns regarding the feasibility of widespread PrEP implementation among men who have sex with men (MSM). To inform the development of targeted PrEP delivery guidelines, sexual risk trajectories among HIV-negative MSM were characterized.MethodsAt semiannual visits from 2003 to 2011, HIV-negative MSM (N = 419) participating in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study provided data on sexual risk behaviors (SRBs) since their last visit. Based on their reported behaviors, participants were assigned a SRB score at each visit as follows: 0 = no insertive or receptive anal intercourse, 1 = no unprotected insertive or receptive anal intercourse, 2 = only unprotected insertive anal intercourse, 3 = unprotected receptive anal intercourse with 1 HIV-negative partner, 4 = condom serosorting, 5 = condom seropositioning, and 6 = no seroadaptive behaviors. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to examine SRB scores (

Longitudinal data from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study is used to examine the association between methamphetamine use and HIV seroconversion for men who have sex with men (MSM). The examination of the mechanisms underlying the synergism of drug use and sexual risk behaviors on rates of HIV seroconversion is required for developing new-targeted HIV prevention strategies for nonmonogamous drug-using MSM.

A study was conducted to identify the predictors of lower Quality of Life (QOL) and to help assess important and alterable factors for possible interventions to maximize patients' QOL among highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Many variables could serve as predictors for QOL and maximizing QOL requires targeted and comprehensive interventions for modifiable risk factors, with combined efforts from clinicians, HIV-infected individuals, and the community.

We describe the efforts of a 4-city campaign to recruit Black and Hispanic men who have sex with men into an established HIV epidemiological study. The campaign used community organizing principles and a social marketing model that focused on personnel, location, product, costs and benefits, and promotion. The campaign was developed at the community, group, and individual levels to both increase trust and reduce barriers. The proportion of Hispanic men recruited during the 2002-2003 campaign doubled compared with the 1987 campaign, and the proportion and number of White men decreased by 20%. The proportion of Black men decreased because of the large increase in Hispanic men, although the number of Black men increased by 56%. Successful recruitment included training recruitment specialists, involving knowledgeable minority community members during planning, and having an accessible site with convenient hours. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2005.072801)

Research indicates that while new HIV treatments have had similar effects on safer sex attitudes of HIV-positive and HIV-negative men, HIV-positive men are more likely to display behavioral changes regarding reduced HIV concern. Studies were based on 554 gay or bisexual men in 1997.

Practicing psychologists face many challenges in caring for people living with HIV infection, including keeping abreast of new treatments and their impact on the psyche. Highly active antiretroviral therapies, which include protease inhibitors, demand particularly strict adherence to cumbersome treatment regimens, potentially interact with psychotropic medications, are not universally accessible, and may lower vigilance against AIDS. The promises of new treatments are also not always realized, and treatment failures pose significant psychological ramifications. In keeping pace with the ever-changing AIDS epidemic, psychologists and counselors should be aware of the promises and the realities of advances in medical treatments for HIV infection.