Jenevieve Opoku

Differing HIV Risks and Prevention Needs among Men and Women Injection Drug Users (IDU) in the District of Columbia

Washington, DC has among the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the US. Gender differences among injection drug users (IDUs) may be associated with adoption of prevention opportunities including needle exchange programs, HIV testing, psychosocial support, and prevention programming. National HIV Behavioral Surveillance data on current IDUs aged ≥18 were collected from 8/09 to 11/09 via respondent-driven sampling in Washington, DC. HIV status was assessed using oral OraQuick with Western Blot confirmation. Weighted estimates were derived using RDSAT. Stata was used to characterize the sample and differences between male and female IDU, using uni-, bi-, and multivariable methods. Factors associated with HIV risk differed between men and women. Men were more likely than women to have had a history of incarceration (86.6 % vs. 66.8 %, p < 0.01). Women were more likely than men to have depressive symptoms (73.9 % vs. 47.4 %, p < 0.01), to have been physically or emotionally abused (66.1 % vs. 16.1 %, p < 0.0001), to report childhood sexual abuse (42.7 % vs. 4.7 %, p < 0.0001), and pressured or forced to have sex (62.8 % vs. 4.0 %, p < 0.0001); each of these differences was significant in the multivariable analysis. Despite a decreasing HIV/AIDS epidemic among IDU, there remain significant gender differences with women experiencing multiple threats to psychosocial health, which may in turn affect HIV testing, access, care, and drug use. Diverging needs by gender are critical to consider when implementing HIV prevention strategies.

Cost-Utility Analysis of A Female Condom Promotion Program in Washington, DC

A retrospective economic evaluation of a female condom distribution and education program in Washington, DC. was conducted. Standard methods of cost, threshold and cost–utility analysis were utilized as recommended by the U.S. Panel on cost-effectiveness in health and medicine. The overall cost of the program that distributed 200,000 female condoms and provided educational services was

Diagnosed HIV Infection in Transgender Adults and Adolescents: Results from the National HIV Surveillance System, 2009–2014

414,186 (at a total gross cost per condom used during sex of

Willingness to use HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among community-recruited, older people who inject drugs in Washington, DC.

3.19, including educational services). The number of HIV infections that would have to be averted in order for the program to be cost-saving was 1.13 in the societal perspective and 1.50 in the public sector payor perspective. The cost-effectiveness threshold of HIV infections to be averted was 0.46. Overall, mathematical modeling analyses estimated that the intervention averted approximately 23 HIV infections (even with the uncertainty inherent in this estimate, this value appears to well exceed the necessary thresholds), and the intervention resulted in a substantial net cost savings.

Correlates of frequency of HIV testing among men who have sex with men in Washington, DC

Publications on diagnosed HIV infection among transgender people have been limited to state- or local-level data. We analyzed data from the National HIV Surveillance System and present results from the first national-level analysis of transgender people with diagnosed HIV infection. From 2009 to 2014, HIV surveillance jurisdictions from 45 states plus the District of Columbia identified and reported at least one case of newly diagnosed HIV infection for transgender people; jurisdictions from 5 states reported no cases for transgender people. Of 2351 transgender people with newly diagnosed HIV infection during 2009–2014, 84.0% were transgender women (male-to-female), 15.4% were transgender men (female-to-male), and 0.7% were additional gender identity (e.g., gender queer, bi-gender). Over half of both transgender women (50.8%; 1002/1974) and men (58.4%; 211/361) with newly diagnosed HIV infection were non-Hispanic black/African American. Improvements in data collection methods and quality are needed to gain a better understanding of HIV burden among transgender people.ResumenLas publicaciones sobre el diagnóstico de la infección por VIH entre personas transgénero se han limitado a los datos estatales o locales. Analizamos los datos del Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia del VIH y presentamos los resultados del primer análisis a nivel nacional de personas transgénero con diagnóstico de infección por VIH. Del 2009 al 2014, las jurisdicciones de vigilancia del VIH de 45 estados más el Distrito de Columbia identificaron y reportaron al menos un caso de infección de VIH recientemente diagnosticada en personas transgénero; Jurisdicciones de 5 estados no reportaron casos en personas transgénero. De las 2.351 personas transgénero con infección por el VIH recién diagnosticada durante el período 2009-2014, el 84,0% eran mujeres transgénero (hombre a mujer), el 15,4% hombres transgéneros (mujer a hombre) y el 0,7% (género queer, bi-género). Más de la mitad de las mujeres (50,8%; 1002/1974) y los hombres (58,4%; 211/361) transgénero con infección por el VIH recientemente diagnosticada eran negros/afroamericanos. Se necesitan mejoras en los métodos de recopilación de datos y en la calidad de los datos para comprender mejor la cantidad de VIH en la población transgénero.

Awareness, Willingness, and Use of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Washington, DC and Miami-Dade County, FL: National HIV Behavioral Surveillance, 2011 and 2014

INTRODUCTION Use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among people who inject drugs (PWID) has been shown to be effective in preventing HIV transmission. We examined correlates of the willingness to use PrEP among community-recruited older PWID in Washington, DC. METHODS PWID were recruited using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) and completed a behavioral interview for the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance system in 2012. Participants reported on willingness to use PrEP and how it might affect their drug use and sexual behaviors. We reported RDS-weighted proportions and multivariable correlates of being willing to use PrEP. RESULTS Among 304 participants, 69% were male, and the majority was aged ≥50 and black. Only 13.4% had ever heard of using anti-HIV medication to prevent HIV; none had ever used PrEP or knew anyone who used it in the past year. Forty-seven percent were very likely and 24% were somewhat likely to take PrEP if it were available without cost; 13% agreed they would not need to sterilize/clean needles or use condoms if taking PrEP. Correlates of being very likely to use PrEP included being younger (<50years), sharing cookers, cotton or water in the past year, and believing they would no longer need to use clean needles. CONCLUSION Nearly half of PWID reported being very willing to use PrEP if it were available without cost. Younger PWID and those at higher risk of sharing cookers, cotton or water were more willing to use PrEP, suggesting a focus on these groups to explore PrEP use among PWID.

Site migration in seeking care services from multiple providers is associated with worse clinical outcomes among HIV-infected individuals in Washington, DC

In Washington, DC, the leading mode of HIV transmission is through men who have sex with men (MSM) behavior. This study explored differences between frequent HIV testers (men testing at least twice a year) and annual or less frequent testers (men testing once a year or less) in DC. Nearly, one-third of MSM reported testing for HIV at least four times in the prior two years. In the multivariable model, frequent testers had significantly higher odds of being aged 18–34 (aOR =1.94), knowing their last partners HIV status (aOR=1.86), having 5+ partners in the last year (aOR=1.52), and having seen a health-care provider in the last year (aOR=2.28). Conversely, frequent testers had significantly lower odds of being newly HIV positive (aOR=0.27), and having a main partner at last sex (vs. casual/exchange partner; aOR=0.59). Medical providers need to be encouraged to consistently offer an HIV test to their patients, especially those who are sexually active and who have not tested recently.

Development of an HIV Testing Dashboard to Complement the HIV Care Continuum Among MSM, PWID, and Heterosexuals in Washington, DC, 2007-2015.

Introduction: Despite the effectiveness of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, knowledge, and uptake of this new prevention intervention over time has not been fully studied. Using NHBS data from 2 urban areas highly impacted by HIV, we examined awareness, use, and willingness to use daily oral PrEP and factors associated with willingness to take oral PrEP among men who have sex with men (MSM) over time. Methods: MSM from Washington, DC and Miami, FL were recruited in 2011 and 2014 using venue-based sampling. Participants completed behavioral surveys and HIV testing. Awareness, use, and willingness to use oral PrEP were examined. Demographic and behavioral correlates of being “very likely” to use PrEP in 2011 and 2014 were assessed. Results: PrEP awareness increased from 2011 to 2014 in both cities (DC: 39.1%–73.8% and Miami: 19.4%–41.2%), but use remained low in 2014 (DC: 7.7%; Miami: 1.4%). Being very likely to use PrEP decreased over time in DC (61%–48%), but increased in Miami (48%–60%). In DC, minority race was associated with increased odds of being very likely to use PrEP, whereas reduced odds of being very likely to use PrEP was observed for MSM with 1 or 2–5 partners versus having 6+ partners. In Miami, a higher proportion of white versus Hispanic MSM reported being very likely to use PrEP in 2011, but this observation was reversed in 2014. Conclusion: Geographic differences in awareness, use, and willingness to use PrEP indicate that innovative strategies are needed to educate MSM about this effective prevention strategy.

HIV Among MSM and Heterosexual Women in the United States: An Ecologic Analysis

Washington, DC, is a metropolitan city with a severe HIV epidemic and faces challenges in retaining people living with HIV (PLWH) in quality care. This study assessed site migration in seeking care services and its correlates among PLWH in DC. PLWH diagnosed before 2008 and living through the end of 2010 were analyzed. Six scenarios of site migration were examined as patients visited =2, =3, and =4 different providers for their CD4 cell count and/or viral load (VL) tests in the past 3 years from 2008 to 2010 and 2 years from 2009 to 2010, respectively. Of 6480 patients analyzed from 2008 to 2010, 18.4% had CD4 < 200 cells/mm3, 30.5% had VL > 400 copies/mL, and 76.6% were retained in same care sites; 23.4%, 5.0%, and 0.9% visited =2, =3, and =4 sites in the past 3 years from 2008 to 2010, respectively. Of 5954 patients analyzed from 2009 to 2010, 16.8% had CD4 < 200 cells/mm3, 29.4% had VL > 400 copies/mL, and 81.9% were retained in same care sites; 18.1%, 3.1%, and 0.6% visited =2, =3, and =4 sites in the past 2 years from 2009 to 2010, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that migration across six scenarios are consistently associated with CD4 < 200 cells/mm3 and VL > 400 copies/mL. Site migration was common and associated with lower CD4 and higher VL among PLWH in DC. Frequent migration might be a factor in achieving optimal health outcomes for a subset of patients. Site migration might potentially limit effective delivery of high quality care and treatment services. The preliminary findings underscore the need for further research to assess the predictors of migration and its impact on stage of care.

Characteristics of Black Men Who Have Sex With Men in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.: Geographic Diversity in Socio-Demographics and HIV Transmission Risk.

Background: We developed an HIV testing dashboard to complement the HIV care continuum in selected high-risk populations. Using National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) data, we examined trends in HIV testing and care for men who have sex with men (MSM), persons who inject drugs (PWID), and heterosexuals at elevated risk (HET). Methods: Between 2007 and 2015, 4792 participants ≥18 years old completed a behavioral survey and were offered HIV testing. For the testing dashboard, proportions ever tested, tested in the past year, testing HIV-positive, and newly testing positive were calculated. An abbreviated care continuum for self-reported positive (SRP) persons included ever engagement in care, past year care, and current antiretroviral (ARV) use. The testing dashboard and care continuum were calculated separately for each population. Chi-square test for trend was used to assess significant trends over time. Results: Among MSM, lifetime HIV testing and prevalence significantly increased from 96% to 98% (P = 0.01) and 14%–20% (P = 0.02) over time; prevalence was highest among black MSM at all time points. HIV prevalence among female persons who inject drugs was significantly higher in 2015 vs. 2009 (27% and 13%; P < 0.01). Among heterosexuals at elevated risk from 2010 to 2013, annual testing increased significantly (45%–73%; P < 0.001) and the proportion newly diagnosed decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Self-reported positive MSM had high levels of care engagement and antiretroviral use; among self-reported positive persons who inject drugs and heterosexuals at elevated risk, past year care engagement and antiretroviral use increased over time. Conclusions: The HIV testing dashboard can be used to complement the HIV care continuum to display improvements and disparities in HIV testing and care over time.