Kristopher P. Fennie

To assess the impact of changes in barriers to HIV viral suppression and the moderating role of patient-provider relationships, we conducted a retrospective cohort study using dynamic causal Bayesian network analyses on the first two available needs assessments between May 2020 and December 2022 for clients of the Miami-Dade County Ryan White Program (RWP) Part A Program. A cohort of 1539 individuals was formed using data from the RWP medical case management dataset. These records were merged with summary patient-centered care measures of their provider that were obtained from an earlier survey of clients in the program. Of the 1539 individuals in the longitudinal cohort, 86.2% were virally suppressed at time point 1 and 87.5% at time point 2. At time point 2, 144 (9.4%) were newly suppressed, and 124 (8.1%) were newly non-suppressed. Of the modifiable factors assessed, drug use and tobacco use significantly predicted a low probability of viral load suppression, while provider rating and provider’s Health Care Relationship Trust Score significantly predicted a high probability of viral load suppression, although the associations with drug use and tobacco use were stronger than those with any provider variables. Results highlight the need for interventions promoting strong patient-provider relationships and targeting reductions in tobacco and illegal drug use with priorities based on the prevalence of tobacco and illegal drug use within specific RWP client populations.

We conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the associations between items of the patient-provider relationship measures and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and viral suppression within each of three ethnic groups of women with HIV (WHIV) - Hispanic, Haitian, and African American - using data from 542 WHIV enrolled in the Miami-Dade County Ryan White Program. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were applied for each patient-provider relationship variable, stratified by race/ethnicity. Overall, 71.9% of participants were adherent to ART, and 91.2% had suppressed viral loads. Among Haitian women, patient involvement in HIV care decision-making was associated with increased adherence to ART. For African American women, ART adherence was positively associated with providers spending adequate time with patients, showing respect, listening carefully, and considering their need for privacy. Among Hispanic women, ART adherence was positively associated with providers asking about difficulties in managing health, spending adequate time, listening carefully, and involving patients in decision-making. Additionally, providers spending enough time with the patient and expressing interest in the patient as a person were strongly associated with viral suppression among Hispanics. Findings highlight the critical role of culturally sensitive, patient-centered care in promoting ART adherence and viral suppression among racial and ethnic minority WHIV.

We assessed the role of patient-centered care on durable viral suppression (i.e., all viral load test results < 200 copies per ml during 2019) by conducting a retrospective cohort study of clients medically case managed by the Miami-Dade County Ryan White Program (RWP). Summary measures of patient-centered care practices of RWP-affiliated providers were obtained from a survey of 1352 clients. Bayesian network models analyzed the complex relationship between psychosocial and patient-centered care factors. Of 5037 clients, 4135 (82.1%) had durable viral suppression. Household income was the factor most strongly associated with durable viral suppression. Further, mean healthcare relationship score and mean “provider knows patient as a person” score were both associated with durable viral suppression. Healthcare relationship score moderated the association between low household income and lack of durable viral suppression. Although patient-centered care supports patient HIV care success, wrap around support is also needed for people with unmet psychosocial needs.

Background: Numerous factors impact HIV care, often requiring consideration of indices to prevent collinearity when using statistical modeling. Using the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations, we developed vulnerable and enabling indices for people living with HIV (PLWH). Methods: We used Ryan White Program (RWP) data and principal component analysis to develop general and gender- and racial/ethnic-specific indices. We assessed internal reliability (Cronbach’s alpha), convergent validity (correlation coefficient), and predictive utility (logistic regression) with non-viral suppression. Results: Three general factors accounting for 79.2% of indicators’ variability surfaced: mental health, drug use, and socioeconomic status (Cronbach’s alpha 0.68). Among the overall RWP population, indices showed convergent validity and predictive utility. Using gender- or racial/ethnic-specific indices did not improve psychometric performance. Discussion: General mental health, drug use, and socioeconomic indices using administrative data showed acceptable reliability, validity, and utility for non-viral suppression in an overall PLWH population and in gender- and racial/ethnic-stratified populations. These general indices may be used with similar validity and utility across gender and racial/ethnic diverse populations.

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of chlamydia or gonorrhea and factors associated with the diagnoses among people with HIV (PHIV) in the Ryan White Program Part A (RWP) in Miami-Dade County, Florida. We used 2017 calendar year data to identify factors associated with a chlamydia or gonorrhea diagnoses using logistic regression. About 50% of the 7110 PHIV who were ≥18 years old in active Ryan White care in 2017 reported being screened for chlamydia or gonorrhea. Of those screened, 2.3% reported diagnoses of chlamydia, gonorrhea or both. In the adjusted model, compared to PHIV ≥40 years-old, PHIV aged 18–24 and 25–39 years reported higher odds of diagnoses (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.29; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.73–10.63 and aOR 4.58; 95% CI; 2.62–7.99 respectively). Those with multiple sexual partners in the last 12 months reported higher odds of diagnoses (aOR 1.67; (95% CI; 1.04–2.69)). Screening rates for chlamydia or gonorrhea are low, relative to CDC guidelines. Interventions are needed to increase rates of screening and targeted behavioral risk reduction techniques are highly recommended among those 18–39 years of age and those who have multiple sexual partners.

Electrocardiographic telemetry monitors are ubiquitous in hospitals. Dedicated monitor watchers, either on the unit or in a centralized location, are often responsible for observing telemetry monitors and responding to their alarms. The impact of use of monitor watchers is not known. To evaluate the association of monitor-watcher use with (1) nurses’ knowledge of electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring and (2) accuracy of arrhythmia detection. Baseline data from 37 non–intensive care unit cardiac patient care areas in 17 hospitals in the Practical Use of the Latest Standards for Electrocardiography trial were analyzed. Nurses’ knowledge (n = 1136 nurses) was measured using a validated, 20-item online test. Accuracy of arrhythmia detection (n = 1189 patients) was assessed for 5 consecutive days by comparing arrhythmias stored in the monitor with nurses’ documentation. Multiple regression was used to evaluate the association of use of monitor watchers with scores on the ECG-monitoring knowledge test. The association of monitor-watcher use with accuracy of arrhythmia detection was examined by χ² analysis. Of the 37 units, 13 (35%) had monitor watchers. Use of monitor watchers was not independently associated with ECG-monitoring knowledge (P = .08). The presence of monitor watchers also was not significantly associated with the accuracy of arrhythmia detection (P = .94). Although the use of monitor watchers was not associated with diminished nurses’ knowledge of ECG monitoring, it also was not associated with more accurate arrhythmia detection. If implementing a monitor-watcher program, critical safety points, such as ensuring closed-loop communication, must be considered.

Not all patients who acquire carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) develop infections by these organisms; many remain only colonized. Of 54 CPE-colonized patients, 16 (30%) developed CPE infections. We identified indwelling urinary catheter exposure, exposure to intravenous colistin, and overseas transfer as variables associated with CPE infection development among colonized patients.

Background: Stigma against HIV profoundly affects the quality of life (QOL) of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). We aimed to assess the factors associated with QOL in PLWHA in Iran, specifically HIV-related stigma, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Methods: Two hundred PLWHA participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected using sociodemographic, stigma, and WHO-QOL-BREF questionnaires. Correlations, ANOVAs, and Student’s t-distribution tests were performed as bivariate analyses. We employed stepwise multiple linear regression analysis to explore the main factors associated with QOL domains. Results: Six domains of QOL were negatively correlated with three domains of stigma (pConclusion: Our findings indicated that increasing HIV/AIDS-related stigma decreases QOL in PLWHA in Iran. Attention toward decreasing stigma, improving healthcare plan, and cultivating economic condition should be given high priority to ensure improvement in total QOL and corresponding domains in PLWHA’s life.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of a Mandarin-language version of an instrument that assesses the Consequences of HIV Disclosure (CoHD). Patients and methods: The original CoHD instrument developed by Serovich was translated into Mandarin and administered to a random sample of 184 persons living with HIV (PLWH) using face-to-face and structured interviews. The CoHD instrument required respondents to rate the importance of eight costs (eg, might lose the relationship) and ten rewards (eg, would bring us closer) in their decision about whether to self-disclose their HIV status. The participants were directed to respond with respect to a current (or hypothetical) sexual partner. Results: Internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach’s α for the overall scale 0.82, costs 0.71, and rewards 0.86), as was stability (test–retest reliability overall 0.74, cost 0.63, and rewards 0.82). The CVI for the scale was 0.83, with items rated by subject experts ranging from 0.80 to 1.0. To determine structural validity, exploratory factor analysis extracted two subscales consistent with the original CoHD subscales. The Mandarin CoHD scores were significantly correlated with disclosure self-efficacy (indicating convergent validity), but they were unrelated to safer sex efficacy (indicating divergent validity). This criterion was tested by comparing the scores of PLWH who disclosed their HIV status (mean±SD 53.57±9.06) with those who did not disclose it (mean±SD 49.63±7.45); however, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The Mandarin version of the CoHD instrument demonstrates promising psychometric properties when assessing costs and rewards with respect to sexual partner disclosure. This suggests that it might be useful in research on partner notification strategies. In further studies, larger and more diverse samples and an analysis of responses for different disclosure targets are warranted. Moreover, whether the CoHD score is related to the decision of disclosure should be determined.