HIV Archives - Health Behavior and Policy Review

Social Connections as a Catalyst for Improved Mental Health and Health Behavior among Long-term Survivors of HIV

An Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.

Authors:

Moka Yoo-Jeong, PhD, RN
Erik L. Ruiz, MPH
Jerome T. Galea, PhD, MSW
Andrea N. Polonijo, PhD, MPH
Jasmine L. Lopez, BS
Karah Greene, MSW
Chris Christensen
Jeff Taylor
Brandon Brown, MPH, PhD
Annie L. Nguyen, MPH, PhD

Objective:

In this commentary, we present our views on the importance of catalyzing social connections for mental well-being and effective health behavior, collectively, with special emphasis on long-term survivors of HIV.

Methods:

We examine select literature pertinent to mental health and HIV survivorship, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results:

Long-term HIV survivors face a substantial burden of health disparities and intersecting risk factors for comorbid health conditions.

Conclusions:

An ongoing commitment to social support interventions is imperative to structure an environment where people can connect and thrive.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review, Volume 11, Number 1, February 2024
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.11.1.5

Biomedical Risk Factors for COVID-19 among People Living with HIV during the First Wave of the Pandemic

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An Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.

Authors:

Morenike Oluwatoyin Folayan, MBA, MEd, FWACS
Roberto Ariel Abeldaño Zuñiga, MPH, PhD
Nourhan Moustafa Aly, MSc
Muhammad Abrar Yousaf, MSc
Passent Ellakany, PhD
Ifeoma Idigbe, MSc
Folake Barakat Lawal, PhD, FWACS, FMCDS
Zumama Khalid, MSc
Joanne Lusher, PhD
Jorma Virtanen, DDS, PhD, MScPH
Maha El Tantawi, PhD

Objective:

We assessed the associations between testing positive for COVID-19 and HIV viral load, and access to and adherence to antiretroviral therapy during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

We conducted a secondary analysis of data, where we extracted complete information for 904 participants self-identifying as HIV positive. The dataset encompassed the dependent variable (testing positive for COVID-19), independent variables (HIV viral load, access to a 90-day supply of antiretroviral drugs, adherence to antiretroviral therapy), and confounding variables (age, sex assigned at birth, living with HIV co-morbidities, and self-reported depression).

Results:

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (AOR: 0.364; 95% CI: 0.231-0.574; p < .001) was significantly association with decreased odds of testing positive for COVID-19. We found no statistically significant associations between HIV viral load or access to a 90-day supply of antiretroviral drugs and testing positive for COVID-19.

Conclusions:

The results underscore the necessity for ongoing HIV treatment adherence counseling for individuals with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further research is warranted to elucidate the paradox wherein adherence to antiretroviral therapy was associated with testing positive for COVID-19, but HIV viral load was not.

Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review, Volume 10, Number 6, December 2023
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.10.6.3