Outness predicts greater leukocyte telomere length in sexually minoritized men with HIV who use methamphetamine.

Objective: This longitudinal study aimed to examine the associations of sexual minority stress and outness with leukocyte telomere length across time among sexually minority men (SMM) with HIV who use methamphetamine.

Methods: A sample of 91 SMM with HIV with biologically confirmed recent methamphetamine use completed measures of sexual minority stress and outness at the baseline visit in a randomized controlled trial. Telomere length was measured over 15 months using extracted leukocyte DNA Statistical analyses were performed using bivariate analyses and generalized estimation equations to examine the independent association between baseline outness and leukocyte telomere length, adjusting for chronological age and recent stimulant use.

Feasibility of Point-of-Care Urine Self-Testing to Measure Tenofovir Adherence and Predict Viral Suppression.

This study is the first to demonstrate the feasibility of at-home adherence monitoring using a point-of-care urine assay for tenofovir (TFV). Undetectable TFV is strongly associated with lower viral suppression (odds ratio, 0.19, 95% CI, 0.

Interest and disparities in awareness and uptake of doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis among US MSM with HIV.

Objective: The CDC recommends doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP) for MSM with a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (bSTI) in the past year. This study explored determinants of doxyPEP awareness and uptake, and associations with HIV care outcomes, among US MSM with HIV.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Applying the Social Ecological Model to Explore HIV-Related Stigma in Florida: A Qualitative Study.

The purpose of this study is to describe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related stigma and strategies to reduce it in Florida within the context of the social ecological model (SEM). Qualitative surveys were distributed at community events, advisory meetings, and conferences via electronic and paper-based methods to persons living with and without HIV over an 8-month period in 2018. A directed content analysis was used to code the responses of 76 participants (33 persons living with HIV, 43 without HIV) into five levels of the SEM (individual, interpersonal, community, institutional, and structural).

High viral suppression amid demographic disparities: a US national cohort of people with HIV on a popular dating app.

Objective: We sought to determine the prevalence and examine demographic disparities of viral suppression (VS, <200 copies/ml) and awareness of VS status among people with HIV (PWH) on a popular geosocial networking/dating application (GSN-app).

Design: Cross-sectional, observational study.

Methods: US adult PWH were remotely-recruited through a GSN-app to complete a survey from January-September 2024.

On the fence: Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among sexually Minoritized men who use substances in the United States.

Objective: Substance use during the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has exponentially increased among sexually minoritized men (SMM), who are more vulnerable to COVID-19 transmission, morbidity, and mortality than their heterosexual counterparts. Understanding the factors that mediate and are associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake in a national sample of SMM that use substances may inform targeted interventions to maximize public acceptance.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed using data from a national sample of 2753 SMM in the United States between May 2021-July 2022.

Post-Master's Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Students' Attitudes, Knowledge and Preferences for Providing Psychotherapy: A Qualitative Description Study.

Background: Mental illness is among the most common health conditions in the U.S., yet clients needing mental health services such as psychotherapy may not be able to receive these services because of mental health providers such as psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs).

Relations Between Optimism-Pessimism and Loneliness in Sexually Minoritized Men: The Moderating Role of Chronicity-Based Discrimination.

Loneliness has reached epidemic proportions, affecting nearly one-in-two adults in the United States and is particularly potent in sexually minoritized men (SMM). Individual differences in optimism and pessimism may exert protective or maladaptive effects for the impact of discrimination on loneliness. This study investigated interrelationships between optimism/pessimism, discrimination, and loneliness within a sample of sexual minoritized men (SMM).

Experiences and Comfort of Young Cancer Patients Discussing Cannabis with Their Providers: Insights from a Survey at an NCI-Designated Cancer Center.

Cannabis use among cancer patients for managing treatment-related symptoms is increasing, yet little is known about patterns in patient-provider communication. This study examines demographic differences in cannabis use communication at a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. The analysis included cancer patients aged ≥ 18 years who self-reported current cannabis use (past 30 days) and had visited Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center within the past 5 years (N = 226).

Overamped: Stimulant Use and HIV Pathogenesis.

Purpose Of Review: In the era of HIV treatment as prevention (TasP), more clarity is needed regarding whether people with HIV who use stimulants (i.e., methamphetamine, powder cocaine, and crack cocaine) display elevated HIV viral load and greater immune dysregulation.

The Relationship Between Intersectional Oppression and Affirmation and Latino Sexual Minority Men's Mental Health.

Latino sexual minority men (LSMM) may experience oppression based on their ethnicity, sexual orientation, and migratory status, yet scientific literature is only beginning to explore the intersection of these experiences. This study examined mental health (MH) in relation to LSMM's experiences of intersectional oppression and affirmation. We conducted a secondary analysis of baseline data from a cohort study examining LSMM's ( = 290) health care engagement in Miami, FL, from February to September 2020.

Does the Relationship Between HIV Stigma Subtypes and Viral Suppression Differ by Age?: A Stratified Analysis of Data from the Florida Medical Monitoring Project.

HIV-related stigma is recognized as a top barrier to achieve viral suppression in the United States, but data describing who is most affected by HIV stigma is limited. The study sought to (1) identify the relationships between HIV-related stigma and unsuppressed viral load and (2) examine whether the association between HIV stigma subtypes and unsuppressed viral load differ by age group (i.e.

Sexual Minority Stress and Cellular Aging in Methamphetamine-Using Sexual Minority Men With Treated HIV.

Objective: Sexual minority men (e.g., gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men) experience stigma and sexual minority stress, which are theorized to drive negative health outcomes.

Subjective Cognitive Complaints: Predictors and Health Outcomes in People Living with HIV.

There is a paucity of research on the prevalence of subjective cognitive complaints in people living with human immunodeficiency virus, along with the predictors and outcomes related to these complaints. We assessed demographics, substance use and psychiatric predictors, and HIV-related outcomes associated with subjective cognitive complaint items from the Cognitive Difficulties Scale. The sample consisted of 889 people living with HIV in the survey-based Florida Cohort.

Prevalence of HIV-related stigma in adults living with HIV & disability in Florida, 2015-2016.

Using data collected from the Florida Medical Monitoring Project, we sought to compare the prevalence of overall HIV-related stigma, including its subdimensions among persons with HIV and disability(s) and persons with HIV without disability in Florida. Disability was classified as having difficulty in one or more areas: activity limitations, participation restrictions, and functional or sensory activities. HIV-related stigma was assessed using the HIV Stigma Scale, which measures (1) overall stigma (2) negative self-image, (3) personalized, and (4) anticipated stigma.

The Meaning and Perceptions of HIV-Related Stigma in African American Women Living With HIV in Rural Florida: A Qualitative Study.

African Americans are disproportionally affected by HIV/AIDS compared with other races/ethnicities, yet few studies have examined the cultural and/or attitudinal precursors that can make African American women vulnerable to HIV-related stigma in the rural South. This study qualitatively explored the meaning and perceptions of HIV-related stigma among African American women in Florida. Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted using an empirical phenomenological approach.

The relationship between individual characteristics and HIV-related stigma in adults living with HIV: medical monitoring project, Florida, 2015-2016.

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) disproportionately affects the Southern United States, accounting for approximately 46% of people living with HIV. HIV-related stigma is recognized as a barrier to testing, treatment, and prevention efforts. However, little is known about HIV-related stigma experiences in Florida.

Using an Electronic Medication Event-Monitoring System for Antiretroviral Therapy Self-Management Among African American Women Living With HIV in Rural Florida: Cohort Study.

Background: HIV remains a significant health issue in the United States and disproportionately affects African Americans. African American women living with HIV (AAWH) experience a particularly high number of barriers when attempting to manage their HIV care, including antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. To enable the development and assessment of effective interventions that address these barriers to support ART adherence, there is a critical need to understand more fully the use of objective measures of ART adherence among AAWH, including electronic medication dispensers for real-time surveillance.

The effects of information and communication technologies on informal caregivers of persons living with dementia: A systematic review.

Introduction: Information and communication technology (ICT) has emerged as promising to support health care consumers, including informal caregivers. This systematic review seeks to evaluate the state of the science of ICT interventions on the health of informal dementia caregivers.

Methods: We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and PsycINFO using concepts associated with ICT, dementia, and caregiver.

A risk score assessment tool for peripheral arterial disease in women: From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) carries a significant morbidity and mortality. Women are more commonly affected with this condition and are mostly asymptomatic, and undertreated. The objective of the study was to develop and validate a simple risk score to identify women with PAD.