Objectives‘Undetectable equals Untransmittable’ (U=U) is an empowering message that may enable people living with HIV (PLHIV) to reach and maintain undetectability. We estimated the percentage of PLHIV who ever discussed U=U with their main HIV care provider, and measured associations with health-related outcomes. Secondarily, we evaluated whether the impact of the U=U message varied between those who heard it from their healthcare provider (HCP) vs from elsewhere.MethodsData were from the 25-country 2019 Positive Perspectives Survey of PLHIV on treatment (n=2389). PLHIV were classified as having discussed U=U with their HCP if they indicated that their HCP had ever told them about U=U. Those who had not discussed U=U with their HCP but were nonetheless aware that ‘My HIV medication prevents me from passing on HIV to others’ were classified as being made aware of U=U from non-HCP sources. Multivariable logistic regression was used to measure associations between exposure to U=U messages and health outcomes.ResultsOverall, 66.5% reported ever discussing U=U with their HCP, from 38.0% (South Korea) to 87.3% (Switzerland). Prevalence was lowest among heterosexual men (57.6%) and PLHIV in Asia (51.3%). Compared with those unaware of U=U, those reporting U=U discussions with their HCP had lower odds of suboptimal adherence (AOR=0.59, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.78) and higher odds of self-reported viral suppression (AOR=2.34, 95% CI 1.72 to 3.20), optimal sexual health (AOR=1.48, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.92) and reporting they ‘always shared’ their HIV status (AOR=2.99, 95% CI 1.42 to 6.28). While exposure to U=U information from non-HCP sources was beneficial too, the observed associations were attenuated relative to those seen with reported discussions with HCPs.ConclusionHCP discussion of U=U with PLHIV was associated with favourable health outcomes. However, missed opportunities exist since a third of PLHIV reported not having any U=U discussion with their HCP. U=U discussions with PLHIV should be considered as a standard of care in clinical guidelines.

What is already known on this topic? People living with HIV (PLHIV) have greater incidence of comorbidities and higher prevalence of polypharmacy, most commonly defined as taking 5 or more medications concurrently, than the general population. What is added by this study? PLHIV reporting polypharmacy had significantly worse overall health outcomes, including significantly lower prevalence of self-reported virologic control and treatment satisfaction. These findings were significant despite controlling for presence of comorbidities. What are the implications for public health practice? By actively assessing patients holistically and considering how increased medication may influence individual behavior to health outcomes, clinicians may contribute to improving health-related quality of life among people living with HIV.

To assess challenges with daily oral antiretroviral therapy (ART), we analyzed data for 2389 participants in the 2019 Positive Perspectives survey of people living with HIV in 25 countries. ART-related challenges reported included difficulty swallowing pills (33.1% [790/2389]); stress from daily dosing routine (33.3% [795/2389]); bad memories from daily intake of HIV medication (35.1%[839/2389]), and concern “that having to take pills every day means a greater chance of revealing my HIV status to others” (37.9% [906/2389]). Individuals who felt empowered by daily oral dosing [“taking my pill(s) every day reassures me that my HIV is being kept under control”] had 69% higher odds of optimal overall health (AOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.40–2.04). Conversely, odds of optimal overall health were lower among those who felt daily pill intake “limits my day-to-day life” (AOR 0.53, 95% CI 0.44–0.64). These findings show that there is need for increased flexibility of ART delivery to meet diverse patient needs.

We assessed patient-provider communication in HIV care; data were from the 2019 Positive Perspectives Survey of people living with HIV (PLHIV) from 25 countries (n = 2389). A significantly greater proportion of recently diagnosed individuals were interested in being involved when it comes to decisions about their HIV treatment compared with any other group (72.8% [399/548], 63.1% [576/913], and 62.6% [581/928], diagnosis year: 2017–2019, 2010–2016, and pre-2010 respectively) but reported less understanding of their treatment compared with those reporting the longest duration (66.8% [366/548], 68.6% [626/913], and 77.3% [717/928], respectively). One-third of PLHIV with salient treatment-related concerns were uncomfortable discussing with providers. Of participants who felt that their HIV medication limited their life but did not discuss their concerns with their provider (n = 203), top reasons for not discussing were: perception nothing could be done (49.3% [100/203]), provider never brought up the issue (37.9% [77/203]), and not wanting to appear difficult (30.5% [62/203]). To continue to identify and address unmet treatment needs among PLHIV, providers need to ensure that there is ongoing open dialogue. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s10461-020-02973-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

INTRODUCTION The worldview in relation to patient care has shifted from conquering diseases to improving overall wellbeing and quality of life. We examined treatment aspirations among people living with HIV (PLHIV). METHODS In all, 2389 PLHIV were surveyed in the 25-country 2019 Positive Perspectives Study. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were used to explore attitudes towards treatment. RESULTS Participants were from: Northern America (USA, Canada), 21.8% (520/2389); Europe, 46.8% (1119/2389); and other international regions, 31.4% (750/2389). Factors associated with some level of dissatisfaction with HIV medication among those otherwise fully satisfied with their HIV management included being on a multi-tablet regimen (AOR=2.76; 95% CI: 1.93-3.96), reporting polypharmacy (AOR=2.10; 95% CI: 1.45-3.03), and experiencing side effects from current HIV medication (AOR=2.12; 95% CI: 1.49-3.02). Of seven improvements to HIV medications assessed, the percentage ranking each attribute, as the first or second most important, was: 'reduced long-term impact on my body' (46.7%); 'longer-lasting medicine so I don't have to take it every day' (43.1%); 'fewer side effects' (40.5%); 'less HIV medicine each day but just as effective' (25.4%); 'less chance of affecting other medicines' (21.6%); 'no food restrictions/ requirements' (14.0%); and 'smaller pills' (8.7%). Overall, 77.1% (1842/2389) believed 'future advances in HIV treatment will improve my overall wellbeing', 72.2% (1726/2389) were 'open to taking an HIV treatment composed of fewer medicines', while 54.7% (1306/2389) expressed openness towards longer-acting (non-daily) HIV medication. Compared to those not fully satisfied with either their HIV medication or management, those fully satisfied with both reported significantly higher prevalence of optimal treatment adherence (89.2% [372/417] vs 69.5% [763/1098]) and optimal overall health (70.3% [293/417] vs 47.8% [525/1098]) (all p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Many PLHIV perceived gaps in their care and aspired for novel treatments. Providing flexible treatment options can help patients across the spectrum of unmet needs and improve health-related quality of life.

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INTRODUCTION Understanding differences in knowledge and behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM), men who have sex with women (MSW), and women, is critical to tailor HIV treatment. We investigated these differences among an international sample of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in 25 countries. METHODS Data came from the 2019 Positive Perspectives Study, an online convenience sample of PLHIV in 25 middleand high-income countries. Participants were categorized as MSM (n=1018), MSW (n=479), or women (n=696), based on self-classified gender and sexual orientation. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were performed (p<0.05). RESULTS Mean age was 43.4 years among MSM, 36.6 among MSW, and 41.0 among women. Overall, 24.2% [116/479] of MSW reported suboptimal health on all four domains assessed (sexual/mental/physical/overall), significantly higher than MSM (18.0% [183/1018], p=0.005), but similar to women (22.8% [159/696], p=0.585). Overall, the median number of reasons reported for missing HIV medication ≥1 time in the past month was 7, 2, and 1 for MSW, women, and MSM, respectively. The percentage reporting viral suppression among MSW (57.0% [273/479]) was significantly lower compared to both MSM (89.2%

We quantified treatment challenges faced by people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Russia. Crosssectional data of 150 PLHIV in Russia were from the 2019 Positive Perspectives Survey. Mean age was 38.3 y. Two-thirds (68.0%[102/150]) had ever disguised their HIV pills, and 43.3%[65/ 150] said they would be stressed if someone saw their HIV pills. Overall, 14.7%[22/150] reported being ever diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD). Self-rated optimal health was significantly lower among those with vs without a report of SUD on multiple health domains: sexual (40.9%[9/22] vs. 70.3%[90/128], p = 0.007), physical (22.7%[5/22] vs. 68.0%[87/128], p < 0.001), and overall health (27.3%[6/22] vs. 68.8%[88/128], p < 0.001). Those reporting SUD were more likely to miss HIV medication ≥ 1 time in the past month because they used recreational drugs (age and gender-adjusted prevalence ratio [APR] = 8.23, 95%CI = 6.99-9.68), could not afford their medication (APR = 3.28, 95%CI = 2.90-3.72), had to work (APR = 3.27, 95%CI = 2.97-3.60), or to avoid side effects (APR = 2.62, 95%CI = 2.37-2.89). Furthermore, self-reported SUD was strongly associated with numerous poor health conditions, including self-reported diagnosis of cancer (APR = 6.67, 95%CI = 5.24-8.48), mental illness (APR = 5.01, 95%CI = 4.53-5.55), and liver disease (APR = 4.29, 95%CI = 3.98-4.61). The distinct patterns of poorer healthrelated outcomes among PLHIV with SUD underscore the need to address behavioral and psychosocial challenges as part of holistic HIV care.