Objective-To evaluate cognitive behavioral therapy to enhance medication adherence and reduce depression (CBT-AD) in individuals with HIV.Design-A two arm, randomized, controlled, cross-over trial comparing CBT-AD, to enhanced treatment as usual only (ETAU). ETAU, which both groups received, included a single-session intervention for adherence and a letter to the patient's provider documenting her or his continued depression. The intervention group also received 10 to 12 sessions of CBT-AD. Main Outcome Measures-Adherence to antiretroviral therapy as assessed by Medication EventMonitoring Systems (MEMs) and depression as assessed by blinded structured evaluation.Results-At the acute outcome assessment (3-months), those who received CBT-AD evidenced significantly greater improvements in medication adherence and depression relative to the comparison group. Those who were originally assigned to the comparison group who chose to cross over to CBT-AD showed similar improvements in both depression and adherence outcomes. Treatment gains for those in the intervention group were generally maintained at 6 and 12-month follow-up assessments. By the end of the follow-up period, those originally assigned CBT-AD demonstrated improvements in plasma HIV RNA concentrations, though these differences did not emerge before the cross-over, and hence there were not between-group differences.Conclusions-CBT-AD is a potentially efficacious approach for individuals with HIV struggling with depression and adherence. Replication and extension in larger efficacy trials are needed.

This article provides a systematic and critical review of all behavioral science research articles about Asian Americans published in 2010. As the second review of the series, we followed the methodology and format employed in the first annual review of Asian American psychology articles published in 2009 (B. S. K. Kim, Wong, & Maffini, 2010) to facilitate a discussion of trends in contents and methods of published research articles in the field. A search using PsycINFO identified 261 articles that were coded for topic areas, research methodology, and populations studied. We also provide a narrative summary of the articles, categorized thematically by topic areas, and conclude with a review of methodological and topical trends in empirical research of Asian Americans.

ObjectivePeople living with HIV (PLWH) are living longer and developing comorbidities and aging-related syndromes. New care models are needed to address the combined burden and complexity of HIV and its comorbidities in this group. The goal of this study is to describe qualitative data from patients and providers that informed the development of a comprehensive care model for older PLWH.MethodsPatient and provider perspectives on the clinical care and service needs of patients living and aging with HIV were explored via surveys and focus groups at a safety net HIV clinic in San Francisco. We surveyed 77 patients and 26 providers and conducted separate focus groups of older patients living with HIV (n = 31) and staff (n = 20). Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Themes for a care program were additionally explored using findings from the literature on HIV and aging.FindingsThemes from surveys and focus groups emphasized (a) the need for knowledge expertise in HIV and aging, (b) focus on medical conditions and determinants of health of particular import (e.g. marginal housing) among older PLWH, (c) co-locating specialty services (e.g. cardiology, geriatrics) with primary care, and (d) addressing social isolation. Findings informed the design of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary care model for PLWH called the Golden Compass program composed of four “points”: Heart and Mind (North), Bones and Strength (East), Network and Navigation (South), and Dental, Hearing, and Vision (West).ConclusionBased on patient and clinic staff perspectives from surveys and focus groups, we designed a multidisciplinary program of integrated primary and specialty care, as well as housing and social support, to address the needs of older PLWH within a safety-net infrastructure. Golden Compass launched in 2017 for PLWH older than 50 years. Future research to evaluate the effectiveness of this care program in improving patient outcomes and satisfaction is ongoing.

The population with HIV is aging and has unique health needs. We present findings from an evaluation of the geriatric-HIV program, Golden Compass, at San Francisco General Hospital. We used the implementation science framework, RE-AIM ( Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) to guide the evaluation and used quantitative and qualitative methods to assess RE-AIM dimensions. From January 2017 to June 2018, 198 adults age ≥50 years participated in the program, with an estimated reach of 17%. Providers and patients indicated high acceptability of the program and were satisfied with clinics and classes. Colocation of services, specific pharmacy and geriatric assessments, and social support from classes were valued ( effectiveness). Provider adoption was high, and the program was implemented as originally designed. Areas for improvement included challenges of framing aging services to patients. Future efforts will focus on expanding the reach of the program and examining long-term outcomes.

The combined burden of geriatric conditions, comorbidities, and HIV requires a model of HIV care that offers a comprehensive clinical approach with people 50 years or older with HIV. Golden Compass is an outpatient, multidisciplinary HIV-geriatrics program with an onsite HIV geriatrician, cardiologist, pharmacist, and social worker, offering specialist referrals, care navigation, and classes on improving functional status and cognition. Participants (13 patients and 11 primary care providers) were recruited using a non-probability sampling method to participate in semi-structured interviews on the perceived impact of Golden Compass on care delivered to older people with HIV. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and framework analysis used to analyze the transcripts. The perceived impacts of Golden Compass by patients and providers were organized by the Compass points (Northern: Heart and Mind, Eastern: Bones and Strength, Southern: Navigation and Network, Western: Dental, Hearing, and Vision). Overall, patients valued the focus on functional health and whole-person care, leading to greater trust in the ability of providers. Providers gained new skills through the geriatrics, cardiology and/or pharmacist consultations. The HIV-geriatrics specialty approach of Golden Compass improved functional ability and quality of life for older adults with HIV. Few integrated care programs for older people with HIV have been evaluated. This study adds to the limited literature demonstrating high patient and provider satisfaction with a HIV-care model that incorporated principles of geriatric medicine emphasizing a comprehensive approach to sustaining functional ability and improving quality of life.

Couples-based interventions targeting ART adherence should improve relationship quality, while also addressing interpersonal stressors such as marital infidelity and food insecurity. Multi-level interventions that address both dyadic and structural levels may be necessary for couples with severe food insecurity.

The present study sought to elucidate factors involved in loss to follow-up (LTF) among HIVinfected patients who had been receiving medical care at Fenway Community Health (FCH) located in Boston, Massachusetts. FCH provided care to 1143 HIV-infected patients in 2005, predominantly Caucasian men who have sex with men (MSM). Two approaches were used to address the research question. First, 495 patients were identified that had been LTF from [2001][2002][2003][2004][2005]. One hundred seventy-nine eligible patients completed a questionnaire to determine reasons for discontinuing care, representing a 51% response rate. Second, a cohort study was performed using the medical record data of 896 HIV-infected patients who were receiving medical care in the year 2000. Patients' utilization of primary medical care was followed until January 1, 2005 and predictors of LTF were examined using Cox proportional hazards regression modeling. Survey respondents reported that the greatest perceived barriers to care at FCH were personal/cultural, structural, and financial in nature. Twenty-two percent reported sporadic care elsewhere with gaps in care of 6 months or more, and 8% reported no regular provider for HIV. Significant predictors of LTF from regression analysis included: minority race/ethnicity, use of safety-net insurance, appointment nonadherence and no medical social work visits. To improve engagement and retention in care, organizations may use patient surveys for organizational self-assessment to effect operational changes that minimize barriers to care. A risk assessment tool based on evidence-based methods can be implemented to identify high-risk patients for innovative outreach interventions. The primary study limitation is the underrepresentation of minority and traditionally underserved populations.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to grow in pockets across Asia, despite early successes at curtailing its spread in countries like Thailand. Recent evidence documents dramatic increases in incidence among risk groups and, alarmingly, the general population. This meta-analysis summarizes the sexual risk-reduction interventions for the prevention of HIV-infection that have been evaluated in Asia. Sexual risk-reduction outcomes (condom use, number of sexual partners, incident sexually transmitted infections [STI], including HIV) from 46 behavioral intervention studies with a comparison condition and available by August 2010 were included. Overall, behavioral interventions in Asia consistently reduced sexual risk outcomes. Condom use improved when interventions sampled more women, included motivational content, or did not include STI testing and treatment. Incident HIV/STI efficacy improved most when interventions sampled more women, were conducted more recently, or when they included STI counseling and testing. Sexual frequency efficacy improved more in interventions that were conducted in countries with lower human development capacities, when younger individuals were sampled, or when condom-skills training was included. Behavioral interventions for reducing sexual risk in Asia are efficacious; yet, the magnitude of the effects co-varies with specific intervention and structural components. The impact of structural factors on HIV intervention efficacy must be considered when implementing and evaluating behavioral interventions. Implications and recommendations for HIV/AIDS interventions are discussed.