Background and aim
Opioid agonist medications for treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) can improve human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) outcomes and reduce opioid use. We tested whether outpatient antagonist treatment with naltrexone could achieve similar results.
Design
Open‐label, non‐inferiority randomized trial.
Setting
Six US HIV primary care clinics.
Participants
A total of 114 participants with untreated HIV and OUD (62% male; 56% black, 12% Hispanic; positive for fentanyl (62%), other opioids (47%) and cocaine (60%) at baseline). Enrollment halted early due to slow recruitment.
Intervention
HIV clinic‐based extended‐release naltrexone (XR‐NTX; n = 55) versus treatment as usual (TAU) with buprenorphine or methadone (TAU; n = 59).
Measurements
Treatment group differences were compared for the primary outcome of viral suppression (HIV RNA ≤ 200 copies/ml) at 24 weeks and secondary outcomes included past 30‐day use of opioids at 24 weeks.
Findings
Fewer XR‐NTX participants initiated medication compared with TAU participants (47 versus 73%). The primary outcome of viral suppression was comparable for XR‐NTX (52.7%) and TAU (49.2%) [risk ratio (RR) = 1.064; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.748, 1.514] at 24 weeks. Non‐inferiority could not be demonstrated, as the lower confidence limit of the RR did not exceed the pre‐specified margin of 0.75 in intention‐to‐treat (ITT) analysis. The main secondary outcome of past 30‐day opioid use was comparable for XR‐NTX versus TAU (11.7 versus 14.8 days; mean difference = −3.1; 95% CI = –8.7, 1.1) in ITT analysis. Among those initiating medication, XR‐NTX resulted in fewer days of opioid use compared with TAU in the past 30 days (6.0 versus 13.6, mean difference = −7.6; 95% CI = –13.8, −0.2).
Conclusions
A randomized controlled trial found supportive, but not conclusive, evidence that human immunodeficiency virus clinic‐based extended‐release naltrexone is not inferior to treatment as usual for facilitating human immunodeficiency virus viral suppression. Participants who initiated extended‐release naltrexone used fewer opioids than those who received treatment as usual.
A needs assessment determined Oregon community college staff knowledge of (a) accessible information technology (IT) guidelines, (b) IT-related disability laws, (c) legal obligations regarding Web accessibility, and (d) perceived level of current Web accessibility. Training needs were assessed and training suggestions were solicited. IT staff demonstrated higher levels of Web accessibility guidelines knowledge, and disability/student services staff best understood disability laws. At most schools, knowledge of disability issues and IT were not integrated. Needs identified included provision of: comprehensive resources about accessible Web design, hands-on trainings in accessible technology topics, strategies for fulfilling legal accessibility obligations, training for students and staff regarding their responsibilities in the area of accessible IT, and a Web site accessibility testing service.
People with serious mental illnesses are increasingly becoming more active participants in their treatment and recovery. At times, their participation may be limited by incomplete, unclear, or insufficient information. The authors used a grounded theory approach to look at the unmet informational needs described by consumers. Participants in this study called for materials appropriate to their level of understanding, assistance with interpreting and comprehending information when necessary, and information on policies that affect the treatment they receive. Ultimately, an informed consumer is one empowered to make decisions about the course of his or her recovery and participate meaningfully in the patient–provider relationship.
Background
Despite high morbidity and mortality among people who use drugs (PWUD) in rural America, most research is conducted within urban areas. Our objective was to describe influencing factors, motivations, and barriers to research participation and retention among rural PWUD.
Methods
We recruited 255 eligible participants from community outreach and community-based, epidemiologic research cohorts from April to July 2019 to participate in a cross-sectional survey. Eligible participants reported opioid or injection drug use to get high within 30 days and resided in high-needs rural counties in Oregon, Kentucky, and Ohio. We aggregated response rankings to identify salient influences, motivations, and barriers. We estimated prevalence ratios to assess for gender, preferred drug use, and geographic differences using log-binomial models.
Results
Most participants were male (55%) and preferred methamphetamine (36%) over heroin (35%). Participants reported confidentiality, amount of financial compensation, and time required as primary influential factors for research participation. Primary motivations for participation include financial compensation, free HIV/HCV testing, and contribution to research. Changed or false participant contact information and transportation are principal barriers to retention. Respondents who prefer methamphetamines over heroin reported being influenced by the purpose and use of their information (PR = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.26). Females and Oregonians (versus Appalachians) reported knowing and wanting to help the research team as participation motivation (PR = 1.57; 95% CI: 1.09, 2.26 and PR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.51, 2.99).
Conclusions
Beyond financial compensation, researchers should emphasize confidentiality, offer testing and linkage with care, use several contact methods, aid transportation, and accommodate demographic differences to improve research participation and retention among rural PWUD.
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