Engagement in HIV medical care and adherence to HIV medications are both essential in improving health outcomes among people living with HIV (PLH), but PLH living in rural areas-who suffer higher mortality rates than their urban counterparts-can confront multiple barriers to care engagement and adherence, especially as they face the logistical, medical, and social challenges associated with aging. This project will test the efficacy of two interventions to determine their impact on HIV health outcomes and quality of life among rural, older PLH living in the Southern U.S. The two interventions, adapted from evidence-based interventions and delivered remotely, are: (1) supportive-expressive peer social support groups and (2) strengths-based case management. We hypothesize that both interventions will increase viral suppression, antiretroviral therapy adherence, and health-related quality of life and decrease depressive symptoms. Results from this study will provide us with tools to improve health outcomes for rural older people living with HIV.
Aged 50 years or greater
Living in a county with a score of .4 or higher on the index of relative rurality (IRR)
Living in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, or West Virginia
Living with HIV
Not meeting eligibility criteria described above
Factorial
Supportive-Expressive Peer Social Support Group Intervention
BehavioralThe social support group intervention involves weekly virtual support group meetings for 8 consecutive weeks. The groups, facilitated by trained research staff, will last approximately 90 minutes each week and include 5-12 individuals per group. Groups will follow pre-determined topic areas, with participants encouraged to explore their feelings about the difficulties associated with normal aging, being HIV-positive, and living with HIV/AIDS as an older adult. Facilitators will encourage mutual support among group members, promote greater openness and emotional expressiveness, and help participants to improve their social and family support and enhance their quality of life. This intervention is an adaptation of Telephone Supportive-Expressive Group Therapy.
Individual Strengths-Based Case Management Intervention
BehavioralThe strengths-based case management (SBCM) intervention helps participants address the multiple structural barriers faced by rural older people living with HIV. This intervention, delivered by trained research staff, includes two 60-minute telephone- or video-based SBCM counseling sessions, with shorter follow-up sessions to check-in on progress and help patients navigate identified barriers. The case manager will provide tailored sessions based on individually-identified needs and proximal life stressors. Capitalizing on participants' personal strengths, case managers will help empower participants to navigate issues related to employment, insurance, mental health, housing, or transportation. This may include assistance understanding, applying for, and accessing benefits or programs.
Viral Suppression
HIV viral load will be assessed using self-collected dried blood spot (DBS) samples, with samples collecting using HemaSpot devices. Viral suppression will be defined as a measured viral load less than or equal to 839 copies/mL.
Antiretroviral Treatment Medication Adherence
Recent (past 30 day) antiretroviral treatment adherence will be self-reported using the 3-item Wilson Medication Adherence Scale. The calculated scale range is 0-100, with higher scores indicating more consistent medication adherence.
Health-Related Quality of Life
Health-related quality of life will be self-reported using the 31-item World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Assessment for PLH (WHOQOL-HIV BREF). The calculated scale range is 0-100, with higher scores indicating better quality of life. Composite scores will be calculated in line with Walsh et al., 2024.
Depressive Symptoms
Depressive symptoms during the past 2 weeks will be self-reported via completion of the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The calculated scale range is 0-27, with higher scores indicating more depressive symptoms.
Social Support
Social support will be self-reported using the 19-item Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Social Support Scale. Scale scores range from 1-5, with higher scores indicating more social support.
Loneliness
Loneliness will be self-reported using the 5-item Loneliness survey from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Toolbox. Scale scores range from 1-5, with higher scores indicating greater loneliness.
Internalized HIV Stigma
Internalized HIV stigma will be self-reported using the 6-item internalized stigma subscale of the HIV Stigma Mechanisms scale. Scale scores range from 1-5, with higher scores indicating more internalized stigma.
General Self-Efficacy
General self-efficacy will be self-reported using the 8-item New General Self-Efficacy Scale. Scale scores range from 1-5, with higher scores indicating greater self-efficacy.
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Medical College of Wisconsin
Lead sponsor
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Collaborator
