ABSTRACT
In Peru, HIV is concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW). Between June 2015 and August 2016, 591 HIV-positive MSM and TGW were recruited at five clinical care sites in Lima, Peru. We found that 82.4% of the participants had achieved viral suppression (VS; VL < 200) and 73.6% had achieved maximal viral suppression (MVS; VL < 50). Multivariable modeling indicated that patients reporting transportation as a barrier to HIV care were less likely to achieve VS (aOR = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.30–0.75) and MVS (aOR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.37–0.84). Alcohol use disorders were negatively associated with MVS (aOR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.30–0.75) and age was positively associated with achieving MVS (aOR = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.04–1.59). These findings underscore the need for more accessible HIV care with integrated behavioral health services in Lima, Peru.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the individuals who gave their time to participate in this study; the medical and research personnel at IMPACTA Peru, Via Libre, Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo, and Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza; and the research personnel at the Yale AIDS Program for their continued support of this study.
Disclosure statement
Dr. Atlice receives grant support from NIH, NIDA, SAMHSA, HRSA, Gilead Foundation, Merk. Dr. Atlice is on the Speakers Bureau for Gilead Sciences, Merk, Clinical Care Options, and Practice Point Communications. All other authors have no disclosures.
ORCID
Katherine M. Rich http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2767-2355
Jaime Soria http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5863-0502
Frederick L. Altice http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7860-693X