Syndemic framework has been widely used to note the co-occurrence of intimate partner violence (IPV), depression, and engagement in HIV care among sexual minority men (SMM). We find that depressive symptoms fully mediated the association between past-year IPV victimization and future ART nonadherence, after controlling for past ART nonadherence. Our findings highlight a need for a trauma-informed approach for IPV survivors who are young Black SMM living with HIV, with specific emphasis on addressing depression among them to ensure improved treatment adherence.
We examined the relationship between violence/coercion and PrEP acceptability among cisgender female sex workers and transgender sex workers in urban West Bengal, India. We found very high rates of violence and coercion among participants, particularly among transgender sex workers. We also found that the relationship between coercion/violence and PrEP willingness was conditional on gender.
Presentation by Dr. Abenaa A. Jones that focused on substance use, HIV and associated risk behaviors, and experiences of violence are prevalent and often inextricably linked among women who use drugs, particularly those involved in the criminal justice system. The presentation will explore the syndemic of substance use, HIV, and violence, along with the development of an all-female and trauma-informed intervention to reduce the incidence and adverse effects of these syndemic issues.
Prior work suggests substance use is a risk factor for intimate partner violence but limited research exploring this association among MSM exists. We explored associations between substance use and experiences of IPV among MSM participating in the mSTUDY cohort in Los Angeles. Stimulant use was associated with increased odds of experiencing IPV relative to those reporting no stimulant use and the magnitude of this association was greater among MSM living with HIV.
Oral Presentation at the CHIPTS HIV Next Generation Conference featuring Dr. Joshua A. Rusow in January 2022. The presentation examines mental health symptomology, minority stress experiences, and interpersonal violence as a potential contributing factor to HIV transmission risk behaviors over one year among sexual minority adolescence.
Oral presentation by Joanna L. Barreras that discusses HIV-related inequities affecting Latinx communities, especially Latina transgender women (LTGW), the experiences they face are related to violence, stigma, and discrimination, which may lead to increased HIV risk behaviors. The presentation describes proposed intervention that relate to linking LTGW to resources through law enforcement and create spaces for positive interactions between LTGW + LAPD, to build trust.
Poster presentation by Melissa Medich, UCLA DGSOM Department of Family Medicine that describes a growing interest in engaging men and boys in health and development programs targeting the intersection of HIV risk, substance abuse, and violence. Masculinities or masculine identities shape both behaviors and provide opportunities for interventions. This paper examines an intervention using soccer and job training to engage and deliver activities for HIV prevention, substance abuse, and gender-based violence in a South African township in the Western Cape.