Browsing by Author "Parcesepe, Angela"

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    Comorbidities and HIV-related factors associated with mental health symptoms and unhealthy substance use among older adults living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries: a cross-sectional study
    (Wiley, 2025) Ross, Jeremy L.; Rupasinghe, Dhanushi; Chanyachukul, Thida; Crabtree Ramírez, Brenda; Murenzi, Gad; Kwobah, Edith; Mureithi, Fiona; Minga, Albert; Marbaniang, Ivan; Perazzo, Hugo; Parcesepe, Angela; Goodrich, Suzanne; Chimbetete, Cleophas; Mensah, Ephrem; Maruri, Fernanda; Nguyen, Dung Thi Hoai; López-Iñiguez, Alvaro; Lancaster, Kathryn; Byakwaga, Helen; Tlali, Mpho; Plaisy, Marie K.; Nimkar, Smita; Moreira, Rodrigo; Anastos, Kathryn; Semeere, Aggrey; Wandeler, Gilles; Jaquet, Antoine; Sohn, Annette; Sentinel Research Network of the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Introduction: People with HIV (PWH) are vulnerable to mental health and substance use disorders (MSDs), but the extent to which these are associated with other non-communicable diseases in ageing PWH populations remains poorly documented. We assessed comorbidities associated with symptoms of MSD among PWH ≥40 years in the Sentinel Research Network (SRN) of the International epidemiology Database to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA). Methods: Baseline data collected between June 2020 and September 2022, from 10 HIV clinics in Asia, Latin America and Africa contributing to the SRN, were analysed. Symptoms of MSDs and comorbidities were assessed using standardized questionnaires, anthropometric and laboratory tests, including weight, height, blood pressure, glucose, lipids, chronic viral hepatitis and liver transient elastography. HIV viral load, CD4 count and additional routine clinical data were accessed from participant interview or medical records. HIV and non-HIV clinical associations of mental illness symptoms and unhealthy substance use were analysed using logistic regression. Mental illness symptoms were defined as moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 score >9), moderate-to-severe anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 >9) or probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PCL-5 >32). Unhealthy substance use was defined as ASSIST score >3, or AUDIT ≥7 for women (≥8 for men). Results: Of 2614 participants assessed at baseline study visits, 57% were female, median age was 50 years, median CD4 was 548 cells/mm3 and 86% had HIV viral load <1000 copies/ml. Overall, 19% had mental illness symptoms, 15% unhealthy substance use, 49% BMI >25 kg/m2, 38% hypertension, 15% type 2 diabetes, 35% dyslipidaemia, 34% liver disease and 23% history of tuberculosis. BMI >25 and dyslipidaemia were found in 54% and 40% of those with mental illness symptoms compared to 49% and 34% of those without. Mental illness symptoms were not significantly associated with the clinical factors assessed. Unhealthy substance use was more likely among those with dyslipidaemia (OR 1.55, CI 1.16-2.09, p = 0.003), and less likely in those with BMI >25 (OR 0.48, CI 0.30-0.77, p = 0.009). Conclusions: Improved integration of MSD and comorbidity services in HIV clinical settings, and further research on the association between MSD and comorbidities, and care integration among older PWH in low-middle-income countries, are required.
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    Design and implementation of a global site assessment survey among HIV clinics participating in the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) research consortium
    (Public Library of Science, 2023) Brazier, Ellen; Maruri, Fernanda; Wester, C. William; Musick, Beverly; Freeman, Aimee; Parcesepe, Angela; Hossmann, Stefanie; Christ, Benedikt; Kimmel, April; Humphrey, John; Freeman, Esther; Enane, Leslie A.; Lancaster, Kathryn E.; Ballif, Marie; Golub, Jonathan E.; Nash, Denis; Duda, Stephany N.; International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Introduction: Timely descriptions of HIV service characteristics and their evolution over time across diverse settings are important for monitoring the scale-up of evidence-based program strategies, understanding the implementation landscape, and examining service delivery factors that influence HIV care outcomes. Methods: The International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium undertakes periodic cross-sectional surveys on service availability and care at participating HIV treatment sites to characterize trends and inform the scientific agenda for HIV care and implementation science communities. IeDEA's 2020 general site assessment survey was developed through a consultative, 18-month process that engaged diverse researchers in identifying content from previous surveys that should be retained for longitudinal analyses and in developing expanded and new content to address gaps in the literature. An iterative review process was undertaken to standardize the format of new survey questions and align them with best practices in survey design and measurement and lessons learned through prior IeDEA site assessment surveys. Results: The survey questionnaire developed through this process included eight content domains covered in prior surveys (patient population, staffing and community linkages, HIV testing and diagnosis, new patient care, treatment monitoring and retention, routine HIV care and screening, pharmacy, record-keeping and patient tracing), along with expanded content related to antiretroviral therapy (differentiated service delivery and roll-out of dolutegravir-based regimens); mental health and substance use disorders; care for pregnant/postpartum women and HIV-exposed infants; tuberculosis preventive therapy; and pediatric/adolescent tuberculosis care; and new content related to Kaposi's sarcoma diagnostics, the impact of COVID-19 on service delivery, and structural barriers to HIV care. The survey was distributed to 238 HIV treatment sites in late 2020, with a 95% response rate. Conclusion: IeDEA's approach for site survey development has broad relevance for HIV research networks and other priority health conditions.