Systematic screening of gender violence and domestic violence among HIV-positive patients: the VIHOLETA study.

HIV infection epidemiology; CLINICAL drug trials; HIV infection risk factors; HIV-positive persons; HIV infections; RESEARCH; SCIENTIFIC observation; CONFIDENCE intervals; CROSS-sectional method; VIRAL load; MEDICAL screening; DOMESTIC violence; VIOLENCE; ANTIRETROVIRAL agents; RACE; GENDER; RISK assessment; COMPARATIVE studies; SEX distribution; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; QUESTIONNAIRES; RESEARCH funding; PATIENT compliance; EDUCATIONAL attainment

We conducted a multicentre observational study in people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy in Alicante (Spain) from 2019 to 2020 aiming to analyse the prevalence of abuse and assess treatment adherence according to this variable. We used the Abuse Assessment Screen tool, the simplified medication adherence questionnaire and the medication possession ratio to assess outcomes.. Of the 161 included PLHIV, 53 (32.9%) had suffered abuse (27 emotional abuse, 6 physical abuse, 3 sexual abuse, 13 emotional and physical abuse, 4 unknown type). Seven (4.3%) had suffered abuse in the last year (5 emotional, 2 physical). Abuse had lasted a median of 48 months (interquartile range 12–81). HIV status was considered as a cause of violence by 9.4% of victims. In the multivariable analysis, only abuse was independently associated with non-adherence [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.92; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.80–8.84; p = 0.0007]. Abuse (aOR 6.14; 95% CI 1.63–27.70; p = 0.001) and previous incarceration (aOR 15.08 95% CI 2.71–104.71; p = 0.003) were associated with detectable viral load. In conclusion, the prevalence of abuse is high in PLHIV, hampering adherence and virological success. Abuse screening tools should be incorporated into routine HIV care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]