A strengths-based case management intervention to link HIV-positive people who inject drugs in Russia to HIV care.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:To determine whether the Linking Infectious and Narcology Care strengths-based case management intervention was more effective than usual care for linking people who inject drugs (PWID) to HIV care and improving HIV outcomes. DESIGN:Two-armed randomized controlled trial. SETTING:Participants recruited from a narcology hospital in St. Petersburg, Russia. PARTICIPANTS:A total of 349 HIV-positive PWID not on antiretroviral therapy (ART). INTERVENTION:Strengths-based case management over 6 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Primary outcomes were linkage to HIV care and improved CD4 cell count. We performed adjusted logistic and linear regression analyses controlling for past HIV care using the intention-to-treat approach. RESULTS:Participants (N?=?349) had the following baseline characteristics: 73% male, 12% any past ART use, and median values of 34.0 years of age and CD4 cell count 311?cells/?l. Within 6 months of enrollment 51% of the intervention group and 31% of controls linked to HIV care (adjusted odds ratio 2.34; 95% confidence interval: 1.49-3.67; P?

SUBMITTER: Samet JH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6635053 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature