Do HIV risk and prevention behaviors change over time among adults in permanent supportive housing?

Persons experiencing homelessness have a disproportionate burden of HIV infection and high rates of HIV risk behavior. Permanent supportive housing (PSH) has been identified as a primary solution to homelessness, but little is known about HIV sexual risk behavior among persons in PSH, nor about how HIV risk and prevention behavior may change as persons move from homelessness into PSH. Utilizing longitudinal data from 421 persons prior to moving in and over their first year living in PSH, this study assesses change over time in HIV risk and prevention behavior utilizing generalized linear mixed models. Results reveal changes in sexual risk behavior over time, including an overall increase in the rate of sexual activity, but a decrease in rates of some sexual risk behaviors, including condomless sex and multiple partners. While decreasing overall, the prevalence of condomless sex remains high (63%) at 12-months. Combined with a precipitous drop in HIV prevention programming exposure (from 56% at baseline to 23% at 12-months), only two-thirds of those sexually active reporting a past year HIV test at 12-months post-housing, and rare use of PrEP, these findings suggest a need for additional attention to promotion of sexual health behaviors and HIV prevention within PSH.     

Risk behavior and access to HIV/AIDS prevention services in a community sample of homeless persons entering permanent supportive housing

Homeless persons suffer disproportionately high rates of HIV infection, and moving into permanent supportive housing (PSH) can provide a stable base from which to access needed prevention services. However, little is known about HIV risk or prevention behavior during this critical time of transition. The current study investigated STI and HIV risk and prevention behavior and recent use of prevention and treatment services (i.e., education, testing, medication) among homeless persons preparing to move into PSH. Data come from interviews with 421 homeless adults before they moved into PSH. Thirty-seven percent of the respondents were sexually active; of those, 75.7% reported unprotected sex. Nearly two-thirds (64%) reported past year HIV testing and 40% reported testing for another STI. Fewer than one-third (31%) of respondents reported receiving posttest counseling at their last HIV test. HIV seropositivity was self-reported by 10%. Among those persons who were HIV-positive, 57.1% reported less than 100% antiretroviral (ARV) adherence. Among HIV-negative respondents, less than 1% had been prescribed preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Less than half (46.4%) of the sample reported any HIV prevention education in the past year. This population of homeless adults about to move into PSH report high rates of HIV risk behavior, but low rates of HIV prevention education and very little PrEP utilization. Further, low rates of ARV adherence among HIV-positive respondents indicate significant risk for HIV transmission and acquisition. Entering PSH is a period of transition for homeless persons when integrated care is critically important to ensure positive health outcomes, but these data suggest that PrEP and other HIV prevention services are poorly accessed among this population. As such, multipronged services that integrate PrEP and other HIV prevention services are needed to prevent transmission and acquisition of HIV in this high-risk, vulnerable population and ensure the health and wellbeing of PSH residents.     

Examining HIV Risk and Exchange Sex Among Current and Formerly Homeless Young Adults

This study investigated HIV risk among homeless and formerly homeless young adults by examining risky sex behaviors (e.g., condomless sex, exchange sex, and sex with multiple persons) using 90-day and daily recall methods. Data came from a sample of young adults (aged 18–27) with current (n = 101) or past (n = 109) homelessness experience in Los Angeles, California, recruited between 2017 and 2019. Baseline surveys queried demographics and sexual history. Daily retrospective surveys queried sexual events. Multiple logistic regressions were used to test the effects of demographic characteristics including homelessness history, relationship status, substance use, and sexual history on risky sex outcomes. In this sample, 26% reported never using a condom during anal or vaginal sex in the past 90 days, 5% reported testing positive for HIV, 82% had limited to no knowledge of preexposure prophylaxis, and 8% reported having had exchange sex during a 7-day measurement period, with those experiencing homelessness more likely to report. The study suggests supportive housing can reduce the occurrence of exchange sex but that HIV prevention services are still needed in homeless and housing programs to promote safe sexual practices.

     

Association of substance use and VA service-connected disability benefits with risk of homelessness among veterans

Recent public attention on homelessness has shifted beyond emergency services and supportive housing to primary prevention. This study compares a national sample of homeless and nonhomeless Veterans Affairs (VA) mental health services users to determine risk and protective factors for homelessness. Using VA administrative data, veterans were identified as homeless (ie, used VA homeless services or received a diagnostic code for "lack of housing") or nonhomeless and compared using logistic regression. Additional analyses were conducted for two low-risk subgroups: veterans who served in current Middle East wars (Operation Enduring Freedom [OEF]/Operation Iraqi Freedom [OIF]) and veterans with ≥50% service-connected disability. Among all VA mental health users, OEF/OIF (odds ratio [OR]) = 0.4) and ≥50% service-connected (OR = .3) veterans were less likely to be homeless. In the overall and subgroup analyses, illicit drug use (OR = 3.3-4.7) was by far the strongest predictor of homelessness, followed by pathological gambling (PG) (OR = 2.0-2.4), alcohol use disorder (OR = 1.8-2.0), and having a personality disorder (OR = 1.6-2.2). In both low-risk groups, severe mental illness (schizophrenia or bipolar disorder), along with substance use disorders, PG, and personality disorders, increased homelessness risk. Substance use, PG, and personality disorders confer the greatest modifiable risk of homelessness among veterans using VA services, while service-connected disability conferred reduced risk. Clinical prevention efforts could focus on these factors.     

Predictors of Continued High-Risk Sexual Behavior in a Community Sample of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS

Most HIV prevention research has focused on persons who are HIV-seronegative. However, some persons aware of their HIV infection may continue to engage in high-risk sexual behavior patterns that place their sexual partners at risk for HIV infection. The present study delineates rates of high-risk sexual behavior in a community sample of persons living with HIV/AIDS and identifies predictors of continued high-risk sex. An anonymous self-report survey assessing social support, access to health care services, health-related quality of life, perceptions of loneliness, life satisfaction, and sexual behavior was completed by 277 persons living with HIV/AIDS in a midwestern state. Predictors of continued high-risk sex included being in an affectionate relationship, greater physical well-being, more barriers to health care services due to geography and distance, and having a greater number of male sexual partners. HIV prevention programs are needed for persons living with HIV disease who have difficulty avoiding high-risk sexual behavior.     

Long-Term Correlates of Childhood Abuse among Adults with Severe Mental Illness: Adult Victimization, Substance Abuse, and HIV Sexual Risk Behavior

The prevalence of childhood sexual and physical abuse among persons with severe mental illness (SMI) is disproportionately high. Adults with SMI also engage in high rates of HIV risk behaviors. This study examined the association between childhood abuse and adult victimization, substance abuse, and lifetime HIV sexual risk in a sample of 152 adults with SMI receiving community mental health services. Structured interviews assessed psychiatric, psychosocial, and behavioral risk factors. Seventy percent reported childhood physical and/or sexual abuse, and 32% reported both types of abuse. Participants with childhood abuse were more likely to report adult victimization and greater HIV risk. A structural equation model found that childhood abuse was directly and indirectly associated with HIV risk through drug abuse and adult vicitimization. Integrated treatment approaches that address interpersonal violence and substance abuse may be necessary for HIV risk reduction in this population.     

HIV risk, seropositivity and predictors of infection among homeless and non-homeless women sex workers in Miami, Florida, USA

Although homelessness has frequently been associated with substance abuse, and has been established as a predictor of HIV risk among substance abusers, little is known about the impact of homelessness on HIV risk among female sex workers. This analysis investigated the contribution of homelessness to sexual risk taking among a sample of 485 female sex workers recruited into an HIV prevention programme in Miami, Florida, 41.6% of whom considered themselves to be currently homeless. Findings indicated that in comparison to non-homeless sex workers, significantly more homeless sex workers were daily users of alcohol and crack, and their past month sex work reflected significantly more frequent vaginal and oral sex acts, higher levels of unprotected vaginal sex and more numerous sexual activities while 'high' on drugs. At the same time, a significantly greater proportion of homeless sex workers encountered customers that refused to use condoms than did the non-homeless sex workers. There were no significant differences in HIV seropositivity between the homeless and non-homeless women (22.5 and 24.9%, respectively), primarily because the majority of the women in the study cycled in and out of homelessness.     

Prevention of sexually transmitted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in adolescents

Sexual behavior can threaten the physical and social well-being of young people in the United States in a variety of ways, as it can put them at risk for infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), other sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) and unintended pregnancy. This review describes the current extent of HIV infection in American adolescents, identifies and characterizes particular high-risk groups and risk-bearing and protective behaviors, and identifies barriers to adopting preventive behaviors and using health care services. Our main focus is to present findings from intervention research; we summarize the effects of strategies that operate at the individual level (i.e. biomedical or behavioral, in and outside of the clinic) and environmental level (i.e. family, school and community behavioral) to influence behavioral change and the prevention of HIV infection. Overall, even though abstinence eliminates the risk altogether and the use of condoms can effectively reduce the risk of sexual transmission of HIV, adolescents do not optimally employ these practices. Various approaches to counseling by providers and other behavioral interventions aimed at reducing high-risk sexual behavior have been effective, but have met with limited and short-lived success. Among the areas receiving inadequate attention to date have been the link between biomedical and community-based behavior change interventions and the correspondence of biologic and behavioral outcomes. These areas are explored and directions for future research are suggested.     

Changes in Medicaid Utilization and Spending Associated with Homeless Adults’ Entry into Permanent Supportive Housing

BackgroundThere is growing interest in financing housing and supportive services for homeless individuals through Medicaid. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), which integrates non-time-limited housing with supportive services for people who are disabled and chronically homeless, has seen rapid growth in the last decade, but clear evidence on the long-term impacts of PSH, needed to guide state efforts to finance some PSH services through Medicaid, is lacking.ObjectiveAssess changes in Medicaid expenditures and utilization associated with receiving PSH.DesignCohort study using a difference-in-differences approach.ParticipantsA total of 1226 PA Medicaid enrollees who entered PSH 2011–2016 and remained in PSH for 180 days or more, and a matched comparison cohort of 970 enrollees experiencing housing instability who did not receive PSH.Main MeasuresMedicaid spending in aggregate, and on behavioral and physical health services; emergency department (ED) visits and inpatient hospital stays.Key ResultsThree years after PSH entry, spending decreased by an average of $145/month in the PSH cohort relative to changes in the comparison cohort (p = 0.046), with the greatest relative spending reductions occurring for residential behavioral health ($64, p < 0.001) and inpatient non-behavioral health services ($89, p = 0.001). We also found relative reductions in ED use (4.7 visits/100 person-months, p = 0.010) and inpatient hospital stays (1.6 visits/100 person-months, p < 0.001).ConclusionsThese results can inform emerging state efforts to finance PSH services through Medicaid. Additional state expenditures to expand financing for PSH services could be partially offset by reductions in Medicaid spending, in part by facilitating a shift in treatment to outpatient from acute care settings.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11606-020-06465-y.KEY WORDS: Permanent Supportive Housing, homelessness, Medicaid, health care utilization, health care expenditures

There is growing interest in financing housing and supportive services for homeless individuals through Medicaid.¹ Homeless populations’ high burden of serious mental illness, substance use disorders (SUD), and chronic physical health conditions contribute to elevated rates of hospital and emergency department (ED) use, the costs of which disproportionately accrue to Medicaid.² This has prompted emerging efforts in Medicaid programs to address health needs linked to homelessness, including payment for support services to help individuals receive and maintain stable housing, with the goal of improving health and reducing long-term medical spending in populations with a history of homelessness.Programs to provide stable housing, such as Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), have attracted particular interest from policymakers and experienced rapid growth in the last decade.³ PSH integrates non-time-limited housing with supportive services, including relocation assistance and tenancy-sustaining services, for people who are disabled and chronically homeless (^Appendix).⁴Medicaid programs can pay for supportive services in PSH that fall outside the scope of traditional health benefits, but cannot pay for room and board costs. Several states are considering options to finance a greater share of PSH costs through their Medicaid programs, which typically require a waiver of program rules and demonstration of budget neutrality or cost-effectiveness over the term of the waiver (2–5 years).^{4, 5}However, there is limited evidence on the long-term impacts of PSH on health care utilization and expenditures. Several studies have linked receiving PSH to reductions in inpatient and ED use and increases in behavioral health care utilization in populations with serious mental health diagnoses, but other analyses found few changes in spending attributable to PSH.^{4, 6–16} A recent report by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine cited a lack of clear evidence on the long-term impacts of PSH, noting that existing studies were limited by small samples, geographic homogeneity, and follow-up periods of less than 2 years—shorter than most individuals’ duration of PSH enrollment and the period over which the benefits of stable housing might accrue both to residents and Medicaid.^{4, 10–12, 17–22}We address limitations of prior research by studying a cohort of 1226 geographically diverse PSH recipients enrolled in Pennsylvania Medicaid during 2011–2017, among whom we assessed changes in Medicaid expenditures and utilization from up to 15 months before to 3 years following PSH entry. We compared these changes to trends in a matched cohort of individuals experiencing housing instability who did not receive PSH using a difference-in-differences analysis.     

Utilization and avoidance of sexual health services and providers by YMSM and transgender youth assigned male at birth in Chicago

ABSTRACT

Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) and transgender youth assigned male at birth (AMAB) bear a disproportionate burden of the HIV epidemic, yet are sub optimally engaged by sexual health service providers and HIV prevention services. To increase sexual health and HIV prevention behaviors and address disparities in HIV incidence and outcomes among YMSM and AMAB transgender youth, it is critical to understand patterns of service utilization and avoidance. This study examined how and why YMSM and AMAB transgender youth use or avoid sexual health services and service providers in a large Midwestern city within a survey administered to 890 participants from a longitudinal cohort study (RADAR). Results demonstrate low overall use of sexual health services and minimal interest in seeking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), consistent with prior research. Low awareness of available services was associated with how and where YMSM and trans youth AMAB seek care, with 76% of our sample reporting this as their primary reason for not seeking specific sexual health services. Additional associations are discussed, and recommendations are made for how to improve available services and access.     

Experiences With and Attitudes Toward Death and Dying Among Homeless Persons

Background Homeless persons face many barriers to health care, have few resources, and experience high death rates. They live lives of disenfranchisement and neglect. Few studies have explored their experiences and attitudes toward death and dying. Unfortunately, studies done in other populations may not apply to homeless persons. Exploring these experiences and attitudes may provide insight into life, health care, and end-of-life (EOL) concerns of this population. Objective To explore the experiences and attitudes toward death and dying among homeless persons. Design Qualitative study utilizing focus groups. Participants Fifty-three homeless persons recruited from homeless service agencies. Measurements In-depth interviews, which were audiotaped and transcribed. Results We present seven themes, some of which are previously unreported. Homeless persons described many significant experiences with death and dying, and many participants suffered losses while very young. These encounters influenced participants’ attitudes toward risks and risky behavior: e.g., for some, these experiences provided justification for high-risk behaviors and influenced their behaviors while living on the streets. For others, they may be associated with their homelessness. Finally, these experiences informed their attitudes toward death and dying as well as EOL care; homeless persons believe that care will be poor at the EOL. Conclusions Findings from this study have implications for addressing social services, health promotion, prevention, and EOL care for homeless persons, as well as for others who are poor and disenfranchised.     

HIV risk behavior and access to services: what predicts HIV testing among heterosexually active homeless men?

HIV is a serious epidemic among homeless persons, where rates of infection are estimated to be three times higher than in the general population. HIV testing is an effective tool for reducing HIV transmission and for combating poor HIV/AIDS health outcomes that disproportionately affect homeless persons, however, little is known about the HIV testing behavior of homeless men. This study examined the association between individual (HIV risk) and structural (service access) factors and past year HIV testing. Participants were a representative sample of 305 heterosexually active homeless men interviewed from meal programs in the Skid Row region of Los Angeles. Logistic regression examined the association between past year HIV testing and demographic characteristics, HIV risk behavior, and access to other services in the Skid Row area in the past 30 days. Despite high rates of past year HIV testing, study participants also reported high rates of HIV risk behavior, suggesting there is still significant unmet need for HIV prevention among homeless men. Having recently used medical/dental services in the Skid Row area (OR: 1.91; CI: 1.09, 3.35), and being a military veteran (OR: 2.10; CI: 1.01-4.37) were significantly associated with HIV testing service utilization. HIV testing was not associated with HIV risk behavior, but rather with access to services and veteran status, the latter of which prior research has linked to increased service access. We suggest that programs encouraging general medical service access may be important for disseminating HIV testing services to this high-risk, vulnerable population.     

Sheltered versus nonsheltered homeless women

OBJECTIVE: To contrast sociodemographic characteristics, physical and mental health status, substance use, sexual behaviors, victimization, and utilization of health services between homeless women residing in sheltered and nonsheltered environments. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. A structured scale was used to measure mental health status. Physical health status, substance use, sexual behavior, history of adult victimization, and health services utilization were measured by content-specific items. SETTING: Shelters (N=47) and outdoor locations in Los Angeles. PARTICIPANTS: One thousand fifty-one homeless women. RESULTS: Homeless women living on the streets were more likely than sheltered women to be white and longer-term homeless. Controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that unsheltered women had over 3 times greater odds of fair or poor physical health, and over 12 times greater odds of poor mental health than sheltered homeless women. They were also more likely than sheltered women to report using alcohol or noninjection drugs, to have multiple sexual partners, and to have a history of physical assault. About half of the overall sample reported utilization of a variety of health services; however, unsheltered homeless women were less likely to utilize all of the health services that were assessed, including drug treatment. CONCLUSIONS: There is a critical need for aggressive outreach programs that provide mental health services and substance abuse treatment for homeless women on the streets. Comprehensive services that also include medical care, family planning, violence prevention, and behavioral risk reduction may be particularly valuable for homeless women, especially those living in unsheltered environments. This research was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, grants DA06719 and DA01070. Dr. Gelberg is a Robert Wood Johnson Generalist and Physician Faculty Scholar.     

HIV,Homelessness, and Public Health: Critical Issues and a Call for Increased Action

Homelessness and housing instability are significant public health issues that increase the risks of HIV acquisition and transmission and adversely affect the health of people living with HIV. This article highlights the contributions of selected papers in this special issue of AIDS and Behavior and considers them within the broader context of prior research on the associations between housing status and HIV risk, use of HIV medical care, adherence to HIV treatment, and the physical health of HIV-seropositive persons. Special recognition is given to the roles of interrelated health problems, such as substance abuse, poor mental health, and physical and sexual abuse, that often co-occur and exacerbate the challenges faced by those who are homeless or unstably housed. Taken as a whole, the findings indicate a critical need for public health programs to develop strategies that address the fundamental causes of HIV risk among homeless and unstably housed persons and, for those living with HIV, contribute to their risk of disease progression. Such strategies should include “mid-stream” and “upstream” approaches that address the underlying causes of these risks. The successful implementation of these strategies will require leadership and the formation of new partnerships on the part of public health agencies. Such efforts, however, may have significant effects on the individuals and communities most affected by HIV/AIDS.     

Physical and Sexual Abuse among Homeless and Unstably Housed Adults Living with HIV: Prevalence and Associated Risks

We examined the prevalence and risks associated with interpersonal (physical and sexual) abuse among HIV-seropositive homeless or unstably housed adults. Data were obtained from the Housing and Health Study of participants living in Baltimore, Chicago, and Los Angeles (n = 644). We used logistic regression to identify risks associated with abuse. About 77% of men and 86% of women reported ever experiencing abuse. Women were at greater risk than men for intimate partner physical abuse, childhood sexual abuse (CSA), and adulthood sexual abuse. Men and women experiencing intimate partner physical abuse reported increased risk of unprotected sex. Other risks associated with abuse include sex exchange; lifetime alcohol abuse; and depressive symptoms. Abuse prevalence among sample exceeds those found in other samples of general USA, HIV-seropositive, and homeless populations. Identifying persons at risk of abuse is needed to reduce risk among homeless or unstably housed persons living with HIV.     

Young Transgender Women of Color: Homelessness,Poverty, Childhood Sexual Abuse and Implications for HIV Care

This study describes a sample of HIV+ young transgender women of color aged 18–24 and their experience with homelessness as part of a demonstration project of engagement and retention in HIV medical care funded by Health Resources and Services Administration. The study engaged transgender women of color in HIV care in nine sites across the US between 2012 and 2017. This analysis describes and compares transwomen who had been homeless in the last 6 months to those not homeless. We hypothesized that homelessness would compete with HIV care, food, shelter, and be associated with poverty. Variable domains included sociodemographic, mental health and substance use, HIV care, sexual risk behavior, social support from transgender and other friends, and childhood sexual abuse. There were 102 youth enrolled, 77 (75.5%) who had been homeless, and 25 (24.5%) who had not been homeless. Bivariate analyses showed that low income, sex work as source of income, inability to afford food, lack of viral load (VL) suppression, childhood sexual abuse, lower levels of social support, and higher levels of depression were associated with homelessness. A logistic regression model showed that being unable to afford food (AOR = 9.24, 95% CI 2.13–40.16), lack of VL suppression in last 6 months (AOR = 0.10, 95% CI .02–.57), and lack of transgender friend support (AOR = 0.09, 95% CI .02–.53) was associated with homelessness. Programs that place basic needs first—food and shelter—may be able to engage and assist young transgender women of color with HIV to survive and live healthier lives.

     

Does Effective Depression Treatment Alone Reduce Secondary HIV Transmission Risk? Equivocal Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Depressed mood has been associated with HIV transmission risk behavior. To determine whether effective depression treatment could reduce the frequency of sexual risk behavior, we analyzed secondary outcome data from a 36-week, two-arm, parallel-design, randomized controlled trial, in which homeless and marginally housed, HIV-infected persons with comorbid depressive disorders were randomized to receive either: (a) directly observed treatment with the antidepressant medication fluoxetine, or (b) referral to a local public mental health clinic. Self-reported sexual risk outcomes, which were measured at 3, 6, and 9 months, included: total number of sexual partners, unprotected sexual intercourse, unprotected sexual intercourse with an HIV-uninfected partner or a partner of unknown serostatus, and transactional sex. Estimates from generalized estimating equations regression models did not suggest consistent reductions in sexual risk behaviors resulting from treatment. Mental health interventions may need to combine depression treatment with specific skills training in order to achieve durable impacts on HIV prevention outcomes.     

The challenges of the homeless haemophilia patient

The current economic hardships within the United States can increase the risk of persons becoming homeless. In 2001, it was estimated that between 0.1% and 2.1% of the population were homeless every night and that 2.3 – 3.5 million persons could become homeless every year [1]. Many issues can increase the risk of homelessness including: home foreclosure, declining work force due to declining wages, low‐wage opportunities and less secure jobs, decline in public assistance, lack of affordable housing with limited housing assistance programs, poverty, lack of affordable health care, domestic violence, mental illness, and addiction disorders. Many on the streets may suffer from mental illness, developmental disabilities, and or chronic physical illness [6]. Given these issues, the Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC) can expect to experience the issue of homelessness within their own population of persons with hemophilia. Currently, there are no studies that address the issue of the person with hemophilia who may become homeless. This presents unique challenges that this population may encounter to survive in addition to managing bleeding issues related to the diagnosis of hemophilia. This article will review the issues related to homelessness in the general population. Two case studies of persons with hemophilia who became homeless will be discussed outlining the strategies utilized to assist the patient during this crisis.