Predictors of secondary HIV transmission risk in a cohort of adolescents living with HIV in South Africa

Publication Type: Journal article
Year: 2022
Author(s): Elona Toska, Siyanai Zhou, Christina A. Laurenzi, Roxanna Haghighat, Wylene Saal, Laurie Gulaid and Lucie Cluver
Unit: AARHub
Journal: AIDS
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/QAD.0000000000003044
Link: https://journals.lww.com/aidsonline/Fulltext/2022/02010/Predictors_of_secondary_HIV_transmission_risk_in_a.12.aspx

Abstract: "Objective: Preventing secondary HIVt ransmission from adolescents and young people living with HIV (AYPLHIV) to their partners and children is critical to interrupting the HIV infection cycle in sub-Saharan Africa. We investigated predictors of secondary HIV transmission risk (past-year sexual risk combined with past-year viremia) among AYPLHIV in South Africa. Design: A prospective cohort of AYLPHIV in South Africa recruited n 1⁄4 1046 partici- pants in 2014–2015, 93.6% of whom were followed up in 2016–2017 (1.5% mortal- ity). Questionnaires used validated scales where available and biomarkers were extracted from n 1⁄4 67 health facilities. Methods: Multivariate logistic regressions tested baseline factors associated with secondary HIV transmission risk, controlling for covariates, with marginal effect modelling combinations. Results: About 14.2% of AYPLHIV reported high secondary HIV transmission risk. High- risk AYPLHIV were more likely to be sexually infected [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.79, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.66 – 4.68, P < 0.001], and report hunger (aOR 1.93, 95% CI 1.18–3.14, P 1⁄4 0.008) and substance use (aOR 2.19, 95% CI 1.19–4.02, P 1⁄4 0.012). They were more likely to be in power-inequitable relationships (aOR 1.77, 95% CI 1.08–2.92, P 1⁄4 0.025) and be parents (aOR 4.30, 95% CI 2.16 – 8.57, P < 0.001). Adolescents reporting none of these factors had a 4% probability of secondary transmission risk, rising to 89% probability with all five identified factors. Older age and early sexual debut were also strongly associated with a higher risk of secondary HIV transmission. Conclusion: It is essential to identify and support AYPLHIV at a high risk of secondary transmission. Screening for factors such as mode of infection and parenthood during routine healthcare visits could help identify and provide resources to the most at-risk adolescents."

Citation: Toska, E., Zhou, S., Laurenzi, C. A., Haghighat, R., Saal, W., Gulaid, L., & Cluver, L. (2022). Predictors of secondary HIV transmission risk in a cohort of adolescents living with HIV in South Africa. AIDS, 36(2), 267-276. Accessed from https://doi.org/10.1097/QAD.0000000000003044.