Cohort profile: the STOP HIV/AIDS Program Evaluation (SHAPE) study in British Columbia, Canada

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The Seek and Treat for Optimal Prevention of HIV/AIDS (STOP HIV/AIDS) Program Evaluation (SHAPE) study monitors an HIV testing and treatment expansion program in British Columbia.
• It investigates how sociostructural factors like gender, age, sexual identity, geography, income, and ethnicity affect engagement in HIV care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To monitor the progress of an HIV testing and treatment expansion program.
• To examine how sociostructural determinants influence engagement in HIV care.
• To identify barriers and facilitators for equitable access to HIV treatment and care.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal cohort study involving 644 British Columbia residents diagnosed with HIV, aged 19 and older.
• Baseline survey data collected between January 2016 and September 2018.
• Ongoing clinical follow-up with two additional follow-up surveys planned 18 months apart.

Main Results:

• High levels of HIV care engagement and treatment success observed in baseline data.
• 95% of participants received antiretroviral therapy, and 90% achieved viral suppression.
• Persistent disparities in HIV treatment outcomes identified based on age, injection drug use, and housing stability.

Conclusions:

• While the program shows success, targeted interventions are needed for marginalized groups facing care disparities.
• Further research will explore evolving engagement in HIV care over time.
• A qualitative component will investigate experiences of treatment engagement and re-engagement.