Drug Use is Associated with Delayed Advancement Along the HIV Care Continuum Among Transgender Women of Color

Transgender women are impacted by elevated rates of HIV infection and drug use. This study investigated effects of drug use on HIV care outcomes among transgender women of color living with HIV who enrolled in a combined peer health navigation (PHN) and contingency management intervention (N = 129). At baseline, 71.3% reported any drug use in the past 6 months. Linkage to HIV care was delayed for users of any stimulant compared to non-users of stimulants, and for methamphetamine users compared to non-users of methamphetamine. Any drug use, relative to no drug use, was associated with fewer HIV care visits (IRR 0.50, 95% CI [0.30, 0.85]), but did not significantly impact ART adherence, or attaining an undetectable viral load. PHN sessions were positively related to the number of HIV care visits (IRR 1.20, 95% CI [1.07, 1.34]), especially for users of any stimulant and for methamphetamine users, to ART adherence (OR 2.54, 95% CI [1.67, 3.86]), and to virological suppression (OR 7.57, 95% CI [1.64, 34.94]). These findings demonstrate the value of assessing drug use as a possible barrier to HIV care.