Multi-Component Intervention to Improve Health Outcomes and Quality of Life Among Rural Older Adults Living With HIV

Engagement in HIV medical care and adherence to HIV medications are both essential in improving health outcomes among people living with HIV (PLH), but PLH living in rural areas-who suffer higher mortality rates than their urban counterparts-can confront multiple barriers to care engagement and adherence, especially as they face the logistical, medical, and social challenges associated with aging. This project will pilot test four intervention components designed to improve care engagement and medication adherence to determine their impact on health outcomes and quality of life among rural, older PLH. The four intervention components, adapted from evidence-based interventions and delivered remotely, are: (1) counselor-facilitated peer social support, (2) HIV stigma reduction, (3) strengths-based case management, and (4) individually-tailored technology use optimization. The investigators hypothesize that components will be acceptable to participants, will be feasible to administer remotely, and will show preliminary impact on (1) the proportion of participants that have viral suppression and (2) health-related quality of life. Results from this study will provide us with tools to improve health outcomes for rural older people living with HIV.