EACS2023: 673 Impact of hiding HIV positive status on PLWH treatment with ART: results from the French national survey CONCERTO R. Palich , F. Goehringer , J.-L. Meynard , D. Dei , E. Estrabaud , S. Parlier , L. Roudiere Sorbonne University, Paris, France, AP-HP, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Paris, France, Regional University Hospital of Nancy, Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Nancy, France, AP-HP, Saint-Antoine Hospital, Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Paris, France, Gilead Sciences, Paris, France, AP-HP, Saint-Louis Hospital, Center for Genital Pathology and Sexually Transmitted Infections, Paris, France General data Abstract category: Access and delivery of care Abstract body Purpose: We aimed to assess the characteristics of French PLWH who had not disclosed their HIV status to anyone, as well as the impact of HIV status concealment on adherence to ART, from data collected in the CONCERTO study. Method: From 06/2022 to 06/2023, 62 French HIV physicians were asked to offer a 35-item questionnaire to 10 consecutive PLWH during their routine medical visit. Included PLWH had to have been on the same oral ART for over two years. We compared the characteristics of participants who had not disclosed their HIV status to those who had, and determined how this concealment impacted on adherence to ART. Results: The survey was completed by 539 PLWH, including 355 participants (66%) who lived with at least one other person. Their characteristics are presented in Table 1. Among participants who did not live alone, 25% had not disclosed their HIV status to any member of their household. In an unadjusted analysis, factors significantly associated with HIV status concealment included being female, being from sub-Saharan Africa, being unemployed, being homeless, a younger age and a more recent HIV diagnosis. 73% of participants who concealed their HIV status took ART only when alone (versus 16% of participants who had disclosed their HIV status, p<0.001); 84% hid their treatment packs (versus 33%, p<0.001). Although selfreported adherence to ART was similar in both subgroups, inability to take it discreetly was more often cited as a reason for missing ART in participants hiding their HIV status (22% versus 3%, p<0.001). Table 1 I Characteristics of PLWH respondents All respondents (n = 539) Respondents living with other(s) (n = 355) Diagnosis known to part or all of the household (n = 268) Diagnosis unknown to household (n = 87) p-value Gender, n (%) Male Female 356 (66) 175 (33) 188 (71) 78 (29) 38 (45) 46 (55) <0.001 Place of birth, n (%) France Sub-Saharan Africa Other 329 (61) 141 (26) 67 (13) 178 (66) 59 (22) 31 (12) 27 (28) 47 (54) 16 (18) <0.001 Age, Median (IQR), years 51 (39-58) 51 (38-58) 44 (34-56) <0.01 Occupational status, n (%) Employee, Civil servant Unemployed, Jobseeker Other 244 (46) 103 (19) 189 (35) 132 (49) 39 (15) 97 (36) 33 (38) 29 (33) 25 (29) <0.001 Fixed abode, n (%) 507 (95) 262 (98) 67 (80) <0.001 Health coverage system, n (%) French social security system Other 464 (86) 73 (14) 237 (88) 31 (12) 62 (71) 25 (29) <0.001 Time since HIV diagnosis, Median (IQR), years 15 (7-24) 15 (8-25) 9 (6-17) <0.001 Period of time on current ART, Median (IQR), years 6 (3-14) 6 (3-14) 6 (3-13) 0,5 Conclusions: HIV status concealment causes anxiety and makes it more difficult to take ART. Healthcare professionals play an essential role for PLWH in reducing self-stigma and promoting status disclosure, as well as at the societal level, by continuing to demystify misconceptions and spread "positive" messages about HIV. General conditions 1. I confirm that I previewed this abstract and that all information is correct. I accept that the content of this abstract cannot be modified or corrected after the submission deadline and I am aware that it will be published exactly as submitted.: Yes 2. I confirm that the submission of the abstract constitutes my consent to publication (e.g. conference website, programmes, other promotions, etc.). : Yes 3. I herewith confirm that the contact details saved in this system are those of the corresponding author, who will be notified about the status of the abstract. The corresponding author is responsible for informing the other authors about the status of the abstract.: Yes 4. I agree that all data provided may be used (saved, stored, processed, transmitted and deleted) in compliance with the privacy policy to provide the services described.: Yes 1,2 3 4 5 5 6 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 36 19TH EUROPEAN AIDS CONFERENCE | WARSAW 2023
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