Durable viral suppression (DVS) is needed to reduce HIV transmission risk and prevent new HIV infections. We examined changes in viral suppression and correlates of DVS among 97 criminal justice-involved (CJI) Black men living with HIV in Louisiana enrolled in a linkage, re-engagement, and retention in care intervention. Most participants (75%) were Black men who have sex with men. Forty-four percent (44%) were virally suppressed at baseline and only 20% had achieved DVS over a 12-month period. Multinomial logistic regression analyses showed that compared with DVS participants, those with no viral suppression (NVS) and some viral suppression (SVS) were more likely to have lived with HIV for a longer period of time and were less likely to be adherent at baseline. Medication adherence was critical for DVS among this sample of CJI Black men living with HIV who represent a high priority population for HIV care and treatment interventions.
Keywords: Black men who have sex with men (BMSM); Criminal justice-involved; Durable viral suppression; HIV; South.