Participants baseline characteristics.

This study explores the treatment experience of people living with HIV who transitioned from oral ART to long-acting injectable therapy Cabotegravir/Rilpivirine (LAI-CAB/RPV) in Puerto Rico. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to explore the lived experiences of people with HIV 21 years old or older who transitioned from oral ART to LAI-CAB/RPV. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit study participants. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted at the clinic, audio recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Participants’ mean age was 67 years (±9), most were men (70%), and most identified themselves as heterosexual (60%). On average, they have taken oral ART for 23.2 years ± 8.7. The transition to LAI-CAB/RPV marked a profound positive change; for them, injectable ART means “freedom,” improving their quality of life, providing relief, and a sense of “normalcy.” Adherence remained robust, marked by consistent appointment attendance. They overwhelmingly encouraged others to embrace the transition, highlighting its transformative impact on their lives. Study participants’ positive experiences underscore the potential of LAI-CAB/RPV to revolutionize the standard of care, enhancing both the treatment experience and the overall well-being of people living with HIV. Continued research is crucial to refine and expand the benefits of this treatment approach.

本研究针对波多黎各地区从口服抗反转录病毒治疗（antiretroviral therapy, ART）转为长效注射型卡博特格拉韦/利匹韦林（long-acting injectable Cabotegravir/Rilpivirine, LAI-CAB/RPV）的HIV感染者的治疗体验展开探究。本研究采用解释现象学分析（Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, IPA），对21岁及以上、从口服ART转为LAI-CAB/RPV的HIV感染者的真实生活体验进行探索。研究通过目的性抽样招募受试者，于诊所开展10次深度访谈，全程录音并逐字转录。受试者平均年龄为67岁（±9），其中七成（70%）为男性，六成（60%）自我认定为异性恋群体；受试者平均口服ART时长为23.2年±8.7年。转为LAI-CAB/RPV的治疗方案为受试者带来了显著的积极改变：在他们看来，注射型ART意味着“自由”，能够改善生活质量、缓解身心负担，并带来“回归常态”的归属感。受试者的治疗依从性始终良好，就诊依从性稳定且规律。绝大多数受试者均鼓励他人接受该治疗方案转型，并强调其对自身生活的变革性影响。本研究受试者的积极体验凸显了LAI-CAB/RPV革新HIV感染者临床诊疗标准的潜力，可有效改善HIV感染者的治疗体验与整体健康福祉。后续仍需开展进一步研究，以优化并拓展该治疗方案的获益边界。