Pre-exposure prophylaxis use among HIV serodiscordant couples: a qualitative study in Mozambique

Background

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has the potential to reduce HIV transmission and stem the HIV epidemic. Unfortunately, PrEP uptake in rural sub-Saharan Africa has been slow and medication adherence has been suboptimal.

Objective

To explore the perspectives, attitudes, and experiences of HIV serodiscordant partners taking PrEP and develop a messaging campaign to improve PrEP uptake in rural Mozambique to reduce HIV transmission among serodiscordant partners.

Methods

In this qualitative study, we interviewed 20 people in serodiscordant relationships using PrEP at a rural health center in Zambézia province, Mozambique and employed inductive and deductive coding to elicit their perspectives, attitudes, and experiences related to learning their partner’s HIV status, barriers to PrEP uptake, obstacles to PrEP adherence, and decisions to disclose their PrEP use with family and friends using thematic analysis.

Results

Our analysis generated nine themes across various levels of the socioecological model. Participants reported a strong desire to stay in the discordant relationship and highlighted the importance of working together to ensure PrEP and antiretroviral therapy adherence, with the majority skeptical that adherence could be achieved without both partners’ support (individual and interpersonal). Although most participants were reticent about sharing their serodiscordant status with family and friends (individual and interpersonal), those who did found their family and friends supportive (interpersonal). Participants suggested increasing community health agent availability to help people navigate HIV prevention and treatment (organizational). We then created three oral stories, using themes from the interviews, with examples from various levels of the socioecological model that will be used to generate support for PrEP use among community members.

Conclusions

Our findings informed oral template stories that will be used to emphasize how couples can work together to improve PrEP uptake and reduce incident HIV infections in serodiscordant couples elsewhere in rural Mozambique.

Poor retention and care-related sex disparities among youth living with HIV in rural Mozambique

Background

There are few studies that characterize sex-related differences in HIV outcomes among adolescents and young adults (AYA) 15–24 years of age.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study among AYA who enrolled in a comprehensive HIV program in Mozambique between 2012–2016. We assessed patients by sex and pregnancy/lactation status, comparing time to combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation using Cox proportional hazard models. We employed multivariable logistic regression to investigate pre- and post-ART retention. Patients were defined as ‘retained pre-ART’ if they attended at least 3 of 4 required visits or started ART in the 6 months after enrollment, and ‘retained post-ART’ if they had any ART pickup or clinical visit during the last 90 days of the one-year follow-up period.

Results

Of 47,702 patients in the cohort, 81% (n = 38,511) were female and 19% (n = 9,191) were male. Of the females, 57% (n = 21,770) were non-pregnant and non-lactating (NPNL) and 43% (n = 16,741) were pregnant or lactating (PL). PL (aHR 2.64, 95%CI:2.47–2.81) and NPNL females (aHR 1.36, 95%CI:1.30–1.42) were more likely to initiate ART than males. PL females had higher odds of pre-ART retention in care (aOR 3.56, 95%CI: 3.30–3.84), as did NPNL females (aOR 1.71, 95%CI: 1.62–1.81), compared to males. This was also true for retention post-ART initiation, with higher odds for both PL (aOR 1.78, 95%CI:1.63–1.94) and NPNL females (aOR 1.50, 95%CI:1.35–1.65) compared to males.

Conclusions

PL females were most likely to initiate ART and remain in care post-ART in this AYA cohort, likely reflecting expansion of Option B+. Despite pregnancy and policy driven factors, we observed important sex-related disparities in this cohort. NPNL females were more likely to initiate ART and be retained in care before and after ART initiation than males. These data suggest that young males need targeted interventions to improve these important care continuum outcomes.

Effect of a storytelling intervention on the retention of serodiscordant couples in ART/PrEP services at antenatal clinic in Namacurra province in Zambézia, Mozambique

Background

Sub-Saharan Africa reported 550,000 new HIV infections among women in 2018. Pregnancy and the postpartum period are associated with an increased risk of HIV acquisition (adjusted risk ratio [RR]: 2.8 during pregnancy and 4.0 in postpartum period vs. non-pregnant or postpartum women, respectively). Acquisition of HIV during pregnancy and breastfeeding increases risk of mother to child transmission. We propose to test the impact of a peer-delivered oral storytelling intervention to increase retention in, and adherence to, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)/combination antiretroviral treatment (ART) among expectant couples.

Design

We propose a randomized controlled trial (RCT) (35 intervention and 35 control couples) at a health facility where 11% of expectant couples were in serodiscordant relationships in 2018. Couples randomized to the storytelling arm will be visited by a two community volunteers and who successfully adhered to PrEP/ART during a recent pregnancy. This expert couple will orate to participating couples three stories (at 1, 3 and 5 weeks after study enrollment) designed to empower, educate, and establish “ideal” interpersonal communication strategies within couples/families, and support adherence practices among participants. The primary outcome among HIV-uninfected women will be adherence to PrEP at 3 months.

Conclusions

PrEP among at-risk pregnant women must be implemented so that high levels of adherence and retention are achievable for them and their partners. We will test our storytelling intervention to identify an optimal strategy for PrEP education and family engagement in a region with high HIV prevalence. Our results will have an impact by effectively engaging serodiscordant couples in prevention/treatment during pregnancy and beyond.

Protocol to evaluate an enterprise-wide initiative to increase access to lung cancer screening in the Veterans Health Administration

INTRODUCTION

The Veterans Affairs Partnership to increase Access to Lung Screening (VA-PALS) is an enterprise-wide initiative to implement lung cancer screening programs at VA medical centers (VAMCs). VA-PALS will be using implementation strategies that include program navigators to coordinate screening activities, trainings for navigators and radiologists, an open-source software management system, tools to standardize low-dose computed tomography image quality, and access to a support network. VAMCs can utilize strategies according to their local needs. In this protocol, we describe the planned program evaluation for the initial 10 VAMCs participating in VA-PALS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The implementation of programs will be evaluated using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to ensure broad contextual guidance. Program evaluation measures have been developed using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance framework. Adaptations of screening processes will be assessed using the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications to Evidence Based Interventions. Measures collected will reflect the inner settings, estimate and describe the population reached, adoption by providers, implementation of the programs, report clinical outcomes and maintenance of programs. Analyses will include descriptive statistics and regression to evaluate predictors and assess implementation over time.

DISCUSSION

This theory-based protocol will evaluate the implementation of lung cancer screening programs across the Veterans Health Administration using scientific frameworks. The findings will inform plans to expand the VA-PALS initiative beyond the original sites and can guide implementation of lung cancer screening programs more broadly.

The V-BRCH Project: building clinical trial research capacity for HIV and noncommunicable diseases in Nigeria

Antiretroviral therapy has turned HIV into a chronic condition, with morbidity from HIV-associated noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) becoming more common as HIV-infected individuals live longer. In Nigeria, the additional challenge of an under-capacitated health system highlights the need for skilled clinical investigators who can generate evidence to tackle the double burden of HIV and NCDs. The Vanderbilt-Nigeria Building Research Capacity in HIV and Non-communicable Diseases (V-BRCH) programme is a training platform to create a cohort of skilled Nigerian investigators with the capacity to lead independent clinical trial research focused on the intersection of HIV and NCDs. V-BRCH will solidify an atmosphere of continuous mentoring and skills acquisition for physician faculty at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital via short- and medium-term learning opportunities, paired mentoring arrangements, and mentored research projects. Trainees will attend an annual faculty enrichment programme in Nashville, in addition to on-site workshops in Nigeria on HIV-associated NCD epidemiology, clinical trials methodology, evidence synthesis, qualitative research methods, stakeholder engagement, knowledge translation, and grant writing. Research-oriented junior faculty will undergo focused training in clinical trials administration and regulatory oversight. Scholars will share best practices through mentoring panels, regular ‘Works in Progress’ meetings, and monthly career development seminars. Competitive seed grants will be provided to mentor–mentee teams to promote targeted in-country pilot studies focused on HIV-associated NCDs. For long-term training, physician scientists will be supported to undergo enhanced Master of Public Health (MPH) training at Bayero University in Nigeria and Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) training at Vanderbilt. Short-term regional courses, staff development workshops, and MPH curriculum refinement will help to strengthen institutional capacity in HIV-associated NCD clinical trial research. V-BRCH will create a cohort of skilled Nigerian scientists who will be able to compete for independent funding and design and implement high quality research that will generate evidence to inform policy and practice and lead to improved outcomes for Nigerians impacted by HIV-associated NCDs.

Healer-led vs. clinician-led training to improve personal protective equipment use among traditional healers in South Africa: a randomized controlled trial protocol

There are estimated two million traditional healers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with more than 10% (200,000) working in South Africa. Traditional healers in SSA are frequently exposed to bloodborne pathogens through the widespread practice of traditional 'injections', in which the healers perform dozens of subcutaneous incisions to rub herbs directly into the bloodied tissue with their hands. Healers who report exposure to patient blood have a 2.2-fold higher risk of being HIV-positive than those who do not report exposure. We propose a randomized controlled trial (61 healers in the intervention group and 61 healers in the control group) in Mpumalanga Province. Healers will receive personal protective equipment (PPE) education and training, general HIV prevention education, and three educational outreach visits at the healer's place of practice to provide advice and support for PPE use and disposal. Healers in the control arm will be trained by health care providers, while participants in the intervention arm will receive training and outreach from a team of healers who were early adopters of PPE. We will evaluate intervention implementation using data from surveys, observation, and educational assessments. Implementation outcomes of interest include acceptability and feasibility of PPE use during clinical encounters and fidelity of PPE use during treatments that involve blood exposure. We will test our two intervention strategies to identify an optimal strategy for PPE education in a region with high HIV prevalence.

Interpersonal reactivity index adaptation among expectant seroconcordant couples with HIV in Zambézia Province, Mozambique

BACKGROUND

The ability to understand another's emotions and act appropriately, empathy, is an important mediator of relationship function and health intervention fidelity. We adapted the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) - an empathy scale - among seroconcordant expectant couples with HIV in the Homens para Saúde Mais (HoPS+) trial - a cluster randomized controlled trial assessing couple-based versus individual treatment on viral suppression - in Zambézia Province, Mozambique.

METHODS

Using baseline data from 1332 HoPS+ trial participants (666 couples), an exploratory factor analysis assessed culturally relevant questions from the IRI. Because empathy is interdependent among couples, we validated the results of the exploratory factor analysis using a dyadic confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with dyadic measurement invariance testing. Finally, we assessed the relationship between scores on our final scale and basic demographic characteristics (sex, age, education, and depression) using t-tests.

RESULTS

We found two subscales: 1) a seven-item cognitive empathy subscale (Cronbach's alpha 0.78) and 2) a six-item affective empathy subscale (Cronbach's alpha 0.73). The dyadic CFA found acceptable model fit and metric invariance across partners (Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.914, Tucker Lewis Index = 0.904, Root Mean Squared Error of Approximation = 0.056, ΔCFI = 0.011). We observed higher cognitive (p: 0.012) and affective (p: 0.049) empathy among males and higher cognitive (p: 0.031) and affective (p: 0.030) empathy among younger participants. More educated participants had higher affective empathy (p: 0.017) and depressed participants had higher cognitive empathy (p: < 0.001). This two-subscale, 13-item version of the IRI measures cognitive and affective empathy in HoPS+ trial participants and adults while accounting for the interdependent nature of empathy within partner dyads.

CONCLUSIONS

This scale will allow us to assess the interplay between empathy and other psychometric constructs (stigma, social support, etc.) in the HoPS+ trial and how each relates to retention in HIV, adherence to treatment, and prevention of maternal to child HIV transmission. Furthermore, this scale can be adapted for other sub-Saharan African populations, which will allow researchers to better assess HIV-related intervention efficacy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study is within the context of the HoPS+ trial, registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as number NCT03149237 . Registered May 11, 2017.

Throwing the bones to diagnose HIV: Views of rural South African traditional healers on undertaking HIV counselling and testing

In 2018, nearly 800,000 HIV positive individuals in South Africa were unaware of their status. Traditional healers see patients who avoid health clinics, including those who refuse HIV testing. This manuscript details the results of a qualitative study to understand traditional healer perspectives on performing healer-initiated HIV counseling and testing HIV in rural South Africa. We conducted 30 structured in-depth interviews between April and June 2019 to elicit traditional healer attitudes towards partnering with local health services to perform HIV counseling and testing with their patients. Healers reported that while some patients are open about their HIV status, others lie about it due to stigma. This creates challenges with concurrent treatment, which healers believe leads to allopathic and/or traditional medication treatment failure. Most healers expressed both an interest and a willingness to perform HIV counseling and testing. Healers felt that by performing testing in the community, it would overcome issues related to HIV stigma, as well as a lack of confidentiality and trust with health care workers at the clinic. Trained traditional healers may be able to bridge the testing gap between "non-testers" and the allopathic health system, essentially "opening" thousands of new testing locations with little financial investment.

Traditional healers use of personal protective equipment: a qualitative study in rural South Africa

BACKGROUND

Traditional healers are frequently exposed to hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through the widespread practice of traditional "injections", in which the healer performs dozens of subcutaneous incisions using a razor blade to rub herbs directly into bloodied tissue. An average healer in Agincourt, a rural northeastern sub-district in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, experiences approximately 1500 occupational blood exposures over the course of their lifetime. Healers in Agincourt have an HIV prevalence of 30% compared to 19% in the general population, and healers who report exposure to patient blood have an adjusted 2.4-fold higher odds of being HIV-positive than those with no exposure. Although research on appropriate PPE use has been well documented for allopathic care providers, little is known about the practices of traditional healers.

METHODS

This qualitative study was conducted with 30 traditional healers who practice in the rural Bushbuckridge sub-district of Mpumalanga province, northeastern South Africa. We elicited traditional healer attitudes towards glove use during traditional treatments - including patient baths, injections, or other treatments that exposed healers to patient blood or open sores.

RESULTS

While 90% of healers reported using latex gloves during some treatments, the majority do not use them regularly. Most employ a combination of gloves, plastic shopping bags, bread bags, paper, and sticks to prevent blood exposure. Healers reported plastic bags slipping or breaking during procedures, exposing them to patient blood. Only three healers consistently used gloves, regardless of the cost.

CONCLUSIONS

Inadequate PPE use and high HIV prevalence make traditional healers particularly susceptible to contracting HIV in rural South Africa. Despite positive attitudes, consistent glove use remains low due to financial constraints and glove availability. Addressing issues of accessibility and cost of gloves for traditional healers could have a significant impact on the adherence to PPE and, in turn, reduce new HIV infections among this high-risk group.

Adherence to Combination Antiretroviral Therapy among Pregnant Women Enrolled in a HIV Prevention Program in Rural North-central Nigeria

OBJECTIVE

Adherence to combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) among pregnant women is essential to attaining the goal of eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission. The objective of this study was to determine which factors affect adherence to ART among HIV-positive women enrolled in a large prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) trial in rural north-central Nigeria.

METHODS

The parent study included 372 HIV-positive pregnant women enrolled in a cluster-randomized control trial conducted at 12 health facilities in Nigeria between 2013 and 2015. This secondary analysis included HIV-positive women (and their infants) from the original trial with documented adherence data (n=210, 56.5%). The primary outcome was maternal adherence to ART, determined by self-report and based on the visual analogue scale (VAS) of a validated medication adherence tool. Participants with a VAS score of ≥ 95% were classified as adherent. We employed multivariate logistic regression to evaluate the predictors of maternal ART adherence in the study sample.

RESULTS

Approximately 61.0% of study participants (128/210) were adherent to ART. The majority of adherent participants (62.5%, 80/128) were enrolled in the trial intervention arm. The most common cited response for non-adherence was fear of status disclosure. Adherence to ART was associated with study arm (intervention arm vs. control arm, adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) [95% CI]: 16.95 [5.30-54.23]), maternal ethnicity (Gwari vs. Other, aOR = 0.13 [0.05-0.38]), and partner HIV status (HIV-positive vs. unknown, aOR = 3.14 [1.22-8.07]).

CONCLUSION AND GLOBAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

Adherence to ART among a cohort of pregnant women enrolled in a PMTCT trial in rural North-Central Nigeria was associated with trial arm, maternal self-reported ethnicity, and partner's HIV status. Increased understanding of the interplay between these factors will enable the development of more targeted and effective interventions.

Perceptions of Community Involvement in the Peruvian Mental Health Reform Process Among Clinicians and Policy-Makers: A Qualitative Study

Background: The global burden of mental health conditions has led to the implementation of new models of care for persons with mental illness. Recent mental health reforms in Peru include the implementation of a community mental health model (CMHM) that, among its core objectives, aims to provide care in the community through specialized facilities, the community mental health centers (CMHCs). Community involvement is a key component of this model. This study aims to describe perceptions of community engagement activities in the current model of care in three CMHCs and identify barriers and potential solutions to implementation.

Methods: A qualitative research study using in-depth semi-structured interviews with clinicians from three CMHCs and with policy-makers involved in the implementation of the mental health reforms was conducted in two regions of Peru. The interviews, conducted in Spanish, were digitally recorded with consent, transcribed and analyzed using principles of grounded theory applying a framework approach. Community engagement activities are described at different stages of patient care.

Results: Twenty-five full-time employees (17 women, 8 men) were interviewed, of which 21 were clinicians (diverse health professions) from CMHCs, and 4 were policy-makers. Interviews elucidated community engagement activities currently being utilized including: (1) employing community mental health workers (CMHWs); (2) home visits; (3) psychosocial clubs; (4) mental health workshops and campaigns; and (5) peer support groups. Inadequate infrastructure and financial resources, lack of knowledge about the CMHM, poorly defined catchment areas, stigma, and inadequate productivity approach were identified as barriers to program implementation. Solutions suggested by participants included increasing knowledge and awareness about mental health and the new model, implementation of peer-training, and improving productivity evaluation and research initiatives.

Conclusion: Community engagement activities are being conducted in Peru as part of a new model of care. However, their structure, frequency, and content are perceived by clinicians and policy-makers as highly variable due to a lack of consistent training and resources across CMHCs. Barriers to implementation should be quickly addressed and potential solutions executed, so that scale-up best optimizes the utilization of resources in the implementation process.

Retention in HIV Care in Australia: The Perspectives of Clinicians and Clients, and the Impact of Medical and Psychosocial Comorbidity

Significant advances in our understanding and treatment of HIV have led to improvements in the medical management of the illness, as HIV infection has evolved from an acute to a chronic illness. Increasing our understanding of the medical and/or psychosocial comorbidities, which can interact to determine "clinical complexity" and impact HIV management, will further strengthen this process. Retention in care is a critical step of the HIV Treatment Cascade, which facilitates effective management of these comorbidities and their impact on HIV medical management. This study sought to build on literature regarding medical and/or psychosocial comorbidity that impacts retention in care, and it often leads to clinically complex presentations, by gaining the perspectives of people living with HIV (PLHIV), and medical and allied health clinicians in the field in Sydney, Australia. A total of 16 clinicians (medical doctors, nurses, clinical psychologists, and social workers) and 14 clients participated in a series of focus groups; they were asked to comment on the perceived barriers to retention and the potential solutions to overcome these. The results indicated a significant degree of overlap between clinician and client perspectives, and they identified "service-specific factors," "logistic/practical factors," "medical/physical factors," and "psychosocial factors" as potential barriers to retention. Results are reviewed in the context of similarities and differences in perspectives between clinicians and PLHIV, and limitations regarding the generalizability of findings are discussed. The broader context of comorbidity and clinical complexity is also examined.

Effect of PEPFAR funding policy change on HIV service delivery in a large HIV care and treatment network in Nigeria

The transition to PEPFAR 2.0 with its focus on country ownership was accompanied by substantial funding cuts. We describe the impact of this transition on HIV care in a large network of HIV clinics in Nigeria. We surveyed 30 comprehensive HIV treatment clinics to assess services supported before (October 2013-September 2014) and after (October 2014-September 2015) the PEPFAR funding policy change, the impact of these policy changes on service delivery areas, and response of clinics to the change. We compared differences in support for staffing, laboratory services, and clinical operations pre- and post-policy change using paired t-tests. We used framework analysis to assess answers to open ended questions describing responses to the policy change. Most sites (83%, n = 25) completed the survey. The majority were public (60%, n = 15) and secondary (68%, n = 17) facilities. Clinics had a median of 989 patients in care (IQR: 543-3326). All clinics continued to receive support for first and second line antiretrovirals and CD4 testing after the policy change, while no clinics received support for other routine drug monitoring labs. We found statistically significant reductions in support for viral load testing, staff employment, defaulter tracking, and prevention services (92% vs. 64%, p = 0.02; 80% vs. 20%, 100% vs. 44%, 84% vs. 16%, respectively, p<0.01 for all) after the policy change. Service delivery was hampered by interrupted laboratory services and reduced wages and staff positions leading to reduced provider morale, and compromised quality of care. Almost all sites (96%) introduced user fees to address funding shortages. Clinics in Nigeria are experiencing major challenges in providing routine HIV services as a result of PEPFAR's policy changes. Funding cutbacks have been associated with compromised quality of care, staff shortages, and reliance on fee-based care for historically free services. Sustainable HIV services funding models are urgently needed.

Increasing male engagement in the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV: what works in sub-Saharan Africa?

Muktar Aliyu and colleagues discuss barriers, enablers, and research gaps in engaging male partners in prevention of vertical HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa

Partners-based HIV treatment for seroconcordant couples attending antenatal and postnatal care in rural Mozambique: A cluster randomized trial protocol

BACKGROUND

In resource-limited rural settings, scale-up of services to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV has not been as effective as in better resourced urban settings. In sub-Saharan Africa, women often require male partner approval to access and remain engaged in HIV care. Our study will evaluate a promising male engagement intervention ("Homens para Saúde Mais" (HoPS+) [Men for Health Plus]) targeting the elimination of mother-to-child transmission in rural Mozambique.

DESIGN

We will use a cluster randomized clinical trial design to engage 24 health facilities (12 intervention and 12 standard of care), with 45 HIV-infected seroconcordant couples per clinic. The planned intervention will engage male partners to address social-structural and cultural factors influencing eMTCT based on new couple-centered integrated HIV services.

CONCLUSIONS

The HoPS+ study will evaluate the effectiveness of engaging male partners in antenatal care to improve outcomes among HIV-infected pregnant women, their HIV-infected male partners, and their newborn children. Our objectives are to: (1) Implement and evaluate the impact of male-engaged, couple-centered services on partners' retention in care, adherence to antiretroviral therapy, early infant diagnosis uptake, and mother-to-child transmission throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding; (2) Investigate the impact of HoPS+ intervention on hypothesized mechanisms of change; and (3) Use validated simulation models to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the HoPS+ intervention with the use of routine clinical data from our trial. We expect the intervention to lead to strategies that can improve outcomes related to partners' retention in care, uptake of services for HIV-exposed infants, and reduced MTCT.

Depression among female heads-of-household in rural Mozambique: A cross-sectional population-based survey

BACKGROUND

An estimated 350 million people live with depression worldwide. In Mozambique, there are no national data quantifying the burden of mental illnesses. With the sixth highest suicide rate in the world, there is strong evidence of an unmet mental health need. We conducted a survey to measure the prevalence of depression among female heads of household and assess individual, social, and cultural risk factors associated with a positive depression screening.

METHODS

This survey was conducted across 14 rural districts in central Mozambique in 2014. We gathered information from 3543 female heads of household (100% response rate) on > 500 variables, including a depression screening tool (PHQ-8). Weighted percentages of survey responses are reported.

RESULTS

Among female heads of household, 14% screened positive for depression (PHQ-8 score ≥ 10). Our adjusted models show increased odds of depression per additional year of age (aOR: 1.02 [1.01, 1.04]; p = 0.002), additional year of education (aOR: 1.06 [1.02, 1.11]; p = 0.006), and additional kilometer from the nearest clinic (aOR: 1.05 [1.02, 1.07]; p = < 0.001). Experiencing food insecurity (aOR: 1.05 [1.02, 1.08]; p = 0.003) was associated with increased odds of depression. Being single (aOR: 0.42 [0.29, 0.60]) or divorced/widowed/separated (aOR: 0.57 [0.34, 0.98]; p < 0.001) vs. married was protective against depression, as was a perceived "sufficient" household income (aOR: 0.37 [0.19, 0.69]; p = 0.008).

LIMITATIONS

Social desirability bias may have led women to underreport feelings of depression.

CONCLUSIONS

The association of more education and marriage with increased odds of depression may reflect a frustration with limited opportunity for success experienced by some women in rural Mozambique.

Mixed methods inquiry into traditional healers' treatment of mental, neurological and substance abuse disorders in rural South Africa

BACKGROUND

Traditional healers are acceptable and highly accessible health practitioners throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Patients in South Africa often seek concurrent traditional and allopathic treatment leading to medical pluralism.

METHODS & FINDINGS

We studied the cause of five traditional illnesses known locally as "Mavabyi ya nhloko" (sickness of the head), by conducting 27 in-depth interviews and 133 surveys with a randomly selected sample of traditional healers living and working in rural, northeastern South Africa. These interviews were carried out to identify treatment practices of mental, neurological, and substance abuse (MNS) disorders. Participating healers were primarily female (77%), older in age (median: 58.0 years; interquartile range [IQR]: 50-67), had very little formal education (median: 3.7 years; IQR: 3.2-4.2), and had practiced traditional medicine for many years (median: 17 years; IQR: 9.5-30). Healers reported having the ability to successfully treat: seizure disorders (47%), patients who have lost touch with reality (47%), paralysis on one side of the body (59%), and substance abuse (21%). Female healers reported a lower odds of treating seizure disorders (Odds Ratio (OR):0.47), patients who had lost touch with reality (OR:0.26; p-value<0.05), paralysis of one side of the body (OR:0.36), and substance abuse (OR:0.36) versus males. Each additional year of education received was found to be associated with lower odds, ranging from 0.13-0.27, of treating these symptoms. Each additional patient seen by healers in the past week was associated with roughly 1.10 higher odds of treating seizure disorders, patients who have lost touch with reality, paralysis of one side of the body, and substance abuse. Healers charged a median of 500 South African Rand (~US$35) to treat substance abuse, 1000 Rand (~US$70) for seizure disorders or paralysis of one side of the body, and 1500 Rand (~US$105) for patients who have lost touch with reality.

CONCLUSIONS

While not all healers elect to treat MNS disorders, many continue to do so, delaying allopathic health services to acutely ill patients.

HIV status disclosure, facility-based delivery and postpartum retention of mothers in a prevention clinical trial in rural Nigeria

Background

Within the context of a cluster randomized prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) trial, we evaluated the impact of disclosure on selected PMTCT continuum of care measures.

Methods

In 12 rural matched-pair clinics randomly assigned to an intervention package versus standard-of-care, we enrolled 372 HIV-infected pregnant women from April 2013 to March 2014. This secondary analysis included 327 (87.9%) women with unknown HIV status or who were treatment naïve at presentation to antenatal care. We employed mixed effects logistic regression to estimate impact of disclosure on facility delivery and postpartum retention in HIV care at 6 and 12 weeks.

Results

Fully 86.5% (283/327) of women disclosed their HIV status to their partner, more in the trial intervention arm (OR 3.17, 95% CI 1.39-7.23). Adjusting for intervention arm, maternal age, education and employment, women who disclosed were more likely to deliver at a health facility (OR 2.73, 95%CI 1.11-6.72). Participants who disclosed also had a trend towards being retained in care at 6 and 12 weeks' postpartum (OR 2.72, 95% CI 0.79-9.41 and 2.46, 95% CI 0.70-8.63, respectively).

Conclusions

HIV status disclosure at 6 weeks' postpartum was positively associated with facility-based delivery, but not with early postpartum retention. Facilitating HIV status disclosure to partners can increase utilization of facility obstetric services.

Traditional healer treatment of HIV persists in the era of ART: a mixed methods study from rural South Africa

BACKGROUND

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) substantially contributes to the burden of disease and health care provision in sub-Saharan Africa, where traditional healers play a major role in care, due to both their accessibility and acceptability. In rural, northeastern South Africa, people living with HIV often ping-pong between traditional healers and allopathic providers.

METHODS

We conducted 27 in-depth interviews and 133 surveys with a random sample of traditional healers living in Bushbuckridge, South Africa, where anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is publicly available, to learn: (1) healer perspectives about which HIV patients they choose to treat; (2) the type of treatment offered; (3) outcomes expected, and; (4) the cost of delivering treatment.

RESULTS

Healers were mostly female (77%), older (median: 58.0 years; interquartile range [IQR]: 50-67), with low levels of formal education (median: 3.7 years; IQR: 3.2-4.2). Thirty-nine healers (30%) reported being able to cure HIV in an adult patients whose (CD4) count was >350cells/mm³. If an HIV-infected patient preferred traditional treatment, healers differentiated two categories of known HIV-infected patients, CD4+ cell counts <350 or ≥350 cells/mm³. Patients with low CD4 counts were routinely referred back to the health facility. Healers who reported offering/performing a traditional cure for HIV had practiced for less time (mean = 16.9 vs. 22.8 years; p = 0.03), treated more patients (mean 8.7 vs. 4.8 per month; p = 0.03), and had lower levels of education (mean = 2.8 vs. 4.1 years; p = 0.017) when compared to healers who reported not treating HIV-infected patients. Healers charged a median of 92 USD to treat patients with HIV.

CONCLUSION

Traditional healers referred suspected HIV-infected patients to standard allopathic care, yet continued to treat HIV-infected patients with higher CD4 counts. A greater emphasis on patient education and healer engagement is warranted.

Understanding intra-vaginal and labia minora elongation practices among women heads-of-households in Zambézia Province, Mozambique

Intra-vaginal drying and tightening and labia minora elongation are commonly practised in some parts of southern Africa. We sought to capture data on these practices among women living in Zambézia province, Mozambique. Information was gathered from 3543 female heads of household on > 500 variables, including vaginal practices, in 2014. Women who planned to use intra-vaginal tightening substances had 1.84 times higher odds of ever receiving an HIV test (p < 0.001) and 1.40 times higher odds of at least one antenatal care visit attended during last pregnancy (p = 0.015). Women who had or planned to undergo labia minora elongation had 2.61 times higher odds of receiving an HIV test in the past (p < 0.001) and 1.60 times higher odds of attending at least one antenatal care visit during their last pregnancy (p < 0.001). There was little evidence for a relationship between self-reported HIV status and anticipated use of intra-vaginal tightening substances (p = 0.21). Current or anticipated participation in labia elongation showed a protective effect on HIV infection (p = 0.028). Given documented associations between intra-vaginal substance use, vaginal infections and HIV acquisition, understanding the prevalence of vaginal practices is an essential component to addressing the epidemic.

Adapting an adherence support workers intervention: engaging traditional healers as adherence partners for persons enrolled in HIV care and treatment in rural Mozambique

BACKGROUND

Systematic adaptation of evidence-informed interventions that increase retention in care and improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) are essential to ending the HIV epidemic in rural sub-Saharan Africa. We selected and adapted an adherence support worker intervention employed in Malawi for use by traditional healers in rural Mozambique. Given the levels of trust and dependence previously expressed by persons living with HIV (PLHIV) for traditional medicine, we adapted the program to engage traditional healers within the allopathic health system.

METHODS

Adaption followed a theoretically driven approach to intervention adaption: the Assessment-Decision-Administration-Production-Topical Experts-Integration-Training-Testing (ADAPT-ITT) model. Three rounds of performance feedback, based on theater presentations of the adapted intervention for stakeholders and idea generation, were completed with 12 groups from March to July 2016 to develop the final model. We offered healer support to 180 newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients.

RESULTS

Traditional healers were an acceptable group of community health workers to assist with patient adherence and retention. Traditional healers, clinicians, and interested community members suggested novel strategies to tailor the adherence support worker intervention, revealing a local culture of HIV denialism, aversion to the health system, and dislike of healthcare providers, as well as a preference for traditional treatments. Proposed changes to the intervention included modifications to the training language and topics, expanded community-based activities to support acceptability of an HIV diagnosis and to facilitate partner disclosure, and accompaniment to the health facility by healers to encourage delivery of respectful clinical care. PLHIV, healers, and clinicians deemed the intervention socially acceptable during focus groups. We subsequently recruited 180 newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients into the program: 170 (94%) accepted.

CONCLUSIONS

Systematic translation of interventions, even between regions with similar social and economic environments, is an important first step to successful program implementation. Efforts previously limited to community health workers can be tailored for use by traditional healers-an underutilized and often maligned health workforce. It proved feasible to use theater-based performances to demonstrate delivery of the intervention in low-literacy populations, generating discussions about social norms, community concerns, and the merits of an acceptable strategy to improve retention and adherence to ART.

Adapting an adherence support workers intervention: engaging traditional healers as adherence partners for persons enrolled in HIV care and treatment in rural Mozambique

BACKGROUND

Systematic adaptation of evidence-informed interventions that increase retention in care and improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) are essential to ending the HIV epidemic in rural sub-Saharan Africa. We selected and adapted an adherence support worker intervention employed in Malawi for use by traditional healers in rural Mozambique. Given the levels of trust and dependence previously expressed by persons living with HIV (PLHIV) for traditional medicine, we adapted the program to engage traditional healers within the allopathic health system.

METHODS

Adaption followed a theoretically driven approach to intervention adaption: the Assessment-Decision-Administration-Production-Topical Experts-Integration-Training-Testing (ADAPT-ITT) model. Three rounds of performance feedback, based on theater presentations of the adapted intervention for stakeholders and idea generation, were completed with 12 groups from March to July 2016 to develop the final model. We offered healer support to 180 newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients.

RESULTS

Traditional healers were an acceptable group of community health workers to assist with patient adherence and retention. Traditional healers, clinicians, and interested community members suggested novel strategies to tailor the adherence support worker intervention, revealing a local culture of HIV denialism, aversion to the health system, and dislike of healthcare providers, as well as a preference for traditional treatments. Proposed changes to the intervention included modifications to the training language and topics, expanded community-based activities to support acceptability of an HIV diagnosis and to facilitate partner disclosure, and accompaniment to the health facility by healers to encourage delivery of respectful clinical care. PLHIV, healers, and clinicians deemed the intervention socially acceptable during focus groups. We subsequently recruited 180 newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients into the program: 170 (94%) accepted.

CONCLUSIONS

Systematic translation of interventions, even between regions with similar social and economic environments, is an important first step to successful program implementation. Efforts previously limited to community health workers can be tailored for use by traditional healers-an underutilized and often maligned health workforce. It proved feasible to use theater-based performances to demonstrate delivery of the intervention in low-literacy populations, generating discussions about social norms, community concerns, and the merits of an acceptable strategy to improve retention and adherence to ART.

Barriers to Male Involvement in Antenatal Care in Rural Mozambique

Low rates of antenatal care (ANC) service uptake limit the potential impact of mother-to-child HIV-prevention strategies. Zambézia province, Mozambique, has one of the lowest proportions of ANC uptake among pregnant women in the country, despite the availability of free services. We sought to identify factors influencing ANC service uptake (including HIV counseling and testing) through qualitative methods. In addition, we encouraged discussion about strategies to improve uptake of services. We conducted 14 focus groups to explore community views on these topics. Based on thematic coding of discourse, two main themes emerged: (a) gender inequality in decision making and responsibility for pregnancy and (b) community beliefs that uptake of ANC services, particularly, if supported by a male partner, reflects a woman's HIV-positive status. Interventions to promote ANC uptake must work to shift cultural norms through male partner participation. Potential strategies to promote male engagement in ANC services are discussed.