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Govere SM, Kalinda C, Chimbari MJ. The impact of same-day antiretroviral therapy initiation on retention in care and clinical outcomes at four eThekwini clinics, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:838. [PMID: 37553685 PMCID: PMC10408100 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09801-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Same-day initiation (SDI) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) increases ART uptake, however retention in care after ART initiation remains a challenge. Public health behaviours, such as retention in HIV care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) pose major challenges to reducing new Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) transmission and improving health outcomes among HIV patients. METHODS We evaluated 6-month retention in care, and clinical outcomes of an ART cohort comprising of SDI and delayed ART initiators. We conducted a 6 months' observational prospective cohort study of 403 patients who had been initiated on ART. A structured questionnaire was used to abstract data from patient record review which comprised the medical charts, laboratory databases, and Three Interlinked Electronic Registers.Net (TIER.Net). Treatment adherence was ascertained by patient visit constancy for the clinic scheduled visit dates. Retention in care was determined by status at 6 months after ART initiation. RESULTS Among the 403 participants enrolled in the study and followed up, 286 (70.97%) and 267 (66.25%) complied with scheduled clinics visits at 3 months and 6 months, respectively. One hundred and thirteen (28.04%) had been loss to follow-up. 17/403 (4.22%) had died and had been out of care after 6 months. 6 (1.49%) had been transferred to other health facilities and 113 (28.04%) had been loss to follow-up. Among those that had been lost to follow-up, 30 (33.63%) deferred SDI while 75 (66.37%) initiated ART under SDI. One hundred and eighty-nine (70.79%) participants who had remained in care were SDI patients while 78 (29.21%) were SDI deferred patients. In the bivariate analysis; gender (OR: 1.672; 95% CI: 1.002-2.791), number of sexual partners (OR: 2.092; 95% CI: 1.07-4.061), age (OR: 0.941; 95% CI: 0.734-2.791), ART start date (OR: 0.078; 95% CI: 0.042-0.141), partner HIV status (OR: 0.621; 95% CI: 0.387-0.995) and the number of hospitalizations after HIV diagnosis (OR: 0.173; 95% CI: 0.092-0.326). were significantly associated with viral load detection. Furthermore, SDI patients who defaulted treatment were 2.4 (95% CI: 1.165-4.928) times more likely to have increased viral load than those who had been returned in care. CONCLUSION Viral suppression under SDI proved higher but with poor retention in care. However, the results also emphasise a vital need, to not only streamline processes to increase immediate ART uptake further, but also to ensure retention in care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina M Govere
- School of Nursing and Public Health, Discipline of Public Health Medicine, Howard College Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Chester Kalinda
- School of Nursing and Public Health, Discipline of Public Health Medicine, Howard College Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Bill and Joyce Cummings Institute of Global Health and Institute of Global Health Equity Research (IGHER), University of Global Health Equity Kigali Heights, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Moses J Chimbari
- School of Nursing and Public Health, Discipline of Public Health Medicine, Howard College Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Public Health, Great Zimbabwe University, P.O Box 1235, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
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Mugenyi L, Hansen CH, Mayaud P, Seeley J, Newton R, Nanfuka M, Abaasa A, Mugisha K, Etukoit M, Kaleebu P, Ruzagira E. Effect of the "universal test and treat" policy on the characteristics of persons registering for HIV care and initiating antiretroviral therapy in Uganda. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1187274. [PMID: 37361157 PMCID: PMC10289544 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1187274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We examined the effect of the Universal Test and Treat (UTT) policy on the characteristics of people living with HIV (PLHIV) at enrolment in HIV care and initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Uganda using data from 11 nationally representative clinics of The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO). We created two retrospective PLHIV cohorts: pre-UTT (2004-2016), where ART initiation was conditional on CD4 cell count and UTT (2017-2022), where ART was initiated regardless of World Health Organisation (WHO) clinical stage or CD4 cell count. We used a two-sample test of proportions and Wilcoxon rank-sum test to compare proportions and medians, respectively, between the cohorts. A total of 244,693 PLHIV were enrolled at the clinics [pre-UTT, 210,251 (85.9%); UTT, 34,442 (14.1%)]. Compared to the pre-UTT cohort, the UTT cohort had higher proportions of PLHIV that were male (p < 0.001), aged 18-29 years (p < 0.001), aged >69 years, never married (p < 0.001), and educated to primary (p < 0.001) and post-primary (p < 0.001) school level at enrolment in HIV care and ART initiation. Overall, 97.9% of UTT PLHIV initiated ART compared to 45.2% under pre-UTT. The median time from enrolment in HIV care to ART initiation decreased from 301 [interquartile range (IQR): 58-878] pre-UTT to 0 (IQR: 0-0) under UTT. The median CD4 count at ART initiation increased from 254 cells/μL pre-UTT to 482 cells/μL under UTT (p < 0.001). Compared to the pre-UTT cohort, the UTT cohort had higher proportions of PLHIV with a CD4 count >500 cells/μL (47.3% vs. 13.2%, p < 0.001) and WHO stage 1 (31.7% vs. 4.5%, p < 0.001) at ART initiation. Adoption of the UTT policy in Uganda was successful in enrolling previously unreached individuals, such as men and younger and older adults, as well as those with less advanced HIV disease. Future research will investigate the effect of UTT on long-term outcomes such as retention in care, HIV viral suppression, morbidity, and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian H. Hansen
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Philippe Mayaud
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Janet Seeley
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Newton
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | - Andrew Abaasa
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | | | - Pontiano Kaleebu
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eugene Ruzagira
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Iwuji CC, Baisley K, Maoyi ML, Orievulu K, Mazibuko L, Ayeb-Karlsson S, Yapa HM, Hanekom W, Herbst K, Kniveton D. The Impact of Drought on HIV Care in Rural South Africa: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis. ECOHEALTH 2023; 20:178-193. [PMID: 37523018 PMCID: PMC10613144 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-023-01647-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
This analysis investigates the relationship between drought and antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence and retention in HIV care in the Hlabisa sub-district, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Data on drought and ART adherence and retention were collated for the study period 2010-2019. Drought was quantified using the 3-month Standard Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) from station data. Adherence, proxied by the Medication Possession Ratio (MPR), and retention data were obtained from the public ART programme database. MPR and retention were calculated from individuals aged 15-59 years who initiated ART between January 2010 and December 2018 and visited clinic through February 2019. Between 01 January 2010 and 31 December 2018, 40,714 individuals started ART in the sub-district and made 1,022,760 ART visits. The SPI showed that 2014-2016 were dry years, with partial recovery after 2016 in the wet years. In the period from 2010 to 2012, mean 6-month MPR increased from 0.85 in July 2010 to a high of 0.92 in December 2012. MPR then decreased steadily through 2013 and 2014 to 0.78 by December 2014. The mean proportion retained in care 6 months after starting ART showed similar trends to MPR, increasing from 86.9% in July 2010 to 91.4% in December 2012. Retention then decreased through 2013, with evidence of a pronounced drop in January 2014 when the odds of retention decreased by 30% (OR = 0.70, CI = 0.53-0.92, P = 0.01) relative to the end of 2013. Adherence and retention in care decreased during the drought years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collins C Iwuji
- Africa Health Research Institute, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
- Department of Global Health & Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9PX, UK.
| | - Kathy Baisley
- Africa Health Research Institute, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Molulaqhooa Linda Maoyi
- DSI-MRC South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN), Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kingsley Orievulu
- Africa Health Research Institute, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Department of Global Health & Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9PX, UK
- Centre for Africa-China Studies, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lusanda Mazibuko
- Africa Health Research Institute, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson
- Department of Global Health & Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9PX, UK
- Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London, London, UK
- United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security, Bonn, Germany
| | - H Manisha Yapa
- Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Willem Hanekom
- Africa Health Research Institute, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kobus Herbst
- Africa Health Research Institute, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- DSI-MRC South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN), Johannesburg, South Africa
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Macleod D, Shanaube K, Skalland T, Limbada M, Mandla N, Bwalya J, Schaap A, Yang B, Donnell D, Piwowar-Manning E, Eshleman SH, Hoddinott G, Bond V, Moore A, Griffith S, Bock P, Ayles H, Fidler S, Hayes R, Floyd S. Viral suppression and self-reported ART adherence after 3 years of universal testing and treatment in the HPTN 071 (PopART) community-randomised trial in Zambia and South Africa: a cross-sectional analysis. Lancet HIV 2022; 9:e751-e759. [PMID: 36332652 PMCID: PMC9646982 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(22)00237-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2014, UNAIDS set the target that 90% of individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART) be virally suppressed. Here, we use data from the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial to report whether the introduction of universal testing and treatment has affected viral suppression or treatment adherence among individuals who self-reported they were taking ART, and identify risk factors for these outcomes. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study nested within the randomly selected population cohort of the PopART trial. The trial took place in 21 communities in Zambia and South Africa. Analyses included 3570 HIV-positive participants who were seen at the second follow-up visit in 2016-17 and who self-reported that they were currently taking ART. Viral suppression was defined as HIV RNA of less than 400 copies per mL from a blood sample collected during the cohort visit, and ART adherence was measured using self-reporting (reported as no missed pills in last 7 days). Prevalences of these outcomes were compared across three trial arms using a two-stage approach suitable for clustered data. Each arm consisted of seven communities, with one arm receiving a combination HIV prevention package including immediate ART initiation, one receiving a combination HIV prevention package excluding immediate ART initiation and one arm receving standard of care. Risk factors for each of the outcomes were assessed using logistic regression. FINDINGS Among the 3570 participants who self-reported that they were currently on ART, 416 (11·7%) of 3554 were not virally suppressed (16 were missing viral suppression status) and 345 (9·7%) of 3566 reported being non-adherent to ART (four were missing adherence status). The proportion not virally suppressed was higher in communities in South Africa (195 [16·4%] of 1191) than in Zambia (221 [9·4%] of 2363). There was no evidence that the prevalence of the outcomes differed between trial arms. There was evidence that men, younger individuals, individuals who reported participating in harmful alcohol use, and those who reported internalised stigma were more likely to be non-adherent, and not virally suppressed. INTERPRETATION The results assuaged concerns that early ART initiation in a universal testing and treatment setting could lead to reduced adherence and viral suppression. FUNDING US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (which is a part of the National Institutes of Health), the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, and Medical Research Council UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Macleod
- International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Kwame Shanaube
- Zambart, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Mohammed Limbada
- Zambart, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Nomtha Mandla
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Justin Bwalya
- Zambart, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Ab Schaap
- International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Zambart, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Blia Yang
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Deborah Donnell
- HPTN Statistical and Data Management Centre, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Susan H Eshleman
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Graeme Hoddinott
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Virginia Bond
- Global Health and Development Department, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Zambart, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Ayana Moore
- FHI 360, HIV Prevention Trials Network, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sam Griffith
- FHI 360, HIV Prevention Trials Network, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Peter Bock
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Helen Ayles
- Zambart, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Sarah Fidler
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Richard Hayes
- International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sian Floyd
- International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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5
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Kemp SA, Charles OJ, Derache A, Smidt W, Martin DP, Iwuji C, Adamson J, Govender K, de Oliveira T, Dabis F, Pillay D, Goldstein RA, Gupta RK. HIV-1 Evolutionary Dynamics under Nonsuppressive Antiretroviral Therapy. mBio 2022; 13:e0026922. [PMID: 35446121 PMCID: PMC9239331 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00269-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Prolonged virologic failure on 2nd-line protease inhibitor (PI)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) without emergence of major protease mutations is well recognized and provides an opportunity to study within-host evolution in long-term viremic individuals. Using next-generation sequencing and in silico haplotype reconstruction, we analyzed whole-genome sequences from longitudinal plasma samples of eight chronically infected HIV-1-positive individuals failing 2nd-line regimens from the French National Agency for AIDS and Viral Hepatitis Research (ANRS) 12249 Treatment as Prevention (TasP) trial. On nonsuppressive ART, there were large fluctuations in synonymous and nonsynonymous variant frequencies despite stable viremia. Reconstructed haplotypes provided evidence for selective sweeps during periods of partial adherence, and viral haplotype competition, during periods of low drug exposure. Drug resistance mutations in reverse transcriptase (RT) were used as markers of viral haplotypes in the reservoir, and their distribution over time indicated recombination. We independently observed linkage disequilibrium decay, indicative of recombination. These data highlight dramatic changes in virus population structure that occur during stable viremia under nonsuppressive ART. IMPORTANCE HIV-1 infections are most commonly initiated with a single founder virus and are characterized by extensive inter- and intraparticipant genetic diversity. However, existing literature on HIV-1 intrahost population dynamics is largely limited to untreated infections, predominantly in subtype B-infected individuals. The manuscript characterizes viral population dynamics in long-term viremic treatment-experienced individuals, which has not been previously characterized. These data are particularly relevant for understanding HIV dynamics but can also be applied to other RNA viruses. With this unique data set we propose that the virus is highly unstable, and we have found compelling evidence of HIV-1 within-host viral diversification, recombination, and haplotype competition during nonsuppressive ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven A. Kemp
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Oscar J. Charles
- Division of Infection & Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anne Derache
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
| | - Werner Smidt
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
| | - Darren P. Martin
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Collins Iwuji
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, United Kingdom
| | - John Adamson
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Tulio de Oliveira
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- KRISP - KwaZulu-Natal Research and Innovation Sequencing Platform, UKZN, Durban, South Africa
| | - Francois Dabis
- INSERM U1219-Centre Inserm Bordeaux Population Health, Université de Bordeaux, France
- Université de Bordeaux, ISPED, Centre INSERM U1219-Bordeaux Population Health, France
| | - Deenan Pillay
- Division of Infection & Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard A. Goldstein
- Division of Infection & Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ravindra K. Gupta
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
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Orievulu KS, Ayeb-Karlsson S, Ngema S, Baisley K, Tanser F, Ngwenya N, Seeley J, Hanekom W, Herbst K, Kniveton D, Iwuji CC. Exploring linkages between drought and HIV treatment adherence in Africa: a systematic review. Lancet Planet Health 2022; 6:e359-e370. [PMID: 35397224 PMCID: PMC7612934 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(22)00016-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is directly and indirectly linked to human health, including through access to treatment and care. Our systematic review presents a systems understanding of the nexus between drought and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence in HIV-positive individuals in the African setting. Narrative synthesis of 111 studies retrieved from Web of Science, PubMed/MEDLINE, and PsycINFO suggests that livelihoods and economic conditions, comorbidities and ART regimens, human mobility, and psychobehavioural dispositions and support systems interact in complex ways in the drought-ART adherence nexus in Africa. Economic and livelihood-related challenges appear to impose the strongest impact on human interactions, actions, and systems that culminate in non-adherence. Indeed, the complex pathways identified by our systems approach emphasise the need for more integrated research approaches to understanding this phenomenon and developing interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kingsley Stephen Orievulu
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Centre for Africa-China Studies, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK; United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security, Bonn, Germany; Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London, London, UK; School of Global Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Sthembile Ngema
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Kathy Baisley
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Frank Tanser
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Lincoln Institute for Health, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
| | - Nothando Ngwenya
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Janet Seeley
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Global Health and Development Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Willem Hanekom
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kobus Herbst
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; DSI-MRC South African Population Research Infrastructure Network, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Collins C Iwuji
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
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Kapoor A, Mussa A, Diseko M, Mayondi G, Mabuta J, Mmalane M, Makhema J, Morroni C, Lockman S, Zash R, Shapiro R. Cross-sectional trends in HIV prevalence among pregnant women in Botswana: an opportunity for PrEP? J Int AIDS Soc 2022; 25:e25892. [PMID: 35324084 PMCID: PMC8944218 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Young women in sub‐Saharan Africa are at particularly high risk of HIV acquisition. Recent shifts towards “test and treat” strategies have potential to reduce transmission in this age group but have not been widely studied outside of clinical trials. Using data from nationwide surveillance among pregnant women in Botswana, where a “test and treat” program was implemented in 2016, we describe trends in HIV prevalence over time and highlight opportunities for targeted prevention. Methods The Tsepamo study abstracted data from obstetric records of all women delivering at eight government hospitals in Botswana between 2015 and 2019, accounting for 45% of all births in the country (n = 120,755). We used a stratified analysis to identify prevalence trends and evaluated decreases in HIV prevalence over time using the Cochrane–Armitage test for linear trend. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was also performed to identify factors associated with declines in HIV prevalence. Results Overall HIV prevalence was 24.1% among 120,755 women who delivered during the study period. Prevalence differed by site of delivery, ranging from 16.1% to 28.2%, and increased markedly with age. Lower educational attainment (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.07–3.50) and being unmarried (aOR = 1.98; 95% CI 1.88–2.08) were associated with HIV infection. HIV prevalence was 10.0% with a first pregnancy, 21.0% with a second and 39.2% with a third or greater (aOR = 2.20; for any prior pregnancy; 95% CI 2.10–2.29). The same age‐adjusted trends were seen when data were limited to women aged 15–24, with a two‐ to three‐fold increase in HIV prevalence between a first and third pregnancy. Prevalence decreased linearly during the 5‐year study period from 25.8% to 22.7% (p <0.001). Among age‐specific strata, the greatest absolute decline occurred in those aged 35–39, with an 8.7% absolute decrease in HIV prevalence from 2015 to 2019. Minimal declines were seen in those 15–24, with a decrease of only 1.5% over the same period. Conclusions While overall trends in Botswana show HIV prevalence declining among pregnant women, prevalence among the youngest age group has remained stagnant. Preventative interventions utilizing pre‐exposure prophylaxis should be prioritized during the high‐risk period surrounding a woman's first pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Kapoor
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Aamirah Mussa
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Modiegi Diseko
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Gloria Mayondi
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Judith Mabuta
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Mompati Mmalane
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Joseph Makhema
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Chelsea Morroni
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana.,Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Shahin Lockman
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rebecca Zash
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Roger Shapiro
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Orievulu K, Ayeb-Karlsson S, Ngwenya N, Ngema S, McGregor H, Adeagbo O, Siedner MJ, Hanekom W, Kniveton D, Seeley J, Iwuji C. Economic, social and demographic impacts of drought on treatment adherence among people living with HIV in rural South Africa: A qualitative analysis. CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT 2022; 36:100423. [PMID: 36923966 PMCID: PMC7614312 DOI: 10.1016/j.crm.2022.100423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The 2015 El Niño-triggered drought in Southern Africa caused widespread economic and livelihood disruption in South Africa, imposing multiple physical and health challenges for rural populations including people living with HIV (PLHIV). We examined the economic, social and demographic impacts of drought drawing on 27 in-depth interviews in two cohorts of PLHIV in Hlabisa, uMkhanyakude district, KwaZulu-Natal. Thematic analysis revealed how drought-enforced soil water depletion, dried-up rivers, and dams culminated in a continuum of events such as loss of livestock, reduced agricultural production, and insufficient access to water and food which was understood to indirectly have a negative impact on HIV treatment adherence. This was mediated through disruptions in incomes, livelihoods and food systems, increased risk to general health, forced mobility and exacerbation of contextual vulnerabilities linked to poverty and unemployment. The systems approach, drawn from interview themes, hypothesises the complex pathways of plausible networks of impacts from drought through varying socioeconomic factors, exacerbating longstanding contextual precarity, and ultimately challenging HIV care utilisation. Understanding the multidimensional relationships between climate change, especially drought, and poor HIV care outcomes through the prism of contextual vulnerabilities is vital for shaping policy interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kingsley Orievulu
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
- Centre for Africa-China Studies, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
- United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security, Bonn, Germany
- Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sthembile Ngema
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | | | - Oluwafemi Adeagbo
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Department of Health Promotion, Education & Behaviour, University of South Carolina, USA
- Department of Sociology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mark J. Siedner
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Willem Hanekom
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Janet Seeley
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Global Health and Development Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Collins Iwuji
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
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9
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Orievulu KS, Iwuji CC. Institutional Responses to Drought in a High HIV Prevalence Setting in Rural South Africa. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:434. [PMID: 35010691 PMCID: PMC8744984 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In 2015, South Africa experienced one of the worst (El Niño-induced) droughts in 35 years. This affected economic activities, individual and community livelihoods and wellbeing especially in rural communities in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Drought's direct and indirect impacts on public health require urgent institutional responses, especially in South Africa's stride to eliminate HIV as a public health threat by 2030 in line with the UNAIDS goals. This paper draws on qualitative data from interviews and policy documents to discuss how the devastating effect of the 2015 drought experience in the rural Hlabisa sub-district of uMkhanyakude, a high HIV prevalence area, imposes an imperative for more proactive institutional responses to drought and other climate-related events capable of derailing progress made in South Africa's HIV/AIDS response. We found that drought had a negative impact on individual and community livelihoods and made it more difficult for people living with HIV to consistently engage with care due to economic losses from deaths of livestock, crop failure, food insecurity, time spent in search of appropriate water sources and forced relocations. It also affected government institutions and their interventions. Interviewed participants' reflections on drought-related challenges, especially those related to institutional and coordination challenges, showed that although current policy frameworks are robust, their implementation has been stalled due to complex reporting systems, and inadequate interdepartmental collaboration and information sharing. We thus argue that to address the gaps in the institutional responses, there is a need for more inclusive systems of drought-relief implementation, in which government departments, especially at the provincial and district levels, work with national institutions to better share data/information about drought-risks in order to improve preparedness and implementation of effective mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kingsley S. Orievulu
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, Mtubatuba 3935, South Africa;
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK
- Centre for Africa-China Studies, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa
| | - Collins C. Iwuji
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, Mtubatuba 3935, South Africa;
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK
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10
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Ahmed I, Demissie M, Worku A, Gugsa S, Berhane Y. Adherence to Antiretroviral Treatment Among People Who Started Treatment on the Same-Day of HIV Diagnosis in Ethiopia: A Multicenter Observational Study. HIV AIDS (Auckl) 2021; 13:983-991. [PMID: 34785956 PMCID: PMC8590980 DOI: 10.2147/hiv.s337073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Methods Results Conclusion
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismael Ahmed
- University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
- Correspondence: Ismael Ahmed Tel +251911126852 Email
| | - Meaza Demissie
- Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Alemayehu Worku
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Salem Gugsa
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yemane Berhane
- Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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11
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Ahmed I, Demissie M, Worku A, Gugsa S, Berhane Y. Virologic outcomes of people living with human immunodeficiency virus who started antiretroviral treatment on the same-day of diagnosis in Ethiopia: A multicenter observational study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257059. [PMID: 34478438 PMCID: PMC8415611 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There have been tremendous achievements in scaling-up antiretroviral therapy (ART) for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), following universal "test and treat" policy implementation in low- and middle-income countries. However, its effects on virologic outcomes is not yet well investigated. We compared low viral load status in people living with HIV between those who were initiated on ART on the same-day and after 7 days of being diagnosed with HIV infection. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of persons age ≥15 years-old who were newly diagnosed and started on ART between October 2016 and July 2018 at 11 public health facilities in northwest Ethiopia. Exposure was initiation of ART on the same-day of HIV diagnosis. The outcome was low viral load at 12-months following ART initiation. We used double-robust estimator using inverse-probability-weighted regression adjustment to compare the groups. RESULTS A total of 398 people who started ART on the same-day of HIV diagnosis and 479 people who started 7 days after the initial diagnosis were included in this study. By 12-months following ART initiation, 73.4% (292) in the same-day group vs 83.7% (401) in the >7 days group achieved low viral load (absolute difference = 10.3% (95% CI: 4.9%, 15.8%)). After adjusting for baseline and follow-up covariates, there was statistically significant difference in low viral load status (adjusted difference = 8.3% (95% CI: 3.5%, 13.0%)) between the same-day group and the >7 days group. CONCLUSIONS Achievement of low viral load by 12-months post-initiation of ART was not optimal among participants who started ART on the same-day of HIV diagnosis. Efforts should be made to reinforce treatment adherence while initiating same-day ART.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Meaza Demissie
- Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Alemayehu Worku
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Salem Gugsa
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington Seattle, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Yemane Berhane
- Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Parker E, Judge MA, Macete E, Nhampossa T, Dorward J, Langa DC, Schacht CD, Couto A, Vaz P, Vitoria M, Molfino L, Idowu RT, Bhatt N, Naniche D, Le Souëf PN. HIV infection in Eastern and Southern Africa: Highest burden, largest challenges, greatest potential. South Afr J HIV Med 2021; 22:1237. [PMID: 34192070 PMCID: PMC8182467 DOI: 10.4102/sajhivmed.v22i1.1237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The burden of HIV is especially concerning for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), as despite expansion of test-and-treat programmes, this region continues to experience significant challenges resulting from high rates of morbidity, mortality and new infections. Hard-won lessons from programmes on the ground in ESA should be shared. OBJECTIVES This report summarises relevant evidence and regional experts' recommendations regarding challenges specific to ESA. METHOD This commentary includes an in-depth review of relevant literature, progress against global goals and consensus opinion from experts. RESULTS Recommendations include priorities for essential research (surveillance data collection, key and vulnerable population education and testing, in-country testing trials and evidence-based support services to improve retention in care) as well as research that can accelerate progress towards the prevention of new infections and achieving ambitious global goals in ESA. CONCLUSION The elimination of HIV in ESA will require continued investment, commitment to evidence-based programmes and persistence. Local research is critical to ensuring that responses in ESA are targeted, efficient and evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Parker
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Melinda A Judge
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | | | | | - Jienchi Dorward
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Denise C Langa
- Department of Surveillance, Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Aleny Couto
- National STI, HIV/AIDS Programme, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Paula Vaz
- Fundaçao Ariel Glaser contra o SIDA pediátrico, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Marco Vitoria
- Department of HIV/AIDS, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Rachel T Idowu
- Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Nilesh Bhatt
- Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Denise Naniche
- Manhiça Health Research Centre, Manhiça, Mozambique
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Spain
| | - Peter N Le Souëf
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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13
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Glass TR, Günthard HF, Calmy A, Bernasconi E, Scherrer AU, Battegay M, Steffen A, Böni J, Yerly S, Klimkait T, Cavassini M, Furrer H. The Role of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Asymptomatic Status When Starting Antiretroviral Therapy on Adherence and Treatment Outcomes and Implications for Test and Treat: The Swiss HIV Cohort Study. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 72:1413-1421. [PMID: 32157270 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the advent of universal test-and-treat , more people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) are asymptomatic with a preserved immune system. We explored the impact of asymptomatic status on adherence and clinical outcomes. METHODS PLHIV registered in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) between 2003 and 2018 were included. We defined asymptomatic as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stage A within 30 days of starting ART, non-adherence as any self-reported missed doses and viral failure as two consecutive viral load>50 copies/mL after >24 weeks on ART. Using logistic regression models, we measured variables associated with asymptomatic status and adherence and Cox proportional hazard models to assess association between symptom status and viral failure. RESULTS Of 7131 PLHIV, 76% started ART when asymptomatic and 1478 (22%) experienced viral failure after a median of 1.9 years (interquartile range, 1.1-4.2). In multivariable models, asymptomatic PLHIV were more likely to be younger, men who have sex with men, better educated, have unprotected sex, have a HIV-positive partner, have a lower viral load, and have started ART more recently. Asymptomatic status was not associated with nonadherence (odds ratio, 1.03 [95% confidence interval {CI}, .93-1.15]). Asymptomatic PLHIV were at a decreased risk of viral failure (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.87 [95% CI, .76-1.00]) and less likely to develop resistance (14% vs 27%, P < .001) than symptomatic PLHIV. CONCLUSIONS Despite concerns regarding lack of readiness, our study found no evidence of adherence issues or worse clinical outcomes in asymptomatic PLHIV starting ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy R Glass
- Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Huldrych F Günthard
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Calmy
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Enos Bernasconi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Regional Hospital Lugano, Lugano, Switzerland
| | | | - Manuel Battegay
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ana Steffen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Kantonsspital St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Jürg Böni
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Yerly
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Infectious Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Klimkait
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Cavassini
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hansjakob Furrer
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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14
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Fiorentino M, Nishimwe M, Protopopescu C, Iwuji C, Okesola N, Spire B, Orne-Gliemann J, McGrath N, Pillay D, Dabis F, Larmarange J, Boyer S. Early ART Initiation Improves HIV Status Disclosure and Social Support in People Living with HIV, Linked to Care Within a Universal Test and Treat Program in Rural South Africa (ANRS 12249 TasP Trial). AIDS Behav 2021; 25:1306-1322. [PMID: 33206263 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-020-03101-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the effect of early antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation on HIV status disclosure and social support in a cluster-randomized, treatment-as-prevention (TasP) trial in rural South Africa. Individuals identified HIV-positive after home-based testing were referred to trial clinics where they were invited to initiate ART immediately irrespective of CD4 count (intervention arm) or following national guidelines (control arm). We used Poisson mixed effects models to assess the independent effects of (a) time since baseline clinical visit, (b) trial arm, and (c) ART initiation on HIV disclosure (n = 182) and social support (n = 152) among participants with a CD4 count > 500 cells/mm3 at baseline. Disclosure and social support significantly improved over follow-up in both arms. Disclosure was higher (incidence rate ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.24 [1.04; 1.48]), and social support increased faster (1.22 [1.02; 1.46]) in the intervention arm than in the control arm. ART initiation improved both disclosure and social support (1.50 [1.28; 1.75] and 1.34 [1.12; 1.61], respectively), a stronger effect being seen in the intervention arm for social support (1.50 [1.12; 2.01]). Besides clinical benefits, early ART initiation may also improve psychosocial outcomes. This should further encourage countries to implement universal test-and-treat strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Fiorentino
- Aix Marseille Univ, UMR912 - INSERM, IRD, SanteRCom, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de L'Information Médicale, Faculté de Médecine, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France.
- ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de La Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur, Marseille, France.
| | - Marie Nishimwe
- Aix Marseille Univ, UMR912 - INSERM, IRD, SanteRCom, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de L'Information Médicale, Faculté de Médecine, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France
- ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de La Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur, Marseille, France
| | - Camelia Protopopescu
- Aix Marseille Univ, UMR912 - INSERM, IRD, SanteRCom, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de L'Information Médicale, Faculté de Médecine, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France
- ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de La Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur, Marseille, France
| | - Collins Iwuji
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- Brighton and Sussex Centre for Global Health Research, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, UK
| | | | - Bruno Spire
- Aix Marseille Univ, UMR912 - INSERM, IRD, SanteRCom, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de L'Information Médicale, Faculté de Médecine, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France
- ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de La Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur, Marseille, France
| | | | - Nuala McGrath
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Deenan Pillay
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
| | - François Dabis
- INSERM, UMR1219 Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Sylvie Boyer
- Aix Marseille Univ, UMR912 - INSERM, IRD, SanteRCom, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de L'Information Médicale, Faculté de Médecine, 27 bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France
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15
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Onoya D, Hendrickson C, Sineke T, Maskew M, Long L, Bor J, Fox MP. Attrition in HIV care following HIV diagnosis: a comparison of the pre-UTT and UTT eras in South Africa. J Int AIDS Soc 2021; 24:e25652. [PMID: 33605061 PMCID: PMC7893145 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Policies for Universal Test & Treat (UTT) and same-day initiation (SDI) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) were instituted in South Africa in September 2016 and 2017 respectively. However, there is limited evidence on whether these changes have improved patient retention after HIV diagnosis. METHODS We enrolled three cohorts of newly diagnosed HIV-infected adults from two primary health clinics in Johannesburg from April to November 2015 (Pre-UTT, N = 144), May-September 2017 (UTT, N = 178) and October-December 2017 (SDI, N = 88). A baseline survey was administered immediately after HIV diagnosis after which follow-up using clinical records (paper charts, electronic health records and laboratory data) ensued for 12 months. The primary outcome was patient loss to follow-up (being >90 days late for the last scheduled appointment) at 12 months post-HIV diagnosis. We modelled attrition across HIV policy periods with Cox proportional hazard regression. RESULTS Overall, 410 of 580 screened HIV-positive patients were enrolled. Overall, attrition at 12 months was 30% lower in the UTT guideline period (38.2%) compared to pre-UTT (47.2%, aHR 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5 to 1.0). However, the total attrition was similar between the SDI (47.7%) and pre-UTT cohorts (aHR 1.0, 95% CI: 0.7 to 1.5). Older age at HIV diagnosis (aHR 0.5 for ≥40 vs. 25 to 29 years, 95% CI: 0.3 to 0.8) and being in a non-marital relationship (aHR 0.5 vs. being single, 95% CI: 0.3 to 0.8) protected against LTFU at 12 months, whereas LTFU rates increased with longer travel time to the diagnosing clinic (aHR 1.8 for ≥30 minutes vs. ≤15 minutes, 95% CI: 1.1 to 3.1). In analyses adjusted for the time-varying ART initiation status, compared to the pre-ART period of care, the hazard of on-ART LTFU was 90% higher among participants diagnosed under the SDI policy compared to pre-UTT (aHR 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.9). CONCLUSIONS Overall, nearly two-fifths of HIV positive patients are likely to disengage from care by 12 months after HIV diagnosis under the new SDI policy. Furthermore, the increase in on-ART patient attrition after the introduction of the SDI policy is cause for concern. Further research is needed to determine the best way for rapidly initiating patients on ART and also reducing long-term attrition from care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorina Onoya
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeDepartment of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Cheryl Hendrickson
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeDepartment of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Tembeka Sineke
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeDepartment of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Mhairi Maskew
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeDepartment of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Lawrence Long
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeDepartment of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Department of Global HealthBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMAUSA
| | - Jacob Bor
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeDepartment of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Department of Global HealthBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMAUSA
| | - Matthew P. Fox
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research OfficeDepartment of Internal MedicineSchool of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Department of Global HealthBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMAUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMAUSA
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16
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Kerschberger B, Schomaker M, Jobanputra K, Kabore SM, Teck R, Mabhena E, Mthethwa-Hleza S, Rusch B, Ciglenecki I, Boulle A. HIV programmatic outcomes following implementation of the 'Treat-All' policy in a public sector setting in Eswatini: a prospective cohort study. J Int AIDS Soc 2020; 23:e25458. [PMID: 32128964 PMCID: PMC7054447 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Treat-All policy - antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation irrespective of CD4 cell criteria - increases access to treatment. Many ART programmes, however, reported increasing attrition and viral failure during treatment expansion, questioning the programmatic feasibility of Treat-All in resource-limited settings. We aimed to describe and compare programmatic outcomes between Treat-All and standard of care (SOC) in the public sectors of Eswatini. METHODS This is a prospective cohort study of ≥16-year-old HIV-positive patients initiated on first-line ART under Treat-All and SOC in 18 health facilities of the Shiselweni region, from October 2014 to March 2016. SOC followed the CD4 350 and 500 cells/mm3 treatment eligibility thresholds. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to describe crude programmatic outcomes. Multivariate flexible parametric survival models were built to assess associations of time from ART initiation with the composite unfavourable outcome of all-cause attrition and viral failure. RESULTS Of the 3170 patients, 1888 (59.6%) initiated ART under Treat-All at a median CD4 cell count of 329 (IQR 168 to 488) cells/mm3 compared with 292 (IQR 161 to 430) (p < 0.001) under SOC. Although crude programme retention at 36 months tended to be lower under Treat-All (71%) than SOC (75%) (p = 0.002), it was similar in covariate-adjusted analysis (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.06, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.23). The hazard of viral suppression was higher for Treat-All (aHR 1.12, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.23), while the hazard of viral failure was comparable (Treat-All: aHR 0.89, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.49). Among patients with advanced HIV disease (n = 1080), those under Treat-All (aHR 1.13, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.44) had a similar risk of an composite unfavourable outcome to SOC. Factors increasing the risk of the composite unfavourable outcome under both interventions were aged 16 to 24 years, being unmarried, anaemia, ART initiation on the same day as HIV care enrolment and CD4 ≤ 100 cells/mm3 . Under Treat-All only, the risk of the unfavourable outcome was higher for pregnant women, WHO III/IV clinical stage and elevated creatinine. CONCLUSIONS Compared to SOC, Treat-All resulted in comparable retention, improved viral suppression and comparable composite outcomes of retention without viral failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Kerschberger
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Operational Centre Geneva), Mbabane, Eswatini.,Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Michael Schomaker
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Public Health, Medical Decision Making and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT - University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Kiran Jobanputra
- The Manson Unit, Médecins Sans Frontières, London, United Kingdom
| | - Serge M Kabore
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Operational Centre Geneva), Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - Roger Teck
- The Manson Unit, Médecins Sans Frontières, London, United Kingdom
| | - Edwin Mabhena
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Operational Centre Geneva), Mbabane, Eswatini
| | | | - Barbara Rusch
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Operational Centre Geneva), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Iza Ciglenecki
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Operational Centre Geneva), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Boulle
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Boeke CE, Khan S, Walsh F, Hettema A, Lejeune C, Spiegelman D, Okello V, Harwell J, Mazibuko S, Bärnighausen T. Universal test and treat in relation to HIV disease progression: results from a stepped-wedge trial in Eswatini. HIV Med 2020; 22:54-59. [PMID: 32876360 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.12941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Universal test and treat (UTT) is recommended for people living with HIV (PLHIV) to reduce morbidity/mortality and minimize transmission. However, concerns exist that this strategy may lead to more crowded hospitals, longer wait times and poorer service, adversely impacting health outcomes for clients with severe disease. We assessed how UTT was related to markers of disease progression in PLHIV overall and specifically among clients with low CD4 count/high World Health Organization (WHO) stage. METHODS The analysis was conducted using data from a stepped-wedge trial of UTT in 14 government-managed health facilities in Eswatini from 2014 to 2017. Disease progression was defined as CD4 count falling below 200 cells/µL or baseline value, > 10% weight loss, body mass index (BMI) dropping below 18.5, incident tuberculosis (TB) or HIV-related death; these outcomes also were assessed individually. We assessed multivariate Cox proportional hazard models overall and specifically among clients with CD4 count < 350 cells/μL or WHO stage 3-4 at enrolment. RESULTS Eight hundred and seven of 3176 clients demonstrated at least one marker of disease progression over 2339 person-years of follow-up. Overall, 62.4% of clients were female; 57.2% were < 35 years old. Compared to clients not exposed to UTT, those exposed to UTT had a lower rate of disease progression overall [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.60; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.46-0.78] and a lower rate of CD4 decline (aHR 0.40; 95% CI 0.27-0.58). When the analysis was limited to clients with CD4 count < 350 cells/μL or WHO stage 3-4, UTT was not associated with disease progression (aHR 0.92; 95% CI 0.66-1.29). CONCLUSIONS UTT reduced HIV disease progression overall and was not detrimental for clients with more severe disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- C E Boeke
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, MA, USA
| | - S Khan
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - F Walsh
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A Hettema
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - C Lejeune
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - D Spiegelman
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - V Okello
- Ministry of Health, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - J Harwell
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - T Bärnighausen
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), Durban, South Africa
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Treatment as prevention trials and ending AIDS: what do we know, when did we know it, and what do we do now? Curr Opin HIV AIDS 2020; 14:514-520. [PMID: 31567399 DOI: 10.1097/coh.0000000000000582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW HIV remains a significant global public health problem. Treatment as prevention of HIV and TB illness, death and transmission was proposed in 2006 as a means to end the HIV epidemic. We review the results of the treatment as prevention trials. RECENT FINDINGS Some of the trials struggled with delivering services, however, most demonstrate that it is feasible to achieve at least the 90-90-90 target by scaling access to test-and-treat at the community level and by extension at the district or national level. Patients, if offered, will start and stay on immediate treatment even without symptoms. Community-based multidisease prevention campaigns have significant impact, especially for hard-to-reach men. Earlier treatment impacts illness and death including from HIV-associated tuberculosis. Test-and treat impacts transmission, however, some of the community cluster trials had difficulty showing an impact on incidence. Most trials showed incidence reduction in line with the level of viral suppression and suggest that achieving 95-95-95 is an important means to accelerate the end of the epidemic. SUMMARY TasP trial findings, HIV and TB program data, and PHIA study trend data will likely confirm that reaching at least 95-95-95 is both feasible and a key element in ending the epidemic.
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Incidence, Persistence, Clearance, and Correlates of Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection and Anogenital Warts in a Cohort of Men Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in South Africa. Sex Transm Dis 2020; 46:347-353. [PMID: 30985636 PMCID: PMC6485297 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000000979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
A cohort study of human immunodeficiency virus–positive men in Johannesburg, South Africa found that they have high persistence of genital human papillomavirus infection and anogenital warts. A combination of early and effective use of antiretroviral therapy and human papillomavirus vaccination could reduce this burden. Objective To estimate the incidence; persistence and correlates of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and anogenital warts (AGW) among men living with human immunodeficiency virus (MLHIV). Methods Overall, 304 MLHIV 18 years or older were enrolled and attended follow-up visits at 6, 12, and 18 months. Clinicians examined for AGW, collected blood, and penile swabs for HPV testing (Roche Linear Array) at each visit. Time to AGW incidence or clearance was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Factors associated with persistent HPV infection and AGW clearance were evaluated with generalized estimating equations and Cox regression, respectively. Results Mean age of participants was 38 years (standard deviation, 8 years); 25% reported more than 1 sexual partner in the past 3 months. Most (65%) participants were on antiretroviral treatment (ART) with a median CD4+ count of 445 cells/μL (interquartile range, 328–567). Prevalence of HPV infection and AGW at enrolment were 79% (224 of 283) and 12% (36 of 304), respectively. Two hundred fifty-nine men were followed up for a median (interquartile range) 1.4 years (0.5–1.7 years). Incidence of any-genital HPV infection was 2.9 (95% confidence interval, 1.5–5.5) per 100 person-years. Persistence of any-genital HPV infection was 35% (68 of 192) and was higher among MLHIV with low CD4+ count (adjusted odds ratio, 3.54; 95% confidence interval, 2.07–6.05). Incidence of AGW was 1.4 per 100 person-years. Men living with human immunodeficiency virus with high CD4+ count were more likely to clear AGW than those with low CD4 count (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.69; 95% confidence interval, 1.44–9.47). No associations were observed between persistent genital HPV infection, AGW clearance with enrolment ART status or duration. Conclusions Human immunodeficiency virus–positive men have a high burden of genital HPV infection and AGW. The ART and HPV vaccine could reduce this burden.
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Tanser F, Kim HY, Vandormael A, Iwuji C, Bärnighausen T. Opportunities and Challenges in HIV Treatment as Prevention Research: Results from the ANRS 12249 Cluster-Randomized Trial and Associated Population Cohort. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2020; 17:97-108. [PMID: 32072468 PMCID: PMC7072051 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-020-00487-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The ANRS 12249 treatment as prevention (TasP) trial investigated the impact of a universal test and treat (UTT) approach on reducing HIV incidence in one of the regions of the world most severely affected by the HIV epidemic-KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We summarize key findings from this trial as well as recent findings from controlled studies conducted in the linked population cohort quantifying the long-term effects of expanding ART on directly measured HIV incidence (2004-2017). RECENT FINDINGS The ANRS TasP trial did not-and could not-demonstrate a reduction in HIV incidence, because the offer of UTT in the intervention communities did not increase ART coverage and population viral suppression compared to the standard of care in the control communities. Ten controlled studies from the linked population cohort-including several quasi-experimental study designs-exploit heterogeneity in ART exposure to show a consistent and substantial impact of expanding provision of ART and population viral suppression on reduction in HIV incidence at the couple, household, community, and population levels. In this setting, all of the evidence from large, population-based studies (inclusive of the ANRS TasP trial) is remarkably coherent and consistent-i.e., higher ART coverage and population viral suppression were repeatedly associated with clear, measurable decreases in HIV incidence. Thus, the expanded provision of ART has plausibly contributed in a major way toward the dramatic 43% decline in population-level HIV incidence in this typical rural African population. The outcome of the ANRS TasP trial constitutes a powerful null finding with important insights for overcoming implementation challenges in the population delivery of ART. This finding does not imply lack of ART effectiveness in blocking onward transmission of HIV nor its inability to reduce HIV incidence. Rather, it demonstrates that large increases in ART coverage over current levels will require health systems innovations to attract people living with HIV in early stages of the disease to participate in HIV treatment. Such innovations and new approaches are required for the true potential of UTT to be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Tanser
- Lincoln Institute for Health, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, UK.
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Hae-Young Kim
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
- KwaZulu-Natal Innovation and Sequencing Platform, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Alain Vandormael
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- KwaZulu-Natal Innovation and Sequencing Platform, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Collins Iwuji
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Till Bärnighausen
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Dorward J, Sookrajh Y, Gate K, Khubone T, Mtshaka N, Mlisana K, Ngobese H, Yende‐Zuma N, Garrett N. HIV treatment outcomes among people with initiation CD4 counts >500 cells/µL after implementation of Treat All in South African public clinics: a retrospective cohort study. J Int AIDS Soc 2020; 23:e25479. [PMID: 32319203 PMCID: PMC7174836 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The World Health Organisation recommends to Treat All people with HIV, irrespective of CD4 count. However, people with CD4 counts >500 cells/µL may be asymptomatic and therefore less motivated to adhere to antiretroviral therapy (ART). We aimed to assess whether people initiated with CD4 counts >500 cells/µL had worse treatment outcomes compared to those initiated at lower CD4 counts. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study among non-pregnant adults initiating ART at eight public clinics in South Africa between September 2016, when Treat All was implemented, and August 2017. We assessed whether initiation CD4 count >500 cells/µL was associated with the outcomes of attrition (death, lost to follow-up or treatment interruption >180 days), and viraemia >1000 copies/mL, by twelve months using Cox proportional hazards and Poisson regression models. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Among 4952 patients initiating ART, the median age was 32.4 years (interquartile range (IQR) 27.2 to 39.7), 58.9% were women and 30.3% had an initiation CD4 count >500 cells/µL. After twelve months, 3382 (68.3%) were retained in care, 303 (6.1%) had transferred to another clinic, 1010 (20.4%) were lost to follow-up, 232 (4.7%) had a treatment interruption >180 days and 25 (0.5%) were known to have died. Overall, 1267 experienced attrition at a median time of 91 days (IQR 23 to 213), with 302 of these (23.8%) experiencing attrition immediately after their ART initiation visit. Among those in care at twelve months with viral load results, 4.6% had viraemia. In multivariable analysis, the hazard of attrition was similar between patients newly eligible for ART with CD4 counts >500 cells/µL compared to those with CD4 ≤500 cells/µL (adjusted hazard ratio 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90 to 1.17). The risk of viraemia was lower among patients with CD4 counts >500 cells/µL compared to those with CD4 ≤500 cells/µL (adjusted risk ratio 0.58, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.92). CONCLUSIONS After implementation of Treat All in South African public clinics, we found that patients newly eligible for ART with initiation CD4 counts >500 cells/µL had comparable or better outcomes compared to those with lower CD4 counts. These finding support ongoing implementation of Treat All in our setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jienchi Dorward
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)University of KwaZulu–NatalDurbanSouth Africa
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Yukteshwar Sookrajh
- eThekwini Municipality Health Unit, eThekwini MunicipalityDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Kelly Gate
- Bethesda HospitalUbomboSouth Africa
- Department of Family MedicineUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Thokozani Khubone
- eThekwini Municipality Health Unit, eThekwini MunicipalityDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Nomsa Mtshaka
- eThekwini Municipality Health Unit, eThekwini MunicipalityDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Koleka Mlisana
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)University of KwaZulu–NatalDurbanSouth Africa
- National Health Laboratory ServiceJohannesburgSouth Africa
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical SciencesUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Hope Ngobese
- eThekwini Municipality Health Unit, eThekwini MunicipalityDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Nonhlanhla Yende‐Zuma
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)University of KwaZulu–NatalDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Nigel Garrett
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)University of KwaZulu–NatalDurbanSouth Africa
- Discipline of Public Health MedicineSchool of Nursing and Public HealthUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
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Dorward J, Drain PK, Osman F, Sookrajh Y, Pillay M, Moodley P, Garrett N. Short Communication: Early Antiretroviral Therapy Is Associated with Better Viral Suppression and Less HIV Drug Resistance After Implementation of Universal Treatment in South Africa. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2020; 36:297-299. [PMID: 31663368 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2019.0206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
All people living with HIV should receive antiretroviral therapy (ART), but those with CD4 counts >500 cells/mm3 at ART initiation ("early initiators") may be less motivated to adhere to treatment, compared with those with CD4 counts <200 cells/mm3 ("late initiators"). We performed a cross-sectional analysis among HIV-positive adults who had a viral load taken at 6 months after first-line ART initiation in a South African public clinic. Retrospective HIV drug resistance testing was performed on all samples with a viral load >1,000 copies/mL. We used Poisson regression models with robust variance to evaluate associations between early ART initiation and viral suppression <40 copies/mL. We assessed HIV drug resistance using descriptive statistics. Of 390 participants enrolled between February and August 2017, 60% were women and median age was 32 years [interquartile range (IQR) 27-38]. At ART initiation, median CD4 count was 366 cells/mm3 (IQR 204-546), and 30% were early initiators with CD4 > 500 cells/mm3. In multivariable analysis, early initiators were more likely to be virally suppressed compared with late initiators (adjusted risk ratio: 1.29, 95% confidence interval: 1.13-1.46). All 18 participants with viral load >1,000 copies/mL had successful genotyping, which identified drug resistance in 14/18 (77.8%). Among early initiators, drug resistance was detected in only 1/117 (0.9%), compared with 11/93 (11.8%) among late initiators. In conclusion, among people receiving ART in a South African public clinic, early initiators had better viral suppression after 6 months and less drug resistance than late initiators, which further supports universal treatment. Clinical trials registration: NCT03066128.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jienchi Dorward
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paul K. Drain
- Department of Global Health, Schools of Medicine and Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Farzana Osman
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Yukteshwar Sookrajh
- Prince Cyril Zulu Communicable Disease Centre, eThekwini Municipality, Durban, South Africa
| | - Melendhran Pillay
- Department of Virology, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Cato Manor, Durban, South Africa
| | - Pravikrishnen Moodley
- Department of Virology, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Cato Manor, Durban, South Africa
| | - Nigel Garrett
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Byonanebye DM, Semitala FC, Katende J, Bakenga A, Arinaitwe I, Kyambadde P, Musinguzi P, Biraro IA, Byakika-Kibwika P, Kamya MR. High viral suppression and low attrition in healthy HIV-infected patients initiated on ART with CD4 above 500 cells/µL in a program setting in Uganda. Afr Health Sci 2020; 20:132-141. [PMID: 33402901 PMCID: PMC7750048 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v20i1.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization recommends antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all HIV-infected patients at all CD4 counts. However, there are concerns that asymptomatic patients may have poorer viral suppression and high attrition. OBJECTIVES We sought to determine attrition and viral suppression among healthy HIV-infected patients initiated on ART in program settings. METHODS This cross-sectional study enrolled ART-experienced patients attending two PEPFAR-supported, high-volume clinics in Kampala, Uganda. Eligible patients were >18 years and had completed at least six months on ART. Participants were interviewed on socio-demographics, ART history and plasma viral load (VL) determined using Abbott Real-time. Predictors of viral suppression (<75 copies/ml) were determined using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS Overall, 267 participants were screened, 228 were eligible and 203 (89%) retained in care (visit within 90 days). Of the 203 participants, 115 (56.7%) were key-populations. Viral suppression was achieved in 173 patients (85%; 95% CI, 80.3%-90.1%). The factors associated with viral suppression were prior VL tests (AOR 6.98; p-value <0.001) and receiving care from a general clinic (AOR 5.41; p=0.009). CONCLUSION Asymptomatic patients initiated on ART with high baseline CD4 counts, achieve high viral suppression with low risk of attrition. VL monitoring and clinic type are associated with viral suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fred C Semitala
- Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- Makerere University Joint AIDS Program, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Alex Bakenga
- Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Irene Arinaitwe
- Makerere University College of Computing and Information Science
| | | | | | | | | | - Moses R Kamya
- Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala Uganda
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Fatti G, Grimwood A, Nachega JB, Nelson JA, LaSorda K, van Zyl G, Grobbelaar N, Ayles H, Hayes R, Beyers N, Fidler S, Bock P. Better Virological Outcomes Among People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Initiating Early Antiretroviral Treatment (CD4 Counts ≥500 Cells/µL) in the HIV Prevention Trials Network 071 (PopART) Trial in South Africa. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 70:395-403. [PMID: 30877753 PMCID: PMC7768744 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There have been concerns about reduced adherence and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) virological suppression (VS) among clinically well people initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) with high pre-ART CD4 cell counts. We compared virological outcomes by pre-ART CD4 count, where universal ART initiation was provided in the HIV Prevention Trials Network 071 (PopART) trial in South Africa prior to routine national and international implementation. METHODS This prospective cohort study included adults initiating ART at facilities providing universal ART since January 2014. VS (<400 copies/mL), confirmed virological failure (VF) (2 consecutive viral loads >1000 copies/mL), and viral rebound were compared between participants in strata of baseline CD4 cell count. RESULTS The sample included 1901 participants. VS was ≥94% among participants with baseline CD4 count ≥500 cells/µL at all 6-month intervals to 30 months. The risk of an elevated viral load (≥400 copies/mL) was independently lower among participants with baseline CD4 count ≥500 cells/µL (3.3%) compared to those with CD4 count 200-499 cells/µL (9.2%) between months 18 and 30 (adjusted relative risk, 0.30 [95% confidence interval, .12-.74]; P = .010). The incidence rate of VF was 7.0, 2.0, and 0.5 per 100 person-years among participants with baseline CD4 count <200, 200-499, and ≥500 cells/µL, respectively (P < .0001). VF was independently lower among participants with baseline CD4 count ≥500 cells/µL (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.23; P = .045) and 3-fold higher among those with baseline CD4 count <200 cells/µL (aHR, 3.49; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS Despite previous concerns, participants initiating ART with CD4 counts ≥500 cells/µL had very good virological outcomes, being better than those with CD4 counts 200-499 cells/µL. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NCT01900977.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Fatti
- Kheth’Impilo AIDS Free Living, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Jean B Nachega
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pennsylvania
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pennsylvania
- Department of Epidemiology and International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Medicine and Centre for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town
| | - Jenna A Nelson
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pennsylvania
| | - Kelsea LaSorda
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pennsylvania
| | - Gert van Zyl
- Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and National Health Laboratory Service, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | | | - Helen Ayles
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
- Zambart, Ridgeway Campus University of Zambia, Lusaka
| | - Richard Hayes
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Nulda Beyers
- Desmond Tutu Tuberculosis Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sarah Fidler
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London and Imperial College National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Bock
- Desmond Tutu Tuberculosis Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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Larmarange J, Diallo MH, McGrath N, Iwuji C, Plazy M, Thiébaut R, Tanser F, Bärnighausen T, Orne‐Gliemann J, Pillay D, Dabis F. Temporal trends of population viral suppression in the context of Universal Test and Treat: the ANRS 12249 TasP trial in rural South Africa. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22:e25402. [PMID: 31637821 PMCID: PMC6803817 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The universal test-and-treat (UTT) strategy aims to maximize population viral suppression (PVS), that is, the proportion of all people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral treatment (ART) and virally suppressed, with the goal of reducing HIV transmission at the population level. This article explores the extent to which temporal changes in PVS explain the observed lack of association between universal treatment and cumulative HIV incidence seen in the ANRS 12249 TasP trial conducted in rural South Africa. METHODS The TasP cluster-randomized trial (2012 to 2016) implemented six-monthly repeat home-based HIV counselling and testing (RHBCT) and referral of PLHIV to local HIV clinics in 2 × 11 clusters opened sequentially. ART was initiated according to national guidelines in control clusters and regardless of CD4 count in intervention clusters. We measured residency status, HIV status, and HIV care status for each participant on a daily basis. PVS was computed per cluster among all resident PLHIV (≥16, including those not in care) at cluster opening and daily thereafter. We used a mixed linear model to explore time patterns in PVS, adjusting for sociodemographic changes at the cluster level. RESULTS 8563 PLHIV were followed. During the course of the trial, PVS increased significantly in both arms (23.5% to 46.2% in intervention, +22.8, p < 0.001; 26.0% to 44.6% in control, +18.6, p < 0.001). That increase was similar in both arms (p = 0.514). In the final adjusted model, PVS increase was most associated with increased RHBCT and the implementation of local trial clinics (measured by time since cluster opening). Contextual changes (measured by calendar time) also contributed slightly. The effect of universal ART (trial arm) was positive but limited. CONCLUSIONS PVS was improved significantly but similarly in both trial arms, explaining partly the null effect observed in terms of cumulative HIV incidence between arms. The PVS gains due to changes in ART-initiation guidelines alone are relatively small compared to gains obtained by strategies to maximize testing and linkage to care. The achievement of the 90-90-90 targets will not be met if the operational and implementational challenges limiting access to care and treatment, often context-specific, are not properly addressed. Clinical trial number: NCT01509508 (clinicalTrials.gov)/DOH-27-0512-3974 (South African National Clinical Trials Register).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Larmarange
- Centre Population et DéveloppementInstitut de Recherche pour le DéveloppementUniversité Paris DescartesInsermParisFrance
- Africa Health Research InstituteKwaZulu‐NatalSouth Africa
| | - Mamadou H Diallo
- Centre Population et DéveloppementInstitut de Recherche pour le DéveloppementUniversité Paris DescartesInsermParisFrance
| | - Nuala McGrath
- Africa Health Research InstituteSchool of Nursing and Public HealthUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalKwaZulu‐NatalSouth Africa
- Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Social SciencesUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- Research Department of Infection and Population HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Collins Iwuji
- Africa Health Research InstituteKwaZulu‐NatalSouth Africa
- Research Department of Infection and Population HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Global Health & InfectionBrighton and Sussex Medical SchoolBrightonUnited Kingdom
| | - Mélanie Plazy
- School of Public Health (ISPED)InsermBordeaux Population Health Research CenterUMR 1219Bordeaux UniversityBordeauxFrance
| | - Rodolphe Thiébaut
- School of Public Health (ISPED)InsermBordeaux Population Health Research CenterUMR 1219Bordeaux UniversityBordeauxFrance
| | - Frank Tanser
- Africa Health Research InstituteSchool of Nursing and Public HealthUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalKwaZulu‐NatalSouth Africa
| | - Till Bärnighausen
- Africa Health Research InstituteKwaZulu‐NatalSouth Africa
- Department of Global Health & PopulationHarvard School of Public HealthHarvard UniversityBostonUSA
- Faculty of MedicineInstitute of Public HealthHeidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
| | - Joanna Orne‐Gliemann
- School of Public Health (ISPED)InsermBordeaux Population Health Research CenterUMR 1219Bordeaux UniversityBordeauxFrance
| | - Deenan Pillay
- Africa Health Research InstituteKwaZulu‐NatalSouth Africa
- Division of Infection and ImmunityUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - François Dabis
- School of Public Health (ISPED)InsermBordeaux Population Health Research CenterUMR 1219Bordeaux UniversityBordeauxFrance
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Moosa A, Gengiah TN, Lewis L, Naidoo K. Long-term adherence to antiretroviral therapy in a South African adult patient cohort: a retrospective study. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:775. [PMID: 31488063 PMCID: PMC6727323 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4410-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background South Africa has the highest HIV prevalence and supports the largest antiretroviral therapy (ART) programme globally. With the introduction of a test and treat policy, ensuring long term optimal adherence to ART (≥95%) is essential for successful patient and public health outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess long-term ART adherence to inform best practices for chronic HIV care. Method Long-term ART adherence was retrospectively analysed over a median duration of 5 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 5.3–6.5) in patients initially enrolled in a randomised controlled trial assessing tuberculosis and HIV treatment integration and subsequently followed post-trial in an observational cohort study in Durban, South Africa. The association between baseline patient characteristics and adherence over time was estimated using generalized estimating equations (GEE). Adherence was assessed using pharmacy pill counts conducted at each study visit and compared to 6 monthly viral load measurements. A Kaplan Meier survival analysis was used to estimate time to treatment failure. The McNemar test (with exact p-values) was used to determine the effect of pill burden and concurrent ART and tuberculosis treatment on adherence. Results Of the 270 patients included in the analysis; 54.8% were female, median age was 34 years (IQR:29–40) and median time on ART was 70 months (IQR = 64–78). Mean adherence was ≥95% for each year on ART. Stable patients provided with an extended 3-month ART supply maintained adherence > 99%. At study end, 96 and 94% of patients were optimally adherent and virologically suppressed, respectively. Time since ART initiation, female gender and primary breadwinner status were significantly associated with ≥95% adherence to ART. The cumulative probability of treatment failure was 10.7% at 5 years after ART initiation. Concurrent ART and tuberculosis treatment, or switching to a second line ART regimen with higher pill burden, did not impair ART adherence. Conclusion Optimal long-term adherence with successful treatment outcomes are possible within a structured ART programme with close adherence monitoring. This adherence support approach is relevant to a resource limited setting adopting a test and treat strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atika Moosa
- CAPRISA-Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X7, Congella, Durban, 4013, South Africa.
| | - Tanuja N Gengiah
- CAPRISA-Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X7, Congella, Durban, 4013, South Africa
| | - Lara Lewis
- CAPRISA-Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X7, Congella, Durban, 4013, South Africa
| | - Kogieleum Naidoo
- CAPRISA-Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X7, Congella, Durban, 4013, South Africa.,MRC-CAPRISA HIV-TB Pathogenesis and Treatment, Research Unit, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute (2nd floor), University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Private Bag X7, Congella, Durban, 4013, South Africa
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Abeler-Dörner L, Grabowski MK, Rambaut A, Pillay D, Fraser C. PANGEA-HIV 2: Phylogenetics And Networks for Generalised Epidemics in Africa. Curr Opin HIV AIDS 2019; 14:173-180. [PMID: 30946141 PMCID: PMC6629166 DOI: 10.1097/coh.0000000000000542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa is far from being under control and the ambitious UNAIDS targets are unlikely to be met by 2020 as declines in per-capita incidence being largely offset by demographic trends. There is an increasing number of proven and specific HIV prevention tools, but little consensus on how best to deploy them. RECENT FINDINGS Traditionally, phylogenetics has been used in HIV research to reconstruct the history of the epidemic and date zoonotic infections, whereas more recent publications focus on HIV diversity and drug resistance. However, it is also the most powerful method of source attribution available for the study of HIV transmission. The PANGEA (Phylogenetics And Networks for Generalized Epidemics in Africa) consortium has generated over 18 000 NGS HIV sequences from five countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Using phylogenetic methods, we will identify characteristics of individuals or groups, which are most likely to be at risk of infection or at risk of infecting others. SUMMARY Combining phylogenetics, phylodynamics and epidemiology will allow PANGEA to highlight where prevention efforts should be focussed to reduce the HIV epidemic most effectively. To maximise the public health benefit of the data, PANGEA offers accreditation to external researchers, allowing them to access the data and join the consortium. We also welcome submissions of other HIV sequences from sub-Saharan Africa to the database.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Abeler-Dörner
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mary K. Grabowski
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Rakai Health Sciences Program, Baltimore, USA
| | - Andrew Rambaut
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Deenan Pillay
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Christophe Fraser
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Mongo-Delis A, Mombo LE, Mickala P, Bouassa W, Bouedy WS, M'batchi B, Bisseye C. Factors associated with adherence to ARV treatment in people living with HIV/AIDS in a rural area (Koula-Moutou) in East Gabon. AJAR-AFRICAN JOURNAL OF AIDS RESEARCH 2019; 18:51-57. [PMID: 30880584 DOI: 10.2989/16085906.2018.1552878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of socio-clinical factors on adherence to antiretroviral treatment in people living with HIV/AIDS in Koula-Moutou (a rural area of Gabon). Two adherence assessment methods based on patient declaration and compliance with pharmacy visits were used to determine qualitative and quantitative aspects of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). The quantitative (82.2%) and qualitative (79.5%) adherences to ART declared by patients were higher than those obtained through pharmacy visit assessment methods (15.8% and 45.2%, respectively). Moreover, the declarative and pharmacy visit compliance methods showed fair agreement (quantitative Kappa = 0.317; qualitative Kappa = 0.311). A better quantitative or qualitative declarative adherence was associated with a lower level of education (P = 0.05 and P = 0.025 respectively). This study reported for the first time the factors influencing adherence to ART in a rural area of East Gabon. We recommend further investigations in a large cohort to better assess the impact of socio-clinical factors on ART adherence in a vulnerable group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Mongo-Delis
- a HIV/AIDS Outpatient Treatment Centre of Koula-Moutou , Koula-Moutou , Gabon
| | - Landry E Mombo
- b Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology , University of Science and Technology of Masuku , Franceville , Gabon
| | - Patrick Mickala
- b Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology , University of Science and Technology of Masuku , Franceville , Gabon
| | - Wenceslas Bouassa
- a HIV/AIDS Outpatient Treatment Centre of Koula-Moutou , Koula-Moutou , Gabon
| | - Wilfried S Bouedy
- a HIV/AIDS Outpatient Treatment Centre of Koula-Moutou , Koula-Moutou , Gabon
| | - Bertrand M'batchi
- b Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology , University of Science and Technology of Masuku , Franceville , Gabon
| | - Cyrille Bisseye
- b Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology , University of Science and Technology of Masuku , Franceville , Gabon
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de Waal R, Lessells R, Hauser A, Kouyos R, Davies MA, Egger M, Wandeler G. HIV drug resistance in sub-Saharan Africa: public health questions and the potential role of real-world data and mathematical modelling. J Virus Erad 2018; 4:55-58. [PMID: 30515315 PMCID: PMC6248850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of pretreatment resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) is >10% in many low-income countries. As a consequence, several sub-Saharan African countries have implemented, or are considering the introduction of, non-NNRTI-based first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) for treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients. This is occurring at a time when ART programmes are expanding, in response to the World Health Organization guidelines, which recommend ART initiation regardless of CD4 cell count. Both those developments raise important questions regarding their potential impact on HIV drug resistance and the impact of HIV drug resistance on clinical outcomes. Those issues are particularly relevant to sub-Saharan Africa, where standardised ART regimens are used and where viral load monitoring and resistance testing are often not done routinely. It is therefore essential to forecast the impact of the implementation of universal ART, and the introduction of drugs such as dolutegravir to first-line regimens, on HIV drug resistance in order to inform future policies and to help ensure sustainable positive long-term outcomes. We discuss important public health considerations regarding HIV drug resistance, and describe how mathematical modelling, combined with real-world data from the four African Regions of the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS consortium, could provide an early warning system for HIV drug resistance in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reneé de Waal
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town,
South Africa
| | - Richard Lessells
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal,
Durban,
South Africa
| | - Anthony Hauser
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern,
Switzerland
| | - Roger Kouyos
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University of Zurich,
Switzerland
| | - Mary-Ann Davies
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town,
South Africa
| | - Matthias Egger
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town,
South Africa,Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern,
Switzerland
| | - Gilles Wandeler
- Corresponding author: Gilles Wandeler,
Department of Infectious Diseases,
Bern University Hospital,
Inselspital,
3010Bern,
Switzerland
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de Waal R, Lessells R, Hauser A, Kouyos R, Davies MA, Egger M, Wandeler G. HIV drug resistance in sub-Saharan Africa: public health questions and the potential role of real-world data and mathematical modelling. J Virus Erad 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/s2055-6640(20)30347-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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