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Bassett IV, Yan J, Govere S, Khumalo A, Shazi Z, Nzuza M, Aung T, Rahman K, Zionts D, Dube N, Tshabalala S, Bogart LM, Parker RA. Does type of antiretroviral therapy pick-up point influence 12-month virologic suppression in South Africa? AIDS Care 2024; 36:1518-1527. [PMID: 38861653 PMCID: PMC11343678 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2024.2361817] [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: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
We assessed the impact of community- versus clinic-based medication pick-up on rates of virologic suppression in an observational cohort of adults on ART enrolled in a decentralized antiretroviral therapy program (CCMDD) in South Africa. Participants either attended clinics where they were given the choice to pick up ART in community venues or traditional clinics, or clinics where this pathway was assigned. Among 1856 participants, 977 (53%) opted for community ART pick-up at enrollment, and 1201 (86%) were virologically suppressed at one year. Because of missing data on virologic suppression, primary results are based on a model incorporating multiple imputation. In addition to age and gender, distance from clinic and year of HIV diagnosis were included in the multivariable model. There was no difference in opting for clinic- vs. community-based pick-up with regard to achieving 12-month virologic suppression (aRR 1.02, 95% CI 0.98-1.05) in clinics offering choice. There was no impact of assigning all participants to an external pick-up point (aRR 1.00, 95% CI 0.95-1.06), but virologic suppression was reduced in the clinic that assigned participants to clinic pick-up (aRR 0.87, 95% CI 0.81-0.92). These results suggest that provision of community-based ART has not reduced continued virologic suppression in the population enrolled in the CCMDD program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid V. Bassett
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
| | - Joyce Yan
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Biostatistics Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Zinhle Shazi
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Taing Aung
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kashfia Rahman
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dani Zionts
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nduduzo Dube
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sandile Tshabalala
- South Africa Department of Health, Province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | | | - Robert A. Parker
- Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Biostatistics Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Mokhele I, Sineke T, Vujovic M, Ruiter RAC, Miot J, Onoya D. Improving patient-centred counselling skills among lay healthcare workers in South Africa using the Thusa-Thuso motivational interviewing training and support program. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0002611. [PMID: 38656958 PMCID: PMC11042703 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
We developed a motivational interviewing (MI) counselling training and support program for lay counsellors in South Africa-branded "Thusa-Thuso-helping you help", commonly referred to as Thusa-Thuso. We present the results of a pilot study to determine the program's impact on MI technical skills and qualitatively assess the feasibility of a training-of-trainers (TOT) scale-up strategy among counselling staff of non-governmental (NGO) support partners of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment program in South Africa. We enrolled adult (≥ 18 years) lay counsellors from ten primary healthcare clinics in Johannesburg (South Africa) selected to participate in the Thusa-Thuso training and support program. Counsellors attended the ten-day baseline and quarterly refresher training over 12 months (October 2018-October 2019). Each counsellor submitted two audio recordings of mock counselling sessions held during the ten-day baseline training and two additional recordings of sessions with consenting patients after each quarterly contact session. We reviewed the recordings using the MI treatment integrity (MITI) coding system to determine MI technical (cultivating change talk and softening sustain talk) and relational (empathy and partnership) competency scores before and after training. After 12 months of support with pilot site counsellors, we were asked to scale up the training to NGO partner team trainers in a once-off five-day Training of trainers (TOT) format (n = 127 trainees from November 2020 to January 2021). We report TOT training experiences from focus group discussions (n = 42) conducted six months after the TOT sessions. Of the 25 enrolled lay counsellors from participating facilities, 10 completed the 12-month Thusa-Thuso program. Attrition over the 12 months was caused by death (n = 3), site exclusion/resignations (n = 10), and absence (n = 2). MI competencies improved as follows: the technical skills score increased from a mean of 2.5 (standard deviation (SD): 0.8) to 3.1 (SD: 0.5), with a mean difference of 0.6 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.04, 0.9). The MI relational skills score improved from a mean of 3.20 (SD: 0.7) to 3.5 (SD: 0.6), with a mean difference of 0.3 (95% CI: -0.3, 8.5). End-point qualitative data from the counsellors highlighted the value of identifying and addressing specific skill deficiencies and the importance of counsellors being able to self-monitor skill development using the MITI review process. Participants appreciated the ongoing support to clarify practical MI applications. The TOT program tools were valuable for ongoing on-the-job development and monitoring of quality counselling skills. However, the MITI review process was perceived to be too involved for large-scale application and was adapted into a scoring form to document sit-in mentoring sessions. The Thusa-Thuso MI intervention can improve counsellor motivation and skills over time. In addition, the program can be scaled up using an adapted TOT process supplemented with fidelity assessment tools, which are valuable for skills development and ongoing maintenance. However, further studies are needed to determine the effect of the Thusa-Thuso program on patient ART adherence and retention in care. Trial registration: Pan African Clinical Trials Registry No: PACTR202212796722256 (12 December 2022).
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Affiliation(s)
- Idah Mokhele
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Tembeka Sineke
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Robert A. C. Ruiter
- Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Jacqui Miot
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Dorina Onoya
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Bassett IV, Yan J, Giddy J, Ross D, Bogart LM, Stuckwisch A, Zionts D, Naidoo R, Parker RA. Geographic variation in 5-year mortality following HIV diagnosis: implications for clinical interventions. AIDS Care 2023; 35:2016-2023. [PMID: 36942651 PMCID: PMC10511661 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2023.2189224] [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: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Characterizing spatial distribution of HIV outcomes is vital for targeting interventions to areas most at risk. We performed spatial analysis to identify geographic clusters and factors associated with mortality in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We utilized Sizanani trial (NCT01188941) data, which enrolled participants August 2010-January 2013 and obtained vital status at 5.8 (IQR 5.0-6.4) years of follow-up. We mapped geocoded addresses to 2011 Census-defined small area layer (SAL) centroids, used Kulldorff's spatial scan statistic to identify mortality clusters, and compared socio-demographic factors for SALs within and outside mortality clusters. We assigned 1,143 participants living with HIV (260 [23%] of whom died during follow-up) to 677 SALs. One lower mortality cluster (n = 90, RR = 0.23, p = 0.022) was identified near a hospital outside Durban. SALs in the cluster were younger (24y vs 25y, p < 0.001); had fewer bedrooms/household (3 vs 4, p < 0.001); had more females (52% vs 51%, p = 0.013) and residents with no schooling past age 20 (4% vs 3%, p < 0.001) or no education at all (4% vs 3%, p < 0.001); had fewer residents with income >3,200 ZAR/month (5% vs 9%, p < 0.001); and had reduced access to piped water (p < 0.001), refuse disposal (p < 0.001), and toilets (p < 0.001). Targeted interventions may improve outcomes in areas with similar characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid V. Bassett
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard University, Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Joyce Yan
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Biostatistics Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | - Douglas Ross
- St. Mary’s Hospital, Mariannhill, Durban, South Africa*
| | - Laura M. Bogart
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California, United States of America
| | - Ashley Stuckwisch
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Dani Zionts
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ravi Naidoo
- Statistics South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Office, Durban, South Africa
| | - Robert A. Parker
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Biostatistics Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard University, Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Beeman A, Bengtson AM, Swartz A, Colvin CJ, Lurie MN. Cyclical Engagement in HIV Care: A Qualitative Study of Clinic Transfers to Re-enter HIV Care in Cape Town, South Africa. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:2387-2396. [PMID: 35061116 PMCID: PMC9167245 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03582-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Long-term patient engagement and retention in HIV care is an ongoing challenge in South Africa's strained health system. However, some patients thought to be "lost to follow-up" (LTFU) may have "transferred" clinics to receive care elsewhere. Through semi-structured interviews, we explored the relationship between clinic transfer and long-term patient engagement among 19 treatment-experienced people living with HIV (PLWH) who self-identified as having engaged in a clinic transfer at least once since starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Gugulethu, Cape Town. Our findings suggest that patient engagement is often fluid, as PLWH cycle in and out of care multiple times during their lifetime. The linear nature of the HIV care cascade model poorly describes the lived realities of PLWH on established treatment. Further research is needed to explore strategies for reducing unplanned clinic transfers and offer more supportive care to new and returning patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aly Beeman
- Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Angela M Bengtson
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Box GS-121-2, Room 221, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Alison Swartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Box GS-121-2, Room 221, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Christopher J Colvin
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Box GS-121-2, Room 221, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Mark N Lurie
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Box GS-121-2, Room 221, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
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Bassett IV, Yan J, Govere S, Khumalo A, Ngobese N, Shazi Z, Nzuza M, Bunda BA, Wara NJ, Stuckwisch A, Zionts D, Dube N, Tshabalala S, Bogart LM, Parker RA. Uptake of community- versus clinic-based antiretroviral therapy dispensing in the Central Chronic Medication Dispensing and Distribution program in South Africa. J Int AIDS Soc 2022; 25:e25877. [PMID: 35077611 PMCID: PMC8789242 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION South Africa's government-led Central Chronic Medication Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) program offers people living with HIV the option to collect antiretroviral therapy at their choice of community- or clinic-based pick-up points intended to increase convenience and decongest clinics. To understand CCMDD pick-up point use among people living with HIV, we evaluated factors associated with uptake of a community- versus clinic-based pick-up point at CCMDD enrolment. METHODS We collected baseline data from October 2018 to March 2020 on adults (≥18 years) who met CCMDD clinical eligibility criteria (non-pregnant, on antiretroviral therapy for ≥1 year and virologically suppressed) as part of an observational cohort in seven public clinics in KwaZulu-Natal. We identified factors associated with community-based pick-up point uptake and fit a multivariable logistic regression model, including age, gender, employment status, self-perceived barriers to care, self-efficacy, HIV-related discrimination, and perceived benefits and challenges of CCMDD. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Among 1521 participants, 67% were females, with median age 36 years (IQR 30-44). Uptake of a community-based pick-up point was associated with younger age (aOR 1.18 per 10-year decrease, 95% CI 1.05-1.33), being employed ≥40 hours per week (aOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.10-1.83) versus being unemployed, no self-perceived barriers to care (aOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.09-1.86) and scoring between 36 and 39 (aOR 1.44, 95% CI 1.03-2.01) or 40 (aOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.39-2.63) versus 10-35 on the self-efficacy scale, where higher scores indicate greater self-efficacy. Additional factors included more convenient pick-up point location (aOR 2.32, 95% CI 1.77-3.04) or hours (aOR 5.09, 95% CI 3.71-6.98) as perceived benefits of CCMDD, and lack of in-clinic follow-up after a missed collection date as a perceived challenge of CCMDD (aOR 4.37, 95% CI 2.30-8.31). CONCLUSIONS Uptake of community-based pick-up was associated with younger age, full-time employment, and systemic and structural factors of living with HIV (no self-perceived barriers to care and high self-efficacy), as well as perceptions of CCMDD (convenient pick-up point location and hours, lack of in-clinic follow-up). Strategies to facilitate community-based pick-up point uptake should be tailored to patients' age, employment, self-perceived barriers to care and self-efficacy to maximize the impact of CCMDD in decongesting clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid V. Bassett
- Massachusetts General HospitalDivision of Infectious DiseasesBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Massachusetts General HospitalMedical Practice Evaluation CenterBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Center for AIDS Research (CFAR)Harvard UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Joyce Yan
- Massachusetts General HospitalBiostatistics CenterBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Bridget A. Bunda
- Massachusetts General HospitalMedical Practice Evaluation CenterBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Nafisa J. Wara
- Massachusetts General HospitalMedical Practice Evaluation CenterBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Ashley Stuckwisch
- Massachusetts General HospitalMedical Practice Evaluation CenterBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Dani Zionts
- Massachusetts General HospitalMedical Practice Evaluation CenterBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | | | | | | | - Robert A. Parker
- Center for AIDS Research (CFAR)Harvard UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Massachusetts General HospitalBiostatistics CenterBostonMassachusettsUSA
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Windsor IW, Dudley DM, O'Connor DH, Raines RT. Ribonuclease zymogen induces cytotoxicity upon HIV-1 infection. AIDS Res Ther 2021; 18:77. [PMID: 34702287 PMCID: PMC8549155 DOI: 10.1186/s12981-021-00399-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Targeting RNA is a promising yet underdeveloped modality for the selective killing of cells infected with HIV-1. The secretory ribonucleases (RNases) found in vertebrates have cytotoxic ribonucleolytic activity that is kept in check by a cytosolic ribonuclease inhibitor protein, RI. METHODS We engineered amino acid substitutions that enable human RNase 1 to evade RI upon its cyclization into a zymogen that is activated by the HIV-1 protease. In effect, the zymogen has an HIV-1 protease cleavage site between the termini of the wild-type enzyme, thereby positioning a cleavable linker over the active site that blocks access to a substrate. RESULTS The amino acid substitutions in RNase 1 diminish its affinity for RI by 106-fold and confer high toxicity for T-cell leukemia cells. Pretreating these cells with the zymogen leads to a substantial drop in their viability upon HIV-1 infection, indicating specific toxicity toward infected cells. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate the utility of ribonuclease zymogens as biologic prodrugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian W Windsor
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Dawn M Dudley
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - David H O'Connor
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Ronald T Raines
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
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Bisnauth MA, Davies N, Monareng S, Buthelezi F, Struthers H, McIntyre J, Rees K. Why do patients interrupt and return to antiretroviral therapy? Retention in HIV care from the patient's perspective in Johannesburg, South Africa. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256540. [PMID: 34473742 PMCID: PMC8412245 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retention in care is required for optimal clinical outcomes in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Although most PLHIV in South Africa know their HIV status, only 70% are on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Improved retention in care is needed to get closer to sustained ART for all. In January 2019, Anova Health Institute conducted a campaign to encourage patients who had interrupted ART to return to care. METHODS Data collection was conducted in one region of Johannesburg. This mixed methods study consisted of two components: 1) healthcare providers entered data into a structured tool for all patients re-initiating ART at nine clinics over a nine-month period, 2) Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sub-set of patients. Responses to the tool were analysed descriptively, we report frequencies, and percentages. A thematic approach was used to analyse participant experiences in-depth. RESULTS 562 people re-initiated ART, 66% were women, 75% were 25-49 years old. The three most common reasons for disengagement from care were mobility (30%), ART related factors (15%), and time limitations due to work (10%). Reasons for returning included it becoming easier to attend the clinic (34%) and worry about not being on ART (19%). Mobile interview participants often forgot their medical files and expressed that managing their ART was difficult because they often needed a transfer letter to gain access to ART at another facility. On the other hand, clinics that had flexible and extended hours facilitated retention in care. CONCLUSION In both the quantitative data, and the qualitative analysis, changing life circumstances was the most prominent reason for disengagement from care. Health services were not perceived to be responsive to life changes or mobility, leading to disengagement. More client-centred and responsive health services should improve retention on ART.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Helen Struthers
- Anova Health Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - James McIntyre
- Anova Health Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Infectious Diseases & HIV Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kate Rees
- Anova Health Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Community Health, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Clouse K, Phillips TK, Mogoba P, Ndlovu L, Bassett J, Myer L. Attitudes Toward a Proposed GPS-Based Location Tracking Smartphone App for Improving Engagement in HIV Care Among Pregnant and Postpartum Women in South Africa: Focus Group and Interview Study. JMIR Form Res 2021; 5:e19243. [PMID: 33555261 PMCID: PMC7899801 DOI: 10.2196/19243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Peripartum women living with HIV in South Africa are at high risk of dropping out of care and are also a particularly mobile population, which may impact their engagement in HIV care. With the rise in mobile phone use worldwide, there is an opportunity to use smartphones and GPS location software to characterize mobility in real time. Objective The aim of this study was to propose a smartphone app that could collect individual GPS locations to improve engagement in HIV care and to assess potential users’ attitudes toward the proposed app. Methods We conducted 50 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with pregnant women living with HIV in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa, and 6 focus group discussions (FGDs) with 27 postpartum women living with HIV in Cape Town. Through an open-ended question in the IDIs, we categorized “positive,” “neutral,” or “negative” reactions to the proposed app and identified key quotations. For the FGD data, we grouped the text into themes, then analyzed it for patterns, concepts, and associations and selected illustrative quotations. Results In the IDIs, the majority of participants (76%, 38/50) responded favorably to the proposed app. Favorable comments were related to the convenience of facilitated continued care, a sense of helpfulness on the part of the researchers and facilities, and the difficulties of trying to maintain care while traveling. Among the 4/50 participants (8%) who responded negatively, their comments were primarily related to the individual’s responsibility for their own health care. The FGDs revealed four themes: facilitating connection to care, informed choice, disclosure (intentional or unintentional), and trust in researchers. Conclusions Women living with HIV were overwhelmingly positive about the idea of a GPS-based smartphone app to improve engagement in HIV care. Participants reported that they would welcome a tool to facilitate connection to care when traveling and expressed trust in researchers and health care facilities. Within the context of the rapid increase of smartphone use in South Africa, these early results warrant further exploration and critical evaluation following real-world experience with the app.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Clouse
- Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville, TN, United States.,Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Tamsin K Phillips
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Phepo Mogoba
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Linda Ndlovu
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Landon Myer
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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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: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [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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Cavalcanti ATDAE, de Alencar Ximenes RA, Montarroyos UR, d’Albuquerque PM, Fonseca RA, de Barros Miranda-Filho D. Effectiveness of four antiretroviral regimens for treating people living with HIV. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239527. [PMID: 32986730 PMCID: PMC7521729 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239527] [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: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare 4 different ARV regimens in a clinical cohort in Brazil, with regard to the virologic and immunologic responses, clinical failure and reasons for changing. To compare the virologic response and clinical failure between groups we used the Cox and Kaplan Meier proportional hazard models. To analyze the immunologic outcome, we used multilevel GLLAMM and mixed effect linear regression models. To compare regimen change outcomes we used the Pearson's chi-square test. We included 840 participants distributed across the groups according to the initial ART regimen. The mean follow-up period was 27.8 months. Almost half the sample initiated ART with AIDS-related signs/symptoms. Virologic response was effective in 79.6% of participants within 12 months. The tenofovir/lamivudine/efavirenz group presented a higher proportion of virologic response (VL<50 at 6 months) when compared to the zidovudine/lamivudine/efavirenz group. There was no difference between the regimens regarding the immunologic response. A total of 17.3% of individuals changed regimen because of failure and 46.5% due to adverse events. Changes due to adverse events were more frequent in the group using zidovudine/lamivudine/efavirenz. The proportion of hospitalizations at 1 year was higher in the zidovudine/lamivudine/efavirenz group when compared to the tenofovir/lamivudine/efavirenz group. The effectiveness outcomes between the regimens were similar. Some differences may be due to the individual characteristics of patients, toxicity and acceptability of drugs. Studies are needed that compare similarly effective regimens and their respective treatment costs and financial impacts on SUS (Integrated Healthcare System).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ricardo Arraes de Alencar Ximenes
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
- Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Demócrito de Barros Miranda-Filho
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
- Internal Medicine, University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
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Matare T, Shewade HD, Ncube RT, Masunda K, Mukeredzi I, Takarinda KC, Dzangare J, Gonese G, Khabo BB, Choto RC, Apollo T. Anti-retroviral therapy after "Treat All" in Harare, Zimbabwe: What are the changes in uptake, time to initiation and retention? F1000Res 2020; 9:287. [PMID: 32934801 PMCID: PMC7475956 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.23417.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: In Zimbabwe, Harare was the first province to implement "Treat All" for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV). Since its roll out in July 2016, no study has been conducted to assess the changes in key programme indicators. We compared antiretroviral therapy (ART) uptake, time to ART initiation from diagnosis, and retention before and during "Treat All". Methods: We conducted an ecological study to assess ART uptake among all PLHIV newly diagnosed before and during "Treat All". We conducted a cohort study to assess time to ART initiation and retention in care among all PLHIV newly initiated on ART from all electronic patient management system-supported sites (n=50) before and during "Treat All". Results: ART uptake increased from 65% (n=4619) by the end of quarter one, 2014 to 85% (n=5152) by the end of quarter four, 2018. A cohort of 2289 PLHIV was newly initiated on ART before (April-June 2015) and 1682 during "Treat all" (April-June 2017). Their age and gender distribution was similar. The proportion of PLHIV in early stages of disease was significantly higher during "Treat all" (73.2% vs. 55.6%, p<0.001). The median time to ART initiation was significantly lower during "Treat All" (31 vs. 88 days, p<0.001). Cumulative retention at three, six and 12 months was consistently lower during "Treat all" and was significant at six months (74.9% vs.78.1% p=0.022). Conclusion: Although there were benefits of early ART initiation during "Treat All", the programme should consider strategies to improve retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takura Matare
- AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Hemant Deepak Shewade
- The Union South-East Asia Office, New Delhi, India
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Kudakwashe C. Takarinda
- AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Paris, France
| | - Janet Dzangare
- AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Gloria Gonese
- International Training and Education Centre for Health (I-TECH), Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Bekezela B. Khabo
- AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Regis C. Choto
- AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Tsitsi Apollo
- AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
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