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Merid F, Toma TM, Anbesie A, Guyo TG. Uptake of community-based differentiated antiretroviral therapy service delivery and associated factors among people living with HIV in Ethiopia: a multicenter cross-sectional study. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1390538. [PMID: 39175904 PMCID: PMC11338763 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1390538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Achieving the 95-95-95 targets require an efficient and innovative person-centered approach, specifically community-based differentiated service delivery (DSD), to improve access to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) services and reduce burdens on the health system. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the uptake of community-based DSD models and associated factors among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among PLHIV in public health facilities in South Ethiopia. Data were collected and entered into EpiData version 3.1 before being exported to Stata version 14 for further analysis. In the bivariable logistic regression analysis, variables with a p-value of ≤0.25 were included in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. A p-value of <0.05 was used to identify statistically significant factors. Results Among 381 stable PLHIV, 55.91% were women. The median age (interquartile range) was 40 years (27-53). The uptake of community-based DSD models was 19.16%. Residence and disclosure were the two independent factors significantly associated with the uptake of community-based DSD models. Conclusion One out of five stable PLHIV on antiretroviral therapy uptake the community-based DSD models. Improvement in uptake is needed in Ethiopia's resource-limited healthcare system to better achieve the 95-95-95 targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fasika Merid
- Department of Public Health, Arba Minch College of Health Sciences, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Temesgen Mohammed Toma
- Department of Public Health Emergency Management, South Ethiopia Region Public Health Institute, Jinka, Ethiopia
| | - Abraham Anbesie
- Department of Public Health, Arba Minch College of Health Sciences, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Tamirat Gezahegn Guyo
- Department of Public Health, Arba Minch College of Health Sciences, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
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Sikazwe I, Musheke M, Chiyenu K, Ngosa B, Pry JM, Mulubwa C, Zimba M, Sakala M, Sakala M, Somwe P, Nyirenda G, Savory T, Bolton-Moore C, Herce ME. Programme science in action: lessons from an observational study of HIV prevention programming for key populations in Lusaka, Zambia. J Int AIDS Soc 2024; 27 Suppl 2:e26237. [PMID: 38982890 PMCID: PMC11233926 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26237] [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: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Optimizing uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for individuals at risk of HIV acquisition has been challenging despite clear scientific evidence and normative guidelines, particularly for key populations (KPs) such as men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSWs), transgender (TG) people and persons who inject drugs (PWID). Applying an iterative Programme Science cycle, building on the effective programme coverage framework, we describe the approach used by the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) to scale up PrEP delivery and address inequities in PrEP access for KP in Lusaka, Zambia. METHODS In 2019, CIDRZ partnered with 10 local KP civil society organizations (CSOs) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) to offer HIV services within KP-designated community safe spaces. KP CSO partners led KP mobilization, managed safe spaces and delivered peer support; MOH organized clinicians and clinical commodities; and CIDRZ provided technical oversight. In December 2021, we introduced a community-based intervention focused on PrEP delivery in venues where KP socialize. We collected routine programme data from September 2019 to June 2023 using programme-specific tools and the national electronic health record. We estimated the before-after effects of our intervention on PrEP uptake, continuation and equity for KP using descriptive statistics and interrupted time series regression, and used mixed-effects regression to estimate marginal probabilities of PrEP continuity. RESULTS Most (25,658) of the 38,307 (67.0%) Key Population Investment Fund beneficiaries were reached with HIV prevention services at community-based venues. In total, 23,527 (61.4%) received HIV testing services, with 15,508 (65.9%) testing HIV negative and found PrEP eligible, and 15,241 (98.3%) initiating PrEP. Across all programme quarters and KP types, PrEP uptake was >90%. After introducing venue-based PrEP delivery, PrEP uptake (98.7% after vs. 96.5% before, p < 0.001) and the number of initiations (p = 0.014) increased significantly. The proportion of KP with ≥1 PrEP continuation visit within 6 months of initiation was unchanged post-intervention (46.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.7%, 47.6%) versus pre-intervention (47.2%, 95% CI: 45.4%, 49.1%). CONCLUSIONS Applying Programme Science principles, we demonstrate how decentralizing HIV prevention services to KP venues and safe spaces in partnership with KP CSOs enabled successful community-based PrEP delivery beyond the reach of traditional facility-based services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izukanji Sikazwe
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Maurice Musheke
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Kanema Chiyenu
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Benard Ngosa
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Jake M Pry
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Chama Mulubwa
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | | | | | - Paul Somwe
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Goodwin Nyirenda
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Theodora Savory
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Carolyn Bolton-Moore
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Michael E Herce
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Giordano J, Lewis-Kulzer J, Montoya L, Akama E, Adhiambo HF, Nyadieka E, Iguna S, Bukusi EA, Odeny T, Camlin CS, Thirumurthy H, Petersen M, Geng EH. Experiences and perceptions of conditional cash incentive provision and cessation among people with HIV for care engagement: A qualitative study. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3905074. [PMID: 38405781 PMCID: PMC10889060 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3905074/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Background Consistent engagement in HIV treatment is needed for healthy outcomes, yet substantial loss-to-follow up persists, leading to increased morbidity, mortality and onward transmission risk. Although conditional cash transfers (CCTs) address structural barriers, recent findings suggest that incentive effects are time-limited, with cessation resulting in HIV care engagement deterioration. We explored incentive experiences, perceptions, and effects after cessation to investigate potential mechanisms of this observation. Methods This qualitative study was nested within a larger trial, AdaPT-R (NCT02338739), focused on HIV care engagement in western Kenya. A subset of participants were purposively sampled from AdaPT-R participants: adults with HIV who had recently started ART, received CCTs for one year, completed one year of follow-up without missing a clinic visit, and were randomized to either continue or discontinue CCTs for one more year of follow-up. In-depth interviews were conducted by an experienced qualitative researcher using a semi-structed guide within a month of randomization. Interviews were conducted in the participants' preferred language (Dholuo, Kiswahili, English). Data on patient characteristics, randomization dates, and clinic visit dates to determine care lapses were extracted from the AdaPT-R database. A codebook was developed deductively based on the guide and inductively refined based on initial transcripts. Transcripts were coded using Dedoose software, and thematic saturation was identified. Results Of 38 participants, 15 (39%) continued receiving incentives, while 23 (61%) were discontinued from receiving incentives. Half were female (N = 19), median age was 30 years (range: 19-48), and about three-quarters were married or living with partners. Both groups expressed high intrinsic motivation to engage in care, prioritized clinic attendance regardless of CCTs and felt the incentives expanded their decision-making options. Despite high motivation, some participants reported that cessation of the CCTs affected their ability to access care, especially those with constrained financial situations. Participants also expressed concerns that incentives might foster dependency. Conclusions This study helps us better understand the durability of financial incentives for HIV care engagement, including when incentives end. Together with the quantitative findings in the parent AdaPT-R study, these results support the idea that careful consideration be exercised when implementing incentives for sustainable engagement effects.
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Tun W, Conserve DF, Bunga C, Jeremiah K, Apicella L, Vu L. Quality of Care is Perceived to be High with Community-based Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Services for Female Sex Workers in Tanzania: Qualitative Findings from a Pilot Implementation Science Study. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:1-11. [PMID: 37632605 PMCID: PMC10803559 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04155-4] [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] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
This qualitative study reports on female sex workers' (FSWs) perceptions of the quality of antiretroviral therapy (ART) services they received as part of a community-based ART distribution intervention compared to services received by FSWs in the standard of care (SOC) arm. In-depth interviews were conducted with 24 participants to explore their perceptions of the quality of ART services. Data was analyzed using a quality-of-care framework that included but was not limited to, domains of accessibility, effective organization of care, package of services, and patient-centered care. Overall, FSWs in the intervention arm reported community-based ART services to be highly accessible, organized, and effective, and they highly valued the patient-centered care and high level of privacy. Community-based ART programs for FSWs can have high quality-of-care, which can have a positive effect on HIV treatment outcomes for FSWs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waimar Tun
- Population Council, Social and Behavioral Sciences Research, 4301 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 280, Washington, DC, 20008, USA.
| | - Donaldson F Conserve
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Catherine Bunga
- Mwanza Research Centre, National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Kidola Jeremiah
- Mwanza Research Centre, National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Louis Apicella
- Population Council, Social and Behavioral Sciences Research, 4301 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 280, Washington, DC, 20008, USA
| | - Lung Vu
- The World Bank, Washington, DC, USA
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Phillips AN, Bansi-Matharu L, Shahmanesh M, Hargreaves JR, Smith J, Revill P, Sibanda E, Ehrenkranz P, Sikwese K, Rodger A, Lundgren JD, Gilks CF, Godfrey C, Cowan F, Cambiano V. Potential cost-effectiveness of community availability of tenofovir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir for HIV prevention and treatment in east, central, southern, and west Africa: a modelling analysis. Lancet Glob Health 2023; 11:e1648-e1657. [PMID: 37734807 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(23)00383-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) offers protection from HIV after condomless sex, but is not widely available in a timely manner in east, central, southern, and west Africa. To inform the potential pilot implementation of such an approach, we modelled the effect and cost-effectiveness of making PEP consisting of tenofovir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir (TLD) freely and locally available in communities without prescription, with the aim of enabling PEP use within 24 h of condomless sex. Free community availability of TLD (referred to as community TLD) might also result in some use of TLD as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and as antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV. METHODS Using an existing individual-based model (HIV Synthesis), we explicitly modelled the potential positive and negative effects of community TLD. Through the sampling of parameter values we created 1000 setting-scenarios, reflecting the uncertainty in assumptions and a range of settings similar to those seen in east, central, southern, and west Africa (with a median HIV prevalence of 14·8% in women and 8·1% in men). For each setting scenario, we considered the effects of community TLD. TLD PEP was assumed to have at least 90% efficacy in preventing HIV infection after condomless sex with a person living with HIV. FINDINGS The modelled effects of community TLD availability based on an assumed high uptake of TLD resulted in a mean reduction in incidence of 31% (90% range over setting scenarios, 6% increase to 57% decrease) over 20 years, with an HIV incidence reduction over 50 years in 91% of the 1000 setting scenarios, deaths averted in 55% of scenarios, reduction in costs in 92% of scenarios, and disability-adjusted life-years averted in 64% of scenarios with community TLD. Community TLD was cost-effective in 90% of setting scenarios and cost-saving (with disability-adjusted life-years averted) in 58% of scenarios. When only examining setting scenarios in which there was lower uptake of community TLD, community TLD is cost-effective in 92% of setting scenarios. INTERPRETATION The introduction of community TLD, enabling greater PEP access, is a promising approach to consider further in pilot implementation projects. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to the HIV Modelling Consortium.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maryam Shahmanesh
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK; Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | | | - Jennifer Smith
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Paul Revill
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK
| | - Euphemia Sibanda
- CeSHHAR Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe; Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | - Alison Rodger
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jens D Lundgren
- Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Catherine Godfrey
- Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator, Department of State, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Frances Cowan
- CeSHHAR Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe; Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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Bolo A, Ochira P, Hakim AJ, Katoro J, Bunga S, Lako R, Anib V, Arkangelo GC, Lobojo BN, Okiria AG. Limited awareness of HIV Status hinders uptake of treatment among female sex workers and sexually exploited adolescents in Wau and Yambio, South Sudan. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:692. [PMID: 37059971 PMCID: PMC10103365 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15593-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several factors determine uptake of HIV testing services (HTS) by female sex workers (FSW), including their knowledge of HIV and their awareness of services supporting people who are HIV-positive. HTS provided entry into the UNAIDS 90-90-90 cascade of care. We conducted a cross-sectional biobehavioural survey (BBS) to determine HIV prevalence and progress towards UNAIDS 90-90-90 cascade targets among this population in South Sudan. METHODS Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) was used to recruit women and sexually exploited girls aged 13-18 years who exchanged sex for goods or money in the past 6 months and resided in the town for at least 1 month. Consenting participants were interviewed and tested for HIV and, if positive, they were also tested for their viral load (VL). Data were weighted in RDS Analyst and analyzed with Stata 13. RESULTS A total of 1,284 participants were recruited. The overall HIV cascade coverages were 64.8% aware of their HIV-positive status; 91.0% of those aware of their positive status were on ART; and VL suppression among those on ART was 93.0%. CONCLUSION Being unaware of their HIV-positive status limits, the uptake of HIV treatment among FSW in South Sudan. This underscores the importance of optimized case-finding approaches to increase HTS among FSW and sexually exploited minors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Bolo
- Division of Global HIV and TB (DGHT), United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Juba, South Sudan.
| | | | - Avi J Hakim
- United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, DGHT, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Joel Katoro
- Division of Global HIV and TB (DGHT), United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Juba, South Sudan
| | - Sudhir Bunga
- Division of Global HIV and TB (DGHT), United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Juba, South Sudan
| | - Richard Lako
- South Sudan Ministry of Health, Juba, South Sudan
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Comins CA, Guddera V, Parmley LE, Young K, Mcingana M, Mulumba N, Mishra S, Phetlhu DR, Hausler H, Schwartz S, Baral S. Opportunities and considerations for the design of decentralized delivery of antiretroviral therapy for female sex workers living with HIV in South Africa. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1166. [PMID: 36114501 PMCID: PMC9482230 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08506-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In South Africa, 60% of female sex workers (FSW) are living with HIV, many of whom experience structural and individual barriers to antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and adherence. Community-based decentralized treatment provision (DTP) may mitigate these barriers. To characterize optimal implementation strategies, we explored preferences for DTP among FSW living with HIV in Durban, South Africa. METHODS Thirty-nine semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with FSW living with HIV (n = 24), and key informants (n = 15) including HIV program implementers, security personnel, and brothel managers. Participants were recruited using maximum variation and snowball sampling. Interviews were conducted in English or isiZulu between September-November 2017 and analyzed using grounded theory in Atlas.ti 8. RESULTS DTP was described as an intervention that could address barriers to ART adherence and retention, minimizing transport costs, time and wage loss from clinic visits, and act as a safety net to address FSW mobility and clinic access challenges. Respondents highlighted contextual considerations for DTP and suggested that DTP should be venue-based, scheduled during less busy times and days, and integrate comprehensive health services including psychological, reproductive, and non-communicable disease services. ART packaging and storage were important for community-based delivery, and participants suggested DTP should be implemented by sex work sensitized staff with discrete uniform and vehicle branding. CONCLUSIONS Incorporating FSW preferences may support implementation optimization and requires balancing of tensions between preferences and feasibility. These data suggest the potential utility of DTP for FSW as a strategy to address those most marginalized from current ART programs in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly A Comins
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | | | - Lauren E Parmley
- United States Agency for International Development, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | | | | | - Sharmistha Mishra
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Deliwe R Phetlhu
- School of Health Care Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa, South Africa
| | | | - Sheree Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
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