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Vannappagari V, McCallister S, Romach B, Bush M, Stanislaus D, Root C, Lampkin C, Nwokolo N, Puga A, Moreira S, Salem F, DeMasi R, Payvandi N, Smith K, Garges H, de Ruiter A. Responding to the Call to Action: Framework to Accelerate Clinical Data Generation for Antiretroviral Use in Pregnant Individuals with HIV. Infect Dis Ther 2024; 13:1391-1398. [PMID: 38772986 PMCID: PMC11219686 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-024-00993-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vani Vannappagari
- ViiV Healthcare, 406 Blackwell Street, Suite 300, Durham, NC, 27701, USA.
- VP, Global Head of Epidemiology & Real World Evidence, ViiV Healthcare, 406 Blackwell Street, Suite 300, Durham, NC, 27701, USA.
| | | | - Beth Romach
- ViiV Healthcare, 406 Blackwell Street, Suite 300, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - Mark Bush
- ViiV Healthcare, 406 Blackwell Street, Suite 300, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | | | - Charlotte Root
- ViiV Healthcare, 980 Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9GS, UK
| | - Christine Lampkin
- ViiV Healthcare, 406 Blackwell Street, Suite 300, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - Nneka Nwokolo
- ViiV Healthcare, 980 Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9GS, UK
| | - Ana Puga
- ViiV Healthcare, 406 Blackwell Street, Suite 300, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | | | | | - Ralph DeMasi
- ViiV Healthcare, 406 Blackwell Street, Suite 300, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - Nassrin Payvandi
- ViiV Healthcare, 980 Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9GS, UK
| | - Kimberly Smith
- ViiV Healthcare, 406 Blackwell Street, Suite 300, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - Harmony Garges
- ViiV Healthcare, 406 Blackwell Street, Suite 300, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
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Liang A, Wilson-Barthes M, Galárraga O. Cost-effectiveness of differentiated care models that incorporate economic strengthening for HIV antiretroviral therapy adherence: a systematic review. COST EFFECTIVENESS AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION 2024; 22:46. [PMID: 38790050 PMCID: PMC11127452 DOI: 10.1186/s12962-024-00557-w] [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: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is some evidence that differentiated service delivery (DSD) models, which use a client-centered approach to simplify and increase access to care, improve clinical outcomes among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in high HIV prevalence countries. Integrating economic strengthening tools (e.g., microcredit, cash transfers, food assistance) within DSD models can help address the poverty-related barriers to HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART). Yet there is minimal evidence of the cost-effectiveness of these types of multilevel care delivery models, which potentially prohibits their wider implementation. METHODS Using a qualitative systematic review, this article synthesizes the literature surrounding the cost-effectiveness of differentiated service delivery models that employ economic strengthening initiatives to improve HIV treatment adherence in low- and middle-income countries. We searched three academic databases for randomized controlled trials and observational studies published from January 2000 through March 2024 in Sub-Saharan Africa. The quality of each study was scored using a validated appraisal system. RESULTS Eighty-nine full texts were reviewed and 3 met all eligibility criteria. Two of the three included articles were specific to adolescents living with HIV. Economic strengthening opportunities varied by care model, and included developmental savings accounts, microenterprise workshops, and cash and non-cash conditional incentives. The main drivers of programmatic and per-patient costs were ART medications, CD4 cell count testing, and economic strengthening activities. CONCLUSION All economic evaluations in this review found that including economic strengthening as part of comprehensive differentiated service delivery was cost-effective at a willingness to pay threshold of at least 2 times the national per capita gross domestic product. Two of the three studies in this review focused on adolescents, suggesting that these types of care models may be especially cost-effective for youth entering adulthood. All studies were from the provider perspective, indicating that additional evidence is needed to inform the potential cost-savings of DSD and economic strengthening interventions to patients and society. Randomized trials testing the effectiveness of DSD models that integrate economic strengthening should place greater emphasis on costing these types of programs to inform the potential for bringing these types of multilevel interventions to scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Liang
- Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Marta Wilson-Barthes
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Omar Galárraga
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice; and International Health Institute, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Box G-S121-2, Providence, RI, USA.
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Al-Salman J, Amir A, Moore LS, Poulakou G, Soriano A, Abdallah J, Abutidze A, Amin W, El Assal G, Nombulelo M, Tarawneh F, Hassanien A. The Management of Patients at High Risk of Serious COVID-19 Disease: Optimising the Patient Pathway in the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe. Cureus 2024; 16:e60727. [PMID: 38779436 PMCID: PMC11110092 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction For patients at high risk of severe COVID-19 disease, antiviral therapeutic options are available to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death. Although many countries have developed national guidelines for COVID-19 management that include use of antiviral agents, it is unclear how these guidelines are used in daily clinical practice. This study aims to assess the management of high-risk COVID-19 patients in the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe, with a focus on understanding current practices, challenges, and potential strategies for improvement. Methods Healthcare professionals (HCPs) from the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe came together at a regional summit in February 2023 to share perspectives on the therapeutic management of patients at high risk of serious COVID-19 disease in the community. Summit participants represented diverse medical specialties, geographical regions, and healthcare settings. Key insights gathered during the summit were supplemented with evidence from the published literature via a non-systematic literature search of MEDLINE and online sources such as government reports since the start of 2020 to identify articles on disease burden, unmet needs, treatment access, antiviral therapy, guidelines related to individuals with COVID-19 at high-risk for poor outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Together, these sources were used by the authors to generate their recommendations for future priorities and optimal care pathways globally. Results Specific insights gathered from the summit were that participants reported that primary care is the first point of contact for high-risk patients, but the role of primary care physicians (PCPs) in treatment is uncertain. Additionally, participants highlighted that between-country differences in the care pathway for high-risk patients are due to variations in local treatment practices, healthcare system structures, and resourcing. In line with the published literature, participants agreed that HCP education is needed to support the identification, counseling, and appropriate management of high-risk patients and that pharmacists have a critical role to play in identifying clinically important potential interactions with antiviral treatment and recommending appropriate adjustments. Furthermore, patient hesitancy can result in late presentation, delayed treatment, and potential progression of symptoms. HCPs should proactively counsel high-risk patients, so they are aware of their risk and its implications and understand what to do if they experience symptoms of COVID-19. Targeted educational initiatives for patients are needed to mitigate reluctance to undergo COVID-19 testing and counter COVID-19 misinformation. Conclusion Collaboration among stakeholders is essential to optimize COVID-19 management for high-risk patients globally, ensuring effective implementation of guidelines and improving outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ashraf Amir
- Executive Medical Services, International Medical Center Hospital, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Luke Sp Moore
- Infectious Diseases, Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, London, GBR
| | - Garyphallia Poulakou
- Internal Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Sotiria General Hospital, Athens, GRC
| | - Alex Soriano
- Infectious Diseases, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, ESP
| | | | - Akaki Abutidze
- Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center, Tbilisi, GEO
| | - Wagdy Amin
- Chest Diseases, Ministry of Health and Population, Cairo, EGY
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Hlongwa M, Nicol E. Improving linkage to HIV care following a reactive HIV self-testing result among men in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:552. [PMID: 38693539 PMCID: PMC11061974 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10981-6] [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: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the many interventions that have been implemented in sub-Saharan Africa to improve the uptake of HIV testing and antiretroviral (ART) initiation services, the rates at which men are tested for HIV and initiated on ART have remained consistently lower compared to those for women. We aim to investigate barriers and facilitators for linkage to care following HIVST positive results among men aged between 18 and 49 years, and use these findings to design an intervention to improve linkage to care among men in a high-HIV prevalent district in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. METHODS This multi-method study will be conducted over 24 months in eight purposively selected HIV testing and treatment facilities from December 2023 to November 2025. For the quantitative component, a sample of 197 HIV positive men aged 18-49 years old who link to care after HIV self-test (HIVST) will be recruited into the study. HIVST kits will be distributed to a minimum of 3000 men attending community services through mobile clinics that are supported by the Health Systems Trust, at different service delivery points, including schools, taxi ranks and other hotspots. The qualitative component will consist of in-depth interviews (IDIs) with 15 HIVST users and IDIs with 15 key informants. To design and develop acceptable, feasible, effective, and sustainable models for improving linkage to care, three groups of HIVST users (2*positive (N = 12) and 1*negative (N = 12)) will be purposively select to participate in a design workshop. Chi square tests will be used to identify social and demographic factors associated with linkage, while logistic regression will be used to identify independent factors. Kaplan Meier curves and cox proportional hazard models will be used to identify factors associated with time to event. Content and thematic approaches will be used to analyze the qualitative data. DISCUSSION There remains an urgent need for designing and implementing innovative intervention strategies that are convenient and tailored for addressing the needs of men for improving HIV testing and linkage to care at early stages in resource-limited settings, to improve individual health outcomes, reduce transmission from HIV and minimize HIV-related mortality rates. Our proposed study offers several important innovations aimed at improving linkage to care among men. Our study targets men, as they lag the HIV continuum but are also under-researched in public health studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mbuzeleni Hlongwa
- Public Health, Societies and Belonging, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa.
- School of Nursing and Public Health Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Edward Nicol
- Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Health Systems and Public Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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Hlongwa M, Basera W, Nicol E. Comparing PrEP initiation rates by service delivery models among high risk adolescent boys and young men in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: findings from a population-based prospective study. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1151. [PMID: 38658900 PMCID: PMC11043044 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18660-1] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV prevention strategy that can reduce the risk of HIV acquisition by more than 90% if taken consistently. Although South Africa has been implementing PrEP since 2016, initially for selected population groups before expanding access to more people, there is a dearth of research focused on PrEP among adolescent boys and young men (ABYM), despite them experiencing high rates of HIV infection. To address this gap, we compared PrEP initiation rates by service delivery points (SDPs) among ABYM in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. METHODS We conducted a population-based prospective study in 22 SDPs from July 2021 to July 2022 in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Sexually active ABYM aged 15-35 years who tested HIV negative were recruited at purposively selected PrEP SDPs (i.e., healthcare facilities, secondary schools and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, and community-based youth zones). We collected baseline quantitative data from each participant using self-administered electronic questionnaires built into REDCap, including demographic information such as age, sex, employment status and level of education, as well as PrEP initiation outcomes. We extracted data from REDCap and exported it to Stata version 17.0 for analysis, and then eliminated discrepancies and removed duplicates. We described baseline characteristics using summary and descriptive statistics (median, interquartile range [IQR] and proportions) and reported PrEP initiation proportions overall and by SDPs. RESULTS The study included 1104 ABYM, with a median age of 24 years (interquartile range (IQR): 21-28)). Almost all participants were black African (n = 1090, 99%), with more than half aged 15-24 years (n = 603, 55%) and 45% (n = 501) aged 25-35 years. The majority (n = 963; 87%) had attained a secondary level of education. Overall PREP initiation rate among adolescent boys and young men was low: among 1078 participants who were eligible for PrEP, 13% (n = 141) were started on PrEP. Among the participants who were initiated on PrEP, over three quarters (78%, n = 58) were initiated from high schools, compared with community-based youth zones (40%, n = 37), TVET colleges (26%, n = 16) and healthcare facilities (4%, n = 30). CONCLUSIONS This study provided evidence suggesting that expanding PrEP services to non-traditional settings, such as high schools, TVET colleges, and community-based organizations, may have a potential to increase PrEP access among ABYM in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mbuzeleni Hlongwa
- Public Health, Societies and Belonging, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa.
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Wisdom Basera
- Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Edward Nicol
- Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Health Systems and Public Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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Van Cutsem G, Siewe Fodjo JN, Hadermann A, Amaral LJ, Trevisan C, Pion S, Colebunders R. Onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy: Charting a path forward. Seizure 2024:S1059-1311(24)00123-7. [PMID: 38677953 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2024.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
This narrative review intends to inform neurologists and public health professionals about Onchocerciasis-Associated Epilepsy (OAE), a neglected public health problem in many remote onchocerciasis-endemic areas. For epidemiological purposes, we define OAE as sudden-onset of convulsive and non-convulsive seizure types, including head nodding seizures (nodding syndrome) in a previously healthy child aged 3 to 18 years in the absence of any other obvious cause for epilepsy, all happening within an area with high ongoing Onchocerca volvulus transmission. Several OAE pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed, but none has been proven yet. Recent population-based studies showed that strengthening onchocerciasis elimination programs was followed by a significant reduction in the incidence of OAE and nodding syndrome. Treating epilepsy in onchocerciasis-endemic regions is challenging. More advocacy is needed to provide uninterrupted, free access to anti-seizure medication to persons with epilepsy in these remote, impoverished areas. It is crucial todevelop policies and increase funding for the prevention and treatment of OAE to reduce the associated burden of disease, notably via the establishment of morbidity management and disability prevention programs (MMDP). Moreover, effective collaboration between onchocerciasis elimination and mental health programs is imperative to alleviate the burden of OAE. This synergy promises reciprocal advantages and underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to address this multifaceted challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Van Cutsem
- Department of Neurology, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Luxembourg; Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg; Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - J N Siewe Fodjo
- Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - A Hadermann
- Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - L-J Amaral
- Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - C Trevisan
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - S Pion
- Institute of Research for Sustainable Development, Montpelier, France
| | - R Colebunders
- Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
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Kennedy CE, Yeh PT, Fonner VA, Armstrong KA, Denison JA, O'Reilly KR, Sweat MD. The Evidence Project: Protocol for Systematic Reviews of Behavioral Interventions and Behavioral Aspects of Biomedical Interventions for HIV Prevention, Treatment, and Health Service Delivery in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. AIDS EDUCATION AND PREVENTION : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR AIDS EDUCATION 2024; 36:87-102. [PMID: 38648175 DOI: 10.1521/aeap.2024.36.2.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
The Evidence Project conducts systematic reviews and meta-analyses of HIV behavioral interventions, behavioral aspects of biomedical interventions, combination prevention strategies, modes of service delivery, and integrated programs in low- and middle-income countries. Here, we present the overall protocol for our reviews. For each topic, we conduct a comprehensive search of five online databases, complemented by secondary reference searching. Articles are included if they are published in peer-reviewed journals and present pre/post or multi-arm data on outcomes of interest. Data are extracted from each included article by two trained coders working independently using standardized coding forms, with differences resolved by consensus. Risk of bias is assessed with the Evidence Project tool. Data are synthesized descriptively, and meta-analysis is conducted when there are similarly measured outcomes across studies. For over 20 years, this approach has allowed us to synthesize literature on the effectiveness of interventions and contribute to the global HIV response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E Kennedy
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ping Teresa Yeh
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Virginia A Fonner
- Global Health and Population Research, FHI360, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Julie A Denison
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kevin R O'Reilly
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Michael D Sweat
- Global Health and Population Research, FHI360, Durham, North Carolina
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Pitpitan EV, Horvath KJ, Aldous J, Stockman JK, Patterson TL, Liang M, Barrozo C, Moore V, Penninga K, Smith LR. Peers plus mobile app for treatment in HIV (PATH): protocol for a randomized controlled trial to test a community-based integrated peer support and mHealth intervention to improve viral suppression among Hispanic and Black people living with HIV. Trials 2024; 25:212. [PMID: 38520030 PMCID: PMC10958824 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08042-8] [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: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Significant disparities continue to exist in the HIV care continuum, whereby Hispanic and Black people living with HIV (PLWH) are less likely to achieve viral suppression compared to their White counterparts. Studies have shown that intervention approaches that involve peer navigation may play an important role in supporting patients to stay engaged in HIV care. However, implementation may be challenging in real-world settings where there are limited resources to support peer navigators. Combining a peer navigation approach with scalable mobile health (mHealth) technology may improve impact and implementation outcomes. METHODS We combined a peer navigation intervention with a mHealth application and are conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the efficacy of this integrated "Peers plus mobile App for Treatment in HIV" (PATH) intervention to improve HIV care engagement, and ultimately sustained viral suppression, among Hispanic and Black PLWH. We will enroll up to 375 PLWH into a two-arm prospective RCT, conducting follow-up assessments every 3 months up to 12 months post-baseline. Participants randomized to the control arm will continue to receive usual care Ryan White Program case management services. Individuals randomized to receive the PATH intervention will receive usual care plus access to two main intervention components: (1) a peer navigation program and (2) a mHealth web application. The primary outcome is sustained HIV viral suppression (undetectable viral load observed at 6- and 12-month follow-up). Secondary outcomes are retention in HIV care, gaps in HIV medical visits, and self-reported ART adherence. Recruitment for the RCT began in November 2021 and will continue until June 2024. Follow-up assessments and medical chart abstractions will be conducted to collect measurements of outcome variables. DISCUSSION The efficacy trial of PATH will help to fill gaps in our scientific understanding of how a combined peer navigation and mHealth approach may produce effects on HIV care outcomes while addressing potential implementation challenges of peer navigation in Ryan White-funded clinics. TRIAL REGISTRATION The PATH trial is registered at the United States National Institutes of Health National Library of Medicine (ClinicalTrials.gov) under ID # NCT05427318 . Registered on 22 June 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen V Pitpitan
- School of Social Work, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA.
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA.
| | - Keith J Horvath
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA
| | | | - Jamila K Stockman
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Thomas L Patterson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Megan Liang
- San Diego State University Research Foundation, San Diego, USA
| | | | | | | | - Laramie R Smith
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 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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Buh A, Deonandan R, Gomes J, Krentel A, Oladimeji O, Yaya S. Barriers and facilitators for interventions to improve ART adherence in Sub-Saharan African countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295046. [PMID: 38032918 PMCID: PMC10688728 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The HIV/AIDS pandemic remains a significant public health issue, with sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) at its epicentre. Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been introduced to decrease new infections and deaths, SSA reports the highest incidence of HIV/AIDS, constituting two-thirds of the global new infections. This review aimed to elucidate the predominant barriers and facilitators influencing ART adherence and to identify effective strategies to enhance ART adherence across SSA. METHODS A comprehensive review was conducted on studies examining barriers to ART adherence and interventions to boost adherence among HIV-positive adults aged 15 and above in SSA, published from January 2010 onwards. The research utilized databases like Medline Ovid, CINAHL, Embase, and Scopus. Included were experimental and quasi-experimental studies, randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, comparative before and after studies, and observational studies such as cross-sectional, cohort, prospective and retrospective studies. Two independent reviewers screened the articles, extracted pertinent data, and evaluated the studies' methodological integrity using Joanna Briggs Institute's standardized appraisal tools. The compiled data underwent both meta-analysis and narrative synthesis. RESULTS From an initial pool of 12,538 papers, 45 were selected (30 for narrative synthesis and 15 for meta-analysis). The identified barriers and facilitators to ART adherence were categorized into seven principal factors: patient-related, health system-related, medication-related, stigma, poor mental health, socioeconomic and socio-cultural-related factors. Noteworthy interventions enhancing ART adherence encompassed counselling, incentives, mobile phone short message service (SMS), peer delivered behavioural intervention, community ART delivery intervention, electronic adherence service monitoring device, lay health worker lead group intervention and food assistance. The meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in ART adherence between the intervention and control groups (pooled OR = 1.56, 95%CI:1.35-1.80, p = <0.01), with evidence of low none statistically significant heterogeneity between studies (I2 = 0%, p = 0.49). CONCLUSION ART adherence in SSA is influenced by seven key factors. Multiple interventions, either standalone or combined, have shown effectiveness in enhancing ART adherence. To optimize ART's impact and mitigate HIV's prevalence in SSA, stakeholders must consider these barriers, facilitators, and interventions when formulating policies or treatment modalities. For sustained positive ART outcomes, future research should target specific underrepresented groups like HIV-infected children, adolescents, and pregnant women in SSA to further delve into the barriers, facilitators and interventions promoting ART adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amos Buh
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Raywat Deonandan
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - James Gomes
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alison Krentel
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Olanrewaju Oladimeji
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sanni Yaya
- School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Mesic A, Homan T, Lenglet A, Thit P, Mar HT, Sabai SM, Thandar MP, Thwe TT, Kyaw AA, Decroo T, Spina A, Ariti C, Ritmeijer K, Van Olmen J, Oo HN, Lynen L. Advanced HIV disease and associated attrition after re-engagement in HIV care in Myanmar from 2003 to 2019: a retrospective cohort study. Int Health 2023; 15:453-461. [PMID: 36318805 PMCID: PMC10318975 DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihac069] [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: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The burden of advanced HIV disease (AHD) and predictors of outcomes among people living with HIV (PLHIV) re-engaging in care are not well known. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of PLHIV who re-engaged in care after being lost to follow-up (LFU), from 2003 to 2019, in Myanmar. We calculated the incidence rates of attrition after re-engagement and performed Cox regression to identify risk factors for attrition. RESULTS Of 44 131 PLHIV who started antiretroviral treatment, 12 338 (28.0%) were LFU at least once: 7608 (61.6%) re-engaged in care, 4672 (61.4%) with AHD at re-engagement. The death and LFU rates were 2.21-fold (95% CI 1.82 to 2.67) and 1.46-fold (95% CI 1.33 to 1.61) higher among patients who re-engaged with AHD (p>0.001). Death in patients who re-engaged with AHD was associated with male sex (adjusted HR [aHR] 2.63; 95% CI 1.31 to 5.26; p=0.006), TB coinfection (aHR 2.26; 95% CI 1.23 to 4.14; p=0.008) and sex work (aHR 7.49, 95% CI 2.29 to 22.52; p<0.001). History of intravenous drug use was identified as a predictor of being LFU. CONCLUSIONS Re-engagement in HIV care in Myanmar is frequent and those who re-engage carry a high burden of AHD. As AHD at re-engagement is associated with higher attrition rates, implementation of differentiated interventions that enable earlier linkage to care and prompt identification and management of AHD in this population is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Mesic
- Corresponding author: Tel: +31(0)657879595; E-mail:
| | - Tobias Homan
- Médecins Sans Frontières, No 5/59, Ayeyadanar Street, Thirigon Villa, Waizayandar Road, Thingangyun Township, 11071, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Annick Lenglet
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Public Health Department, Plantage Middenlaan 14, 1001DD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Phone Thit
- Médecins Sans Frontières, No 5/59, Ayeyadanar Street, Thirigon Villa, Waizayandar Road, Thingangyun Township, 11071, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Htay Thet Mar
- Médecins Sans Frontières, No 5/59, Ayeyadanar Street, Thirigon Villa, Waizayandar Road, Thingangyun Township, 11071, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Saw Myat Sabai
- Médecins Sans Frontières, No 5/59, Ayeyadanar Street, Thirigon Villa, Waizayandar Road, Thingangyun Township, 11071, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Moe Pyae Thandar
- Médecins Sans Frontières, No 5/59, Ayeyadanar Street, Thirigon Villa, Waizayandar Road, Thingangyun Township, 11071, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Thin Thin Thwe
- Médecins Sans Frontières, No 5/59, Ayeyadanar Street, Thirigon Villa, Waizayandar Road, Thingangyun Township, 11071, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Aung Aung Kyaw
- Médecins Sans Frontières, No 5/59, Ayeyadanar Street, Thirigon Villa, Waizayandar Road, Thingangyun Township, 11071, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Tom Decroo
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Kronenburgstraat 43, 2000, Antwerpen, Belgium
- Research Foundation Flanders, Egmontstraat 5, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alexander Spina
- University of Exeter Medical School, Heavitree Road, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Cono Ariti
- Centre for Trials Research, Cardiff University Medical School, Heath Park Cardiff, CF14 4XN, Cardiff, UK
| | - Koert Ritmeijer
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Public Health Department, Plantage Middenlaan 14, 1001DD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Josefien Van Olmen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Kronenburgstraat 43, 2000, Antwerpen, Belgium
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Doornstraat 331 2610, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Htun Nyunt Oo
- Ministry of Health and Sports, National AIDS Programme, Office No. 47, 15011, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
| | - Lutgarde Lynen
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Doornstraat 331 2610, Antwerpen, Belgium
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12
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Hlongwa M, Moyo E, Dzinamarira T. Approaches for improving linkage to HIV care among HIV self-testing individuals in sub-Saharan Africa. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e012664. [PMID: 37451688 PMCID: PMC10351227 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mbuzeleni Hlongwa
- Public Health, Societies and Belonging, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
- School of Nursing and Public Health Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Enos Moyo
- Medical Centre Oshakati, Oshakati, Namibia
| | - Tafadzwa Dzinamarira
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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13
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Hardiawan D, Juwita MN, Vadra J, Prawiranegara R, Mambea IY, Wisaksana R, Handayani M, Subronto YW, Kusmayanti NA, Januraga P, Sukmaningrum E, Nurhayati, Prameswari HD, Sulaiman N, Siregar AYM. Cost of improved test and treat strategies in Indonesia. AIDS 2023; 37:1189-1201. [PMID: 36927656 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003547] [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] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate and compare the cost of improved test and treat strategies in Indonesia under HIV Awal (Early) Testing and Treatment Indonesia (HATI) implementation trial in community-based and hospital-based clinics. DESIGN The cost and outcome [i.e. CD4 + cell count] and viral load (VL) at the beginning of interventions and their change overtime) analysis of Simplifying ART Initiation (SAI), Community-based Organization and community-based ART Service (CBO), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Oral Fluid-based Testing (OFT), and Short Message Service (SMS) reminder in community-based and hospital-based clinics in 2018-2019. METHOD We estimated the total and unit costs per patient (under HATI implementation trial interventions) per year from societal perspective in various settings, including costs from patients' perspective for SAI and MI. We also analyzed the outcome variables (i.e. CD4 + cell count and VL at the beginning of each intervention, the change in CD4 + cell count and VL over time, and adherence rate). RESULT The unit cost per patient per year of SAI and SMS were lower at the community-based clinics, and more patients visited community-based clinics. The cost per patient visit from patient perspective for SAI and MI was mostly lower than 10% of the patients' household monthly expenditure. Average CD4 + cell count was higher and average VL was lower at the start of interventions at the community-based clinics, while average CD4 + cell count and VL changes and adherence rate were similar between the two types of clinics. CONCLUSION Community-based clinics hold the potential for scaling up the interventions as it costs less from societal perspective and showed better outcome improvement during the HATI implementation trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donny Hardiawan
- Center for Economics and Development Studies (CEDS), Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Padjadjaran
| | - Mery N Juwita
- Center for Economics and Development Studies (CEDS), Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Padjadjaran
| | - Jorghi Vadra
- Center for Economics and Development Studies (CEDS), Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Padjadjaran
| | - Rozar Prawiranegara
- Center for Economics and Development Studies (CEDS), Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Padjadjaran
| | - Indra Y Mambea
- Center for Economics and Development Studies (CEDS), Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Padjadjaran
| | - Rudi Wisaksana
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran/Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung
- Research Centre for Care and Control of Infectious Disease, Universitas Padjadjaran
| | - Miasari Handayani
- Research Centre for Care and Control of Infectious Disease, Universitas Padjadjaran
| | - Yanri W Subronto
- Center for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada
| | - Nur A Kusmayanti
- Center for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada
| | - Pande Januraga
- Center for Public Health Innovation, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University
| | - Evi Sukmaningrum
- University Center of Excellence - AIDS Research Center Health Policy and Social Innovation, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia
| | - Nurhayati
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia
| | | | | | - Adiatma Y M Siregar
- Center for Economics and Development Studies (CEDS), Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Padjadjaran
- Center for Health Technology Assessment (CHTA), Universitas Padjadjaran
- West Java Development Institute (INJABAR), Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia
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14
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Arreola S, Santos GM, Solares D, Tohme J, Ayala G. Barriers to and enablers of the HIV services continuum among gay and bisexual men worldwide: Findings from the Global Men's Health and Rights Study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281578. [PMID: 37141206 PMCID: PMC10159196 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess ecological, structural, community and individual level correlates of health services utilization along a continuum of HIV care, and sexual health and support services among gay and bisexual men worldwide. METHODS Using a nonprobability internet sample of 6,135 gay and bisexual men, we assessed correlates of utilization of health services. Chi-Square Tests of Independence were performed to assess drop off along a continuum of HIV care. Multivariable logistic regression analyses using generalized estimating equation models were conducted adjusting for geographic region and clustering by country. In multivariable analyses, we determined the association between utilization outcomes, and ecologic, structural, community and individual correlates by fitting separate generalized estimating equation (GEE) logistic regression models for each of the outcomes, fitted with robust SEs, and accounting for clustering by country. Stratified by sexual identity, analyses adjusted for variables that could influence HIV-related health outcomes including racial/ethnic minority status, participant age, insurance, ability to make ends meet, as well as country-level income (income of country of residence defined by the World Bank). RESULTS Among men living with HIV (n = 1001), being in HIV care (n = 867) was associated with being on ART (X2 = 191.17, p < .001), and viral load suppression (X2 = 14.03, p < .001); and using ART (n = 840) was associated viral load suppression (X2 = 21.66, p < .001). Overall, the pattern of utilization outcomes were similar for both gay and bisexual men. For example, utilization of PrEP, being in HIV care and utilization of most of the sexual health and support services were negatively associated with sexual stigma. Whereas, utilization of most HIV prevention, and sexual health and support services were positively associated with provider discrimination. Utilization of all HIV prevention and all sexual health services were positively associated with greater community engagement, and receiving services from LGBT-led organizations. Bisexual men had higher odds of reporting provider discrimination when utilizing condom services (gay: AOR = 1.14, [0.95-1.36]; bisexual: 1.58, [1.10-2.28]), PrEP (gay: AOR = 1.06, [0.77-1.45]; bisexual: AOR = 2.14, [1.18-3.89], mental health services (gay: AOR = 1.03, [0.86-1.23]; bisexual: AOR = 1.32, [1.07-1.64]), and community-based support (gay: AOR = 1.23, [1.05-1.45]; bisexual: AOR = 1.49, [1.14-1.93]) than gay men. Bisexual men also reported higher odds of accessing services from LGBT-led organizations when utilizing PrEP (gay: AOR = 5.26, [2.50-11.05]; bisexual: AOR = 7.12, [3.16-16.04]), and community-based support/self-help groups/individual counseling (gay: AOR = 2.63, [1.72-4.01]; bisexual: AOR = 3.35, [2.30-4.88]. CONCLUSIONS It is essential that barriers to health services utilization be addressed at structural and community levels. Structural interventions should be designed to reduce sexual stigma, as well as train and sensitize healthcare providers; and strengthen community level interventions that bring gay and bisexual men together to lead comprehensive health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonya Arreola
- Division of Prevention Science, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Arreola Research, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Glenn-Milo Santos
- Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Diego Solares
- Consultant for MPact Global Action, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Johnny Tohme
- MPact, Oakland, California, United States of America
| | - George Ayala
- Alameda County Department of Public Health, Oakland, California, United States of America
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15
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Milward de Azevedo Meiners MM, Araújo Cruz I, de Toledo MI. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy and viral suppression: Analysis of three periods between 2011 and 2017 at an HIV-AIDS center, Brazil. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1122018. [PMID: 37063259 PMCID: PMC10102605 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1122018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The increased effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the last 30 years is a scientific landmark, and viral suppression is directly associated with treatment adherence. The aim of this study was to compare the results of ART adherence and viral load suppression with the evolution of the protocols and other associated factors, in people living with HIV. A panel analysis of three descriptive longitudinal studies investigating ART adherence and viral load suppression was conducted in people with HIV treated at a drug dispensing unit in the Federal District. The studies were carried out during periods of 2011, 2013, and 2017, coinciding with the three different recommended treatment schemes for the country. Adherence was assessed using drug dispensing records. Viral load data were obtained from the Ministry of Healthʼs Laboratory Examination Information System. Analysis of the data of 522 individuals in the three periods showed sociodemographic differences such as a decline in the percentage of women (from 33% in period 1 to 4% in period 3) and an increase in the percentage of young people. ART adherence was higher in period 2 (tenofovir/lamivudine/efavirenz scheme). Viral load suppression was greater in period 3 (tenofovir/lamivudine/dolutegravir scheme). The relative detectable viral load risk was nearly two-fold higher (RR 1.83) in people living with HIV with less than 80% adherence when compared to those above 80%. With respect to the different schemes recommended in Brazil during the periods studied, ART containing dolutegravir was the most effective in achieving viral load suppression. By contrast, there was better ART adherence in the daily combined fixed dose consisting of tenofovir/lamivudine/efavirenz in tablet form. Adherence to ART above 80% seemed to be enough to promote an effective treatment in therapeutic schemes including efavirenz or dolutegravir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micheline Marie Milward de Azevedo Meiners
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- Curso de Farmácia e Grupo de Pesquisa Acesso a Medicamentos e Uso Responsável (AMUR), Faculdade de Ceilândia, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Micheline Marie Milward de Azevedo Meiners,
| | - Igor Araújo Cruz
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Maria Inês de Toledo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
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16
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Lujintanon S, Amatavete S, Leenasirimakul P, Meechure J, Noopetch P, Sangtong S, Sittikarn S, Phoopisutthisak P, Seekaew P, Mills S, Phanuphak P, Ramautarsing RA, Phanuphak N. Acceptability and retention of the key population-led HIV treatment service for men who have sex with men and transgender women living with HIV in Thailand. J Int AIDS Soc 2023; 26:e26062. [PMID: 36757793 PMCID: PMC9910427 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In Thailand, where the HIV epidemic is concentrated among key populations (KPs), particularly men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW), an HIV service delivery model tailored to KPs was piloted. This study evaluated the acceptability and retention of clients who accepted and declined the KP-led HIV treatment service. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted using secondary data from three community-based organizations (CBOs) and three hospitals in Thailand. KP lay providers were trained to lead HIV treatment service in which MSM and TGW living with HIV received counselling and a 3-month antiretroviral therapy (ART) supply at CBOs. Thai MSM and TGW who were at least 18 years, on ART for at least 6-12 months, without co-morbidities/co-infections, and virally suppressed were eligible and offered the service. Those who declined received ART via other service models offered by the hospitals and served as a comparison group. RESULTS Of 220 clients screened between February 2019 and February 2020, 72% (159/220) were eligible of which 146 were MSM and 13 were TGW. Overall, 45% (72/159) accepted the KP-led service. Of those who declined, 98% (85/87) preferred to see the physician at the hospital. After 12 months of follow-up, among those accepted, 57% were in care at the CBO, 32% were referred back to and in care in other service models offered by the hospital, 10% were successfully transferred out to other hospital and 1% were lost to follow-up (LTFU); among those declined, 92% were in care in any service models offered by the hospital, 5% were successfully transferred out to other hospital, 2% were LTFU and 1% died (p-value<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Despite moderate acceptability and retention in care at the CBO among the clients accepting the KP-led service, almost all clients were engaged in care overall. Multiple service models that meet the preferences and needs of KPs living with HIV should be available to optimize engagement in care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sita Lujintanon
- Department of EpidemiologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA,Institute of HIV Research and InnovationBangkokThailand
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Pich Seekaew
- Institute of HIV Research and InnovationBangkokThailand,Department of EpidemiologyColumbia University Mailman School of Public HealthNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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17
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Shi F, Zhang J, Yang X, Sun X, Li Z, Zeng C, Ning H, Weissman S, Olatosi B, Li X. Moderation effect of community health on the relationship between racial/ethnic residential segregation and HIV viral suppression in South Carolina: A county-level longitudinal study from 2013 to 2018. Front Public Health 2023; 10:1013967. [PMID: 36699939 PMCID: PMC9868955 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1013967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Viral suppression is the ultimate goal of the HIV treatment cascade and a primary endpoint of antiretroviral therapy. Empirical evidence found racial/ethnic disparities in viral suppression among people living with HIV (PWH), but the evidence of the relationship between racial/ethnic residential segregation and place-based viral suppression is scarce. Further exploring potential structural moderators in this relationship has substantial implications for healthcare policymaking and resource allocation. The current study aimed to investigate the spatial-temporal disparities in the HIV viral suppression rate across 46 counties in South Carolina from 2013 to 2018. We also examined the impact of racial/ethnic residential segregation and the moderation effect of community health, one measurement of community engagement and volunteerism. Methods The proportion of PWH who achieved viral suppression for each county and calendar year was calculated using de-identified electronic medical records. The isolation index was calculated and used to measure racial/ethnic residential segregation. The community health index and other county-level factors were directly extracted from multiple publicly available datasets. We used geospatial mapping to explore the spatial-temporal variations of HIV viral suppression rates. Hierarchical quasi-binominal regression models were used to examine the impacts of racial/ethnic residential segregation on county-level viral suppression rate by the extent of community health. Results From 2013 to 2018, the average viral suppression rate across 46 counties in SC increased from 64.3% to 65.4%. Regression results revealed that counties with high racial/ethnic residential segregation were more likely to have a low viral suppression rate (β = -0.56, 95% CI: -0.75 to -0.37). In counties with high levels of community health, the impact of racial/ethnic residential segregation on viral suppression rate decreased as compared with those with low levels of community health (β = 5.50, 95% CI: 0.95-10.05). Conclusions Racial/ethnic residential segregation acts as a structural barrier to placed-based viral suppression rates and compromises the goal of the HIV treatment cascade. Concentrated and sustained county-level interventions aiming to improve community health can be practical approaches to promote health equity in HIV treatment and care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanghui Shi
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States,Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States,Big Data Science Center (BDHSC), University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States,*Correspondence: Fanghui Shi ✉
| | - Jiajia Zhang
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States,Big Data Science Center (BDHSC), University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Xueying Yang
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States,Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States,Big Data Science Center (BDHSC), University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Xiaowen Sun
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States,Big Data Science Center (BDHSC), University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Zhenlong Li
- Big Data Science Center (BDHSC), University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States,Geoinformation and Big Data Research Lab, Department of Geography, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Chengbo Zeng
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States,Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States,Big Data Science Center (BDHSC), University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Huan Ning
- Big Data Science Center (BDHSC), University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States,Geoinformation and Big Data Research Lab, Department of Geography, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Sharon Weissman
- Big Data Science Center (BDHSC), University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States,School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Bankole Olatosi
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States,Big Data Science Center (BDHSC), University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States,Department of Health Services, Policy, and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Xiaoming Li
- South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States,Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States,Big Data Science Center (BDHSC), University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
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18
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Linkage to HIV Care Following HIV Self-testing Among Men: Systematic Review of Quantitative and Qualitative Studies from Six Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:651-666. [PMID: 36094641 PMCID: PMC9466308 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03800-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Gender disparities are pervasive throughout the HIV care continuum in sub-Saharan Africa, with men testing, receiving treatment, and achieving viral suppression at lower rates, and experiencing mortality at higher rates, compared with women. HIV self-testing (HIVST) has been shown to be highly acceptable among men in sub-Saharan Africa. However, evidence on linkage to HIV care following a reactive HIVST result is limited. In this systematic review, we aimed to synthesize the quantitative and qualitative literature from sub-Saharan Africa on men's rates of linkage to HIV care after receiving a reactive HIVST result. We systematically searched 14 bibliometric databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) flow diagram was used to document the screening results. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Of 22,446 references screened, 15 articles were eligible for inclusion in this review. Linkage to HIV care following a reactive HIVST result was subject to several barriers: financial constraints due to travelling costs, potential long waiting hours at the clinics, stigma, discrimination, and privacy concerns. Men's rates of seeking confirmatory testing and linking to HIV care following a reactive HIVST result were inconsistent across studies. Combining financial incentives with HIVST was found to increase the likelihood of linking to HIV care following a reactive HIVST result. The variable rates of linkage to HIV care following a reactive HIVST result suggest a need for further research and development into strategies to increase linkage to HIV care.
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Mukumbwa-Mwenechanya M, Mubiana M, Somwe P, Zyambo K, Simwenda M, Zongwe N, Kalunkumya E, Mwango LK, Rabkin M, Mpesela F, Chungu F, Mwanza F, Preko P, Bolton-Moore C, Bosomprah S, Sharma A, Morton K, Kasonde P, Mulenga L, Lingu P, Mulenga PL. Integrating isoniazid preventive therapy into the fast-track HIV treatment model in urban Zambia: A proof-of -concept pilot project. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0000909. [PMID: 36962979 PMCID: PMC10021523 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
Most people living with HIV (PLHIV) established on treatment in Zambia receive multi-month prescribing and dispensing (MMSD) antiretroviral therapy (ART) and are enrolled in less-intensive differentiated service delivery (DSD) models such as Fast Track (FT), where clients collect ART every 3-6 months and make clinical visits every 6 months. In 2019, Zambia introduced Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) with scheduled visits at 2 weeks and 1, 3, and 6 months. Asynchronous IPT and HIV appointment schedules were inconvenient and not client centered. In response, we piloted integrated MMSD/IPT in FT HIV treatment model. We implemented and evaluated a proof-of-concept project at one purposively selected high-volume facility in Lusaka, Zambia between July 2019 and May 2020. We sensitized stakeholders, adapted training materials, standard operating procedures, and screened adults in FT for TB as per national guidelines. Participants received structured TB/IPT education, 6-month supply of isoniazid and ART, aligned 6th month IPT/MMSD clinic appointment, and phone appointments at 2 weeks and months 1-5 following IPT initiation. We used descriptive statistics to characterize IPT completion rates, phone appointment keeping, side effect frequency and Fisher's exact test to determine variation by participant characteristics. Key lessons learned were synthesized from monthly meeting notes. 1,167 clients were screened with 818 (70.1%) enrolled, two thirds (66%) were female and median age 42 years. 738 (90.2%) completed 6-month IPT course and 66 (8.1%) reported IPT-related side effects. 539 clients (65.9%) attended all 7 telephone appointments. There were insignificant differences of outcomes by age or sex. Lessons learnt included promoting project ownership, client empowerment, securing supply chain, adapting existing processes, and cultivating collaborative structured learning. Integrating multi-month dispensing and telephone follow up of IPT into the FT HIV treatment model is a promising approach to scaling-up TB preventive treatment among PLHIV, although limited by barriers to consistent phone access.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Muhau Mubiana
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Paul Somwe
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Miriam Rabkin
- ICAP at Columbia University and Departments of Medicine & Epidemiology, New York, New York, United States of America
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Fred Chungu
- Network of Zambian People Living with HIV, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Felix Mwanza
- Treatment Advocacy and Literacy Campaign, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Peter Preko
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - Carolyn Bolton-Moore
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Samuel Bosomprah
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Anjali Sharma
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
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Factors associated with ART adherence among HIV-positive adherence club members in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa: A cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277039. [PMID: 36318541 PMCID: PMC9624407 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in South Africa that can be managed using antiretroviral therapy (ART). Adherence clubs are interventions that have been introduced to decentralize ART to improve ART adherence and provide social support for club members. However, ART adherence can be suboptimal even among adherence club members. AIM This study aimed to determine the factors affecting ART adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) attending adherence clubs in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted. Ordinal logistic regression was used in univariable and multivariable analyses to determine factors significantly associated with adherence scores. Factors included in the final model were age, comorbidity, ART regimen and club membership duration. RESULTS The records of 730 participants were analysed. After adjusting for age, participants with comorbidities were half as likely to report high ART adherence scores compared to participants without comorbidities (AOR = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3-0.8, p = 0.005). The adjusted odds of reporting high levels of adherence among participants on cART were 1.8 times those on a single tablet regimen (AOR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.0-3.2; p = 0.033). There was a 20% reduction in the adjusted odds of reporting high ART adherence for each additional year of adherence club membership (AOR = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.8-0.9, p<0.001). CONCLUSION Increasing years spent as adherence club members, single tablet ART regimens and the presence of comorbidities were all significantly associated with low ART adherence among study participants. Regular assessment of the quality of counselling sessions for ART adherence club members and questionnaires for early screening of treatment fatigue have been suggested as tools for improved adherence in ART adherence club settings.
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21
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Mandawa MB, Mahiti GR. Factors Contributing to Loss to Follow-Up from HIV Care Among Men Living with HIV/AIDS in Kibaha District, Tanzania. HIV/AIDS - RESEARCH AND PALLIATIVE CARE 2022; 14:503-516. [PMID: 36389001 PMCID: PMC9656329 DOI: 10.2147/hiv.s381204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) remains a global public health challenge and epidemic disease in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Retention in HIV care should be emphasized to reach”, 95-95-95” the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) target by 2030. In Tanzania, in spite of existing strategies to ensure retention, loss to follow-up (LTFU) among HIV-infected men is still a common challenge. With limited studies focusing on men’s population, little is known on their perspectives on factors contributing to LTFU. This study aimed to explore factors contributing to LTFU among men living with HIV/AIDS in the Kibaha district and to try to formulate strategies that work for men. Methods The qualitative study using a phenomenological approach was conducted among 16 men with experience in LTFU from three HIV care and treatment clinics located in the Kibaha district. Purposive sampling was used to select informants for semi-structured in-depth interviews from August to December, 2021. The collected data was analyzed thematically. Results The findings were grouped into three themes which highlightedthe contribution of individual factors, socio-economic factors and health system factors. These factors include anticipated HIV-related stigma, lack of disclosure of their HIV status to their partners, poor knowledge on HIV care, unbearable antiretroviral (ART) medication side effects, sharing of ART medications with their partners, perceived good health status, financial difficulties, work-related travels, demanding employment schedules, spiritual belief in faith healing, poor conduct among healthcare workers and loss of Care and Treatment Clinic (CTC) cards hindered their use of ART services at clinics. Conclusion The findings from this study revealed linked multi-level factors that influence LTFU from HIV care among HIV-infected men. In order to retain men in HIV care, tailored intervention approaches should be formulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew Bernard Mandawa
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
- Correspondence: Mathew Bernard Mandawa, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O Box 65001, Da-es-Salaam, Tanzania, Tel +255 654 452 445, Email
| | - Gladys Reuben Mahiti
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
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22
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Kasande M, Taremwa M, Tusimiirwe H, Lamulatu K, Amanyire M, Nakidde G, Kabami J. Experiences and Perceptions on Community Client-Led ART Delivery (CCLADS) Model of Antiretroviral (ART) Delivery: Patients’ and Providers’ Perspectives in South Western Uganda. HIV/AIDS - RESEARCH AND PALLIATIVE CARE 2022; 14:539-551. [PMID: 36425751 PMCID: PMC9680673 DOI: 10.2147/hiv.s387190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Community Client-Led ART Delivery groups (CCLADS) were introduced as part of the differentiated service delivery models in 2017 to better serve growing number of HIV patients and reduce unnecessary burden on the HIV care delivery system. However, there is limited evidence on the exact patients’ and care providers’ experiences and perceptions regarding the CCLADS model of ART delivery. We therefore aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions on CCLADS model from the patient and provider perspectives. Participants and Methods A descriptive qualitative study was conducted at two ART clinics in Southwestern Uganda. We conducted in-depth interviews (IDI) to get a deeper understanding of the patient and providers’ perspective regarding the model. Responses from participants were recorded using audio recorders and were translated and transcribed. We used thematic approach to analyze the data. Results A total of 20 in depth interviews were conducted, with providers, CCLAD leaders and Adults Living with HIV (ALHIV) to assess the experiences and perceptions to participation among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) enrolled in CCLADS and the care providers. Key themes included benefits, limitations, experiences and perceptions of CCLADS. Benefits to ALHIV included: Longer refills, reduced transport costs, receive drugs in time, peer advice; to providers: time saving, less tiresome and reduced congestion at facility. Barriers included: stigma, limited outreaches, failure to comply. Patients perceived the model positively (cost effective, improved quality care, no missed appointment where as others were negative (blood samples not taken like before). Experiences also included enough time, learnt some activities and good adherence. Conclusion Participation in the CCLADS groups provides several benefits to the patient including reduced transport, longer refills and good adherence. Stigma remains a challenge to CCLADS participation, which requires innovative and collaborative strategies from Ministry of Health (MOH) and implementation partners to address in order to sustain CCLADS participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meble Kasande
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara city, Uganda
| | - Michael Taremwa
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara city, Uganda
| | - Happiness Tusimiirwe
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara city, Uganda
| | - Kabiite Lamulatu
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara city, Uganda
| | - Mark Amanyire
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara city, Uganda
| | - Gladys Nakidde
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara city, Uganda
| | - Jane Kabami
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara city, Uganda
- Department of Nursing, Kabale University School of Medicine, Kabale, Uganda
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
- Correspondence: Jane Kabami, Tel +256706315810, Email
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Ndenkeh JJN, Bowring AL, Njindam IM, Folem RD, Fako GCH, Ngueguim FG, Gayou OL, Lepawa K, Minka CM, Batoum CM, Georges S, Temgoua E, Nzima V, Kob DA, Akiy ZZ, Philbrick W, Levitt D, Curry D, Baral S. HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Uptake and Continuation Among Key Populations in Cameroon: Lessons Learned From the CHAMP Program. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2022; 91:39-46. [PMID: 35536113 PMCID: PMC9377496 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is proven to be a highly effective HIV prevention method for key populations. However, its scale-up in resource-limited settings remains suboptimal. This paper seeks to describe PrEP initiation and continuation among key populations in Cameroon. METHODOLOGY From June 2019 through October 2020, we collected routine program data on PrEP uptake and continuation among female sex workers (FSWs) and men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Continuum of prevention, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS with Most-at-risk Populations (CHAMP) program in Cameroon. PrEP was offered to clients who tested negative for HIV and were assessed to potentially benefit from PrEP. Using survival analysis, we identified factors associated with PrEP discontinuation over time with significance set at 5%. RESULTS Overall, 27,750 clients were sensitized for PrEP of whom 3,138 persons were eligible to start PrEP and 1,409 (45%; FSW: 691 and MSM: 718) initiated PrEP. The PrEP continuation rate was 37% at 3 months, 28% at 6 months and 19% at 12 months. PrEP discontinuation was significantly higher among FSW than MSM [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.5 (95% CI: 1.2 to 1.9)] in Yaounde [aHR 1.5 (95% CI: 1.2 to 1.9)] and Bafoussam/Bertoua [aHR 3.1 (2.2-4.5)] relative to Douala. Discontinuation was lower among those with moderate [aHR 0.3 (0.3-0.4)] or good adherence [aHR 0.4 (0.3-0.6)] compared with poor adherence (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Differentiated approaches to deliver PrEP, create demand, and provide more intensive support for adherence and continuation may support scale-up of PrEP in Cameroon for equitable and prolonged impact on HIV prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson Jr Nforbewing Ndenkeh
- Care International in Cameroon, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- CIH Center for International Health, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna L. Bowring
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- John Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kelly Lepawa
- Care and Health Program (CHP), Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | | | | | | | - Edith Temgoua
- National AIDS Control Committee (NACC), Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Valery Nzima
- United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Yaoundé, Cameroon; and
| | - David Anouar Kob
- United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Yaoundé, Cameroon; and
| | - Zacheus Zeh Akiy
- United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Yaoundé, Cameroon; and
| | | | | | | | - Stefan Baral
- John Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
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Shahid M, Bharali I, Hecht R, Yamey G. Approaches to improving the efficiency of HIV programme investments. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:bmjgh-2022-010127. [PMID: 36113892 PMCID: PMC9486198 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-010127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Minahil Shahid
- Center for Policy Impact in Global Health, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ipchita Bharali
- Center for Policy Impact in Global Health, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Robert Hecht
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Gavin Yamey
- Center for Policy Impact in Global Health, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Charles J, Exavery A, Ally A, Mseya R, Mbwambo T, Barankena A, Kyaruzi C, Kikoyo L. Rates and Determinants of Retention on ART Among Orphans and Vulnerable Children Living With HIV in Tanzania. Front Public Health 2022; 10:934412. [PMID: 35968450 PMCID: PMC9366305 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.934412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the global progress in response to HIV and AIDS, notable challenges remain for children, especially identification, linkage, and retention in HIV care and treatment services. To succeed in pediatric HIV programming requires the linkage and retention of the children in those services over time. This study assessed the level of retention to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and its associated factors among orphans and vulnerable children living with HIV (OVCLHIV) in Tanzania. Data were obtained from the USAID Kizazi Kipya project that collected pediatric ART data from October 2017 to October 2019 in 81 district councils of Tanzania. Community-based volunteers supported the linkage and retention of the OVCLHIV on ART. Analysis of on-ART status was conducted in a cohort of OVCLHIV aged 0–20 years enrolled in the project and monitored for 24 months. OVCLHIV who remained on ART until the end of the follow-up period were referred to as “retained,” otherwise, “not retained”. Multivariable analysis was conducted using logistic regression, adjusting for baseline characteristics. Of the 5,304 OVCLHIV analyzed, the mean age was 13.1 years, 51.5% were female, and 72.2% were living with female caregivers. Their overall rate of retention on ART over the 24 months was 86.7%. Multivariable analysis showed that as the higher frequency of home visit by the project staff increased, the likelihood of retention increased by 8% [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.08, 95% CI 1.06–1.11, p < 0.001]. Membership in people living with HIV (PLHIV) support groups was associated with a higher likelihood of retention compared to nonmembership (aOR = 3.31, 95% CI 2.60–4.21, p < 0.001). Children in larger family size were 22% less likely to sustain ART (aOR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.72–0.84, p < 0.001). Urban OVCLHIV were 18% less likely to remain on ART than their rural counterparts (aOR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.69–0.98, p = 0.030). Remaining on ART was 49% more likely for OVC in economically better-off households than those in destitute households (aOR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.22–1.81, p < 0.001). Male OVC were 17% less likely to be retained on ART than their female counterparts (aOR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.71–0.99, p = 0.033). Community-based OVC support resulted in a high pediatric retention rate over the 24 months of follow-up. While key enablers of retention were higher frequency of home visits by the project volunteer, participation in PLHIV support groups, and better economic status, large family sizes, urban place of residence, and male gender of the OVC were barriers. This study brings useful evidence to inform strategies for advancing retention of OVCLHIV on ART for their better health outcomes and overall wellbeing.
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Ibiloye O, Masquillier C, Jwanle P, Van Belle S, van Olmen J, Lynen L, Decroo T. Community-Based ART Service Delivery for Key Populations in Sub-Saharan Africa: Scoping Review of Outcomes Along the Continuum of HIV Care. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:2314-2337. [PMID: 35039936 PMCID: PMC9162992 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03568-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
HIV positive key population (KP) often face health system and social barriers to HIV care. KP include sex workers, men who have sex with men, persons who inject drugs, transgender people, and people in prisons and other closed settings. Community-based ART service delivery (CBART) has the potential to increase access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) and enhance retention in care. This scoping review summarized the evidence on the effect of CBART along the continuum of HIV care among KP in sub-Saharan Africa. We searched Pubmed, Web of Science, Google scholar, and NGO websites for articles published between 2010 and April 2020. We synthesized the involvement of KP community members or lay providers in medical task provision, and outcomes along the continuum of HIV care. Of 3,330 records identified, 66 were eligible for full test screening, out of which 12 were included in the review. CBART for KP was provided through: (a) community drop-in-centres, (b) community drop-in-centres plus mobile team, or (c) community-based health centres. KP were engaged as peer educators and they provided services such as community mobilisation activities for HIV testing and ART, ART adherence counselling, and referral for ART initiation. Across the KP-CBART studies, outcomes in terms of ART uptake, adherence to ART, retention in care and viral suppression were at least as good as those obtained for KP attending facility-based care. KP-CBART was as effective as facility-based care. To achieve the UNAIDS 95–95–95 target in sub-Saharan Africa, national programmes should scale-up KP-CBART to complement facility-based care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olujuwon Ibiloye
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
- APIN Public Health Initiatives, Abuja, Nigeria.
- University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | | | | | | | | | - Lut Lynen
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tom Decroo
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Research Foundation Flanders, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
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Draper BL, Yee WL, Shilton S, Bowring A, Htay H, Nwe N, Markby J, Kyi KP, Easterbrook P, Naing W, Win TM, Aung KS, Howell J, Pedrana A, Hellard M. Feasibility of decentralised, task-shifted hepatitis C testing and treatment services in urban Myanmar: implications for scale-up. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e059639. [PMID: 35504640 PMCID: PMC9066562 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the feasibility considerations for a decentralised, one-stop-shop model of care implemented in Yangon, Myanmar. SETTING Two primary care level clinics in urban Yangon, Myanmar. DESIGN This is a feasibility study of a highly effective care model. Using Intervention Complexity Framework by Gericke et al, we collated and analysed programmatic data and evaluation data to outline key project implementation requirements and experiences. PARTICIPANTS Programmatic data were collected from clinical records, GeneXpert device test and maintenance reports, national guidelines, product and device instructions and site monitoring visit reports. Healthcare providers involved in delivering care model contributed interview data. RESULTS The main feasibility considerations are appropriate storage for test kits and treatments (in response to temperature and humidity requirements), installation of a continuous stable electricity supply for the GeneXpert device, air-conditioning for the laboratory room hosting GeneXpert, access to a laboratory for pretreatment assessments and clear referral pathways for specialist consultation when required. Lessons from our project implementation experiences included the extensive time requirements for patient education, the importance of regular error monitoring and stock storage reviews and that flexible appointment scheduling and robust reminder system likely contributed to high retention in care. CONCLUSIONS Detailed documentation and dissemination of feasibility requirements and implementation considerations is vital to assist others to successfully implement a similar model of care elsewhere. We provide 10 recommendations for successful implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03939013 on May 6, 2019. This manuscript presents post-results data on feasibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Louise Draper
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia
| | - Win Lei Yee
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar
| | | | - Anna Bowring
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hla Htay
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar
| | | | | | | | - Philippa Easterbrook
- Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis, and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Win Naing
- Myanmar Liver Foundation, Yangon, Myanmar
- Yangon Specialty Hospital, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Thin Mar Win
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Khin Sanda Aung
- National Hepatitis Control Program, Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health and Sports, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Jessica Howell
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia
- Health Services Research and Implementation, Monash Partners, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia
- Hepatitis Services, Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Global Health Facility-Based Interventions to Achieve UNAIDS 90-90-90: A Systematic Review and Narrative Analysis. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:1489-1503. [PMID: 34694526 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03503-6] [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: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
To evaluate whether health facility-based HIV interventions align with UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, we performed a systematic review through the lens of UNAIDS targets. We searched 11 databases, retrieving 5201 citations with 26 eligible studies classified by country income and UNAIDS target. We analyzed whether reporting of study outcome metrics was in line with UNAIDS targets using a standardized extraction form and results were summarized in a narrative synthesis given data heterogeneity. We also assessed the quality of randomized trials with the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and observational studies with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Stratification of interventions by country income level revealed themes in successful interventions that provide insight for scale-up in similar resource contexts. Few studies reported outcomes using metrics according to UNAIDS targets. Standardization of reporting according to the UNAIDS framework could facilitate comparability of interventions and inform country-level progress on an international scale.
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Carlucci JG, De Schacht C, Graves E, González P, Bravo M, Yu Z, Amorim G, Arinze F, Silva W, Tique JA, Alvim MFS, Simione B, Fernando AN, Wester CW. CD4 Trends With Evolving Treatment Initiation Policies Among Children Living With HIV in Zambézia Province, Mozambique, 2012-2018. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2022; 89:288-296. [PMID: 34840319 PMCID: PMC8826612 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002870] [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: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Historically, antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation was based on CD4 criteria, but this has been replaced with "Test and Start" wherein all people living with HIV are offered ART. We describe the baseline immunologic status among children relative to evolving ART policies in Mozambique. METHODS This retrospective evaluation was performed using routinely collected data. Children living with HIV (CL aged 5-14 years) with CD4 data in the period of 2012-2018 were included. ART initiation "policy periods" corresponded to implementation of evolving guidelines: in period 1 (2012-2016), ART was recommended for CD4 <350 cells/mm3; during period 2 (2016-2017), the CD4 threshold increased to <500 cells/mm3; Test and Start was implemented in period 3 (2017-2018). We described temporal trends in the proportion of children with severe immunodeficiency (CD4 <200 cells/mm3) at enrollment and at ART initiation. Multivariable regression models were used to estimate associations with severe immunodeficiency. RESULTS The cohort included 1815 children with CD4 data at enrollment and 1922 at ART initiation. The proportion of children with severe immunodeficiency decreased over time: 20% at enrollment into care in period 1 vs. 16% in period 3 (P = 0.113) and 21% at ART initiation in period 1 vs. 15% in period 3 (P = 0.004). Children initiating ART in period 3 had lower odds of severe immunodeficiency at ART initiation compared with those in period 1 [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.51 to 0.88]. Older age was associated with severe immunodeficiency at enrollment (aOR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.20) and at ART initiation (aOR = 1.14; 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.21). CONCLUSIONS The proportion of children with severe immunodeficiency at ART initiation decreased alongside more inclusive ART initiation guidelines. Earlier treatment of children living with HIV is imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- James G. Carlucci
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Institute for Global Health, Nashville, TN
| | | | - Erin Graves
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Institute for Global Health, Nashville, TN
| | | | | | - Zhihong Yu
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Biostatistics, Nashville, TN;
| | - Gustavo Amorim
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Biostatistics, Nashville, TN;
| | | | | | | | | | - Beatriz Simione
- Ministry of Health, National Directorate of Public Health, Maputo, Mozambique;
| | | | - C. William Wester
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Institute for Global Health, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Nashville, TN
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Atuhaire L, Shumba CS, Nyasulu PS. "My condition is my secret": perspectives of HIV positive female sex workers on differentiated service delivery models in Kampala Uganda. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:146. [PMID: 35120508 PMCID: PMC8814564 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07561-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Differentiated service delivery (DSD) models for female sex workers (FSWs) continue to be scaled up with the goal of expanding access to HIV services and treatment continuity. However, little is known about FSWs' perspectives on their preferences, facilitators, and barriers to the effective utilization of various DSD models. METHODS We conducted 24 in-depth interviews among FSWs on antiretroviral therapy for at least one year in two drop-in centres and two public health facilities in Kampala, Uganda in January 2021. RESULTS The facility-based individual management model was most preferred, due to a wide array of comprehensive health services, privacy, and professional health workers. Community DSD models were physically accessible, but least preferred due to stigmatization and discrimination, lack of privacy and confidentiality, and limited health services offered. CONCLUSION Targeted strategies to reduce stigma and discrimination and the provision of high-quality services have potential to optimise FSWs' access to HIV services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Atuhaire
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Constance S Shumba
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Peter S Nyasulu
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Bogart LM, Shazi Z, MacCarthy S, Mendoza-Graf A, Wara NJ, Zionts D, Dube N, Govere S, Bassett IV. Implementation of South Africa's Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution Program for HIV Treatment: A Qualitative Evaluation. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:2600-2612. [PMID: 35122215 PMCID: PMC8815398 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03602-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
We used the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model to evaluate implementation of South Africa’s Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) program, a differentiated service delivery program which allows clinically stable HIV-positive patients to receive antiretroviral therapy refills at clinic- or community-based pick-up points. Across ten clinics, we conducted 109 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders (pick-up point staff, CCMDD service providers and administrators) and 16 focus groups with 138 patients. Participants had highly favorable attitudes and said CCMDD decreased stigma concerns. Patient-level barriers included inadequate education about CCMDD and inability to get refills on designated dates. Organizational-level barriers included challenges with communication and transportation, errors in medication packaging and tracking, rigid CCMDD rules, and inadequate infrastructure. Recommendations included: (1) provide patient education and improve communication around refills (at the patient level); (2) provide dedicated space and staff, and ongoing training (at the organizational/clinic level); and (3) allow for prescription renewal at pick-up points and less frequent refills, and provide feedback to clinics (at the CCMDD program level).
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Bogart
- RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, P.O. Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA, 90407-2138, USA.
| | - Zinhle Shazi
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sarah MacCarthy
- RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, P.O. Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA, 90407-2138, USA
- Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Nafisa J Wara
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dani Zionts
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nduduzo Dube
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Ingrid V Bassett
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Limbada M, Macleod D, Situmbeko V, Muhau E, Shibwela O, Chiti B, Floyd S, Schaap AJ, Hayes R, Fidler S, Ayles H. Rates of viral suppression in a cohort of people with stable HIV from two community models of ART delivery versus facility-based HIV care in Lusaka, Zambia: a cluster-randomised, non-inferiority trial nested in the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial. Lancet HIV 2022; 9:e13-e23. [PMID: 34843674 PMCID: PMC8716341 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(21)00242-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-facility-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) delivery for people with stable HIV might increase sustainable ART coverage in low-income and middle-income countries. Within the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial, two interventions, home-based delivery (HBD) and adherence clubs (AC), which included groups of 15-30 participants who met at a communal venue, were compared with standard of care (SoC). In this trial we looked at the effectiveness and feasibility of these alternative models of care. Specifically, this trial aimed to assess whether these models of care had similar virological suppression to that of SoC 12 months after enrolment. METHODS This was a three-arm, cluster-randomised, non-inferiority trial, done in two urban communities in Lusaka, Zambia included in the HPTN 071 trial. The two communities were split into zones, which were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to the three treatment strategies: 35 zones to the SoC group, 35 zones to the HBD group, and 34 zones to the AC group. ART and adherence support were delivered once every 3 months at home for the HBD group, in groups of 15-30 people in the AC group, or in the clinic for the SoC group. Adults with HIV who were receiving first-line ART for at least 6 months, virally suppressed using national HIV guidelines in the last 12 months, had no other health conditions requiring the clinicians attention, live in the study catchment area, and provided written informed consent, were eligible for inclusion. The primary endpoint was viral suppression at 12 months (with a 6 month final measurement window [ie, 9-15 months]), defined as less than 1000 HIV RNA copies per mL, with a non-inferiority margin of 5%. FINDINGS Between May 5 and Dec 19, 2017, 9900 individuals were screened for inclusion, of whom 2489 (25·1%) participants were enrolled into the trial: 781 (31%) in the SoC group, 852 (34%) in the HBD group, and 856 (34%) in the AC group. A higher proportion of participants had viral load measurements in the primary outcome window in the HBD (581 [61%]of 852 participants) and AC (485 [57%] of 856 participants) groups than in the SoC (390 [50%] of 781 patients) group (p=0·0021). Of the 1096 missing observations, 152 (13·8%) were attributable to either deaths (25 [16%] participants), relocations (37 [24%] participants), or lost to follow-up (90 [59%]); 690 (63·0%) participants had viral load results outside the window period; and 254 (23·2%) did not have a viral load result. The prevalence of viral suppression was estimated to be 98·3% (95% CI 96·6 to 99·7) in the SoC group, 98·7% (97·5 to 99·6) in the HBD group, and 99·2% (98·4 to 99·8) in the AC group. This gave an estimated risk difference of 0·3% (95% CI -1·5 to 2·4) for the HBD group compared with the SoC group and 0·9% (-0·8 to 2·8) for the AC group compared with the SoC group. There was strong evidence (p<0·0001) that both community ART models were non-inferior to the SoC group (p<0·0001). INTERPRETATION Community models of ART delivery were as effective as facility-based care in terms of viral suppression. FUNDING National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, The International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Mental Health, and President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Macleod
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Albertus J Schaap
- Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia; Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Richard Hayes
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sarah Fidler
- Imperial College and Imperial college National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Helen Ayles
- Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia; Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Ayala G, Sprague L, van der Merwe LLA, Thomas RM, Chang J, Arreola S, Davis SLM, Taslim A, Mienies K, Nilo A, Mworeko L, Hikuam F, de Leon Moreno CG, Izazola-Licea JA. Peer- and community-led responses to HIV: A scoping review. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260555. [PMID: 34852001 PMCID: PMC8635382 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In June 2021, United Nations (UN) Member States committed to ambitious targets for scaling up community-led responses by 2025 toward meeting the goals of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. These targets build on UN Member States 2016 commitments to ensure that 30% of HIV testing and treatment programmes are community-led by 2030. At its current pace, the world is not likely to meet these nor other global HIV targets, as evidenced by current epidemiologic trends. The COVID-19 pandemic threatens to further slow momentum made to date. The purpose of this paper is to review available evidence on the comparative advantages of community-led HIV responses that can better inform policy making towards getting the world back on track. METHODS We conducted a scoping review to gather available evidence on peer- and community-led HIV responses. Using UNAIDS' definition of 'community-led' and following PRISMA guidelines, we searched peer-reviewed literature published from January 1982 through September 2020. We limited our search to articles reporting findings from randomized controlled trials as well as from quasi-experimental, prospective, pre/post-test evaluation, and cross-sectional study designs. The overall goals of this scoping review were to gather available evidence on community-led responses and their impact on HIV outcomes, and to identify key concepts that can be used to quickly inform policy, practice, and research. FINDINGS Our initial search yielded 279 records. After screening for relevance and conducting cross-validation, 48 articles were selected. Most studies took place in the global south (n = 27) and a third (n = 17) involved youth. Sixty-five percent of articles (n = 31) described the comparative advantage of peer- and community-led direct services, e.g., prevention and education (n = 23) testing, care, and treatment programs (n = 8). We identified more than 40 beneficial outcomes linked to a range of peer- and community-led HIV activities. They include improved HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, intentions, self-efficacy, risk behaviours, risk appraisals, health literacy, adherence, and viral suppression. Ten studies reported improvements in HIV service access, quality, linkage, utilization, and retention resulting from peer- or community-led programs or initiatives. Three studies reported structural level changes, including positive influences on clinic wait times, treatment stockouts, service coverage, and exclusionary practices. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Findings from our scoping review underscore the comparative advantage of peer- and community-led HIV responses. Specifically, the evidence from the published literature leads us to recommend, where possible, that prevention programs, especially those intended for people living with and disproportionately affected by HIV, be peer- and community-led. In addition, treatment services should strive to integrate specific peer- and community-led components informed by differentiated care models. Future research is needed and should focus on generating additional quantitative evidence on cost effectiveness and on the synergistic effects of bundling two or more peer- and community-led interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Ayala
- MPact Global Action for Gay Men’s Health and Rights, Oakland, CA, United States of America
- Alameda County Department of Public Health, Oakland, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Laurel Sprague
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - L. Leigh-Ann van der Merwe
- Social, Health and Empowerment Feminist Collective of Transgender Women in Africa, East London, South Africa
- Innovative Response Globally to Transgender Women and HIV (IRGT), Oakland, CA, United States of America
| | | | - Judy Chang
- International Network of People Who Use Drugs, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sonya Arreola
- MPact Global Action for Gay Men’s Health and Rights, Oakland, CA, United States of America
- Arreola Research, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | | | | | - Keith Mienies
- The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Lillian Mworeko
- International Community of Women Living with HIV Eastern Africa, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Felicita Hikuam
- AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa, Windhoek, Namibia
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Shuper PA. The Role of Alcohol-Related Behavioral Research in the Design of HIV Secondary Prevention Interventions in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy: Targeted Research Priorities Moving Forward. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:365-380. [PMID: 33987783 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03302-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
HIV secondary prevention focuses on averting onward HIV transmission, which can be realized when people living with HIV enact requisite HIV care continuum-related behaviors to achieve viral suppression, and engage in condom-protected sex when virally unsuppressed. Alcohol has been detrimentally linked to all aspects of HIV secondary prevention, and although a growing number of behavioral interventions account for and address alcohol use within this realm, further efforts are needed to fully realize the potential of such initiatives. The present article proposes a series of targeted priorities to inform the future design, implementation, and evaluation of alcohol-related behavioral intervention research within the scope of HIV secondary prevention. These priorities and corresponding approaches account for the challenges of resource-constrained clinic environments; capitalize on technology; and address key comorbidities. This framework provides the foundation for a range of alcohol-related behavioral interventions that could potentially enhance global HIV secondary prevention efforts in the years ahead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Shuper
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), 33 Russell Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada.
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
- Institute for Collaboration On Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP), University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa.
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Tarquino IAP, Venables E, Simone RR, de Amaral Fidelis JM, Decroo T. "I don't know when he will be back": life-changing events challenge the community ART Group model- a qualitative research study, Tete, Mozambique. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:2004. [PMID: 34736432 PMCID: PMC8567643 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12087-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Since 2008 in Mozambique, patients stable on antiretroviral therapy (ART) can join Community ART Groups (CAG), peer groups in which members are involved in adherence support and community ART delivery. More than 10 years after the implementation of the first CAGs, we study how changes in circumstance and daily life events of CAG members have affected the CAG dynamic. Methods A qualitative study using individual in-depth interviews (27) and focus group discussions (8) with CAG members and health care providers was carried out in Tete province, rural Mozambique. Purposive sampling was used to select participants. Data were transcribed and translated, and manual thematic analysis carried out to identify codes, which were then categorized in sub-themes and themes. Results Data were collected from 61 CAG members and 18 health-care providers in 2017. The CAG dynamic was affected by life events and changing circumstances including a loss of geographical proximity or a change in social relationships. Family CAGs facilitated reporting and ART distribution, but conflict between CAG members meant some CAGs ceased to function. In some CAGs, the dynamic changed as pill counts were not carried out, members met less frequently or stopped meeting entirely. Some members did not collect ART at the facility when it was their turn, and others stopped taking ART completely. Health care providers were reported to push people living with HIV to join CAGs, instead of allowing voluntary participation. Some CAGs responded to adherence challenges by strengthening peer support through counselling and observed pill intake. Health-care providers agreed that strengthening CAG rules and membership criteria could help to overcome the identified problems. Conclusions Changing life circumstances, changes in relationships and a lack of participation by CAG members altered the CAG dynamic, which sometimes affected adherence. Some CAGs responded to challenges by intensifying peer support, including to those diagnosed with virological failure. To ensure flexible implementation and modification of CAGs to the inevitable changes in life circumstances of its members, feedback mechanisms should be implemented between CAG members and the health-care providers. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-12087-8.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emilie Venables
- Southern Africa Medical Unit, Médecins Sans Frontières, Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Rajá Reis Simone
- Médecins sans Frontières, Tete, Mozambique.,OMES- PASSOS Project, Tete, Mozambique
| | | | - Tom Decroo
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Unit of HIV/AIDS & Infectious Diseases, Nationalestraat, 155 2000, Antwerp, Belgium. .,Research Foundation Flanders, Brussels, Belgium.
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Rocha-Jiménez T, Pitpitan EV, Cazares R, Smith LR. "He is the Same as Me ": Key Populations' Acceptability and Experience of a Community-Based Peer Navigator Intervention to Support Engagement in HIV Care in Tijuana, Mexico. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2021; 35:449-456. [PMID: 34665000 PMCID: PMC8817705 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2021.0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Engagement in the HIV care continuum among people living with HIV is essential to prevent ongoing transmission. Although there is evidence for the need for comprehensive approaches (e.g., peer navigation) to improve the HIV care continuum, there is limited knowledge of how the peer navigation model might work to improve the HIV care continuum in low resource settings among Latinx key populations (e.g., persons who inject drugs, female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and transgender women). Therefore, this article aims to qualitatively assess members of key populations' acceptability of Conexiones Saludables (Healthy Connections), a community-based peer navigation intervention implemented in Tijuana, Mexico. This analysis draws upon the postintervention survey data from 34 participants and data from qualitative interviews with 10 participants. Participants found the intervention to be acceptable and discussed the ways in which peer navigators were influential in educating participants about HIV, antiretroviral therapy (ART), linking participants to existing HIV care and ancillary services in Tijuana, and in providing emotional and instrumental support to facilitate engagement in HIV treatment and ART adherence. The intervention emphasized the use of peer navigators who had a deep understanding of the sociostructural barriers (e.g., substance use, homelessness) that HIV-positive key populations face in Tijuana. Findings from this study may inform programs with highly vulnerable populations in similar settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresita Rocha-Jiménez
- Society and Health Research Center, Facultad de Humanidades, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Eileen V. Pitpitan
- School of Social Work, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | | | - Laramie R. Smith
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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Nalubega S, Kyenkya J, Bagaya I, Nabukenya S, Ssewankambo N, Nakanjako D, Kiragga AN. COVID-19 may exacerbate the clinical, structural and psychological barriers to retention in care among women living with HIV in rural and peri-urban settings in Uganda. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:980. [PMID: 34544389 PMCID: PMC8451386 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06684-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retention of pregnant and breastfeeding women and their infants in HIV care still remains low in Uganda. Recent literature has shown that the effects of COVID-19 mitigation measures may increase disease burden of common illnesses including HIV, Tuberculosis, Malaria and other key public health outcomes such as maternal mortality. A research program was undertaken to locate disengaged HIV positive women on option B+ and supported them to reengage in care. A 1 year follow up done following the tracing revealed that some women still disengaged from care. We aimed to establish the barriers to and facilitators for reengagement in care among previously traced women on option B+, and how these could have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS This was a cross sectional qualitative study using individual interviews conducted in June and July, 2020, a period when the COVID-19 response measures such as lockdown and restrictions on transport were being observed in Uganda. Study participants were drawn from nine peri-urban and rural public healthcare facilities. Purposive sampling was used to select women still engaged in and those who disengaged from care approximately after 1 year since they were last contacted. Seventeen participants were included. Data was analysed using the content analysis approach. RESULTS Women reported various barriers that affected their reengagement and retention in care during the COVID-19 pandemic. These included structural barriers such as transport difficulties and financial constraints; clinical barriers which included unsupportive healthcare workers, short supply of drugs, clinic delays, lack of privacy and medicine side effects; and psychosocial barriers such as perceived or experienced stigma and non-disclosure of HIV sero-status. Supportive structures such as family, community-based medicine distribution models, and a friendly healthcare environment were key facilitators to retention in care among this group. The COVID-19 pandemic was reported to exacerbate the barriers to retention in care. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 may exacerbate barriers to retention in HIV care among those who have experienced previous disengagement. We recommend community-based models such as drop out centres, peer facilitated distribution and community outreaches as alternative measures for access to ART during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylivia Nalubega
- Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Soroti University, Po Box, 211, Soroti, Uganda.
| | - Joshua Kyenkya
- Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Irene Bagaya
- Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sylvia Nabukenya
- Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Nelson Ssewankambo
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Damalie Nakanjako
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Agnes N Kiragga
- Research Department, Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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Medina-Marino A, Bezuidenhout D, Hosek S, Barnabas RV, Atujuna M, Bezuidenhout C, Ngwepe P, Peters RPH, Little F, Celum CL, Daniels J, Bekker LG. The Community PrEP Study: a randomized control trial leveraging community-based platforms to improve access and adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV among adolescent girls and young women in South Africa-study protocol. Trials 2021; 22:489. [PMID: 34311754 PMCID: PMC8314507 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-021-05402-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV incidence among South African adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) remains high, but could be reduced by highly effective pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Unfortunately, AGYW report significant barriers to clinic-based sexual and reproductive health services. Even when AGYW access PrEP as an HIV prevention method, poor prevention-effective use was a serious barrier to achieving its optimal HIV prevention benefits. Determining the acceptability and feasibility of community-based platforms to increase AGYW's access to PrEP, and evaluating behavioural interventions to improve prevention-effective use of PrEP are needed. METHODS We propose a mixed-methods study among AGYW aged 16-25 years in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. In the first component, a cross-sectional study will assess the acceptability and feasibility of leveraging community-based HIV counselling and testing (CBCT) platforms to refer HIV-negative, at-risk AGYW to non-clinic-based, same-day PrEP initiation services. In the second component, we will enrol 480 AGYW initiating PrEP via our CBCT platforms into a three-armed (1:1:1) randomized control trial (RCT) that will evaluate the effectiveness of adherence support interventions to improve the prevention-effective use of PrEP. Adherence will be measured over 24 months via tenofovir-diphosphate blood concentration levels. Qualitative investigations will explore participant, staff, and community experiences associated with community-based PrEP services, adherence support activities, study implementation, and community awareness. Costs and scalability of service platforms and interventions will be evaluated. DISCUSSION This will be the first study to assess the acceptability and feasibility of leveraging CBCT platforms to identify and refer at-risk AGYW to community-based, same-day PrEP initiation services. It will also provide quantitative and qualitative results to inform adherence support activities and services that promote the prevention-effective use of PrEP among AGYW. By applying principles of implementation science, behavioural science, and health economics research, we aim to inform strategies to improve access to and prevention-effective use of PrEP by AGYW. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03977181 . Registered on 6 June 2019-retrospectively registered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Medina-Marino
- Research Unit, Foundation for Professional Development, 10 Rochester Rd, Vincent, East London, Buffalo City Metro, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
- The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Dana Bezuidenhout
- Research Unit, Foundation for Professional Development, 10 Rochester Rd, Vincent, East London, Buffalo City Metro, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
| | - Sybil Hosek
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ruanne V Barnabas
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Millicent Atujuna
- The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Charl Bezuidenhout
- Research Unit, Foundation for Professional Development, 10 Rochester Rd, Vincent, East London, Buffalo City Metro, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
| | - Phuti Ngwepe
- Research Unit, Foundation for Professional Development, 10 Rochester Rd, Vincent, East London, Buffalo City Metro, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
| | - Remco P H Peters
- Research Unit, Foundation for Professional Development, 10 Rochester Rd, Vincent, East London, Buffalo City Metro, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
| | - Francesca Little
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Connie L Celum
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Joseph Daniels
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behaviors, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Linda-Gail Bekker
- The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.
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Ferreyra C, Moretó-Planas L, Wagbo Temessadouno F, Alonso B, Tut B, Achut V, Eltom M, Aderie EM, Descalzo-Jorro V. Evaluation of a community-based HIV test and start program in a conflict affected rural area of Yambio County, South Sudan. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254331. [PMID: 34252129 PMCID: PMC8274874 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage in South Sudan is around 10%. Access to HIV care in settings with low ART coverage or conflict affected is still low; innovative strategies are needed to increase access and ensure continuation of ART during instability. A pilot HIV test and start project was implemented in a conflict-affected area of South Sudan. In a retrospective analysis, we determined the feasibility and outcomes of this intervention. METHODS Programme data from July 2015 to June 2018 was analysed. The project involved five mobile teams offering HIV counselling and testing (HCT) and same day ART initiation at community level. Baseline and follow-up information on clinical, immunological and viral load (VL) was routinely recorded, as well as treatment outcomes. A semi-qualitative study was conducted to assess acceptability of the program among beneficiaries and community members. RESULTS By June 2018, 14824 people received counselling and testing for HIV and 498 (3.4%) tested positive. Out of those 395 (79.3%) started ART. A total of 72 ART patients were organized in 26 Community ART Groups (CAGs) and contingency plan was activated 9 times for 101 patients. Kaplan-Meier estimated retention in care (RIC) at 12 and 18 months was 80.6% [95% CI: 75.9-84.5%] and 69.9% [95% CI: 64.4-74.8%] respectively. RIC was significantly higher at 18 months in patients under community ART groups (CAGs) (90.9% versus 63.4% p<0.001) when compared to patients on regular follow up. VL suppression at 12 months was 90.3% and overall virological suppression reached 91.2%. A total of 279 persons were interviewed about the MSF program perception and acceptance: 98% had heard about the programme and 84% found it beneficial for the community, 98% accepted to be tested and only 4% found disadvantages to the programme. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that HCT and early ART initiation in conflict affected populations can be provided with good program outcomes. RIC and virological suppression are comparable with facility-based HIV programs and to those in stable contexts. This model could be extrapolated to other similar contexts with low access to ART and where security situation is a concern.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Buai Tut
- Médecins sans Frontières, Juba, South Sudan
| | - Victoria Achut
- Ministry of Health, Republic of South Sudan, HIV/AIDS/STI, Juba, South Sudan
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Mushamiri I, Belai W, Sacks E, Genberg B, Gupta S, Perry HB. Evidence on the effectiveness of community-based primary health care in improving HIV/AIDS outcomes for mothers and children in low- and middle-income countries: Findings from a systematic review. J Glob Health 2021; 11:11001. [PMID: 34327001 PMCID: PMC8284540 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.11.11001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effectiveness of community-based primary health care (CBPHC) interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially for maternal, neonatal and child health, is well established. However, there has not been a systematic review of the literature on the effectiveness of CBPHC on HIV outcomes derived from rigorous assessments of primary studies. Using peer-reviewed studies of randomized interventions or those containing a specified control group and directly measuring clinical HIV outcomes, we provide evidence for the effectiveness of CBPHC on HIV outcomes for mothers and children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS Eligibility criteria included studies assessing the effectiveness of community-based HIV interventions with or without a facility-based component, or multiple integrated projects, with outcome measures defining an aspect of HIV health status such as the utilization of prevention or health care services, nutritional status, serious morbidity (including clinical measures of HIV progression) or mortality of children aged five or younger and pregnant women. Articles published through June 3, 2020 were identified by searching four databases. The type of community-based projects implemented, the implementors, and the implementation strategies of each program were identified and the impact on HIV-related outcomes assessed. RESULTS The search yielded 10 537 articles; 4881 underwent title and abstract screening after removing duplicates. Of these, 117 studies qualified for full-text screening; only 22 were included in the final analysis. Most studies showed that community-based interventions improved HIV prevention and treatment outcomes compared to facility-based approaches alone. Each study had at least one statistically significant HIV-related outcome; the non-significant outcomes found in six of the 22 studies were mostly not related to HIV programming. Most interventions were implemented by community health workers; other implementers were government workers, community members, or research staff. Strategies used included peer-to-peer education, psychosocial support, training of community champions, community-based follow-up care, home-based care, and integrated care. CONCLUSIONS CBPHC strategies are effective in improving population-based, HIV-related health outcomes for mothers and children, especially in combination with facility-based approaches. However, there is a need to assess the scalability of such interventions and integrate them into existing health systems to assess their impact on the HIV pandemic in more routine settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivy Mushamiri
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Wintana Belai
- Department of International Health, Division of Health Systems, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Emma Sacks
- Department of International Health, Division of Health Systems, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Becky Genberg
- Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sundeep Gupta
- University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Henry B Perry
- Department of International Health, Division of Health Systems, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Mugglin C, Kläger D, Gueler A, Vanobberghen F, Rice B, Egger M. The HIV care cascade in sub-Saharan Africa: systematic review of published criteria and definitions. J Int AIDS Soc 2021; 24:e25761. [PMID: 34292649 PMCID: PMC8297382 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The HIV care cascade examines the attrition of people living with HIV from diagnosis to the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and suppression of viral replication. We reviewed the literature from sub-Saharan Africa to assess the definitions used for the different steps in the HIV care cascade. METHODS We searched PubMed, Embase and CINAHL for articles published from January 2004 to December 2020. Longitudinal and cross-sectional studies were included if they reported on at least one step of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 cascade or two steps of an extended 7-step cascade. A step was clearly defined if authors reported definitions for numerator and denominator, including the description of the eligible population and methods of assessment or measurement. The review protocol has been published and registered in Prospero. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Overall, 3364 articles were screened, and 82 studies from 19 countries met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were from Southern (38 studies, 34 from South Africa) and East Africa (29 studies). Fifty-eight studies (71.6%) were longitudinal, with a median follow-up of three years. The medium number of steps covered out of 7 steps was 3 (interquartile range [IQR] 2 to 4); the median year of publication was 2015 (IQR 2013 to 2019). The number of different definitions for the numerators ranged from four definitions (for step "People living with HIV") to 21 (step "Viral suppression"). For the denominators, it ranged from three definitions ("Diagnosed and aware of HIV status") to 14 ("Viral suppression"). Only 12 studies assessed all three of the 90-90-90 steps. Most studies used longitudinal data, but denominator-denominator or denominator-numerator linkages over several steps were rare. Also, cascade data are lacking for many countries. Our review covers the academic literature but did not consider other data, such as government reports on the HIV care cascade. Also, it did not examine disengagement and reengagement in care. CONCLUSIONS The proportions of patients retained at each step of the HIV care cascade cannot be compared between studies, countries and time periods, nor meta-analysed, due to the many different definitions used for numerators and denominators. There is a need for standardization of methods and definitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catrina Mugglin
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)University of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Delia Kläger
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)University of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Aysel Gueler
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)University of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Fiona Vanobberghen
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population HealthLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health InstituteBaselSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Brian Rice
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population HealthLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Matthias Egger
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM)University of BernBernSwitzerland
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research (CIDER)University of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Population Health SciencesBristol Medical SchoolUniversity of BristolBristolUK
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Limbada M, Zijlstra G, Macleod D, Ayles H, Fidler S. A systematic review of the effectiveness of non- health facility based care delivery of antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa measured by viral suppression, mortality and retention on ART. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1110. [PMID: 34112135 PMCID: PMC8194040 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11053-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alternative models for sustainable antiretroviral treatment (ART) delivery are necessary to meet the increasing demand to maintain population-wide ART for all people living with HIV (PLHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa. We undertook a review of published literature comparing health facility-based care (HFBC) with non-health facility based care (nHFBC) models of ART delivery in terms of health outcomes; viral suppression, loss to follow-up, retention and mortality. METHODS We conducted a systematic search of Medline, Embase and Global Health databases from 2010 onwards. UNAIDS reports, WHO guidelines and abstracts from conferences were reviewed. All studies measuring at least one of the following outcomes, viral load suppression, loss-to-follow-up (LTFU) and mortality were included. Data were extracted, and a descriptive analysis was performed. Risk of bias assessment was done for all studies. Pooled estimates of the risk difference (for viral suppression) and hazard ratio (for mortality) were made using random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS Of 3082 non-duplicate records, 193 were eligible for full text screening of which 21 published papers met the criteria for inclusion. The pooled risk difference of viral load suppression amongst 4 RCTs showed no evidence of a difference in viral suppression (VS) between nHFBC and HFBC with an overall estimated risk difference of 1% [95% CI -1, 4%]. The pooled hazard ratio of mortality amongst 2 RCTs and 4 observational cohort studies showed no evidence of a difference in mortality between nHFBC and HFBC with an overall estimated hazard ratio of 1.01 [95% CI 0.88, 1.16]. Fifteen studies contained data on LTFU and 13 studies on retention. Although no formal quantitative analysis was performed on these outcomes due to the very different definitions between papers, it was observed that the outcomes appeared similar between HFBC and nHFBC. CONCLUSIONS Review of current literature demonstrates comparable outcomes for nHFBC compared to HFBC ART delivery programmes in terms of viral suppression, retention and mortality. PROSPERO NUMBER CRD42018088194 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Limbada
- Zambart House, PO Box 50697, UNZA-Ridgeway Campus, Lusaka, Zambia.
| | | | - David Macleod
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Helen Ayles
- Zambart House, PO Box 50697, UNZA-Ridgeway Campus, Lusaka, Zambia
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sarah Fidler
- Imperial College and Imperial college NIHR BRC, London, UK
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Kebede HK, Gesesew HA, Mwanri L, Ward P. The Impact of Peer Educators or Community Health Workers on the Progress of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 Targets in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18083917. [PMID: 33917917 PMCID: PMC8068227 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18083917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Africa is far behind from achieving the Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 targets. Evidence shows that the participation of HIV patients as peer educators and other community health workers is substantially improving the entire HIV care continuum and subsequently the UNAIDS targets. This review aims to provide the best available evidence on the impact of peer educators and/or community health workers for the three targets in Africa. METHODS We will include cohort and experimental studies published in English between 2003 and 2020. Studies which reported interventions for HIV diagnosis, initiation of ART, or virological suppression will be included for review. Three steps searching will be conducted: (i) initial search across Google Scholar, (ii) full search strategy across five databases: MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS and Web of Science, and (iii) screening titles and abstracts. Data will be extracted using standardized instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI) and analyzed through narrative synthesis, and meta-analyses and regression. Heterogeneity among quantitative studies will be assessed using Cochran Q test and Higgins I2. Ethics: A formal ethical approval will not be required as primary data will not be collected.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hailay Abrha Gesesew
- Public Health, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide 5042, Australia; (L.M.); (P.W.)
- Epidemiology, School of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle 231, Ethiopia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +251-924-955-116
| | - Lillian Mwanri
- Public Health, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide 5042, Australia; (L.M.); (P.W.)
| | - Paul Ward
- Public Health, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide 5042, Australia; (L.M.); (P.W.)
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Kusemererwa S, Akena D, Nakanjako D, Kigozi J, Nanyunja R, Nanfuka M, Kizito B, Okello JM, Sewankambo NK. Strategies for retention of heterosexual men in HIV care in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246471. [PMID: 33539424 PMCID: PMC7861356 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Expansion of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) programs in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has increased the number of people accessing treatment. However, the number of males accessing and being retained along the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care cascade is significantly below the UNAIDS target. Male gender has been associated with poor retention in HIV care programs, and little is known about strategies that reduce attrition of men in ART programs. This review aimed to summarize any studies on strategies to improve retention of heterosexual males in HIV care in SSA. An electronic search was conducted through Ovid® for three databases (MEDLINE®, Embase and Global Health). Studies reporting interventions aimed at improving retention among heterosexual men along the HIV care cascade were reviewed. The inclusion criteria included randomized-controlled trials (RCTs), prospective or retrospective cohort studies that studied adult males (≥15years of age), conducted in SSA and published between January 2005 and April 2019 with an update from 2019 to 2020. The search returned 1958 articles, and 14 studies from eight countries met the inclusion criteria were presented using the PRISMA guidelines. A narrative synthesis was conducted. Six studies explored community-based adherence support groups while three compared use of facility versus community-based delivery models. Three studies measured the effect of national identity cards, disclosure of HIV status, six-monthly clinic visits and distance from the health center. Four studies measured risk of attrition from care using hazard ratios ranging from 1.2–1.8, four studies documented attrition proportions at an average of 40.0% and two studies an average rate of attrition of 43.4/1000PYs. Most (62%) included studies were retrospective cohorts, subject to risk of allocation and outcome assessment bias. A pooled analysis was not performed because of heterogeneity of studies and outcome definitions. No studies have explored heterosexual male- centered interventions in HIV care. However, in included studies that explored retention in both males and females, there were high rates of attrition in males. More male-centered interventions need to be studied preferably in RCTs. Registry number: PROSPERO2020 CRD42020142923 Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020142923.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Kusemererwa
- Department of HIV Interventions, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute (MRC/UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Dickens Akena
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Damalie Nakanjako
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joanita Kigozi
- Department for Outreaches, Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Regina Nanyunja
- Department of HIV Interventions, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute (MRC/UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Mastula Nanfuka
- Department of TBSpeed, Makerere University Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration (MUJHU), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bennet Kizito
- Department of Monitoring and Evaluation, The AIDS Support Organization (TASO), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph Mugisha Okello
- Department of HIV Interventions, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute (MRC/UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
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Chimukuche RS, Wringe A, Songo J, Hassan F, Luwanda L, Kalua T, Moshabela M, Renju J, Seeley J. Investigating the implementation of differentiated HIV services and implications for pregnant and postpartum women: A mixed methods multi-country study. Glob Public Health 2021; 16:274-287. [PMID: 32726177 PMCID: PMC7612752 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2020.1795221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Universal antiretroviral therapy (ART) for pregnant and postpartum women in sub-Saharan Africa has required adaptations to service delivery. We compared national policies on differentiated HIV service delivery with facility-level implementation, and explored provider and user experiences in rural Malawi, Tanzania and South Africa. Four national policies and two World Health Organization guidelines on HIV treatment for pregnant and postpartum women published between 2013 and 2017 were reviewed and summarised. Results were compared with implementation data from surveys undertaken in 34 health facilities. Eighty-seven in-depth interviews were conducted with pregnant and post-partum women living with HIV, their partners and providers. In 2018, differentiated service policies varied across countries. None specifically accounted for pregnant or postpartum women. Malawian policies endorsed facility-based multi-month scripting for clinically-stable adult ART patients, excluding pregnant or breastfeeding women. In Tanzania and South Africa, national policies proposed community-based and facility-based approaches, for which pregnant women were not eligible. Interview data suggested some implementation of differentiated services for pregnant and postpartum women beyond stipulated policies in all settings. Although these adaptations were appreciated by pregnant and postpartum women, they could lead to frustrations among other users when criteria for fast-track services or multi-month prescriptions were not clear.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alison Wringe
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - John Songo
- Malawi Epidemiology & Intervention Research Unit, Karonga, Malawi
| | | | | | - Thoko Kalua
- Department of HIV and AIDS, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Mosa Moshabela
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Jenny Renju
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Janet Seeley
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Phillips TK, Teasdale CA, Geller A, Ng'eno B, Mogoba P, Modi S, Abrams EJ. Approaches to transitioning women into and out of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV services for continued ART: a systematic review. J Int AIDS Soc 2021; 24:e25633. [PMID: 33372730 PMCID: PMC7771153 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Women living with HIV are required to transition into the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services when they become pregnant and back to ART services after delivery. Transition can be a vulnerable time when many women are lost from HIV care yet there is little guidance on the optimal transition approaches to ensure continuity of care. We reviewed the available evidence on existing approaches to transitioning women into and out of PMTCT, outcomes following transition and factors influencing successful transition. METHODS We searched PubMed and SCOPUS, as well as abstracts from international HIV-focused meetings, from January 2006 to July 2020. Studies were included that examined three points of transition: pregnant women already on ART into PMTCT (transition 1), pregnant women living with HIV not yet on ART into treatment services (transition 2) and postpartum women from PMTCT into general ART services after delivery (transition 3). Results were grouped and reported as descriptions of transition approach, comparison of outcomes following transition and factors influencing successful transition. RESULTS & DISCUSSION Out of 1809 abstracts located, 36 studies (39 papers) were included in this review. Three studies included transition 1, 26 transition 2 and 17 transition 3. Approaches to transition were described in 26 studies and could be grouped into the provision of information at the point of transition (n = 8), strengthened communication or linkage of data between services (n = 4), use of transition navigators (n = 12), and combination approaches (n = 4). Few studies were designed to directly assess transition and only nine compared outcomes between transition approaches, with substantial heterogeneity in study design, setting and outcomes. Four themes were identified in 25 studies reporting on factors influencing successful transition: fear, knowledge and preparedness, clinic characteristics and the transition requirements and process. CONCLUSIONS This review highlights that, despite the need for women to transition into and out of PMTCT services for continued ART in many settings, there is very limited evidence on optimal transition approaches. Ongoing operational research is required to identify sustainable and acceptable transition approaches and service delivery models that support continuity of HIV care during and after pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamsin K Phillips
- Division of Epidemiology and BiostatisticsSchool of Public Health & Family MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Epidemiology & ResearchSchool of Public Health & Family MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Chloe A Teasdale
- ICAP‐Columbia UniversityMailman School of Public HealthNew YorkNYUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyMailman School of Public HealthNew YorkNYUSA
- Department of Epidemiology and BiostatisticsCUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health PolicyNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Amanda Geller
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)AtlantaGAUSA
| | | | - Pheposadi Mogoba
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Epidemiology & ResearchSchool of Public Health & Family MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Surbhi Modi
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)AtlantaGAUSA
| | - Elaine J Abrams
- ICAP‐Columbia UniversityMailman School of Public HealthNew YorkNYUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyMailman School of Public HealthNew YorkNYUSA
- College Physicians and SurgeonsColumbia UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
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Atalell KA, Alene KA. Poor treatment outcomes of children on highly active antiretroviral therapy: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e040161. [PMID: 33376164 PMCID: PMC7778777 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION While access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for children with HIV has expanded and the use of HAART has substantially reduced the morbidity and mortality of children due to HIV, poor treatment outcomes among children with HIV are still a major public health problem globally. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to quantify treatment outcomes among children with HIV. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Systematic searches will be conducted in three electronic databases (PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science) for recent studies published from 01 Jan 2000 up to 28 October 2020, without geographical restriction. The primary outcomes of the study will be poor treatment outcomes, which include death, treatment failure and loss to follow-up. We will include quantitative studies that report treatment outcomes among children under the age of 18 years with HIV. Studies will be excluded if they are case report, case series, conducted among adults only or do not provide data on treatment outcomes for children. Two researchers will screen the titles and abstracts of all citations identified in our search, then review the full text of the remaining papers to identify those that meet the inclusion criteria. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale will be used for quality assessment. A random-effects meta-analysis will be used to obtain pooled estimates of the proportion of poor treatment outcomes. The heterogeneity between studies will be checked visually by using forest plots and quantitatively measured by the index of heterogeneity (I2). Pooled estimates of poor treatment outcomes will be calculated with a random-effects model. Subgroup analysis will be conducted by study settings, treatment regimen, comorbidity (such as tuberculosis), study period and HIV type (HIV-1 and HIV-2). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval will not be required for this study as it will be based on published papers. The final report of this review will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendalem Asmare Atalell
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing,College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Amhara, Ethiopia
| | - Kefyalew Addis Alene
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley Campus, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Gesesew HA, Ward P, Woldemichael K, Mwanri L. HIV Care continuum Outcomes: Can Ethiopia Meet the UNAIDS 90-90-90 Targets? Ethiop J Health Sci 2020; 30:179-188. [PMID: 32165807 PMCID: PMC7060392 DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v30i2.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ethiopia has pledged to the UNAIDS 90-90-90 framework. However, the achievements of these UNAIDS targets are not assessed in Southwest Ethiopia. Using HIV care and treatment outcomes as surrogate markers, we assessed all targets. Methods Complex surrogate makers were used to assess the HIV care continuum outcomes using antiretroviral therapy data in Jimma University Teaching Hospital. Early HIV diagnosis was a surrogate marker to measure the first 90. Numbers of people on HIV treatment and who have good adherence were used to measure the second 90. To measure the third 90, we used immunological success that was measured using numbers of CD4 counts, clinical success using WHO clinical stages and treatment success using immunological and clinical successes. Results In total, 8172 patients were enrolled for HIV care from June 2003 to March 2015. For the diagnosis target, the prevalence of early HIV diagnosis among patients on ART was 35% (43% among children and 33.3% among adults). For the treatment target, 5299(65%) received ART of which 1154(22%) patients lost to follow-up or defaulted from ART treatment, and 1015(19%) patients on treatment transferred out to other sites. In addition, 17% had fair or good adherence. Finally, 81% had immunological success, 80% had clinical success and 66% treatment success. Conclusions The study revealed that Southwest Ethiopia achieved 35%, 65% and 66% of the first, second and third UNAIDS targets, a very far performance from achieving the target. These highlight further rigorous interventions to improve outcome of HIV continuum of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailay Abrha Gesesew
- Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.,Epidemiology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Paul Ward
- Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
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Chimatira R, Ross A. A rapid review and synthesis of the effectiveness of programmes initiating community-based antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa. South Afr J HIV Med 2020; 21:1153. [PMID: 33240539 PMCID: PMC7670036 DOI: 10.4102/sajhivmed.v21i1.1153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Community-based antiretroviral therapy initiation (CB-ARTi) has the potential to reduce attrition by increasing access to care, reducing patient costs, decongesting clinics and ensuring improved uptake of ART. There is a paucity of research that identifies successful implementation of CB-ARTi in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Objectives The aim of the study was to review and describe the evidence on the effectiveness of CB-ARTi programmes that start ART in communities in comparison with the current standards of care in SSA. Methods A rapid review of grey and published peer-reviewed literature between January 2009 and July 2019, by using PubMed, PDQ-Evidence, Google Scholar, clinical trial databases and major HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) conference websites, was conducted. Search terms used included ‘community-based’, ‘home initiation community models’, ‘antiretroviral therapy’, ‘clinical outcomes’, ‘viral suppression’, ‘retention in care’, ‘loss to follow-up’, ‘HIV’ and ‘sub-Saharan Africa’. Results The search yielded 90 articles and reports following the removal of duplicates. After initial screening and full-text screening, six articles remained and were included in the qualitative narrative synthesis. This included four randomised control trials and two cohort studies of specific interventions comparing CB-ARTi with the standard of care in SSA. There is evidence that CB-ARTi can increase access to HIV-testing services, linkage to ART, retention in care and viral suppression rates and is possibly not inferior to facility-based healthcare. Conclusion CB-ARTi has the potential to increase access to HIV services to people living with HIV in SSA. The results mentioned previously suggest that CB-ARTi models could prove to be equal and possibly not inferior to facility-based ones and warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Chimatira
- Department of Public Health, School of Public Health and Nursing, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Andrew Ross
- Department of Family Medicine, School of Public Health and Nursing, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Nachega JB, Fatti G, Zumla A, Geng EH. The where, when, and how of community-based versus clinic-based ART delivery in South Africa and Uganda. Lancet Glob Health 2020; 8:e1245-e1246. [PMID: 32971045 PMCID: PMC7505575 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(20)30385-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jean B Nachega
- Department of Epidemiology and International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Medicine and Centre for Infectious Diseases, Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, and Center for Global Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - 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
| | - Alimuddin Zumla
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Centre for Clinical Microbiology, University College London, London, UK; National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Elvin H Geng
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, and Center for Dissemination and Implementation, Institute for Public Health, Washington University, St Louis, MO, USA
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