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Tuthill EL, Odhiambo BC, Maltby AE. Understanding mother-to-child transmission of HIV among mothers engaged in HIV care in Kenya: a case report. Int Breastfeed J 2024; 19:14. [PMID: 38395878 PMCID: PMC10893718 DOI: 10.1186/s13006-024-00622-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mother-to-child transmission of HIV, which may occur in utero, during birth, or through breastmilk, is now largely preventable with the advancement of HIV testing and treatment for women and their infants. Globally, great progress has been recorded over the years, with a 58% decline in new infections in children from 2010 to 2022. Currently, Kenya is among the countries with the highest rates of mother-to-child transmission of HIV despite consistent efforts to promote prevention of mother to child transmission strategies. METHODS This case report presents the experiences of a woman, engaged in HIV care in Kenya, whose baby contracted HIV. The data used to describe this case come from surveys, provider notes, health records, observational notes, notes from phone call consultations, and one in-depth interview. All data sources were carefully reviewed, compared and complied to describe the timeline of events and context of the participant's experience. RESULTS We found multiple factors which may have contributed to this case of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Antenatal care was initiated late in pregnancy (during the third trimester), and as a result, HIV diagnosis and treatment also occurred late in pregnancy. In addition, a lack of coordination between the clinic providing antenatal care and HIV treatment, and the hospital providing labor and delivery services led to breastfeeding initiation prior to the administration of infant HIV prophylaxis medications. Finally, poor maternal adherence to HIV medications went undetected and unaddressed until it was revealed by routine viral load monitoring three months after initiating HIV treatment (more than two months postpartum). CONCLUSIONS Our case report shows the continued need for more intensive and integrated care for mothers living with HIV and their infants including support for pregnant women newly diagnosed with HIV, coordination of perinatal and HIV care, provisions for routine monitoring of HIV medication adherence, intensive follow-up care including point of care testing for HIV exposed infants and in person breastfeeding support. Our case report contributes an important perspective especially in light of the current UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy which recently inspired the Global Alliance to end AIDS in Children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Tuthill
- Department of Community Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of California, 12 Hayfield Rd, Etna, San Francisco, CA, NH 03750, USA.
| | - Belinda C Odhiambo
- Global Programs for Research and Training, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ann E Maltby
- Department of Community Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of California, 12 Hayfield Rd, Etna, San Francisco, CA, NH 03750, USA
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Bengtson AM, Filipowicz TR, Mphonda S, Udedi M, Kulisewa K, Meltzer-Brody S, Gaynes BN, Go VF, Chibanda D, Verhey R, Hosseinipour MC, Pence BW. An Intervention to Improve Mental Health and HIV Care Engagement Among Perinatal Women in Malawi: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:3559-3570. [PMID: 37084104 PMCID: PMC10119837 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04070-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Perinatal depression (PND) is common and an important barrier to engagement in HIV care for women living with HIV (WLHIV). Accordingly, we adapted and enhanced The Friendship Bench, an evidence-based counseling intervention, for perinatal WLHIV. In a pilot randomized trial (NCT04143009), we evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, and preliminary efficacy of the Enhanced Friendship Bench (EFB) intervention to improve PND and engagement in HIV care outcomes. Eighty pregnant WLHIV who screened positive for PND symptoms on the Self-Report Questionnaire (≥ 8) were enrolled, randomized 1:1 to EFB or usual care, and followed through 6 months postpartum. Overall, 100% of intervention participants were satisfied with the intervention and 93% found it beneficial to their overall health. Of 82 counseling sessions assessed for fidelity, 83% met or exceeded the fidelity threshold. At 6 months postpartum, intervention participants had improved depression remission (59% versus 36%, RD 23%, 95% CI 2%, 45%), retention in HIV care (82% versus 69%, RD 13%, -6%, 32%), and viral suppression (96% versus 90%, RD 7%, -7%, 20%) compared to usual care. Adverse events did not differ by arm. These results suggest that EFB intervention should be evaluated in a fully powered randomized trial to evaluate its efficacy to improve PND and engagement in HIV care outcomes for WLHIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Bengtson
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Teresa R Filipowicz
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Michael Udedi
- Mental Health Unit, Malawi Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Kazione Kulisewa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Samantha Meltzer-Brody
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Bradley N Gaynes
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Vivian F Go
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dixon Chibanda
- Department of Psychiatry & Research Support Centre, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Mina C Hosseinipour
- UNC Project Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Brian Wells Pence
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Daniels B, Kuhn L, Spooner E, Mulol H, Goga A, Feucht U, Essack SY, Coutsoudis A. Cotrimoxazole guidelines for infants who are HIV-exposed but uninfected: a call for a public health and ethics approach to the evidence. THE LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2022; 10:e1198-e1203. [DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00120-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
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Maingi M, Stark AH, Iron-Segev S. The impact of Option B+ on mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Africa: A systematic review. Trop Med Int Health 2022; 27:553-563. [PMID: 35477948 PMCID: PMC9328372 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Objective In 2015, the WHO released new guidelines to reduce mother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. The recommendations, known as Option B+, included initiation of lifelong highly active antiretroviral therapy regardless of CD4 count for all HIV‐positive pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. For infants, exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and antiviral therapy were sanctioned. Targets of <5% transmission in breastfeeding populations and <2% in non‐breastfeeding populations were set. This review evaluated the impact of Option B+ on MTCT in African countries. Methods Using the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar databases was conducted to identify relevant studies published between 2015 and 2021. All studies meeting inclusion criteria were evaluated. Results Of the 687 references screened, 22 studies from 11 countries (Cameroon, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe) met inclusion criteria. Six studies reported MTCT rates of <2%, 16 studies reported rates of 2–5% and two studies (Uganda and Zambia) reported 6% or more. Rates varied within the same study at different time points postpartum and amongst studies from the same country. Overall, reported MTCT rates appear to be close to WHO targets. However, diverse study designs, selection bias, extensive loss to follow‐up and undocumented adherence rates to Option B+ protocols may significantly underestimate MTCT rates of HIV in Africa. Conclusions Standardised protocols for impact evaluation must be established to provide evidenced‐based data on the efficacy of Option B+ in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mildred Maingi
- The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Aliza Hannah Stark
- The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sharon Iron-Segev
- The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Rehovot, Israel.,School of Nutritional Sciences, Peres Academic Center, Rehovot, Israel
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Zijenah LS, Bandason T, Bara W, Chipiti MM, Katzenstein DA. Impact of Option B + Combination Antiretroviral Therapy on Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV-1, Maternal and Infant Virologic Responses to Combination Antiretroviral Therapy, and Maternal and Infant Mortality Rates: A 24-Month Prospective Follow-Up Study at a Primary Health Care Clinic, in Harare, Zimbabwe. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2022; 36:145-152. [PMID: 35438521 PMCID: PMC9057887 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2021.0217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We conducted a 24-month prospective follow-up study, at a primary health care clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe, to determine cumulative mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 (MTCT) rate and the contributions of intrauterine (IU), intrapartum (IP), and postpartum (PP) to MTCT, as well as maternal and infant mortality rates in the era of Option B+ combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Plasma for viral load (VL) quantitation was obtained from 475 mothers enrolled into the study. VL was quantified at enrolment and every 6 months thereafter up to 24 months using the Cepheid GeneXpert HIV-1 Quantitative test. Dried blood spots were collected from 453 infants at birth, 4–6 weeks, 3 months, and every 3 months thereafter up to 24 months. HIV-1 infant diagnosis was conducted using the Cepheid GeneXpert HIV-1 Qualitative test. Absolute, cumulative MTCT rates and mortality rate were calculated. Seven mothers (1.55%) transmitted HIV-1 infection to their infants by 24 months. Four infants (0.88%; 95% CI 0.26–2.33%), one infant (0.22%; 95% CI 0–1.4%), and two infants (0.44%; 95% CI 0.01–1.7%) were infected IU, IP, and PP, respectively. By 24 months, 88.94% of the mothers and 80% of the infants had undetectable VL. The maternal and infant mortality rates were 0.21% and 1.78%, respectively. In the first 24 months of life, IU transmission is the major route of MTCT. The cumulative MTCT rate of 1.55% and low maternal and infant mortality rates of 0.21% and 1.78%, respectively, contribute to growing evidence that Option B+ cART not only drastically reduces MTCT but also maternal and infant mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Sodai Zijenah
- Immunology Unit, Department of Laboratory Diagnostics and Investigative Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Tsitsi Bandason
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Wilbert Bara
- Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Maria Mary Chipiti
- Immunology Unit, Department of Laboratory Diagnostics and Investigative Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
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