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Amone A, Gabagaya G, Wavamunno P, Rukundo G, Namale-Matovu J, Malamba SS, Lubega I, Homsy J, King R, Nakabiito C, Namukwaya Z, Fowler MG, Musoke P. Enhanced peer-group strategies to support the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission leads to increased retention in care in Uganda: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297652. [PMID: 38640123 PMCID: PMC11029615 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297652] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the scale-up of Option B+, long-term retention of women in HIV care during pregnancy and the postpartum period remains an important challenge. We compared adherence to clinic appointments and antiretroviral therapy (ART) at 6 weeks, 6, and and 24 months postpartum among pregnant women living with HIV and initiating Option B+. Women were randomized to a peer group support, community-based drug distribution and income-generating intervention called "Friends for Life Circles" (FLCs) versus the standard of care (SOC). Our secondary outcome was infant HIV status and HIV-free survival at 6 weeks and 18 months postpartum. METHODS Between 16 May 2016 and 12 September 2017, 540 ART-naïve pregnant women living with HIV at urban and rural health facilities in Uganda were enrolled in the study at any gestational age. Participants were randomized 1:1 to the unblinded FLC intervention or SOC at enrolment and assessed for adherence to the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) clinic appointments at 6 weeks, 12, and 24 months postpartum, self-reported adherence to ART at 6 weeks, 6 and 24 months postpartum and supported by plasma HIV-1 RNA viral load (VL) measured at the same time points, retention in care through the end of study, and HIV status and HIV-free survival of infants at 18 months postpartum. The FLC groups were formed during pregnancy within 4 months of enrollment and held monthly meetings in their communites, and were followed up until the last group participant reached 24 months post delivery. We used Log-rank and Chi-Square p-values to test the equality of Kaplan-Meier survival probabilities and hazard rates (HR) for failure to retain in care for any reason by study arm. RESULTS There was no significant difference in adherence to PMTCT clinic visits or to ART or in median viral loads between FLC and SOC arms at any follow-up time points. Retention in care through the end of study was high in both arms but significantly higher among participants randomized to FLC (86.7%) compared to SOC (79.3%), p = 0.022. The adjusted HR of visit dropout was 2.4 times greater among participants randomized to SOC compared to FLC (aHR = 2.363, 95% CI: 1.199-4.656, p = 0.013). Median VL remained < 400 copies/ml in both arms at 6 weeks, 6, and 24 months postpartum. Eight of the 431 infants tested at 18 months were HIV positive (1.9%), however, this was not statistically different among mothers enrolled in the FLC arm compared to those in the SOC arm. At 18 months, HIV-free survival of children born to mothers in the FLC arm was significantly higher than that of children born to mothers in the SOC arm. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that programmatic interventions that provide group support, community-based ART distribution, and income-generation activities may contribute to retention in PMTCT care, HIV-free survival of children born to women living with HIV, and ultimately, to the elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission (EMTCT). TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02515370 (04/08/2015) on ClinicalTrials.gov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Amone
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Grace Gabagaya
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Priscilla Wavamunno
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Gordon Rukundo
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joyce Namale-Matovu
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Irene Lubega
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jaco Homsy
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Rachel King
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Clemensia Nakabiito
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Zikulah Namukwaya
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mary Glenn Fowler
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Philippa Musoke
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
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Fassinou LC, Songwa Nkeunang D, Delvaux T, Nagot N, Kirakoya-Samadoulougou F. Adherence to option B + antiretroviral therapy and associated factors in pregnant and breastfeeding women in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:94. [PMID: 38183014 PMCID: PMC10768427 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17004-9] [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: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To assess the adherence to option B + antiretroviral therapy (ART) and associated factors in pregnant and breastfeeding women in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). METHODS We conducted a comprehensive search from 01st January 2012 to 03rd October 2022, across four databases: PubMed, Scopus, Proquest Central, and Index Medicus Africain, to identify studies focused on pregnant and/or breastfeeding women living with HIV and receiving option B+ ART in SSA. Studies reporting adherence data were included in the meta-analysis. Were excluded studies published before 01st January 2012, grey literature, systematic reviews, and meta-analysis studies. Articles selection and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. We evaluated pooled adherence and pooled association between various factors and adherence using a random-effects model. RESULTS Overall, 42 studies involving 15,158 participants across 15 countries contributed to the meta-analysis. The overall pooled adherence was 72.3% (95% CI: 68.2-76.1%). Having high education level (pooled odds ratio (OR): 2.25; 95% CI: 1.57-3.21), living in urban area (pooled OR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.10-2.81), disclosing status to a family/partner (pooled OR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.27-2.40), having a support system (pooled OR: 3.19; 95% CI: 1.89-5.36), receiving counseling (pooled OR: 3.97; 95% CI: 2.96-5.34), initiating ART at early clinical HIV stage (pooled OR: 2.22; 95% CI: 1.08-4.56), and having good knowledge on PMTCT/HIV (pooled OR: 2.71; 95% CI: 1.40-5.25) were factors significantly associated with adherence to option B + ART. CONCLUSIONS Despite the implementation of option B+ ART, the level of adherence among pregnant and breastfeeding women in SSA falls short of meeting the critical thresholds for viral load suppression as outlined in the 95-95-95 objectives set for 2025. These objectives are integral for achieving HIV elimination, and in turn, preventing HIV mother-to-child transmission. To bridge this gap, urgent tailored interventions based on individual and structural factors are essential to enhance adherence within these subgroups of women. This targeted approach is crucial in striving towards the HIV elimination target in SSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucresse Corine Fassinou
- INSSA, Université Nazi Boni, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
- Centre de Recherche en Epidémiologie, Biostatistique Et Recherche Clinique, Ecole de Santé Publique, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgique.
| | - Diane Songwa Nkeunang
- Centre de Recherche en Epidémiologie, Biostatistique Et Recherche Clinique, Ecole de Santé Publique, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgique
| | - Thérèse Delvaux
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Public Health, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Nagot
- Pathogenesis & Control of Chronic and Emerging Infections, Univ. Montpellier, INSERM, Univ. Antilles, Etablissement Français du Sang, Montpellier, France
| | - Fati Kirakoya-Samadoulougou
- Centre de Recherche en Epidémiologie, Biostatistique Et Recherche Clinique, Ecole de Santé Publique, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgique
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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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Mennecier A, Matoka B, Wilfred-Tonga MM, Chunda-Liyoka C, Mwiya M, Nagot N, Molès JP, Van de Perre P, Kankasa C, King R. Facilitators and barriers to infant post-natal HIV prophylaxis, a qualitative sub-study of the PROMISE-EPI trial in Lusaka, Zambia. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1242904. [PMID: 37663847 PMCID: PMC10469758 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1242904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Infant post-natal prophylaxis (PNP) is used to prevent HIV transmission through breastfeeding. The WHO edited recommendations but so far there is no consensus on the duration of prophylaxis and the type of drug used depends on national guidelines. In Zambia, the national recommendations include a three-drug prophylaxis, composed of a dispersible combined tablet of zidovudine (AZT) and lamivudine (3TC) and an oral suspension of nevirapine (NVP) for 12 weeks or until the mother's viral load is <1,000 cp/mL. The PROMISE-EPI study, modified the PNP regimen to lamivudine only, initiated at 6 weeks and continued until 12 months to all HIV exposed uninfected infants of virally unsuppressed mothers. Our aim in this analysis was to identify barriers and facilitators to this extended PNP, the keystone toward an effective prevention. Methods Individual interviews and focus group discussion (FGD) were conducted with PROMISE-EPI participants who had received prophylaxis for their children from the national program up to 6 weeks and then lamivudine oral solution in PROMISE-EPI study. Health care providers and PROMISE-EPI staff were also interviewed. Sessions were recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated from local languages into English. An initial code-book was designed and then adapted on the basis of the emerging themes, to allow a descriptive thematic analysis. Results More barriers to PNP adherence were identified with triple drug prophylaxis than with lamivudine. These barriers were related to the formulation and bitter taste of AZT/3TC tablets. The ready to use formulation and sweet taste of lamivudine syrup were appreciated by mothers. Extended PNP proposed in the PROMISE-EPI study was globally well accepted and strategies were found to increase adherence. Adherence to lamivudine appeared to be better than the mothers' adherence to their own antiretroviral therapy. Conclusion Accompanying mothers living with HIV and giving them the choice of the PNP to prevent transmission via breastfeeding (type of PNP regimen and extended PNP in non-adherent mothers), may be one of the keys to reducing the burden of pediatric HIV acquisition in low and middle income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Mennecier
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic and Emerging Infections, Montpellier University, INSERM, EFS, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Beauty Matoka
- Pediatric Centre of Excellence, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | | | - Mwiya Mwiya
- Pediatric Centre of Excellence, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Nicolas Nagot
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic and Emerging Infections, Montpellier University, INSERM, EFS, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Molès
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic and Emerging Infections, Montpellier University, INSERM, EFS, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Van de Perre
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic and Emerging Infections, Montpellier University, INSERM, EFS, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Chipepo Kankasa
- Pediatric Centre of Excellence, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Rachel King
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic and Emerging Infections, Montpellier University, INSERM, EFS, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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Amone A, Gabagaya G, Wavamunno P, Rukundo G, Namale-Matovu J, Malamba SS, Lubega I, Homsy J, King R, Nakabiito C, Namukwaya Z, Fowler MG, Musoke P. Enhanced Peer-Group strategies to support prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV transmission leads to increased retention in care in Uganda: A Randomized controlled trial. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.04.15.23288495. [PMID: 37131665 PMCID: PMC10153351 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.15.23288495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Despite scale up of Option B+, long-term retention of women in HIV care during pregnancy and the postpartum period remains an important challenge. We compared adherence to clinic appointments and antiretroviral therapy (ART) at different follow-up time points between enrolment and 24 months postpartum among pregnant women living with HIV and initiating Option B+ randomized to a peer group support, community-based drug distribution and income-generating intervention called "Friends for Life Circles" (FLCs) versus the standard of care (SOC). Methods Between 16 May 2016 and 12 September 2017, 540 ART-naïve pregnant women living with HIV at urban and rural health facilities in Uganda were enrolled in the study. Participants were randomized 1:1 to the FLC intervention or SOC and assessed for adherence to prevention of mother to child HIV transmission (PMTCT) clinic appointments at 6 weeks, 12 and 24 months postpartum, self-reported adherence to ART at 6 weeks, 6 and 24 months postpartum validated by plasma HIV-1 RNA viral load (VL) measured at the same time points, and HIV status and HIV-free survival of infants at 18 months postpartum. We used Log-rank and Chi-Square p-values to test the equality of Kaplan-Meier survival probabilities and hazard rates (HR) for failure to retain in care for any reason by study arm. Results There was no significant difference in adherence to PMTCT clinic visits or to ART or in median viral loads between FLC and SOC arms at any follow-up time points. Retention in care through the end of study was high in both arms but significantly higher among participants randomized to FLC (86.7%) compared to SOC (79.3%), p=0.022. The adjusted HR of visit dropout was 2.5 times greater among participants randomized to SOC compared to FLC (aHR=2.498, 95% CI: 1.417 - 4.406, p=0.002). Median VL remained < 400 copies/ml in both arms at 6 weeks, 6 and 24 months postpartum. Conclusions Our findings suggest that programmatic interventions that provide group support, community based ART distribution and income-generation activities may contribute to retention in PMTCT care, HIV-free survival of children born to women living with HIV, and to the elimination of mother to child HIV transmission (MTCT).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Amone
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Grace Gabagaya
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Priscilla Wavamunno
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Gordon Rukundo
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joyce Namale-Matovu
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Irene Lubega
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jaco Homsy
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Rachel King
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Clemensia Nakabiito
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Zikulah Namukwaya
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mary Glenn Fowler
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Philippa Musoke
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
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