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Lamami Y, Abulayha AM, Altabal S, Elbasir M, Elbnnani AS, Aghil L, Ebrahim F, Elzagheid A. Absolute CD4 count and percentage values among Libyan patients with HIV by single-platform flow cytometry. Lab Med 2024:lmae046. [PMID: 38902933 DOI: 10.1093/labmed/lmae046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Single-platform flow cytometry technology together with CD45-gating is becoming the method of choice for absolute CD4 T cell enumeration. Immunological assessment of HIV patients by monitoring CD4 can provide valuable information on antiviral treatment response and disease progression. METHODS A total of 97 HIV-positive individuals were recruited from 2 hospitals in Tripoli, Libya, and 14 healthy blood donors. The HIV-infected individuals were classified by CD4+ count into HIV-positive (>200 cells/µL) or AIDS (≤200 cells/µL) groups. CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts were determined and compared among the groups and with similar published data. RESULTS The mean ± SD CD4+ cell counts were 1106 ± 442.8 cells/µL in healthy individuals, 460 ± 219.7 cells/µL in the HIV-positive group, and 78 ± 64.3 cells/µL in the AIDS group. The mean ± SD CD4+/CD8+ ratio was 1.6 ± 0.58, 0.4 ± 0.22, and 0.1 ± 0.1, respectively. CD4+ counts in Libyan healthy adults might be higher than those reported in several studies in other regions, whereas CD4+ counts in Libyan AIDS patients seem lower. CONCLUSION Reference values for T lymphocyte counts in Libyan healthy individuals should be investigated more extensively, and the reasons why Libyan AIDS patients seem to have such lower CD4+ counts should be examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosra Lamami
- Libyan Biotechnology Research Center, Department of Human Cells and Tissues, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Abdulmunem M Abulayha
- Libyan Biotechnology Research Center, Department of Human Cells and Tissues, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Salah Altabal
- Libyan Biotechnology Research Center, Department of Human Cells and Tissues, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Mohamed Elbasir
- Libyan Biotechnology Research Center, Department of Human Cells and Tissues, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Abdulrhman S Elbnnani
- Libyan Biotechnology Research Center, Department of Human Cells and Tissues, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Laila Aghil
- National Center for Disease Control, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Fawzi Ebrahim
- Libyan Biotechnology Research Center, Department of Human Cells and Tissues, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Adam Elzagheid
- Libyan Biotechnology Research Center, Department of Human Cells and Tissues, Tripoli, Libya
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Namaganda P, Nantume P, Mubiru KR, Twimukye A, Wiltshire CS. Understanding patient-related barriers to hydroxyurea use among adolescent and adult patients with sickle cell disease in Mulago and Kiruddu hospitals, Uganda, a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:666. [PMID: 38802815 PMCID: PMC11131175 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-11125-6] [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: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2016, Uganda added Hydroxyurea (HU) to the list of essential drugs to treat sickle cell disease SCD. However, Hydroxyurea utilization has been low for several countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This study examined patient-related barriers to hydroxyurea use among adolescent and adult patients with sickle cell disease in Mulago and Kiruddu hospitals, in Uganda. METHODS To understand the patient-related barriers to hydroxyurea use among adolescent and adult patients with sickle cell disease, we conducted a parallel convergent mixed methods study at outpatient departments of two national referral hospitals in Uganda from October 2022 to January 2023. The cross-sectional mixed-methods study employed both quantitative and qualitative methods. We collected survey data from a systematic sample of 259 participants and conducted individual interviews with a purposive sample of 40 participants (20 adolescents or their caregivers and 20 adult patients with SCD) and interviewed them individually on their knowledge, perceptions, barriers, and facilitators of HU utilization. Descriptive data were analyzed using Stata 16, whereas qualitative data were analyzed thematically using an inductive approach supported by NVivo 12 software. We triangulated data to determine the concordance of qualitative and quantitative data. RESULTS The study enrolled 40 participants for qualitative interviews and 259 patients for quantitative, with an average age of 16, over half being female, 46% having secondary education, and 96% unmarried. The prevalence of HU use was 78%. The study identified three themes as follows: Patient barriers at the individual including Inadequate knowledge about HU, Persistent pain, Poor adherence to HU, Poor communication with health care workers, and Psychosocial and emotional challenges. At the facility level, long queues and poor quality of care, drug-related side effects that affect HU, and drug stock-outs were reported. Myths, rumors, and misconceptions about HU, and gender-related barriers were reported to affect HU utilization at a community level. Facilitators for the use of HU and recommendations for improvement. Facilitators included perceived benefits, long duration on HU, information sharing by healthcare workers, availability of complementary drugs, confirmation of diagnosis, and availability of medication at public health facilities or private pharmacies. Patients suggested continuous adherence support, encouragement from healthcare workers, sensitization about benefits and risks, a peer-to-peer approach, and financial support for adolescents and women to start businesses to resolve financial problems. CONCLUSION Implementing the use of HU has been challenging in Uganda and needs improvement. Facilitators to hydroxyurea use have been highlighted, though Patient-identified barriers at individual, facility, and community levels that need to be resolved. The experiences and insights shared by our participants provide invaluable guidance for increasing the uptake of HU. Further studies are needed to establish validated instruments to assess patients' pain communication and adherence to the HU regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patience Nantume
- Infectious Disease Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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Van Hout MC, Akugizibwe M, Shayo EH, Namulundu M, Kasujja FX, Namakoola I, Birungi J, Okebe J, Murdoch J, Mfinanga SG, Jaffar S. Decentralising chronic disease management in sub-Saharan Africa: a protocol for the qualitative process evaluation of community-based integrated management of HIV, diabetes and hypertension in Tanzania and Uganda. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e078044. [PMID: 38508649 PMCID: PMC10961519 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078044] [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: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sub-Saharan Africa continues to experience a syndemic of HIV and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Vertical (stand-alone) HIV programming has provided high-quality care in the region, with almost 80% of people living with HIV in regular care and 90% virally suppressed. While integrated health education and concurrent management of HIV, hypertension and diabetes are being scaled up in clinics, innovative, more efficient and cost-effective interventions that include decentralisation into the community are required to respond to the increased burden of comorbid HIV/NCD disease. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This protocol describes procedures for a process evaluation running concurrently with a pragmatic cluster-randomised trial (INTE-COMM) in Tanzania and Uganda that will compare community-based integrated care (HIV, diabetes and hypertension) with standard facility-based integrated care. The INTE-COMM intervention will manage multiple conditions (HIV, hypertension and diabetes) in the community via health monitoring and adherence/lifestyle advice (medicine, diet and exercise) provided by community nurses and trained lay workers, as well as the devolvement of NCD drug dispensing to the community level. Based on Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, the process evaluation will use qualitative methods to investigate sociostructural factors shaping care delivery and outcomes in up to 10 standard care facilities and/or intervention community sites with linked healthcare facilities. Multistakeholder interviews (patients, community health workers and volunteers, healthcare providers, policymakers, clinical researchers and international and non-governmental organisations), focus group discussions (community leaders and members) and non-participant observations (community meetings and drug dispensing) will explore implementation from diverse perspectives at three timepoints in the trial implementation. Iterative sampling and analysis, moving between data collection points and data analysis to test emerging theories, will continue until saturation is reached. This process of analytic reflexivity and triangulation across methods and sources will provide findings to explain the main trial findings and offer clear directions for future efforts to sustain and scale up community-integrated care for HIV, diabetes and hypertension. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The protocol has been approved by the University College of London (UK), the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Ethics Committee (UK), the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology and the Uganda Virus Research Institute Research and Ethics Committee (Uganda) and the Medical Research Coordinating Committee of the National Institute for Medical Research (Tanzania). The University College of London is the trial sponsor. Dissemination of findings will be done through journal publications and stakeholder meetings (with study participants, healthcare providers, policymakers and other stakeholders), local and international conferences, policy briefs, peer-reviewed journal articles and publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN15319595.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elizabeth Henry Shayo
- Health Systems, Policy and Translational Reseach Section, National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic
| | - Moreen Namulundu
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Wakiso, Uganda
| | | | - Ivan Namakoola
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Wakiso, Uganda
| | | | - Joseph Okebe
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jamie Murdoch
- School of Life Course and Population Sciences, King's College London, London, London, UK
| | - Sayoki Godfrey Mfinanga
- Muhimbili Medical Research Centre, National Institute for Medical Research Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of
| | - Shabbar Jaffar
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
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Brazier E, Tymejczyk O, Wools-Kaloustian K, Jiamsakul A, Torres MTL, Lee JS, Abuogi L, Khol V, Mejía Cordero F, Althoff KN, Law MG, Nash D. Long-term HIV care outcomes under universal HIV treatment guidelines: A retrospective cohort study in 25 countries. PLoS Med 2024; 21:e1004367. [PMID: 38498589 PMCID: PMC10962811 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While national adoption of universal HIV treatment guidelines has led to improved, timely uptake of antiretroviral therapy (ART), longer-term care outcomes are understudied. There is little data from real-world service delivery settings on patient attrition, viral load (VL) monitoring, and viral suppression (VS) at 24 and 36 months after HIV treatment initiation. METHODS AND FINDINGS For this retrospective cohort analysis, we used observational data from 25 countries in the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium's Asia-Pacific, Central Africa, East Africa, Central/South America, and North America regions for patients who were ART naïve and aged ≥15 years at care enrollment between 24 months before and 12 months after national adoption of universal treatment guidelines, occurring 2012 to 2018. We estimated crude cumulative incidence of loss-to-clinic (CI-LTC) at 12, 24, and 36 months after enrollment among patients enrolling in care before and after guideline adoption using competing risks regression. Guideline change-associated hazard ratios of LTC at each time point after enrollment were estimated via cause-specific Cox proportional hazards regression models. Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate relative risks of retention, VL monitoring, and VS at 12, 24, and 36 months after ART initiation. There were 66,963 patients enrolling in HIV care at 109 clinics with ≥12 months of follow-up time after enrollment (46,484 [69.4%] enrolling before guideline adoption and 20,479 [30.6%] enrolling afterwards). More than half (54.9%) were females, and median age was 34 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 27 to 43). Mean follow-up time was 51 months (standard deviation: 17 months; range: 12, 110 months). Among patients enrolling before guideline adoption, crude CI-LTC was 23.8% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 23.4, 24.2) at 12 months, 31.0% (95% CI [30.6, 31.5]) at 24 months, and 37.2% (95% [CI 36.8, 37.7]) at 36 months after enrollment. Adjusting for sex, age group, enrollment CD4, clinic location and type, and country income level, enrolling in care and initiating ART after guideline adoption was associated with increased hazard of LTC at 12 months (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.25 [95% CI 1.08, 1.44]; p = 0.003); 24 months (aHR 1.38 [95% CI 1.19, 1.59]; p < .001); and 36 months (aHR 1.34 [95% CI 1.18, 1.53], p < .001) compared with enrollment before guideline adoption, with no before-after differences among patients with no record of ART initiation by end of follow-up. Among patients retained after ART initiation, VL monitoring was low, with marginal improvements associated with guideline adoption only at 12 months after ART initiation. Among those with VL monitoring, VS was high at each time point among patients enrolling before guideline adoption (86.0% to 88.8%) and afterwards (86.2% to 90.3%), with no substantive difference associated with guideline adoption. Study limitations include lags in and potential underascertainment of care outcomes in real-world service delivery data and potential lack of generalizability beyond IeDEA sites and regions included in this analysis. CONCLUSIONS In this study, adoption of universal HIV treatment guidelines was associated with lower retention after ART initiation out to 36 months of follow-up, with little change in VL monitoring or VS among retained patients. Monitoring long-term HIV care outcomes remains critical to identify and address causes of attrition and gaps in HIV care quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Brazier
- City University of New York, Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), New York, New York, United States of America
- City University of New York, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Olga Tymejczyk
- City University of New York, Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Kara Wools-Kaloustian
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | | | - Marco Tulio Luque Torres
- Department of Pediatrics, Instituto Hondureño de Seguridad Social and Hospital Escuela Universitario, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
| | - Jennifer S. Lee
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Lisa Abuogi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Vohith Khol
- National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STDs, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Fernando Mejía Cordero
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Keri N. Althoff
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Matthew G. Law
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Denis Nash
- City University of New York, Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH), New York, New York, United States of America
- City University of New York, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, New York, United States of America
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Gerber F, Semphere R, Lukau B, Mahlatsi P, Mtenga T, Lee T, Kohler M, Glass TR, Amstutz A, Molatelle M, MacPherson P, Marake NB, Nliwasa M, Ayakaka I, Burke R, Labhardt N. Same-day versus rapid ART initiation in HIV-positive individuals presenting with symptoms of tuberculosis: Protocol for an open-label randomized non-inferiority trial in Lesotho and Malawi. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0288944. [PMID: 38330045 PMCID: PMC10852279 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288944] [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: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In absence of contraindications, same-day initiation (SDI) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended for people testing HIV-positive who are ready to start treatment. Until 2021, World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines considered the presence of TB symptoms (presumptive TB) a contraindication to SDI due to the risk of TB-immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS). To reduce TB-IRIS risk, ART initiation was recommended to be postponed until results of TB investigations were available, and TB treatment initiated if active TB was confirmed. In 2021, the WHO guidelines changed to recommending SDI even in the presence of TB symptoms without awaiting results of TB investigations based on the assumption that TB investigations often unnecessarily delay ART initiation, increasing the risk for pre-ART attrition from care, and noting that the clinical relevance of TB-IRIS outside the central nervous system remains unclear. However, this guideline change was not based on conclusive evidence, and it remains unclear whether SDI of ART or TB test results should be prioritized in people with HIV (PWH) and presumptive TB. DESIGN AND METHODS SaDAPT is an open-label, pragmatic, parallel, 1:1 individually randomized, non-inferiority trial comparing two strategies for the timing of ART initiation in PWH with presumptive TB ("ART first" versus "TB results first"). PWH in Lesotho and Malawi, aged 12 years and older (re)initiating ART who have at least one TB symptom (cough, fever, night sweats or weight loss) and no signs of intracranial infection are eligible. After a baseline assessment, participants in the "ART first" arm will be offered SDI of ART, while those in the "TB results first" arm will be offered ART only after active TB has been confirmed or refuted. We hypothesize that the "ART first" approach is safe and non-inferior to the "TB results first" approach with regard to HIV viral suppression (<400 copies/ml) six months after enrolment. Secondary outcomes include retention in care and adverse events consistent with TB-IRIS. EXPECTED OUTCOMES SaDAPT will provide evidence on the safety and effects of SDI of ART in PWH with presumptive TB in a pragmatic clinical trial setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial has been registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05452616; July 11 2022).
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Gerber
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Robina Semphere
- Helse Nord Tuberculosis Initiative, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | | | - Timeo Mtenga
- Helse Nord Tuberculosis Initiative, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Tristan Lee
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maurus Kohler
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tracy Renée Glass
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alain Amstutz
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Oslo Center for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | | | - Peter MacPherson
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - Marriot Nliwasa
- Helse Nord Tuberculosis Initiative, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Rachael Burke
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Niklaus Labhardt
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Ngcobo SJ, Makhado L, Sehularo LA. HIV Care Profiling and Delivery Status in the Mobile Health Clinics of eThekwini District in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa: A Descriptive Evaluation Study. NURSING REPORTS 2023; 13:1539-1552. [PMID: 37987408 PMCID: PMC10661302 DOI: 10.3390/nursrep13040129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mobile health clinics (MHCs) serve as an alternative HIV care delivery method for the HIV-burdened eThekwini district. This study aimed to describe and profile the HIV care services provided by the MHCs through process evaluation. A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative evaluation study was performed on 137 MHCs using total population sampling. An online data collection method using a validated 50-item researcher-developed instrument was administered to professional nurses who are MHC team leaders, following ethical approval from the local university and departments of health. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The results described that HIV care services are offered in open spaces (43%), community buildings (37%), solid built buildings called health posts (15%), vehicles (9%), and tents (2%) with no electricity (77%), water (55%), and sanitation (64%). Adults (97%) are the main recipients of HIV care in MHCs (90%) offering antiretroviral therapy (95%). Staff, monitoring, and retaining care challenges were noted, with good linkage (91%) and referral pathways (n = 123.90%). In conclusion, the standardization and prioritization of HIV care with specific contextual practice guidelines are vital.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lufuno Makhado
- Office of the Deputy Dean Research and Postgraduate Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
| | - Leepile Alfred Sehularo
- NuMIQ Research Focus Area, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng 2531, South Africa
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Mekuria AD, Meseret WA, Assefa HK, Sisay AL, Bilchut AH, Derseh BT, Abebe AM, Tesfahun E, Minda A, Equbay M. Time to Virological Failure and Its Predictor Among HIV-Positive Clients with the Differentiated Service Delivery Model of HIV at Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, 2021: A Retrospective Cohort Study. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2023; 39:547-557. [PMID: 37183404 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2022.0153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Diversified antiretroviral therapy (ART) approach is needed in methods that were acceptable to communities and maintain good viral suppression outcomes to reach the UNAIDS targets to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030. Ethiopia is fully implementing differentiated service delivery (DSD) approaches, appointment spacing, and standard care. This study aimed to determine the time to HIV virological failure and its predictors among patients with a DSD model. An institution-based retrospective cohort study was conducted with data collection dates ranging from May 1, 2021, to May 30, 2021. All adult HIV-positive patients (n = 2,148) between January 2018 and January 2021 were a source population. Data were extracted using a standard checklist by trained data collectors and entered into EpiData, exported to SPSS version 20 for data management, and then exported to R Studio version 1.4 for analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival curves, the log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazard regression models were employed. The incidence of virological failure was 86 per 10,000 person-months. The independent predictors for the hazard of virological failure were being on standard care [adjusted hazard ratios (AHR) = 1.91; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-3.40], primarily educated (AHR = 3.46; 95% CI 1.02-11.72), having no education (AHR = 3.45; 95% CI 1.01-11.85), and ambulatory status at baseline (AHR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.06-3.09). Patients who had a viral load with a detectable range from 50 to 999 at engagement (AHR = 2.65; 95% CI 1.33-5.27) and a 1-month increase in ART for HIV patients (AHR = 1.045; 95% CI 1.01-1.09). The incidence of virological failure was 86 per 10,000 person-months, whereas the incidences were 52 per 10,000 person-months and 71 per 10,000 person-months on appointment spacing model and standard care, respectively, with independent predictors: patient category, educational status, baseline functional status, viral load at engagement, and duration of ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abinet Dagnaw Mekuria
- Department of Public Health, Asrate Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
| | - Wondesen Asegidew Meseret
- Department of Public Health, Asrate Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
| | - Hilina Ketema Assefa
- Department of Nursing, Asrate Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
| | - Assefa Legesse Sisay
- Department of Epidemiology and Bio-Statistics, Public Health Faculty Institute of Health Science, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Awraris Hailu Bilchut
- Department of Public Health, Asrate Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
| | - Behailu Tariku Derseh
- Department of Public Health, Asrate Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
| | - Ayele Mamo Abebe
- Department of Nursing, Asrate Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
| | - Esubalew Tesfahun
- Department of Public Health, Asrate Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
| | - Abebe Minda
- Department of Public Health, Asrate Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
| | - Meseret Equbay
- Department of Public Health, Asrate Woldeyes Health Science Campus, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
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Burke RM, Feasey N, Rangaraj A, Camps MR, Meintjes G, El-Sadr WM, Ford N. Ending AIDS deaths requires improvements in clinical care for people with advanced HIV disease who are seriously ill. Lancet HIV 2023; 10:e482-e484. [PMID: 37301220 PMCID: PMC7614731 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(23)00109-1] [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: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Over 4 million adults are living with advanced HIV disease with approximately 650 000 fatalities from HIV reported in 2021. People with advanced HIV disease have low immunity and can present to health services in two ways: those who are well but at high risk of developing severe disease, and those who are severely ill. These two groups require specific management approaches that place different demands on the health system. The first group can generally be supported in primary care settings but require differentiated care to meet their needs. The second group are at high risk of death and need focused diagnostics and clinical care, and possibly hospitalisation. Investments in high-quality clinical management of patients with advanced HIV disease who are seriously ill at primary care or hospital level (often only for a brief period of time during their acute illness) improves the likelihood that their condition will stabilise and that they will recover. Providing high-quality and safe clinical care that is accessible to these groups of people living with HIV who are at risk of severe illness and death is a key priority for reaching the global target of zero AIDS deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael M Burke
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi; Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Nicholas Feasey
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi; Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ajay Rangaraj
- Global HIV, STIs and Hepatitis Programme, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Graeme Meintjes
- Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Wafaa M El-Sadr
- ICAP, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nathan Ford
- Global HIV, STIs and Hepatitis Programme, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland; Centre for Infectious Disease and Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
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9
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Van Hout MC, Zalwango F, Akugizibwe M, Chaka MN, Birungi J, Okebe J, Jaffar S, Bachmann M, Murdoch J. Implementing integrated care clinics for HIV-infection, diabetes and hypertension in Uganda (INTE-AFRICA): process evaluation of a cluster randomised controlled trial. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:570. [PMID: 37268916 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09534-0] [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: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a dual burden of chronic human immunodeficiency virus and non-communicable diseases. A pragmatic parallel arm cluster randomised trial (INTE-AFRICA) scaled up 'one-stop' integrated care clinics for HIV-infection, diabetes and hypertension at selected facilities in Uganda. These clinics operated integrated health education and concurrent management of HIV, hypertension and diabetes. A process evaluation (PE) aimed to explore the experiences, attitudes and practices of a wide variety of stakeholders during implementation and to develop an understanding of the impact of broader structural and contextual factors on the process of service integration. METHODS The PE was conducted in one integrated care clinic, and consisted of 48 in-depth interviews with stakeholders (patients, healthcare providers, policy-makers, international organisation, and clinical researchers); three focus group discussions with community leaders and members (n = 15); and 8 h of clinic-based observation. An inductive analytical approach collected and analysed the data using the Empirical Phenomenological Psychological five-step method. Bronfenbrenner's ecological framework was subsequently used to conceptualise integrated care across multiple contextual levels (macro, meso, micro). RESULTS Four main themes emerged; Implementing the integrated care model within healthcare facilities enhances detection of NCDs and comprehensive co-morbid care; Challenges of NCD drug supply chains; HIV stigma reduction over time, and Health education talks as a mechanism for change. Positive aspects of integrated care centred on the avoidance of duplication of care processes; increased capacity for screening, diagnosis and treatment of previously undiagnosed comorbid conditions; and broadening of skills of health workers to manage multiple conditions. Patients were motivated to continue receiving integrated care, despite frequent NCD drug stock-outs; and development of peer initiatives to purchase NCD drugs. Initial concerns about potential disruption of HIV care were overcome, leading to staff motivation to continue delivering integrated care. CONCLUSIONS Implementing integrated care has the potential to sustainably reduce duplication of services, improve retention in care and treatment adherence for co/multi-morbid patients, encourage knowledge-sharing between patients and providers, and reduce HIV stigma. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN43896688.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Flavia Zalwango
- MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Research Unit, MRC/UVRI & LSHTM, Entebbe, Uganda
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10
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Garrib A, Njim T, Adeyemi O, Moyo F, Halloran N, Luo H, Wang D, Okebe J, Bates K, Santos VS, Ramaiya K, Jaffar S. Retention in care for type 2 diabetes management in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. Trop Med Int Health 2023; 28:248-261. [PMID: 36749181 PMCID: PMC10947597 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Diabetes prevalence has risen rapidly in Sub-Saharan Africa, but rates of retention in diabetes care are poorly understood. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine rates of retention in care of persons with type 2 diabetes. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, Global Health and CINAHL online databases for cohort studies and randomised control trials (RCTs) published up to 12 October 2021, that reported retention in or attrition from care for patients with type 2 diabetes in Sub-Saharan Africa. Retention was defined as persons diagnosed with diabetes who were alive and in care or with a known outcome, while attrition was defined as loss from care. RESULTS From 6559 articles identified, after title and abstract screening, 209 articles underwent full text review. Forty six papers met the inclusion criteria, comprising 22,610 participants. Twenty one articles were of RCTs of which 8 trials had 1 year or more of follow-up and 25 articles were of non-randomised studies of which 19 had 12 months or more of follow-up. A total of 11 studies (5 RCTs and 6 non-randomised) were assessed to be of good quality. Sixteen RCTs were done in secondary or tertiary care settings. Their pooled retention rate (95% CI) was 80% (77%, 84%) in the control arm. Four RCTs had been done in primary care settings and their pooled retention rate (95% CI) was 53% (45%, 62%) in the control arm. The setting of one trial was unclear. For non-randomised studies, retention rates (95% CI) were 68% (62%, 75%) among 19 studies done in secondary and tertiary care settings, and 40% (33%, 49%) among the 6 studies done in primary care settings. CONCLUSION Rates of retention in care of people living with diabetes are poor in primary care research settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupam Garrib
- Department of Clinical SciencesLiverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUK
| | - Tsi Njim
- Department of International Public HealthLiverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUK
| | - Olukemi Adeyemi
- Department of International Public HealthLiverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUK
| | - Faith Moyo
- Department of International Public HealthLiverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUK
| | - Natalie Halloran
- Department of International Public HealthLiverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUK
| | - Huanyuan Luo
- Department of International Public HealthLiverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUK
| | - Duolao Wang
- Department of Clinical SciencesLiverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUK
| | - Joseph Okebe
- Department of International Public HealthLiverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUK
| | - Katie Bates
- Department of International Public HealthLiverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUK
- Department of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Health EconomicsMedical University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Victor Santana Santos
- Department of MedicineFederal University of SergipeLagartoBrazil
- Health Science Graduate ProgramFederal University of SergipeAracajuBrazil
| | | | - Shabbar Jaffar
- UCL Institute for Global HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
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11
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Vander-Pallen R, Domfeh EA, Hayford FEA, Asante M, Amoah AGB, Asare GA, Wiredu EK. Nutritional status and effect of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) on selected trace elements in people living with HIV in Ghana. SCIENTIFIC AFRICAN 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2023.e01586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
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12
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Sokhela S, Lalla-Edward S, Siedner MJ, Majam M, Venter WDF. Roadmap for Achieving Universal Antiretroviral Treatment. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 63:99-117. [PMID: 36662580 PMCID: PMC10807407 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-052020-094321] [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] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Modern antiretroviral therapy safely, potently, and durably suppresses human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that, if left untreated, predictably causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which has been responsible for tens of millions of deaths globally since it was described in 1981. In one of the most extraordinary medical success stories in modern times, a combination of pioneering basic science, innovative drug development, and ambitious public health programming resulted in access to lifesaving, safe drugs, taken as an oral tablet daily, for most of the world. However, substantial challenges remain in the fields of prevention, timely access to diagnosis, and treatment, especially in pediatric and adolescent patients. As HIV-positive adults age, treating their comorbidities will require understanding the course of different chronic diseases complicated by HIV-related and antiretroviral toxicities and finding potential treatments. Finally, new long-acting antiretrovirals on the horizon promise exciting new options in both the prevention and treatment fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simiso Sokhela
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa;
| | - Samanta Lalla-Edward
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa;
| | - Mark J Siedner
- Harvard Medical School and Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mohammed Majam
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa;
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13
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Arije O, Titus R, Olaniran A, Dadi A, Garba D, Okeke E, Godpower O, Anyanti J, Idogho O, Roebersen C, Vrolings E, Onayade A. Effectiveness of community mobilisation models in improving HIV testing services uptake among women and children in Nigeria: A quasi-experimental study. Glob Public Health 2023; 18:2284880. [PMID: 38015746 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2023.2284880] [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: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Nigeria carries a high burden of HIV infections, with Taraba State having a prevalence of 2.49%. This quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact of the Lafiyan Yara project, which utilised various community-based mobilisation models, on the enhancement of HTS uptake among women during pregnancy, and children. The intervention involved the implementation of mobilisation by Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA), Village Health Workers (VHW), Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs), and a combination of the three in four study local government areas (LGA) in Taraba State. Baseline and end-line surveys were conducted focused on women aged 15-49 years who delivered a child in the past 1 year, and children in their households, in the study and a control LGA. A difference-in-difference (DID) approach was applied by using a probit regression model with interaction terms for treatment status (intervention vs. control) and survey timing to compute the DID estimates of uptake of HTS. The TBA model showed the highest impact in the referral of women to HTS, while the combined model demonstrated the greatest impact in referrals for children. Scaling up and strengthening these community mobilisation efforts can improve access to HIV testing and contribute to HIV/AIDS prevention and control in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olujide Arije
- Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Rachel Titus
- Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Akintayo Olaniran
- Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Aisha Dadi
- Society for Family Health, Abuja, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Adedeji Onayade
- Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
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14
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Romijnders KAGJ, de Groot L, Vervoort SCJM, Basten M, van Welzen BJ, Kretzschmar ME, Reiss P, Davidovich U, van der Loeff MFS, Rozhnova G. The experienced positive and negative influence of HIV on quality of life of people with HIV and vulnerable to HIV in the Netherlands. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21887. [PMID: 36536038 PMCID: PMC9761623 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25113-5] [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: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This qualitative study aimed to explore the experienced influence of HIV on the quality of life (QoL) of people with HIV (PHIV) and key populations without but are vulnerable to HIV in the Netherlands. We conducted and thematically analyzed interviews with 29 PHIV and 13 participants from key populations without HIV (i.e., men who have sex with men). PHIV and key populations shared positive meaningful experiences regarding HIV, i.e., feeling grateful for ART, life, and the availability of PrEP, being loved and supported in the light of HIV, and providing support to the community. Negative predominant experiences regarding HIV were described by both PHIV and key populations as the negative effects of ART, challenges with regards to disclosing HIV, social stigmatization, and self-stigma. It remains important to support HIV community organizations in their efforts to reduce social stigmatization and to continue improving biomedical interventions for HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim A. G. J. Romijnders
- grid.7692.a0000000090126352Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Laura de Groot
- grid.7692.a0000000090126352Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sigrid C. J. M. Vervoort
- grid.7692.a0000000090126352Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maartje Basten
- grid.7692.a0000000090126352Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Berend J. van Welzen
- grid.7692.a0000000090126352Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mirjam E. Kretzschmar
- grid.7692.a0000000090126352Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Reiss
- grid.509540.d0000 0004 6880 3010Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Global Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.450091.90000 0004 4655 0462Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.509540.d0000 0004 6880 3010Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Udi Davidovich
- grid.7177.60000000084992262Department of Social Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.413928.50000 0000 9418 9094Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten F. Schim van der Loeff
- grid.509540.d0000 0004 6880 3010Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Global Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.450091.90000 0004 4655 0462Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ,grid.413928.50000 0000 9418 9094Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ganna Rozhnova
- grid.7692.a0000000090126352Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.9983.b0000 0001 2181 4263BioISI – Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal ,grid.5477.10000000120346234Center for Complex Systems Studies (CCSS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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15
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Zhao W, Yao L, Zhuang M, Lin YL, Chen XH, Wang L, Song B, Zhao YS, Xiao Y, Zhang FM, Wang FX, Ling H. A baseline epidemiological study of the co-infection of enteric protozoans with human immunodeficiency virus among men who have sex with men from Northeast China. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010712. [PMID: 36067140 PMCID: PMC9447920 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and enteric parasite co-infection not only aggravates the clinical symptoms of parasites but also accelerates acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) progression. However, co-infection research on men who have sex with men (MSM), the predominant high-risk population of HIV/AIDS in China, is still limited. In this study, we investigated the epidemiology of enteric parasites, risk factors, and associations with clinical significance in an MSM HIV/AIDS population in Heilongjiang Province, northeast China. Methods We recruited 308 MSMs HIV/AIDS patients and 199 HIV-negative individuals in two designated AIDS hospitals in Heilongjiang between April 2016 and July 2017. Fresh stool samples were collected. DNA extraction, molecular identification, and genotyping of Cryptosporidium species, Entamoeba histolytica, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Blastocystis hominis were performed. Fourteen diarrhea-related pathogens were examined to exclude the influence of other bacterial pathogens on diarrhea incidence. Results 31.5% of MSM HIV/AIDS participants were infected with at least one parasite species, a significantly higher proportion than that found in the HIV-negative individuals (2.5%). E. bieneusi presented the highest prevalence, followed by B. hominis, E. histolytica, Cryptosporidium spp., and C. cayetanensis. Warm seasons were the risk factor for parasitic infections in this population [odds ratio (OR) = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.47–4.57]. In addition, these individuals showed a higher proportion (35.8%) of present diarrhea (PD) compared with men who have sex with women (MSW) with HIV/AIDS (16.7%). The infection proportions of both Cryptosporidium spp. and E. histolytica were significantly higher in the PD. E. bieneusi infection was more prevalent in the historic diarrhea (HD) group. CD4+ T cell counts in the MSM patients with the above three parasites were significantly lower. New species and genotypes were found, and MSM patients had a wider range of species or genotypes. Conclusions Enteric parasitic infection was prevalent in the MSM HIV/AIDS population, especially in patients with present diarrhea during warm seasons. E. histolytica and B. hominis should also be considered high-risk parasites for opportunistic infections in AIDS patients in addition to Cryptosporidium spp. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and enteric parasite co-infection not only aggravates the clinical symptoms of parasites but also accelerates acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) progression. In China, despite a large number of HIV-infected people, the data regarding co-infection with enteric intracellular parasites in this population is still sparse. In the present study, we investigated the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba histolytica and Cyclospora cayetanensis in 384 HIV/AIDS including 308 MSM HIV/AIDS populations in two designated AIDS hospitals in Heilongjiang Province, North-East China between April 2016 and July 2017 by polymerase chain reaction. We also try to track the possible sources, risk factors, and any associations, with clinical significance, of human parasitic infections. Such knowledge will provide insights into prognosis, treatment, and preventive strategies against infections with such pathogens. The findings in this study have important implications for public health, the control of AIDS progression and control of parasitic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhao
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medicine, Wu Lien-Teh Institute, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, Harbin, China
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lan Yao
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medicine, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Min Zhuang
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medicine, Wu Lien-Teh Institute, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, Harbin, China
| | - Yuan-Long Lin
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Immunity, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital, Second Hospital Affiliated to Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiao-Hong Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Li Wang
- The Heilongjiang province hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Bo Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ya-Shuang Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yun Xiao
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Feng-Min Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medicine, Wu Lien-Teh Institute, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, Harbin, China
| | - Fu-Xiang Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Immunity, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, State Key Discipline of Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital, Second Hospital Affiliated to Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- * E-mail: (FXW); (HL)
| | - Hong Ling
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic Medicine, Wu Lien-Teh Institute, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology, Harbin, China
- Department of Parasitology, School of Basic Medicine, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- * E-mail: (FXW); (HL)
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Schmidt HMA, Schaefer R, Nguyen VTT, Radebe M, Sued O, Rodolph M, Ford N, Baggaley R. Scaling up access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): should nurses do the job? Lancet HIV 2022; 9:e363-e366. [PMID: 35358418 PMCID: PMC9046094 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(22)00006-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Task sharing has been one of the most important enabling policies supporting the global expansion of access to HIV testing and treatment. The WHO public health approach, which relies on delivery of antiretroviral therapy (ART) by nurses, has enabled a trebling of the number of people receiving ART during the past decade. WHO recognises that HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can also be provided by nurses; however, many countries still do not have policies in place that support nurse provision of PrEP. In sub-Saharan Africa, most countries allow nurses to prescribe ART, but only a few countries have policies in place that allow nurses to prescribe PrEP. Nurse-led PrEP delivery is particularly low in the Asia-Pacific region, which has some of the world's fastest growing epidemics. Even in many high-income countries, PrEP scale-up has been limited because policies often require medical doctors or specialists to prescribe. Service providers in many countries are coming to realise that scaling up access to PrEP cannot be achieved by medical doctors alone, and nurse-led PrEP delivery can help to lay the groundwork for supporting uptake of other HIV prevention approaches that will become available in the future. Countries with policies that authorise nurses to prescribe ART could be early adopters and help to pave the way for wider adoption of nurse-led PrEP delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather-Marie A Schmidt
- UNAIDS Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand; Global HIV, Hepatitis and STIs Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Robin Schaefer
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STIs Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Mopo Radebe
- World Health Organization, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Omar Sued
- Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Michelle Rodolph
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STIs Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nathan Ford
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STIs Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Rachel Baggaley
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STIs Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Individual and healthcare supply-related HIV transmission factors in HIV-positive patients enrolled in the antiretroviral treatment access program in the Centre and Littoral regions in Cameroon (ANRS-12288 EVOLCam survey). PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266451. [PMID: 35385535 PMCID: PMC8985982 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266451] [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: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Despite great progress in antiretroviral treatment (ART) access in recent decades, HIV incidence remains high in sub-Saharan Africa. We investigated the role of individual and healthcare supply-related factors in HIV transmission risk in HIV-positive adults enrolled in 19 HIV services in the Centre and Littoral regions of Cameroon.
Methods
Factors associated with HIV transmission risk (defined as both unstable aviremia and inconsistent condom use with HIV-negative or unknown status partners) were identified using a multi-level logistic regression model. Besides socio-demographic and behavioral individual variables, the following four HIV-service profiles, identified using cluster analysis, were used in regression analyses as healthcare supply-related variables: 1) district services with large numbers of patients, almost all practicing task-shifting and not experiencing antiretroviral drugs (ARV) stock-outs (n = 4); 2) experienced and well-equipped national reference services, most practicing task-shifting and not experiencing ARV stock-outs (n = 5); 3) small district services with limited resources and activities, almost all experiencing ARV stock-outs (n = 6); 4) small district services with a wide range of activities and half not experiencing ARV stock-outs (n = 4).
Results
Of the 1372 patients (women 67%, median age [Interquartile]: 39 [33–44] years) reporting sexual activity in the previous 12 months, 39% [min-max across HIV services: 25%-63%] were at risk of transmitting HIV. The final model showed that being a woman (adjusted Odd Ratio [95% Confidence Interval], p-value: 2.13 [1.60–2.82], p<0.001), not having an economic activity (1.34 [1.05–1.72], p = 0.019), having at least two sexual partners (2.45 [1.83–3.29], p<0.001), reporting disease symptoms at HIV diagnosis (1.38 [1.08–1.75], p = 0.011), delayed ART initiation (1.32 [1.02–1.71], p = 0.034) and not being ART treated (2.28 [1.48–3.49], p<0.001) were all associated with HIV transmission risk. Conversely, longer time since HIV diagnosis was associated with a lower risk of transmitting HIV (0.96 [0.92–0.99] per one-year increase, p = 0.024). Patients followed in the third profile had a higher risk of transmitting HIV (1.71 [1.05–2.79], p = 0.031) than those in the first profile.
Conclusions
Healthcare supply constraints, including limited resources and ARV supply chain deficiency may impact HIV transmission risk. To reduce HIV incidence, HIV services need adequate resources to relieve healthcare supply-related barriers and provide suitable support activities throughout the continuum of care.
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Okoboi S, Musaazi J, King R, Lippman SA, Kambugu A, Mujugira A, Izudi J, Parkes-Ratanshi R, Kiragga AN, Castelnuovo B. Adherence monitoring methods to measure virological failure in people living with HIV on long-term antiretroviral therapy in Uganda. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000569. [PMID: 36962730 PMCID: PMC10021796 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Appointment keeping and self-report within 7-day or and 30-days recall periods are non-objective measures of antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence. We assessed incidence of virological failure (VF), predictive performance and associations of these adherence measures with VF among adults on long-term ART. Data for persons initiated on ART between April 2004 and April 2005, enrolled in a long-term ART cohort at 10-years on ART (baseline) and followed until December 2021 was analyzed. VF was defined as two consecutives viral loads ≥1000 copies/ml at least within 3-months after enhanced adherence counselling. We estimated VF incidence using Kaplan-Meier and Cox-proportional hazards regression for associations between each adherence measure (analyzed as time-dependent annual values) and VF. The predictive performance of appointment keeping and self-reporting for identifying VF was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves and reported as area under the curve (AUC). We included 900 of 1,000 participants without VF at baseline: median age was 47 years (Interquartile range: 41-51), 60% were women and 88% were virally suppressed. ART adherence was ≥95% for all three adherence measures. Twenty-one VF cases were observed with an incidence rate of 4.37 per 1000 person-years and incidence risk of 2.4% (95% CI: 1.6%-3.7%) over the 5-years of follow-up. Only 30-day self-report measure was associated with lower risk of VF, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.14, 95% CI:0.05-0.37). Baseline CD4 count ≥200cells/ml was associated with lower VF for all adherence measures. The 30-day self-report measure demonstrated the highest predictive performance for VF (AUC = 0.751) compared to appointment keeping (AUC = 0.674), and 7-day self-report (AUC = 0.687). The incidence of virological failure in this study cohort was low. Whilst 30- day self-report was predictive, appointment keeping and 7-day self-reported adherence measures had low predictive performance in identifying VF. Viral load monitoring remains the gold standard for adherence monitoring and confirming HIV treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Okoboi
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph Musaazi
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rachel King
- Department of Global Health, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sheri A Lippman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Prevention Science, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Andrew Kambugu
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Andrew Mujugira
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jonathan Izudi
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rosalind Parkes-Ratanshi
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- Clinical School, University of Cambridge, London, United Kingdom
| | - Agnes N Kiragga
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Barbara Castelnuovo
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
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Venter WDF, Serenata C, Vitoria M, Mkhondwane L, Sikwese K, Pepperrell T, Clayden P, Qavi A, Doherty M, Penazzato M, Hill A. What we have learned from antiretroviral treatment optimization efforts over the last 5 years? AIDS 2021; 35:S113-S115. [PMID: 34848578 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Progression in the development of antiretroviral therapy has been remarkable, with new agents continuing to appear as options for modern regimens, including in low-and-middle income countries where the HIV epidemic is concentrated. Here, we reflect on progress made in guiding regimen changes to public health programmes, and the challenges facing selection of newer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- W D Francois Venter
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Celicia Serenata
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Marco Vitoria
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | - Ambar Qavi
- Imperial College London Faculty of Medicine, London
| | - Meg Doherty
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Martina Penazzato
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Hill
- Department of Translational Medicine, Liverpool University, Liverpool, UK
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Ford N, Crawford KW, Ameyan W. Rapidly starting antiretroviral therapy to improve outcomes among disadvantaged groups. AIDS 2021; 35:2217-2219. [PMID: 34602591 PMCID: PMC8505146 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Ford
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Keith W. Crawford
- Therapeutic Research Program, Division of AIDS, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Wole Ameyan
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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21
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Patient-Centered, Sustainable Hypertension Care: The Case for Adopting a Differentiated Service Delivery Model for Hypertension Services in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Glob Heart 2021; 16:59. [PMID: 34692383 PMCID: PMC8415184 DOI: 10.5334/gh.978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Expanding hypertension services in low- and middle-income countries requires efficient and effective service delivery approaches that meet the needs and expectations of people living with hypertension within the resource constraints of existing national health systems. Ideally, a hypertension program will extend treatment coverage while maintaining service quality, maximizing efficient resource utilization and improving clinical outcomes. In this article, we discuss lessons learned from HIV differentiated service delivery initiatives, and make the case that the same approach should be adopted for hypertension programs.
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22
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Mfinanga SG, Nyirenda MJ, Mutungi G, Mghamba J, Maongezi S, Musinguzi J, Okebe J, Kivuyo S, Birungi J, van Widenfelt E, Van Hout MC, Bachmann M, Garrib A, Bukenya D, Cullen W, Lazarus JV, Niessen LW, Katahoire A, Shayo EH, Namakoola I, Ramaiya K, Wang D, Cuevas LE, Etukoit BM, Lutale J, Meshack S, Mugisha K, Gill G, Sewankambo N, Smith PG, Jaffar S. Integrating HIV, diabetes and hypertension services in Africa: study protocol for a cluster randomised trial in Tanzania and Uganda. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e047979. [PMID: 34645657 PMCID: PMC8515479 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047979] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION HIV programmes in sub-Saharan Africa are well funded but programmes for diabetes and hypertension are weak with only a small proportion of patients in regular care. Healthcare provision is organised from stand-alone clinics. In this cluster randomised trial, we are evaluating a concept of integrated care for people with HIV infection, diabetes or hypertension from a single point of care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS 32 primary care health facilities in Dar es Salaam and Kampala regions were randomised to either integrated or standard vertical care. In the integrated care arm, services are organised from a single clinic where patients with either HIV infection, diabetes or hypertension are managed by the same clinical and counselling teams. They use the same pharmacy and laboratory and have the same style of patient records. Standard care involves separate pathways, that is, separate clinics, waiting and counselling areas, a separate pharmacy and separate medical records. The trial has two primary endpoints: retention in care of people with hypertension or diabetes and plasma viral load suppression. Recruitment is expected to take 6 months and follow-up is for 12 months. With 100 participants enrolled in each facility with diabetes or hypertension, the trial will provide 90% power to detect an absolute difference in retention of 15% between the study arms (at the 5% two-sided significance level). If 100 participants with HIV infection are also enrolled in each facility, we will have 90% power to show non-inferiority in virological suppression to a delta=10% margin (ie, that the upper limit of the one-sided 95% CI of the difference between the two arms will not exceed 10%). To allow for lost to follow-up, the trial will enrol over 220 persons per facility. This is the only trial of its kind evaluating the concept of a single integrated clinic for chronic conditions in Africa. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The protocol has been approved by ethics committee of The AIDS Support Organisation, National Institute of Medical Research and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Dissemination of findings will be done through journal publications and meetings involving study participants, healthcare providers and other stakeholders. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN43896688.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayoki Godfrey Mfinanga
- Muhimbili Medical Research Centre, National Institute for Medical Research Muhimbili Research Centre, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Gerald Mutungi
- Non-Communicable Diseases Control Programme, Republic of Uganda Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Janneth Mghamba
- Directors office, Ministry of Health Community Development Gender Elderly and Children, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Sarah Maongezi
- Non-Communicable Diseases Control Programme, Ministry of Health Community Development Gender Elderly and Children, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Joshua Musinguzi
- AIDS Control Programme, Republic of Uganda Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph Okebe
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sokoine Kivuyo
- National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | | | | | - Max Bachmann
- Norwich Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Anupam Garrib
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Walter Cullen
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin School of Medicine, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Anne Katahoire
- Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Elizabeth Henry Shayo
- Policy Analysis and Advocacy, National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ivan Namakoola
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | - Duolao Wang
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - L E Cuevas
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Janet Lutale
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Geoff Gill
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Peter G Smith
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Barrington C, Davis DA, Villa-Torres L, Carcano J, Hightow-Weidman L. Intersectionalities and the HIV continuum of care among gay Latino men living with HIV in North Carolina. ETHNICITY & HEALTH 2021; 26:1098-1113. [PMID: 31109189 DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2019.1620177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV in the US and only half of Latinos diagnosed with HIV are virally suppressed. Little is known about the determinants of HIV care and treatment outcomes among Latinos. We used theories of intersectionality to assess the HIV testing, care and treatment experiences of gay Latino men living with HIV in a new immigrant destination. DESIGN We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with US and foreign-born gay Latino men living with HIV (n = 14) recruited through referrals from HIV care providers and case managers. We used Maxwell and Miller's theory of qualitative analysis to guide our approach to data analysis, integrating narrative techniques and thematic coding. We used theories of intersectionality - including both intersecting identities and structures - as an interpretive framework to understand participants' outcomes and experiences. RESULTS All participants were engaged in HIV care at the time of the interviews. The mental health burden of diagnosis and managing life with HIV was a salient theme across all interviews. Most participants had experienced interruptions in their care due to both intersecting stigmatized identities (e.g. being gay, Latino, undocumented) and intersecting structures (healthcare, immigration policy, institutionalized homophobia). Undocumented participants directly connected their immigration status to their ability to get work, which then affected their retention in HIV care and treatment adherence. CONCLUSIONS Examining the interplay between identities and structures provides a contextualized understanding of outcomes along the HIV care continuum among gay Latino men that goes beyond behavioral and cultural explanations. There is a need to assess long-term experiences of navigating HIV care and treatment given the intersecting structures of mobility, housing instability, and immigration policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Barrington
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Dirk A Davis
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Laura Villa-Torres
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Joaquin Carcano
- Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Lisa Hightow-Weidman
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
- Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
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24
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Jaffar S, Ramaiya K, Karekezi C, Sewankambo N. Controlling diabetes and hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa: lessons from HIV programmes. Lancet 2021; 398:1111-1113. [PMID: 34506744 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(21)01731-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shabbar Jaffar
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK.
| | - Kaushik Ramaiya
- Shree Hindu Mandal Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Tanzania Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Ford N, Eshun-Wilson I, Ameyan W, Newman M, Vojnov L, Doherty M, Geng E. Future directions for HIV service delivery research: Research gaps identified through WHO guideline development. PLoS Med 2021; 18:e1003812. [PMID: 34555010 PMCID: PMC8496797 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nathan Ford and co-authors discuss the systematic identification of research gaps in improving HIV service delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Ford
- Department of HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STIs, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ingrid Eshun-Wilson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Wole Ameyan
- Department of HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STIs, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Morkor Newman
- Department of HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STIs, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lara Vojnov
- Department of HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STIs, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Meg Doherty
- Department of HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STIs, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Elvin Geng
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
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Jockers D, Langlotz S, French D, Bärnighausen T. HIV treatment and worker absenteeism: Quasi-experimental evidence from a large-scale health program in South Africa. JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS 2021; 79:102479. [PMID: 34438129 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2021.102479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, large-scale HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs have proven hugely successful in improving the life expectancy of people living with HIV. However, the extent to which treatment allows patients to maintain a productive work life remains an open question. We applied an instrumental variable method based on individual CD4 counts and exogenously changing treatment guidelines to identify the causal effect of ART on health-related absenteeism rates among workers living with HIV. We used monthly data from the occupational health program of one of the world's largest mining companies in South Africa (128,052 observations among 1,924 workers, from 2009 to 2017). Eighteen months after ART initiation, the treatment significantly reduced absenteeism by 1.033 days per worker and month. Using publicly available wage and treatment cost data, we find that the cost savings due to the absenteeism effect of ART alone outweigh treatment costs in the mining sector in several sub-Saharan African countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Jockers
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sarah Langlotz
- Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Declan French
- Queen's Management School, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom.
| | - Till Bärnighausen
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), Somkhele and Durban, South Africa; Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, Harvard University, Boston, United States
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27
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Barabona G, Mahiti M, Toyoda M, Kamori D, Masoud S, Judicate GP, Sunguya B, Lyamuya E, Ueno T. Advanced baseline immunosuppression is associated with elevated levels of plasma markers of fungal translocation and inflammation in long-term treated HIV-infected Tanzanians. AIDS Res Ther 2021; 18:55. [PMID: 34446039 PMCID: PMC8394626 DOI: 10.1186/s12981-021-00381-9] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For over a decade, antiretroviral therapy (ART) in resource-limited countries was only recommended for patients with advanced HIV disease. We investigated this group of patients in order to determine any relationship between degree of immunosuppression during treatment initiation and the subsequent levels of inflammatory biomarkers, reservoir size and plasma marker of fungal translocation after achieving long-term virological control. METHODS We analyzed 115 virally suppressed (female 83.5%) and 40 untreated (female 70%) subjects from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The size of HIV latent reservoir (proviral DNA copy) was determined using quantitative PCR. Inflammatory biomarkers; IL-6, IL-10, and soluble CD14 (sCD14), were measured using multiplex cytometric beads array. Antibody titers for Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein Barr virus (EBV), plasma level of 1-3-beta-D-Glucan (BDG) was measured using ELISA. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was measured using nephelometric method. RESULTS The median age was 36 (IQR 32-44) and 47 (IQR 43-54) years in untreated and virally suppressed patients respectively. Median duration of treatment for virally suppressed patients was 9 years (IQR 7-12) and median baseline CD4 count was 147 cells/mm3 (IQR 65-217). Virally suppressed patients were associated with significantly lower plasma levels of IL-10, sCD14 and BDG (P < 0.05) when compared to untreated patients. However, plasma level of IL-6 was similar between the groups. Baseline advanced level of immunosuppression (CD4 < 100cells/cm3) was associated with significantly higher plasma level of IL-6 (P = 0.02), hsCRP (P = 0.036) and BDG (P = 0.0107). This relationship was not seen in plasma levels of other tested markers. Degree of baseline immunosuppression was not associated with the subsequent proviral DNA copy. In addition, plasma levels of inflammatory marker were not associated with sex, CMV or EBV antibody titers, treatment duration or regimen. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that advanced immunosuppression at ART initiation is associated with severity of inflammation and elevated fungal translocation marker despite long term virological control. Further studies are needed to evaluate the potential increased burden of non-AIDS comorbidities that are linked to elevated inflammatory and fungal translocation markers as a result of the policy of HIV treatment at CD4 count < 200 cells/cm3 implemented for over a decade in Tanzania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godfrey Barabona
- Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Chuo-ku, Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Macdonald Mahiti
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Mako Toyoda
- Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Chuo-ku, Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Doreen Kamori
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Salim Masoud
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - George P Judicate
- Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Chuo-ku, Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Bruno Sunguya
- Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Chuo-ku, Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Eligius Lyamuya
- Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Chuo-ku, Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Takamasa Ueno
- Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Chuo-ku, Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan.
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
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28
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Ford N, Chiller T. CD4 cell count: a critical tool in the HIV response. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 74:1360-1361. [PMID: 34309638 PMCID: PMC9049250 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Ford
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections Department, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tom Chiller
- Mycotic Diseases Branch, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA
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Wu H, Yu Q, Ma L, Zhang L, Chen Y, Guo P, Xu P. Health economics modeling of antiretroviral interventions amongst HIV serodiscordant couples. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13967. [PMID: 34234232 PMCID: PMC8263699 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93443-x] [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: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Antiretroviral treatment (ART) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV-serodiscordant couples, effectively reduce mortality, transmission events and influence quality of life at the expense of increased costs. We aimed to evaluate health economics of antiretroviral-based strategies for HIV-serodiscordant couples in the China context. A deterministic model of HIV evolution and transmission within a cohort of serodiscordant couples was parameterized using the real-world database of Zhoukou city and published literature. We evaluated the mid-ART (a historical strategy, initiating ART with CD4 < 500 cells/mm3), early-ART (the current strategy, offering ART regardless of CD4 cell counts) and a hypothetical strategy (early-ART combined short-term daily PrEP) versus the late-ART (the baseline strategy, initiating ART with CD4 < 350 cells/mm3) offered by 2008 national guidelines. We estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) and incremental cost-utility ratios (ICUR) from a societal perspective, derived by clinical benefits and HIV-caused life quality respectively, and portrayed their changes over a 0-30 year's timeframe. The model projections indicated that the antiretroviral-based interventions were more likely to obtain clinical benefits but difficult to improve quality of life, and cumulative ICER and ICUR were generally decreasing without achieving cost-saving. Scale-up access to ART for the HIV-positive among serodiscordant couples was easily fallen within the range of paying for incremental life-years and quality adjusted life years by the societal willingness. The hypothetical strategy had the potential to prevent most seroconversion events within marriages but required enormous upfront costs, thus it took a long time to reach established thresholds. The current strategy of early-ART is the most cost-effective. Clarifying the obstacles of high cost of PrEP and improving life quality for HIV-serodiscordant couples have emerged as an urgent requisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haisheng Wu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Qiuyan Yu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, University Town, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Liping Ma
- Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., No. 7 Kunlun Mountain Road, Lianyungang Economic and Technological Development Zone, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Zhoukou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No.10 Taihao Road East Section, Zhoukou, Henan, China
| | - Yuliang Chen
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, China
| | - Pi Guo
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, No. 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, China.
| | - Peng Xu
- National Center for STD/AIDS Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 155 Changbai Road, Beijing, 102206, China.
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30
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Parker E, Judge MA, Macete E, Nhampossa T, Dorward J, Langa DC, Schacht CD, Couto A, Vaz P, Vitoria M, Molfino L, Idowu RT, Bhatt N, Naniche D, Le Souëf PN. HIV infection in Eastern and Southern Africa: Highest burden, largest challenges, greatest potential. South Afr J HIV Med 2021; 22:1237. [PMID: 34192070 PMCID: PMC8182467 DOI: 10.4102/sajhivmed.v22i1.1237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The burden of HIV is especially concerning for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), as despite expansion of test-and-treat programmes, this region continues to experience significant challenges resulting from high rates of morbidity, mortality and new infections. Hard-won lessons from programmes on the ground in ESA should be shared. OBJECTIVES This report summarises relevant evidence and regional experts' recommendations regarding challenges specific to ESA. METHOD This commentary includes an in-depth review of relevant literature, progress against global goals and consensus opinion from experts. RESULTS Recommendations include priorities for essential research (surveillance data collection, key and vulnerable population education and testing, in-country testing trials and evidence-based support services to improve retention in care) as well as research that can accelerate progress towards the prevention of new infections and achieving ambitious global goals in ESA. CONCLUSION The elimination of HIV in ESA will require continued investment, commitment to evidence-based programmes and persistence. Local research is critical to ensuring that responses in ESA are targeted, efficient and evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Parker
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Melinda A Judge
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | | | | | - Jienchi Dorward
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Denise C Langa
- Department of Surveillance, Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Aleny Couto
- National STI, HIV/AIDS Programme, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Paula Vaz
- Fundaçao Ariel Glaser contra o SIDA pediátrico, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Marco Vitoria
- Department of HIV/AIDS, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Rachel T Idowu
- Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Nilesh Bhatt
- Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Denise Naniche
- Manhiça Health Research Centre, Manhiça, Mozambique
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Spain
| | - Peter N Le Souëf
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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Plasma hemoglobin and the risk of death in HIV/AIDS patients treated with antiretroviral therapy. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:13061-13072. [PMID: 33971620 PMCID: PMC8148493 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202987] [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: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Background: Previous studies concerning the effect of plasma hemoglobin (HB) and other factors that may modify the risk of death in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) are limited. Results: Higher HB was independently linked to a lower death risk in PLHIV, with a decrease of 29% (13%, 43%) per standard deviation (SD) increment after adjusting for CD4, VL and other potential factors [hazard ratio (HR): 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.57-0.87, P<0.001]. In addition, the addition of HB to the predictive model containing VL and CD4 significantly improved the C-index, by 0.69% (95% CI: 0.68%-0.71%), and net discrimination, by 0.5% (95% CI: 0.0%-1.6%, P=0.040), when predicting the death risk of PLHIV. Conclusions: A lower level of HB was an independent risk factor for HIV/AIDS-associated death in PLHIV. HB combined with VL and CD4 may be an appropriate predictive model of the death risk of PLHIV. Materials and methods: A propensity-score matching (PSM) approach was applied to select a total of 750 PLHIV (150 deceased and 600 living) from the AIDS prevention and control information system in the Wenzhou area from 2006 to 2018. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were formulated to estimate the effect of HB. The predictive performance improvement contributed by HB was evaluated using the C-index and net reclassification improvement.
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Smith PJ, Davey DJ, Green H, Cornell M, Bekker LG. Reaching underserved South Africans with integrated chronic disease screening and mobile HIV counselling and testing: A retrospective, longitudinal study conducted in Cape Town. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249600. [PMID: 33945540 PMCID: PMC8096085 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community-based, mobile HIV counselling and testing (HCT) and screening for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) may improve early diagnosis and referral for care in underserved populations. We evaluated HCT/NCD data and described population characteristics of those visiting a mobile clinic in high HIV disease burden settings in Cape Town, South Africa, between 2008 and 2016. METHODS Trained counsellors registered patients ≥12 years old at a mobile clinic, which offered HCT and blood pressure, diabetes (glucose testing) and obesity (body mass index) screening. A nurse referred patients who required HIV treatment or NCD care. Using multivariable logistic regression, we estimated correlates of new HIV diagnoses adjusting for gender, age and year. RESULTS Overall, 43,938 individuals (50% male; 29% <25 years; median age = 31 years) tested for HIV at the mobile clinic, where 27% of patients (66% of males, 34% of females) reported being debut HIV testers. Males not previously tested for HIV had higher rates of HIV positivity (11%) than females (7%). Over half (55%, n = 1,343) of those previously diagnosed HIV-positive had not initiated ART. More than one-quarter (26%) of patients screened positive for hypertension (males 28%, females 24%, p<0.001). Females were more likely overweight (25% vs 20%) or obese (43% vs 9%) and presented with more diabetes symptoms than males (8% vs 4%). Females (3%) reported more symptoms of STIs than males (1%). Reporting symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (aOR = 3.45, 95% CI = 2.84, 4.20), diabetes symptoms (aOR = 1.61, 95% 1.35, 1.92), and TB symptoms (aOR = 4.40, 95% CI = 3.85, 5.01) were associated with higher odds of a new HIV diagnosis after adjusting for covariates. CONCLUSION Findings demonstrate that mobile clinics providing integrated HCT and NCD screening may offer the opportunity of early diagnosis and referral for care for those who delay screening, including men living with HIV not previously tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip John Smith
- Faculty of Health Sciences, The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dvora Joseph Davey
- Faculty of Health Sciences, The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Hunter Green
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Morna Cornell
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Linda-Gail Bekker
- Faculty of Health Sciences, The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Institute for Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Bijker R, Kumarasamy N, Kiertiburanakul S, Pujari S, Ng OT, Sun LP, Merati TP, Van Nguyen K, Lee MP, Cuong DD, Chan YJ, Choi JY, Ross J, Law M. An expanded HIV care cascade: ART uptake, viral load suppression and comorbidity monitoring among adults living with HIV in Asia. Antivir Ther 2021; 25:275-285. [PMID: 33464222 DOI: 10.3851/imp3379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Comprehensive treatment and clinical management are central to improving outcomes for people living with HIV (PLHIV). We explored trends in HIV clinical care, treatment outcomes, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes monitoring. METHODS We included patients ≥18 years in care at ten clinical sites in eight Asian countries. Proportions of patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART), with annual viral load, and with viral load suppression (VLS; <1,000 copies/ml) were estimated by year for 2011-2016, stratified by country income level (lower-middle income [LMIC] and high-income countries [HIC]). Among those on ART in 2016 we evaluated factors associated with annual CKD and diabetes monitoring. RESULTS Among 31,346 patients (67% male), the proportions of patients on ART (median ART initiation year 2011, IQR 2007-2013), with annual viral load and VLS had substantially increased by 2016 (to 94%, 42% and 92%, respectively, in LMIC and 95%, 97% and 93%, respectively, in HIC) with the larger increases over time seen in LMIC. Among those on ART in 2016, monitoring proportions in LMIC were 53% for CKD and 26% for diabetes compared with 83% and 59%, respectively, in HIC. Overall, a decreased odds of monitoring was observed for male gender, heterosexual HIV exposure, no viral load and LMIC. Diabetes monitoring was also decreased in those with viral failure. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight suboptimal monitoring of viral load, CKD and diabetes in PLHIV in Asia. There is a need for affordable and scalable monitoring options to improve the joint care for HIV and non-communicable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rimke Bijker
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nagalingeswaran Kumarasamy
- Chennai Antiviral Research and Treatment Clinical Research Site (CART CRS), VHS-Infectious Diseases Medical Centre, VHS, Chennai, India
| | | | | | - Oon Tek Ng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Novena, Singapore
| | - Ly Pehn Sun
- National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology & STDs, and University of Health Sciences, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | | | | | - Man Po Lee
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | | | - Yu Jiun Chan
- Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jun Yong Choi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeremy Ross
- TREAT Asia, amfAR - The Foundation for AIDS Research, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Matthew Law
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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HTA and HIV: The Case of Dual NRTI Backbones in the Italian Setting. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17239010. [PMID: 33287274 PMCID: PMC7729444 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17239010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to analyze the potential advantages of emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (FTC/TAF) introduction, creating evidence-based information to orient strategies to reduce costs, thus preserving effectiveness and appropriateness. An Health Technology Assessment (HTA) was implemented in the years 2017–2018 comparing the dual backbones available in the Italian market: FTC/TAF, FTC/TDF (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine) and ABC/3TC (abacavir/lamivudine). From an efficacy point of view, FTC/TAF ensured a higher percentage of virologic control and a better safety impact than FTC/TDF (improving the renal and bone safety profile, as well as the lipid picture). From an economic point of view, the results revealed a 4% cost saving for the Italian National Healthcare Service NHS with FTC/TAF introduction compared with the baseline scenario. Qualitative perceptions’ results showed that FTC/TAF would decrease the burden of adverse events management, increasing the accessibility of patients to healthcare providers (FTC/TAF: 0.95, FTC/TDF: 0.10, ABC/3TC: 0.28; p-value: 0.016) and social costs (FTC/TDF: −0.23, FTC/TAF: 1.04, ABC/3TC: 0.23; p-value < 0.001), improving patient quality of life (FTC/TDF: 0.31, FTC/TAF: 1.85, ABC/3TC: 0.38; p-value < 0.001). Healthcare services may consider the evidence provided by the present study as an opportunity to include HIV patients in a more adequate antiretroviral treatment arm, guaranteeing a personalized clinical pathway, thus becoming more efficient and effective over time.
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Wei J, Hou J, Su B, Jiang T, Guo C, Wang W, Zhang Y, Chang B, Wu H, Zhang T. The Prevalence of Frascati-Criteria-Based HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND) in HIV-Infected Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Neurol 2020; 11:581346. [PMID: 33335509 PMCID: PMC7736554 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.581346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The HIV associated mortality is decreasing in most countries due to the widespread use of antiretroviral therapy. However, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) remains a problematic issue that lowers the quality of life and increases the public health burden among people living with HIV. The prevalence of HAND varies across studies and selected samples. Therefore, we aimed to quantitatively summarize the pooled prevalence of Frascati-criteria-based HAND and to explore the potential demographic, clinical, and immunological factors. Methods: A comprehensive literature search in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and PsycINFO was performed. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted using the event rate (ER) for the estimation of the incidence of HAND. Subgroup meta-analyses were used to evaluate between-group differences in categorical variables. Meta-regression with the unrestricted maximum likelihood (ML) method was used to evaluate associations of continuous variables. Results: Eighteen studies whose sample sizes ranged from 206 to 1555 were included in the final analyses. The estimated prevalence of HAND, ANI, MND and HAD were 44.9% (95% CI 37.4-52.7%), 26.2% (95% CI 20.7-32.7%), 8.5% (95% CI 5.6-12.7%), 2.1% (95% CI 1.2-3.7%), respectively. Factors associated with HAND were percent female, current CD4 count, education level and country development level (all ps < 0.05). Conclusion: Longitudinal cohort and multimodal neuroimaging studies are needed to verify the clinical prognosis and the underlying neurocognitive mechanism of HAND. In addition, it is urgently necessary to establish a standardized HAND diagnostic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Wei
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Jianhua Hou
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Su
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Taiyi Jiang
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Caiping Guo
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wen Wang
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Biru Chang
- Research Institute for International and Comparative Education, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for HIV/AIDS Research, Beijing, China
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Venter WDF, Sokhela S, Simmons B, Moorhouse M, Fairlie L, Mashabane N, Serenata C, Akpomiemie G, Masenya M, Qavi A, Chandiwana N, McCann K, Norris S, Chersich M, Maartens G, Lalla-Edward S, Vos A, Clayden P, Abrams E, Arulappan N, Hill A. Dolutegravir with emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate versus efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for initial treatment of HIV-1 infection (ADVANCE): week 96 results from a randomised, phase 3, non-inferiority trial. Lancet HIV 2020; 7:e666-e676. [PMID: 33010240 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(20)30241-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND ADVANCE compared the efficacy and safety of two antiretroviral first-line combinations (dolutegravir combined with emtricitabine and either tenofovir disoproxil fumarate or tenofovir alafenamide), with a third regimen (efavirenz combined with emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) previously recommended by WHO. Here, we report the 96-week data for the study. METHODS This randomised, open-label, non-inferiority phase 3 trial, was done at two research sites in Johannesburg, South Africa, after participant recruitment from 11 public health clinics also in Johannesburg. Eligible participants were aged 12 years or older with HIV-1 infection, who weighed at least 40 kg, had no antiretroviral exposure in the previous 6 months, with a creatinine clearance of more than 60 mL/min (>80 mL per min in individuals aged <19 years), and a plasma HIV-1 RNA concentration of 500 copies per mL or higher. Individuals who were pregnant or had tuberculosis were excluded. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1) by study staff using a computerised randomisation system. Randomisation was stratified by age (12 and <19 years and ≥19 years). Participants were randomly assigned to once-daily oral fixed-dose combination tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg and emtricitabine 200 mg, and once-daily oral dolutegravir 50 mg; once-daily oral fixed-dose combination tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg and emtricitabine 200 mg, and once-daily oral dolutegravir 50 mg; or once-daily oral fixed-dose combination of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg, emtricitabine 200 mg, and efavirenz 600 mg. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of participants who had a plasma HIV-1 RNA concentration of less than 50 copies per mL at week 48, which has been reported previously. Here, we report the key secondary efficacy endpoint of the proportion of participants who had a plasma HIV-1 RNA concentration of less than 50 copies per mL at the week 96 visit, assessed in all participants who received at least one dose of any study drug, with a prespecified non-inferiority margin of -10%. Safety data, including clinical, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and laboratory data, are also reported. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03122262. FINDINGS Between Jan 17, 2017, and May 14, 2018, we screened 1453 individuals, of whom 1053 were enrolled: 351 participants were randomly assigned to the tenofovir alafenamide, emtricitabine, and dolutegravir group, 351 to the tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, emtricitabine, and dolutegravir group, and 351 to the tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, emtricitabine, and efavirenz group. All participants received at least one dose of study medication and were included in the primary analysis. At week 96, 276 (79%) of 351 participants in the tenofovir alafenamide, emtricitabine, and dolutegravir group, 275 (78%) of 351 participants in the tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, emtricitabine, and dolutegravir group, and 258 (74%) of 351 participants in the tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, emtricitabine, and efavirenz group had achieved a plasma HIV-1 RNA concentration of less than 50 copies per mL. Non-inferiority was established in all three comparisons. The proportion of patients with protocol-defined virological failure at week 96 was low in all treatment groups. Participants in the tenofovir alafenamide, emtricitabine, and dolutegravir group had fewer changes in bone density than the two other treatment groups. Mean weight gain was substantial (7·1 kg [SD 7·4] in the tenofovir alafenamide, emtricitabine, and dolutegravir group; 4·3 kg [6·7] in the tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, emtricitabine, and dolutegravir group, and 2·3 kg [7·0] in the tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, emtricitabine, and efavirenz group), and was greater among women than men. Ten (3%) of 351 participants in the tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, emtricitabine, and efavirenz group discontinued due to treatment-related adverse events, of which liver dysfunction (n=4) and rash (n=4) were most common. INTERPRETATION Medium-term and long-term metabolic and clinical consequences of the considerable increase in bodyweight observed in participants given these antiretroviral regimens and the trajectory of this weight gain over time, especially among women, require further study. FUNDING USAID, Unitaid, South African Medical Research Council, ViiV Healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem D F Venter
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Simiso Sokhela
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Bryony Simmons
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Michelle Moorhouse
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lee Fairlie
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nkuli Mashabane
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Celicia Serenata
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Godspower Akpomiemie
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Masebole Masenya
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ambar Qavi
- School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nomathemba Chandiwana
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kaitlyn McCann
- School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Shane Norris
- South African Medical Research Council and Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Matthew Chersich
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Gary Maartens
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Samanta Lalla-Edward
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Alinda Vos
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Elaine Abrams
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Natasha Arulappan
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Andrew Hill
- Department of Translational Medicine, Liverpool University, Liverpool, UK
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Van Hout MC, Bachmann M, Lazarus JV, Shayo EH, Bukenya D, Picchio CA, Nyirenda M, Mfinanga SG, Birungi J, Okebe J, Jaffar S. Strengthening integration of chronic care in Africa: protocol for the qualitative process evaluation of integrated HIV, diabetes and hypertension care in a cluster randomised controlled trial in Tanzania and Uganda. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e039237. [PMID: 33033029 PMCID: PMC7542920 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In sub-Saharan Africa, the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension, has increased rapidly in recent years, although HIV infection remains a leading cause of death among young-middle-aged adults. Health service coverage for NCDs remains very low in contrast to HIV, despite the increasing prevalence of comorbidity of NCDs with HIV. There is an urgent need to expand healthcare capacity to provide integrated services to address these chronic conditions. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This protocol describes procedures for a qualitative process evaluation of INTE-AFRICA, a cluster randomised trial comparing integrated health service provision for HIV infection, DM and hypertension, to the current stand-alone vertical care. Interviews, focus group discussions and observations of consultations and other care processes in two clinics (in Tanzania, Uganda) will be used to explore the experiences of stakeholders. These stakeholders will include health service users, policy-makers, healthcare providers, community leaders and members, researchers, non-governmental and international organisations. The exploration will be carried out during the implementation of the project, alongside an understanding of the impact of broader structural and contextual factors. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval was granted by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (UK), the National Institute of Medical Research (Tanzania) and TASO Research Ethics Committee (Uganda) in 2020. The evaluation will provide the opportunity to document the implementation of integration over several timepoints (6, 12 and 18 months) and refine integrated service provision prior to scale up. This synergistic approach to evaluate, understand and respond will support service integration and inform monitoring, policy and practice development efforts to involve and educate communities in Tanzania and Uganda. It will create a model of care and a platform of good practices and lessons learnt for other countries implementing integrated and decentralised community health services. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN43896688; Pre-results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Claire Van Hout
- Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
| | - Max Bachmann
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwich, UK
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Elizabeth Henry Shayo
- Muhimbili Centre, National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of
| | - Dominic Bukenya
- MRC/UVRI/LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Medical Research Council Uganda, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Camila A Picchio
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Moffat Nyirenda
- MRC/UVRI/LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Medical Research Council Uganda, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Sayoki Godfrey Mfinanga
- Muhimbili Centre, National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of
| | - Josephine Birungi
- MRC/UVRI/LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Medical Research Council Uganda, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Joseph Okebe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Shabbar Jaffar
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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McKay VR, Tetteh EK, Reid MJ, Ingaiza LM. Better Service by Doing Less: Introducing De-implementation Research in HIV. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2020; 17:431-437. [PMID: 32794070 PMCID: PMC7492471 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-020-00517-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The course of HIV research has led to a multitude of interventions to prevent and treat HIV. With the arrival of more effective interventions comes the need to end, or de-implement, less effective interventions. PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe the state of de-implementation research in HIV and provide a rationale for expanded research in this area. RECENT FINDINGS: Existing studies have identified a set of HIV-specific interventions appropriate for de-implementing and described the persistence of interventions that should be ended. However, to our knowledge, strategies to successfully promote appropriate de-implementation of HIV-specific interventions have not been examined. De-implementing interventions that are no longer needed is an opportunity to improve the quality and effectiveness of HIV services. Opportunities to expand this field of research abound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia R McKay
- The Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
| | - Emmanuel K Tetteh
- The Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Miranda J Reid
- The Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Lucy M Ingaiza
- The Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
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Nakalembe M, Makanga P, Kambugu A, Laker-Oketta M, Huchko MJ, Martin J. A public health approach to cervical cancer screening in Africa through community-based self-administered HPV testing and mobile treatment provision. Cancer Med 2020; 9:8701-8712. [PMID: 32966684 PMCID: PMC7666725 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.3468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) refers to cervical cancer as a public health problem, and sub‐Saharan Africa bears the world's highest incidence. In the realm of screening, simplified WHO recommendations for low‐resource countries now present an opportunity for a public health approach to this public health problem. We evaluated the feasibility of such a public health approach to cervical cancer screening that features community‐based self‐administered HPV testing and mobile treatment provision. In two rural districts of western‐central Uganda, Village Health Team members led community mobilization for cervical cancer screening fairs in their communities, which offered self‐collection of vaginal samples for high‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing. High‐risk human papillomavirus‐positive women were re‐contacted and referred for treatment with cryotherapy by a mobile treatment unit in their community. We also determined penetrance of the mobilization campaign message by interviewing a probability sample of adult women in study communities about the fair and their attendance. In 16 communities, 2142 women attended the health fairs; 1902 were eligible for cervical cancer screening of which 1892 (99.5%) provided a self‐collected vaginal sample. Among the 393 (21%) women with detectable hrHPV, 89% were successfully contacted about their results, of which 86% returned for treatment by a mobile treatment team. Most of the women in the community (93%) reported hearing about the fair, and among those who had heard of the fair, 68% attended. This public health approach to cervical cancer screening was feasible, effectively penetrated the communities, and was readily accepted by community women. The findings support further optimization and evaluation of this approach as a means of scaling up cervical cancer control in low‐resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Nakalembe
- Infectious Diseases Institute-Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Philippa Makanga
- Infectious Diseases Institute-Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Andrew Kambugu
- Infectious Diseases Institute-Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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Jerene D. Decentralisation and task-shifting in HIV care: time to address emerging challenges. Public Health Action 2020; 10:83. [PMID: 33134117 PMCID: PMC7576999 DOI: 10.5588/pha.20.0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- D Jerene
- KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, The Hague, The Netherlands
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Garrib A, Birungi J, Lesikari S, Namakoola I, Njim T, Cuevas L, Niessen L, Mugisha K, Mutungi G, Mghamba J, Ramaiya K, Jaffar S, Mfinanga S, Nyirenda M. Integrated care for human immunodeficiency virus, diabetes and hypertension in Africa. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2020; 113:809-812. [PMID: 30265362 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/try098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The rising burden from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) poses a huge challenge for health care delivery in Africa, where health systems are already struggling with the long-term care requirements for the millions of people now on antiretroviral therapy requiring regular visits to health facilities for monitoring, adherence support and drugs. The HIV chronic disease management programme is comparatively well-funded, well-organised and well-informed and offers many insights and opportunities for the expansion of NCD prevention and treatment services. Some degree of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and NCD service integration is essential, but how to do this without risking the HIV treatment gains is unclear. Both HIV and NCD services must expand within a resource-constrained environment and policymakers are in urgent need of evidence to guide cost-effective and acceptable changes in these health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupam Garrib
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, UK
| | - Josephine Birungi
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.,Aids Support Organisation, Old Mulago Complex, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sokoine Lesikari
- National Institute of Medical Research, Muhimbili Medical Research Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ivan Namakoola
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Tsi Njim
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, UK
| | - Luis Cuevas
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, UK
| | - Louis Niessen
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, UK
| | - Kenneth Mugisha
- Aids Support Organisation, Old Mulago Complex, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Janneth Mghamba
- Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, 6 Samora Machel Road, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Shabbar Jaffar
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sayoki Mfinanga
- National Institute of Medical Research, Muhimbili Medical Research Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Moffat Nyirenda
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
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Lanyon C, Seeley J, Namukwaya S, Musiime V, Paparini S, Nakyambadde H, Matama C, Turkova A, Bernays S. "Because we all have to grow up": supporting adolescents in Uganda to develop core competencies to transition towards managing their HIV more independently. J Int AIDS Soc 2020; 23 Suppl 5:e25552. [PMID: 32869514 PMCID: PMC7459166 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sustaining optimal adherence is the major challenge facing adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV), particularly in low-resource settings, where "second-line" is often the last accessible treatment option. We explored the knowledge and skills adolescents need in order to maintain improved adherence behaviours, and the specific ways clinicians and caregivers may support young people to do so more independently. METHODS We conducted individual, in-depth interviews with 20 ALHIV aged 10 to 18 years in Uganda in 2017 to 2018. All participants had recently commenced second-line treatment as part of a clinical trial. We used thematic qualitative analysis to examine adherence experiences and challenges while on first-line therapy, as well as specific supports necessary to optimise treatment-taking longer-term. RESULTS Adherence difficulties are exacerbated by relatively rapid shifts from caregiver-led approaches during childhood, to an expectation of autonomous treatment-taking with onset of adolescence. For many participants this shift compounded their ongoing struggles managing physical side effects and poor treatment literacy. Switching to second-line typically prompted reversion back to supervised adherence, with positive impacts on self-reported adherence in the immediate term. However, this measure is unlikely to be sustainable for caregivers due to significant caregiver burden (as on first line), and provided little opportunity for clinicians to guide and develop young people's capacity to successfully adopt responsibility for their own treatment-taking. CONCLUSIONS As ALHIV in sub-Saharan Africa are attributed increasing responsibility for treatment adherence and HIV management, they must be equipped with the core knowledge and skills required for successful, self-directed care. Young people need to be relationally supported to develop necessary "adherence competencies" within the supportive framework of a gradual "transition" period. Clinic conversations during this period should be adolescent-focussed and collaborative, and treatment-taking strategies situated within the context of their lived environments and support networks, to facilitate sustained adherence. The disclosure of adherence difficulties must be encouraged so that issues can be identified and addressed prior to treatment failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Lanyon
- School of Public HealthUniversity of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Janet Seeley
- Department of Global Health and DevelopmentLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research UnitEntebbeUganda
- Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI)DurbanSouth Africa
| | | | - Victor Musiime
- Department of Paediatrics and Child HealthMakerere UniversityKampalaUganda
- Research DepartmentJoint Clinical Research CentreKampalaUganda
| | - Sara Paparini
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | | | | | - Anna Turkova
- Clinical Trials UnitUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Sarah Bernays
- School of Public HealthUniversity of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
- Department of Global Health and DevelopmentLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
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Crowell TA, Danboise B, Parikh A, Esber A, Dear N, Coakley P, Kasembeli A, Maswai J, Khamadi S, Bahemana E, Iroezindu M, Kiweewa F, Owuoth J, Freeman J, Jagodzinski LL, Malia JA, Eller LA, Tovanabutra S, Peel SA, Ake JA, Polyak CS. Pretreatment and Acquired Antiretroviral Drug Resistance Among Persons Living With HIV in Four African Countries. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 73:e2311-e2322. [PMID: 32785695 PMCID: PMC8492117 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) could jeopardize the success of standardized HIV management protocols in resource-limited settings. We characterized HIVDR among antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive and experienced participants in the African Cohort Study (AFRICOS). METHODS From January 2013 to April 2019, adults with HIV-1 RNA >1000 copies/mL underwent ART history review and HIVDR testing upon enrollment at 12 clinics in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria. We calculated resistance scores for specific drugs and tallied major mutations to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), and protease inhibitors (PIs) using Stanford HIVDB 8.8 and SmartGene IDNS software. For ART-naive participants, World Health Organization surveillance drug resistance mutations (SDRMs) were noted. RESULTS HIVDR testing was performed on 972 participants with median age 35.7 (interquartile range [IQR] 29.7-42.7) years and median CD4 295 (IQR 148-478) cells/mm3. Among 801 ART-naive participants, the prevalence of SDRMs was 11.0%, NNRTI mutations 8.2%, NRTI mutations 4.7%, and PI mutations 0.4%. Among 171 viremic ART-experienced participants, NNRTI mutation prevalence was 83.6%, NRTI 67.8%, and PI 1.8%. There were 90 ART-experienced participants with resistance to both efavirenz and lamivudine, 33 (36.7%) of whom were still prescribed these drugs. There were 10 with resistance to both tenofovir and lamivudine, 8 (80.0%) of whom were prescribed these drugs. CONCLUSIONS Participants on failing ART regimens had a high burden of HIVDR that potentially limited the efficacy of standardized first- and second-line regimens. Management strategies that emphasize adherence counseling while delaying ART switch may promote drug resistance and should be reconsidered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor A Crowell
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Brook Danboise
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Ajay Parikh
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Allahna Esber
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Nicole Dear
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Peter Coakley
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Alex Kasembeli
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.,HJF Medical Research International, Kericho, Kenya
| | - Jonah Maswai
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.,HJF Medical Research International, Kericho, Kenya
| | - Samoel Khamadi
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.,HJF Medical Research International, Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Emmanuel Bahemana
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.,HJF Medical Research International, Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Michael Iroezindu
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.,HJF Medical Research International, Abuja, Nigeria
| | | | - John Owuoth
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.,HJF Medical Research International, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Joanna Freeman
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Linda L Jagodzinski
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennifer A Malia
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Leigh Ann Eller
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sodsai Tovanabutra
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sheila A Peel
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Julie A Ake
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Christina S Polyak
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Coyer L, Njoya O, Njouom R, Mossus T, Kowo MP, Essomba F, Boers A, Coutinho R, Ondoa P. Achieving a high cure rate with direct-acting antivirals for chronic Hepatitis C virus infection in Cameroon: a multi-clinic demonstration project. Trop Med Int Health 2020; 25:1098-1109. [PMID: 32502290 PMCID: PMC7540389 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Highly effective direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) for Hepatitis C treatment are largely inaccessible in sub‐Saharan Africa. Data on treatment feasibility and outcomes in clinical settings are limited. We assessed the feasibility of achieving a high (≥90%) cure rate with DAAs in six gastroenterology clinics in Cameroon. Methods Patients with chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were treated for 12 or 24 weeks with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, ledipasvir/sofosbuvir/ribavirin or sofosbuvir/ribavirin, depending on the stage of liver disease and HCV genotype. The cure rate was defined as the proportion of patients with a sustained virological response 12 weeks after treatment completion (SVR12) among all treatment completers. Results We identified 190 HCV RNA positive patients between September‐2017 and August‐2018, 161 (84.7%) of whom started treatment. 105 (65.2%) were female, median age was 61.3 years [IQR = 55.9–66.9] and 11 (6.8%) were HIV‐positive. Median plasma HCV RNA was 6.0 log10 IU/mL [IQR = 5.6–6.4]. HCV genotypes identified were 1 (34.8%), 2 (13.7%), 4 (50.9%), 1 and 4 (0.6%); 46 (28.6%) strains of 160 single‐genotype infections were non‐subtypeable. Of 158 treatment completers, 152 (96.2%, 95%CI = 91.9–98.6%) achieved SVR12. Six patients did not achieve SVR12: five carried HCV with NS5A resistance mutations and one with NS5B resistance mutations. Three patients died before and two after treatment completion. The most common adverse events were asthenia (12.0%), headache (11.4%) and dizziness (18.9%). Conclusion High cure rates of Hepatitis C with DAAs are achievable in clinical settings of Cameroon. However, the accessibility and provision of HCV screening, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and care should be addressed for large‐scale implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza Coyer
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Oudou Njoya
- Research Laboratory on Viral Hepatitis and Health Communication, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | | | - Tatiana Mossus
- Research Laboratory on Viral Hepatitis and Health Communication, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Mathurin Pierre Kowo
- Research Laboratory on Viral Hepatitis and Health Communication, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Frida Essomba
- Research Laboratory on Viral Hepatitis and Health Communication, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | | | - Roel Coutinho
- PharmAccess Foundation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pascale Ondoa
- African Society for Laboratory Medicine, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Ford N, Wi T, Easterbrook P, Penazzato M, Vitoria M. Global public health efforts to address HIV and related communicable disease syndemics. Curr Opin HIV AIDS 2020; 15:261-265. [PMID: 32496325 DOI: 10.1097/coh.0000000000000636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review recent progress in public health efforts to address HIV, and the extent to which key approaches can be applied to three key epidemics that commonly co-occur with HIV: TB, viral hepatitis, and STIs. RECENT FINDINGS The public health approach to tackling HIV in low-income and middle-income settings relied on standardized treatment regimens and monitoring approaches, task sharing and community involvement, and decentralized and integrated service delivery. These approaches can all be applied to three key epidemics that commonly co-occur with HIV: TB, viral hepatitis, and STIs. SUMMARY HIV, viral hepatitis, and STIs share common routes of infection, and HIV weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of TB. A public health approach can be applied to address these syndemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Ford
- Department of HIV, STIs, and Global Hepatitis Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Alvi Y, Faizi N, Khalique N, Ahmad A. Assessment of out-of-pocket and catastrophic expenses incurred by patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in availing free antiretroviral therapy services in India. Public Health 2020; 183:16-22. [PMID: 32413804 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2020.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES With the free availability of antiretroviral therapy in India, one expects that the out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure would reduce and would not be a significant financial burden. However, the cost of seeking care is also dependent on accessibility of services, as well as other non-medical and indirect expenses. This study aims to analyze the OOP expenditure in availing antiretroviral therapy (ART) services and determine the prevalence and pattern of catastrophic and impoverishing health expenditure. The study also discusses the policy implications of these findings in the light of growing commitment toward universal health coverage. STUDY DESIGN This was a cross-sectional study. METHODS A total of 434 patients receiving antiretroviral treatment were interviewed. OOP expenses included a measure of direct medical expenditure, non-medical expenditure, and indirect expenditure incurred in availing ART services. A threshold level of 40% of 'capacity to pay' was taken as catastrophic expenditure. Based on previous research, different demographic, socio-economic, and clinical factors were selected as independent variables to determine their association with catastrophic expenditure. Logistic regression was conducted to study the association between independent and dependent variables keeping the level of significance at <0.05. RESULTS The mean OOP expenditure among patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) taking ART was Rs. 238.8 ± 193.7. Majority of these expenses were incurred on non-medical expenditure (58.1%), while indirect expenditure accounted for 29.7%. The direct health expenditure was the lowest (12.2%) type of expenditure in the total OOP expenditure. OOP spending was catastrophic in 8.1% (35/434) of households in our study. Patients belonging to nuclear family (odds ratio [OR] = 2.99; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.19-7.58), who are unemployed (OR = 2.56; 95% CI = 1.18-5.54), of lower socio-economic classes (OR = 8.46; 95% CI = 1.93-37.02), those who traveled more than 50 km for getting drugs (OR = 2.80; 95% CI = 1.26-6.23), and those having CD4 cell count lower than 200 (OR = 3.11; 95% CI = 1.32-7.32) were found to be independently and significantly associated with catastrophic OOP health expenditure among patients with HIV. CONCLUSIONS A high direct and indirect expenditure was observed among patients with HIV seeking treatment in North India leading to catastrophic expenditure in a significant number of households. A service-level integration of HIV care at subdistrict levels within the Universal health coverage (UHC) framework could reduce catastrophic expenditure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Alvi
- Department of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College & Hospital, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh, India.
| | - N Faizi
- Department of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College & Hospital, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh, India.
| | - N Khalique
- Department of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College & Hospital, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh, India.
| | - A Ahmad
- Department of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College & Hospital, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh, India.
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Dorward J, Sookrajh Y, Gate K, Khubone T, Mtshaka N, Mlisana K, Ngobese H, Yende‐Zuma N, Garrett N. HIV treatment outcomes among people with initiation CD4 counts >500 cells/µL after implementation of Treat All in South African public clinics: a retrospective cohort study. J Int AIDS Soc 2020; 23:e25479. [PMID: 32319203 PMCID: PMC7174836 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The World Health Organisation recommends to Treat All people with HIV, irrespective of CD4 count. However, people with CD4 counts >500 cells/µL may be asymptomatic and therefore less motivated to adhere to antiretroviral therapy (ART). We aimed to assess whether people initiated with CD4 counts >500 cells/µL had worse treatment outcomes compared to those initiated at lower CD4 counts. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study among non-pregnant adults initiating ART at eight public clinics in South Africa between September 2016, when Treat All was implemented, and August 2017. We assessed whether initiation CD4 count >500 cells/µL was associated with the outcomes of attrition (death, lost to follow-up or treatment interruption >180 days), and viraemia >1000 copies/mL, by twelve months using Cox proportional hazards and Poisson regression models. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Among 4952 patients initiating ART, the median age was 32.4 years (interquartile range (IQR) 27.2 to 39.7), 58.9% were women and 30.3% had an initiation CD4 count >500 cells/µL. After twelve months, 3382 (68.3%) were retained in care, 303 (6.1%) had transferred to another clinic, 1010 (20.4%) were lost to follow-up, 232 (4.7%) had a treatment interruption >180 days and 25 (0.5%) were known to have died. Overall, 1267 experienced attrition at a median time of 91 days (IQR 23 to 213), with 302 of these (23.8%) experiencing attrition immediately after their ART initiation visit. Among those in care at twelve months with viral load results, 4.6% had viraemia. In multivariable analysis, the hazard of attrition was similar between patients newly eligible for ART with CD4 counts >500 cells/µL compared to those with CD4 ≤500 cells/µL (adjusted hazard ratio 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90 to 1.17). The risk of viraemia was lower among patients with CD4 counts >500 cells/µL compared to those with CD4 ≤500 cells/µL (adjusted risk ratio 0.58, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.92). CONCLUSIONS After implementation of Treat All in South African public clinics, we found that patients newly eligible for ART with initiation CD4 counts >500 cells/µL had comparable or better outcomes compared to those with lower CD4 counts. These finding support ongoing implementation of Treat All in our setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jienchi Dorward
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)University of KwaZulu–NatalDurbanSouth Africa
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Yukteshwar Sookrajh
- eThekwini Municipality Health Unit, eThekwini MunicipalityDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Kelly Gate
- Bethesda HospitalUbomboSouth Africa
- Department of Family MedicineUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Thokozani Khubone
- eThekwini Municipality Health Unit, eThekwini MunicipalityDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Nomsa Mtshaka
- eThekwini Municipality Health Unit, eThekwini MunicipalityDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Koleka Mlisana
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)University of KwaZulu–NatalDurbanSouth Africa
- National Health Laboratory ServiceJohannesburgSouth Africa
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical SciencesUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Hope Ngobese
- eThekwini Municipality Health Unit, eThekwini MunicipalityDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Nonhlanhla Yende‐Zuma
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)University of KwaZulu–NatalDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Nigel Garrett
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)University of KwaZulu–NatalDurbanSouth Africa
- Discipline of Public Health MedicineSchool of Nursing and Public HealthUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
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Mukosha M, Chiyesu G, Vwalika B. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV infected pregnant women in public health sectors: a pilot of Chilenje level one Hospital Lusaka, Zambia. Pan Afr Med J 2020; 35:49. [PMID: 32537054 PMCID: PMC7250199 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2020.35.49.20078] [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] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction regular use of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in pregnancy and breastfeeding reduces the odds of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission (MTCT). However, adherence to ART is critical for MTCT to be successful. The present study investigated factors that influence adherence to ART among HIV infected pregnant women in Zambia. Methods a cross-sectional study design was conducted involving 71 HIV infected pregnant women who were advised to join the Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission (PMTCT) program during their routine Antenatal clinic (ANC) visit and were on ART for more than six months. We used the Medication Possession Ratio (MPR) to quantify adherence levels. We used logistic regression to establish factors that influence adherence to ART. Results a total of 71 HIV infected pregnant women with a median age of 27years (IQR, 25-30) were enrolled in the study. There was evidence of a difference in adherence levels between pregnant women above 30 years and ones between 15 years and 30 years (P<0.001). Median adherence levels in this group were found to be at 96%(IQR 89-97). The main predictor of adherence in this population was marital status (being on separation) and age. The women who were on separation were 0.14 times less likely to adhere to option B+ compared to married women. Conclusion adherence to option B+ among pregnant women is low. Adherence was significantly influenced by marital status (being on separation) and age. Efforts to improve adherence should be directed towards women on separation and young adults (< 30 years of age).
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Affiliation(s)
- Moses Mukosha
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.,Mosi-o-Tunya University of Science and Technology, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Grace Chiyesu
- Faculty of Pharmacy Nutrition and Dietetics, Apex Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Bellington Vwalika
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Differentiated service delivery (DSD) has emerged as an approach for HIV programs seeking to better serve the needs of people living with HIV, reduce unnecessary burdens on the health system, and improve client outcomes. We reviewed recent evidence that addresses the challenge of DSD scale-up. RECENT FINDINGS Most current evidence focuses on treatment of clinically stable adult clients in high HIV prevalence settings. Nonetheless, a growing body of research is emerging on how the concept of differentiation is being applied to HIV testing, linkage, and initiation; service delivery to specific demographic groups including key populations - MSM, people who inject drugs, people in prisons, sex workers, and transgender people; service delivery to adolescents and pregnant women; and impact on related medical conditions like advanced HIV. There is also an increasing emphasis on measuring client experience. Key barriers to scale-up include the capacity of monitoring and evaluation systems, access to viral load monitoring and funding for community-led demand generation efforts. Another barrier is the lack of sufficient data to evaluate the various manifestations of the DSD model. SUMMARY Emerging evidence is providing welcome nuance to the discourse on the concept of DSD for HIV. The challenge will be taking evolving DSD concepts from pilot to scale. Countries must review their particular context, define the expected needs of their clients in different settings, introduce appropriate models - and be willing to adjust programming based on quantitative and qualitative outcomes.
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Esber AL, Coakley P, Ake JA, Bahemana E, Adamu Y, Kiweewa F, Maswai J, Owuoth J, Robb ML, Polyak CS, Crowell TA. Decreasing time to antiretroviral therapy initiation after HIV diagnosis in a clinic-based observational cohort study in four African countries. J Int AIDS Soc 2020; 23:e25446. [PMID: 32064776 PMCID: PMC7025087 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines have shifted over time to recommend earlier initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and now encourage ART initiation on the day of HIV diagnosis, if possible. However, barriers to ART access may delay initiation in resource-limited settings. We characterized temporal trends and other factors influencing the interval between HIV diagnosis and ART initiation among participants enrolled in a clinic-based cohort across four African countries. METHODS The African Cohort Study enrols adults engaged in care at 12 sites in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria. Participants provide a medical history, complete a physical examination and undergo laboratory assessments every six months. Participants with recorded dates of HIV diagnosis were categorized by WHO guideline era (<2006, 2006 to 2009, 2010 to 2012, 2013 to 2015, ≥2016) at the time of diagnosis. Cox proportional hazard modelling was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for time to ART initiation. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION From January 2013 to September 2019, a total of 2888 adults living with HIV enrolled with known diagnosis dates. Median time to ART initiation decreased from 22.0 months (interquartile range (IQR) 4.0 to 77.3) among participants diagnosed prior to 2006 to 0.5 months (IQR 0.2 to 1.8) among those diagnosed in 2016 and later. Comparing those same periods, CD4 nadir increased from a median of 166 cells/mm3 (IQR: 81 to 286) to 298 cells/mm3 (IQR: 151 to 501). In the final adjusted model, participants diagnosed in each subsequent WHO guideline era had increased rates of ART initiation compared to those diagnosed before 2006. CD4 nadir ≥500 cells/mm3 was independently associated with a lower rate of ART initiation as compared to CD4 nadir <200 cells/mm3 (HR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.37). Age >50 years at diagnosis was independently associated with shorter time to ART initiation as compared to 18 to 29 years (HR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.19 to 1.61). CONCLUSIONS Consistent with changing guidelines, the interval between diagnosis and ART initiation has decreased over time. Still, many adults living with HIV initiated treatment with low CD4, highlighting the need to diagnose HIV earlier while improving access to immediate ART after diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allahna L Esber
- U.S. Military HIV Research ProgramWalter Reed Army Institute of ResearchSilver SpringMDUSA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military MedicineBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Peter Coakley
- U.S. Military HIV Research ProgramWalter Reed Army Institute of ResearchSilver SpringMDUSA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military MedicineBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Julie A Ake
- U.S. Military HIV Research ProgramWalter Reed Army Institute of ResearchSilver SpringMDUSA
| | - Emmanuel Bahemana
- U.S. Military HIV Research ProgramWalter Reed Army Institute of ResearchSilver SpringMDUSA
- Henry Jackson Foundation MRIMbeyaTanzania
| | - Yakubu Adamu
- U.S. Military HIV Research ProgramWalter Reed Army Institute of ResearchSilver SpringMDUSA
- U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate – AfricaNairobiKenya
- Henry Jackson Foundation MRIAbujaNigeria
| | | | - Jonah Maswai
- U.S. Military HIV Research ProgramWalter Reed Army Institute of ResearchSilver SpringMDUSA
- Kenya Medical Research Institute/U.S. Army Medical Research DirectorateNairobiKenya
- Henry Jackson Foundation MRIKerichoKenya
| | - John Owuoth
- U.S. Military HIV Research ProgramWalter Reed Army Institute of ResearchSilver SpringMDUSA
- Kenya Medical Research Institute/U.S. Army Medical Research DirectorateNairobiKenya
- Henry Jackson Foundation MRIKisumuKenya
| | - Merlin L Robb
- U.S. Military HIV Research ProgramWalter Reed Army Institute of ResearchSilver SpringMDUSA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military MedicineBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Christina S Polyak
- U.S. Military HIV Research ProgramWalter Reed Army Institute of ResearchSilver SpringMDUSA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military MedicineBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Trevor A Crowell
- U.S. Military HIV Research ProgramWalter Reed Army Institute of ResearchSilver SpringMDUSA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military MedicineBethesdaMDUSA
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