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Njau PF, Katabaro E, Winters S, Sabasaba A, Hassan K, Joseph B, Maila H, Msasa J, Fahey CA, Packel L, Dow WH, Jewell NP, Ulenga N, Mwenda N, McCoy SI. Impact of financial incentives on viral suppression among adults initiating HIV treatment in Tanzania: a hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial. Lancet HIV 2024:S2352-3018(24)00149-8. [PMID: 39098325 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(24)00149-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small incentives could improve engagement in HIV care. We evaluated the short-term and longer-term effects of financial incentives for visit attendance on viral suppression among adults initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Tanzania. METHODS In a type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation study, we randomised (1:1) 32 primary care HIV clinics in four Tanzanian regions to usual care (control group) or the intervention (usual care plus ≤6 monthly incentives [22 500 Tanzanian Shillings, about US$10, each], conditional on visit attendance). Adults (aged ≥18 years) initiating ART (<30 days) who owned a mobile phone and had no plans to transfer to another facility were eligible. The primary outcome was retention on ART with viral suppression (<1000 copies per mL) at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included retention on ART with viral suppression at 6 months and viral suppression at 6 months and 12 months using a lower threshold (<50 copies per mL). Intent-to-treat analysis and a cluster-based permutation test were used to evaluate the effect of financial incentives on outcomes. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04201353, and is completed. FINDINGS Between May 28, 2021, and March 8, 2022, 1990 participants (805 male and 1185 female) were enrolled in the study. 1059 participants were assigned to the intervention group and 931 participants were assigned to the control group. Overall, 1536 (88%) participants at 6 months and 1575 (83%) at 12 months were on ART with viral suppression. At 12 months, 6 months after the intervention ended, 866 (85%) participants in the intervention group compared with 709 (81%) in the control group had viral loads less than 1000 copies per mL (adjusted risk difference [aRD] 4·4 percentage points, 95% CI -1·4 to 10·1, permutation test p=0·35). At 6 months, 858 participants (90%) in the intervention group were on ART with viral loads less than 1000 copies per mL compared with 678 (86%) in the control group (aRD 5·1 percentage points, 95% CI 1·1 to 9·1, permutation test p=0·06). Effects were larger at 6 months and 12 months with the lower threshold for viral suppression, and there was significant effect heterogeneity by region. Adverse events included 106 deaths (56 in the control group and 50 in the intervention group), none related to study participation. INTERPRETATION Short-term incentives for visit attendance had modest, short term benefits on viral suppression and did not harm retention or viral suppression after discontinuation. These findings suggest the need to understand subgroups who would most benefit from incentives to support HIV care. FUNDING National Institute of Mental Health. TRANSLATION For the Swahili translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prosper F Njau
- National AIDS, STIs and Hepatitis Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | | | - Solis Winters
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Amon Sabasaba
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Kassim Hassan
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Babuu Joseph
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Hamza Maila
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Janeth Msasa
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Carolyn A Fahey
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Laura Packel
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - William H Dow
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas P Jewell
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Nzovu Ulenga
- Management and Development for Health, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Sandra I McCoy
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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Smith PJ, Thirumurthy H. Incentivising engagement in care among people with HIV. Lancet HIV 2024:S2352-3018(24)00205-4. [PMID: 39098326 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(24)00205-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- P J Smith
- University of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Department of Medicine, Cape Town 7925, South Africa.
| | - H Thirumurthy
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA; Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA
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Galárraga O, Wilson-Barthes M, Chivardi C, Gras-Allain N, Alarid-Escudero F, Gandhi M, Mayer KH, Operario D. Incentivizing adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention: a randomized pilot trial among male sex workers in Mexico. THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS : HEPAC : HEALTH ECONOMICS IN PREVENTION AND CARE 2024:10.1007/s10198-024-01705-y. [PMID: 39002005 DOI: 10.1007/s10198-024-01705-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Low adherence to preventative medications against life-long health conditions is a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality. We implemented a pilot randomized controlled trial in Mexico to measure the extent to which conditional economic incentives help male sex workers increase their adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. We followed n = 110 male sex workers over 6 months. At each quarterly visit (at months 0, 3, and 6), all workers received a $10 transport reimbursement, a free 3-month PrEP supply, and completed socio-behavioral surveys. The primary outcome was an objective biomarker of medication adherence based on tenofovir (TFV) drug concentration levels in hair collected at each visit. Individuals randomized to the intervention received incentives based on a grading system as a function of PrEP adherence: those with high (> 0.043 ng/mg TFV concentration), medium (0.011 to 0.042 ng/mg), or low (< 0.011 ng/mg) adherence received $20, $10, or $0, respectively. Six-month pooled effects of incentives on PrEP adherence were analyzed using population-averaged gamma generalized estimating equation models. We estimated heterogeneous treatment effects by sex worker characteristics. The incentive intervention led to a 28.7% increase in hair antiretroviral concentration levels over 6 months consistent with increased PrEP adherence (p = 0.05). The effect of incentives on PrEP adherence was greater for male sex workers who were street-based (vs. internet) workers (p < 0.10). These pilot findings suggest that modest conditional economic incentives could be effective, at scale, for improving PrEP adherence among male sex workers, and should be tested in larger implementation trials. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03674983.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Galárraga
- Department of Health Services Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main St. Box G-S121-2, Providence, RI, 02903, USA.
- International Health Institute, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main St, Providence, RI, 02903, USA.
| | - Marta Wilson-Barthes
- International Health Institute, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main St, Providence, RI, 02903, USA
| | - Carlos Chivardi
- National Institute of Public Health (INSP), University No. 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca, Mexico
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - Nathalie Gras-Allain
- Center for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care, Clínica Especializada Condesa, Gral. Benjamín Hill 24, Hipódromo Condesa Cuauhtémoc, México City, 06170, Mexico
| | - Fernando Alarid-Escudero
- Center for Economics Teaching and Research (CIDE), Circuito Tecnopolo Norte #117, Col. Tecnopolo Pocitos II, Aguascalientes, CP, 20313, Mexico
- Stanford University School of Medicine, 291 Campus Drive Li Ka Shing Building, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Monica Gandhi
- University of California, 1001 Potrero Ave, #423D, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA
| | - Kenneth H Mayer
- The Fenway Institute, 7 Haviland St, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Don Operario
- Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
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Linnemayr S, Wagner Z, Saya UY, Stecher C, Lunkuse L, Wabukala P, Odiit M, Mukasa B. Behavioral Economic Incentives to Support HIV Care: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial in Uganda. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2024; 96:250-258. [PMID: 38534162 PMCID: PMC11192614 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003420] [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: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study tests behavioral economics incentives to improve adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART), with 1 approach being low cost. SETTING Three hundred twenty-nine adults at Mildmay Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, on ART for at least 2 years and showing adherence problems received the intervention for about 15 months until the study was interrupted by a nation-wide COVID-19 lockdown. METHODS We randomized participants into 1 of 3 (1:1:1) groups: usual care ("control" group; n = 109) or 1 of 2 intervention groups where eligibility for nonmonetary prizes was based on showing at least 90% electronically measured ART adherence ("adherence-linked" group, n = 111) or keeping clinic appointments as scheduled ("clinic-linked"; n = 109). After 12 months, participants could win a larger prize for consistently high adherence or viral suppression. Primary outcomes were mean adherence and viral suppression. Analysis was by intention-to-treat using linear regression. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03494777 . RESULTS Neither incentive arm increased adherence compared with the control; we estimate a 3.9 percentage point increase in "adherence-linked" arm [95% confidence interval (CI): -0.70 to 8.60 ( P = 0.10)] and 0.024 in the "clinic-linked" arm [95% CI: -0.02 to 0.07 ( P = 0.28)]. For the prespecified subgroup of those with initial low adherence, incentives increased adherence by 7.60 percentage points (95% CI: 0.01, 0.15; P = 0.04, "adherence-linked") and 5.60 percentage points (95% CI: -0.01, 0.12; P = 0.10, "clinic-linked"). We find no effects on clinic attendance or viral suppression. CONCLUSIONS Incentives did not improve viral suppression or ART adherence overall but worked for the prespecified subgroup of those with initial low adherence. More effectively identifying those in need of adherence support will allow better targeting of this and other incentive interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mary Odiit
- Mildmay Uganda Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
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Bosman S, Misra S, Flax-Nel LM, van Heerden A, Humphries H, Essack Z. A 5-Year Review of the Impact of Lottery Incentives on HIV-Related Services. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2024; 21:131-139. [PMID: 38573583 PMCID: PMC11130023 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-024-00694-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Lottery incentives are an innovative approach to encouraging HIV prevention, treatment initiation, and adherence behaviours. This paper reviews the latest research on lottery incentives' impact on HIV-related services, and their effectiveness for motivating behaviours to improve HIV service engagement and HIV health outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS Our review of ten articles, related to lottery incentives, published between 2018 and 2023 (inclusive) shows that lottery incentives have promise for promoting HIV-related target behaviours. The review highlights that lottery incentives may be better for affecting simpler behaviours, rather than more complex ones, such as voluntary medical male circumcision. This review recommends tailoring lottery incentives, ensuring contextual-relevance, to improve the impact on HIV-related services. Lottery incentives offer tools for improving uptake of HIV-related services. The success of lottery incentives appears to be mediated by context, the value and nature of the incentives, and the complexity of the target behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Bosman
- Centre for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Old Bus Depot, 1 Caluza Street, Sweetwaters, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
| | - Shriya Misra
- Centre for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Old Bus Depot, 1 Caluza Street, Sweetwaters, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Lili Marie Flax-Nel
- Centre for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Old Bus Depot, 1 Caluza Street, Sweetwaters, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Alastair van Heerden
- Centre for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Old Bus Depot, 1 Caluza Street, Sweetwaters, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
- SAMRC/WITS Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Hilton Humphries
- Centre for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Old Bus Depot, 1 Caluza Street, Sweetwaters, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
- School of Applied Human Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Zaynab Essack
- Centre for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Old Bus Depot, 1 Caluza Street, Sweetwaters, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
- School of Law, University of KwaZulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
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McCoy SI, Sabasaba A. Enhancing HIV care with incentives: one size does not fit all. Lancet HIV 2024; 11:e277-e278. [PMID: 38583462 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(24)00029-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra I McCoy
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA.
| | - Amon Sabasaba
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Kadota JL, Packel LJ, Mlowe M, Ulenga N, Mwenda N, Njau PF, Dow WH, Wang J, Sabasaba A, McCoy SI. Rudi Kundini, Pamoja Kundini (RKPK): study protocol for a hybrid type 1 randomized effectiveness-implementation trial using data science and economic incentive strategies to strengthen the continuity of care among people living with HIV in Tanzania. Trials 2024; 25:114. [PMID: 38336793 PMCID: PMC10858527 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-07960-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Economic incentives can improve clinical outcomes among in-care people living with HIV (PLHIV), but evidence is limited for their effectiveness among out-of-care PLHIV or those at risk of disengagement. We propose a type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation study to advance global knowledge about the use of economic incentives to strengthen the continuity of HIV care and accelerate global goals for HIV epidemic control. METHODS The Rudi Kundini, Pamoja Kundini study will evaluate two implementation models of an economic incentive strategy for supporting two groups of PLHIV in Tanzania. Phase 1 of the study consists of a two-arm, cluster randomized trial across 32 health facilities to assess the effectiveness of a home visit plus one-time economic incentive on the proportion of out-of-care PLHIV with viral load suppression (< 1000 copies/ml) 6 months after enrollment (n = 640). Phase 2 is an individual 1:1 randomized controlled trial designed to determine the effectiveness of a short-term counseling and economic incentive program offered to in-care PLHIV who are predicted through machine learning to be at risk of disengaging from care on the outcome of viral load suppression at 12 months (n = 692). The program includes up to three incentives conditional upon visit attendance coupled with adapted counselling sessions for this population of PLHIV. Consistent with a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study design, phase 3 is a mixed methods evaluation to explore barriers and facilitators to strategy implementation in phases 1 and 2. Results will be used to guide optimization and scale-up of the incentive strategies, if effective, to the larger population of Tanzanian PLHIV who struggle with continuity of HIV care. DISCUSSION Innovative strategies that recognize the dynamic process of lifelong retention in HIV care are urgently needed. Strategies such as conditional economic incentives are a simple and effective method for improving many health outcomes, including those on the HIV continuum. If coupled with other supportive services such as home visits (phase 1) or with tailored counselling (phase 2), economic incentives have the potential to strengthen engagement among the subpopulation of PLHIV who struggle with retention in care and could help to close the gap towards reaching global "95-95-95" goals for ending the AIDS epidemic. TRIAL REGISTRATION Phase 1: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05248100 , registered 2/21/2022. Phase 2: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05373095 , registered 5/13/2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian L Kadota
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Center for Tuberculosis, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Laura J Packel
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Matilda Mlowe
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Nzovu Ulenga
- Management and Development for Health, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | | | - William H Dow
- Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, USA
| | - Jingshen Wang
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Amon Sabasaba
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Sandra I McCoy
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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Giordano J, Lewis-Kulzer J, Montoya L, Akama E, Adhiambo HF, Nyadieka E, Iguna S, Bukusi EA, Odeny T, Camlin CS, Thirumurthy H, Petersen M, Geng EH. Experiences and perceptions of conditional cash incentive provision and cessation among people with HIV for care engagement: A qualitative study. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3905074. [PMID: 38405781 PMCID: PMC10889060 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3905074/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Background Consistent engagement in HIV treatment is needed for healthy outcomes, yet substantial loss-to-follow up persists, leading to increased morbidity, mortality and onward transmission risk. Although conditional cash transfers (CCTs) address structural barriers, recent findings suggest that incentive effects are time-limited, with cessation resulting in HIV care engagement deterioration. We explored incentive experiences, perceptions, and effects after cessation to investigate potential mechanisms of this observation. Methods This qualitative study was nested within a larger trial, AdaPT-R (NCT02338739), focused on HIV care engagement in western Kenya. A subset of participants were purposively sampled from AdaPT-R participants: adults with HIV who had recently started ART, received CCTs for one year, completed one year of follow-up without missing a clinic visit, and were randomized to either continue or discontinue CCTs for one more year of follow-up. In-depth interviews were conducted by an experienced qualitative researcher using a semi-structed guide within a month of randomization. Interviews were conducted in the participants' preferred language (Dholuo, Kiswahili, English). Data on patient characteristics, randomization dates, and clinic visit dates to determine care lapses were extracted from the AdaPT-R database. A codebook was developed deductively based on the guide and inductively refined based on initial transcripts. Transcripts were coded using Dedoose software, and thematic saturation was identified. Results Of 38 participants, 15 (39%) continued receiving incentives, while 23 (61%) were discontinued from receiving incentives. Half were female (N = 19), median age was 30 years (range: 19-48), and about three-quarters were married or living with partners. Both groups expressed high intrinsic motivation to engage in care, prioritized clinic attendance regardless of CCTs and felt the incentives expanded their decision-making options. Despite high motivation, some participants reported that cessation of the CCTs affected their ability to access care, especially those with constrained financial situations. Participants also expressed concerns that incentives might foster dependency. Conclusions This study helps us better understand the durability of financial incentives for HIV care engagement, including when incentives end. Together with the quantitative findings in the parent AdaPT-R study, these results support the idea that careful consideration be exercised when implementing incentives for sustainable engagement effects.
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Kadota JL, Packel LJ, Mlowe M, Ulenga N, Mwenda N, Njau PF, Dow WH, Wang J, Sabasaba A, McCoy SI. Rudi Kundini, Pamoja Kundini (RKPK): study protocol for a hybrid type 1 randomized effectiveness-implementation trial using data science and economic incentive strategies to strengthen the continuity of care among people living with HIV in Tanzania. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3315136. [PMID: 38196655 PMCID: PMC10775370 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3315136/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Background Economic incentives can improve clinical outcomes among in-care people living with HIV (PLHIV), but evidence is limited for their effectiveness among out-of-care PLHIV or those at-risk of disengagement. We propose a type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation study to advance global knowledge about the use of economic incentives to strengthen the continuity of HIV care and accelerate global goals for HIV epidemic control. Methods The Rudi Kundini, Pamoja Kundini study will evaluate two implementation models of an economic incentive strategy for supporting two groups of PLHIV in Tanzania. Phase 1 of the study consists of a two-arm, cluster randomized trial across 32 health facilities to assess the effectiveness of a home visit plus one-time economic incentive on the proportion of out-of-care PLHIV with viral load suppression (<1000 copies/ml) 6 months after enrollment (n = 640). Phase 2 is an individual 1:1 randomized controlled trial designed to determine the effectiveness of a short-term counseling and economic incentive program offered to in-care PLHIV who are predicted through machine learning to be at-risk of disengaging from care on the outcome of viral load suppression at 12 months (n = 692). The program includes up to three incentives conditional upon visit attendance coupled with adapted counselling sessions for this population of PLHIV. Consistent with a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study design, phase 3 is a mixed methods evaluation to explore barriers and facilitators to strategy implementation in phases 1 and 2. Results will be used to guide optimization and scale-up of the incentive strategies, if effective, to the larger population of Tanzanian PLHIV who struggle with continuity of HIV care. Discussion Innovative strategies that recognize the dynamic process of lifelong retention in HIV care are urgently needed. Strategies such as conditional economic incentives are a simple and effective method for improving many health outcomes, including those on the HIV continuum. If coupled with other supportive services such as home visits (phase 1) or with tailored counselling (phase 2), economic incentives have the potential to strengthen engagement among the subpopulation of PLHIV who struggle with retention in care and could help to close the gap towards reaching global '95-95-95' goals for ending the AIDS epidemic.Phase 1: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05248100, registered 2/21/2022 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05248100Phase 2: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05373095, registered 5/13/2022 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05373095.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura J Packel
- University of California Berkeley School of Public Health
| | | | | | | | | | - William H Dow
- University of California Berkeley School of Public Health
| | - Jingshen Wang
- University of California Berkeley School of Public Health
| | | | - Sandra I McCoy
- University of California Berkeley School of Public Health
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Ahmed AA, McNamee P. Effectiveness of Behavioural Economics Informed Interventions for the Prevention, Screening, and Antiretroviral Treatment of HIV Infection: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:3521-3534. [PMID: 36788167 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03969-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Failure to meet international targets set for the human immunodeficiency virus HIV pandemic suggests that more effective public health strategies are needed. New strategies informed by behavioural economics are now increasingly being tested, with promising results. However, the evidence base is diverse and challenging for policymakers to interpret. This paper aims to synthesise existing evidence by reporting results from a systematic review of behavioural economics-based interventions for addressing HIV prevention, testing and treatment. The reported study was a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. The search was conducted in four electronic medical literature databases, six trial registries, four grey literature sources and was not restricted to any country or region. Bias was assessed using criteria outlined in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews; quality of evidence was assessed using GRADE methodology. Fifteen full text articles were included in the final analysis. The synthesis of these studies revealed that strategies involving opt-out defaults, active-choice defaults, and lottery incentives can potentially increase uptake of HIV testing. Lottery incentives also showed signs of effectiveness in improving HIV prevention, ART adherence and initiation. Despite the promising findings, the overall evidence was judged to be of moderate to very low quality. Behavioural economics-based interventions are promising behavioural change strategies, although more well-designed studies are needed to strengthen the evidence base.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Abdirizak Ahmed
- Parklands Kidney Center, Nairobi, Kenya.
- Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Paul McNamee
- Health Economics Research Unit, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
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Jiang H, He W, Pan H, Zhong X. A structural equation modeling approach to investigate HIV testing willingness for men who have sex with men in China. AIDS Res Ther 2023; 20:64. [PMID: 37661282 PMCID: PMC10476389 DOI: 10.1186/s12981-023-00561-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A substantial risk of contracting Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exists among men who have sex with men (MSM), and HIV infection rates have been rising. This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing the Chinese MSM population's intention to test for HIV. METHODS Nonprobability sampling techniques were employed in June 2022 to recruit MSM in Chongqing and Sichuan, China. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM), which is based on the knowledge-attitude-behavior (KAB) theory. RESULTS Among 1687 participants, 964 (57.1%) of the MSM were willing to have an HIV test. The results of the structural equation modeling (SEM) showed that knowledge, attitude, and behavior all influenced the testing intention, with attitude having the greatest impact (total effect of 0.22). CONCLUSION HIV testing needs to be increased among MSM as they exhibit a moderate willingness to test. Improving education on HIV knowledge and risk behavior might enhance the willingness of MSM to test for HIV in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Jiang
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Wei He
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Haiying Pan
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Xiaoni Zhong
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
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12
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Galárraga O, Linnemayr S, McCoy SI, Thirumurthy H, Gordon C, Vorkoper S. We must invest in behavioural economics for the HIV response. Nat Hum Behav 2023; 7:1241-1244. [PMID: 37463988 DOI: 10.1038/s41562-023-01664-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Omar Galárraga
- Department of Health Services Policy and Practice, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
| | | | - Sandra I McCoy
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Harsha Thirumurthy
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christopher Gordon
- Division of AIDS Research, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Susan Vorkoper
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Makofane K, Kim H, Tchetgen Tchetgen E, Bassett MT, Berkman L, Adeagbo O, McGrath N, Seeley J, Shahmanesh M, Yapa HM, Herbst K, Tanser F, Bärnighausen T. Impact of family networks on uptake of health interventions: evidence from a community-randomized control trial aimed at increasing HIV testing in South Africa. J Int AIDS Soc 2023; 26:e26142. [PMID: 37598389 PMCID: PMC10440100 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION While it is widely acknowledged that family relationships can influence health outcomes, their impact on the uptake of individual health interventions is unclear. In this study, we quantified how the efficacy of a randomized health intervention is shaped by its pattern of distribution in the family network. METHODS The "Home-Based Intervention to Test and Start" (HITS) was a 2×2 factorial community-randomized controlled trial in Umkhanyakude, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, embedded in the Africa Health Research Institute's population-based demographic and HIV surveillance platform (ClinicalTrials.gov # NCT03757104). The study investigated the impact of two interventions: a financial micro-incentive and a male-targeted HIV-specific decision support programme. The surveillance area was divided into 45 community clusters. Individuals aged ≥15 years in 16 randomly selected communities were offered a micro-incentive (R50 [$3] food voucher) for rapid HIV testing (intervention arm). Those living in the remaining 29 communities were offered testing only (control arm). Study data were collected between February and November 2018. Using routinely collected data on parents, conjugal partners, and co-residents, a socio-centric family network was constructed among HITS-eligible individuals. Nodes in this network represent individuals and ties represent family relationships. We estimated the effect of offering the incentive to people with and without family members who also received the offer on the uptake of HIV testing. We fitted a linear probability model with robust standard errors, accounting for clustering at the community level. RESULTS Overall, 15,675 people participated in the HITS trial. Among those with no family members who received the offer, the incentive's efficacy was a 6.5 percentage point increase (95% CI: 5.3-7.7). The efficacy was higher among those with at least one family member who received the offer (21.1 percentage point increase (95% CI: 19.9-22.3). The difference in efficacy was statistically significant (21.1-6.5 = 14.6%; 95% CI: 9.3-19.9). CONCLUSIONS Micro-incentives appear to have synergistic effects when distributed within family networks. These effects support family network-based approaches for the design of health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keletso Makofane
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and InformaticsUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Hae‐Young Kim
- Department of Population HealthNew York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Africa Health Research InstituteKwa‐Zulu NatalSouth Africa
| | - Eric Tchetgen Tchetgen
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and InformaticsUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
- Department of Statistics and Data Science, The Wharton SchoolUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Mary T. Bassett
- FXB Center for Health and Human RightsHarvard UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Lisa Berkman
- Harvard Center for Population and Development StudiesHarvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | | | - Nuala McGrath
- Africa Health Research InstituteKwa‐Zulu NatalSouth Africa
- Department of Social Statistics and DemographyUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
| | - Janet Seeley
- Africa Health Research InstituteKwa‐Zulu NatalSouth Africa
- Department of Global Health and DevelopmentLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Maryam Shahmanesh
- Africa Health Research InstituteKwa‐Zulu NatalSouth Africa
- Institute for Global HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - H. Manisha Yapa
- Kirby Institute for Infection and ImmunityUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Kobus Herbst
- Africa Health Research InstituteKwa‐Zulu NatalSouth Africa
| | - Frank Tanser
- Africa Health Research InstituteKwa‐Zulu NatalSouth Africa
- Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation, School for Data Science and Computational ThinkingStellenbosch UniversityStellenboschSouth Africa
- School of Nursing and Public HealthUniversity of Kwa‐Zulu NatalDurbanSouth Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)University of Kwa‐Zulu NatalDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Till Bärnighausen
- Africa Health Research InstituteKwa‐Zulu NatalSouth Africa
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and University HospitalUniversity of HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
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Hémono R, Kelly NK, Fahey CA, Hassan K, Msasa J, Mfaume RS, Njau PF, Dow WH, McCoy SI. Financial incentives to improve re-engagement in HIV care: results from a randomized pilot study. AIDS Care 2023; 35:935-941. [PMID: 35187992 PMCID: PMC9388698 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2022.2041164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Determine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of financial incentives to motivate re-engagement in HIV care in Shinyanga, Tanzania. METHODS Out-of-care people living with HIV (PLHIV) were identified from medical records in four clinics and home-based care providers (HBCs) from April 13, 2018 to March 3, 2020. Shinyanga Region residents, ≥18 years, who were disengaged from care were randomized 1:1 to a financial incentive (∼$10 USD) or the standard of care (SOC), stratified by site, and followed for 180 days. Primary outcomes were feasibility (located PLHIV who agreed to discuss the study), acceptability (enrollment among eligibles), and re-engagement in care (clinic visit within 90 days). RESULTS HBCs located 469/1,309 (35.8%) out-of-care PLHIV. Of these, 215 (45.8%) were preliminarily determined to be disengaged from care, 201 (93.5%) agreed to discuss the study, and 157 eligible (100%) enrolled. Within 90 days, 71 (85.5%) PLHIV in the incentive arm re-engaged in care vs. 58 (78.4%) in the SOC (Adjusted Risk Difference [ARD] = 0.08, 95% CI: -0.03, 0.19, p = 0.09). A higher proportion of incentivized PLHIV completed an additional (unincentivized) visit between 90-180 days (79.5% vs. 71.6%, ARD = 0.10, 95% CI: -0.03, 0.24, p = 0.13) and remained in care at 180 days (57.8% vs. 51.4%, ARD = 0.07, 95% CI: -0.09, 0.22, p = 0.40). CONCLUSIONS Short-term financial incentives are feasible, acceptable, and have the potential to encourage re-engagement in care, warranting further study of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Hémono
- Division of Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, USA
| | - Nicole K. Kelly
- Division of Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, USA
| | - Carolyn A. Fahey
- Division of Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, USA
| | - Kassim Hassan
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Janeth Msasa
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Rashid S. Mfaume
- Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Prosper F. Njau
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - William H. Dow
- Division of Health Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, USA
| | - Sandra I. McCoy
- Division of Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, USA
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Shete PB, Kadota JL, Nanyunja G, Namale C, Nalugwa T, Oyuku D, Turyahabwe S, Kiwanuka N, Cattamanchi A, Katamba A. Evaluating the impact of cash transfers on tuberculosis (ExaCT TB): a stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial. ERJ Open Res 2023; 9:00182-2023. [PMID: 37342088 PMCID: PMC10277874 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00182-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mitigating financial barriers to tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and treatment is a core priority of the global TB agenda. We evaluated the impact of a cash transfer intervention on completion of TB testing and treatment initiation in Uganda. Methods We conducted a pragmatic complete stepped wedge randomised trial of a one-time unconditional cash transfer at 10 health centres between September 2019 and March 2020. People referred for sputum-based TB testing were enrolled to receive UGX 20 000 (∼USD 5.39) upon sputum submission. The primary outcome was the number initiating treatment for micro-bacteriologically confirmed TB within 2 weeks of initial evaluation. The primary analysis included cluster-level intent-to-treat and per-protocol analyses using negative binomial regression. Results 4288 people were eligible. The number diagnosed with TB initiating treatment was higher in the intervention period versus the pre-intervention period (adjusted rate ratio (aRR)=1.34) with a 95% CI of 0.62-2.91 (p=0.46), indicating a wide range of plausible true intervention effects. More were referred for TB testing (aRR=2.60, 95% CI 1.86-3.62; p<0.001) and completed TB testing (aRR=3.22, 95% CI 1.37-7.60; p=0.007) per National Guidelines. Results were similar but attenuated in per-protocol analyses. Surveys revealed that while the cash transfer supported testing completion, it was insufficient to address long-term underlying social/economic barriers. Interpretation While it is uncertain whether a single unconditional cash transfer increased the number of people diagnosed and treated for TB, it did support higher completion of diagnostic evaluation in a programmatic setting. A one-time cash transfer may offset some but not all of the social/economic barriers to improving TB diagnosis outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya B. Shete
- Center for Tuberculosis and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jillian L. Kadota
- Center for Tuberculosis and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Grace Nanyunja
- Uganda Tuberculosis Implementation Research Consortium, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Catherine Namale
- Uganda Tuberculosis Implementation Research Consortium, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Talemwa Nalugwa
- Uganda Tuberculosis Implementation Research Consortium, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Denis Oyuku
- Uganda Tuberculosis Implementation Research Consortium, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Noah Kiwanuka
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Adithya Cattamanchi
- Center for Tuberculosis and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Uganda Tuberculosis Implementation Research Consortium, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Achilles Katamba
- Uganda Tuberculosis Implementation Research Consortium, Kampala, Uganda
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
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Geng EH, Odeny TA, Montoya LM, Iguna S, Kulzer JL, Adhiambo HF, Eshun-Wilson I, Akama E, Nyandieka E, Guzé MA, Shade S, Packel L, Fox B, Camlin C, Thirumurthy H, Lyons C, Bukusi EA, Petersen ML. Adaptive Strategies for Retention in Care among Persons Living with HIV. NEJM EVIDENCE 2023; 2:10.1056/evidoa2200076. [PMID: 38143482 PMCID: PMC10745095 DOI: 10.1056/evidoa2200076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Optimizing retention in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment may require sequential behavioral interventions based on patients' response. METHODS In a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial in Kenya, we randomly assigned adults initiating HIV treatment to standard of care (SOC), Short Message Service (SMS) messages, or conditional cash transfers (CCT). Those with retention lapse (missed a clinic visit by ≥14 days) were randomly assigned again to standard-of-care outreach (SOC-Outreach), SMS+CCT, or peer navigation. Those randomly assigned to SMS or CCT who did not lapse after 1 year were randomly assigned again to either stop or continue the initial intervention. Primary outcomes were retention in care without an initial lapse, return to the clinic among those who lapsed, and time in care; secondary outcomes included adjudicated viral suppression. Average treatment effect (ATE) was calculated using targeted maximum likelihood estimation with adjustment for baseline characteristics at randomization and certain time-varying characteristics at rerandomization. RESULTS Among 1809 participants, 79.7% of those randomly assigned to CCT (n=523/656), 71.7% to SMS (n=393/548), and 70.7% to SOC (n=428/605) were retained in care in the first year (ATE: 9.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.4%, 14.4% and ATE: 4.2%; 95% CI: -0.7%, 9.2% for CCT and SMS compared with SOC, respectively). Among 312 participants with an initial lapse who were randomly assigned again, 69.1% who were randomly assigned to a navigator (n=76/110) returned, 69.5% randomly assigned to CCT+SMS (n=73/105) returned, and 55.7% randomly assigned to SOC-Outreach (n=54/97) returned (ATE: 14.1%; 95% CI: 0.6%, 27.6% and ATE: 11.4%; 95% CI: -2.2%, 24.9% for navigator and CCT+SMS compared with SOC-Outreach, respectively). Among participants without lapse on SMS, continuing SMS did not affect retention (n=122/180; 67.8% retained) versus stopping (n=151/209; 72.2% retained; ATE: -4.4%; 95% CI: -16.6%, 7.9%). Among participants without lapse on CCT, those continuing CCT had higher retention (n=192/230; 83.5% retained) than those stopping (n=173/287; 60.3% retained; ATE: 28.6%; 95% CI: 19.9%, 37.3%). Among 15 sequenced strategies, initial CCT, escalated to navigator if lapse occurred and continued if no lapse occurred, increased time in care (ATE: 7.2%, 95% CI: 3.7%, 10.7%) and viral suppression (ATE: 8.2%, 95% CI: 2.2%, 14.2%), the most compared with SOC throughout. Initial SMS escalated to navigator if lapse occurred, and otherwise continued, showed similar effect sizes compared with SOC throughout. CONCLUSIONS Active interventions to prevent retention lapses followed by navigation for those who lapse and maintenance of initial intervention for those without lapse resulted in best overall retention and viral suppression among the strategies studied. Among those who remained in care, discontinuation of CCT, but not SMS, compromised retention and suppression. (Funded by National Institutes of Health grants R01 MH104123, K24 AI134413, and R01 AI074345; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02338739.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvin H Geng
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis
| | - Thomas A Odeny
- Research Care Training Program, Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Lina M Montoya
- Department of Biostatistics, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
| | - Sarah Iguna
- Research Care Training Program, Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Jayne L Kulzer
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Services, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Harriet Fridah Adhiambo
- Research Care Training Program, Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Ingrid Eshun-Wilson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis
| | - Eliud Akama
- Research Care Training Program, Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Everlyne Nyandieka
- Research Care Training Program, Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Mary A Guzé
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Starley Shade
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Laura Packel
- Department of Biostatistics, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
| | - Branson Fox
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis
| | - Carol Camlin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Services, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Harsha Thirumurthy
- Division of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Catherine Lyons
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
| | - Elizabeth A Bukusi
- Research Care Training Program, Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Maya L Petersen
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley
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Hu S, Lu Y, He X, Zhou Y, Wu D, Tucker JD, Yang B, Tang W. Effectiveness of the secondary distribution of HIV self-testing with and without monetary incentives among men who have sex with men living with HIV in China: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:160. [PMID: 36918824 PMCID: PMC10013267 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08062-w] [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: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The HIV epidemic is still expanding among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China, but HIV testing rates remain suboptimal. Network-based interventions, such as secondary distribution, have shown promise to expand HIV self-testing (HIVST) among partners of MSM living with HIV (MLWH) but have not been widely implemented. Monetary incentives could enhance the secondary distribution of HIVST in some settings. We will conduct a randomized controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of monetary incentives in expanding the secondary distribution of HIVST among MLWH in China. METHODS We will recruit 200 eligible participants at three antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics in China. Participants are eligible if they are 18 years of age or over, assigned as male at birth, have had anal sex with men, are living with HIV, are willing to apply for the HIVST kit at ART clinics, and are willing to provide personal contact information for follow-up. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of two groups: standard secondary distribution group and secondary distribution group with monetary incentives. Participants (defined as "index") will distribute the HIVST kits to members of their social network (defined as "alter") and will be required to complete a baseline survey and a 3-month follow-up survey. All alters will be encouraged to report their testing results by taking photos of used kits and completing an online survey. The primary study outcomes will compare the mean number of alters and newly-tested alters motivated by each index participant in each group. Secondary study outcomes will include the mean number of alters who tested positive, the cost per person tested, and the cost per HIV diagnosed for each group. DISCUSSION Few studies have evaluated interventions to enhance the implementation of secondary distribution. Our study will provide information on the effectiveness of monetary incentives in expanding HIVST secondary distribution among MLWH. The findings of this trial will contribute to implementing HIVST secondary distribution services among MLWH in China and facilitating HIV case identifications. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200064517; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=177896 . Registered on 10th October 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyue Hu
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,University of North Carolina Project - China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Lu
- University of North Carolina Project - China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xi He
- Zhuhai Xutong Voluntary Services Center, Zhuhai, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Zhuhai Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Zhuhai, China
| | - Dan Wu
- University of North Carolina Project - China, Guangzhou, China.,London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- University of North Carolina Project - China, Guangzhou, China.,London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Bin Yang
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. .,Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Weiming Tang
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. .,Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. .,University of North Carolina Project - China, Guangzhou, China.
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Hémono R, Mnyippembe A, Kalinjila A, Msoma J, Prata N, Dow WH, Snell-Rood C, Sabasaba A, Njau P, McCoy SI. Risks of Intimate Partner Violence for Women Living with HIV Receiving Cash Transfers: A Qualitative Study in Shinyanga, Tanzania. AIDS Behav 2023:10.1007/s10461-023-03997-2. [PMID: 36692608 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-03997-2] [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] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Cash transfers are increasingly used to motivate adherence to HIV care. However, evidence on cash transfers and intimate partner violence (IPV) is mixed and little is known about their safety for women living with HIV. We conducted in-depth interviews with women living with HIV who participated in a randomized trial providing 6 months of cash transfers (~$4.5 or $11 USD) conditional on HIV clinic attendance in Shinyanga, Tanzania to assess how receiving cash affects IPV and relationship dynamics. Eligible participants were 18-49 years, received cash transfers, and in a partnership at baseline. Data were analyzed in Dedoose using a combined inductive-deductive coding approach. 25 interviews were conducted between November 2019-February 2020. Women's employment was found to be a source of household tension and violence. None of the participants reported physical or sexual IPV in relation to cash transfers, however, some women experienced controlling behaviors or emotional violence including accusations and withholding of money, particularly those who were unemployed. Cash transfers were predominantly used for small household expenses and were not viewed as being substantial enough to shift the financial dynamic or balance of power within relationships. Our findings suggest that small, short-term cash transfers do not increase physical or sexual IPV for women living with HIV however can exacerbate controlling behaviors or emotional violence. Modest incentives used as a behavioral nudge to improve health outcomes may affect women differently than employment or larger cash transfers. Nonetheless, consultations with beneficiaries should be prioritized to protect women from potential IPV risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Hémono
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, 94704, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | | | | | - Jesca Msoma
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Ndola Prata
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, 94704, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - William H Dow
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, 94704, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Claire Snell-Rood
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, 94704, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Amon Sabasaba
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Prosper Njau
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- The United Republic of Tanzania Ministry of Health, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Sandra I McCoy
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, 94704, Berkeley, CA, USA
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de Sampaio Morais GA, Magno L, Silva AF, Guimarães NS, Ordoñez JA, Souza LE, Macinko J, Dourado I, Rasella D. Effect of a conditional cash transfer programme on AIDS incidence, hospitalisations, and mortality in Brazil: a longitudinal ecological study. Lancet HIV 2022; 9:e690-e699. [PMID: 36179752 PMCID: PMC9577474 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(22)00221-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the biggest challenges of the response to the AIDS epidemic is to reach the poorest people. In 2004, Brazil implemented one of the world's largest conditional cash transfer programmes, the Bolsa Família Programme (BFP). We aimed to evaluate the effect of BFP coverage on AIDS incidence, hospitalisations, and mortality in Brazil. METHODS In this longitudinal ecological study, we developed a conceptual framework linking key mechanisms of BFP effects on AIDS indicators and used ecological panel data from 5507 Brazilian municipalities over the period of 2004-18. We used government sources to calculate municipal-level AIDS incidence, hospitalisation, and mortality rates, and used multivariable regressions analyses of panel data with fixed-effects negative binomial models to estimate the effect of BFP coverage, which was classified as low (0-29%), intermediate (30-69%), and high (≥70%), on AIDS indicators, while adjusting for all relevant demographic, socioeconomic, and health-care covariates at the municipal level. FINDINGS Between 2004 and 2018, in the municipalities under study, 601 977 new cases of AIDS were notified, of which 376 772 (62·6%) were in males older than 14 years, 212 465 (35·3%) were in females older than 14 years, and 12 740 (2·1%) were in children aged 14 years or younger. 533 624 HIV/AIDS-related hospitalisations, and 176 868 AIDS-related deaths had been notified. High BFP coverage was associated with reductions in incidence rate ratios of 5·1% (95% CI 0·9-9·1) for AIDS incidence, 14·3% (7·7-20·5) for HIV/AIDS hospitalisations, and 12·0% (5·2-18·4) for AIDS mortality. The effect of the BFP on AIDS indicators was more pronounced in municipalities with higher AIDS endemicity levels, with reductions in incidence rate ratios of 12·7% (95% CI 5·4-19·4) for AIDS incidence, 21·1% (10·7-30·2) for HIV/AIDS hospitalisations, and 14·7% (3·2-24·9) for AIDS-related mortality, and reductions in AIDS incidence of 14·6% (5·9-22·5) in females older than 14 years, 9·7% (1·4-17·3) in males older than 14 years, and 24·5% (0·5-42·7) in children aged 14 years or younger. INTERPRETATION The effect of BFP coverage on AIDS indicators in Brazil could be explained by the reduction of households' poverty and by BFP health-related conditionalities. The protection of the most vulnerable populations through conditional cash transfers could contribute to the reduction of AIDS burden in low-income and middle-income countries. FUNDING US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health. TRANSLATION For the Portugese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laio Magno
- Life Science Department, University of the State of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Andrea F Silva
- Collective Health Institute, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | | | | | - Luís Eugênio Souza
- Collective Health Institute, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - James Macinko
- UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Inês Dourado
- Collective Health Institute, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Davide Rasella
- Collective Health Institute, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil; ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Carnalla M, Bautista-Arredondo S, Barrientos-Gutiérrez T. Challenges for hepatitis C in Mexico: a public health perspective towards 2030. Ann Hepatol 2022; 27:100748. [PMID: 35977646 DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2022.100748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Martha Carnalla
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Poblacional, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, 62100, Cuernavaca, México
| | - Sergio Bautista-Arredondo
- Centro de Investigación en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México
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Bershteyn A, Jamieson L, Kim HY, Platais I, Milali MP, Mudimu E, Ten Brink D, Martin-Hughes R, Kelly SL, Phillips AN, Bansi-Matharu L, Cambiano V, Revill P, Meyer-Rath G, Nichols BE. Transmission reduction, health benefits, and upper-bound costs of interventions to improve retention on antiretroviral therapy: a combined analysis of three mathematical models. Lancet Glob Health 2022; 10:e1298-e1306. [PMID: 35961353 PMCID: PMC9380252 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00310-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In this so-called treat-all era, antiretroviral therapy (ART) interruptions contribute to an increasing proportion of HIV infections and deaths. Many strategies to improve retention on ART cost more than standard of care. In this study, we aimed to estimate the upper-bound costs at which such interventions should be adopted. METHODS In this combined analysis, we compared the infections averted, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) averted, and upper-bound costs of interventions that improve ART retention in three HIV models with diverse structures, assumptions, and baseline settings: EMOD in South Africa, Optima in Malawi, and Synthesis in sub-Saharan African low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We modelled estimates over a 40-year time horizon, from a baseline of Jan 1, 2022, when interventions would be implemented, to Jan 1, 2062. We varied increment of ART retention (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% retention), the extent to which interventions could be targeted towards individuals at risk of interrupting ART, and cost-effectiveness thresholds in each setting. FINDINGS Despite simulating different settings and epidemic trends, all three models produced consistent estimates of health benefit (ie, DALYs averted) and transmission reduction per increment in retention. The range of estimates was 1·35-3·55 DALYs and 0·12-0·20 infections averted over the 40-year time horizon per additional person-year retained on ART. Upper-bound costs varied by setting and intervention effectiveness. Improving retention by 25% among all people receiving ART, regardless of risk of ART interruption, gave an upper-bound cost per person-year of US$2-6 in Optima (Malawi), $43-68 in Synthesis (LMICs in sub-Saharan Africa), and $28-180 in EMOD (South Africa). A maximally targeted and effective retention intervention had an upper-bound cost per person-year of US$93-223 in Optima (Malawi), $871-1389 in Synthesis (LMICs in sub-Saharan Africa), and $1013-6518 in EMOD (South Africa). INTERPRETATION Upper-bound costs that could improve ART retention vary across sub-Saharan African settings and are likely to be similar to or higher than was estimated before the start of the treat-all era. Upper-bound costs could be increased by targeting interventions to those most at risk of interrupting ART. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bershteyn
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Lise Jamieson
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Hae-Young Kim
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ingrida Platais
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Masabho P Milali
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Edinah Mudimu
- Department of Decision Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Paul Revill
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK
| | - Gesine Meyer-Rath
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brooke E Nichols
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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22
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Li SX, Halabi R, Selvarajan R, Woerner M, Fillipo IG, Banerjee S, Mosser B, Jain F, Areán P, Pratap A. Recruitment & Retention in Remote Research: Learnings from a Large Decentralized Real-World Study (Preprint). JMIR Form Res 2022; 6:e40765. [PMID: 36374539 PMCID: PMC9706389 DOI: 10.2196/40765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smartphones are increasingly used in health research. They provide a continuous connection between participants and researchers to monitor long-term health trajectories of large populations at a fraction of the cost of traditional research studies. However, despite the potential of using smartphones in remote research, there is an urgent need to develop effective strategies to reach, recruit, and retain the target populations in a representative and equitable manner. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the impact of combining different recruitment and incentive distribution approaches used in remote research on cohort characteristics and long-term retention. The real-world factors significantly impacting active and passive data collection were also evaluated. METHODS We conducted a secondary data analysis of participant recruitment and retention using data from a large remote observation study aimed at understanding real-world factors linked to cold, influenza, and the impact of traumatic brain injury on daily functioning. We conducted recruitment in 2 phases between March 15, 2020, and January 4, 2022. Over 10,000 smartphone owners in the United States were recruited to provide 12 weeks of daily surveys and smartphone-based passive-sensing data. Using multivariate statistics, we investigated the potential impact of different recruitment and incentive distribution approaches on cohort characteristics. Survival analysis was used to assess the effects of sociodemographic characteristics on participant retention across the 2 recruitment phases. Associations between passive data-sharing patterns and demographic characteristics of the cohort were evaluated using logistic regression. RESULTS We analyzed over 330,000 days of engagement data collected from 10,000 participants. Our key findings are as follows: first, the overall characteristics of participants recruited using digital advertisements on social media and news media differed significantly from those of participants recruited using crowdsourcing platforms (Prolific and Amazon Mechanical Turk; P<.001). Second, participant retention in the study varied significantly across study phases, recruitment sources, and socioeconomic and demographic factors (P<.001). Third, notable differences in passive data collection were associated with device type (Android vs iOS) and participants' sociodemographic characteristics. Black or African American participants were significantly less likely to share passive sensor data streams than non-Hispanic White participants (odds ratio 0.44-0.49, 95% CI 0.35-0.61; P<.001). Fourth, participants were more likely to adhere to baseline surveys if the surveys were administered immediately after enrollment. Fifth, technical glitches could significantly impact real-world data collection in remote settings, which can severely impact generation of reliable evidence. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight several factors, such as recruitment platforms, incentive distribution frequency, the timing of baseline surveys, device heterogeneity, and technical glitches in data collection infrastructure, that could impact remote long-term data collection. Combined together, these empirical findings could help inform best practices for monitoring anomalies during real-world data collection and for recruiting and retaining target populations in a representative and equitable manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Xueying Li
- Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ramzi Halabi
- Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rahavi Selvarajan
- Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Molly Woerner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | | | - Sreya Banerjee
- Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Brittany Mosser
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Felipe Jain
- Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Patricia Areán
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Abhishek Pratap
- Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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23
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The effect of conditional cash transfers on the control of neglected tropical disease: a systematic review. Lancet Glob Health 2022; 10:e640-e648. [PMID: 35427521 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00065-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are diseases of poverty and affect 1·5 billion people globally. Conditional cash transfer (CCTs) programmes alleviate poverty in many countries, potentially contributing to improved NTD outcomes. This systematic review examines the relationship between CCTs and screening, incidence, or treatment outcomes of NTDs. METHODS In this systematic review we searched MEDLINE, Embase, Lilacs, EconLit, Global Health, and grey literature websites on Sept 17, 2020, with no date or language restrictions. Controlled quantitative studies including randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies evaluating CCT interventions in low-income and middle-income countries were included. Any outcome measures related to WHO's 20 diseases classified as NTDs were included. Studies from high-income countries were excluded. Two authors (AA and TH) extracted data from published studies and appraised risk of biases using the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomised Studies of Interventions and Risk of Bias 2 tools. Results were analysed narratively. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020202480. FINDINGS From the search, 5165 records were identified; of these, 11 studies were eligible for inclusion covering four CCTs in Brazil, the Philippines, Mexico, and Zambia. Most studies were either RCTs or quasi-experimental studies and ten were assessed to be of moderate quality. Seven studies reported improved NTD outcomes associated with CCTs, in particular, reduced incidence of leprosy and increased uptake of deworming treatments. There was some evidence of greater benefit of CCTS in lower socioeconomic groups but subgroup analysis was scarce. Methodological weaknesses include self-reported outcomes, missing data, improper randomisation, and differences between CCT and comparator populations in observational studies. The available evidence is currently limited, covering a small proportion of CCTs and NTDs. INTERPRETATION CCTs can be associated with improved NTD outcomes, and could be driven by both improvements in living standards from cash benefits and direct health effects from conditionalities related to health-care use. This evidence adds to the knowledge of health-improving effects from CCTs in poor and vulnerable populations. FUNDING None.
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24
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Reina Ortiz M, Grunauer M, Gutierrez E, Izurieta R, Macis M, Phan P, Rosas C, Teran E. Financial Incentives, Not Behavioral Nudges, Led to Optimized HIV Testing among Pregnant Women in a High-Burden Urban Population in Ecuador. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 106:tpmd210591. [PMID: 35405656 PMCID: PMC9209938 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioral economic principles are increasingly being used in the fight against HIV, including improving voluntary testing in sub-Saharan Africa and South America. However, behavioral nudges have not been widely tested as a strategy to optimize HIV testing in pregnant women. Here, we assessed whether behavioral nudges or financial incentives were effective in optimizing HIV testing among pregnant women in a high-HIV burden setting. A randomized clinical trial was conducted between May 21 and Oct 5, 2018, to allocate pregnant women in Ecuador into three study arms: information only, soft commitment (i.e., a behavioral nudge), and financial incentives. All participants received an informational flyer, including the address of a testing location. Participants in the soft-commitment arm signed and kept a form on which they committed to get tested for HIV. Those in the financial incentive arm received a $10 incentive when tested for HIV. A stepwise logistic regression analysis estimated the effect of the study arms on HIV testing rate. Participants in the financial-incentive arm had higher odds of getting an HIV test (adjusted odds ratio 17.06, P < 0.001) as compared with information-only participants. Soft-commitment had the opposite effect (adjusted odds ratio 0.14, P = 0.014). Financial incentives might be useful in improving HIV testing among pregnant women, especially among those who might be at higher risk but who have not completed an HIV test.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michelle Grunauer
- Escuela de Medicina, Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Erika Gutierrez
- Laboratorio Clínico Microlab Diagnostic, Esmeraldas, Ecuador
| | - Ricardo Izurieta
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Mario Macis
- Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, Baltimore, Maryland
- National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, Maryland
| | - Phillip Phan
- Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, Baltimore, Maryland
- Johns Hopkins Medicine Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Carlos Rosas
- Escuela de Medicina, Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Enrique Teran
- Escuela de Medicina, Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
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25
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Finlay J, Lambert T, Krahn J, Meyer G, Singh AE, Caine V. Incentive-Based Human Immunodeficiency Virus Screening in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review. Sex Transm Dis 2022; 49:274-283. [PMID: 34654770 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The majority of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections that occur worldwide are in sub-Saharan Africa. While recent gains have been made in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), substantial disparities in sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) screening and treatment still exist between LMIC and high-income countries. In addition to increasing STBBI screening uptake, providing incentives for STBBI screening may decrease perceived stigma associated with STBBI screening. METHODS Our review was conducted as part of a larger systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement and guidance from the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. This review focuses on incentivized STBBI screening in LMIC; high-income countries were excluded. Articles were excluded if their primary focus was on children and youth (younger than 16 years), results retrieval, treatment, behavioral change only, behavior intention, treatment adherence, or provider incentive. RESULTS The search yielded 6219 abstracts. The search and selection criteria included all STBBI; however, only articles examining incentivized HIV screening met our inclusion criteria. Five articles representing 4 distinct studies from South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe were included, all of which focused on incentivized HIV screening. Populations screened included the following: men, first-time testers, population-based surveillance program families, and insurance health plan members. Incentive structures varied widely and incentives were mainly food vouchers, lottery prizes, or household items. CONCLUSIONS Our review was conducted to determine if patient incentives increase STBBI test uptake in LMIC. Overall, incentives were associated with an increase in HIV screening uptake. Most studies included focused solely on men. There is a significant void in understanding STBBI incentive-based screening outside of this context and in complex populations who should be targeted in incentivized HIV screening. Incentives appear most effective when developed specific to context and target population. Further research is needed to analyze incentivized screening across similar study designs, to evaluate long-term effectiveness, and to explore the ethical implications of incentivized care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Teresa Lambert
- From the Alberta Health Services Edmonton Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic, Edmonton
| | - Jessica Krahn
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
| | - Garret Meyer
- From the Alberta Health Services Edmonton Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic, Edmonton
| | | | - Vera Caine
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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26
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Salinas-Rodríguez A, Sosa-Rubí SG, Chivardi C, Rodríguez-Franco R, Gandhi M, Mayer KH, Operario D, Gras-Allain N, Vargas-Guadarrama G, Galárraga O. Preferences for Conditional Economic Incentives to Improve Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Adherence: A Discrete Choice Experiment Among Male Sex Workers in Mexico. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:833-842. [PMID: 34453239 PMCID: PMC8840956 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03443-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective in preventing HIV but requires sustained adherence. Conditional economic incentives (CEIs) can improve medication-taking behaviors, yet preferences for programs that employ CEIs to increase PrEP use among male sex workers (MSWs) have not been investigated. We conducted a discrete choice experiment in Mexico City to elicit stated preferences for a CEI-based PrEP adherence program among MSWs. Respondents expressed their preferences for different program characteristics: incentive amount; incentive format; incentive type; and adherence-verification method. We used a random utility logit model to estimate the relative importance of each attribute and estimated willingness-to-pay. MSWs preferred a higher, fixed incentive, with PrEP adherence measured via hair sampling. MSWs were willing to forego up to 21% of their potential maximum CEI amount to ensure receipt of a fixed payment. MSWs are highly willing to accept a CEI-based intervention for PrEP adherence, if offered along with fixed payments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarón Salinas-Rodríguez
- Center for Evaluation Research and Surveys, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca , Morelos, Mexico
| | - Sandra G Sosa-Rubí
- Division of Health Economics, Center for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health (INSP), Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Carlos Chivardi
- Division of Health Economics, Center for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health (INSP), Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Roxana Rodríguez-Franco
- Division of Health Economics, Center for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health (INSP), Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Monica Gandhi
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kenneth H Mayer
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, and Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Don Operario
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | | | | | - Omar Galárraga
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
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27
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Zhou Y, Lu Y, Ni Y, Wu D, He X, Ong JJ, Tucker JD, Sylvia SY, Jing F, Li X, Huang S, Shen G, Xu C, Xiong Y, Sha Y, Cheng M, Xu J, Jiang H, Dai W, Huang L, Zou F, Wang C, Yang B, Mei W, Tang W. Monetary incentives and peer referral in promoting secondary distribution of HIV self-testing among men who have sex with men in China: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS Med 2022; 19:e1003928. [PMID: 35157727 PMCID: PMC8887971 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital network-based methods may enhance peer distribution of HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits, but interventions that can optimize this approach are needed. We aimed to assess whether monetary incentives and peer referral could improve a secondary distribution program for HIVST among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. METHODS AND FINDINGS Between October 21, 2019 and September 14, 2020, a 3-arm randomized controlled, single-blinded trial was conducted online among 309 individuals (defined as index participants) who were assigned male at birth, aged 18 years or older, ever had male-to-male sex, willing to order HIVST kits online, and consented to take surveys online. We randomly assigned index participants into one of the 3 arms: (1) standard secondary distribution (control) group (n = 102); (2) secondary distribution with monetary incentives (SD-M) group (n = 103); and (3) secondary distribution with monetary incentives plus peer referral (SD-M-PR) group (n = 104). Index participants in 3 groups were encouraged to order HIVST kits online and distribute to members within their social networks. Members who received kits directly from index participants or through peer referral links from index MSM were defined as alters. Index participants in the 2 intervention groups could receive a fixed incentive ($3 USD) online for the verified test result uploaded to the digital platform by each unique alter. Index participants in the SD-M-PR group could additionally have a personalized peer referral link for alters to order kits online. Both index participants and alters needed to pay a refundable deposit ($15 USD) for ordering a kit. All index participants were assigned an online 3-month follow-up survey after ordering kits. The primary outcomes were the mean number of alters motivated by index participants in each arm and the mean number of newly tested alters motivated by index participants in each arm. These were assessed using zero-inflated negative binomial regression to determine the group differences in the mean number of alters and the mean number of newly tested alters motivated by index participants. Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. We also conducted an economic evaluation using microcosting from a health provider perspective with a 3-month time horizon. The mean number of unique tested alters motivated by index participants was 0.57 ± 0.96 (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) in the control group, compared with 0.98 ± 1.38 in the SD-M group (mean difference [MD] = 0.41),and 1.78 ± 2.05 in the SD-M-PR group (MD = 1.21). The mean number of newly tested alters motivated by index participants was 0.16 ± 0.39 (mean ± SD) in the control group, compared with 0.41 ± 0.73 in the SD-M group (MD = 0.25) and 0.57 ± 0.91 in the SD-M-PR group (MD = 0.41), respectively. Results indicated that index participants in intervention arms were more likely to motivate unique tested alters (control versus SD-M: incidence rate ratio [IRR = 2.98, 95% CI = 1.82 to 4.89, p-value < 0.001; control versus SD-M-PR: IRR = 3.26, 95% CI = 2.29 to 4.63, p-value < 0.001) and newly tested alters (control versus SD-M: IRR = 4.22, 95% CI = 1.93 to 9.23, p-value < 0.001; control versus SD-M-PR: IRR = 3.49, 95% CI = 1.92 to 6.37, p-value < 0.001) to conduct HIVST. The proportion of newly tested testers among alters was 28% in the control group, 42% in the SD-M group, and 32% in the SD-M-PR group. A total of 18 testers (3 index participants and 15 alters) tested as HIV positive, and the HIV reactive rates for alters were similar between the 3 groups. The total costs were $19,485.97 for 794 testers, including 450 index participants and 344 alter testers. Overall, the average cost per tester was $24.54, and the average cost per alter tester was $56.65. Monetary incentives alone (SD-M group) were more cost-effective than monetary incentives with peer referral (SD-M-PR group) on average in terms of alters tested and newly tested alters, despite SD-M-PR having larger effects. Compared to the control group, the cost for one more alter tester in the SD-M group was $14.90 and $16.61 in the SD-M-PR group. For newly tested alters, the cost of one more alter in the SD-M group was $24.65 and $49.07 in the SD-M-PR group. No study-related adverse events were reported during the study. Limitations include the digital network approach might neglect individuals who lack internet access. CONCLUSIONS Monetary incentives alone and the combined intervention of monetary incentives and peer referral can promote the secondary distribution of HIVST among MSM. Monetary incentives can also expand HIV testing by encouraging first-time testing through secondary distribution by MSM. This social network-based digital approach can be expanded to other public health research, especially in the era of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) ChiCTR1900025433.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhou
- Zhuhai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhuhai, China
- Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau SAR, China
| | - Ying Lu
- Dermatology Hospital of South Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuxin Ni
- Dermatology Hospital of South Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dan Wu
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Xi He
- Zhuhai Xutong Voluntary Services Center, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jason J. Ong
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joseph D. Tucker
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Sean Y. Sylvia
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Fengshi Jing
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
- School of Data Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- Zhuhai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhuhai, China
| | - Shanzi Huang
- Zhuhai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhuhai, China
| | - Guangquan Shen
- Dermatology Hospital of South Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chen Xu
- Dermatology Hospital of South Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Xiong
- Dermatology Hospital of South Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongjie Sha
- Dermatology Hospital of South Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengyuan Cheng
- Dermatology Hospital of South Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junjie Xu
- Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hongbo Jiang
- Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wencan Dai
- Zhuhai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhuhai, China
| | - Liqun Huang
- Zhuhai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhuhai, China
| | - Fei Zou
- Department of Biostatistics, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Cheng Wang
- Dermatology Hospital of South Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Dermatology Hospital of South Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenhua Mei
- Zhuhai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhuhai, China
| | - Weiming Tang
- Dermatology Hospital of South Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Project-China, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail:
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28
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Nshimyumuremyi JN, Mukesharurema G, Uwamariya J, Mutunge E, Goodman AS, Ndahimana JD, Barnhart DA. Implementation and Adaptation of a Combined Economic Empowerment and Peer Support Program Among Youth Living With HIV in Rural Rwanda. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care 2022; 21:23259582211064038. [PMID: 34985358 PMCID: PMC8744159 DOI: 10.1177/23259582211064038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Youth living with HIV in rural Rwanda experience poor clinical outcomes. In 2017, we implemented Adolescent Support Groups (ASGs), which provided economic incentives and peer support to youth aged 15-25. Methods: We assessed the ASG program using programmatic and electronic medical records. We described group composition and achievement on three indicators used to determine economic incentive levels: (1) quarterly pharmacy visit attendance, (2) biannual savings target achievement, and (3) annual viral suppression. Results: In total, 324 members enrolled in 34 ASGs. Group size and member ages varied more than anticipated. Groups performed well on pharmacy visit attendance (median quarterly group attendance range 91-100%) and on achieving savings targets (median biannual achievement range 80–83%). The viral suppression indicator could not be implemented as planned. Conclusion: To reflect contextual realities, adaptations in enrollment, indicator evaluation, and awarding of incentives occurred during implementation. Future research should assess whether these adaptations affected results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Dale A Barnhart
- Partners In Health, Boston, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
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Fahey CA, Wei L, Njau PF, Shabani S, Kwilasa S, Maokola W, Packel L, Zheng Z, Wang J, McCoy SI. Machine learning with routine electronic medical record data to identify people at high risk of disengagement from HIV care in Tanzania. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000720. [PMID: 36962586 PMCID: PMC10021592 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Machine learning methods for health care delivery optimization have the potential to improve retention in HIV care, a critical target of global efforts to end the epidemic. However, these methods have not been widely applied to medical record data in low- and middle-income countries. We used an ensemble decision tree approach to predict risk of disengagement from HIV care (missing an appointment by ≥28 days) in Tanzania. Our approach used routine electronic medical records (EMR) from the time of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation through 24 months of follow-up for 178 adults (63% female). We compared prediction accuracy when using EMR-based predictors alone and in combination with sociodemographic survey data collected by a research study. Models that included only EMR-based indicators and incorporated changes across past clinical visits achieved a mean accuracy of 75.2% for predicting risk of disengagement in the next 6 months, with a mean sensitivity of 54.7% for targeting the 30% highest-risk individuals. Additionally including survey-based predictors only modestly improved model performance. The most important variables for prediction were time-varying EMR indicators including changes in treatment status, body weight, and WHO clinical stage. Machine learning methods applied to existing EMR data in resource-constrained settings can predict individuals' future risk of disengagement from HIV care, potentially enabling better targeting and efficiency of interventions to promote retention in care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn A Fahey
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Linqing Wei
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | | | | | | | | | - Laura Packel
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Zeyu Zheng
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Jingshen Wang
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Sandra I McCoy
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
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Swartz A, Maughan-Brown B, Perera S, Harrison A, Kuo C, Lurie MN, Smith P, Bekker LG, Galárraga O. "The Money, It's OK but It's not OK": Patients' and Providers' Perceptions of the Acceptability of Cash Incentives for HIV Treatment Initiation in Cape Town, South Africa. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:116-122. [PMID: 34148206 PMCID: PMC8685299 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03355-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Incentive-based interventions are used to encourage HIV testing, linkage to HIV care, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. Studies assessing efficacy of cash incentives have raised questions about the perceived ethicality of and attitudes towards incentives. Here we explore patients' and health providers' perspectives of the acceptability of a conditional cash transfer for ART initiation after receiving a positive HIV test through community-based services in resource-poor communities in Cape Town, South Africa. Drawing on in-depth interviews with patients and health care workers (HCWs), we find that, despite the perception that cash incentives are effective in promoting ART initiation, significant ambivalence surrounds the acceptability of such incentives. The receipt of a financial incentive was highly moralized, and fraught with challenges. Increasing the acceptability of cash incentives through careful design and delivery of interventions is central to the potential of this type of intervention for improving outcomes along the HIV care continuum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Swartz
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Brendan Maughan-Brown
- Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, School of Economics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shehani Perera
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Abigail Harrison
- School of Public Health, International Health Institute, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Caroline Kuo
- School of Public Health, International Health Institute, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Mark N Lurie
- School of Public Health, International Health Institute, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Philip Smith
- The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Linda-Gail Bekker
- The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Omar Galárraga
- School of Public Health, International Health Institute, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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Fahey CA, Njau PF, Kelly NK, Mfaume RS, Bradshaw PT, Dow WH, McCoy SI. Durability of effects from short-term economic incentives for clinic attendance among HIV positive adults in Tanzania: long-term follow-up of a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2021-007248. [PMID: 34952856 PMCID: PMC8710859 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-007248] [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: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Conditional economic incentives are shown to promote medication adherence across a range of health conditions and settings; however, any long-term harms or benefits from these time-limited interventions remain largely unevaluated. We assessed 2–3 years outcomes from a 6-month incentive programme in Tanzania that originally improved short-term retention in HIV care and medication possession. Methods We traced former participants in a 2013–2016 trial, which randomised 800 food-insecure adults starting HIV treatment at three clinics to receive either usual care (control) or up to 6 months of cash or food transfers (~US$11/month) contingent on timely attendance at monthly clinic appointments. The primary intention-to-treat analysis estimated 24-month and 36-month marginal risk differences (RD) between incentive and control groups for retention in care and all-cause mortality, using multiple imputation for a minority of missing outcomes. We also estimated mortality HRs from time-stratified Cox regression. Results From 3 March 2018 to 19 September 2019, we determined 36-month retention and mortality statuses for 737 (92%) and 700 (88%) participants, respectively. Overall, approximately 660 (83%) participants were in care at 36 months while 43 (5%) had died. There were no differences between groups in retention at 24 months (86.5% intervention vs 84.4% control, RD 2.1, 95% CI −5.2 to 9.3) or 36 months (83.3% vs 77.8%, RD 5.6, –2.7 to 13.8), nor in mortality at either time point. The intervention group had a lower rate of death during the first 18 months (HR 0.27, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.74); mortality was similar thereafter (HR 1.13, 95% CI 0.33 to 3.79). Conclusion These findings confirm that incentives are a safe and effective tool to promote short-term adherence and potentially avert early deaths at the critical time of HIV treatment initiation. Complementary strategies are recommended to sustain lifelong retention in HIV care. Trial registration number NCT01957917
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn A Fahey
- Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA .,Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Prosper F Njau
- Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dodoma, Tanzania, United Republic of
| | - Nicole K Kelly
- Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA.,Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Rashid S Mfaume
- Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dodoma, Tanzania, United Republic of
| | | | - William H Dow
- Health Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Sandra I McCoy
- Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
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Rua T, Brandão D, Nicolau V, Escoval A. The Utilisation of Payment Models Across the HIV Continuum of Care: Systematic Review of Evidence. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:4193-4208. [PMID: 34184134 PMCID: PMC8602234 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03329-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
The increasing chronicity and multimorbidities associated with people living with HIV have posed important challenges to health systems across the world. In this context, payment models hold the potential to improve care across a spectrum of clinical conditions. This study aims to systematically review the evidence of HIV performance-based payments models. Literature searches were conducted in March 2020 using multiple databases and manual searches of relevant papers. Papers were limited to any study design that considers the real-world utilisation of performance-based payment models applied to the HIV domain. A total of 23 full-text papers were included. Due to the heterogeneity of study designs, the multiple types of interventions and its implementation across distinct areas of HIV care, direct comparisons between studies were deemed unsuitable. Most evidence focused on healthcare users (83%), seeking to directly affect patients' behaviour based on principles of behavioural economics. Despite the variability between interventions, the implementation of performance-based payment models led to either a neutral or positive impact throughout the HIV care continuum. Moreover, this improvement was likely to be cost-effective or, at least, did not compromise the healthcare system's financial sustainability. However, more research is needed to assess the durability of incentives and its appropriate relative magnitude.
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Stoner MCD, Kilburn K, Godfrey-Faussett P, Ghys P, Pettifor AE. Cash transfers for HIV prevention: A systematic review. PLoS Med 2021; 18:e1003866. [PMID: 34843468 PMCID: PMC8668130 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the success of cash programs in improving health outcomes and addressing upstream drivers of HIV risk such as poverty and education, there has been an increasing interest in their potential to improve HIV prevention and care outcomes. Recent reviews have documented the impacts of structural interventions on HIV prevention, but evidence about the effects of cash transfer programs on HIV prevention has not been systematically reviewed for several years. METHODS AND FINDINGS We did a systematic review of published and unpublished literature to update and summarize the evidence around cash programs for HIV prevention from January 2000 to December 17, 2020. We included studies with either a cash transfer intervention, savings program, or program to reduce school costs. Included studies measured the program's impact on HIV infection, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or sexual behaviors. We screened 1,565 studies and examined 78 in full-text review to identify a total of 45 peer-reviewed publications and reports from 27 different interventions or populations. We did not do a meta-analysis given the range of outcomes and types of cash transfer interventions assessed. Most studies were conducted in sub-Saharan Africa (N = 23; South Africa, Tanzania, Malawi, Lesotho, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and eSwatini) followed by Mexico (N = 2), the United States (N = 1), and Mongolia (N = 1)). Of the 27 studies, 20 (72%) were randomized trials, 5 (20%) were observational studies, 1 (4%) was a case-control study, and 1 (4%) was quasi-experimental. Most studies did not identify a strong association between the program and sexual behaviors, except sexual debut (10/18 finding an association; 56%). Eight of the 27 studies included HIV biomarkers, but only 3 found a large reduction in HIV incidence or prevalence, and the rest found no statistically significant association. Of the studies that identified a statistically significant association with other STIs (N = 4/8), 2 involved incentives for staying free of the STI, and the other 2 were cash transfer programs for adolescent girls that had conditionalities related to secondary schooling. Study limitations include the small number of studies in key populations and examining interventions to reduce school costs and matched saving programs. CONCLUSIONS The evidence base for large-scale impacts of cash transfers reducing HIV risk is limited; however, government social protection cash transfer programs and programs that incentivize school attendance among adolescent girls and young women show the greatest promise for HIV prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie C. D. Stoner
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Women’s Global Health Imperative, RTI International, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kelly Kilburn
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | | | | | - Audrey E. Pettifor
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
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34
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Packel L, Fahey C, Kalinjila A, Mnyippembe A, Njau P, McCoy SI. Preparing a financial incentive program to improve retention in HIV care and viral suppression for scale: using an implementation science framework to evaluate an mHealth system in Tanzania. Implement Sci Commun 2021; 2:109. [PMID: 34556176 PMCID: PMC8461932 DOI: 10.1186/s43058-021-00214-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Viral suppression is key to ending the HIV epidemic, yet only 58% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa are suppressed. Cash transfers are an effective strategy to improve retention in care, but little is known about optimization of implementation; for example, designing effective programs that integrate into existing clinic workflows. We studied implementation of an mHealth system to deliver cash transfers to support retention. METHODS We conducted a mixed-methods study assessing implementation of an mHealth cash transfer study. This was part of a larger, hybrid implementation-effectiveness randomized controlled trial evaluating cash transfers conditional on visit attendance for viral suppression among Tanzanian PLHIV initiating ART. An mHealth system using fingerprint identification and mobile payments was used to automatically disburse mobile money to eligible PLHIV. We used Proctor's framework, assessing implementation of the mHealth system from the perspectives of PLHIV and clinicians. We analyzed mHealth system data and conducted surveys (n = 530) and in-depth interviews (n = 25) with PLHIV, clinic and pharmacy staff (n = 10), and structured clinic observations (n = 2293 visits). RESULTS One thousand six hundred fifty-one cash transfers were delivered to 346 PLHIV in the cash arms, 78% through mobile money. Among those in the cash arms, 81% registered their mobile money account with the mHealth system by study end, signaling high adoption. While acceptability for fingerprinting and mobile payments was high among PLHIV, interviews revealed mixed views: some had privacy concerns while others felt the system was secure and accurate, and provided some legitimacy to the clinical visits. Pharmacists praised system efficiency, but concerns about duplicative recordkeeping and added work arose. Clinic staff voiced excitement for the system's potential to bring the cash program to all patients and simplify workflows; yet concerns about multiple systems, staffing, and intermittent connectivity tempered enthusiasm, highlighting structural issues beyond program scope. Structured observations revealed a steep learning curve; repeat fingerprint scans and manual entry declined as the system improved. CONCLUSIONS Biometric identification and mobile payments were acceptable to most patients and staff. Fingerprinting encountered some feasibility limitations in the first months of testing; however, mobile payments were highly successful. Biometric identification and mobile payments may provide a scalable mechanism to improve patient tracking and efficiently implement financial incentives in low-resource settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION Name of the registry: clinicaltrials.gov Trial registration number: NCT03351556 Date of registration: 11/24/2017 Checklists: StaRI (included with submission). Note CONSORT for cluster-randomized trials was used for the main trial but is not directly applicable to this manuscript.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Packel
- School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Carolyn Fahey
- School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Prosper Njau
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.,National AIDS Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Sandra I McCoy
- School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
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35
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Zhang J, Atkins DL, Wagner AD, Njuguna IN, Neary J, Omondi VO, Otieno VA, Atieno WO, Odhiambo M, Wamalwa DC, John-Stewart G, Slyker JA, Weiner BJ, Beima-Sofie K. Financial Incentives for Pediatric HIV Testing (FIT): Caregiver Insights on Incentive Mechanisms, Focus Populations, and Acceptability for Programmatic Scale Up. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:2661-2668. [PMID: 34170433 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03356-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Children living with HIV experience gaps in HIV testing globally; scaling up evidence-based testing strategies is critical for preventing HIV-related mortality. Financial incentives (FI) were recently demonstrated to increase uptake of pediatric HIV testing. As part of this qualitative follow-up study to the FIT trial (NCT03049917) conducted in Kenya, 54 caregivers participated in individual interviews. Interview transcripts were analyzed to identify considerations for scaling up FI for pediatric testing. Caregivers reported that FI function by directly offsetting costs or nudging caregivers to take action sooner. Caregivers found FI to be feasible and acceptable for broader programmatic implementation, and supported use for a variety of populations. Some concerns were raised about unintended consequences of FI, including caregivers bringing ineligible children to collect incentives and fears about the impact on linkage to care and retention if caregivers become dependent on FI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyi Zhang
- Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Dana L Atkins
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, UW Box #351620, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Anjuli D Wagner
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, UW Box #351620, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Irene N Njuguna
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, UW Box #351620, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Research and Programs, Kenyatta National Hospital, Ngong Road, Nairobi, 00202, Kenya
| | - Jillian Neary
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
| | - Vincent O Omondi
- Pediatric Research Consortium, Kenya Pediatric Association, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Verlinda A Otieno
- Pediatric Research Consortium, Kenya Pediatric Association, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Winnie O Atieno
- Pediatric Research Consortium, Kenya Pediatric Association, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Merceline Odhiambo
- Pediatric Research Consortium, Kenya Pediatric Association, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Dalton C Wamalwa
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, 00202, Kenya
| | - Grace John-Stewart
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, UW Box #351620, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
| | - Jennifer A Slyker
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, UW Box #351620, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
| | - Bryan J Weiner
- Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, UW Box #351620, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Kristin Beima-Sofie
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, UW Box #351620, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
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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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37
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Kavanagh NM, Schaffer EM, Ndyabakira A, Marson K, Havlir DV, Kamya MR, Kwarisiima D, Chamie G, Thirumurthy H. Planning prompts to promote uptake of HIV services among men: a randomised trial in rural Uganda. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 5:bmjgh-2020-003390. [PMID: 33257417 PMCID: PMC7705572 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003390] [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: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Interventions informed by behavioural economics, such as planning prompts, have the potential to increase HIV testing at minimal or no cost. Planning prompts have not been previously evaluated for HIV testing uptake. We conducted a randomised clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of low-cost planning prompts to promote HIV testing among men. Methods We randomised adult men in rural Ugandan parishes to receive a calendar planning prompt that gave them the opportunity to make a plan to get tested for HIV at health campaigns held in their communities. Participants received either a calendar showing the dates when the community health campaign would be held (control group) or a calendar showing the dates and prompting them to select a date and time when they planned to attend (planning prompt group). Participants were not required to select a date and time or to share their selection with study staff. The primary outcome was HIV testing uptake at the community health campaign. Results Among 2362 participants, 1796 (76%) participants tested for HIV. Men who received a planning prompt were 2.2 percentage points more likely to test than the control group, although the difference was not statistically significant (77.1% vs 74.9%; 95% CI –1.2 to 5.7 percentage points, p=0.20). The planning prompt was more effective among men enrolled ≤40 days before the campaigns (3.6 percentage-point increase in testing; 95% CI –2.9 to 10.1, p=0.27) than among men enrolled >40 days before the campaigns (1.8 percentage-point increase; 95% CI –2.3 to 5.8, p=0.39), although the effects within the subgroups were not significant. Conclusion These findings suggest that planning prompts may be an effective behavioural intervention to promote HIV testing at minimal or no cost. Large-scale studies should further assess the impact and cost-effectiveness of such interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nolan M Kavanagh
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Elisabeth M Schaffer
- Data Science to Patient Value, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Alex Ndyabakira
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Central Region, Uganda
| | - Kara Marson
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Diane V Havlir
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Moses R Kamya
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Central Region, Uganda.,Department of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Dalsone Kwarisiima
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Central Region, Uganda
| | - Gabriel Chamie
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Harsha Thirumurthy
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA .,Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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38
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Celum CL, Gill K, Morton JF, Stein G, Myers L, Thomas KK, McConnell M, van der Straten A, Baeten JM, Duyver M, Mendel E, Naidoo K, Dallimore J, Wiesner L, Bekker LG. Incentives conditioned on tenofovir levels to support PrEP adherence among young South African women: a randomized trial. J Int AIDS Soc 2021; 23:e25636. [PMID: 33247553 PMCID: PMC7695999 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction HIV incidence remains high among African adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), who would benefit from pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Strategies to increase PrEP adherence and persistence need to be evaluated in African AGY, including incentives conditional on high adherence. Methods The 3Ps for Prevention Study was a 12‐month prospective cohort of 200 women ages 16 to 25 initiating PrEP in South Africa from 2017 to 2018. Participants received retrospective feedback about drug levels at Months 1, 2 and 3; half was randomized to receive a 200 Rand shopping voucher ($13 US) at Months 2, 3 and 4, conditioned on high intracellular tenofovir diphosphate (TFV‐DP) levels in dried blood spots (≥500 fmol/punch at Month 1, ≥700 fmol/punch at Months 2 and 3). The primary analysis was intention‐to‐treat, comparing the proportion with high PrEP adherence (≥700 fmol/punch) at Month 3 by randomized group, based on 100% efficacy among men who have sex with men. Results Median age of the 200 women was 19 years (interquartile range [IQR] 17, 21); 86% had a primary sexual partner. At Month 3, the mean TFV‐DP level was 822 fmol/punch (SD 522) in the incentive group and 689 fmol/punch (SD 546) in the control group (p = 0.11). Forty‐five (56%) of 85 women in the incentive group and 35 (41%) of 85 women in the control group had TFV‐DP levels ≥700 fmol/punch (RR 1.35; 95% CI 0.98, 1.86; p = 0.067), which declined to 8% and 5% in the incentive and control groups at Month 12 (no significant difference by arm). 44% refilled PrEP without gaps, 14% had a gap of ≥3 weeks in coverage subsequently restarted PrEP and 54% accepted at the final dispensing visit at Month 9. No new HIV infections were observed after PrEP initiation. Conclusions Among South African AGYW initiating PrEP, drug levels indicated high PrEP adherence in almost half of women at Month 3, with a non‐statistically significant higher proportion with high adherence among those in the incentive group. Over half persisted with the 12‐month PrEP programme although high adherence declined after Month 3. Strategies to support PrEP adherence and persistence and longer‐acting PrEP formulations are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connie L Celum
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Katherine Gill
- The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jennifer F Morton
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gabrielle Stein
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Laura Myers
- The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | | | - Ariane van der Straten
- Women's Global Health Imperative, RTI International, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jared M Baeten
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Menna Duyver
- The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Eve Mendel
- The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Keshani Naidoo
- The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jacqui Dallimore
- The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lubbe Wiesner
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Linda-Gail Bekker
- The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Packel L, Njau P, Fahey C, Ramadhani A, Dow WH, Jewell NP, McCoy S. Optimizing the efficiency and implementation of cash transfers to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial. Trials 2020; 21:963. [PMID: 33228757 PMCID: PMC7684892 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-04899-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV, taken daily, is an effective strategy to clinically suppress the virus, providing the dual benefit of improved survival and vastly decreasing the risk of transmission. However, this highly effective intervention has not yet reached all who could benefit. Cash transfers are increasingly recognized as an effective strategy to motivate behavior change and improve HIV care and treatment outcomes, including engagement in HIV care and adherence to ART. Despite a growing evidence base and strong theoretical foundation for the cash transfer approach, key questions remain. To address these questions and begin to bridge the "know-do gap" with respect to cash transfers, our team is employing an implementation science approach to iterative development of an incentive-based intervention to promote ART uptake and adherence among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Lake Zone region, Tanzania. METHODS We will conduct a type I hybrid implementation-effectiveness trial to test the effectiveness of a cash transfer intervention on the outcome of HIV viral suppression, and concurrently examine the potential for real-world implementation with a mobile health technology (mHealth) system. Specifically, our team will expand the intervention to 32 clinics and enroll 1984 PLHIV to (a) evaluate its effectiveness by conducting a cluster randomized controlled trial with clinics as the unit of randomization and 12-month viral suppression as the primary outcome and (b) evaluate the implementation challenges and successes at multiple levels (patient, provider, clinic). DISCUSSION This trial will provide evidence not only about the real-world effectiveness of cash transfers for retention in HIV care and viral suppression, but also on the implementation challenges and successes that will facilitate or hinder wider scale-up within Tanzania and beyond. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04201353 . Registered on December 17, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Packel
- School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, 5th Floor, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Prosper Njau
- Strategic Information and Research Unit, National AIDS Control Program (NACP), Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Carolyn Fahey
- School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, 5th Floor, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Angela Ramadhani
- National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - William H. Dow
- School of Public Health, Division of Health Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, 5th Floor, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Nicholas P. Jewell
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 7HT UK
- School of Public Health Biostatistics Division & Department of Statistics, University of California, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, 5th Floor, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Sandra McCoy
- School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, 5th Floor, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
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Fahey CA, Njau PF, Katabaro E, Mfaume RS, Ulenga N, Mwenda N, Bradshaw PT, Dow WH, Padian NS, Jewell NP, McCoy SI. Financial incentives to promote retention in care and viral suppression in adults with HIV initiating antiretroviral therapy in Tanzania: a three-arm randomised controlled trial. Lancet HIV 2020; 7:e762-e771. [PMID: 32891234 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(20)30230-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Financial incentives promote use of HIV services and might support adherence to the sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART) necessary for viral suppression, but few studies have assessed a biomarker of adherence or evaluated optimal implementation. We sought to determine whether varying sized financial incentives for clinic attendance effected viral suppression in patients starting ART in Tanzania. METHODS In a three-arm, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial at four health facilities in Shinyanga region, Tanzania, adults aged 18 years or older with HIV who had started ART within the past 30 days were randomly assigned (1:1:1) using a tablet-based application (stratified by site) to receive usual care (control group) or to receive a cash incentive for monthly clinic attendance in one of two amounts: 10 000 Tanzanian Shillings (TZS; about US$4·50) or 22 500 TZS (about $10·00). There were no formal exclusion criteria. Participants were masked to the existence of two incentive sizes. Incentives were provided for up to 6 months via mobile health technology (mHealth) that linked biometric attendance monitoring to automated mobile payments. We evaluated the primary outcome of retention in care with viral suppression (<1000 copies per mL) at 6 months using logistic regression. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03351556. FINDINGS Between April 24 and Dec 14, 2018, 530 participants were randomly assigned to an incentive strategy (184 in the control group, 172 in the smaller incentive group, and 174 in the larger incentive group). All participants were included in the primary intention-to-treat analysis. At 6 months, approximately 134 (73%) participants in the control group remained in care and had viral suppression, compared with 143 (83%) in the smaller incentive group (risk difference [RD] 9·8, 95% CI 1·2 to 18·5) and 150 (86%) in the larger incentive group (RD 13·0, 4·5 to 21·5); we identified a positive trend between incentive size and viral suppression (p trend=0·0032), although the incentive groups did not significantly differ (RD 3·2, -4·6 to 11·0). Adverse events included seven (4%) deaths in the control group and 11 (3%) deaths in the intervention groups, none related to study participation. INTERPRETATION Small financial incentives delivered using mHealth can improve retention in care and viral suppression in adults starting HIV treatment. Although further research should investigate the durability of effects from short-term incentives, these findings strengthen the evidence for implementing financial incentives within standard HIV care. FUNDING National Institute of Mental Health at the US National Institutes of Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn A Fahey
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Prosper F Njau
- Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dodoma, Tanzania; Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Rashid S Mfaume
- Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Nzovu Ulenga
- Management and Development for Health, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Patrick T Bradshaw
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - William H Dow
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nancy S Padian
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas P Jewell
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sandra I McCoy
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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iSAY (incentives for South African youth): Stated preferences of young people living with HIV. Soc Sci Med 2020; 265:113333. [PMID: 32896799 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
High adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is essential for achieving viral suppression and preventing HIV transmission. Yet adherence is suboptimal among adolescents who face unique adherence challenges. Little is known about the role of conditional economic incentives (CEIs) for increasing ART adherence in this population. During 2017-2019, we conducted a mixed-methods discrete choice experiment in Cape Town, South Africa to inform the optimal design of a CEI intervention for ART adherence among youth. In-depth interviews were conducted with n = 35 adolescents (10-19 years old) living with HIV and prescribed ART, to identify attributes of a youth-centered CEI intervention for ART adherence. A discrete choice experiment was subsequently conducted with N = 168 adolescents to elicit preferences for intervention components. A rank-ordered mixed logit model was used for main results; marginal willingness-to-accept (mWTA) was then estimated. Five attributes emerged from the qualitative research as important for a CEI-based intervention for youth ART adherence: (1) incentive amount, (2) incentive format, (3) incentive recipient, (4) delivery mode, and (5) program participants. Youth had a high probability of acceptance of any incentives program (88-100%), yet they did not have a strong preference of a quarterly over a monthly program. From a maximum incentive amount of R1920 (~US$115), youth were willing to forgo up to R126 per year (~US$9) if the incentive was given in cash (versus fashion vouchers); R274 (~US$19.6) if it was open to both previously adherent and non-adherent youth (instead of non-adherent only); and up to R91 (~US$6.5) to receive incentives at a clinic setting (instead of electronically). The use of incentives over the short term during the critical age- and developmental-transition, when adolescents begin to take sole responsibility for their medication-taking behaviors, holds great promise for habituating adherence into adulthood.
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Krishnamurti T, Ling Murtaugh K, Van Nunen L, Davis AL, Ipser J, Shoptaw S. Spending money to make change: Association of methamphetamine abstinence and voucher spending among contingency management pilot participants in South Africa. J Subst Abuse Treat 2020; 112:60-67. [PMID: 32199547 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2020.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Methamphetamine Use Disorder is prevalent in South Africa. This analysis uses data from a contingency management (CM) pilot study in South Africa to replicate and expand on a U.S.-based study showing that CM voucher spending was associated with drug abstinence behavior. DESIGN Participants with methamphetamine-use disorder were enrolled in an 8-week CM trial requiring thrice weekly visits and received cash vouchers in exchange for stimulant-negative urines at each visit. PARTICIPANTS Participants were 33 treatment-seeking individuals with methamphetamine use disorder including 22 men (66.7%) and 11 women (33.3%) with a mean age of 34 years (S.D. = 7.7). Participants reported using methamphetamine for a mean of 11.7 years (S.D. = 4.9). SETTING All study procedures took place in South Africa between August 2016 and May 2018. MEASUREMENTS A time-lagged counting process Cox Proportional Hazards model for recurrent event survival analysis examined the relationship between frequency of and participant-categorized type of CM expenditures (hedonic, utilitarian, consumable or durable) and drug abstinence. FINDINGS After controlling for severity of baseline methamphetamine use and accumulated CM earnings (proxied by cumulative negative urines), those spending CM earnings at a previous visit ("spenders") were more likely to produce stimulant-negative urine samples subsequently, compared to those who did not ("savers") [OR = 1.23, CI = 1.08-1.53, p = .002]. There were significantly more cumulative stimulant-negative results among spenders vs. savers, p < .001, although cumulative spending did not significantly predict abstinence once spending in the prior time period was controlled for, suggesting a recency effect tied to the underlying spending mechanism. When extending the original analyses to look at the effect of spending on current abstinence, controlling only for recent abstinence (rather than cumulative abstinence), spending was no longer a significant predictor. Spending type did not affect methamphetamine abstinence. Qualitative results suggest spending CM vouchers may support social reintegration over the course of the trial. CONCLUSIONS Abstinence outcomes are a function of CM spending in both the U.S. and South Africa. Findings of a significant relationship between contingency management spending and subsequent stimulant-negative urine samples across geographic locations provide guidance toward future work in optimizing CM efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Krishnamurti
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Meyran Avenue, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Kimberly Ling Murtaugh
- Department of Public Policy, Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lara Van Nunen
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Alexander L Davis
- Department of Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jonathan Ipser
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Steven Shoptaw
- Department of Public Policy, Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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43
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Pasayan MKU, Alabi AA, Nixon DF. Conditional economic incentives to improve HIV prevention. Lancet HIV 2020; 7:e85. [PMID: 32027854 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(19)30431-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Adeyinka A Alabi
- Department of Family Medicine, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa
| | - Douglas F Nixon
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Belfer Research Building, New York, NY 10021, USA.
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Galárraga O, Enimil A, Bosomtwe D, Cao W, Barker DH. Group-based economic incentives to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy among youth living with HIV: safety and preliminary efficacy from a pilot trial. VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND YOUTH STUDIES 2019; 15:257-268. [PMID: 33281920 PMCID: PMC7717062 DOI: 10.1080/17450128.2019.1709678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significant consequences for adolescents. Conditional economic incentives (CEI) is an approach that may help address this challenge. This study evaluated the safety and preliminary efficacy of a group-based CEI program for ART adherence improvement among a sample of adolescents living in Ghana. A total of 35 adolescents (mean age: 14.7 years) on ART, though still with detectable viral load, were recruited from an HIV clinic and divided into 5 balanced groups to participate in peer-led group-based CEI activities during routine clinic visits. Four assessments were conducted across four visits at baseline and 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow-up, respectively. Main outcomes were ART adherence and viral load. Linear mixed models and thematic analysis were used for data analyses. The majority (91.4%) of the participants attended all four intervention activities. Participants reported missing an average of 1.06, 0.50, 0.91, 0.55 doses of ART in the past 7 days at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 9-month assessments, respectively. Most viral loads were ≥5,000 copies/ml at both baseline (68.6%) and 6-month assessments (54.3%). The incentive was divided between individual compensation for attending clinic and completing the assessment ($5 each, $20 in total) and a group-based compensation valued at $40 that was distributed during the 9-month assessment according to average group attendance (A≥90%, B≥75%, C≥60%, D<60%) and group-average viral load (A=undetectable, B=50-499, C=500-4999, D≥5,000). The mean earnings for the participants was $46.70 (77.8% of possible earning). Qualitative data suggested that the CEI helped ART adherence through gaining personal and group benefits. Participants reported no teasing, bullying, or other undesirable behaviors from group members. They liked getting money for attending clinics/group meetings and obtaining undetectable viral load. We concluded that a group-based CEI was safe and had the potential to improve ART adherence and reduce viral load among Ghanaian adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Galárraga
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, United States
| | - Anthony Enimil
- Directorate of Child Health, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Child Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Dennis Bosomtwe
- Directorate of Child Health, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Wangnan Cao
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, United States
| | - David H. Barker
- Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, United States
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