1
|
Sanya RE, Karugu CH, Binyaruka P, Mohamed SF, Kisia L, Kibe P, Mashasi I, Mhalu G, Bunn C, Deidda M, Mair FS, Grieve E, Gray CM, Mtenga S, Asiki G. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on type 2 diabetes care and factors associated with care disruption in Kenya and Tanzania. Glob Health Action 2024; 17:2345970. [PMID: 38774927 PMCID: PMC11123500 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2024.2345970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic affected healthcare delivery globally, impacting care access and delivery of essential services. OBJECTIVES We investigated the pandemic's impact on care for patients with type 2 diabetes and factors associated with care disruption in Kenya and Tanzania. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults diagnosed with diabetes pre-COVID-19. Data were collected in February-April 2022 reflecting experiences at two time-points, three months before and the three months most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire captured data on blood glucose testing, changes in medication prescription and access, and healthcare provider access. RESULTS We recruited 1000 participants (500/country). Diabetes care was disrupted in both countries, with 34.8% and 32.8% of the participants reporting change in place and frequency of testing in Kenya, respectively. In Tanzania, 12.4% and 17.8% reported changes in location and frequency of glucose testing, respectively. The number of health facility visits declined, 14.4% (p < 0.001) in Kenya and 5.6% (p = 0.001) in Tanzania. In Kenya, there was a higher likelihood of severe care disruption among insured patients (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI][1.05-2.34]; p = 0.029) and a lower likelihood among patients residing in rural areas (aOR, 0.35[95%CI, 0.22-0.58]; p < 0.001). Tanzania had a lower likelihood of severe disruption among insured patients (aOR, 0.51[95%CI, 0.33-0.79]; p = 0.003) but higher likelihood among patients with low economic status (aOR, 1.81[95%CI, 1.14-2.88]; p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 disrupted diabetes care more in Kenya than Tanzania. Health systems and emergency preparedness should be strengthened to ensure continuity of service provision for patients with diabetes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard E. Sanya
- Chronic Diseases Management Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Caroline H. Karugu
- Chronic Diseases Management Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Peter Binyaruka
- Department of Health Systems, Impact Evaluation and Policy, Ifakara Health Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Shukri F. Mohamed
- Chronic Diseases Management Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lyagamula Kisia
- Chronic Diseases Management Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Peter Kibe
- Chronic Diseases Management Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Irene Mashasi
- Department of Health Systems, Impact Evaluation and Policy, Ifakara Health Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Grace Mhalu
- Department of Health Systems, Impact Evaluation and Policy, Ifakara Health Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Christopher Bunn
- School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Manuela Deidda
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Frances S. Mair
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Eleanor Grieve
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Cindy M. Gray
- School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sally Mtenga
- Department of Health Systems, Impact Evaluation and Policy, Ifakara Health Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Gershim Asiki
- Chronic Diseases Management Unit, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sehurutshi A, Farooqui H, Chivese T. The Impact of COVID-19 on the HIV Cascade of Care in Botswana - An Interrupted Time Series. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:2630-2638. [PMID: 38856847 PMCID: PMC11286653 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04388-x] [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: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Globally, Botswana has one of the highest burdens of HIV. This study estimated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the HIV cascade of care in Sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted an interrupted time series analysis on national-level data to estimate the effect of COVID-19 on the numbers of HIV tests, positive HIV tests and ART initiations from April 2019 until March 2021. In multivariable Poisson interrupted time series regression, the COVID-19 lockdown was associated with a 27% decrease in the monthly numbers of HIV tests (IRR 0.73, 95%CI 0.72-0.73), a 25% decrease in HIV positive tests (IRR 0.75, 95%CI 0.71-0.79), and a 43% reduction in ART initiations (IRR 0.57, 95%CI 0.55-0.60). The impact of the pandemic on all three outcomes was worse in males and those aged ≥ 50 years. In conclusion, COVID-19 had a strong negative impact on HIV screening, diagnosis and ART initiation in Botswana.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alice Sehurutshi
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaberone, Botswana
| | - Habib Farooqui
- Department of Population Medicine, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tawanda Chivese
- Department of Population Medicine, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tseng AS, Mugwanya KK, Szpiro AA, van Heerden A, Ntinga X, Schaafsma TT, Barnabas RV. Estimating the Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic Restrictions on Self-reported Antiretroviral Therapy Use and Late Refill Visits Among People Living With HIV in Rural South Africa. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2024; 96:318-325. [PMID: 38916425 PMCID: PMC11207188 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People living with HIV require reliable access to and adequate supply of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for viral suppression. The Deliver Health Study, a randomized trial conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, found that home-delivered ART significantly increased viral suppression compared with clinic-based care. The effect of changing COVID-19 alert levels on self-reported ART use has not been quantified. SETTING KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. METHODS Adults living with HIV were followed in the Deliver Health Study during October 2019-December 2020. We used difference-in-differences (DiD) to estimate the effect of changing COVID-19 alert levels during 3 distinct periods on self-reported missed ART doses (missed 0 vs. ≥1 doses in past week) for participants receiving home-delivered vs. clinic-based refills. We additionally estimated the effect of changing COVID-19 alert levels on late clinic ART refill visits (late vs. on-time). We used relative risk regression for both binary outcomes. RESULTS Of 155 participants, 46% were women and the median age was 36 years. The mean number of missed weekly doses was 0.11, 0, and 0.12 in the home-delivery group and 0.09, 0.08, and 0.18 in the clinic group during periods 1, 2, and 3, respectively. There were no differences in relative risk of self-reported daily ART use between refill groups when comparing across periods [DiDperiod 2 vs. 1 = 1.05; 95% confidence interval: 0.97, 1.13 and DiDperiod 3 vs. 2 = 0.99; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.91, 1.08]. In the clinic group, the risk of late refill visits was significantly higher during COVID-19 restrictions (vs. before alert level 5 implementation) and even after the COVID-19 alert level was downgraded to level 1 (RRperiod 2 vs. 1 = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.34, 2.51 and RRperiod 3 vs. 2 = 1.71; 95% CI: 1.43, 2.04). CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic did not differentially impact self-reported ART adherence by the method of ART refills, but the risk of late clinic refill visits was significantly higher during COVID-19 restrictions and sustained after restrictions were loosened.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley S. Tseng
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Kenneth K. Mugwanya
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Adam A. Szpiro
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Alastair van Heerden
- Center for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Sweetwaters, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council/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
| | - Xolani Ntinga
- Center for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Sweetwaters, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Torin T. Schaafsma
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Ruanne V. Barnabas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Motsoeneng BM, Bhiman JN, Richardson SI, Moore PL. SARS-CoV-2 humoral immunity in people living with HIV-1. Trends Immunol 2024; 45:511-522. [PMID: 38890026 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2024.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The effect of COVID-19 on the high number of immunocompromised people living with HIV-1 (PLWH), particularly in Africa, remains a critical concern. Here, we identify key areas that still require further investigation, by examining COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness, and understanding antibody responses in SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination in comparison with people without HIV-1 (PWOH). We also assess the potential impact of pre-existing immunity against endemic human coronaviruses on SARS-CoV-2 responses in these individuals. Lastly, we discuss the consequences of persistent infection in PLWH (or other immunocompromised individuals), including prolonged shedding, increased viral diversity within the host, and the implications on SARS-CoV-2 evolution in Africa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boitumelo M Motsoeneng
- South African Medical Research Council Antibody Immunity Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; HIV Virology Section, Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jinal N Bhiman
- South African Medical Research Council Antibody Immunity Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; HIV Virology Section, Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Simone I Richardson
- South African Medical Research Council Antibody Immunity Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; HIV Virology Section, Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Penny L Moore
- South African Medical Research Council Antibody Immunity Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; HIV Virology Section, Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa; Centre for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zani B, Luckett B, Thurman TR. COVID-19 pandemic stressors, familial discord, and anxiety among adolescents living with HIV in South Africa: pathways to non-adherence. AIDS Care 2024; 36:137-144. [PMID: 38301123 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2024.2308025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) have poorer adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART). This study investigates the interconnectivity of stressors induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety and family dynamics on adolescents' adherence to ART. A telephone survey was conducted among 196 South African ALHIV previously enrolled in support groups. Generalized structural equations modeling was used to understand how pandemic-related stressors affected ART adherence. Respondents reported experiencing life stressors since the implementation of COVID-19 restrictions, including doing worse at school (32%), loss of household income (44%) and less food available (38%). Forty-two percent reported greater verbal aggression from adults at home and 60% experienced anxiety. The structural equations model demonstrated a direct path from experiencing life stressors to increased verbal aggression from caregivers, which led to anxiety and ultimately, poorer ART adherence. Each stressor experienced increased the odds of experiencing verbal aggression by 51% (OR=1.51, 95%CI=1.14-2.00) which, in turn, increased the odds of having anxiety four-fold (OR=4.1, 95%C =2.16-7.76). Anxiety was associated with a 74% reduction in the odds of being fully ART adherent (OR=0.26, 95%CI=0.08-0.81). COVID-19-induced stressors exacerbated the mental and physical vulnerability of ALHIV. Findings elucidate how both discord at home and anxiety can result in poorer ART adherence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Babalwa Zani
- Tulane International, Cape Town, South Africa
- Highly Vulnerable Children Research Center, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Brian Luckett
- Tulane International, Cape Town, South Africa
- Highly Vulnerable Children Research Center, Cape Town, South Africa
- School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Department of International Health and Sustainable Development, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Tonya R Thurman
- Tulane International, Cape Town, South Africa
- Highly Vulnerable Children Research Center, Cape Town, South Africa
- School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Department of International Health and Sustainable Development, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Matthews G, Jacoby S, Borok M, Eriobu N, Kaplan R, Kumarasamy N, Bennet JA, Avihingsanon A, Chetchotisakd P, Wagner Cardoso S, Azwa I, Losso M, Brown D, Arlinda D, Hutchinson J, Kelleher A, Cisse M, Dao S, Polizzotto M, Emery S, Law M, Papot E, Karyana M, Lupo S, Solari AM, Grinsztejn B, Wolff M, Andrade-Villanueva J, Mosqueda Gómez JL, Chow TS, Mohapi L, Yunihastuti E, Hadi U, Katu S, Subronto YW, Lane HC, Perelis L. Dolutegravir plus boosted darunavir versus recommended standard-of-care antiretroviral regimens in people with HIV-1 for whom recommended first-line non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor therapy has failed (D 2EFT): an open-label, randomised, phase 3b/4 trial. Lancet HIV 2024; 11:e436-e448. [PMID: 38788744 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(24)00089-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Randomised comparative data on efficacy and safety of second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) after failure of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) across diverse geographical settings are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate optimal second-line ART for people with HIV. METHODS D2EFT is a completed international, randomised, open-label, phase 3b/4 trial evaluating three second-line ART strategies in adults (aged ≥18 years) with HIV-1 for whom first-line NNRTI therapy has failed. The study was done at 28 sites across 14 countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It was originally designed to compare recommended standard of care (ritonavir-boosted darunavir [800 mg darunavir plus 100 mg ritonavir once daily] plus two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors [NRTIs; dosed once or twice daily]) with a novel nucleoside sparing regimen of dolutegravir (50 mg once daily) with ritonavir-boosted darunavir. The study was adapted during the first year to add a third arm of dolutegravir (50 mg once daily) with fixed tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (300 mg once daily) plus either lamivudine (300 mg once daily) or emtricitabine (200 mg once daily). Participants were randomly assigned with a computer-generated, blocked randomisation scheme (block size of two) stratified by site, previous tenofovir disoproxil fumarate use, and HIV viral load. The trial was designed to evaluate non-inferiority of either interventional arm against standard of care for the primary outcome of virological suppression, as determined by HIV RNA load of less than 50 copies per mL at 48 weeks. The prespecified non-inferiority margin was 12%. Comparisons were made with a modified intention-to-treat population, including all participants randomly assigned but excluding administrative withdrawals. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03017872. FINDINGS 1190 individuals were screened; 828 participants were enrolled between Nov 1, 2017, and Dec 31, 2021. Two participants were unable to receive their assigned regimen for administrative reasons; and 826 participants were included in analyses. Median age was 39 years (IQR 33-46), and 450 (54%) participants were female. Baseline median CD4 count was 206 cells per μL (23-354) and median HIV RNA was 15 400 copies per mL (3600-65 986). The proportion of participants with HIV RNA of less than 50 copies per mL at 48 weeks was 194 (75%) of 257 in the ritonavir-boosted darunavir plus two NRTIs group, 222 (84%) of 264 in the ritonavir-boosted darunavir plus dolutegravir group, and 227 (78%) of 291 in the dolutegravir with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate plus either lamivudine or emtricitabine group. Compared with ritonavir-boosted darunavir plus two NRTIs, the difference in virological suppression was 8·6% (95% CI 1·7 to 15·5; p=0·016) for dolutegravir plus ritonavir-boosted darunavir and 6·7% (-1·2 to 14·4; p=0·093) for dolutegravir with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate plus either lamivudine or emtricitabine. Six deaths occurred, none of which were related to treatment. 19 pregnancies (11 livebirths) occurred with no congenital defects. INTERPRETATION In individuals experiencing failure of an NNRTI-based first-line ART, a switch to either dolutegravir plus ritonavir-boosted darunavir or dolutegravir with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate plus either lamivudine or emtricitabine, without universal access to genotyping, was non-inferior in achieving viral suppression compared with ritonavir-boosted darunavir plus two NRTIs. These global data support the most recent WHO treatment guidelines. FUNDING UNITAID; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, USA; National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia; ViiV Healthcare; and Janssen.
Collapse
|
7
|
Kaptchuk RP, Thakker J, Bell J, Okram S, Gopinath U, Mehta SH, Reddy AK, Loeb TA, Arumugam V, Tandon S, Parthasarathy MR, Ghosh SC, Singh A, Joshi DS, Kaur S, Solomon SS, McFall AM. HIV self-testing in India: implementation and qualitative evaluation of a web-based programme with virtual counsellor support. J Int AIDS Soc 2024; 27:e26302. [PMID: 38861458 PMCID: PMC11166186 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26302] [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: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To achieve epidemic control of infectious diseases, engaging higher-burden populations with accessible diagnostic services is critical. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a promising option. METHODS We implemented an online HIVST programme for key populations across India. Eligible clients were 18 years or older, self-reported a negative or unknown HIV status and reported not taking antiretroviral therapy. Clients who reported a prior HIV diagnosis were not eligible to receive an HIVST kit. HIVST clients received kits via courier or in person at pre-determined pick-up points supported by trained counselling staff. Virtual counsellors engaged clients online and by phone and offered support to register, access, and complete HIVST free of cost. Virtual counsellors supported clients to report results and engage with follow-up services. Follow-up included linking clients with a positive result to confirmatory testing and HIV care services. We assessed programmatic data across HIV continuum outcomes and conducted a qualitative evaluation through interviews with purposively sampled clients. RESULTS Between 30 June 2021 and 30 September 2022, 5324 clients ordered an HIVST kit (76% men, 13% women, 7% transgender people, 4% unknown gender). Of the 4282 clients reporting results (94% of those who received a kit), 6% screened positive, among whom 72% (n = 184) completed confirmatory testing. Themes from 41 client interviews included satisfaction about the convenience and privacy of services and the discreet nature of kit delivery. Respondents were drawn to the convenience of HIVST and appreciated gaining courage and comfort throughout the process from virtual counsellor support. For respondents who screened positive, challenges to care linkage included fearing judgemental questions from public providers and wanting more time before starting treatment. Clients shared concerns about kit accuracy and suggested that instructional materials be provided with more diverse language options. CONCLUSIONS Web-based HIVST services with tailored support appeared to facilitate HIV service access and engagement of harder-to-reach populations across India. Assistance from a community-oriented counsellor proved important to overcome literacy barriers and mistrust in order to support the HIVST process and service linkage. Learnings can inform global efforts to improve the critical step of diagnosis in achieving epidemic control for HIV and other infectious diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rose Pollard Kaptchuk
- Department of International HealthThe Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Jalpa Thakker
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of MedicineJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Jade Bell
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of MedicineJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Saya Okram
- Y.R. Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and EducationChennaiIndia
| | - Usha Gopinath
- Y.R. Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and EducationChennaiIndia
| | - Shruti H. Mehta
- Department of EpidemiologyThe Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Ajay Kumar Reddy
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of MedicineJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Talia A. Loeb
- Department of EpidemiologyThe Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | | | | | | | | | - Aditya Singh
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of MedicineJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | | | - Sukhvinder Kaur
- United States Agency for International DevelopmentWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Sunil Suhas Solomon
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of MedicineJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Allison M. McFall
- Department of EpidemiologyThe Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Benoni R, Cavallin F, Casigliani V, Zin A, Giannini D, Chaguruca I, Cinturao V, Chinene F, Brigadoi G, Donà D, Putoto G, Giaquinto C. Assessing the resilience of HIV healthcare services provided to adolescents and young adults after the COVID-19 pandemic in the city of Beira (Mozambique): an interrupted time series analysis. AIDS Res Ther 2024; 21:29. [PMID: 38724976 PMCID: PMC11080168 DOI: 10.1186/s12981-024-00621-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has put the provision of health services globally at risk. In Sub-Saharan Africa, it had a major impact on HIV services. However, there is a lack of data on the post-pandemic period. This study aims to evaluate the resumption of HIV services and retention in care for adolescents and young people in the period following the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted using interrupted time series analysis. Three periods were considered: pre-pandemic (form June 2019 to March 2020), pandemic (form April 2020 to March 2022) post-pandemic (from April 2022 to March 2023). Six outcome measures were considered: number of outpatient visits, HIV tests, HIV positivity ratio, the antiretroviral treatment (ART) non-adherence ratio, recall ratio, and the return ratio for adolescent and young adults on ART. RESULTS During the study period, 447,515 outpatient visits and 126,096 HIV tests were recorded. After a reduction at the beginning of the pandemic period, both visits and tests increased during the pandemic (p < 0.05) and decreased in the post-pandemic (p < 0.05), recovering the pre-pandemic trends. The HIV positivity ratio slightly decreased from 3.3% to 1.7% during the study period (p < 0.05). The ART non-adherence ratio decreased from 23.4% to 2.4% throughout the study period (p < 0.05), with a drop at the beginning of the post-pandemic period (p < 0.05). The recall ratio increased during the study period (p < 0.05) with a drop at the beginning of the pandemic and post-pandemic periods (p < 0.05). The return ratio decreased at the beginning of the pandemic (p < 0.05) but returned to the pre-pandemic ratio in the post-pandemic period. CONCLUSIONS The post-pandemic values of the investigated outcomes were comparable to pre-pandemic period, or even improved. Differently from other services, such as the community activities, that have been severely affected by COVID-19 pandemic, the HIV service system has shown resilience following emergency situation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Benoni
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
- Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Beira, Mozambique.
- Section of Hygiene, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie, 8, 37134, Verona, Italy.
| | | | - Virginia Casigliani
- Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Beira, Mozambique
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Annachiara Zin
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Giulia Brigadoi
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Daniele Donà
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Giovanni Putoto
- Section of Operational Research, Doctors With Africa CUAMM, Padua, Italy
| | - Carlo Giaquinto
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Konu YR, Dogo F, Dagnra CA, Atcha-Oubou T, Gbeasor-Komlanvi FA, Afanvi KA, Diallo FBT, Teouri M, Mijiyawa M, Ekouevi DK. Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on HIV, malaria and tuberculosis indicators in Togo: an interrupted time series analysis. BMJ Glob Health 2024; 9:e013679. [PMID: 38569659 PMCID: PMC11002417 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013679] [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: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited data are available on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on health-related indicators in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to estimate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on nine indicators of HIV, malaria and tuberculosis (TB) in Togo. METHODS For this interrupted time series analysis, national health information system data from January 2019 to December 2021 and TB programmatic data from the first quarter of 2018 to the fourth quarter of 2022 were analysed. Nine indicators were included. We used Poisson segmented regression to estimate the immediate impact of the pandemic and per-pandemic period trends through incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% CIs. RESULTS Overall, there was a decrease in six of the nine indicators, ranging from 19.3% (IRR 0.807, 95% CI 0.682 to 0.955, p=0.024) for the hospitalisation of patients for malaria to 36.9% (IRR 0.631, 95% CI 0.457 to 0.871, p=0.013) for TB diagnosis by Mycobacterium tuberculosis Xpert immediately after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. A comparison of the observed and predicted trends showed that the trend remained constant between the prepandemic and pandemic periods of COVID-19 for all malaria indicators. A significant downward monthly trend was observed in antiretroviral therapy initiation (IRR 0.909, 95% CI 0.892 to 0.926, p<0.001) and positive TB microscopy (IRR 0.919, 95% CI 0.880 to 0.960, p=0.002). CONCLUSION HIV, malaria and TB services were generally maintained over time in Togo despite the COVID-19 pandemic. However, given the decline in levels immediately after the onset of the pandemic, there is an urgent need to improve the preparedness of the healthcare system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yao Rodion Konu
- Département de Santé Publique, Université de Lomé, Lome, Togo
- Centre Africain de Recherche en Epidemiologie et en Santé Publique (CARESP), Lomé, Togo
- Global Health in the Global South (Inserm UMR 1219, IRD EMR 271), Bordeaux Population Health, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Fall Dogo
- Programme national de lutte contre la tuberculose (PNLT), Lomé, Togo
| | - Claver Anoumou Dagnra
- Programme national de lutte contre le sida, les hépatites virales et les infections sexuellement transmissibles (PNLS-HV-IST), Lomé, Togo
| | | | - Fifonsi Adjidossi Gbeasor-Komlanvi
- Département de Santé Publique, Université de Lomé, Lome, Togo
- Centre Africain de Recherche en Epidemiologie et en Santé Publique (CARESP), Lomé, Togo
| | | | | | - Mahmoud Teouri
- Direction du système national d'information sanitaire et l'informatique (DSNSI), Lomé, Togo
| | - Moustafa Mijiyawa
- Ministère de la Santé, de l'Hygiène Publique et de l'Accès Universel aux Soins, Lomé, Togo
| | - Didier Koumavi Ekouevi
- Département de Santé Publique, Université de Lomé, Lome, Togo
- Centre Africain de Recherche en Epidemiologie et en Santé Publique (CARESP), Lomé, Togo
- Global Health in the Global South (Inserm UMR 1219, IRD EMR 271), Bordeaux Population Health, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
van Vollenhoven H, Kalk E, Kroon SM, Maseko T, Phelanyane F, Euvrard J, Fourie L, le Roux N, Nongena P. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on early infant diagnosis of HIV in Cape Town, South Africa. South Afr J HIV Med 2024; 25:1542. [PMID: 38628908 PMCID: PMC11019036 DOI: 10.4102/sajhivmed.v25i1.1542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In South Africa, infants who are HIV-exposed are tested for HIV at birth and 10 weeks of age. The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown restrictions resulted in reduced access to healthcare services and uncertain impact on early infant HIV testing. Objectives To describe the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown restrictions on early infant HIV testing and diagnosis in Cape Town, South Africa. Method This retrospective cohort study compares HIV-exposed infants born during the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown (2020) to those born in the same period the year before (2019). Laboratory and other data were abstracted from the Provincial Health Data Centre. Results A total of 2888 infants were included: 1474 born in 2020 and 1413 in 2019. Compared to 2019, there was an increase in the 10-week HIV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) uptake in 2020 (71% vs. 60%, P < 0.001). There was also an increase in the proportion of infants who demised without 10-week testing or were lost to follow-up in 2020 compared to 2019 (8% vs. 5%, P = 0.017). Differences detected in birth HIV PCR positivity rates between the two groups (1.1% vs. 0.5%, P = 0.17) did not reach statistical significance; however, a significant increase in vertical transmission of HIV by 10 weeks old was found in the 2020 cohort (1.2% vs. 0.5%. P = 0.046). Conclusion Vertical transmission of HIV at 10 weeks increased in the Cape Town Metropolitan during the initial COVID-19 lockdown. There was also an increase in the proportion of deaths without testing by 10 weeks in the 2020 group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hendrike van Vollenhoven
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Emma Kalk
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stuart M. Kroon
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tafadzwa Maseko
- Family Medicine and Population Health (FAMPOP), Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Florence Phelanyane
- Health Intelligence Directorate, Western Cape Department of Health, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jonathan Euvrard
- Health Intelligence Directorate, Western Cape Department of Health, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lezanne Fourie
- Department of Neonatology, Mowbray Maternity Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nicolene le Roux
- HIV/AIDS, STI’s and Tuberculosis Directorate (HAST), New Somerset Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Phumza Nongena
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Movahedi Nia Z, Prescod C, Westin M, Perkins P, Goitom M, Fevrier K, Bawa S, Kong J. Cross-sectional study to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare services and clinical admissions using statistical analysis and discovering hotspots in three regions of the Greater Toronto Area. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e082114. [PMID: 38485179 PMCID: PMC10941105 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare services, leading to the cancellation of non-urgent tests, screenings and procedures, a shift towards remote consultations, stalled childhood immunisations and clinic closures which had detrimental effects across the healthcare system. This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical admissions and healthcare quality in the Peel, York and Toronto regions within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). DESIGN In a cross-sectional study, the negative impact of the pandemic on various healthcare sectors, including preventive and primary care (PPC), the emergency department (ED), alternative level of care (ALC) and imaging, procedures and surgeries is investigated. Study questions include assessing impairments caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and discovering hotspots and critical subregions that require special attention to recover. The measuring technique involves comparing the number of cases during the COVID-19 pandemic with before that, and determining the difference in percentage. Statistical analyses (Mann-Whitney U test, analysis of variance, Dunn's test) is used to evaluate sector-specific changes and inter-relationships. SETTING This work uses primary data which were collected by the Black Creek Community Health Centre. The study population was from three regions of GTA, namely, the city of Toronto, York and Peel. For all health sectors, the sample size was large enough to have a statistical power of 0.95 to capture 1% variation in the number of cases during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with before that. RESULTS All sectors experienced a significant decline in patient volume during the pandemic. ALC admissions surged in some areas, while IPS patients faced delays. Surgery waitlists increased by an average of 9.75%, and completed IPS procedures decreased in several subregions. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic had a universally negative impact on healthcare sectors across various subregions. Identification of the hardest-hit subregions in each sector can assist health officials in crafting recovery policies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Movahedi Nia
- Africa-Canada Artificial Intelligence and Data Innovation Consortium (ACADIC), Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Resilience Research Atlantic Alliance on Sustainability, Supporting Recovery and Renewal (REASURE2) Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cheryl Prescod
- Black Creek Community Health Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michelle Westin
- Black Creek Community Health Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patricia Perkins
- Resilience Research Atlantic Alliance on Sustainability, Supporting Recovery and Renewal (REASURE2) Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Environment and Urban Change, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mary Goitom
- Resilience Research Atlantic Alliance on Sustainability, Supporting Recovery and Renewal (REASURE2) Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- School of Social Work, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kesha Fevrier
- Resilience Research Atlantic Alliance on Sustainability, Supporting Recovery and Renewal (REASURE2) Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Geography and Planning, Queen's University, Kingston, New York, Canada
| | - Sylvia Bawa
- Resilience Research Atlantic Alliance on Sustainability, Supporting Recovery and Renewal (REASURE2) Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Sociology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jude Kong
- Africa-Canada Artificial Intelligence and Data Innovation Consortium (ACADIC), Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Resilience Research Atlantic Alliance on Sustainability, Supporting Recovery and Renewal (REASURE2) Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wang Y, Nonzee NJ, Zhang H, Ashing KT, Song G, Crespi CM. Interpretation of coefficients in segmented regression for interrupted time series analyses. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3972428. [PMID: 38464266 PMCID: PMC10925407 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3972428/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Background Segmented regression, a common model for interrupted time series (ITS) analysis, primarily utilizes two equation parametrizations. Interpretations of coefficients vary between the two segmented regression parametrizations, leading to occasional user misinterpretations. Methods To illustrate differences in coefficient interpretation between two common parametrizations of segmented regression in ITS analysis, we derived analytical results and present an illustration evaluating the impact of a smoking regulation policy in Italy using a publicly accessible dataset. Estimated coefficients and their standard errors were obtained using two commonly used parametrizations for segmented regression with continuous outcomes. We clarified coefficient interpretations and intervention effect calculations. Results Our investigation revealed that both parametrizations represent the same model. However, due to differences in parametrization, the immediate effect of the intervention is estimated differently under the two approaches. The key difference lies in the interpretation of the coefficient related to the binary indicator for intervention implementation, impacting the calculation of the immediate effect. Conclusions Two common parametrizations of segmented regression represent the same model but have different interpretations of a key coefficient. Researchers employing either parametrization should exercise caution when interpreting coefficients and calculating intervention effects.
Collapse
|
13
|
Mahanjana SK, Ledibane T, Sherman GG, Murray TY, Mazanderani AFH. Retrospective review of maternal HIV viral load electronic gatekeeping codes in South Africa. South Afr J HIV Med 2024; 25:1539. [PMID: 38444836 PMCID: PMC10913175 DOI: 10.4102/sajhivmed.v25i1.1539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Maternal electronic gatekeeping (eGK) codes for HIV viral load (VL) testing of pregnant and breastfeeding women were developed to permit increased frequency of maternal HIV VL testing without automated gatekeeping cancellation, and to enable virological surveillance. Objectives This study describes the national uptake of maternal eGK codes and VL suppression (VLS) rates disaggregated by age during antenatal, delivery and postnatal periods in South Africa during 2022. Method HIV VL tests associated with C#PMTCT (used for antenatal and postnatal testing) and C#DELIVERY (used at delivery) eGK codes between 01 January and 31 December 2022, were extracted from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases Data Warehouse. Uptake of eGK codes was calculated using indicators from the District Health Information System as denominators while HIV VLS rates (< 1000 copies/mL) were calculated as monthly and annual percentages. Results Overall, national maternal eGK code uptake was 41.8%, 24.5% and 0.12% for the antenatal, delivery and postnatal periods, respectively. The monthly antenatal eGK uptake increased from 27.5% to 58.5% while delivery uptake increased from 17.3% to 30.0%. The overall annual maternal HIV VLS rate was 86.7% antenatally and 87.2% during delivery. The monthly average HIV VLS for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) was 76.1% antenatally and 79.6% during delivery. Conclusion Although overall national uptake of maternal HIV VL eGK codes was low, antenatal and delivery uptake improved over time, thereby facilitating use of eGK codes for programmatic monitoring of maternal VLS rates for the first time. Quality of care among pregnant AGYW requires urgent attention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siphesihle K Mahanjana
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Tladi Ledibane
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Gayle G Sherman
- Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Division of National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Tanya Y Murray
- Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Division of National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ahmad F Haeri Mazanderani
- Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Division of National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Logie CH, Okumu M, Admassu Z, Perez-Brumer A, Ahmed R, Luna ML, MacKenzie F, Kortenaar JL, Berry I, Hakiza R, Katisi B, Musoke DK, Nakitende A, Batte S, Kyambadde P, Taing L, Giordana G, Mbuagbaw L. HIV Vulnerabilities Associated with Water Insecurity, Food Insecurity, and Other COVID-19 Impacts Among Urban Refugee Youth in Kampala, Uganda: Multi-method Findings. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:507-523. [PMID: 38048017 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04240-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Food insecurity (FI) and water insecurity (WI) are linked with HIV vulnerabilities, yet how these resource insecurities shape HIV prevention needs is understudied. We assessed associations between FI and WI and HIV vulnerabilities among urban refugee youth aged 16-24 in Kampala, Uganda through individual in-depth interviews (IDI) (n = 24), focus groups (n = 4), and a cross-sectional survey (n = 340) with refugee youth, and IDI with key informants (n = 15). Quantitative data was analysed via multivariable logistic and linear regression to assess associations between FI and WI with: reduced pandemic sexual and reproductive health (SRH) access; past 3-month transactional sex (TS); unplanned pandemic pregnancy; condom self-efficacy; and sexual relationship power (SRP). We applied thematic analytic approaches to qualitative data. Among survey participants, FI and WI were commonplace (65% and 47%, respectively) and significantly associated with: reduced SRH access (WI: adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-3.08; FI: aOR: 2.31. 95%CI: 1.36-3.93), unplanned pregnancy (WI: aOR: 2.77, 95%CI: 1.24-6.17; FI: aOR: 2.62, 95%CI: 1.03-6.66), and TS (WI: aOR: 3.09, 95%CI: 1.22-7.89; FI: aOR: 3.51, 95%CI: 1.15-10.73). WI participants reported lower condom self-efficacy (adjusted β= -3.98, 95%CI: -5.41, -2.55) and lower SRP (adjusted β= -2.58, 95%CI= -4.79, -0.37). Thematic analyses revealed: (1) contexts of TS, including survival needs and pandemic impacts; (2) intersectional HIV vulnerabilities; (3) reduced HIV prevention/care access; and (4) water insecurity as a co-occurring socio-economic stressor. Multi-method findings reveal FI and WI are linked with HIV vulnerabilities, underscoring the need for HIV prevention to address co-occurring resource insecurities with refugee youth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen H Logie
- Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street W, Room 504, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada.
- United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Centre for Gender & Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Moses Okumu
- School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Zerihun Admassu
- Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street W, Room 504, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada
| | - Amaya Perez-Brumer
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rushdia Ahmed
- Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street W, Room 504, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada
| | - Marianne Lahai Luna
- Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Frannie MacKenzie
- Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street W, Room 504, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada
| | - Jean-Luc Kortenaar
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Isha Berry
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Hakiza
- Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Brenda Katisi
- Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID), Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | - Shamilah Batte
- Organization for Gender Empowerment and Rights Advocacy (OGERA) Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Peter Kyambadde
- National AIDS Control Program, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
- Most At Risk Population Initiative Clinic, Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Lina Taing
- United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Gio Giordana
- World Food Programme East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lawrence Mbuagbaw
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Biostatistics Unit, Father Sean O'Sullivan Research Centre, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Centre for Development of Best Practices in Health (CDBPH), Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Rosen JG, Ssekubugu R, Chang LW, Ssempijja V, Galiwango RM, Ssekasanvu J, Ndyanabo A, Kisakye A, Nakigozi G, Rucinski KB, Patel EU, Kennedy CE, Nalugoda F, Kigozi G, Ratmann O, Nelson LJ, Mills LA, Kabatesi D, Tobian AAR, Quinn TC, Kagaayi J, Reynolds SJ, Grabowski MK. Temporal dynamics and drivers of durable HIV viral load suppression and persistent high- and low-level viraemia during Universal Test and Treat scale-up in Uganda: a population-based study. J Int AIDS Soc 2024; 27:e26200. [PMID: 38332519 PMCID: PMC10853573 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Population-level data on durable HIV viral load suppression (VLS) following the implementation of Universal Test and Treat (UTT) in Africa are limited. We assessed trends in durable VLS and viraemia among persons living with HIV in 40 Ugandan communities during the UTT scale-up. METHODS In 2015-2020, we measured VLS (<200 RNA copies/ml) among participants in the Rakai Community Cohort Study, a longitudinal population-based HIV surveillance cohort in southern Uganda. Persons with unsuppressed viral loads were characterized as having low-level (200-999 copies/ml) or high-level (≥1000 copies/ml) viraemia. Individual virologic outcomes were assessed over two consecutive RCCS survey visits (i.e. visit-pairs; ∼18-month visit intervals) and classified as durable VLS (<200 copies/ml at both visits), new/renewed VLS (<200 copies/ml at follow-up only), viral rebound (<200 copies/ml at initial visit only) or persistent viraemia (≥200 copies/ml at both visits). Population prevalence of each outcome was assessed over calendar time. Community-level prevalence and individual-level predictors of persistent high-level viraemia were also assessed using multivariable Poisson regression with generalized estimating equations. RESULTS Overall, 3080 participants contributed 4604 visit-pairs over three survey rounds. Most visit-pairs (72.4%) exhibited durable VLS, with few (2.5%) experiencing viral rebound. Among those with any viraemia at the initial visit (23.5%, n = 1083), 46.9% remained viraemic through follow-up, 91.3% of which was high-level viraemia. One-fifth (20.8%) of visit-pairs exhibiting persistent high-level viraemia self-reported antiretroviral therapy (ART) use for ≥12 months. Prevalence of persistent high-level viraemia varied substantially across communities and was significantly elevated among young persons aged 15-29 years (vs. 40- to 49-year-olds; adjusted risk ratio [adjRR] = 2.96; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.21-3.96), males (vs. females; adjRR = 2.40, 95% CI: 1.87-3.07), persons reporting inconsistent condom use with non-marital/casual partners (vs. persons with marital/permanent partners only; adjRR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.10-1.74) and persons reporting hazardous alcohol use (adjRR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.03-1.16). The prevalence of persistent high-level viraemia was highest among males <30 years (32.0%). CONCLUSIONS Following universal ART provision, most persons living with HIV in south-central Uganda are durably suppressed. Among persons exhibiting any viraemia, nearly half exhibited high-level viraemia for ≥12 months and reported higher-risk behaviours associated with onward HIV transmission. Intensified efforts linking individuals to HIV treatment services could accelerate momentum towards HIV epidemic control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Gregory Rosen
- Department of International HealthJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | | | - Larry W. Chang
- Department of International HealthJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Rakai Health Sciences ProgramEntebbeUganda
- Division of Infectious DiseasesJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Victor Ssempijja
- Rakai Health Sciences ProgramEntebbeUganda
- Clinical Monitoring Research Program DirectorateFrederick National Laboratory for Cancer ResearchFrederickMarylandUSA
| | | | - Joseph Ssekasanvu
- Department of International HealthJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Rakai Health Sciences ProgramEntebbeUganda
| | | | | | | | - Katherine B. Rucinski
- Department of International HealthJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Eshan U. Patel
- Department of EpidemiologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Caitlin E. Kennedy
- Department of International HealthJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Rakai Health Sciences ProgramEntebbeUganda
| | | | | | | | - Lisa J. Nelson
- Division of Global HIV and TBCenters for Disease Control and PreventionKampalaUganda
| | - Lisa A. Mills
- Division of Global HIV and TBCenters for Disease Control and PreventionKampalaUganda
| | - Donna Kabatesi
- Division of Global HIV and TBCenters for Disease Control and PreventionKampalaUganda
| | - Aaron A. R. Tobian
- Department of EpidemiologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Department of PathologyJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Thomas C. Quinn
- Department of International HealthJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Rakai Health Sciences ProgramEntebbeUganda
- Division of Infectious DiseasesJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Division of Intramural ResearchNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious DiseasesNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | | | - Steven J. Reynolds
- Rakai Health Sciences ProgramEntebbeUganda
- Division of Infectious DiseasesJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Division of Intramural ResearchNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious DiseasesNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Mary Kathryn Grabowski
- Rakai Health Sciences ProgramEntebbeUganda
- Department of EpidemiologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Department of PathologyJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Giovenco D, Pettifor A, Qayiya Y, Jones J, Bekker LG. The Acceptability, Feasibility, and Preliminary Effectiveness of a Courier HIV-Treatment Delivery and SMS Support Intervention for Young People Living With HIV in South Africa. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2024; 95:161-169. [PMID: 37856424 PMCID: PMC10841708 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003332] [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: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Young people living with HIV (YPLWH) experience poorer rates of virological suppression compared with adults. Differentiated service delivery models for YPLWH are urgently needed to address this disparity. SETTING Participants were recruited from an HIV treatment clinic near Cape Town, South Africa. METHODS We conducted a longitudinal pilot study to examine the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of a courier ART delivery and SMS support intervention to retain YPLWH (13-24 years) in care during COVID-19. YPLWH had the option to enroll in the courier service and were randomized 1:1 to receive adherence support via a weekly SMS. Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate the preliminary effectiveness of the courier intervention on viral suppression (HIV-1 RNA <200 copies/mL) at months 3 and 6. RESULTS Among 215 participants, 82% elected to enroll in the courier ART service at baseline, 41% reported receiving a delivery in the past 3 months at month 3, and 49% reported receiving a delivery in the past 3 months at month 6. Among those who received a delivery, most (91%-100%) rated the intervention as acceptable. Participants who reported receiving a delivery in the past 3 months at month 3 were 1.26 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.54) times as likely to have a suppressed viral load at month 3 and 1.21 (0.99, 1.48) times as likely at month 6, controlling for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS Findings reveal high uptake and acceptability of a courier ART delivery intervention among YPLWH and promising evidence for its effectiveness in increasing the probability of viral suppression. A fully powered trial is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Giovenco
- Emory University, Department of Epidemiology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Epidemiology, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Audrey Pettifor
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Epidemiology, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Jeb Jones
- Emory University, Department of Epidemiology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Kanamori R, Umemura F, Uemura K, Miyagami T, Valenti S, Fukui N, Yuda M, Saita M, Mori H, Naito T. Web-Based Search Volume for HIV Tests and HIV-Testing Preferences During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan: Infodemiology Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e52306. [PMID: 38236622 PMCID: PMC10835595 DOI: 10.2196/52306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research has found a COVID-19 pandemic-related impact on HIV medical services, including clinic visits, testing, and antiviral therapy initiation in countries including Japan. However, the change in trend for HIV/AIDS testing during the COVID-19 pandemic has not been explored extensively in the Japanese population. OBJECTIVE This infodemiology study examines the web-based search interest for two types of HIV tests, self-test kits and facility-based tests, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. METHODS The monthly search volume of queried search terms was obtained from Yahoo! JAPAN. Search volumes for the following terms were collected from November 2017 to October 2018: "HIV test," "HIV test kit," and "HIV test health center." The search term "Corona PCR" and the number of new COVID-19 cases by month were used as a control for the search trends. The number of new HIV cases in the corresponding study period was obtained from the AIDS Trend Committee Quarterly Report from the AIDS Prevention Foundation. RESULTS Compared to the search volume of "corona-PCR," which roughly fluctuated corresponding to the number of new COVID-19 cases in Japan, the search volume of "HIV test" was relatively stable from 2019 to 2022. When we further stratified by the type of HIV test, the respective web-based search interest in HIV self-testing and facility-based testing showed distinct patterns from 2018 to 2022. While the search volume of "HIV test kit" remained stable, that of "HIV test health center" displayed a decreasing trend starting in 2018 and has remained low since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 66%-71% of the search volume of "HIV test kits" was attributable to searches made by male internet users from 2018 to 2022, and the top three contributing age groups were those aged 30-39 (27%-32%), 20-29 (19%-32%), and 40-49 (19%-25%) years. On the other hand, the search volume of "HIV test health centers" by male users decreased from more than 500 from 2018 to 2019 to fewer than 300 from 2020 to 2022. CONCLUSIONS Our study found a notable decrease in the search volume of "HIV test health center" during the pandemic, while the search volume for HIV self-testing kits remained stable before and during the COVID-19 crisis in Japan. This suggests that the previously reported COVID-19-related decrease in the number of HIV tests mostly likely referred to facility-based testing. This sheds light on the change in HIV-testing preferences in Japan, calling for a more comprehensive application and regulatory acceptance of HIV self-instructed tests.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rie Kanamori
- Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Futaba Umemura
- Department of Sports Medicine and Sportology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kosuke Uemura
- Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taiju Miyagami
- Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Simon Valenti
- Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Fukui
- Center for Promotion of Data Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mayumi Yuda
- Center for Promotion of Data Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mizue Saita
- Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirotake Mori
- Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshio Naito
- Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
She B, Mangal TD, Adjabeng AY, Colbourn T, Collins JH, Janoušková E, Li Lin I, Mnjowe E, Mohan S, Molaro M, Phillips AN, Revill P, Smith RM, Twea PD, Nkhoma D, Manthalu G, Hallett TB. The changes in health service utilisation in Malawi during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0290823. [PMID: 38232073 PMCID: PMC10793884 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic and the restriction policies implemented by the Government of Malawi may have disrupted routine health service utilisation. We aimed to find evidence for such disruptions and quantify any changes by service type and level of health care. METHODS We extracted nationwide routine health service usage data for 2015-2021 from the electronic health information management systems in Malawi. Two datasets were prepared: unadjusted and adjusted; for the latter, unreported monthly data entries for a facility were filled in through systematic rules based on reported mean values of that facility or facility type and considering both reporting rates and comparability with published data. Using statistical descriptive methods, we first described the patterns of service utilisation in pre-pandemic years (2015-2019). We then tested for evidence of departures from this routine pattern, i.e., service volume delivered being below recent average by more than two standard deviations was viewed as a substantial reduction, and calculated the cumulative net differences of service volume during the pandemic period (2020-2021), in aggregate and within each specific facility. RESULTS Evidence of disruptions were found: from April 2020 to December 2021, services delivered of several types were reduced across primary and secondary levels of care-including inpatient care (-20.03% less total interactions in that period compared to the recent average), immunisation (-17.61%), malnutrition treatment (-34.5%), accidents and emergency services (-16.03%), HIV (human immunodeficiency viruses) tests (-27.34%), antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiations for adults (-33.52%), and ART treatment for paediatrics (-41.32%). Reductions of service volume were greatest in the first wave of the pandemic during April-August 2020, and whereas some service types rebounded quickly (e.g., outpatient visits from -17.7% to +3.23%), many others persisted at lower level through 2021 (e.g., under-five malnutrition treatment from -15.24% to -42.23%). The total reduced service volume between April 2020 and December 2021 was 8 066 956 (-10.23%), equating to 444 units per 1000 persons. CONCLUSION We have found substantial evidence for reductions in health service delivered in Malawi during the COVID-19 pandemic which may have potential health consequences, the effect of which should inform how decisions are taken in the future to maximise the resilience of healthcare system during similar events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bingling She
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tara D. Mangal
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Y. Adjabeng
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Colbourn
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph H. Collins
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eva Janoušková
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ines Li Lin
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sakshi Mohan
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Margherita Molaro
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew N. Phillips
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Revill
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Manning Smith
- Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA), University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pakwanja D. Twea
- Department of Planning and Policy Development, Ministry of Health and Population, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Dominic Nkhoma
- College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Gerald Manthalu
- Department of Planning and Policy Development, Ministry of Health and Population, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Timothy B. Hallett
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Forero-Peña DA, Carrión-Nessi FS, Forero-Peña JL, Camejo-Ávila NA, Mendoza-Millán DL, Omaña-Ávila ÓD, Maricuto AL, Velásquez VL, Mejía-Bernard MD, Rodriguez-Saavedra CM, Marcano-Rojas MV, Contreras Y, Guerra LJ, Alvarado MF, Carballo M, Caldera J, Guevara RN, Redondo MC, Landaeta ME. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with HIV: a cross-sectional study in Caracas, Venezuela. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:87. [PMID: 38225550 PMCID: PMC10789023 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08967-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted multiple health services, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, care, and treatment services, jeopardizing the achievement of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 90-90-90 global target. While there are limited studies assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Latin America, there are none, to our knowledge, in Venezuela. This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among PLHIV seen at the outpatient clinic of a reference hospital in Venezuela. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study among PLHIV aged 18 years and over seen at the Infectious Diseases Department of the University Hospital of Caracas, Venezuela between March 2021 and February 2022. RESULTS A total of 238 PLHIV were included in the study. The median age was 43 (IQR 31-55) years, and the majority were male (68.9%). Most patients (88.2%, n = 210) came for routine check-ups, while 28 (11.3%) were newly diagnosed. The majority of patients (96.1%) were on antiretroviral therapy (ART), but only 67.8% had a viral load test, with almost all (95.6%) being undetectable. Among those who attended regular appointments, 11.9% reported missing at least one medical consultation, and 3.3% reported an interruption in their ART refill. More than half of the patients (55.5%) had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while the rest expressed hesitancy to get vaccinated. Most patients with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy were male (65.1%), younger than 44 years (57.5%), employed (47.2%), and had been diagnosed with HIV for less than one year (33%). However, no statistically significant differences were found between vaccinated patients and those with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Older age was a risk factor for missing consultations, while not having an alcoholic habit was identified as a protective factor against missing consultations. CONCLUSION This study found that the COVID-19 pandemic had a limited impact on adherence to medical consultations and interruptions in ART among PLHIV seen at the University Hospital of Caracas, Venezuela.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David A Forero-Peña
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela.
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
| | - Fhabián S Carrión-Nessi
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
| | - José L Forero-Peña
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | | | - Daniela L Mendoza-Millán
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Óscar D Omaña-Ávila
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Andrea L Maricuto
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Viledy L Velásquez
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Mario D Mejía-Bernard
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | | | | | - Yoesmir Contreras
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Luis J Guerra
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - María F Alvarado
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Martín Carballo
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Jocays Caldera
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Rafael N Guevara
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - María C Redondo
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - María E Landaeta
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Pan YH, Nomah DK, Montoro-Fernandez M, Moreno-Fornés S, Díaz Y, Aceitón J, Bruguera A, Llibre JM, Domingo P, Imaz A, Vilaró I, Falcó V, Reyes-Urueña J, Miro JM, Casabona J. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare services utilization among people living with HIV in Catalonia, Spain: A population-based cohort study. ENFERMEDADES INFECCIOSAS Y MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA (ENGLISH ED.) 2024:S2529-993X(24)00001-7. [PMID: 38218704 DOI: 10.1016/j.eimce.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare services usage. We estimated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare services utilization among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Catalonia, Spain. METHODS We accessed public healthcare usage in HIV units, primary care, hospitals, and emergency departments among 17,738 PLWH in the PISCIS cohort from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020. We performed an interrupted time series analysis using the autoregressive integrated moving average to estimate the effect of COVID-19 on medical visits and HIV monitoring among PLWH. RESULTS A non-significant decrease of 17.1% (95% CI: [-29.4, 0.4]) in overall medical visits was observed during the lockdown, followed by a steady resumption until the end of 2020. Three health facilities presented statistically significant declines in visits during the lockdown: HIV units (-44.8% [-56.7, -23.6]), hospitals (-40.4% [-52.8, -18.1]), and emergency departments (-36.9% [-47.0, -21.9]); thereafter, the visits have begun to increase steadily but not to previous levels as of December 2020. In contrast, primary care visits remained unchanged during the lockdown by 1.9% (95% CI: -13.5, 23.9). CD4 cell (54.2% [95% CI: -64.4, -36.0]) and HIV RNA viral load (53.1% [95% CI: -62.9, -36.1]) laboratory monitoring reduced significantly during the lockdown. CONCLUSION COVID-19 lockdowns significantly disrupted in-person healthcare services usage among PLWH. The reduction in healthcare utilization however did not affect primary care services. Despite services gradually rebounding to pre-pandemic levels, it is imperative to effectively prepare for future pandemics and implement measures to ensure continuous provision of care to PLWH during pandemic lockdowns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Hua Pan
- Centre Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya (CEEISCAT), Dept Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
| | - Daniel K Nomah
- Centre Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya (CEEISCAT), Dept Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Marcos Montoro-Fernandez
- Centre Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya (CEEISCAT), Dept Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergio Moreno-Fornés
- Centre Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya (CEEISCAT), Dept Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yesika Díaz
- Centre Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya (CEEISCAT), Dept Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Aceitón
- Centre Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya (CEEISCAT), Dept Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andreu Bruguera
- Centre Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya (CEEISCAT), Dept Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep M Llibre
- Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
| | - Pere Domingo
- Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arkaitz Imaz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | | | - Vicenç Falcó
- Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital de Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juliana Reyes-Urueña
- Centre Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya (CEEISCAT), Dept Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain
| | - José M Miro
- Hospital Clínic-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; CIBERINFEC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jordi Casabona
- Centre Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les Infeccions de Transmissió Sexual i Sida de Catalunya (CEEISCAT), Dept Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya, Badalona, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Gannon H, Chappell E, Ford D, Gibb DM, Chimwaza A, Manika N, Wedderburn CJ, Nenguke ZM, Cowan FM, Gibb T, Phillips A, Mushavi A, Fitzgerald F, Heys M, Chimhuya S, Bwakura-Dangarembizi M. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the outcomes of HIV-exposed neonates: a Zimbabwean tertiary hospital experience. BMC Pediatr 2024; 24:16. [PMID: 38183019 PMCID: PMC10768266 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-023-04473-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic has globally impacted health service access, delivery and resources. There are limited data regarding the impact on the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) service delivery in low-resource settings. Neotree ( www.neotree.org ) combines data collection, clinical decision support and education to improve care for neonates. Here we evaluate impacts of COVID-19 on care for HIV-exposed neonates. METHODS Data on HIV-exposed neonates admitted to the neonatal unit (NNU) at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, Zimbabwe, between 01/06/2019 and 31/12/2021 were analysed, with pandemic start defined as 21/03/2020 and periods of industrial action (doctors (September 2019-January 2020) and nurses (June 2020-September 2020)) included, resulting in modelling during six time periods: pre-doctors' strike (baseline); doctors' strike; post-doctors' strike and pre-COVID; COVID and pre-nurses' strike; nurses' strike; post nurses' strike. Interrupted time series models were used to explore changes in indicators over time. RESULTS Of 8,333 neonates admitted to the NNU, 904 (11%) were HIV-exposed. Mothers of 706/765 (92%) HIV-exposed neonates reported receipt of antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy. Compared to the baseline period when average admissions were 78 per week (95% confidence interval (CI) 70-87), significantly fewer neonates were admitted during all subsequent periods until after the nurses' strike, with the lowest average number during the nurses' strike (28, 95% CI 23-34, p < 0.001). Across all time periods excluding the nurses strike, average mortality was 20% (95% CI 18-21), but rose to 34% (95% CI 25, 46) during the nurses' strike. There was no evidence for heterogeneity (p > 0.22) in numbers of admissions or mortality by HIV exposure status. Fewer HIV-exposed neonates received a PCR test during the pandemic (23%) compared to the pre-pandemic periods (40%) (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.41-0.84, p < 0.001). The proportion of HIV-exposed neonates who received antiretroviral prophylaxis during admission was high throughout, averaging between 84% and 95% in each time-period. CONCLUSION While antiretroviral prophylaxis for HIV-exposed neonates remained high throughout, concerning data on low admissions and increased mortality, similar in HIV-exposed and unexposed neonates, and reduced HIV testing, suggest some aspects of care may have been compromised due to indirect effects of the pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Gannon
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | - Ngoni Manika
- Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Catherine J Wedderburn
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, London, UK
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Frances M Cowan
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Michelle Heys
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Simbarashe Chimhuya
- Child and Adolescent Health Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Mutsa Bwakura-Dangarembizi
- Child and Adolescent Health Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Jordaan JI, Phillips N, Hoare J. Living through a pandemic: depression and anxiety experienced by youth living with HIV in South Africa. AIDS Care 2024; 36:44-52. [PMID: 38029423 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2023.2282072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Youth living with HIV (YLHIV) face significant psychosocial challenges and are at increasedrisk of developing depression and anxiety. This study aims to invesBgate symptoms ofdepression, anxiety and associaBons with psychosocial factors in YLHIV during the first andthird waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. This longitudinal study enrolled 135 YLHIV (ages 12-21) in Cape Town, South Africa. Measures administered telephonically included theCoRonavIruS Health Impact Survey (CRISIS quesBonnaire), Center for Epidemiologic StudiesDepression Scale (CES-D), Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Youth Inventory. During the firstwave of COVID-19, 7.5% and 8.0% of YLHIV were depressed (<18 and ≥18 years,respecBvely), and 10% and 4% of parBcipants were anxious (<18 and ≥18 years). During thethird wave, 8.9% and 40.6% of YLHIV were depressed (<18 and ≥18 years), and 13.3% and12.5% (<18 and ≥18 years) were anxious. Depression and anxiety were measured using cutoffscores provided by clinical measures. Symptoms of depression and anxiety in YLHIVescalated over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Socio-economic factors, substanceuse, disrupted support and stability concerns were associated with depression and anxiety.These data highlight the increasing need of mental health support and social intervenBonsfor YLHIV in post-pandemic South Africa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeannere I Jordaan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nicole Phillips
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jacqueline Hoare
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Mude W, Mwenyango H, Preston R, O'Mullan C, Vaughan G, Jones G. HIV Testing Disruptions and Service Adaptations During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Literature Review. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:186-200. [PMID: 37548796 PMCID: PMC10803448 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04139-4] [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: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Access to treatment and care in safe clinical settings improves people's lives with HIV. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted vital HIV programs and services, increasing the risk of adverse health outcomes for people with HIV and HIV transmission rates in the community. This systematic literature review provides a meta-analysis of HIV testing disruptions and a synthesis of HIV/AIDS services adapted during COVID-19. We searched scholarly databases from 01 January 2020 to 30 June 2022 using key terms on HIV testing rates and services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The process of how the included articles were identified, selected, appraised, and synthesised was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We included 17 articles that reported changes in HIV testing during the COVID-19 pandemic and 22 that reported adaptations in HIV/AIDS services. We found that HIV testing decreased by 37% during the search period because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Service providers adopted novel strategies to support remote service delivery by expanding community antiretroviral therapy dispensing, setting up primary care outreach points, and instituting multi-month dispensing services to sustain client care. Therefore, service providers and policymakers should explore alternative strategies to increase HIV testing rates impacted by COVID-19 and leverage funding to continue providing the identified adapted services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William Mude
- School of Health Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Cairns Campus, 42-52 Abbott Street & Shields Street, Cairns, QLD, 4870, Australia.
| | - Hadijah Mwenyango
- School of Health & Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Edinburgh, EH11 4BN, UK
| | - Robyn Preston
- School of Health Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Townsville Campus, Townsville, Australia
| | - Catherine O'Mullan
- School of Health Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg Campus, Bundaberg, Australia
| | - Geraldine Vaughan
- School of Health Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Sydney Campus, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gary Jones
- Cohort Doctoral Studies Program, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Mabuto T, Woznica DM, Ndini P, Moyo D, Abraham M, Hanrahan C, Charalambous S, Zack B, Baral S, Owczarzak J, Hoffmann CJ. Transitional community adherence support for people leaving incarceration in South Africa: a pragmatic, open-label, randomised controlled trial. Lancet HIV 2024; 11:e11-e19. [PMID: 38071994 PMCID: PMC10894448 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(23)00235-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People released from correctional facilities face multifactorial barriers to continuing HIV treatment. We hypothesised that barriers faced in the first 6 months of community re-entry would be decreased by a multilevel group-based and peer-led intervention, the Transitional Community Adherence Club (TCAC). METHODS We did a pragmatic, open-label, individually randomised controlled trial in five correctional facilities in Gauteng, South Africa. Participants aged 18 years and older and receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in correctional facilities were enrolled before release and randomly assigned (1:2) to either passive referral (usual care) or TCACs. TCACs followed a 12-session curriculum over 6 months and were facilitated by trained peer and social workers. Participants were followed up by telephone and in person to assess the primary outcome: post-release enrolment in HIV treatment services at 6 months from the date of release. We did an intention-to-treat analysis to determine the effectiveness of TCACs compared with usual care. The trial was registered with the South African National Clinical Trials Register (DOH-27-0419-605) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03340428). This study is completed and is listed as such on ClinicalTrials.gov. FINDINGS From March 1, to Dec 13, 2019, we screened 222 individuals and enrolled 176 participants who were randomly assigned 1:2 to the usual care group (n=59) or TCACs (n=117). 175 participants were included in the final analysis. In the usual care group, 21 (36%) of 59 participants had enrolled in HIV treatment services at 6 months, compared with 71 (61%) of 116 in the TCAC group (risk ratio 1·7, 95% CI 1·2-2·5; p=0·0010). No adverse events were reported. INTERPRETATION We found strong evidence that a differentiated service delivery model with curriculum and peer support designed specifically to address the needs of people with HIV returning from incarceration improved the primary outcome of enrolment in HIV treatment services. Our approach is a reasonable model to build further HIV treatment continuity interventions for individuals in the criminal justice system in South Africa and elsewhere. FUNDING National Institute of Mental Health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tonderai Mabuto
- Department of Implementation Research, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | | | - Pretty Ndini
- Department of Implementation Research, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Derrick Moyo
- Department of Implementation Research, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Munazza Abraham
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Colleen Hanrahan
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Salome Charalambous
- Department of Implementation Research, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa; The University of the Witwatersrand School of Public Health, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jill Owczarzak
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christopher J Hoffmann
- The University of the Witwatersrand School of Public Health, Johannesburg, South Africa; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Chakrabarti R, Agasty D, Majumdar A, Talukdar R, Bhatta M, Biswas S, Dutta S. Syndemic effect of COVID-19 outbreak on HIV care delivery around the globe: A systematic review using narrative synthesis. Health Promot Perspect 2023; 13:243-253. [PMID: 38235007 PMCID: PMC10790127 DOI: 10.34172/hpp.2023.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare systems worldwide has been compromising the progress made in the fight against HIV. This paper aims to determine how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted HIV comprehensive care service delivery globally as well as to consolidate the evidence and recommendations that may be useful in averting future crisis. Methods This review adheres to PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, DOAJ, Science Direct and other sources like Google Scholar and citations from included studies were searched methodically to locate studies evaluating the effects of COVID on services for HIV care. The NIH and JBI quality assessment tools were used for the quality assessment of individual studies. Results In the present review 31 eligible studies were included and the impact on HIV care cascade were summarised under six themes: Lab services, Treatment and allied services, Counselling services, Outreach services, Psycho-social impact and Implementation of sustainable strategies. The studies also presented many innovative alternatives which were lucidly highlighted in the present article. Conclusion Current evidence depicts multiple factors are responsible for the interruption of HIV care service delivery during the pandemic, especially in low resources settings. The prospective, alternative solutions that have been used to circumvent the threat have also been addressed in this review, in addition to the negative aspects that have been observed. Transition with new innovative, sustainable care paradigms may prove to be the building blocks in removing HIV-AIDS as a public health threat. Registration Open Science Framework (DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/74GHM).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Debdutta Agasty
- ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, India
| | - Agniva Majumdar
- ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, India
| | - Rounik Talukdar
- ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, India
| | - Mihir Bhatta
- ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, India
| | - Subrata Biswas
- ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, India
| | - Shanta Dutta
- ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, India
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Cassim N, Hans L, Venter WDF, Somayya S, Da Silva P, Stevens WS. National Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on HIV Virological Suppression in South Africa. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2023; 94:381-386. [PMID: 37732871 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) severely disrupted routine health care globally. This study assessed the impact of successive COVID-19 waves on HIV viral load (VL) suppression in South Africa, using the national public sector laboratory database. Guidelines recommend VL monitoring at 6 months after treatment initiation, annually once if suppressed, or more frequently if unsuppressed. METHODS Specimen-level VL data were extracted for the period January 2019-December 2021. We assessed the national percentage of samples with a VL <50 (virological suppression), 50-999 (low-level viremia), and ≥1000 (viremia) copies/mL. Data were analyzed by calendar year and month. Data for 2019 (pre-COVID-19) were compared with the 2020 and 2021 calendar years (lockdowns imposed). The national number of COVID-19 cases was reported to indicate the wave periods as follows: 1 (ancestral)-June-August 2020; 2 (Beta)-December 2020-January 2021; 3 (Delta)-June-August 2021, and 4 (Omicron)-December 2021. RESULTS Data are reported for 17,460,264 samples, with 5,608,733, 5,840,056, and 6,011,475 tests performed in 2019, 2020, and 2021 respectively. Overall, a VL of <50, 50-999, and ≥1000 copies/mL were reported for 69.4%, 17.3%, and 13.4% of samples, respectively. A VL <50 copies/mL was reported for 67.7%, 70.3%, and 70.0% of patients in 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. For the 2020 and 2021 calendar years, the monthly percentage of patients with a VL <50 copies/mL ranged between 64.6% and 72.7%. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that COVID-19 has not had a substantial impact on the percentage of samples with virological suppression at the national level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naseem Cassim
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), National Priority Programme (NPP), Johannesburg, South Africa; and
| | - Lucia Hans
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), National Priority Programme (NPP), Johannesburg, South Africa; and
| | - W D Francois Venter
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sarang Somayya
- National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), National Priority Programme (NPP), Johannesburg, South Africa; and
| | - Pedro Da Silva
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), National Priority Programme (NPP), Johannesburg, South Africa; and
| | - Wendy Susan Stevens
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), National Priority Programme (NPP), Johannesburg, South Africa; and
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Rao A, Mhlophe H, Pretorius A, Mcingana M, Mcloughlin J, Shipp L, Baral S, Hausler H, Schwartz S, Lesko C. Effect of implementation strategies on pre-exposure prophylaxis persistence among female sex workers in South Africa: an interrupted time series study. Lancet HIV 2023; 10:e807-e815. [PMID: 38040479 PMCID: PMC10771038 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(23)00262-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A disproportionate number of new HIV infections in South Africa are among female sex workers; pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention is freely available to female sex workers in the country, but unique barriers challenge PrEP persistence. TB HIV Care, a large South African non-profit organisation that provides daily oral PrEP (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine), has implemented multiple strategies to improve PrEP persistence. We aimed to evaluate the effect of different implementation strategies on PrEP persistence in a large-scale real-world setting. METHODS In this interrupted time series study, we estimated level changes in 1-month oral PrEP persistence associated with roll-out of various implementation strategies among female sex workers across nine districts in South Africa. We used routinely collected data from TB HIV Care programme files from June 7, 2016, to April 30, 2021. Poisson regression of 1-month persistence was used to assess the effect of these strategies. In secondary analyses, we tested the association between each of the strategies and 4-month persistence. FINDINGS The median 1-month PrEP persistence for female sex workers was 33% (IQR 27-40). SMS support and refill reminders were associated with an 11% relative increase in 1-month persistence (risk ratio [RR] 1·11, 95% CI 1·02-1·26) and clinical mentoring for PrEP providers was associated with a 127% relative increase (RR 2·27, 95% CI 1·94-2·66) among female sex workers. The loyalty rewards programme was negatively associated with 1-month persistence (RR 0·71, 95% CI 0·67-0·83). Although clinical mentoring improved 4-month persistence, SMS support text messages had no significant effect. INTERPRETATION Identification and subsequent use of clinical mentoring for PrEP providers and SMS support and refill reminders might improve the usefulness of PrEP overall to prevent new HIV infections among female sex workers. PrEP persistence remains an important issue, and strategies to build on our findings are needed. FUNDING National Institute of Mental Health and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Rao
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | - Lillian Shipp
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Sheree Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Catherine Lesko
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
GOVERE SABINAM, MANYANGADZE TAWANDA, KALINDA CHESTER, CHIMBARI MOSESJ. An assessment on the implementation of same day antiretroviral therapy initiation in eThekwini clinics, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. J Public Health Afr 2023; 14:2179. [PMID: 38162327 PMCID: PMC10755505 DOI: 10.4081/jphia.2023.2179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends same-day initiation (SDI) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all individuals diagnosed with HIV irrespective of CD4+ count or clinical stage. Implementation of program is still far from reaching its goals. This study assessed the level of implementation of same day ART initiation. A longitudinal study was conducted at four primary healthcare clinics in eThekwini municipality KwaZulu-Natal. Data was collected between June 2020 to October 2020 using a data extraction form. Data on individuals tested HIV positive, number of SDI of ART; and clinicians working on UTT program were compiled from clinic registers, and Three Interlinked Electronic Registers.Net (TIER.Net). Non-governmental organisations (NGO) supporting the facility and services information was collected. Among the 403 individuals who tested HIV positive, 279 (69.2%) were initiated on ART on the same day of HIV diagnosis from the four facilities. There was a significant association between health facility and number of HIV positive individuals initiated on SDI (chi-square=10.59; P-value=0.008). There was a significant association between facilities with support from all NGOs and ART SDI (chi-square=10.18; P-value=0.015. There was a significant association between staff provision in a facility and SDI (chi-square=7.51; P-value=0.006). Urban areas clinics were more likely to have high uptake of SDI compared to rural clinics (chi-square=11,29; P-value=0.003). Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat program varies by facility indicating the need for the government to monitor and standardize implementation of the policy if the program is to yield success.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- SABINA M. GOVERE
- School of Nursing and Public Health, Discipline of Public Health Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - TAWANDA MANYANGADZE
- School of Nursing and Public Health, Discipline of Public Health Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Geography Department, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Bindura University of Science Education, Private Bag, Bindura, Zimbabwe
| | - CHESTER KALINDA
- School of Nursing and Public Health, Discipline of Public Health Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Bill and Joyce Cummings Institute of Global Health and Institute of Global Health Equity Research (IGHER), University of Global Health Equity Kigali Heights, Kigali
| | - MOSES J. CHIMBARI
- School of Nursing and Public Health, Discipline of Public Health Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Public Health, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Boachie MK, Khoza M, Goldstein S, Munsamy M, Hofman K, Thsehla E. The Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Service Utilization Among Chronic Disease Patients in South Africa. Health Serv Insights 2023; 16:11786329231215040. [PMID: 38034855 PMCID: PMC10687941 DOI: 10.1177/11786329231215040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought many disruptions in health service delivery. Evidence show that the pandemic has negatively affected routine healthcare utilization such as maternal and child health services, but the literature on the effect on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is scant in South Africa. These disruptions can have long-term health and economic implications for patients. Objective To estimate the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on service utilization among chronic disease patients in South Africa using administrative data. Methods Using monthly data from the Centralized Chronic Medication Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) program database covering November 2018 to October 2021, we examined the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on utilization among patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) medication only (ART-only), patients receiving both ART and NCD medication (ART + NCD), and patients receiving NCD medications only (NCD-only). We employed segmented interrupted time series approach to examine the changes. We stratified the analysis by socioeconomic status. Results We found that, overall, the lockdown was associated with increased utilization of CCMDD services by 10.8% (95% CI: 3.3%-19%) for ART-only and 10.3% (95% CI: 3.3%-17.7%) for NCD-only patients. The increase in utilization was not different across socioeconomic groups. For patients receiving ART + NCD medications, utilization declined by 56.6% (95% CI: 47.6%-64.1%), and higher reductions occurred in low SES districts. Conclusion Patients should be educated about the need to continue with utilization of disease programs during a pandemic and beyond. More efforts are needed to improve service use among patients with multi-morbidities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Micheal Kofi Boachie
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, Howard College, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- SAMRC/Wits Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science—PRICELESS SA, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mariana Khoza
- SAMRC/Wits Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science—PRICELESS SA, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Susan Goldstein
- SAMRC/Wits Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science—PRICELESS SA, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Karen Hofman
- SAMRC/Wits Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science—PRICELESS SA, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Evelyn Thsehla
- SAMRC/Wits Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science—PRICELESS SA, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Ojewale LY, Mukumbang FC. Access to healthcare services for people with non-communicable diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ibadan, Nigeria: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1231. [PMID: 37946244 PMCID: PMC10636991 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10278-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Desirable outcomes for people with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are achieved when they access routine monitoring and care services. Expectedly, the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted access to healthcare services, leading to poor health outcomes among people with NCDs. We aimed to [1] explore the delays in accessing healthcare services and [2] understand alternative actions adopted by people with NCDs to overcome these delays. METHODS We conducted an exploratory qualitative research guided by the "Three Delays" model to unpack the barriers to healthcare access for people living with NCDs in Ibadan, Nigeria. The "Three Delays" model conceptualizes the reasons for negative/adverse healthcare outcomes related to the patient's decision-making to seek healthcare, reaching an appropriate healthcare facility, and receiving adequate care at the healthcare facility. Twenty-five (25) people with NCDs were purposively selected from the University College Hospital's medical outpatient department to participate in in-depth interviews. Interview recordings were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a deductive-inductive hybrid thematic analysis. RESULTS At the level of individual decision-making, delays were related to fear of contracting COVID-19 in the hospital (considered a hotspot of the COVID-19 pandemic). Regarding reaching an appropriate healthcare facility, delays were mainly attributed to the intra- and inter-city lockdowns, limiting the movements of persons. For those who successfully arrived at the healthcare facilities, delays were related to the unavailability of healthcare professionals, prioritization of COVID-19 patients, and mandatory adherence to COVID-19 protocols, including COVID-19 testing. To overcome the delays mentioned above, people with NCDs resorted to (i) using private healthcare facilities, which were more costly, (ii) using virtual consultation through mobile phone Apps and (iii) self-management, usually by repeating previously prescribed prescriptions to obtain medication. CONCLUSION Pandemic conditions provide unique challenges to people with chronic illnesses. Recognizing the need for continuous access to monitoring and care services under such conditions remains critical. Alternative health service provision approaches should be considered in pandemic situations, including remote healthcare services such as Mobile health apps (mHealth) that can help manage and prevent NCDs.
Collapse
|
31
|
Kruger G, van der Borght EA, Teijema MT, van Furth MT. "I don't know if you have searched through the scriptures to find a reference on HIV/AIDS. I mean there isn't going to be one, right?": HIV stigma solutions from dialogues between faith leaders and health care workers. AFRICAN JOURNAL OF AIDS RESEARCH : AJAR 2023; 22:165-174. [PMID: 37905443 DOI: 10.2989/16085906.2023.2238687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
In South African communities, both faith leaders and health care workers play a vital role in supporting the health of community members and people living with HIV in particular. This study describes HIV stigma when faith leaders and health care workers engaged in discourse. The study used a descriptive qualitative inquiry design. Data were gathered between 2015 and 2016 in the areas of Masiphumelele and Gugulethu in Cape Town, South Africa. Three themes emerged: (1) participants identified influences that can increase HIV stigma; (2) participants shared the challenges that they face to reduce HIV stigma; and (3) participants suggested solutions to reduce HIV stigma. Themes discussed include ground-level problems and practical solutions to address HIV stigma in faith communities. Collaboration between faith leaders and health care workers are vital resources in the fight against HIV stigma. Future research and interventions should aim to promote organised collaboration between faith communities and health care structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Germari Kruger
- Faculty of Religion and Theology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Unit for Reformational Theology and the Development of the South African Society, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | | | - Martha T Teijema
- Department of Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marceline Tutu van Furth
- Department of Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Ware NC, Wyatt MA, Pisarski EE, Nalumansi A, Kasiita V, Kamusiime B, Nalukwago GK, Thomas D, Kibuuka J, Muwonge T, Mujugira A, Heffron R. How Central Ugandan HIV Clinics Adapted During COVID-19 Lockdown Restrictions to Promote Continuous Access to Care: A Qualitative Analysis. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:3725-3734. [PMID: 37266823 PMCID: PMC10235841 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04090-4] [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: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We used qualitative data from the Partners PrEP Program (PPP) to address the question: How did Central Ugandan HIV clinics adapt to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions to promote continuous access to HIV care? PPP was a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial of integrated PrEP and ART delivery for HIV serodifferent couples at Central Ugandan HIV clinics (NCT03586128). Individual interviews with purposefully selected PPP couples (N = 42) and clinicians, coordinators, and counselors providing HIV care (N = 36) were carried out. Sixty-four interviews were completed after lockdown and included questions about accessing and providing ART/PrEP refills during lockdown restrictions. We used an inductive, content-focused approach to analyze these interview data. Barriers to continuous access identified by interviewees included loss of income with increased cost of transport, reduced staff at clinics, and physical distancing at clinics. Interviewees pointed to multi-month refills, visits to clinics "close to home," transport to clinics for providers, and delivery of refills in neighborhoods as factors promoting continuous access to antiretroviral medications. Access barriers appeared somewhat different for ART and PrEP. Fewer resources for community delivery and pre-refill HIV testing requirements were identified as PrEP-specific access challenges. Participants emphasized their success in continuing ART/PrEP adherence during the lockdown, while providers emphasized missed refill visits. These results highlight the contributions of providers and ART/PrEP users to adaptation of HIV services during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in Uganda. The roles of direct care providers and service users as drivers of adaptation should be recognized in future efforts to conceptualize and investigate health system resiliency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Norma C Ware
- Division of Global Health Equity, Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 641 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Monique A Wyatt
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 641 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Harvard Global, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Emily E Pisarski
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 641 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | | | - Vicent Kasiita
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Brenda Kamusiime
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Dorothy Thomas
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Joseph Kibuuka
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Timothy Muwonge
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Andrew Mujugira
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Renee Heffron
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Kazibwe A, Oryokot B, Kyazze AP, Ssekamatte P, Akabwai GP, Seremba E, Mukunya D, Kagimu M, Andia-Biraro I, Kalyesubula R. The Effect of COVID-19 Restrictions on General and HIV Positive Inpatient Admissions and Treatment Outcomes: An Uncontrolled Before-and-after Study at a Ugandan Tertiary Hospital. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:3745-3754. [PMID: 37231190 PMCID: PMC10211272 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04092-2] [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: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Measures to contain the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic curtailed access to prevention and treatment services for endemic infectious diseases like HIV. We used an uncontrolled before-and-after study design to compare general and HIV positive (HIV+) inpatient outcomes at a tertiary hospital in Uganda, using electronic records of medical inpatients. Data was downloaded, cleaned in Microsoft Excel, and exported to STATA for analysis. We determined the difference in number of admissions and median length of hospital stay using Mann-Whitney U test; and difference in median survival and incidence rates of mortality using Kaplan - Meier statistics, between the pre- and peri-COVID-19 groups. Of 7506 patients admitted to Kiruddu NRH, 50.8% (3812) were female and 18.7% (1,401) were aged 31-40 years, and 18.8% (1,411) were HIV+. Overall, 24.6% (1849) died. Total admissions were lower (2192 vs. 5314 patients), overall mortality rate higher (41.8% vs. 17.6%, p < 0.01), median length of hospital stay longer (6 vs. 4 days, p < 0.01) and median survival shorter (11 vs. 20 days, Chi-square = 252.05, p < 0.01) in the peri- than in pre-COVID-19 period. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of death was 2.08 (95% CI: 1.85-2.23, p < 0.01) in the peri- compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. These differences were more pronounced in HIV + patients. Compared to pre-COVID-19, the peri-COVID-19 period registered lower inpatient admissions but poorer treatment outcomes for general and HIV + inpatients. Emerging epidemic responses should minimize disruption to inpatient care, especially for HIV + individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Kazibwe
- College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
- The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO), Programs Directorate, P. O. Box 10443, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bonniface Oryokot
- The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO), Programs Directorate, P. O. Box 10443, Kampala, Uganda
- University of Suffolk, Ipswich, UK
| | - Andrew Peter Kyazze
- Tuberculosis and Comorbidities (TAC) Research Group, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Philip Ssekamatte
- Tuberculosis and Comorbidities (TAC) Research Group, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
- College of Health Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - George Patrick Akabwai
- Center of Excellence, Baylor College of Medicine, P. O. Box 72025, Kampala, Uganda
- Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, P. O. Box 6558, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Emmanuel Seremba
- Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, P. O. Box 6558, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David Mukunya
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, Busitema University, P. O. Box 236, Tororo, Uganda
| | - Magid Kagimu
- College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Irene Andia-Biraro
- College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
- Tuberculosis and Comorbidities (TAC) Research Group, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Robert Kalyesubula
- College of Health Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Physiology, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Tapera T, Odimegwu C, Makoni T, Mukuwapasi W, Chitiyo V, Kadziyanike G, Willis N, Mutsinze A, Mawodzeke M, Chimberengwa P, Phiri M. Intersecting Epidemics: The Predictors of Continued Utilization of HIV Care and Treatment Services During the COVID-19 Outbreak Among People Living with HIV in ZIMBABWE. AIDS Behav 2023:10.1007/s10461-023-04194-x. [PMID: 37861922 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04194-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Globally, there have been considerable achievements towards HIV care and treatment. AIDS-related deaths have been reduced by 60% since the peak in 2004. Potentially, the fight against the HIV epidemic was made more difficult with the outbreak of COVID-19. Thus, this study examined the implications of COVID-19 in the utilization of HIV care and treatment services among people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Zimbabwe. The study aimed to identify the critical factors defining the utilization of HIV services at the advent of COVID-19 using the fifth revision of the Anderson Behavioral Model of Healthcare Utilization. The study utilized a concurrent triangulation design of which only one data collection phase was used. The quantitative data was collected from 2,157 people living with HIV on antiretroviral viral therapy through a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. On the other hand, qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews. Regarding accessing ART refills, the study findings revealed that adolescents aged 15-19 (aOR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.18-3.96) had higher odds of utilizing ART refills compared to their counterparts who were aged 20-24. Living in a rural area was associated with higher odds of utilizing the ART refill service (aOR = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.49-3.24). Regarding accessing viral load monitoring adults aged 25-39 (aOR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.26-0.66) were less likely to utilize viral load monitoring compared to young people aged 20-24. Being vaccinated for COVID-19 was significantly associated with higher odds of utilizing the viral load monitoring service (aOR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.36-2.87) than those not yet vaccinated. Living in a rural area was associated with higher odds of utilizing viral load monitoring (aOR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.09-2.08). Regarding tuberculosis preventative therapy, adults aged 25-39 (aOR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.20-0.47) were less likely to utilize tuberculosis preventative therapy compared to young people aged 20-24. Being vaccinated for COVID-19 was significantly associated with higher odds of utilizing tuberculosis preventative therapy (aOR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.12-2.25) than those not yet vaccinated. Living in a rural area was associated with higher odds of utilizing tuberculosis preventive therapy (aOR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.19-2.08). Regarding tuberculosis screening being vaccinated for COVID-19 was significantly associated with higher odds of utilizing tuberculosis screening services (aOR = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.41-2.54) than those not yet vaccinated. Although the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic has dwindled, COVID-19 appears to come and go in waves, and a few countries are still recording relatively high cases. It is therefore likely that the factors associated with utilization of HIV services identified by the study such as age, residence, type of health facility, vaccination of COVID-19 and fear of contracting COVID-19, among others, need to be included when planning to improve access to health utilization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Talent Tapera
- Demography and Population Studies Programme, Schools of Public Health and Social Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Clifford Odimegwu
- Demography and Population Studies Programme, Schools of Public Health and Social Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Tatenda Makoni
- Zimbabwe National Network of People Living With HIV (ZNNP+), Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Waraidzo Mukuwapasi
- Zimbabwe National Network of People Living With HIV (ZNNP+), Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Gilton Kadziyanike
- Zimbabwe National Network of People Living With HIV (ZNNP+), Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | | | | | - Pugie Chimberengwa
- Organisation for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID), Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Million Phiri
- Demography and Population Studies Programme, Schools of Public Health and Social Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Population Studies, Schools of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Li Z, Qiao S, Ning H, Sun X, Zhang J, Olatosi B, Li X. Place Visitation Data Reveals the Geographic and Racial Disparities of COVID-19 Impact on HIV Service Utilization in the Deep South. AIDS Behav 2023:10.1007/s10461-023-04163-4. [PMID: 37792234 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04163-4] [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: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented pressure to health care systems, and interrupted health care delivery and access including HIV care in the United States' Deep South, which endures a double epidemic of HIV and COVID-19. Ryan White programs cover HIV care services for over half of PLWH in the Deep South. Given the important role of Ryan White programs, examining the visitation changes to Ryan White facilities during the pandemic offers insights into the impact of the pandemic on HIV healthcare utilization. OBJECTIVES Analyze the geographic distribution of HIV facility visitors at the county level before and during the pandemic in the nine US states of Deep South (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas) to reveal the geographic and racial disparity in visitation disruption caused by the pandemic. METHODS We first extracted mobile device-based visitation data for Ryan White HIV facilities in the Deep South during 2019 and 2020. To quantify the disruption in visitations during 2020, we calculated the visitation reduction rate (VRR) for each county, using 2019 data as the baseline. Next, we conducted a spatial analysis of the VRR values to uncover geographical disparities in visitation interruptions. To investigate racial disparities, we performed spatial regression analyses with VRR as the dependent variable, and the percentages of Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations as the independent variables. In this analysis, we controlled for potential confounders. RESULTS Geographic disparities in visitation reduction were observed, with all nine Deep South states experiencing significant drops. Georgia experienced the highest visitation loss (VRR = -0.58), followed by Texas (-0.47), Alabama (0.47), and Tennessee (-0.46), while South Carolina had the smallest reductions (-0.11). All the regression models consistently revealed racial disparities in visitation interruption. That is, counties with a higher proportion of Black population tended to have higher RW facility visitation reductions. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis revealed distinct geographic disparities in visitation interruptions at Ryan White HIV facilities in the Deep South during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Furthermore, we found that the Black/African American population experienced a greater disruption at the county level in the Deep South during this period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenlong Li
- Geoinformation and Big Data Research Lab, Department of Geography, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
| | - Shan Qiao
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Huan Ning
- Geoinformation and Big Data Research Lab, Department of Geography, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- Department of Geography, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16801, USA
| | - Xiaowen Sun
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Jiajia Zhang
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Bankole Olatosi
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Big Data Health Science Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
- Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Beesiga B, Marson K, Fatch R, Emenyonu NI, Adong J, Kekibiina A, Puryear S, Lodi S, McDonell MG, Muyindike WR, Kamya MR, Hahn JA, Chamie G. Effects of a COVID-19 Public Health Lockdown on Drinking and Health Behavior Among Persons with HIV and with Unhealthy Alcohol use in Uganda. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:3213-3222. [PMID: 37000383 PMCID: PMC10063928 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04042-y] [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] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
To better understand the impact of Uganda's initial COVID-19 lockdown on alcohol use, we conducted a cross-sectional survey (August 2020-September 2021) among persons with HIV (PWH) with unhealthy alcohol use (but not receiving an alcohol intervention), enrolled in a trial of incentives to reduce alcohol use and improve isoniazid preventive therapy. We examined associations between bar-based drinking and decreased alcohol use, and decreased alcohol use and health outcomes (antiretroviral therapy [ART] access, ART adherence, missed clinic visits, psychological stress and intimate partner violence), during lockdown. Of 178 adults surveyed whose data was analyzed, (67% male, median age: 40), 82% reported bar-based drinking at trial enrollment; 76% reported decreased alcohol use during lockdown. In a multivariate analysis, bar-based drinking was not associated with greater decreases in alcohol use during lockdown compared to non-bar-based drinking (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.31-2.11), adjusting for age and sex. There was a significant association between decreased alcohol use and increased stress during lockdown (adjusted β = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.07-3.11, P < 0.010), but not other health outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian Beesiga
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Kara Marson
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Robin Fatch
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nneka I Emenyonu
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Julian Adong
- Global Health Collaborative, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Allen Kekibiina
- Global Health Collaborative, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Sarah Puryear
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sara Lodi
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael G McDonell
- Elson S Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA
| | - Winnie R Muyindike
- Global Health Collaborative, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Moses R Kamya
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC), Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Judith A Hahn
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gabriel Chamie
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
van de Berg S, Charles T, Dörre A, Katz K, Böhm S. Epidemiology of common infectious diseases before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bavaria, Germany, 2016 to 2021: an analysis of routine surveillance data. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2300030. [PMID: 37824248 PMCID: PMC10571495 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.41.2300030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundUnprecedented non-pharmaceutical interventions to control the COVID-19 pandemic also had an effect on other infectious diseases.AimWe aimed to determine their impact on transmission and diagnosis of notifiable diseases other than COVID-19 in Bavaria, Germany, in 2020 and 2021.MethodsWe compared weekly cases of 15 notifiable infectious diseases recorded in Bavaria between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2021 in time series analyses, median age and time-to-diagnosis using Wilcoxon rank sum test and hospitalisation rates using univariable logistic regression during three time periods: pre-pandemic (weeks 1 2016-9 2020), pandemic years 1 (weeks 10-52 2020) and 2 (2021).ResultsWeekly case numbers decreased in pandemic year 1 for all diseases assessed except influenza, Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis; markedly for norovirus gastroenteritis (IRR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.12-0.20) and pertussis (IRR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.18-0.26). In pandemic year 2, influenza (IRR = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.02-0.09) and pertussis (IRR = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.09-0.14) decreased markedly, but also chickenpox, dengue fever, Haemophilus influenzae invasive infection, hepatitis C, legionellosis, noro- and rotavirus gastroenteritis and salmonellosis. For enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli infections, median age decreased in pandemic years 1 and 2 (4 years, interquartile range (IQR): 1-32 and 3 years, IQR: 1-18 vs 11 years, IQR: 2-42); hospitalisation proportions increased in pandemic year 1 (OR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.08-2.34).ConclusionReductions for various infectious diseases and changes in case characteristics in 2020 and 2021 indicate reduced transmission of notifiable diseases other than COVID-19 due to interventions and under-detection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah van de Berg
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Postgraduate Training for Applied Epidemiology (PAE), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Munich, Germany
| | - Tanja Charles
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Postgraduate Training for Applied Epidemiology (PAE), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Achim Dörre
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Postgraduate Training for Applied Epidemiology (PAE), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Katz
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanie Böhm
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Jones T, Redaniel MT, Ben-Shlomo Y. Interrupted time series evaluation of the impact of a dementia wellbeing service on avoidable hospital admissions for people with dementia in Bristol, England. J Health Serv Res Policy 2023; 28:262-270. [PMID: 36951934 DOI: 10.1177/13558196231164317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine whether a dementia wellbeing service (DWS) signposting people with dementia to community services decreases the rate of avoidable hospital admissions, in-hospital mortality, complexity of admissions (number of comorbidities) or length of stay. METHODS Interrupted time series analysis to estimate the effects of the DWS on hospital outcomes. We included all unplanned admissions for ambulatory care sensitive conditions ('avoidable hospital admissions') with a dementia diagnosis recorded in the Hospital Episode Statistics. The intervention region was compared with a demographically similar control region in the 2 years before and 3 years after the implementation of the new service (October 2013 to September 2018). RESULTS There was no strong evidence that admission rates reduced and only weak evidence that the trend in average length of stay reduced slowly over time. In-hospital mortality decreased immediately after the introduction of the dementia wellbeing service compared to comparator areas (x0.64, 95% CI 0.42, 0.97, p = 0.037) but attenuated over the following years. The rate of increase in comorbidities also appeared to slow after the service began; they were similar to comparator areas by September 2018. CONCLUSIONS We found no major impact of the DWS on avoidable hospital admissions, although there was weak evidence for slightly shorter length of stay and reduced complexity of hospital admissions. These findings may or may not reflect a true benefit of the service and require further investigation. The DWS was established to improve quality of dementia care; reducing hospital admissions was never its sole purpose. More targeted interventions may be required to reduce hospital admissions for people with dementia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tim Jones
- National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Maria Theresa Redaniel
- National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Yoav Ben-Shlomo
- National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West), University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
TAPERA TALENT, ODIMEGWU CLIFFORD, PETLELE REBAONE, SELLO MATSHIDISOVALERIA, DZOMBA ARMSTRONG, ALADEJEBI OLUWATOYIN, PHIRI MILLION. Intersecting epidemics: COVID-19 and HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. A systematic review (2020-2022). J Public Health Afr 2023; 14:2658. [PMID: 37908391 PMCID: PMC10615161 DOI: 10.4081/jphia.2023.2658] [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] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
There has been significant progress with regards to winning the fight against HIV globally, particularly due to the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART). COVID-19 threatened to derail gains in the fight against HIV. As we have started to see with studies on COVID-19 and HIV, there is a need to 'provide an in-depth view' in understanding the dynamics between the two epidemics, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. We, therefore, undertook a systemic review of existing literature to synthesize the effects of COVID-19 on the utilization of HIV services in sub-Saharan Africa, the literature on the risks associated with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic, and lastly, the innovations and strategies adopted to continue receiving treatment in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a systematic review of studies published between 2020 and April 2022. We searched for relevant sub-Saharan studies in the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, J-STOR, and Science Direct. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search identified 647 papers, and after screening, 41 were in line with the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. There was evidence of the negative effects of COVID-19 on reducing HIV testing, ART treatment, and HIV prevention services. There is evidence pointing to the need for people living with HIV to be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccinations. Innovations and strategies implemented to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on HIV services include community-based ART distribution, multi-month ART dispensing, the use of digital technologies, and the use of the already existing HIV infrastructure to fight COVID-19. It is still imperative that future studies explore the predictors of utilization of HIV services in the advent of COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- TALENT TAPERA
- Demography and Population Studies Programme, Schools of Public Health and Social Sciences, University of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
| | - CLIFFORD ODIMEGWU
- Demography and Population Studies Programme, Schools of Public Health and Social Sciences, University of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
| | - REBAONE PETLELE
- Demography and Population Studies Programme, Schools of Public Health and Social Sciences, University of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
| | - MATSHIDISO VALERIA SELLO
- Demography and Population Studies Programme, Schools of Public Health and Social Sciences, University of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
- Centre for Social Development in Africa, University of Johannesburg
| | - ARMSTRONG DZOMBA
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit-Agincourt, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - OLUWATOYIN ALADEJEBI
- Demography and Population Studies Programme, Schools of Public Health and Social Sciences, University of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
| | - MILLION PHIRI
- Demography and Population Studies Programme, Schools of Public Health and Social Sciences, University of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
- Department of Population Studies, School of Humanities and Social sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Giovenco D, Pettifor A, Itzikowitz G, Chung S, Qayiya Y, Kȧgesten AE, Ekström AM, Bekker LG. Access to sexual and reproductive health services among South African young people living with and without HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contraception 2023; 126:110119. [PMID: 37467919 DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2023.110119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service access among South African young people during the COVID-19 pandemic. STUDY DESIGN We utilized cross-sectional data collected from February to October 2021 in Cape Town among young people 13-24 years of age living with and without HIV. RESULTS Two hundred and fifteen young people living with HIV (YPLWH) and 320 young people living without HIV were included. Young people reported an unmet need for SRH services during COVID-19, and 28% of YPLWH reported missing an HIV care appointment during the COVID-19 lockdowns. CONCLUSIONS Expanding access to SRH services for young people during disruptive events is critical to reduce disparities in HIV and other SRH outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Giovenco
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Epidemiology, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Emory University, Department of Epidemiology, Atlanta, GA, United States; Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Audrey Pettifor
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Epidemiology, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Gina Itzikowitz
- Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stephanie Chung
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Maternal and Child Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Yamkela Qayiya
- Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anna E Kȧgesten
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Global Public Health, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Mia Ekström
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Global Public Health, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Infectious Diseases/Venhälsan, South General Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linda-Gail Bekker
- Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Dufour I, Fougère Y, Goetghebuer T, Hainaut M, Mbiya B, Kakkar F, Yombi JC, Van der Linden D. Gen Z and HIV-Strategies for Optimizing the Care of the Next Generation of Adolescents Living with HIV. Viruses 2023; 15:2023. [PMID: 37896800 PMCID: PMC10611287 DOI: 10.3390/v15102023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The management of adolescents living with HIV represents a particular challenge in the global response to HIV. The challenges specific to this age group include difficulties engaging and maintaining them in care, challenges with transition to adult care, and limited therapeutic options for treatment-experienced patients, all of which have been jeopardized by the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper summarizes some of the challenges in managing adolescents living with HIV, as well as some of the most recent and innovative therapeutic approaches in this population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inès Dufour
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Avenue Hippocrate, 10, 1200 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Yves Fougère
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (Y.F.); (F.K.)
- Centre d’Infectiologie Mère-Enfant (CIME), Department of Pediatrics, CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Tessa Goetghebuer
- Department of Pediatrics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Saint-Pierre, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; (T.G.); (M.H.)
| | - Marc Hainaut
- Department of Pediatrics, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Saint-Pierre, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium; (T.G.); (M.H.)
| | - Benoît Mbiya
- Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Mbujimayi, Mbujimayi 06201, Democratic Republic of the Congo;
- Sickle Cell Reference Center, Clinique Pédiatrique de Mbujimayi, Pediatrics Clinic of Mbujimayi, Mbujimayi 06201, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Fatima Kakkar
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; (Y.F.); (F.K.)
- Centre d’Infectiologie Mère-Enfant (CIME), Department of Pediatrics, CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Jean Cyr Yombi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Avenue Hippocrate, 10, 1200 Brussels, Belgium;
- Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Dimitri Van der Linden
- Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Brussels, Belgium;
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Service of Specialized Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Mayman YR, van Wyk B. The impact of COVID-19 on HIV treatment of adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review. Health SA 2023; 28:2226. [PMID: 37795154 PMCID: PMC10546235 DOI: 10.4102/hsag.v28i0.2226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Adolescents living with HIV are a key population who are susceptible to poor health. The global coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and widespread national COVID-19 restrictions has disrupted health service delivery and HIV support services, affecting treatment adherence among adolescents with HIV. Aim This study aimed to review the available literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the HIV treatment of adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. Method Seven online databases were searched for articles published between 2020 and 2022 that focused on the impact of COVID-19 on adolescents living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. A data charting extraction form and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocol (PRISMA) flowchart were used for screening and reporting the articles in this review. A narrative synthesis was conducted. Results Five overarching themes emerged from the articles in this review, which highlighted the mental, social, and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the impact of the reallocation of healthcare services and challenges to accessing HIV care services on the antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence of adolescents living with HIV. Conclusion The global COVID-19 pandemic affected adolescents living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa in many ways, but very little research has been done to describe the various ways in which the physical and mental well-being of adolescents were impacted. Contribution The findings of this review can be used to further inform policies and interventions aimed at the care and well-being of adolescents on antiretroviral therapy within sub-Saharan Africa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda R Mayman
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Brian van Wyk
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Osei E, Amu H, Kye-Duodu G, Kwabla MP, Danso E, Binka FN, Kim SY. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Tuberculosis and HIV services in Ghana: An interrupted time series analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291808. [PMID: 37729176 PMCID: PMC10511085 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) burden, coupled with unprecedented control measures including physical distancing, travel bans, and lockdowns of cities, implemented to stop the spread of the virus, have undoubtedly far-reaching aftereffects on other diseases. In low and middle-income countries (LMICs), a particular worry is the potential impact on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Tuberculosis (TB), as a consequence of possible disruption to health services and limiting access to needed life-saving health care. In Ghana, there is a paucity of information regarding the impact of COVID-19 on disease control, particularly TB and HIV control. This study sought to contribute to bridging this knowledge gap. METHOD The study involved the analysis of secondary data obtained from the District Health Information Management System-2 (DHIMS-2) database of Ghana Health Service, from 2016 to 2020. Data were analysed using an interrupted time-series regression approach to estimate the impact of COVID-19 on TB case notification, HIV testing, and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) initiations, using March 2020 as the event period. RESULTS The study showed that during the COVID-19 pandemic period, there was an abrupt decline of 20.5% (955CI: 16.0%, 24.5%) in TB case notifications in April and 32.7% (95%CI: 28.8%, 39.1%) in May 2020, with a median monthly decline of 21.4% from April-December 2020. A cumulative loss of 2,128 (20%; 95%CI: 13.3%, 26.7%) TB cases was observed nationwide as of December 2020. There was also a 40.3% decrease in people presenting for HIV tests in the first month of COVID-19 (April 2020) and a cumulative loss of 262620 (26.5%) HIV tests as of December 2020 attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic. ART initiations increased by 39.2% in the first month and thereafter decreased by an average of 10% per month from May to September 2020. Cumulatively, 443 (1.9%) more of the people living with HIV initiated ART during the pandemic period, however, this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted TB case notifications and HIV testing and counselling services, However, ART initiation was generally not impacted during the first year of the pandemic. Proactive approaches aimed at actively finding the thousands of individuals with TB who were missed in 2020 and increasing HIV testing and counselling and subsequent treatment initiations should be prioritised.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric Osei
- Department of Population and Behavioural Sciences, Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Hubert Amu
- Department of Population and Behavioural Sciences, Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Gideon Kye-Duodu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Mavis Pearl Kwabla
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Evans Danso
- Department of Policy Planning Monitoring and Evaluation, Mental Health Authority, Accra, Ghana
| | - Fred N. Binka
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - So Yoon Kim
- Asian Institute for Bioethics and Health Law, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Bose B, Alam SA, Pörtner CC. Impacts of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Healthcare Inaccessibility and Unaffordability in Uganda. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 109:527-535. [PMID: 37580028 PMCID: PMC10484254 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have reported adverse consequences of the COVID-19 lockdowns on the utilization of healthcare services across Africa. However, little is known about the channels through which lockdowns impacted healthcare utilization. This study focuses on unaffordability as a reason for not utilizing healthcare services. We estimate the causal impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown on healthcare inaccessibility and affordability in Uganda relative to the nonlockdown periods of the pandemic. We use nationally representative longitudinal household data and a household fixed-effects model to identify the impact of the lockdown on whether households could not access medical treatment and whether the reason for not getting care was the lack of money. We find that the lockdown in Uganda was associated with an 8.4% higher likelihood of respondents being unable to access healthcare when treatment was needed relative to the nonlockdown periods. This implies a 122% increase in the share of respondents unable to access healthcare. As lockdown restrictions eased, the likelihood of being unable to access medical treatment decreased. The main reason for the increase in inaccessibility was the lack of money, with a 71% increase in the likelihood of respondents being unable to afford treatment. We find little evidence that the effects of the lockdown differed by wealth status or area of residence. Our results indicate the need for policymakers to consider immediate social support for households as a strategy for balancing the disruptions caused by lockdowns.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bijetri Bose
- Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shamma A. Alam
- Department of International Studies, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
| | - Claus C. Pörtner
- Department of Economics, Seattle University, Seattle, Washington
- Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Glynn J, Jones T, Bell M, Blazeby J, Burton C, Conefrey C, Donovan JL, Farrar N, Morley J, McNair A, Owen-Smith A, Rule E, Thornton G, Tucker V, Williams I, Rooshenas L, Hollingworth W. Did the evidence-based intervention (EBI) programme reduce inappropriate procedures, lessen unwarranted variation or lead to spill-over effects in the National Health Service? PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290996. [PMID: 37656701 PMCID: PMC10473535 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290996] [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: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health systems are under pressure to maintain services within limited resources. The Evidence-Based Interventions (EBI) programme published a first list of guidelines in 2019, which aimed to reduce inappropriate use of interventions within the NHS in England, reducing potential harm and optimising the use of limited resources. Seventeen procedures were selected in the first round, published in April 2019. METHODS We evaluated changes in the trends for each procedure after its inclusion in the EBI's first list of guidelines using interrupted time series analysis. We explored whether there was any evidence of spill-over effects onto related or substitute procedures, as well as exploring changes in geographical variation following the publication of national guidance. RESULTS Most procedures were experiencing downward trends in the years prior to the launch of EBI. We found no evidence of a trend change in any of the 17 procedures following the introduction of the guidance. No evidence of spill-over increases in substitute or related procedures was found. Geographic variation in the number of procedures performed across English CCGs remained at similar levels before and after EBI. CONCLUSIONS The EBI programme had little success in its aim to further reduce the use of the 17 procedures it deemed inappropriate in all or certain circumstances. Most procedure rates were already decreasing before EBI and all continued with a similar trend afterwards. Geographical variation in the number of procedures remained at a similar level post EBI. De-adoption of inappropriate care is essential in maintaining health systems across the world. However, further research is needed to explore context specific enablers and barriers to effective identification and de-adoption of such inappropriate health care to support future de-adoption endeavours.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joel Glynn
- Health Economics Bristol, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy Jones
- Health Economics Bristol, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West) at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Mike Bell
- National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West) at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Blazeby
- Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Burton
- School of Allied and Public Health Professions, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Carmel Conefrey
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny L. Donovan
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Farrar
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Josie Morley
- Health Economics Bristol, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Angus McNair
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda Owen-Smith
- Health Economics Bristol, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Ellen Rule
- Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB), Brockworth, United Kingdom
| | - Gail Thornton
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Tucker
- Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB), Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Iestyn Williams
- Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Leila Rooshenas
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - William Hollingworth
- Health Economics Bristol, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Nachega JB, Musoke P, Kilmarx PH, Gandhi M, Grinsztejn B, Pozniak A, Rawat A, Wilson L, Mills EJ, Altice FL, Mellors JW, Quinn TC. Global HIV control: is the glass half empty or half full? Lancet HIV 2023; 10:e617-e622. [PMID: 37506723 PMCID: PMC10733629 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(23)00150-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The massive scale-up of HIV treatment and prevention over the past two decades has resulted in important reductions in new infections and mortality globally. Reduction in HIV incidence, however, has been unequal, with worsening epidemics in regions where the reach and scale of HIV control programmes have been insufficient, especially in eastern Europe, central Asia, the Middle East, north Africa, and Latin America where HIV epidemics are concentrated among key populations, including people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, transgender people, and some minority racial and ethnic groups. The global state of the HIV pandemic highlights disparities in HIV control efforts and provides a roadmap for what should be done, including investment to better implement the effective HIV prevention and treatment tools that are available, but whose adoption and scale-up are not yet sufficient to get us close to an AIDS-free generation. To achieve the full potential of global HIV control, we call for urgent, evidence-informed implementation at scale of our existing and novel HIV prevention and treatment strategies in ways that are better, faster, more efficient, and cost-effective, especially in key populations and regions where the HIV pandemic continues to expand.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jean B Nachega
- Department of Epidemiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, and Center for Global Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University of Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Philippa Musoke
- Makerere University-Johns Hopkins University (MUJHU) Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Peter H Kilmarx
- Fogarty International Center, US National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Monica Gandhi
- Department of Medicine, Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Beatriz Grinsztejn
- Instituto National de Infectologia Evandro Chagas-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Anton Pozniak
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, UK; Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Angeli Rawat
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Edward J Mills
- Platform Life Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - John W Mellors
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Thomas C Quinn
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; and Center for Global Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Herbert C, Luies L, Loots DT, Williams AA. The metabolic consequences of HIV/TB co-infection. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:536. [PMID: 37592227 PMCID: PMC10436461 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08505-4] [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: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The synergy between the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis during co-infection of a host is well known. While this synergy is known to be driven by immunological deterioration, the metabolic mechanisms that contribute to the associated disease burden experienced during HIV/tuberculosis (TB) co-infection remain poorly understood. Furthermore, while anti-HIV treatments suppress viral replication, these therapeutics give rise to host metabolic disruption and adaptations beyond that induced by only infection or disease. METHODS In this study, the serum metabolic profiles of healthy controls, untreated HIV-negative TB-positive patients, untreated HIV/TB co-infected patients, and HIV/TB co-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART), were measured using two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Since no global metabolic profile for HIV/TB co-infection and the effect of ART has been published to date, this pilot study aimed to elucidate the general areas of metabolism affected during such conditions. RESULTS HIV/TB co-infection induced significant changes to the host's lipid and protein metabolism, with additional microbial product translocation from the gut to the blood. The results suggest that HIV augments TB synergistically, at least in part, contributing to increased inflammation, oxidative stress, ART-induced mitochondrial damage, and its detrimental effects on gut health, which in turn, affects energy availability. ART reverses these trends to some extent in HIV/TB co-infected patients but not to that of healthy controls. CONCLUSION This study generated several new hypotheses that could direct future metabolic studies, which could be combined with other research techniques or methodologies to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chandré Herbert
- Human Metabolomics, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Laneke Luies
- Human Metabolomics, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Du Toit Loots
- Human Metabolomics, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Wu X, Wu G, Ma P, Wang R, Li L, Sun Y, Xu J, Li Y, Zhang T, Li Q, Yang Y, Wang L, Xin X, Qiao Y, Fang B, Lu Z, Zhou X, Chen Y, Liu Q, Fu G, Wei H, Huang X, Su B, Wang H, Zou H. Immediate and long-term outcomes after treat-all among people living with HIV in China: an interrupted time series analysis. Infect Dis Poverty 2023; 12:73. [PMID: 37580822 PMCID: PMC10424386 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01119-7] [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: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2003, China implemented free antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people living with HIV (PLHIV), establishing an eligibility threshold of CD4 < 200 cells/μl. Subsequently, the entry criteria were revised in 2012 (eligibility threshold: CD4 ≤ 350 cells/μl), 2014 (CD4 ≤ 500 cells/μl), and 2016 (treat-all). However, the impact of treat-all policy on HIV care and treatment indicators in China is unknown. We aimed to elucidate the immediate and long-term impact of the implementation of treat-all policy in China. METHODS Anonymized programmatic data on ART initiation and collection in PLHIV who newly started ART were retrieved between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019, from two provincial and municipal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and ten major infectious disease hospitals specialized in HIV care in China. We used Poisson and quasi-Poisson segmented regression models to estimate the immediate and long-term impact of treat-all on three key indicators: monthly proportion of 30-day ART initiation, mean CD4 counts (cells/μl) at ART initiation, and mean estimated time from infection to diagnosis (year). We built separate models according to gender, age, route of transmission and region. RESULTS Monthly data on ART initiation and collection were available for 75,516 individuals [gender: 83.8% males; age: median 39 years, interquartile range (IQR): 28-53; region: 18.5% Northern China, 10.9% Northeastern China, 17.5% Southern China, 49.2% Southwestern China]. In the first month of treat-all, compared with the contemporaneous counterfactual, there was a significant increase in proportion of 30-day ART initiation [+ 12.6%, incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.126, 95% CI: 1.033-1.229; P = 0.007] and mean estimated time from infection to diagnosis (+ 7.0%, IRR = 1.070, 95% CI: 1.021-1.120; P = 0.004), while there was no significant change in mean CD4 at ART initiation (IRR = 0.990, 95% CI: 0.956-1.026; P = 0.585). By December 2019, the three outcomes were not significantly different from expected levels. In the stratified analysis, compared with the contemporaneous counterfactual, mean CD4 at ART initiation showed significant increases in Northern China (+ 3.3%, IRR = 1.033, 95% CI: 1.001-1.065; P = 0.041) and Northeastern China (+ 8.0%, IRR = 1.080, 95% CI: 1.003-1.164; P = 0.042) in the first month of treat-all; mean estimated time from infection to diagnosis showed significant increases in male (+ 5.6%, IRR = 1.056, 95% CI: 1.010-1.104; P = 0.016), female (+ 14.8%, IRR = 1.148, 95% CI: 1.062-1.240; P < 0.001), aged 26-35 (+ 5.3%, IRR = 1.053, 95% CI: 1.001-1.109; P = 0.048) and > 50 (+ 7.8%, IRR = 1.078, 95% CI: 1.000-1.161; P = 0.046), heterosexual transmission (+ 12.4%, IRR = 1.124, 95% CI: 1.042-1.213; P = 0.002) and Southwestern China (+ 12.9%, IRR = 1.129, 95% CI: 1.055-1.208; P < 0.001) in the first month of treat-all. CONCLUSIONS The implementation of treat-all policy in China was associated with a positive effect on HIV care and treatment outcomes. To advance the work of rapid ART, efforts should be made to streamline the testing and ART initiation process, provide comprehensive support services, and address the issue of uneven distribution of medical resources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinsheng Wu
- Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Guohui Wu
- Institute for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chongqing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Ma
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tianjin Second People's Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- Tianjin Association of STD/AIDS Prevention and Control, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Rugang Wang
- Dalian Public Health Clinical Center, Dalian, People's Republic of China
| | - Linghua Li
- Infectious Disease Center, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinghui Sun
- Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Junjie Xu
- Clinical Research Academy, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Peking University, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuwei Li
- Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Clinical and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No.8 Xitoutiao, Youanmenwai, Feng Tai District, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - Quanmin Li
- Infectious Disease Center, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuecheng Yang
- Dehong Prefecture Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Dehong, People's Republic of China
| | - Lijing Wang
- Shijiazhuang Fifth Hospital, Shijiazhuang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoli Xin
- No.6 People's Hospital of Shenyang, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Qiao
- No.2 Hospital of Hohhot, Hohhot, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingxue Fang
- Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Lu
- Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyi Zhou
- Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyi Chen
- Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Liu
- Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, No. 66, Gongchang Road, Guangming District, Shenzhen, 518107, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Gengfeng Fu
- Department of STD/AIDS Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongxia Wei
- Department of Infectious Disease, The Second Hospital of Nanjing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 1-1 Zhongfu Road, Nanjing, 210036, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaojie Huang
- Clinical and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No.8 Xitoutiao, Youanmenwai, Feng Tai District, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China.
| | - Bin Su
- Clinical and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No.8 Xitoutiao, Youanmenwai, Feng Tai District, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hui Wang
- National Clinical Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, The Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen and The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern, University of Science and Technology, Bulan Road 29#, Longgang District, Shenzhen, 518112, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Huachun Zou
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, 130 Dongan Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
- School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, People's Republic of China.
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Kabami J, Owaraganise A, Beesiga B, Okiring J, Kakande E, Chen YH, Mwangwa F, Akatukwasa C, Nangendo J, Muyindike W, Semitala FC, Roh ME, Kamya MR. Effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on the HIV care continuum in Southwestern Uganda: A time series analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289000. [PMID: 37561727 PMCID: PMC10414556 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289000] [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: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In Uganda, COVID-19 lockdown policies curbed the spread of SARS-CoV-2, but their effect on HIV care is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES We examined the effects of COVID-19 lockdown policies on ART initiation, missed visits, and viral suppression in Uganda. METHODS We conducted a time series analysis using data from a dynamic cohort of persons with HIV enrolled between March 2017 and September 2021 at HIV clinics in Masaka and Mbarara Regional Referral Hospitals in Southwestern Uganda. Poisson and fractional probit regression were used to predict expected monthly antiretroviral therapy initiations, missed visits, and viral suppression based on pre-lockdown trends. Observed and expected trends were compared across three policy periods: April 2020-September 2021 (overall), April-May 2020 (1st lockdown), and June-August 2021 (2nd lockdown). RESULTS We enrolled 7071 Persons living with HIV (PWH) (nMasaka = 4150; nMbarara = 2921). Average ART duration was 34 and 30 months in Masaka and Mbarara, respectively. During the 18-month post-lockdown period, monthly ART initiations were lower than expected in both Masaka (51 versus 63 visits; a decrease of 12 [95% CI: -2, 31] visits) and Mbarara (42 versus 55 visits; a decrase of 13 [95% CI: 0, 27] visits). Proportion of missed visits was moderately higher than expected post-lockdown in Masaka (10% versus 7%; 4% [95% CI: 1%, 7%] absolute increase), but not in Mbarara (13% versus 13%; 0% [95% CI: -4%, 6%] absolute decrease). Viral suppression rates were moderate-to-high in Masaka (64.7%) and Mbarara (92.5%) pre-lockdown and remained steady throughout the post-lockdown period. CONCLUSION The COVID-19 lockdown in Uganda was associated with reductions in ART initiation, with minimal effects on retention and viral suppression, indicating a resilient HIV care system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jane Kabami
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC), Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Brian Beesiga
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jaffer Okiring
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Elijah Kakande
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Yea-Hung Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Florence Mwangwa
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC), Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | - Winnie Muyindike
- Global Health Collaborative, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Fred C. Semitala
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC), Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Makerere University Joint AIDS Program (MJAP), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Michelle E. Roh
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Moses R. Kamya
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC), Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Katende B, Bresser M, Kamele M, Chere L, Tlahali M, Erhardt RM, Muhairwe J, Ayakaka I, Glass TR, Ruhwald M, van Ginneken B, Murphy K, de Vos M, Amstutz A, Mareka M, Mooko SM, Reither K, González Fernández L. Impact of a multi-disease integrated screening and diagnostic model for COVID-19, TB, and HIV in Lesotho. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001488. [PMID: 37531333 PMCID: PMC10395971 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
The surge of the COVID-19 pandemic challenged health services globally, and in Lesotho, the HIV and tuberculosis (TB) services were similarly affected. Integrated, multi-disease diagnostic services were proposed solutions to mitigate these disruptions. We describe and evaluate the effect of an integrated, hospital-based COVID-19, TB and HIV screening and diagnostic model in two rural districts in Lesotho, during the period between December 2020 and August 2022. Adults, hospital staff, and children above 5 years attending two hospitals were pre-screened for COVID-19 and TB symptoms. After a positive pre-screening, participants were offered to enroll in a service model that included clinical evaluation, chest radiography, SARS-CoV-2, TB, and HIV testing. Participants diagnosed with COVID-19, TB, or HIV were contacted after 28 days to evaluate their health status and linkage to HIV and/or TB care services. Of the 179160 participants pre-screened, 6623(3.7%) pre-screened positive, and 4371(66%) were enrolled in this service model. Of the total 458 diagnoses, only 17 happened in children. One positive rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 was found per 11 participants enrolled, one Xpert-positive TB case was diagnosed per 85 people enrolled, and 1 new HIV diagnosis was done per 182 people enrolled. Of the 321(82.9%) participants contacted after 28 days of diagnosis, 304(94.7%) reported to be healthy. Of the individuals that were newly diagnosed with HIV or TB, 18/24(75.0%) and 46/51(90.1%) started treatment within 28 days of the diagnosis. This screening and diagnostic model successfully maintained same-day, integrated COVID-19, TB, and HIV testing services, despite frequent disruptions caused by the surge of COVID-19 waves, healthcare seeking patterns, and the volatile context (social measures, travel restrictions, population lockdowns). There were positive effects in avoiding diagnostic delays and ensuring linkage to services, however, diagnostic yields for adults and children were low. To inform future preparedness plans, research will need to identify essential health interventions and how to optimize them along each phase of the emergency response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Moniek Bresser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Lebohang Chere
- Butha-Buthe District Health Management Team, Butha-Buthe, Ministry of Health Lesotho, Maseru, Lesotho
| | - Mosa Tlahali
- Mokhotlong District Health Management Team, Mokhotlong, Ministry of Health Lesotho, Maseru, Lesotho
| | - Rahel Milena Erhardt
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Irene Ayakaka
- SolidarMed, Partnerships for Health, Maseru, Lesotho
| | - Tracy R Glass
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Morten Ruhwald
- FIND, the Global Alliance for Diagnostics, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bram van Ginneken
- Diagnostic Image Analysis Group, Radboud UMC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Keelin Murphy
- Diagnostic Image Analysis Group, Radboud UMC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Alain Amstutz
- CLEAR Methods Center, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mathabo Mareka
- National Reference Laboratory, Ministry of Health of Lesotho, Maseru, Lesotho
| | | | - Klaus Reither
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lucia González Fernández
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Division Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- SolidarMed, Partnerships for Health, Lucerne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|