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Shen Y, Franks J, Reidy W, Olsen H, Wang C, Mushimbele N, Mazala RT, Tchissambou T, Malele F, Kilundu A, Bingham T, Djomand G, Mukinda E, Ewetola R, Abrams EJ, Teasdale CA. Pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake concerns in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Key population and healthcare workers perspectives. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280977. [PMID: 37917646 PMCID: PMC10621847 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280977] [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: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Key populations (KP) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including female sex workers (SW), are disproportionally affected by HIV. Quantitative feedback surveys were conducted at seven health facilities in DRC with 70 KP clients enrolled in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services to measure benefits and concerns. The surveys also assessed satisfaction with PrEP services and experiences of stigma at the health facilities. Thirty healthcare workers (HCW) were surveyed to measure attitudes, beliefs, and acceptability of providing services to KP. KP client survey participants were primarily female SW. KP clients reported that the primary concern about taking PrEP was fear of side effects (67%) although few KP reported having experienced side effect (14%). HCW concurred with clients that experienced and anticipated side effects were a primary PrEP uptake concern, along with costs of clinic visits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhan Shen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, NY, United States of America
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, CUNY SPH, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Julie Franks
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - William Reidy
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Halli Olsen
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Chunhui Wang
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States of America
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Trista Bingham
- Division of Global HIV & TB, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Gaston Djomand
- Division of Global HIV & TB, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Elie Mukinda
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kinshasa, DRC
| | - Raimi Ewetola
- Democratic Republic of the Congo Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kinshasa, DRC
| | - Elaine J. Abrams
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Chloe A. Teasdale
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, NY, United States of America
- Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, CUNY SPH, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States of America
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Khatri RB, Assefa Y. Drivers of the Australian Health System towards Health Care for All: A Scoping Review and Qualitative Synthesis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 2023:6648138. [PMID: 37901893 PMCID: PMC10611547 DOI: 10.1155/2023/6648138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Background Australia has made significant progress towards universal access to primary health care (PHC) services. However, disparities in the utilisation of health services and health status remain challenges in achieving the global target of universal health coverage (UHC). This scoping review aimed at synthesizing the drivers of PHC services towards UHC in Australia. Methods We conducted a scoping review of the literature published from 1 January 2010 to 30 July 2021 in three databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. Search terms were identified under four themes: health services, Australia, UHC, and successes or challenges. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. Drivers (facilitators and barriers) of PHC services were explained by employing a multilevel framework that included the proximal level (at the level of users and providers), intermediate level (organisational and community level), and distal level (macrosystem or distal/structural level). Results A total of 114 studies were included in the review. Australia has recorded several successes in increased utilisation of PHC services, resulting in an overall improvement in health status. However, challenges remain in poor access and high unmet needs of health services among disadvantaged/priority populations (e.g., immigrants and Indigenous groups), those with chronic illnesses (multiple chronic conditions), and those living in rural and remote areas. Several drivers have contributed in access to and utilisation of health services (especially among priority populations)operating at multilevel health systems, such as proximal level drivers (health literacy, users' language, access to health facilities, providers' behaviours, quantity and competency of health workforce, and service provision at health facilities), intermediate drivers (community engagement, health programs, planning and monitoring, and funding), and distal (structural) drivers (socioeconomic disparities and discriminations). Conclusion Australia has had several successes towards UHC. However, access to health services poses significant challenges among specific priority populations and rural residents. To achieve universality and equity of health services, health system efforts (supply- and demand-side policies, programs and service interventions) are required to be implemented in multilevel health systems. Implementation of targeted health policy and program approaches are needed to provide comprehensive PHC and address the effects of structural disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Resham B. Khatri
- Health Social Science and Development Research Institute, Kathmandu, Nepal
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Yibeltal Assefa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Estcourt CS, MacDonald J, Saunders J, Nandwani R, Young I, Frankis J, Clutterbuck D, Steedman N, McDaid L, Dalrymple J, Flowers P. Improving HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake and initiation: process evaluation and recommendation development from a national PrEP program<a href="#FN1"> †</a>. Sex Health 2023; 20:282-295. [PMID: 37603534 DOI: 10.1071/sh22170] [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: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is key to HIV transmission elimination but implementation is challenging and under-researched. We undertook a process evaluation of the first 2years of a national PrEP program to explore barriers and facilitators to implementation and to develop recommendations to improve implementation, focusing on PrEP uptake and initiation. METHODS Stage 1 involved semi-structured telephone interviews and focus groups (September 2018-July 2019) with geographically and demographically diverse patients seeking/using/declining/stopping PrEP (n =39), sexual healthcare professionals (n =54), community-based organisation service users (n =9) and staff (n =15) across Scotland. We used deductive thematic analysis, to derive and then map key barriers and facilitators to priority areas that experts agreed would enhance uptake and initiation. In Stage 2, we used analytic tools from implementation science to systematically generate evidence-based, theoretically-informed recommendations to enhance uptake and initiation of PrEP. RESULTS Barriers and facilitators were multi-levelled and interdependent. Barriers included the rapid pace of implementation without additional resource, and a lack of familiarity with PrEP prescribing. Facilitators included opportunities for acquisition of practice-based knowledge and normalisation of initiation activities. We refined our 68 'long-list' recommendations to 41 using expert input and the APEASE (Acceptability, Practicability, Effectiveness, Affordability, Side-effects, and Equity) criteria. Examples include: provision of PrEP in diverse settings to reach all in need; co-produced, culturally sensitive training resources for healthcare professionals, with focused content on non-daily dosing; meaningful collaborative working across all stakeholders. CONCLUSIONS These evidence-based, theory informed recommendations provide a robust framework for optimising PrEP uptake and initiation in diverse settings to ensure PrEP reaches all who may benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia S Estcourt
- School of Health & Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK; and Sandyford Sexual Health Services, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, 6 Sandyford Place, Glasgow G3 7NB, UK
| | - Jennifer MacDonald
- School of Health & Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK
| | - John Saunders
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, Mortimer Market Centre, London WC1E 6JB, UK; and HPA Health Protection Services, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK
| | - Rak Nandwani
- Sandyford Sexual Health Services, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, 6 Sandyford Place, Glasgow G3 7NB, UK; and College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Ingrid Young
- Centre for Biomedicine, Self & Society, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, UK
| | - Jamie Frankis
- School of Health & Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK
| | - Dan Clutterbuck
- Chalmers Sexual Health Centre, NHS Lothian, 2A Chalmers Street, Edinburgh EH3 9ES, UK
| | - Nicola Steedman
- Chief Medical Officer Directorate, Scottish Government, St Andrew's House, Regent Road, Edinburgh, EH1 3DG, UK
| | - Lisa McDaid
- Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia
| | - Jenny Dalrymple
- School of Health & Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK
| | - Paul Flowers
- School of Psychological Sciences & Health, University of Strathclyde, 16 Richmond Street, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK
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Sudarto B, Chow EPF, Medland N, Fairley CK, Wright EJ, Armishaw J, Price B, Phillips TR, Ong JJ. "How PrEPared are you?": Knowledge of and attitudes toward PrEP among overseas-born and newly arrived gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Australia. Front Public Health 2022; 10:946771. [PMID: 36062118 PMCID: PMC9437584 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.946771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Overseas-born and newly arrived gay and bisexual men and men who have sex with men (GBMSM) are at higher risk of acquiring HIV in comparison to Australian-born GBMSM. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is subsidized by the Australian government under Medicare, Australia's universal health insurance scheme, however many members of this population are Medicare-ineligible, which could prevent them from accessing PrEP. We wanted to explore participants' knowledge of and attitudes toward PrEP and their opinions of new PrEP modalities, namely injectable PrEP and PrEP implants. Methods We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews between February 2021 to September 2021 with 22 overseas-born, newly arrived (<5 years in Australia) GBMSM of varying PrEP use. We asked their opinions of PrEP and their preferences of new PrEP modalities. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. We conducted a reflexive thematic analysis to interpret the data. Results Participants' views reflect the intersections between systemic factors, such as Medicare ineligibility and the high cost of PrEP, with socio-cultural factors, such as lack of knowledge about PrEP, internalized stigma stemming from homo- and sex-negativity, and stigmatizing attitudes toward PrEP and PrEP users. For participants who were on PrEP, being community connected, having a positive relationship with doctors and nurses, and being informed of the option to purchase PrEP from overseas pharmacies at a low cost helped them to overcome some of these barriers. Additionally, there was a strong preference for injectable PrEP but not PrEP implants. Participants stressed the importance of providing a comprehensive information about PrEP specific to this population and to make PrEP free for all. Conclusions We concluded that resources about PrEP specific to this population that address both systemic and socio-cultural factors are needed, and for these resources to be available in languages other than English. This is to coincide with on-going advocacy to increase the capacity of publicly funded sexual health clinics to provide multilingual PrEP services for people without Medicare, and to make PrEP free for all. These combined strategies have the potential to increase PrEP knowledge and uptake among this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Budiadi Sudarto
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,*Correspondence: Budiadi Sudarto
| | - Eric P. F. Chow
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicholas Medland
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher K. Fairley
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Edwina J. Wright
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jude Armishaw
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Brian Price
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tiffany R. Phillips
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jason J. Ong
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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