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Evangeli M, Gnan G, Musiime V, Fidler S, Seeley J, Frize G, Uwizera A, Lisi M, Foster C. The HIV Empowering Adults' Decisions to Share: UK/Uganda (HEADS-UP) Study-A Randomised Feasibility Trial of an HIV Disclosure Intervention for Young Adults with Perinatally Acquired HIV. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:1947-1964. [PMID: 38491226 PMCID: PMC11161430 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04294-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Young adults with perinatally acquired HIV (PAH) face numerous challenges, including antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, managing onward HIV transmission risks and maintaining wellbeing. Sharing one's HIV status with others (onward HIV disclosure) may assist with these challenges but this is difficult. We developed and tested the feasibility of an intervention to help HIV status sharing decision-making for young adults with PAH. The study used a randomised parallel group feasibility design with 18-25-year-olds in Uganda and 18-29 year-olds in the UK. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention or standard of care (SOC) condition. The intervention consisted of four sessions (3 group, 1 individual) with follow-up support, delivered in person in Uganda and remotely in the UK. Assessments were carried out at: Pre-intervention /baseline; Post-intervention (intervention group only); Six-month follow-up. 142 participants were recruited (94 Uganda, 48 UK; 89 female, 53 male). At six-month follow-up, 92/94 (98%) participants were retained in Uganda, 25/48 (52%) in the UK. Multivariate analysis of combined data from both countries, showed a non-significant effect of intervention condition on HIV disclosure cognitions and affect (p = 0.08) and HIV disclosure intention (p = 0.09). There was a significant intervention effect on well-being (p = 0.005). This study addressed important gaps in understanding acceptable and feasible ways of delivering HIV status sharing support for young people living with PAH across two very different settings. The intervention was acceptable in both countries and feasible in Uganda. In the UK, retention may have been affected by its remote delivery.Trial registration: ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN31852047, Registered on 21 January 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Evangeli
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK.
| | - Georgina Gnan
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Victor Musiime
- Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Joint Clinical Research Centre, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sarah Fidler
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, Imperial College NIHR BRC, London, UK
| | - Janet Seeley
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Graham Frize
- Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Matteo Lisi
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
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Kabriku PC, Ansah EW, Hagan JE. Positive Status Disclosure and Sexual Risk Behavior Changes among People Living with HIV in the Northern Region of Ghana. Infect Dis Rep 2023; 15:255-266. [PMID: 37218817 DOI: 10.3390/idr15030026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate sexual behavior changes adopted by People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLHIV) on Antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the Northern Region of Ghana. METHODS We employed a cross-sectional survey with a questionnaire to collect data from 900 clients from 9 major ART centers within the region. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were applied to the data. RESULTS More than 50% of PLHIV on ART use condoms, reduce sexual partners, practice abstinence, reduce unprotected sex with married/regular partners, and avoid casual sex. Fear of others getting to know patients' HIV-positive status (χ2 = 7.916, p = 0.005), stigma (χ2 = 5.201, p = 0.023), and fear of loss of family support (χ2 = 4.211, p = 0.040) significantly predict non-disclosure of HIV-positive status among the participants. Change in sexual behavior is influenced by the following: "to avoid spreading the disease to others" (R2 = 0.043, F (1, 898) = 40.237, p < 0.0005), "to avoid contracting other STIs" (R2 = 0.010, F (1, 898) = 8.937, p < 0.0005), "to live long" (R2 = 0.038, F (1, 898) = 35.816, p < 0.0005), "to hide HIV-positive status" (R2 = 0.038, F (1, 898) = 35.587, p < 0.0005), "to achieve good results from ART treatment" (R2 = 0.005, F (1, 898) = 4. 282, p < 0.05), and "to live a Godly life" (R2 = 0.023, F (1, 898) = 20. 880, p < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS High self-disclosure rate of HIV-positive status was identified, with participants disclosing to their spouses or parents. Reasons for disclosure and non-disclosure differed from person to person.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward Wilson Ansah
- Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - John Elvis Hagan
- Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
- Neurocognition and Action-Biomechanics-Research Group, Faculty of Psychology and Sport Sciences, Bielefeld University, Postfach 10 01 31, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany
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Pashaei Z, Oskouie F, Moradi-Lakeh M, Jahanfar S, Haghani S. HIV serostatus disclosure to sexual partner: a survey among women in Tehran, Iran. Eur J Med Res 2022; 27:56. [PMID: 35395935 PMCID: PMC8994217 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-022-00663-6] [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: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disclosure of HIV-positive status in women is associated with many factors. Consequently, status disclosure remains a challenge for Iranian women living with HIV. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, related factors, and reflections of HIV-positive status disclosure to a sexual partner(s) among Iranian women living with HIV. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on 170 HIV-seropositive women. Participants were selected from patients registered in the largest HIV clinic and HIV-positive club of Iran. The "HIV disclosure" questionnaire had 38-items and all the interviews were administered by the researcher. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 software. We used a logistic regression method to calculate the crude odds ratio (COR) and the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for self-disclosure as the independent predictor variable and the dependent variable, respectively. RESULTS One hundred and seventy HIV-positive women were enrolled. Most of them had disclosed their HIV status to at least one person (94.1%) and their sexual partners (86.5%). In the univariate analysis, being married (COR = 18.66, 95% CI 5.63-61.87), living with a sexual partner (COR = 4.72, 95% CI 1.92-11.62), being aware of sexual partners' HIV status (COR = 6.20, 95% CI 1.79-21.49), and gaining the support of sexual partner (COR = 9.08, 95% CI 3.48-23.64) were associated with higher odds of HIV status disclosure. In the multivariate analysis, being aware of sexual partners' HIV status, and gaining the support of sexual partners remained associated with HIV status disclosure. Most women reported a positive reflection from their sexual partners after disclosure, however, negative reflections from society were more common compared to sexual partners and family members. CONCLUSION This study shows high overall HIV disclosure proportions. It should be noted that a large number of women were infected by their sexual partners, especially by their spouses. The high rate of transmission in married people indicates an urgent need for more emphasis on appropriate prevention behaviors by infected partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Pashaei
- Department of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS (IRCHA), Iran Nursing Care, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Oskouie
- Nursing Care Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Maziar Moradi-Lakeh
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shayesteh Jahanfar
- MPH Program, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Shima Haghani
- Nursing Care Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Schatz E, David I, Angotti N, Gómez-Olivé FX, Mojola SA. From "Secret" to "Sensitive Issue": Shifting Ideas About HIV Disclosure Among Middle-Aged and Older Rural South Africans in the Era of Antiretroviral Treatment. J Aging Health 2021; 34:14-24. [PMID: 34027688 DOI: 10.1177/08982643211020202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE As HIV shifts from "death sentence" to "chronic condition," disclosure of HIV status to intimate partners and family is a significant component of both prevention and treatment adherence. While disclosure is closely considered in many studies, few examine middle-aged and older persons' (age 40+) perspectives or practices. We trace older rural South Africans' views on HIV disclosure to their partners and family members in a high prevalence community over a period of extensive antiretroviral treatment (ART) rollout. METHODS Community focus group discussions (FGD) conducted in 2013 and 2018 show shifts in older persons' thinking about HIV disclosure. FINDINGS Our FGD participants saw fewer negative consequences of disclosure in 2018 than in 2013, and highlighted positive outcomes including building trust (partners) as well as greater support for medication collection and adherence (family). DISCUSSION Particularly as the epidemic ages in South Africa and globally, tracing changes in older persons' views on disclosure is an important step in developing messaging that could enhance treatment as prevention and ART adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enid Schatz
- University of Missouri14716, Columbia, MO, USA.,37708MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Nicole Angotti
- 37708MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,8363American University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - F Xavier Gómez-Olivé
- 37708MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sanyu A Mojola
- 37708MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,6740Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
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Boye S, Bouaré S, Ky-Zerbo O, Rouveau N, Simo Fotso A, d'Elbée M, Silhol R, Maheu-Giroux M, Vautier A, Breton G, Keita A, Bekelynck A, Desclaux A, Larmarange J, Pourette D. Challenges of HIV Self-Test Distribution for Index Testing When HIV Status Disclosure Is Low: Preliminary Results of a Qualitative Study in Bamako (Mali) as Part of the ATLAS Project. Front Public Health 2021; 9:653543. [PMID: 34095059 PMCID: PMC8170018 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.653543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Context: The rate of HIV status disclosure to partners is low in Mali, a West African country with a national HIV prevalence of 1.2%. HIV self-testing (HIVST) could increase testing coverage among partners of people living with HIV (PLHIV). The AutoTest-VIH, Libre d'accéder à la connaissance de son Statut (ATLAS) program was launched in West Africa with the objective of distributing nearly half a million HIV self-tests from 2019 to 2021 in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal. The ATLAS program integrates several research activities. This article presents the preliminary results of the qualitative study of the ATLAS program in Mali. This study aims to improve our understanding of the practices, limitations and issues related to the distribution of HIV self-tests to PLHIV so that they can offer the tests to their sexual partners. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2019 in an HIV care clinic in Bamako. It consisted of (i) individual interviews with eight health professionals involved in the distribution of HIV self-tests; (ii) 591 observations of medical consultations, including social service consultations, with PLHIV; (iii) seven observations of peer educator-led PLHIV group discussions. The interviews with health professionals and the observations notes have been subject to content analysis. Results: HIVST was discussed in only 9% of the observed consultations (51/591). When HIVST was discussed, the discussion was almost always initiated by the health professional rather than PLHIV. HIVST was discussed infrequently because, in most of the consultations, it was not appropriate to propose partner HIVST (e.g., when PLHIV were widowed, did not have partners, or had delegated someone to renew their prescriptions). Some PLHIV had not disclosed their HIV status to their partners. Dispensing HIV self-tests was time-consuming, and medical consultations were very short. Three main barriers to HIVST distribution when HIV status had not been disclosed to partners were identified: (1) almost all health professionals avoided offering HIVST to PLHIV when they thought or knew that the PLHIV had not disclosed their HIV status to partners; (2) PLHIV were reluctant to offer HIVST to their partners if they had not disclosed their HIV-positive status to them; (3) there was limited use of strategies to support the disclosure of HIV status. Conclusion: It is essential to strengthen strategies to support the disclosure of HIV+ status. It is necessary to develop a specific approach for the provision of HIV self-tests for the partners of PLHIV by rethinking the involvement of stakeholders. This approach should provide them with training tailored to the issues related to the (non)disclosure of HIV status and gender inequalities, and improving counseling for PLHIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sokhna Boye
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
| | | | - Odette Ky-Zerbo
- TransVIHMI (IRD, Université de Montpellier, INSERM), Montpellier, France
| | - Nicolas Rouveau
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Arlette Simo Fotso
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Marc d'Elbée
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Romain Silhol
- UK Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Abdelaye Keita
- Département qualité sécurité et sécurité biologique, Institut National de Santé Publique, Bamako, Mali
| | - Anne Bekelynck
- Programme PAC-CI, ANRS Research Site, Treichville University Hospital, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Alice Desclaux
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Transvihmi (IRD, INSERM, Montpellier University), Montpellier, France.,CRCF, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Joseph Larmarange
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Dolorès Pourette
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
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Goodwin T, Gregson S, Maswera R, Moorhouse L, Nyamukapa C. Understanding the determinants and consequences of HIV status disclosure in Manicaland, Zimbabwe: cross-sectional and prospective analyses. AIDS Care 2021; 33:1577-1594. [PMID: 33813969 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2021.1883507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Few longitudinal studies have measured trends and effects of disclosure over ART scale-up in general-population samples. We investigated levels, determinants and outcomes of disclosure to relatives and partners in a large general-population cohort in Zimbabwe. Trends in disclosure levels from 2003 to 2013 were analysed, and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify determinants. Longitudinal analyses were conducted testing associations between disclosure and prevention/treatment-related outcomes. Disclosure to anyone increased from 79% to 100% in men and from 63% to 98% in women from 2003 to 2008; but declined to 89% in both sexes in 2012-2013. More women than men disclosed to relatives (67.8% versus 44.4%; p < 0.001) but fewer women disclosed to partners (85.3% versus 95.0%; p < 0.001). In 2012-2013,secondary/higher education, being single, and experience of stigma were associated with disclosure to relatives in both sexes. Partner characteristics and HIV-group attendance were associated with disclosure to partners for women. Reactions to disclosure were generally supportive but less so for females than males disclosing to partners (92.0% versus 97.4%). Partner disclosure was weakly associated (p < 0.08) with having had a CD4 count or taken ART at follow-up in females. To conclude, this study shows disclosure is vital to HIV prevention and treatment, and programmes to facilitate disclosure should be re-invigorated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon Gregson
- Imperial College London, London, UK.,Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | | | - Constance Nyamukapa
- Imperial College London, London, UK.,Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Rouveau N, Ky-Zerbo O, Boye S, Fotso AS, d'Elbée M, Maheu-Giroux M, Silhol R, Kouassi AK, Vautier A, Doumenc-Aïdara C, Breton G, Keita A, Ehui E, Ndour CT, Boilly MC, Terris-Prestholt F, Pourette D, Desclaux A, Larmarange J. Describing, analysing and understanding the effects of the introduction of HIV self-testing in West Africa through the ATLAS programme in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Senegal. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:181. [PMID: 33478470 PMCID: PMC7818756 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10212-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ATLAS programme aims to promote and implement HIV self-testing (HIVST) in three West African countries: Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal. During 2019-2021, in close collaboration with the national AIDS implementing partners and communities, ATLAS plans to distribute 500,000 HIVST kits through eight delivery channels, combining facility-based, community-based strategies, primary and secondary distribution of HIVST. Considering the characteristics of West African HIV epidemics, the targets of the ATLAS programme are hard-to-reach populations: key populations (female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and drug users), their clients or sexual partners, partners of people living with HIV and patients diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections and their partners. The ATLAS programme includes research support implementation to generate evidence for HIVST scale-up in West Africa. The main objective is to describe, analyse and understand the social, health, epidemiological effects and cost-effectiveness of HIVST introduction in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Senegal to improve the overall HIV testing strategy (accessibility, efficacy, ethics). METHODS ATLAS research is organised into five multidisciplinary workpackages (WPs): Key Populations WP: qualitative surveys (individual in-depth interviews, focus group discussions) conducted with key actors, key populations, and HIVST users. Index testing WP: ethnographic observation of three HIV care services introducing HIVST for partner testing. Coupons survey WP: an anonymous telephone survey of HIVST users. Cost study WP: incremental economic cost analysis of each delivery model using a top-down costing with programmatic data, complemented by a bottom-up costing of a representative sample of HIVST distribution sites, and a time-motion study for health professionals providing HIVST. Modelling WP: Adaptation, parameterisation and calibration of a dynamic compartmental model that considers the varied populations targeted by the ATLAS programme and the different testing modalities and strategies. DISCUSSION ATLAS is the first comprehensive study on HIV self-testing in West Africa. The ATLAS programme focuses particularly on the secondary distribution of HIVST. This protocol was approved by three national ethic committees and the WHO's Ethical Research Committee.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Rouveau
- Ceped (Centre Population & Développement UMR 196), IRD, Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France.
| | - Odette Ky-Zerbo
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Transvihmi (UMI 233 IRD, 1175 INSERM, Montpellier University), Montpellier, France
| | - Sokhna Boye
- Ceped (Centre Population & Développement UMR 196), IRD, Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Arlette Simo Fotso
- Ceped (Centre Population & Développement UMR 196), IRD, Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Marc d'Elbée
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, QC, H3A 1A2, Canada
| | - Romain Silhol
- Analysis Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Arsène Kra Kouassi
- Ceped (Centre Population & Développement UMR 196), IRD, Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Abdelaye Keita
- Institut National de Recherche en Santé Publique (INRSP), Bamako, Mali
| | - Eboi Ehui
- Programme National de Lutte contre le Sida, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Cheikh Tidiane Ndour
- Division de Lutte contre le Sida et les IST, Ministère de la Santé et de l'Action sociale, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Marie-Claude Boilly
- Analysis Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Dolorès Pourette
- Ceped (Centre Population & Développement UMR 196), IRD, Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Alice Desclaux
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Transvihmi (UMI 233 IRD, 1175 INSERM, Montpellier University), Montpellier, France.,CRCF, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Joseph Larmarange
- Ceped (Centre Population & Développement UMR 196), IRD, Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
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Patterns and Predictors of HIV Status Disclosure in the 12 Months After Diagnosis in Mozambique. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2021; 84:242-252. [PMID: 32084049 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV disclosure benefits people living with HIV, their partners, and HIV programs. However, data on the prevalence of disclosure and associated correlates have come largely from patients already in HIV care, potentially overestimating disclosure rates and precluding examination of the impact of disclosure on HIV care outcomes. SETTING We used data from an implementation study conducted in Maputo City and Inhambane Province, Mozambique. Adults were enrolled at HIV testing clinics after diagnosis and traced in the community 1 and 12 months later when they reported on disclosure and other outcomes. METHODS We examined patterns of participants' disclosure to their social networks (N = 1573) and sexual partners (N = 1024) at both follow-up assessments and used relative risk regression to identify correlates of nondisclosure. RESULTS Disclosure to one's social network and sexual partners was reported by 77.8% and 57.7% of participants, respectively, at 1 month and 92.9% and 72.4% of participants, respectively, at 12 months. At both time points, living in Inhambane Province, being single or not living with a partner, having high levels of anticipated stigma, and not initiating HIV treatment were associated with increased risks of nondisclosure to social networks. Nondisclosure to sexual partners at both follow-up assessments was associated with being women, living in Inhambane Province and in a household without other people living with HIV, and reporting that posttest counseling addressed disclosure. CONCLUSIONS Although reported disclosure to social networks was high, disclosure to sexual partners was suboptimal. Effective and acceptable approaches to support partner disclosure, particularly for women, are needed.
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Evangeli M, Foster C, Musiime V, Fidler S, Seeley J, Gnan G. A randomised feasibility trial of an intervention to support sharing of HIV status for 18-25-year olds living with perinatally acquired HIV compared with standard care: HIV Empowering Adults' Decisions to Share-UK/Uganda Project (HEADS-UP). Pilot Feasibility Stud 2020; 6:141. [PMID: 32999731 PMCID: PMC7517800 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-020-00688-w] [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: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract Background Young adults with perinatally acquired HIV (PAH) face several challenges, including adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART), managing the risk of onward HIV transmission and maintaining positive well-being. Sharing one’s HIV status with others (onward HIV disclosure) may assist with these challenges by facilitating emotional and practical support. Rates of HIV status sharing are, however, low in this population. There are no existing interventions focused on sharing one’s HIV status for young adults living with PAH. The HEADS-UP study is designed to develop and test the feasibility of an intervention to help the sharing of HIV status for young adults with PAH. Methods The study is a 30-month multi-site randomised feasibility study across both a high-income/low-HIV prevalence country (UK) and a low-income/high-HIV prevalence country (Uganda). Phase 1 (12 months) will involve developing the intervention using qualitative interviews with 20 young people living with PAH (ten in the UK—18 to 29 years; ten in Uganda—18 to 25 years), 20 of their social network (friends, family, sexual partners as defined by the young person; ten in the UK, ten in Uganda) and ten professionals with experience working with young adults with PAH (five in the UK, five in Uganda). Phase 2 (18 months) involves conducting a randomised feasibility parallel group trial of the intervention alongside current standard of care condition in each country (main study) with 18- to 25-year olds with PAH. A sample size of 94 participants per condition (intervention or standard of care; 188 participants in total: 47 in each condition in each country) with data at both the baseline and 6-month follow-up time points, across UK and Ugandan sites will be recruited. Participants in the intervention condition will also complete measures immediately post-intervention. Face-to-face interviews will be conducted with ten participants in both countries immediately post-intervention and at 6-month follow-up (sub-study). Discussion This study will be the first trial that we are aware of to address important gaps in understanding acceptable and feasible ways of delivering HIV status sharing support for young people living with PAH. Trial registration ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN31852047, Registered on 21 January, 2019. Study sponsor: Royal Holloway University of London. Sponsor contact: alicen.nickson@rhul.ac.uk. Date and version: April 2020. Protocol version 3.5.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Victor Musiime
- Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.,Joint Clinical Research Centre, Lubowa, Uganda
| | - Sarah Fidler
- Imperial College London, Department of Infectious Disease, London, UK.,Imperial College NIHR BRC, London, UK
| | - Janet Seeley
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Georgina Gnan
- Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, UK
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Lifson AR, Workneh S, Hailemichael A, MacLehose RF, Horvath KJ, Hilk R, Sites A, Shenie T. Disclosure of HIV status among patients new to HIV care in Southern Ethiopia: role of perceived social support and other factors. AIDS Care 2020; 33:1133-1138. [PMID: 32613851 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2020.1785999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Reports from Sub-Saharan Africa, with a large HIV-infected population, vary widely in how often HIV status is disclosed to others, including spouses and other partners. We surveyed 1799 Ethiopian HIV patients newly enrolled in care within the previous 3 months at one of 32 local hospitals and health centers about disclosure of HIV status and two perceived social support domains: emotional/informational (EI) and tangible assistance (TA) support. Disclosure to another person was reported by 1389 (77%) persons. Disclosure rates to specific persons were: spouses or other partners = 74%; mothers = 24%; fathers = 16%; children = 26%; other family members = 37%; friends = 19%, and neighbors/other community members = 13%. Disclosure to another person was associated with higher social support scores on both EI and TA domains, marriage, and a longer time knowing HIV status. In multivariate adjusted models, disclosure to any person, as well as disclosure specifically to a spouse or partner, were associated with higher EI and higher TA social support scores. Provision of knowledgeable and emotionally supportive assistance can be an important factor in facilitating HIV disclosure. Helping persons with HIV decide who to disclose to and how to do so in the most positive manner is an essential component of HIV care and support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan R Lifson
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Sale Workneh
- National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, Ethiopian Office, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abera Hailemichael
- National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, Ethiopian Office, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Richard F MacLehose
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Keith J Horvath
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Rose Hilk
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Anne Sites
- National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, Global Program, Washington DC, USA
| | - Tibebe Shenie
- National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, Ethiopian Office, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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11
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Gibbs C, Melvin D, Foster C, Evangeli M. 'I don't even know how to start that kind of conversation': HIV communication between mothers and adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV. J Health Psychol 2018; 25:1341-1354. [PMID: 29402139 DOI: 10.1177/1359105318755544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Young people with perinatally acquired HIV are now surviving into late adolescence and adulthood. We explored HIV communication within mother/adolescent dyads following naming of the adolescents' HIV. Five adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV (14-16 years) and their biological mothers were interviewed separately. HIV communication between mothers and children was rare. Discussion most commonly related to biomedical aspects of HIV. Onward HIV disclosure was discouraged by mothers, which often contrasted with adolescents' beliefs. Discussing emotional and sexual aspects of HIV was mutually avoided. Culturally sensitive support and guidance should be offered to families about discussing HIV, considering potentially differing perspectives.
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12
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Bernier A, Yattassaye A, Beaulieu-Prévost D, Otis J, Henry E, Flores-Aranda J, Massie L, Préau M, Keita BD. Empowering Malian women living with HIV regarding serostatus disclosure management: Short-term effects of a community-based intervention. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2018; 101:248-255. [PMID: 28789863 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2017.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess the short-term effects of Gundo-So-a program aimed at empowering Malian women living with HIV (WLHIV) regarding serostatus disclosure management. METHODS A pre-experimental study with two measures (one week before and four weeks after Gundo-So) was carried out. A 35-item questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of 210 WLHIV. Six outcomes were considered: ability to decide whether or not to disclose HIV status, self-efficacy to keep HIV status a secret, self-efficacy to disclose HIV status, feeling crushed by the weight of secrecy, perceived physical health, and perceived psychological health. For each outcome, temporal changes associated with the intervention were assessed using linear regressions with random intercepts. RESULTS Statistically significant change was observed for all six outcomes between the pre- and post-intervention measures. Furthermore, several variables were associated with the baseline levels of the outcomes and the intervention effect. CONCLUSION The results suggest that Gundo-So empowers Malian WLHIV with regard to serostatus disclosure management, thus improving their perceived physical and psychological health. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS These results highlight the need for programs to empower WLHIV regarding serostatus disclosure, so that WLHIV can make free and informed decisions regarding serostatus disclosure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Joanne Otis
- Sexology department, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | | | | | - Lyne Massie
- Sexology department, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Canada
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13
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Matthews LT, Burns BF, Bajunirwe F, Kabakyenga J, Bwana M, Ng C, Kastner J, Kembabazi A, Sanyu N, Kusasira A, Haberer JE, Bangsberg DR, Kaida A. Beyond HIV-serodiscordance: Partnership communication dynamics that affect engagement in safer conception care. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0183131. [PMID: 28880892 PMCID: PMC5589112 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We explored acceptability and feasibility of safer conception methods among HIV-affected couples in Uganda. METHODS We recruited HIV-positive men and women on antiretroviral therapy (ART) ('index') from the Uganda Antiretroviral Rural Treatment Outcomes cohort who reported an HIV-negative or unknown-serostatus partner ('partner'), HIV-serostatus disclosure to partner, and personal or partner desire for a child within two years. We conducted in-depth interviews with 40 individuals from 20 couples, using a narrative approach with tailored images to assess acceptability of five safer conception strategies: ART for the infected partner, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for the uninfected partner, condomless sex timed to peak fertility, manual insemination, and male circumcision. Translated and transcribed data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS 11/20 index participants were women, median age of 32.5 years, median of 2 living children, and 80% had HIV-RNA <400 copies/mL. Awareness of HIV prevention strategies beyond condoms and abstinence was limited and precluded opportunity to explore or validly assess acceptability or feasibility of safer conception methods. Four key partnership communication challenges emerged as primary barriers to engagement in safer conception care, including: (1) HIV-serostatus disclosure: Although disclosure was an inclusion criterion, partners commonly reported not knowing the index partner's HIV status. Similarly, the partner's HIV-serostatus, as reported by the index, was frequently inaccurate. (2) Childbearing intention: Many couples had divergent childbearing intentions and made incorrect assumptions about their partner's desires. (3) HIV risk perception: Participants had disparate understandings of HIV transmission and disagreed on the acceptable level of HIV risk to meet reproductive goals. (4) Partnership commitment: Participants revealed significant discord in perceptions of partnership commitment. All four types of partnership miscommunication introduced constraints to autonomous reproductive decision-making, particularly for women. Such miscommunication was common, as only 2 of 20 partnerships in our sample were mutually-disclosed with agreement across all four communication themes. CONCLUSIONS Enthusiasm for safer conception programming is growing. Our findings highlight the importance of addressing gendered partnership communication regarding HIV disclosure, reproductive goals, acceptable HIV risk, and commitment, alongside technical safer conception advice. Failing to consider partnership dynamics across these domains risks limiting reach, uptake, adherence to, and retention in safer conception programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn T. Matthews
- Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Bridget F. Burns
- Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | | | | | - Mwebesa Bwana
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Courtney Ng
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Jasmine Kastner
- Research Institute McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Annet Kembabazi
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Naomi Sanyu
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Adrine Kusasira
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Jessica E. Haberer
- Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Division of General Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - David R. Bangsberg
- OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Portland, OR, United States of America
| | - Angela Kaida
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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Vasquez AL, Errea RA, Hoces D, Echevarria J, González-Lagos E, Gotuzzo E. Missed opportunities for HIV control: Gaps in HIV testing for partners of people living with HIV in Lima, Peru. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181412. [PMID: 28806412 PMCID: PMC5555572 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Based on the hypothesis that HIV programs struggle to deliver health services that harmonize necessities of treatment and prevention, we described the outcomes of routinely provided HIV testing to partners of people living with HIV (PLWH) through a secondary analysis of routine data collected at a public hospital in Lima, Peru. Methods Among PLWH enrolled in the study center’s HIV program between 2005 and 2014, we identified index cases (IC): PLWH who reported a unique partner not previously enrolled. We grouped partners according to their HIV status as reported by IC and collected data on HIV testing, clinical characteristics and admissions. The main outcome was the frequency of HIV testing among partners with reported unknown/seronegative HIV status. Results Out of 1586 PLWH who reported a unique partner at enrollment, 171 had a previously enrolled partner, leaving 1415 (89%) IC. HIV status of the partner was reported as unknown in 571 (40%), seronegative in 325 (23%) and seropositive in 519 (37%). Out of 896 partners in the unknown/seronegative group, 72 (8%) had HIV testing, 42/72 (58%) tested within three months of IC enrollment. Among the 49/72 (68%) who tested positive for HIV, 33 (67%) were enrolled in the HIV program. The proportion in WHO clinical stage IV was lower in enrolled partners compared to IC (37% vs 9%, p = 0.04). Non-tested partners (824) were likely reachable by the hospital, as 297/824 (36%) of their IC were admitted in the study center at least once, 51/243 (21%) female IC had received pregnancy care at the study center, and 401/692 (64%) of IC on antiretroviral therapy had achieved viral suppression, implying frequent visits to the hospital for pill pick-up. Conclusion In this setting, HIV testing of partners of PLWH was suboptimal, illustrating missed opportunities for HIV control. Integration of HIV strategies in primarily clinical-oriented services is a challenging need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana L. Vasquez
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- * E-mail:
| | - Renato A. Errea
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Daniel Hoces
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Juan Echevarria
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Departmento de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Tropicales y Dermatológicas, Hospital Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Elsa González-Lagos
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Eduardo Gotuzzo
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Departmento de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Tropicales y Dermatológicas, Hospital Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
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Bhatia DS, Harrison AD, Kubeka M, Milford C, Kaida A, Bajunirwe F, Wilson IB, Psaros C, Safren SA, Bangsberg DR, Smit JA, Matthews LT. The Role of Relationship Dynamics and Gender Inequalities As Barriers to HIV-Serostatus Disclosure: Qualitative Study among Women and Men Living with HIV in Durban, South Africa. Front Public Health 2017; 5:188. [PMID: 28824897 PMCID: PMC5534462 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This qualitative study investigated gender power inequalities as they contribute to relationship dynamics and HIV-serostatus disclosure among men and women living with HIV in Durban, South Africa. HIV serodiscordance among men and women within stable partnerships contributes to high HIV incidence in southern Africa, yet disclosure rates remain low. Given the emphasis on prevention for HIV-serodiscordant couples, this research supports the urgent need to explore how best to support couples to recognize that they are part of this priority population and to access appropriate prevention and treatment. METHODS Thirty-five in-depth individual interviews were conducted with 15 HIV-positive men and 20 HIV-positive women (not couples) receiving care at public-sector clinics near Durban. A structured coding scheme was developed to investigate men's and women's attitudes toward HIV-serostatus disclosure and behaviors of sharing (or not sharing) HIV serostatus with a partner. Narratives were analyzed for barriers and facilitators of disclosure through the lens of sociocultural gender inequality, focusing on reasons for non-disclosure. RESULTS Among 35 participants: median age was 33 years (men) and 30 years (women); average years since HIV diagnosis was 1 (men) and 1.5 (women). Four themes related to gender inequality and HIV-serostatus disclosure emerged: (1) Men and women fear disclosing to partners due to concerns about stigma and relationship dissolution, (2) suspicions and mistrust between partners underlies decisions for non-disclosure, (3) unequal, gendered power in relationships causes differential likelihood and safety of disclosure among men and women, and (4) incomplete or implicit disclosure are strategies to navigate disclosure challenges. Findings illustrate HIV-serostatus disclosure as a complex process evolving over time, rather than a one-time event. CONCLUSION Partner communication about HIV serostatus is infrequent and complicated, with gender inequalities contributing to fear, mistrust, and partial or implicit disclosure. Relationship dynamics and gender roles shape the environment within which men and women can engage successfully in the HIV-serostatus disclosure process. Integrated interventions to reduce barriers to trustful and effective communication are needed for HIV-affected men and women in partnerships in which seeking couples-based HIV counseling and testing (CHCT) is challenging or unlikely. These data offer insights to support HIV-serostatus disclosure strategies within relationships over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya S Bhatia
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Abigail D Harrison
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Muriel Kubeka
- Maternal Adolescent and Child Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of the Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa
| | - Cecilia Milford
- Maternal Adolescent and Child Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of the Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa
| | - Angela Kaida
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | | | - Ira B Wilson
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Christina Psaros
- Behavioral Medicine Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA, United States.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Steven A Safren
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - David R Bangsberg
- Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, United States.,Portland State University School of Public Health, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Jennifer A Smit
- Maternal Adolescent and Child Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of the Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa.,Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Lynn T Matthews
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Massachusetts General Hospital, Division of Global Health, Boston, MA, United States.,Massachusetts General Hospital, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA, United States
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16
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Maeri I, El Ayadi A, Getahun M, Charlebois E, Akatukwasa C, Tumwebaze D, Itiakorit H, Owino L, Kwarisiima D, Ssemmondo E, Sang N, Kabami J, Clark TD, Petersen M, Cohen CR, Bukusi EA, Kamya M, Havlir D, Camlin CS. "How can I tell?" Consequences of HIV status disclosure among couples in eastern African communities in the context of an ongoing HIV "test-and-treat" trial. AIDS Care 2017; 28 Suppl 3:59-66. [PMID: 27421052 PMCID: PMC5751752 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2016.1168917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
People living with HIV/AIDS anticipate HIV-related stigma and fear disclosure to intimate partners. Yet, disclosure is critical to reducing HIV transmission and improving care engagement. This qualitative study characterized HIV disclosure experiences and normative beliefs among couples in communities participating in an HIV test-and-treat trial in Kenya and Uganda (Sustainable East Africa Research in Community Health, NCT#01864603). In-depth interviews were conducted with care providers (n = 50), leaders (n = 32) and members (n = 112) of eight communities. Data were analyzed using grounded theoretical approaches and Atlas.ti software. Findings confirmed gender differences in barriers to disclosure: while both men and women feared blame and accusation, women also feared violence and abandonment (“I did not tell my husband because [what if] I tell him and he abandons me at the last moment when I am in labor?”). Positive consequences included partner support for increased care-seeking and adherence (“My husband keeps on reminding me ‘have you taken those drugs?’”) Yet negative consequences included partnership dissolution, blame, and reports of violence (“some men beat their wives just because of that [bringing HIV medications home]”). Among HIV-infected individuals in discordant relationships, men more often reported supportive spouses (“we normally share [HIV-risk-reduction strategies] since I have been infected and she is HIV negative”), than did women (“my husband refused to use condoms and even threatened to marry another wife”). Care providers lent support for HIV-positive women who wanted to engage partners in testing but feared negative consequences: “They engaged the two of us in a session and asked him if we could all test.” Findings demonstrate differing experiences and support needs of women and men living with HIV in eastern Africa, with HIV-positive women in discordant couples particularly vulnerable to negative consequences of disclosure. Efforts to strengthen capacity in health systems for gender-sensitive clinician- or counselor-assisted disclosure should be accelerated within test-and-treat efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Maeri
- a Centre for Microbiology Research , Kenya Medical Research Institute , Nairobi , Kenya
| | - Alison El Ayadi
- b Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences , University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Monica Getahun
- b Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences , University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Edwin Charlebois
- c Center for AIDS Prevention Studies , University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | | | | | | | - Lawrence Owino
- a Centre for Microbiology Research , Kenya Medical Research Institute , Nairobi , Kenya
| | | | | | - Norton Sang
- a Centre for Microbiology Research , Kenya Medical Research Institute , Nairobi , Kenya
| | - Jane Kabami
- d Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration , Kampala , Uganda
| | - Tamara D Clark
- f Department of HIV, Infectious Disease and Global Medicine , University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Maya Petersen
- g Divisions of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health , University of California , Berkeley , CA , USA
| | - Craig R Cohen
- b Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences , University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Elizabeth A Bukusi
- a Centre for Microbiology Research , Kenya Medical Research Institute , Nairobi , Kenya
| | - Moses Kamya
- d Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration , Kampala , Uganda.,h School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences , Kampala , Uganda
| | - Diane Havlir
- f Department of HIV, Infectious Disease and Global Medicine , University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Carol S Camlin
- b Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences , University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA.,c Center for AIDS Prevention Studies , University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
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17
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Akilimali PZ, Musumari PM, Kashala-Abotnes E, Kayembe PK, Lepira FB, Mutombo PB, Tylleskar T, Ali MM. Disclosure of HIV status and its impact on the loss in the follow-up of HIV-infected patients on potent anti-retroviral therapy programs in a (post-) conflict setting: A retrospective cohort study from Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0171407. [PMID: 28170410 PMCID: PMC5295697 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The study aimed to identify the impact of non-disclosure of HIV status on the loss to follow-up (LTFU) of patients receiving anti-retroviral therapy. METHODOLOGY A historic cohort of HIV patients from 2 major hospitals in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo was followed from 2004 to 2012. LTFU was defined as not taking an ART refill for a period of 3 months or longer since the last attendance, and had not yet been classified as 'dead' or 'transferred-out'. Kaplan-Meier plots were used to determine the probability of LTFU as a function of time as inclusive of the cohort. The log-rank test was used to compare survival curves based on determinants. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to measure predictors of LTFU from the time of treatment induction until December 15th, 2012 (the end-point). RESULTS The median follow-up time was 3.99 years (IQR = 2.33 to 5.59). Seventy percent of patients had shared their HIV status with others (95% CI: 66.3-73.1). The proportion of LTFU was 12% (95%CI: 9.6-14.4). Patients who did not share their HIV status (Adjusted HR 2.28, 95% CI 1.46-2.29), patients who did not live in the city of Goma (Adjusted HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.02-3.77), and those who attained secondary or higher education level (Adjusted HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.02-2.53) had a higher hazard of being LTFU. CONCLUSION This study shows the relationship between the non-disclosure HIV status and LTFU. Healthcare workers in similar settings should pay more attention to clients who have not disclosed their HIV status, and to those living far from health settings where they receive medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Zalagile Akilimali
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
- * E-mail:
| | - Patou Masika Musumari
- Department of Global Health and Socio-Epidemiology, Kyoto University School of Public Health, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Espérance Kashala-Abotnes
- Department of Global Health and Primary Care, Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - François B. Lepira
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Paulin Beya Mutombo
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Thorkild Tylleskar
- Department of Global Health and Primary Care, Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Mapatano Mala Ali
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
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18
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FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HIV VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE TO ONE'S STEADY SEXUAL PARTNER IN MALI: RESULTS FROM A COMMUNITY-BASED STUDY. J Biosoc Sci 2017; 48:51-65. [PMID: 26627886 DOI: 10.1017/s0021932014000546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Despite the widespread dissemination of HIV information through public awareness campaigns in Mali, disclosing seropositivity to one's steady sexual partner (SSP) remains difficult for people living with HIV (PLHIV). Disclosure is a public health concern with serious implications and is also strongly linked to the quality of life of PLHIV. This study aimed to analyse factors associated with voluntary HIV disclosure to one's SSP, using a community-based cross-sectional study on 300 adult PLHIV in contact with a Malian community-based organization working in the field of AIDS response. A 125-item questionnaire was administered by trained personnel to study participants between May and October 2011. Analysis was restricted to the 219 participants who both reported having a SSP and answered to the question on disclosure to their SSP. A weighted multivariate logistic regression was used to determine variables independently associated with disclosure. In total, 161 participants (73%) reported HIV disclosure to their SSP. Having children (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 4.52 [1.84-11.12]), being accompanied to the survey site (3.66 [1.00-13.33]), knowing others who had publicly declared their seropositivity (3.12 [1.59-6.12]), having higher self-esteem (1.55 [1.09-2.19]) and using means other than anti-retroviral treatment to treat HIV (0.33 [0.11-1.00]) were independently associated with disclosure. This study identified several factors that should be considered for the design of interventions aimed at facilitating disclosure if/when desired in this cultural context.
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Burmen B, Obunga J, Mutai K. Disclosure status and disclosure intentions among HIV positive persons in rural western Kenya, 2011–2012. COGENT MEDICINE 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/2331205x.2017.1291096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- B. Burmen
- HIV Implementation Science and Services (HISS), Kenya Medical Research Institute/Centers for Global Health Research, (KEMRI, CGHR), Busia Road, P.O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - J. Obunga
- HIV Implementation Science and Services (HISS), Kenya Medical Research Institute/Centers for Global Health Research, (KEMRI, CGHR), Busia Road, P.O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - K. Mutai
- HIV Implementation Science and Services (HISS), Kenya Medical Research Institute/Centers for Global Health Research, (KEMRI, CGHR), Busia Road, P.O. Box 1578-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
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Lekalakala-Mokgele E. Exploring gender perceptions of risk of HIV infection and related behaviour among elderly men and women of Ga-Rankuwa, Gauteng Province, South Africa. SAHARA J 2016; 13:88-95. [PMID: 27687151 PMCID: PMC5642434 DOI: 10.1080/17290376.2016.1218790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The literature shows that there are important differences between women and men in the underlying mechanisms of transmission of HIV infection and AIDS, as well as in the social and economic consequences of HIV/AIDS. These stem from sexual behaviour and socially constructed 'gender' differences between women and men in roles and responsibilities. Despite the fact that numerous gender-related sociocultural factors influence HIV/AIDS protective behaviours, little gender specificity is included in HIV prevention among the elderly. In order to close this gap, this study explored gender-related perceptions of risk of HIV infection among elderly men and women of Ga-Rankuwa in Gauteng Province, South Africa. This qualitative study used purposive sampling to conduct three focus group interviews with 22 women and 10 men who were above 60 years of age. Findings revealed that both genders blame each other for the spreading of HIV/AIDS. Male participants displayed the tendency to have multiple partners, whereas females accepted that males are promiscuous. Mixed perceptions about disclosure of HIV status were found. Condom use was a challenge, as men did not know how to introduce it with their wives, and some female participants indicated that men are resistant to using condoms. The elderly men also believed that women will have sex in exchange for money. It is concluded that there is a need for substantial behaviour change among both elderly males and females, which should address gender power relations. More in-depth and extensive research in this area is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eucebious Lekalakala-Mokgele
- PhD, is Director of the School of Health Care Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
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Mclean EM, Chihana M, Mzembe T, Koole O, Kachiwanda L, Glynn JR, Zaba B, Nyirenda M, Crampin AC. Reliability of reporting of HIV status and antiretroviral therapy usage during verbal autopsies: a large prospective study in rural Malawi. Glob Health Action 2016; 9:31084. [PMID: 27293122 PMCID: PMC4904066 DOI: 10.3402/gha.v9.31084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Verbal autopsies (VAs) are interviews with a relative or friend of the deceased; VAs are a technique used in surveillance sites in many countries with incomplete death certification. The goal of this study was to assess the accuracy and validity of data on HIV status and antiretroviral therapy (ART) usage reported in VAs and their influence on physician attribution of cause of death. Design This was a prospective cohort study. Methods The Karonga Health and Demographic Surveillance Site monitors demographic events in a population in a rural area of northern Malawi; a VA is attempted on all deaths reported. VAs are reviewed by clinicians, who, with additional HIV test information collected pre-mortem, assign a cause of death. We linked HIV/ART information reported by respondents during adult VAs to database information on HIV testing and ART use and analysed agreement using chi-square and kappa statistics. We used multivariable logistic regression to analyse factors associated with agreement. Results From 2003 to 2014, out of a total of 1,952 VAs, 80% of respondents reported the HIV status of the deceased. In 2013–2014, this figure was 99%. Of those with an HIV status known to the study, there was 89% agreement on HIV status between the VA and pre-mortem data, higher for HIV-negative people (92%) than HIV-positive people (83%). There was 84% agreement on whether the deceased had started ART, and 72% of ART initiation dates matched within 1 year. Conclusions In this population, HIV/ART information was often disclosed during a VA and matched well with other data sources. Reported HIV/ART status appears to be a reliable source of information to help classification of cause of death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle M Mclean
- Karonga Prevention Study, Chilumba, Karonga, Malawi.,Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK;
| | | | | | - Olivier Koole
- Karonga Prevention Study, Chilumba, Karonga, Malawi.,Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Judith R Glynn
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Basia Zaba
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Moffat Nyirenda
- Karonga Prevention Study, Chilumba, Karonga, Malawi.,Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Amelia C Crampin
- Karonga Prevention Study, Chilumba, Karonga, Malawi.,Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Qiao S, Li X, Zhou Y, Shen Z, Tang Z. AIDS impact special issue 2015: interpersonal factors associated with HIV partner disclosure among HIV-infected people in China. AIDS Care 2016; 28 Suppl 1:37-43. [PMID: 26899370 PMCID: PMC4828612 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2016.1146397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
HIV partner disclosure may facilitate social support, improve psychological well-being among HIV-infected individuals, and promote HIV testing and HIV prevention among their sexual partners. A growing literature emphasizes the critical role of interpersonal factors may play in decision-making and practice regarding HIV partner disclosure. However, there is a dearth of empirical studies that investigate how interpersonal factors may be associated with HIV partner disclosure. Using cross-sectional data collected from 791 HIV-infected people in Guangxi China, we examined the associations between these two interpersonal factors (quality of relationship with partner and family communication) and HIV partner disclosure. Descriptive analysis, t-test analysis, and gender stratified GLM analysis were conducted. We find that disclosing HIV status to partners was significantly related to better quality of relationship with partners and open and effective family communication. Gender and partner HIV status might moderate the associations between interpersonal factors and HIV partner disclosure. Our findings suggest the importance of considering relationship quality and enhancing open and comfortable family communication in HIV disclosure interventions. Gender difference and partner HIV status should be also considered in HIV disclosure intervention to address the diverse needs of HIV-infected people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Qiao
- a Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality (CHQ) , University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health , Columbia , SC , USA
| | - Xiaoming Li
- a Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality (CHQ) , University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health , Columbia , SC , USA
| | - Yuejiao Zhou
- b Guangxi Center of Disease Control and Prevention , Nanning , Guangxi , People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyong Shen
- b Guangxi Center of Disease Control and Prevention , Nanning , Guangxi , People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenzhu Tang
- b Guangxi Center of Disease Control and Prevention , Nanning , Guangxi , People's Republic of China
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Narasimhan M, Loutfy M, Khosla R, Bras M. Sexual and reproductive health and human rights of women living with HIV. J Int AIDS Soc 2015; 18:20834. [PMID: 28326129 PMCID: PMC4813610 DOI: 10.7448/ias.18.6.20834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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Addressing gender inequalities to improve the sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing of women living with HIV. J Int AIDS Soc 2015; 18:20302. [PMID: 26643464 PMCID: PMC4672401 DOI: 10.7448/ias.18.6.20302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Globally, women constitute 50% of all persons living with HIV. Gender inequalities are a key driver of women's vulnerabilities to HIV. This paper looks at how these structural factors shape specific behaviours and outcomes related to the sexual and reproductive health of women living with HIV. DISCUSSION There are several pathways by which gender inequalities shape the sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing of women living with HIV. First, gender norms that privilege men's control over women and violence against women inhibit women's ability to practice safer sex, make reproductive decisions based on their own fertility preferences and disclose their HIV status. Second, women's lack of property and inheritance rights and limited access to formal employment makes them disproportionately vulnerable to food insecurity and its consequences. This includes compromising their adherence to antiretroviral therapy and increasing their vulnerability to transactional sex. Third, with respect to stigma and discrimination, women are more likely to be blamed for bringing HIV into the family, as they are often tested before men. In several settings, healthcare providers violate the reproductive rights of women living with HIV in relation to family planning and in denying them care. Lastly, a number of countries have laws that criminalize HIV transmission, which specifically impact women living with HIV who may be reluctant to disclose because of fears of violence and other negative consequences. CONCLUSIONS Addressing gender inequalities is central to improving the sexual and reproductive health outcomes and more broadly the wellbeing of women living with HIV. Programmes that go beyond a narrow biomedical/clinical approach and address the social and structural context of women's lives can also maximize the benefits of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.
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25
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Human rights and the sexual and reproductive health of women living with HIV--a literature review. J Int AIDS Soc 2015; 18:20290. [PMID: 26643461 PMCID: PMC4672398 DOI: 10.7448/ias.18.6.20290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Even as the number of women living with HIV around the globe continues to grow, realization of their sexual and reproductive health and human rights remains compromised. The objective of this study was to review the current state of knowledge on the sexual and reproductive health and human rights of women living with HIV to assess evidence and gaps. Methods Relevant databases were searched for peer-reviewed and grey literature. Search terms included a combination of MeSH terms and keywords representing women, HIV/AIDS, ART, human rights, sexual and reproductive health. We included both qualitative and quantitative literature published in English, French, or Spanish between July 2011 and December 2014. Results and discussion The search yielded 2228 peer-reviewed articles, of which 40 met the inclusion criteria in the final review. The grey literature search yielded 2186 documents of which seven met the inclusion criteria in the final review. Of the articles and documents reviewed, not a single peer-reviewed article described the explicit implementation of rights in programming, and only two documents from the grey literature did so. With one possible exception, no articles or documents were found which addressed rights comprehensively, or addressed the majority of relevant rights (i.e. equality; non-discrimination; participation; privacy and confidentiality; informed decision making; availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality (3AQ) of services individually or in their totality; and accountability). Additional findings indicate that the language of rights is used most often to describe the apparent neglect or violation of human rights and what does exist only addresses a few rights in the context of a few areas within sexual and reproductive health. Conclusions Findings from this review suggest the need to better integrate rights into interventions, particularly with attention to provider training, service delivery, raising awareness and capacity building among the community of women living with HIV. Further research is urgently needed to support the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women living with HIV, to identify what works and to inform future programming and policies to improve care, treatment and support for women living with HIV.
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Kaida A, Carter A, de Pokomandy A, Patterson S, Proulx-Boucher K, Nohpal A, Sereda P, Colley G, O'Brien N, Thomas-Pavanel J, Beaver K, Nicholson VJ, Tharao W, Fernet M, Otis J, Hogg RS, Loutfy M. Sexual inactivity and sexual satisfaction among women living with HIV in Canada in the context of growing social, legal and public health surveillance. J Int AIDS Soc 2015; 18:20284. [PMID: 26643457 PMCID: PMC4672399 DOI: 10.7448/ias.18.6.20284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Women represent nearly one-quarter of the 71,300 people living with HIV in Canada. Within a context of widespread HIV-related stigma and discrimination and on-going risks to HIV disclosure, little is known about the influence of growing social, legal and public health surveillance of HIV on sexual activity and satisfaction of women living with HIV (WLWH). METHODS We analyzed baseline cross-sectional survey data for WLWH (≥16 years, self-identifying as women) enrolled in the Canadian HIV Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS), a multisite, longitudinal, community-based research study in British Columbia (BC), Ontario (ON) and Quebec (QC). Sexual inactivity was defined as no consensual sex (oral or penetrative) in the prior six months, excluding recently postpartum women (≤6 months). Satisfaction was assessed using an item from the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women. Multivariable logistic regression analysis examined independent correlates of sexual inactivity. RESULTS Of 1213 participants (26% BC, 50% ON, 24% QC), median age was 43 years (IQR: 35, 50). 23% identified as Aboriginal, 28% as African, Caribbean and Black, 41% as White and 8% as other ethnicities. Heterosexual orientation was reported by 87% of participants and LGBTQ by 13%. In total, 82% were currently taking antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 77% reported an undetectable viral load (VL<40 copies/mL). Overall, 49% were sexually inactive and 64% reported being satisfied with their current sex lives, including 49% of sexually inactive and 79% of sexually active women (p<0.001). Sexually inactive women had significantly higher odds of being older (AOR=1.06 per year increase; 95% CI=1.05-1.08), not being in a marital or committed relationship (AOR=4.34; 95% CI=3.13-5.88), having an annual household income below $20,000 CAD (AOR: 1.44; 95% CI=1.08-1.92), and reporting high (vs. low) HIV-related stigma (AOR=1.81; 95% CI=1.09-3.03). No independent association was found with ART use or undetectable VL. CONCLUSIONS Approximately half of WLWH in this study reported being sexually inactive. Associations with sexual dissatisfaction and high HIV-related stigma suggest that WLWH face challenges navigating healthy and satisfying sexual lives, despite good HIV treatment outcomes. As half of sexually inactive women reported being satisfied with their sex lives, additional research is required to determine whether WLWH are deliberately choosing abstinence as a means of resisting surveillance and disclosure expectations associated with sexual activity. Findings underscore a need for interventions to de-stigmatize HIV, support safe disclosure and re-appropriate the sexual rights of WLWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Kaida
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada;
| | - Allison Carter
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alexandra de Pokomandy
- Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sophie Patterson
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Karène Proulx-Boucher
- Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Adriana Nohpal
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Paul Sereda
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Guillaume Colley
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nadia O'Brien
- Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jamie Thomas-Pavanel
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kerrigan Beaver
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Valerie J Nicholson
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Wangari Tharao
- Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mylène Fernet
- Département de Sexologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Joanne Otis
- Département de Sexologie, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Robert S Hogg
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mona Loutfy
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine and Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Increasing HIV serostatus disclosure in low and middle-income countries: a systematic review of intervention evaluations. AIDS 2015; 29 Suppl 1:S7-S23. [PMID: 26049541 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000000671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review the effectiveness of interventions to increase HIV serostatus disclosure in low and middle-income countries. DESIGN Systematic review of peer-reviewed articles providing prepost or multiarm evaluations of disclosure interventions, defined broadly as any intervention with the goal of increasing rates of voluntary disclosure of HIV serostatus through self-disclosure or partner notification. METHODS Articles were included if they reported postintervention evaluation results and were published between 1 January 1990 and 1 August 2014. Searching was conducted through five electronic databases, secondary searching of four journals, and hand searching reference lists of included articles. Systematic methods were used for screening and data abstraction, which was conducted in duplicate. Study quality (rigor) was assessed with eight items. RESULTS Fourteen articles evaluating 13 interventions met the inclusion criteria, all from sub-Saharan Africa. Most interventions focused on people living with HIV and used cognitive-behavioral group sessions or peer/community health worker support to encourage disclosure to sexual partners, family members, or friends. One focused on maternal disclosure to HIV-uninfected children, whereas two examined voluntary partner notification interventions. Several studies had limitations due to weak designs, small sample sizes, or high attrition. Findings on disclosure were mixed, with most effect sizes being relatively small, and some more rigorous studies showing no effect. Partner notification interventions had the strongest evidence of impact. CONCLUSION The existing evidence base for interventions to increase disclosure is limited and shows variable results. Further research is needed to determine whether current approaches to increasing disclosure are effective or whether new approaches should be considered.
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Våga BB, Moland KM, Blystad A. Boundaries of confidentiality in nursing care for mother and child in HIV programmes. Nurs Ethics 2015; 23:576-86. [PMID: 25956154 DOI: 10.1177/0969733015576358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Confidentiality lies at the core of medical ethics and is the cornerstone for developing and keeping a trusting relationship between nurses and patients. In the wake of the HIV epidemic, there has been a heightened focus on confidentiality in healthcare contexts. Nurses' follow-up of HIV-positive women and their susceptible HIV-exposed children has proved to be challenging in this regard, but the ethical dilemmas concerning confidentiality that emerge in the process of ensuring HIV-free survival of the third party - the child - have attracted limited attention. OBJECTIVE The study explores challenges of confidentiality linked to a third party in nurse-patient relationships in a rural Tanzanian HIV/AIDS context. STUDY CONTEXT The study was carried out in rural and semi-urban settings of Tanzania where the population is largely agro-pastoral, the formal educational level is low and poverty is rife. The HIV prevalence of 1.5% is low compared to the national prevalence of 5.1%. METHODS Data were collected during 9 months of ethnographic fieldwork and consisted of participant observation in clinical settings and during home visits combined with in-depth interviews. The main categories of informants were nurses employed in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV programmes and HIV-positive women enrolled in these programmes. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS Based on information about the study aims, all informants consented to participate. Ethical approval was granted by ethics review boards in Tanzania and Norway. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION The material indicates a delicate balance between the nurses' attempt to secure the HIV-free survival of the babies and the mothers' desire to preserve confidentiality. Profound confidentiality-related dilemmas emerged in actual practice, and indications of a lack of thorough consideration of the implication of a patient's restricted disclosure came to light during follow-up of the HIV-positive women and the third party - the child who is at risk of HIV infection through mother's milk. World Health Organization's substantial focus on infant survival (Millennium Development Goal-4) and the strong calls for disclosure among the HIV-positive are reflected on in the discussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bodil Bø Våga
- University of Bergen, Norway; University of Stavanger, Norway
| | - Karen Marie Moland
- University of Bergen, Norway; University of Stavanger, NorwayUniversity of Bergen, Norway
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Li X, Qiao S, de Wit J, Sherr L. What's in the telling? Understanding social, psychological and clinical aspects of HIV disclosure. AIDS Care 2015; 27 Suppl 1:1-5. [PMID: 26616120 PMCID: PMC4685618 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2015.1102687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Li
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality (CHQ), University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Shan Qiao
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality (CHQ), University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - John de Wit
- Center for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lorraine Sherr
- Research Department of Infection & Population Health, University College London, London, UK
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Desclaux A, Ky-Zerbo O, Somé JF, Obermeyer CM. Ethical considerations of providers and clients on HIV testing campaigns in Burkina Faso. BMC INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS 2014; 14:27. [PMID: 25322668 PMCID: PMC4211928 DOI: 10.1186/1472-698x-14-27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Background Campaigns have been conducted in a number of low HIV prevalence African settings, as a strategy to expand HIV testing, and it is important to assess the extent to which individual rights and quality of care are protected during campaigns. In this article we investigate provider and client perceptions of ethical issues, including whether they think that accessibility of counseling and testing sites during campaigns may hinder confidentiality. Methods To examine how campaigns have functioned in Burkina Faso, we undertook a qualitative study based on individual interviews and focus group discussions with 52 people (providers and clients tested during or outside campaigns and individuals never tested). Thematic analysis was performed on discourse about perceptions and experiences of HIV-testing campaigns, quality of care and individual rights. Results Respondents value testing accessibility and attractiveness during campaigns; clients emphasize convenience, ripple effect, the sense of not being alone, and the anonymity resulting from high attendance. Confronted with numerous clients, providers develop context-specific strategies to ensure consent, counseling, confidentiality and retention in the testing process, and they adapt to workplace arrangements, local resources and social norms. Clients appreciate the quality of care during campaigns. However, new ethical issues arise about confidentiality and accessibility. Confidentiality of HIV-status may be jeopardized due to local social norms that encourage people to share their results with others, when HIV-positive people may not wish to do so. Providers’ ethical concerns are consistent with WHO norms known as the ‘5 Cs,’ though articulated differently. Clients and providers value the accessibility of testing for all during campaigns, and consider it an ethical matter. The study yields insights on the way global norms are adapted or negotiated locally. Conclusions Future global recommendations for HIV testing and counseling campaigns should consider accessibility and propose ways for testing services to respond to new ethical issues related to high demand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Desclaux
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, TransVIHMI UMI 233 (IRD, Université Montpellier 1, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Université de Yaoundé 1), Dakar, Senegal.
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Sulstarova B, Poglia Mileti F, Mellini L, Villani M, Singy P. HIV disclosure and nondisclosure among migrant women from sub-Saharan Africa living in Switzerland. AIDS Care 2014; 27:451-7. [PMID: 25297928 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2014.963497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
No study to date has focused specifically on the reasons for and against disclosure of HIV-positive status among sub-Saharan migrant women. Thirty HIV-positive women from 11 sub-Saharan countries living in French-speaking Switzerland participated in semi-structured individual interviews. The reasons women reported for disclosure or nondisclosure of their HIV serostatus were classified into three categories: social, medical, and ethical. The women identified the stigma associated with HIV as a major social reason for nondisclosure. However, this study identifies new trends related to disclosure for medical and ethical reasons. Being undetectable played an important role in the life of sub-Saharan migrant women, and analysis revealed their medical reasons for both disclosure and nondisclosure. Disclosure to new sexual partners occurred when women had a more positive perception about HIV and when they believed themselves to be in a long-term relationship. Women reported nondisclosure to family members when they did not need help outside the support provided by the medical and social fields. The results on ethical reasons suggested that challenging stigma was a reason for disclosure. Since the women' perceptions on HIV changed when they came to see it as a chronic disease, disclosure occurred in an attempt to normalize life with HIV in their communities in migration and to challenge racism and discrimination. Our findings can help health providers better understand the communication needs of sub-Saharan migrant women with respect to HIV/AIDS and sexuality and offer them adequate disclosure advice that takes into account migration and gender issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brikela Sulstarova
- a Psychiatric Liaison Service , Lausanne University Hospital , Lausanne , Switzerland
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Coutherut J, Desclaux A. [Disclosing HIV status: the experience of PLHIV after 10 years of ARV treatment in Senegal]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 107:266-72. [PMID: 24595887 DOI: 10.1007/s13149-014-0343-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2012] [Accepted: 12/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Rates of HIV status disclosure observed in Africa, especially to partners, are too low for an optimal implementation of preventive strategies. Access to antiretroviral drugs appears to have facilitated disclosure in the short term, but knowledge is insufficient about long-term practices. A study held with 185 people living with HIV (PLHIV) examined factors associated with disclosure in general and with partners over 10 years of antiretroviral treatment in Dakar. Two third of PLHIV disclosed their status to at least one person, and 56% with their partners. The main results concern factors associated with disclosure to partners (having a child, knowing one's partner status) which are different from factors associated to disclosure in general (duration of ART treatment, secondary or higher education level, being a member of an association). After ten years, 44% of people still living in couple has not disclosed (no significant differences by sex and marital regime). These results invite to regularly offer counselling to PLHIV during follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Coutherut
- CHU Nantes, 5, rue du Professeur Boquien, 44000, Nantes, France,
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Hardon A, Vernooij E, Bongololo-Mbera G, Cherutich P, Desclaux A, Kyaddondo D, Ky-Zerbo O, Neuman M, Wanyenze R, Obermeyer C. Women's views on consent, counseling and confidentiality in PMTCT: a mixed-methods study in four African countries. BMC Public Health 2012; 12:26. [PMID: 22236097 PMCID: PMC3295711 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2011] [Accepted: 01/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ambitious UN goals to reduce the mother-to-child transmission of HIV have not been met in much of Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper focuses on the quality of information provision and counseling and disclosure patterns in Burkina Faso, Kenya, Malawi and Uganda to identify how services can be improved to enable better PMTCT outcomes. METHODS Our mixed-methods study draws on data obtained through: (1) the MATCH (Multi-country African Testing and Counseling for HIV) study's main survey, conducted in 2008-09 among clients (N = 408) and providers at health facilities offering HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC) services; 2) semi-structured interviews with a sub-set of 63 HIV-positive women on their experiences of stigma, disclosure, post-test counseling and access to follow-up psycho-social support; (3) in-depth interviews with key informants and PMTCT healthcare workers; and (4) document study of national PMTCT policies and guidelines. We quantitatively examined differences in the quality of counseling by country and by HIV status using Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS The majority of pregnant women attending antenatal care (80-90%) report that they were explained the meaning of the tests, explained how HIV can be transmitted, given advice on prevention, encouraged to refer their partners for testing, and given time to ask questions. Our qualitative findings reveal that some women found testing regimes to be coercive, while disclosure remains highly problematic. 79% of HIV-positive pregnant women reported that they generally keep their status secret; only 37% had disclosed to their husband. CONCLUSION To achieve better PMTCT outcomes, the strategy of testing women in antenatal care (perceived as an exclusively female domain) when they are already pregnant needs to be rethought. When scaling up HIV testing programs, it is particularly important that issues of partner disclosure are taken seriously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Hardon
- Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eva Vernooij
- Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Peter Cherutich
- National AIDS/STD Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Alice Desclaux
- Université Paul Cézanne d'Aix-Marseille/Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - David Kyaddondo
- Makerere University Department of Social Work/Child Health and Development Centre, Kampala, Uganda. Fellow at Wissenschaftskolleg, 2010-11, Berlin
| | - Odette Ky-Zerbo
- Programme d'Appui au Monde Associatif & Communautaire de Lutte Contre le VIH/SIDA, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Department of Society, Human Development, and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Rhoda Wanyenze
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Carla Obermeyer
- Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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