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Njuguna N, Akolo C, Anzala O, Baeten JM, Heffron R, Mugo NR, Bateganya M. Differentiated Service Delivery Models for Maintaining HIV Treatment and Prevention Services During Crisis and Disease Outbreaks: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2024; 21:257-263. [PMID: 39052142 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-024-00703-2] [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: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review summarizes differentiated service delivery (DSD) models for HIV treatment and prevention that have been adapted for maintaining continuity of services during the COVID-19 pandemic and proposes strategies for sustaining their benefits now and during future disruptions. RECENT FINDINGS The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an overburdened and disrupted health system, forcing countries to adopt and/or scale up DSD models for HIV services. While initially implemented as emergency measures, these models evolved and were refined over time to fit recipient needs ensuring continued HIV treatment and prevention services with minimal health system impact. Successful models employed task shifting, community-based delivery models, multimonth scripting and dispensing, and telehealth for remote consultation. DSD models enabled HIV services globally to be maintained during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though these models and adaptations were critical in addressing health gaps and disruptions caused by the pandemic, they were beneficial in improving efficiency and access to client-centered services and should be sustained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Njambi Njuguna
- FHI 360, Nairobi, Kenya.
- University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | | | | | | | | | - Nelly R Mugo
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Moses Bateganya
- United States Agency for International Development, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Gittings L, Ncube N, Ronan A, Chimatira I, Hatane L. Empowering and supporting frontline providers in the paediatric-adolescent HIV response: results from participatory priority-setting and group discussions in twenty-four sites in twelve high HIV-burden African countries. AIDS Care 2024; 36:60-75. [PMID: 38315800 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2024.2308023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Children and adolescents living with HIV in Africa experience poor outcomes across the HIV cascade of care. Paediatric and adolescent-friendly services are crucial to their well-being, and recent years have seen a call for urgent service improvements. While frontline health workers are responsible for these services, less attention has been given to their contextual realities, and what constitutes an enabling service delivery environment. We engaged participatory priority-setting and group discussions across twenty-four sites in twelve high HIV-burden African countries in November 2022 with 801 frontline paediatric-adolescent providers. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and priority mapping. We constructed a socio-ecological model for supportive and empowering service delivery environments for frontline paediatric-adolescent HIV services. Individual-level themes related to well-being, self-care and mental health. Interpersonal themes included supportive supervision/mentorship, teamwork and acknowledgement. At the organisational level, resources, physical infrastructure and confidential spaces were included. The community level included feeling appreciated and positive stakeholder relationships. The structural level included funding, discriminatory SRHR policies and guidelines. Results provide insight into priorities, challenges and needs of frontline providers in the paediatric-adolescent HIV response. Improving the well-being of HIV-affected children and adolescents requires greater investment and attention to creating more caring, supportive environments for their frontline providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley Gittings
- School of Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Canada
- Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nokuzola Ncube
- School of Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Agnes Ronan
- Paediatric-Adolescent Treatment Africa (PATA), Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Luann Hatane
- Paediatric-Adolescent Treatment Africa (PATA), Cape Town, South Africa
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Moolla A, Galvin M, Mongwenyana C, Miot J, Magolego W, Leshabana P, Ngcobo N, Naidoo N, Coetzee L. Understanding HIV service preferences of South African women 30-49 years old missing from or linked to care: An exploratory study of Gauteng and Limpopo provinces. WOMEN'S HEALTH (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 20:17455057241277080. [PMID: 39254147 PMCID: PMC11388305 DOI: 10.1177/17455057241277080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa has a disproportionate gender impact, with women bearing the brunt of the epidemic. South Africa carries the largest share of the global HIV burden, with similar trends seen for women due to unequal socio-cultural and economic status. OBJECTIVES This study aims to understand 30-49 year-old women's barriers and facilitators to accessing HIV services in order to maximize health in resource limited settings and reach women missing from HIV care. DESIGN Employing a convenience sampling strategy, we recruited, informed, and consented participants at clinics and public areas. Interviews were conducted in respondent's preferred languages, transcribed verbatim, translated into English if needed, and thematically analyzed using grounded theory. METHODS We conducted 81 interviews with women aged 30-49 either missing from care (n = 21), having unknown HIV status (n = 30) or linked to care (n = 30) within two sites: City of Johannesburg district, Gauteng Province and Mopani district, Limpopo Province. RESULTS Participants missing from care reported negative staff attitudes, queues, family rejection, medication side effects, and painful blood tests as key deterrents. Participants with an unknown status were deterred by fear of being diagnosed as HIV positive and family rejection, which was similar to women missing from care who often dropped out from care due to actual family rejection. Participants linked to care reported that long queues and staff shortages were challenges but stayed in care due to a will to live for themselves and their children, in addition to counselling and feeling emotionally supported. Interestingly, participants missing from care often accessed medication from friends but, similarly to those with unknown status, noted that they would access care if attended to by supportive nurses and by having non-clinical HIV services. CONCLUSIONS The accounts of women in this research highlight significant improvements needed to address inequities in the fight against HIV in South Africa. Additionally, the healthcare service access preferences of women aged 30-49 need to be further explored quantitatively in order to design policy relevant interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneesa Moolla
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Health Sciences Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Michael Galvin
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Health Sciences Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center (BMC), Boston, MA, USA
- T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Constance Mongwenyana
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Health Sciences Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jacqui Miot
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Health Sciences Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - William Magolego
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Health Sciences Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Patricia Leshabana
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Health Sciences Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nkosinathi Ngcobo
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Health Sciences Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nalini Naidoo
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Health Sciences Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lezanie Coetzee
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Health Sciences Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Stanton AM, Blyler AP, Mosery N, Goodman GR, Vanderkruik R, Sithole K, Bedoya CA, Smit J, Psaros C. "I am scared, I do not want to lie": exploring the impacts of COVID-19 on engagement in care, perceived health, relationship dynamics, and parenting among postpartum women with HIV in South Africa. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:223. [PMID: 37013509 PMCID: PMC10068701 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05520-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 and efforts to manage widespread infection may compromise HIV care engagement. The COVID-19-related factors linked to reduced HIV engagement have not been assessed among postpartum women with HIV, who are at heightened risk of attrition under non-pandemic circumstances. To mitigate the effects of the pandemic on care engagement and to prepare for future public health crises, it is critical to understand how COVID-19 has impacted (1) engagement in care and (2) factors that may act as barriers to care engagement. METHODS A quantitative assessment of COVID-19-related experiences was added to a longitudinal cohort study assessing predictors of postpartum attrition from HIV care among women in South Africa. Participants (N = 266) completed the assessment at 6, 12, 18, or 24 months postpartum between June and November of 2020. Those who endorsed one or more challenge related to engagement in care (making or keeping HIV care appointments, procuring HIV medications, procuring contraception, and/or accessing immunization services for infants; n = 55) were invited to complete a brief qualitative interview, which explored the specific factors driving these challenges, as well as other impacts of COVID-19 on care engagement. Within this subset, 53 participants completed an interview; qualitative data were analyzed via rapid analysis. RESULTS Participants described key challenges that reduced their engagement in HIV care and identified four other domains of COVID-19-related impacts: physical health, mental health, relationship with a partner or with the father of the baby, and motherhood/caring for the new baby. Within these domains, specific themes and subthemes emerged, with some positive impacts of COVID-19 also reported (e.g., increased quality time, improved communication with partner, HIV disclosure). Coping strategies for COVID-19-related challenges (e.g., acceptance, spirituality, distraction) were also discussed. CONCLUSIONS About one in five participants reported challenges accessing HIV care, medications, or services, and they faced complex, multilayered barriers to remaining engaged. Physical health, mental health, relationships with partners, and ability to care for their infant were also affected. Given the dynamic nature of the pandemic and general uncertainty about its course, ongoing assessment of pandemic-related challenges among postpartum women is needed to avoid HIV care disruptions and to support wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abigail P Blyler
- Department of Psychology, Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Nzwakie Mosery
- Wits MatCH Research Unit (WMRU), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Georgia R Goodman
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rachel Vanderkruik
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kedibone Sithole
- Wits MatCH Research Unit (WMRU), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - C Andres Bedoya
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer Smit
- Wits MatCH Research Unit (WMRU), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Christina Psaros
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Stanton AM, Blyler AP, Mosery N, Goodman GR, Vanderkruik R, Sithole K, Bedoya CA, Smit J, Psaros C. "I am scared, I do not want to lie": Exploring the impacts of COVID-19 on engagement in care, perceived health, relationship dynamics, and parenting among postpartum women with HIV in South Africa. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2463315. [PMID: 36711876 PMCID: PMC9882635 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2463315/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Background COVID-19 and efforts to manage widespread infection may compromise HIV care engagement. The COVID-19-related factors linked to reduced HIV engagement have not been assessed among postpartum women with HIV, who are at heightened risk of attrition under non-pandemic circumstances. To mitigate the effects of the pandemic on care engagement and to prepare for future public health crises, it is critical to understand how COVID-19 has impacted (1) engagement in care and (2) factors that may act as barriers to care engagement. Methods A quantitative assessment of COVID-19-related experiences was added to a longitudinal cohort study assessing predictors of postpartum attrition from HIV care among women in South Africa. Participants (N = 266) completed the assessment at 6, 12, 18, or 24 months postpartum between June and November of 2020. Those who endorsed one or more challenge related to engagement in care (making or keeping HIV care appointments, procuring HIV medications, procuring contraception, and/or accessing immunization services for infants; n = 55) were invited to complete a brief qualitative interview, which explored the specific factors driving these challenges, as well as other impacts of COVID-19 on care engagement. Within this subset, 53 participants completed an interview; qualitative data were analyzed via rapid analysis. Results Participants described key challenges that reduced their engagement in HIV care and identified four other domains of COVID-19-related impacts: physical health, mental health, relationship with a partner or with the father of the baby, and motherhood/caring for the new baby. Within these domains, specific themes and subthemes emerged, with some positive impacts of COVID-19 also reported (e.g., increased quality time, improved communication with partner, HIV disclosure). Coping strategies for COVID-19-related challenges (e.g., acceptance, spirituality, distraction) were also discussed. Conclusions About one in five participants reported challenges accessing HIV care, medications, or services, and they faced complex, multilayered barriers to remaining engaged. Physical health, mental health, relationships with partners, and ability to care for their infant were also affected. Given the dynamic nature of the pandemic and general uncertainty about its course, ongoing assessment of pandemic-related challenges among postpartum women is needed to avoid HIV care disruptions and to support wellbeing.
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Gittings L, Price Y, Kelly J, Kannemeyer N, Thomas A, Medley S, Ralayo N, Omollo V, Cluver L, Logie CH, Evalia H, Toska E. Health and development-related priorities and challenges of adolescents and young people: findings from South Africa and Kenya prior to and during COVID-19 pandemic. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2022; 27:193-218. [PMID: 36242536 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2022.2108084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Growing evidence documents the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents in East and Southern Africa. We present and explore the longitudinal health and development-related priorities and challenges of adolescent advisors in South Africa and Kenya, including prior to, and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings were co-generated with adolescent advisors in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa (n=15, ages 18-22 in 2019) and Kisumu, Kenya (n=16, ages 10-14 in 2020). Prior to COVID-19, adolescent advisors engaged in a participatory exercise to share and explore their health and development-related priorities and challenges in 2019 and 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, members of the same groups shared their experiences, challenges and coping strategies in semi-structured telephone interviews (Eastern Cape: n=14, aged 19-23; Kisumu n=12, aged 11-16) and group-based remote participatory social media activities (n=27 activities with n=12 advisors, Eastern Cape). We thematically analysed COVID-19 activities, considering them alongside pre-pandemic priorities and challenges. Many of the health and development-related priorities and challenges identified prior to COVID-19 remained issues of concern during COVID-19. These included education; victimization and violence; teenage pregnancy; substance use; household tension, conflict and inadequate family and caregiver support; health and medication concerns (South Africa) and water and food shortages (Kenya). Other issues such as financial insecurity, mental health, and crime were strong themes that emerged during COVID-19, which were not directly reported as priorities prior. Although almost all of adolescent advisors' most pressing pandemic-related challenges were also priorities for them prior to COVID-19, these issues were often discussed as new, and caused by the onset of COVID-19. While demonstrating how COVID-19 has exacerbated pre-existing vulnerabilities, we also suggest that the pandemic may have brought about a new way for adolescents to make sense of, and articulate pre-existing challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley Gittings
- School of Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Canada
- Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yusra Price
- Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jane Kelly
- Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Natasha Kannemeyer
- Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Angelique Thomas
- Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Humanities in Africa, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sally Medley
- Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nokubonga Ralayo
- Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Lucie Cluver
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Carmen H Logie
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Elona Toska
- Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Sociology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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