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Phillips TK, Kassanjee R, Maxwell N, Anderson K, Johnson L, Moolla H, Myer L, Chi BH, Euvrard J, Boulle A, Davies M, Cornell M, de Waal R. ART history prior to conception: trends and association with postpartum disengagement from HIV care in Khayelitsha, South Africa (2013-2019): a retrospective cohort study. J Int AIDS Soc 2024; 27:e26236. [PMID: 38566482 PMCID: PMC10988117 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In recent years, the expansion of HIV treatment eligibility has resulted in an increase in people with antiretroviral therapy (ART) experience prior to pregnancy but little is known about postpartum engagement in care in this population. We examined differences in disengagement from HIV care after delivery by maternal ART history before conception. METHODS We analysed data from people living with HIV (aged 15-49) in Khayelitsha, South Africa, with ≥1 live birth between April 2013 and March 2019. We described trends over time in ART history prior to estimated conception, classifying ART history groups as: (A) on ART with no disengagement (>270 days with no evidence of HIV care); (B) returned before pregnancy following disengagement; (C) restarted ART in pregnancy after disengagement; and (D) ART new start in pregnancy. We used Kaplan-Meier curves and proportional-hazards models (adjusted for maternal age, number of pregnancy records and year of delivery) to examine the time to disengagement from delivery to 2 years postpartum. RESULTS Among 7309 pregnancies (in 6680 individuals), the proportion on ART (A) increased from 19% in 2013 to 41% in 2019. The proportions of those who returned (B) and restarted (C) increased from 2% to 13% and from 2% to 10%, respectively. There was a corresponding decline in the proportion of new starts (D) from 77% in 2013 to 36% in 2019. In the first recorded pregnancy per person in the study period, 26% (95% CI 25-27%) had disengaged from care by 1 year and 34% (95% CI 33-36%) by 2 years postpartum. Individuals who returned (B: aHR 2.10, 95% CI 1.70-2.60), restarted (C: aHR 3.32, 95% CI 2.70-4.09) and newly started ART (D: aHR 2.41, 95% CI 2.12-2.74) had increased hazards of postpartum disengagement compared to those on ART (A). CONCLUSIONS There is a growing population of people with ART experience prior to conception and postpartum disengagement varies substantially by ART history. Antenatal care presents an important opportunity to understand prior ART experiences and an entry into interventions for strengthened engagement in HIV care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamsin Kate Phillips
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & ResearchSchool of Public HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Division of Epidemiology & BiostatisticsSchool of Public HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Reshma Kassanjee
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & ResearchSchool of Public HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Nicola Maxwell
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & ResearchSchool of Public HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Kim Anderson
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & ResearchSchool of Public HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Leigh Johnson
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & ResearchSchool of Public HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Haroon Moolla
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & ResearchSchool of Public HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Landon Myer
- Division of Epidemiology & BiostatisticsSchool of Public HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Benjamin H. Chi
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologySchool of MedicineUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jonathan Euvrard
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & ResearchSchool of Public HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Department of Health and WellnessProvincial Government of the Western CapeCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Andrew Boulle
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & ResearchSchool of Public HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Department of Health and WellnessProvincial Government of the Western CapeCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Mary‐Ann Davies
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & ResearchSchool of Public HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Department of Health and WellnessProvincial Government of the Western CapeCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Morna Cornell
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & ResearchSchool of Public HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Renee de Waal
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & ResearchSchool of Public HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
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Borboa-Olivares H, Estrada-Gutierrez G, Martinez-Portilla RJ, Espino-y-Sosa S, Flores-Pliego A, Espejel-Nuñez A, Camacho-Arroyo I, Solis-Paredes JM, Villafan-Bernal JR, Torres-Torres J. Impact of Protease Inhibitor-Based Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy on Fetal Subcutaneous Fat Tissue in HIV-Pregnant Women in a Middle-Income Country. Viruses 2023; 16:10. [PMID: 38275945 PMCID: PMC10818469 DOI: 10.3390/v16010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV infection continues to be a global public health challenge, affecting approximately 1.7 million reproductive-aged women. Protease inhibitor-based highly active antiretroviral therapy (PI-HAART) has significantly reduced the risk of vertical transmission of HIV from mother to child. Nevertheless, concerns linger regarding the long-term effects, particularly on body composition, notably subcutaneous fat tissue (SFT). Although HIV-associated lipodystrophy syndrome (LS) has been well documented in adults and older children, its impact on fetuses exposed to PI-HAART remains underexplored. This study aims to evaluate SFT in the fetuses of HIV-pregnant women exposed to PI-HAART, assessing the potential clinical implications. METHODS We conducted a comparative study between HIV-pregnant women receiving PI-HAART and an HIV-negative control group. Fetometry measurements were obtained via 3D ultrasound. SFT in the fetal arm and thigh segments was assessed. Data were analyzed using lineal multivariate regression and receiver-operating characteristics (ROC)-curve analysis. RESULTS Fetuses exposed to PI-HAART exhibited a significant reduction in subcutaneous fat, particularly in the proximal third-middle union of the femur (coefficient: -2.588, p = 0.042). This reduction was correlated with lower newborn serum glucose levels (65.7 vs. 56.1, p = 0.007; coefficient: -1.277, p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS Our study sheds light on the connection between PI-HAART, fetal subcutaneous fat, and neonatal health. These findings might reveal the long-lasting effects of PI-HAART on newborns and children's well-being. Our results emphasize the need for a more balanced approach to managing pregnant women with HIV in developing countries and open new venues for research on the impact of intrauterine PI-HAART exposure on energy metabolism and fetal programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hector Borboa-Olivares
- Community Interventions Research Branch, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City 11000, Mexico
| | | | - Raigam Jafet Martinez-Portilla
- Clinical Research Branch, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Mexico City 11000, Mexico (S.E.-y.-S.); (J.M.S.-P.)
| | - Salvador Espino-y-Sosa
- Clinical Research Branch, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Mexico City 11000, Mexico (S.E.-y.-S.); (J.M.S.-P.)
| | - Arturo Flores-Pliego
- Department of Immunobiochemistry, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City 11000, Mexico; (A.F.-P.); (A.E.-N.)
| | - Aurora Espejel-Nuñez
- Department of Immunobiochemistry, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City 11000, Mexico; (A.F.-P.); (A.E.-N.)
| | - Ignacio Camacho-Arroyo
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 11000, Mexico;
| | - Juan Mario Solis-Paredes
- Clinical Research Branch, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Mexico City 11000, Mexico (S.E.-y.-S.); (J.M.S.-P.)
| | - Jose Rafael Villafan-Bernal
- Laboratory of Immunogenomics and Metabolic Diseases, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genomica, Mexico City 14610, Mexico;
| | - Johnatan Torres-Torres
- Clinical Research Branch, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Mexico City 11000, Mexico (S.E.-y.-S.); (J.M.S.-P.)
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Domingues RMSM, Quintana MDSB, Coelho LE, Friedman RK, Rabello ACVDA, Rocha V, Grinsztejn B. Pregnancy incidence, outcomes and associated factors in a cohort of women living with HIV/AIDS in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1996-2016. CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2023; 39:e00232522. [PMID: 37466547 PMCID: PMC10494702 DOI: 10.1590/0102-311xen232522] [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: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this research was to analyze pregnancy incidence and associated factors in a cohort of 753 women living with HIV/AIDS (WLWHA) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 1996 to 2016. Women aged 18-49 years who were not on menopause (surgical or natural) and did not have a tubal ligation were eligible for the study. Data were collected by medical professionals during initial and follow-up visits. Person-time pregnancy incidence rates were calculated throughout the follow-up period. Pregnancy incidence-associated factors were investigated by univariate and multiple analyzes, using an extension of the Cox survival model. Follow-up visits recorded 194 pregnancies, with an incidence rate of 4.01/100 person-years (95% CI: 3.47; 4.60). A higher pregnancy incidence was associated with CD4 nadir ≥ 350 cells/mm³, use of an antiretroviral regimen not containing Efavirenz, and prior teenage pregnancy. In turn, women with a viral load ≥ 50 copies/mL, age ≥ 35 years old, with two or more children and using a highly effective contraceptive method showed a lower incidence. Results showed a significant reduction in pregnancy incidence after 2006, a significant reduction in female sterilization from 1996 to 2016, and a high rate of cesarean sections. The association found between pregnancy incidence and the use of contraceptive methods and virological control markers suggests a good integration between HIV/AIDS and reproductive health services. The high rate of cesarean section delivery indicates the need to improve childbirth care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lara Esteves Coelho
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Ruth Khalili Friedman
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | | | - Vania Rocha
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Beatriz Grinsztejn
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
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Ambia J, Romero-Prieto JE, Kwaro D, Risher K, Khagayi S, Calvert C, Obor D, Tlhajoane M, Odongo F, Marston M, Slaymaker E, Rice B, Kabudula CW, Eaton JW, Reniers G. Comparison of programmatic data from antenatal clinics with population-based HIV prevalence estimates in the era of universal test and treat in western Kenya. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287626. [PMID: 37363902 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare HIV prevalence estimates from routine programme data in antenatal care (ANC) clinics in western Kenya with HIV prevalence estimates in a general population sample in the era of universal test and treat (UTT). METHODS The study was conducted in the area covered by the Siaya Health Demographic Surveillance System (Siaya HDSS) in western Kenya and used data from ANC clinics and the general population. ANC data (n = 1,724) were collected in 2018 from 13 clinics located within the HDSS. The general population was a random sample of women of reproductive age (15-49) who reside in the Siaya HDSS and participated in an HIV sero-prevalence survey in 2018 (n = 2,019). Total and age-specific HIV prevalence estimates were produced from both datasets and demographic decomposition methods were used to quantify the contribution of the differences in age distributions and age-specific HIV prevalence to the total HIV prevalence estimates. RESULTS Total HIV prevalence was 18.0% (95% CI 16.3-19.9%) in the ANC population compared with 18.4% (95% CI 16.8-20.2%) in the general population sample. At most ages, HIV prevalence was higher in the ANC population than in the general population. The age distribution of the ANC population was younger than that of the general population, and because HIV prevalence increases with age, this reduced the total HIV prevalence among ANC attendees relative to prevalence standardised to the general population age distribution. CONCLUSION In the era of UTT, total HIV prevalence among ANC attendees and the general population were comparable, but age-specific HIV prevalence was higher in the ANC population in most age groups. The expansion of treatment may have led to changes in both the fertility of women living with HIV and their use of ANC services, and our results lend support to the assertion that the relationship between ANC and general population HIV prevalence estimates are highly dynamic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Ambia
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Julio E Romero-Prieto
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Kwaro
- Kenya Medical Research Institute - Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Kathryn Risher
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sammy Khagayi
- Kenya Medical Research Institute - Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Clara Calvert
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David Obor
- Kenya Medical Research Institute - Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Malebogo Tlhajoane
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fredrick Odongo
- Kenya Medical Research Institute - Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Milly Marston
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Slaymaker
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Brian Rice
- MeSH Consortium, Department of Public Health Environments and Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chodziwadziwa Whiteson Kabudula
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jeffrey W Eaton
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Georges Reniers
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Naicker N, Yende-Zuma N, Kharsany ABM, Shozi H, Nkosi D, Naidoo A, Garrett N, Abdool Karim SS. Pregnancy rates and outcomes in a longitudinal HIV cohort in the context of evolving antiretroviral treatment provision in South Africa. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:596. [PMID: 35883114 PMCID: PMC9317085 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-04829-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In South Africa, women continue to face a high burden of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and the possible complications thereof during pregnancy. We assessed pregnancy incidence rates and outcomes in a longitudinal HIV cohort study over a 15-year period. METHODS We evaluated pregnancies among women ≥ 18 years between 2004 and 2019 in the CAPRISA 002 study. We analysed pregnancy rates following HIV acquisition, CD4 counts and HIV viral load dynamics and pregnancy outcomes. We used linear regression to assess if the mean CD4 and log10 viral load close to delivery increases or decreases linearly across three different timepoints. RESULTS In total 245 women enrolled into the HIV negative study phase, 225 into the HIV infection phase and 232 in the antiretroviral therapy (ART) phase. Median follow-up time was 2.0 years [Interquartile Range (IQR) 0.8-2.0] during the HIV negative phase, 2.6 years; (IQR) 1.2-4.8] during HIV infection and 3.7 years (IQR 1.8-5.0) on ART, with maximum follow-up time of 2, 10 and 6 years respectively. Overall, 169 pregnancies occurred in 140 women, of which 16 pregnancies were observed during acute or early HIV infection [Incidence Rate (IR) 8.0 per 100 women-years; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.6-12.9], 48 during established infection [IR 9.3; (CI 6.8-12.3)] and 68 on ART [IR 8.9; (CI: 7.0 - 11.4)]. Birth outcomes from 155/169 (91.7%) pregnancies were 118 (76.1%) full term live births, 17 (10.9%) premature live births, 9 (5.8%) therapeutic/elective miscarriages, 8 (5.1%) spontaneous miscarriages and 3 (1.9%) spontaneous foetal deaths or stillbirths. Six mother-to-child transmission events occurred, with four documented prior to 2008. Over time, mean CD4 count in pregnant women increased from 395 cells/µL (2004-2009) to 543 cells/µL (2010-2014) and to 696 cells/µL (2015-2019), p < 0.001. Conversely, the viral load declined from 4.2 log10 copies/ml to 2.5 log10 copies/ml and to 1.2 log10 copies/ml (p < 0.001) for the corresponding periods. CONCLUSIONS Pregnancy rates following HIV acquisition were high, emphasising a need for timeous ART provision and contraception counselling in women recently diagnosed with HIV. CD4 count and HIV viral load trajectories reflect improvements in treatment guidance for pregnant women over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nivashnee Naicker
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute (2nd floor), Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X7, Congella, Durban, 4013, South Africa.
| | - Nonhlanhla Yende-Zuma
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute (2nd floor), Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X7, Congella, Durban, 4013, South Africa
| | - Ayesha B M Kharsany
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute (2nd floor), Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X7, Congella, Durban, 4013, South Africa
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Hlengiwe Shozi
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute (2nd floor), Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X7, Congella, Durban, 4013, South Africa
| | - Duduzile Nkosi
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute (2nd floor), Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X7, Congella, Durban, 4013, South Africa
| | - Anushka Naidoo
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute (2nd floor), Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X7, Congella, Durban, 4013, South Africa
| | - Nigel Garrett
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute (2nd floor), Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X7, Congella, Durban, 4013, South Africa
- Department of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Salim S Abdool Karim
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute (2nd floor), Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X7, Congella, Durban, 4013, South Africa
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Marston M, Gregson S. Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Antiretroviral Therapy, and Fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa: Pieces Still Missing in the Jigsaw Puzzle. J Infect Dis 2021; 221:1919-1921. [PMID: 31332439 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Milly Marston
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Gregson
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, United Kingdom.,Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Steep Declines in Pediatric AIDS Mortality in South Africa, Despite Poor Progress Toward Pediatric Diagnosis and Treatment Targets. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2020; 39:843-848. [PMID: 32433224 PMCID: PMC7958302 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000002680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few attempts have been made to monitor progress toward HIV diagnosis and antiretroviral treatment (ART) coverage targets in children, and the impact that ART and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs have had on pediatric HIV incidence and mortality. METHODS A multiparameter evidence synthesis approach was adopted to integrate South African pediatric HIV data sources. A previously developed model of HIV in South Africa was calibrated to household survey HIV prevalence data, routine antibody testing data, data on numbers and ages of children on ART, vital registration data and data on HIV diagnosis at death. The impact of ART and PMTCT was estimated by comparing validated model outputs against model predictions of the trends that would have been expected in the absence of ART and PMTCT. RESULTS By mid-2018, the model estimated that 75.2% (95% CI: 73.9%-76.8%) of HIV-positive children were diagnosed, substantially lower than the corresponding estimates in HIV-positive adults (91.0%). ART coverage in children in 2018 (51.2%, 95% CI: 49.4%-52.7%) was also lower than that in adults (62.0%). In 2017-2018, the numbers of new cases of mother-to-child transmission and pediatric AIDS deaths were reduced by 84% and 94%, respectively, relative to what would have been expected in the absence of interventions, but reductions in mortality were driven largely by PMTCT. CONCLUSIONS Although levels of AIDS mortality in children have declined dramatically in South Africa, this has mostly been due to successful PMTCT programs, and progress toward the 90-90-90 targets appears relatively poor when compared with that in adults.
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Understanding and Responding to Prescribing Patterns of Sodium Valproate-Containing Medicines in Pregnant Women and Women of Childbearing Age in Western Cape, South Africa. Drug Saf 2020; 44:41-51. [PMID: 32844313 PMCID: PMC7813724 DOI: 10.1007/s40264-020-00987-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Growing evidence of the teratogenic potential of sodium valproate (VPA) has changed prescribing practices across the globe; however, the impact of this research and the consequent dissemination of a Dear Health Care Professional Letter (DHCPL) in December 2015, recommending avoidance of the teratogen VPA in women of childbearing age (WOCBA) and pregnant women in South Africa, is unknown. We explored trends and reasons for VPA use among pregnant women and WOCBA in the public sector in Western Cape Province from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2017. METHODS Using the provincial health information exchange that collates routine electronic health data via unique patient identifiers, we analysed clinical and pharmacy records from 2015 to 2017 to determine prescription patterns of VPA and other antiepileptic drug (AED) and mood-stabilising medicine (MSM) use in WOCBA and pregnant women. Senior clinicians and policy makers were consulted to understand the determinants of VPA use. RESULTS At least one VPA prescription was dispensed to between 8205 (0.79%) and 9425 (0.94%) WOBCA from a cohort of approximately 1 million WOCBA attending provincial health care facilities per year. Prescriptions were more likely in HIV-infected women compared with HIV-uninfected women (1.1-1.3% vs. 0.7-0.9%; p < 0.001). VPA use in WOCBA remained stable at 0.8-0.9% over the review period despite the 2016 DHCPL. VPA was the most prescribed AED/MSM, constituting 43.2-45.5% of all WOCBA taking at least one such agent, while lamotrigine, the other recommended first-line agent, was only prescribed in 7.8-8.9% of WOCBA. Over 3 years, approximately 663 pregnancies were exposed to VPA, with a steady rise in the number of exposures each year (n = 204, 214 and 245, respectively). CONCLUSION Despite warnings, VPA remained the most frequently prescribed AED or MSM in WOCBA. Contributing factors are described.
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