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Ostermann J, Njau B, van Zwetselaar M, Yamanis T, McClimans L, Mwangi R, Beti M, Hobbie A, Gass SJ, Mtuy T, Thielman N. Mobile Phone-Based Confidential Social Network Referrals for HIV Testing (CONSORT): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2024; 13:e55068. [PMID: 38814692 PMCID: PMC11176874 DOI: 10.2196/55068] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Critical to efforts to end the HIV epidemic is the identification of persons living with HIV who have yet to be diagnosed and engaged in care. Expanded HIV testing outreach efforts need to be both efficient and ambitious, targeting the social networks of persons living with HIV and those at above-average risk of undiagnosed HIV infection. The ubiquity of mobile phones across many high HIV prevalence settings has created opportunities to leverage mobile health (mHealth) technologies to engage social networks for HIV testing outreach, prevention, and treatment. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to evaluate the acceptability and efficacy of a novel mHealth intervention, "Confidential Social Network Referrals for HIV Testing (CONSORT)," to nudge at-risk individuals to test for HIV using SMS text messages. METHODS We will conduct the CONSORT study in Moshi, Tanzania, the commercial center and administrative capital of the Kilimanjaro Region in northern Tanzania. After qualitative formative work and pilot testing, we will enroll 400 clients presenting for HIV counseling and testing and 200 persons living with HIV and receiving care at HIV care and treatment centers as "inviters" into a randomized controlled trial. Eligible participants will be aged 18 years or older and live, work, or regularly receive care in Moshi. We will randomize inviters into 1 of 2 study arms. All inviters will be asked to complete a survey of their HIV testing and risk behaviors and to think of social network contacts who would benefit from HIV testing. They will then be asked to whom they would prefer to extend an HIV testing invitation in the form of a physical invitation card. Arm 1 participants will also be given the opportunity to extend CONSORT invitations in the form of automated confidential SMS text messages to any of their social network contacts or "invitees." Arm 2 participants will be offered physical invitation cards alone. The primary outcome will be counselor-documented uptake of HIV testing by invitees within 30 days of inviter enrollment. Secondary outcomes will include the acceptability of CONSORT among inviters, the number of new HIV diagnoses, and the HIV risk of invitees who present for testing. RESULTS Enrollment in the randomized controlled trial is expected to start in September 2024. The findings will be disseminated to stakeholders and published in peer-reviewed journals. CONCLUSIONS If CONSORT is acceptable and effective for increasing the uptake of HIV testing, given the minimal costs of SMS text reminders and the potential for exponential but targeted growth using chain referrals, it may shift current practices for HIV testing programs in the area. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClincalTrials.gov NCT05967208; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05967208. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/55068.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Ostermann
- Department of Health Services Policy & Management, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Bernard Njau
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, United Republic of Tanzania
| | | | - Thespina Yamanis
- School of International Service, American University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Leah McClimans
- Department of Philosophy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Rose Mwangi
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Melkiory Beti
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Amy Hobbie
- Center for Health Policy and Inequalities Research, Duke University, Durham, SC, United States
| | - Salomé-Joelle Gass
- Department of Health Services Policy & Management, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Tara Mtuy
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nathan Thielman
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
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Meek CJ, Munkhondya TEM, Mphande M, Tembo TA, Chitani M, Jean-Baptiste M, Vansia D, Kumbuyo C, Wang J, Simon KR, Rutstein SE, Barrington C, Kim MH, Go VF, Rosenberg NE. Examining the feasibility of assisted index case testing for HIV case-finding: a qualitative analysis of barriers and facilitators to implementation in Malawi. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:606. [PMID: 38720312 PMCID: PMC11080127 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10988-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Assisted index case testing (ICT), in which health care workers take an active role in referring at-risk contacts of people living with HIV for HIV testing services, has been widely recognized as an evidence-based intervention with high potential to increase status awareness in people living with HIV. While the available evidence from eastern and southern Africa suggests that assisted ICT can be an effective, efficient, cost-effective, acceptable, and low-risk strategy to implement in the region, it reveals that feasibility barriers to implementation exist. This study aims to inform the design of implementation strategies to mitigate these feasibility barriers by examining "assisting" health care workers' experiences of how barriers manifest throughout the assisted ICT process, as well as their perceptions of potential opportunities to facilitate feasibility. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted with 26 lay health care workers delivering assisted ICT in Malawian health facilities. Interviews explored health care workers' experiences counseling index clients and tracing these clients' contacts, aiming to inform development of a blended learning implementation package. Transcripts were inductively analyzed using Dedoose coding software to identify and describe key factors influencing feasibility of assisted ICT. Analysis included multiple rounds of coding and iteration with the data collection team. RESULTS Participants reported a variety of barriers to feasibility of assisted index case testing implementation, including sensitivities around discussing ICT with clients, privacy concerns, limited time for assisted index case testing amid high workloads, poor quality contact information, and logistical obstacles to tracing. Participants also reported several health care worker characteristics that facilitate feasibility (knowledge, interpersonal skills, non-stigmatizing attitudes and behaviors, and a sense of purpose), as well as identified process improvements with the potential to mitigate barriers. CONCLUSIONS Maximizing assisted ICT's potential to increase status awareness in people living with HIV requires equipping health care workers with effective training and support to address and overcome the many feasibility barriers that they face in implementation. Findings demonstrate the need for, as well as inform the development of, implementation strategies to mitigate barriers and promote facilitators to feasibility of assisted ICT. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT05343390. Date of registration: April 25, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline J Meek
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | | | - Mtisunge Mphande
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Tapiwa A Tembo
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Mike Chitani
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Milenka Jean-Baptiste
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dhrutika Vansia
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Caroline Kumbuyo
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Jiayu Wang
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Sarah E Rutstein
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Clare Barrington
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Maria H Kim
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Vivian F Go
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Nora E Rosenberg
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Secor AM, Ihnatiuk A, Shapoval A, McDowell M, Hetman L, Wagner AD, Pintye J, Beima-Sofie K, Golden MR, Puttkammer N. Does HIV index testing bring patients into treatment at earlier stages of HIV disease? Results from a retrospective study in Ukraine. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:328. [PMID: 38500055 PMCID: PMC10949801 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09190-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over one-third of people living with HIV (PLH) in Ukraine are not on treatment. Index testing services, which link potentially exposed partners (named partners) of known PLH (index patients) with testing and treatment services, are being scaled in Ukraine and could potentially close this gap. METHODS This retrospective study included patient data from 14,554 adult PLH who initiated antiretroviral treatment (ART) between October 2018 and May 2021 at one of 35 facilities participating in an intervention to strengthen index testing services. Mixed effects modified Poisson models were used to assess differences between named partners and other ART initiators, and an interrupted time series (ITS) analysis was used to assess changes in ART initiation over time. RESULTS Compared to other ART initiators, named partners were significantly less likely to have a confirmed TB diagnosis (aRR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.40, 0.77, p < 0.001), a CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm3 (aRR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.73, 0.97, p = 0.017), or be categorized as WHO HIV stage 4 (aRR = 0.68, 9% CI = 0.55, 0.83, p < 0.001) at the time of ART initiation, and were significantly more likely to initiate ART within seven days of testing for HIV (aRR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.22, 1.50, p < 0.001). Our ITS analysis showed a modest 2.34% (95% CI = 0.26%, 4.38%; p = 0.028) month-on-month reduction in mean ART initiations comparing the post-intervention period to the pre-intervention period, although these results were likely confounded by the COVID epidemic. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that index testing services may be beneficial in bringing PLH into treatment at an earlier stage of HIV disease and decreasing delays between HIV testing and ART initiation, potentially improving patient outcomes and retention in the HIV care cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Secor
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Hans Rosling Center, 3980 15th Ave NE, 98105, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Alyona Ihnatiuk
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Anna Shapoval
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Misti McDowell
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Larisa Hetman
- Public Health Center (PHC) of the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Anjuli D Wagner
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Hans Rosling Center, 3980 15th Ave NE, 98105, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jillian Pintye
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Hans Rosling Center, 3980 15th Ave NE, 98105, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kristin Beima-Sofie
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Hans Rosling Center, 3980 15th Ave NE, 98105, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Matthew R Golden
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- HIV/STD Program, Public Health-Seattle & King County, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nancy Puttkammer
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Hans Rosling Center, 3980 15th Ave NE, 98105, Seattle, WA, USA
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), Seattle, WA, USA
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McGowan M, Bärnighausen K, Berner-Rodoreda A, McMahon SA, Mtaita C, Mauti J, Neuhann F. "The targets…are driving the agenda and that probably needs to change": stakeholder perspectives on HIV partner notification in sub-Saharan Africa. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:521. [PMID: 38373972 PMCID: PMC10877856 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17422-9] [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: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Voluntary assisted partner notification (VAPN) in HIV contact tracing is a globally recommended strategy to identify persons who have been exposed to HIV and link them to HIV testing and follow-up. However, there is little understanding about how VAPN is experienced by stakeholders in sub-Saharan African (SSA) contexts. We conducted a multi-level and multi-national qualitative analysis evaluating stakeholder perspectives surrounding VAPN implementation to inform the development of future VAPN policies. METHOD We conducted in-depth interviews (IDIs) with VAPN stakeholders at global (n = 5), national (n = 6), and community level (n = 4) across a total of seven SSA countries. Eligible participants were ≥ 18 years old and had experience developing, implementing, or overseeing VAPN policies in SSA. We sought to understand stakeholder's perspectives on policy development, implementation, and perceived outcomes (barriers and facilitators). Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically using a combination of inductive and deductive approaches. RESULTS Between December 2019 and October 2020 we conducted 15 IDIs. While participants agreed that VAPN resulted in a high yield of people newly diagnosed with HIV; they noted numerous barriers surrounding VAPN implementation across global, national, and community levels, the majority of which were identified at community level. Barriers at global and national level included high target setting, contradictory laws, and limited independent research disenfranchising the experiences of implementing partners. The barriers identified at community level included client-level challenges (e.g., access to healthcare facilities and fear of adverse events); healthcare worker challenges (e.g., high workloads); limited data infrastructure; and cultural/gender norms that hindered women from engaging in HIV testing and VAPN services. In response to these barriers, participants shared implementation facilitators to sustain ethical implementation of VAPN services (e.g., contact tracing methods) and increase its yield (e.g., HIV self-testing integrated with VAPN services). CONCLUSION Overall, stakeholders perceived VAPN implementation to encounter barriers across all implementation levels (global to community). Future VAPN policies should be designed around the barriers and facilitators identified by SSA stakeholders to maximize the implementation of (ethical) HIV VAPN services and increase its impact in sub-Saharan African settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen McGowan
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Kate Bärnighausen
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Astrid Berner-Rodoreda
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Shannon A McMahon
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of International Health, Social and Behavioral Interventions Program, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Caroline Mtaita
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joy Mauti
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian Neuhann
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- School of Medicine and Clinical Sciences, Lewy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia
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Greensides D, Bishop K, Manfredini L, Wong V. Do No Harm: A Review of Social Harms Associated with HIV Partner Notification. GLOBAL HEALTH, SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2023; 11:e2300189. [PMID: 38135515 PMCID: PMC10749648 DOI: 10.9745/ghsp-d-23-00189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION HIV partner notification services (PNS) are highly effective in identifying people living with HIV, but the complex risks and repercussions associated with HIV testing and disclosure must be examined. The benefits of assisting people to learn their HIV status and link with treatment or prevention based on their results must be considered alongside the risks of adverse events or social harms. METHODS The study team systematically searched the PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of Science electronic databases (2015-2021), as well as abstracts from the International AIDS Society Conference (2016-2020) and the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (2015-2020). Fifteen studies and 1 conference abstract met the inclusion criteria for this narrative review. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Incidence of social harms across studies ranged from 0%-6.3%, with the higher range occurring among women with a previous history of intimate partner violence (IPV). The majority of the studies (69%) reported that less than or equal to 1% of participants experienced social harms as a result of PNS. Social harms included relationship dissolution, IPV, and loss of financial support. CONCLUSIONS Evidence from a limited set of studies suggests that although social harms associated with HIV partner notification do occur, they are rare. Considering the rapid global scale-up of PNS, additional research and oversight are needed to provide countries with recommended minimum standards to support providers, clients, and their partners with safe partner notification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Greensides
- Global Health Technical Assistance and Mission Support Project, supporting the Office of HIV/AIDS, Prevention, Care, and Treatment Division, U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kristina Bishop
- U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Liz Manfredini
- Global Health Training, Advisory, and Support Contract, Credence Management Solutions, LLC, supporting the Office of HIV/AIDS, Prevention Care and Treatment Division, U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Vincent Wong
- U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington, DC, USA
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Wamuti B, Sambai B, Magambo C, Ndegwa M, Macharia P, M Temu T, Farquhar C, Bukusi D. HIV assisted partner services (aPS) to support integrated HIV and hypertension screening in Kenya: a pre-post intervention study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2391. [PMID: 38041061 PMCID: PMC10693028 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17205-2] [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] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People living with HIV (PLWH) have a higher risk of developing hypertension compared to HIV uninfected individuals. HIV assisted partner services (aPS), where PLWH are assisted by a healthcare provider to disclose their status to sexual and / or drug injecting partner(s), offers an opportunity for integrated HIV and hypertension screening. We evaluated the feasibility of the aPS model in supporting integrated HIV and hypertension screening at the Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya. METHODS Between August 2019 and December 2020, we conducted a pre-post intervention study. We enrolled women receiving HIV testing services (HTS) with confirmed hypertension (female index clients) and traced their male relatives for HIV and hypertension screening and reviewed management at 3-months. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medication. RESULTS One hundred female index clients (median age: 55 years; interquartile range (IQR): 47-65) mentioned 165 male relatives (median: 49 years; IQR: 40-59) of whom 35% (n = 58/165) were enrolled. Of the male relatives, 29% had hypertension (n = 17/58), 34% had pre-hypertension (n = 20/58), and none were HIV-positive (n = 0/58). Among the female index clients, there was a statistically significant decline in SBP (pre: 156 mmHg, post: 133 mmHg, p-value: < 0.0001) and DBP (pre: 97 mmHg, post: 80 mmHg, p-value: < 0.0001), and increase in antihypertensive medication uptake (pre: 91%, n = 84/92; post: 98%, n = 90/92; X2: 4.3931, p-value: 0.036) relative to baseline. Among the male relatives, there was a statistically significant increase in antihypertensive medication uptake among those with hypertension (pre: 13%, n = 6/46; post: 17%, n = 8/46; X2: 32.7750, p-value: < 0.0001) relative to baseline. CONCLUSION HIV aPS holds promise for integrated HIV and hypertension screening among at-risk clients and their families. Twenty-nine percent of the male relatives had hypertension, higher than the national prevalence (24%), while one-third had pre-hypertension. We observed relatively high participant retention, reductions in blood pressure, and increase in antihypertensive medication uptake among those with confirmed hypertension. Future research expanding the aPS model to other non-communicable diseases through larger studies with longer follow-ups is required to better assess causal relationships and optimize integrated service delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Wamuti
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Betsy Sambai
- University of Washington - Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Christine Magambo
- Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) and HIV Prevention Unit, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Paul Macharia
- Research and Programs Department, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Tecla M Temu
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Carey Farquhar
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - David Bukusi
- Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) and HIV Prevention Unit, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
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Hurley EA, Mayatsa J, Matovu JKB, Schuetz N, Wanyenze R, Wagner G, Goggin K. Piloting Gain and Loss-Framed PrEP and Childbearing Messaging to Promote HIV Testing in Uganda: Perspectives from Couples and Providers. JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2023; 28:669-679. [PMID: 37642350 DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2023.2251919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Fears of relationship dissolution and the inability to bear healthy children remain barriers to HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) carries both clinical and symbolic benefits that counter these fears. We conducted a pilot messaging intervention through Uganda's assisted partner notification (APN) program, where providers assist HIV-positive index clients in notifying sexual partners and encourage testing. We randomized providers at three clinics to implement phone scripts over two months with (1) gain-framed or (2) loss-framed information about PrEP and childbearing; or (3) usual care. In 23 in-depth interviews with providers, index clients, and partners, five major themes emerged on intervention acceptability and feasibility: (1) value of PrEP and childbearing messaging in APN; (2) value of this messaging coming earlier in APN; (3) overall preference for gain-framed messages; (4) need to tailor timing of messaging; and (5) need for messaging outside of APN. Register data (109 index clients, 145 partners) indicated most index clients (95%) wanted their potential conception partners informed about PrEP. Preliminary trends suggest the intervention sites outperformed usual care in testing rates among potential conception partners. Messaging that highlights PrEP and safe childbearing may be a promising new communication strategy to promote HIV testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A Hurley
- Division of Health Services and Outcomes Research, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
- Department of Population Health, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Jimmy Mayatsa
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph K B Matovu
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Community and Public Health, Busitema University Faculty of Health Sciences, Mbale, Uganda
| | - Nik Schuetz
- Division of Health Services and Outcomes Research, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Rhoda Wanyenze
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Kathy Goggin
- Division of Health Services and Outcomes Research, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
- University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
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Ihnatiuk AP, Shapoval AY, Kazanzhy AP, Kuzin IV, Riabokon SV, Shotorbani S, McDowell MR, Golden MR, Puttkammer NH. Distinctive model for HIV index testing (IT) in Eastern Europe: results of Ukraine's physician-led, integrated IT programme. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e070542. [PMID: 37730414 PMCID: PMC10514626 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The effectiveness of HIV index testing (IT) in Eastern Europe has not been described. This study reports the performance of a scaled IT programme in Ukraine. DESIGN This observational study included clients enrolled in IT services in 2020, and used routinely collected data from programme registers and the national electronic health record system. SETTING The study covered 39 public-sector health facilities where IT services were integrated into medical visits for persons living with HIV (PLHIV) already enrolled in HIV care. PARTICIPANTS Participants included PLHIV with both recent (<6 months) and previously established (≥6 months) HIV diagnoses. INTERVENTION Ukraine's physician-led IT model involves a cascade of steps including voluntary informed consent, partner elicitation, selection of partner notification method and follow-up with clients to ensure partners are notified, tested for HIV and linked to HIV prevention and treatment services, as needed. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Outcomes included contact index, testing, index and HIV case-finding index disaggregated by index client (IC) subgroups, including people with current or past injection drug use (PWID) and men who have sex with men (MSM). RESULTS Of 14 525 ICs offered index testing, 51.9% accepted, of whom 98.3% named at least one sexual, injection or biological child partner. In total, 14.9% of ICs were PWID and 3.5% were MSM. Clients named 8448 unique partners (contact index=1.14). HIV case finding averaged 0.14 cases per client, and was highest among clients with recent HIV diagnosis (0.29) and among PWID (0.23), and lower among clients with established HIV diagnosis (0.07). More than 90% of all partners with new HIV diagnoses were linked to care. CONCLUSIONS There was a high case-finding index among ICs with recent HIV and high linkage to care for all partners, demonstrating the effectiveness of this integrated, physician-led model implemented in 39 health facilities in Ukraine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyona P Ihnatiuk
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Anna Y Shapoval
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Anna P Kazanzhy
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Igor V Kuzin
- Public Health Center, Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Kiiv, Ukraine
| | | | - Solmaz Shotorbani
- International Training and Education Center for Health, Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Misti R McDowell
- International Training and Education Center for Health, Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Matthew R Golden
- International Training and Education Center for Health, Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- HIV/STD Control Program, Public Health, Seattle & King County, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Nancy H Puttkammer
- International Training and Education Center for Health, Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Meek CJ, Munkhondya TEM, Mphande M, Tembo TA, Chitani M, Jean-Baptiste M, Vansia D, Kumbuyo C, Simon KR, Rutstein SE, Barrington C, Kim MH, Go VF, Rosenberg NE. Examining the feasibility of assisted index case testing for HIV case-finding: a qualitative analysis of barriers and facilitators to implementation in Malawi. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3314925. [PMID: 37720011 PMCID: PMC10503858 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3314925/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Background Assisted index case testing, in which health care workers take an active role in referring at-risk contacts of people living with HIV for HIV testing services, has been widely recognized as an evidence-based intervention with high potential to increase PLHIV status awareness. Promising evidence for the approach has led to several attempts to scale assisted index case testing throughout eastern and southern Africa in recent years. However, despite effective implementation being at the heart of any assisted index case testing strategy, there is limited implementation science research from the perspective of the HCWs who are doing the "assisting". This study examines the feasibility of assisted index case testing from the perspective of health care workers implementing the approach in Malawi. Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with 26 lay health care workers delivering assisted index case testing in Malawian health facilities. Interviews explored health care workers' experiences counselling index clients and tracing these clients' contacts, aiming to inform development of a blended learning implementation package. Transcripts were inductively analyzed using Dedoose coding software to identify and describe key factors influencing feasibility of assisted index case testing. Analysis included multiple rounds of coding and iteration with the data collection team. Results Participants reported a variety of barriers to feasibility of assisted index case testing implementation, including privacy concerns, limited time for assisted index case testing amid high workloads, poor quality contact information, logistical obstacles to tracing, and challenges of discussing sexual behavior with clients. Participants also reported several health care worker characteristics that facilitate feasibility: robust understanding of assisted index case testing's rationale and knowledge of procedures, strong interpersonal skills, positive attitudes towards clients, and sense of purpose in their work. Conclusions Findings demonstrate that maximizing assisted index case testing's potential to increase HIV status awareness requires adequately equipping health care workers with appropriate knowledge, skills, and support to address and overcome the many feasibility challenges that they face in implementation. Trial Registration Number NCT05343390 Date of registration: April 25, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline J Meek
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | | | | | | | - Mike Chitani
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation
| | - Milenka Jean-Baptiste
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | | | | | | | - Sarah E Rutstein
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Clare Barrington
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Maria H Kim
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation
| | - Vivian F Go
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Nora E Rosenberg
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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10
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Wamuti B, Owuor M, Liu W, Katz D, Lagat H, Otieno G, Kariithi E, Macharia P, Masyuko S, Mugambi M, Farquhar C, Weiner B. Implementation fidelity to HIV assisted partner services (aPS) during scale-up in western Kenya: a convergent mixed methods study. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:511. [PMID: 37208724 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09541-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV assisted partner services (aPS) is an intervention to improve HIV status awareness among sex and drug-injecting partners of people newly diagnosed with HIV (index clients). Implementation fidelity-the degree to which an intervention is conducted as intended - is critical to effectiveness, but there are limited data about aPS fidelity when delivered by HIV testing service (HTS) providers. We explored factors affecting implementation fidelity to aPS in two high-HIV prevalence counties in western Kenya. METHODS We used convergent mixed methods adapting the conceptual framework for implementation fidelity within the aPS scale-up project. This was an implementation study examining scale-up of APS within HTS programs in Kisumu and Homa Bay counties that recruited male sex partners (MSPs) of female index clients. We defined implementation fidelity as the extent to which HTS providers followed the protocol for phone and in-person participant tracing at six expected tracing attempts. Quantitative data were collected from tracing reports in 31 facilities between November 2018 and December 2020, and in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with HTS providers. Descriptive statistics were used to describe tracing attempts. IDIs were analyzed using thematic content analysis. RESULTS Overall, 3017 MSPs were mentioned of whom 98% (2969/3017) were traced, with most tracing attempts being successful (2831/2969, 95%). Fourteen HTS providers participated in the IDIs-mostly females (10/14, 71%) with a median age of 35 years (range 25-52), who all had post-secondary education (14/14, 100%). The proportion of tracing attempts occurring by phone ranged from 47 to 66%, with the highest proportion occurring on the first attempt and lowest on the sixth attempt. Contextual factors either enhanced or impeded implementation fidelity to aPS. Positive provider attitudes towards aPS and conducive work environment factors promoted implementation fidelity, while negative MSP responses and challenging tracing conditions impeded it. CONCLUSION Interactions at the individual (provider), interpersonal (client-provider), and health systems (facility) levels affected implementation fidelity to aPS. As policymakers prioritize strategies to reduce new HIV infections, our findings highlight the importance of conducting fidelity assessments to better anticipate and mitigate the impact of contextual factors during the scale-up of interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Wamuti
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard University, Boston, USA.
| | | | - Wenjia Liu
- School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - David Katz
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | | | | | | | - Paul Macharia
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Sarah Masyuko
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Carey Farquhar
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Bryan Weiner
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
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11
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Puttkammer N, Ihnatiuk A, Shapoval A, Kazanzhy A, Secor A, Shotorbani S, McDowell M, Golden M. Profile of partners who completed HIV testing and received a new HIV diagnosis in Ukraine's HIV index testing program: a retrospective cohort study to inform program improvement. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:291. [PMID: 37147618 PMCID: PMC10161989 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08281-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately one-third of people living with HIV in Ukraine are unaware of their HIV status. Index testing (IT) is an evidence-based HIV testing strategy that supports voluntary notification of partners with HIV risk, so they can receive HIV testing, prevention, and treatment services. METHODS Ukraine scaled up IT services in 2019. This observational study of Ukraine's IT program covered 39 health facilities located in 11 regions with high HIV burden. The study used routine program data from January-December 2020 to describe the profile of named partners and explore index client (IC) and partner factors associated with two outcomes: 1) completing testing; and 2) HIV case finding. Analysis used descriptive statistics and multilevel linear mixed regression models. RESULTS The study included 8,448 named partners, of whom 6,959 had unknown HIV status. Among them,72.2% completed HIV testing and 19.4% of those tested were newly diagnosed with HIV. Two-thirds of all new cases were among partners of ICs who were recently diagnosed and enrolled in care (< 6 months), while one third were among partners of established ICs. In adjusted analysis, partners of ICs with unsuppressed HIV viral load (VL) were less likely to complete HIV testing (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.11, p < 0.001), but more likely to receive a new HIV diagnosis (aOR = 1.92, p < 0.001). Partners of ICs who cited injection drug use or having a known HIV + partner as their own reason for testing were more likely to receive a new HIV diagnosis (aOR = 1.32, p = 0.04 and aOR = 1.71, p < 0.001 respectively). Involving providers in the partner notification process was associated with completed testing (aOR = 1.76, p = 0.001) and HIV case finding (aOR = 1.64, p < 0.01), compared with notification by ICs. CONCLUSION HIV case detection was highest among partners of recently diagnosed ICs, but IT participation among established ICs still yielded an important share of all newly-identified HIV cases. Areas for improvement in Ukraine's IT program include completing testing for partners of ICs with unsuppressed HIV VL, with history of injection drug use or discordant partnerships. Using intensified follow-up for the sub-groups at risk of incomplete testing may be practical. Greater use of provider-assisted notification could also accelerate HIV case finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Puttkammer
- Department of Global Health, International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), University of Washington, 325 Ninth Ave, Box # 359932, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA.
| | - Alyona Ihnatiuk
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), 29 Obolonska St., Office 506, Kiev, 04071, Ukraine
| | - Anna Shapoval
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), 29 Obolonska St., Office 506, Kiev, 04071, Ukraine
| | - Anna Kazanzhy
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), 29 Obolonska St., Office 506, Kiev, 04071, Ukraine
| | - Andrew Secor
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, 325 Ninth Ave, Box # 359932, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
| | - Solmaz Shotorbani
- Department of Global Health, International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), University of Washington, 325 Ninth Ave, Box # 359932, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
| | - Misti McDowell
- Department of Global Health, International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), University of Washington, 325 Ninth Ave, Box # 359932, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
| | - Matthew Golden
- Department of Global Health, International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), University of Washington, 325 Ninth Ave, Box # 359932, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
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12
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Bulterys MA, Naughton B, Mujugira A, Mugisha J, Nakyanzi A, Naddunga F, Boyer J, Ware N, Celum C, Sharma M. Pregnant women and male partner perspectives of secondary distribution of HIV self-testing kits in Uganda: A qualitative study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0279781. [PMID: 36787299 PMCID: PMC9928124 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a promising strategy to increase awareness of HIV status among sub-Saharan African (SSA) men. Understanding user perspectives on HIVST secondary distribution from pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) to their male partners is crucial to optimizing delivery strategies. METHODS We sampled pregnant women attending ANC without their partners and purposively oversampled pregnant women living with HIV (PWHIV) to understand their unique views. We recruited male partners after obtaining contact information from women. We conducted 14 focus group discussions and 10 in-depth interviews with men and pregnant women. We assessed acceptability of HIVST secondary distribution, barriers, facilitators, and interventions to increase HIVST uptake. RESULTS Participants felt that HIVST secondary distribution was acceptable, particularly for women in stable relationships. However, many expressed concerns about accusations of mistrust, relationship dissolution, fear of discovering serodifference, and lack of counseling associated with HIVST. PWHIV reported hesitation about secondary distribution, citing fears of unintended HIV status disclosure and abandonment resulting in financial hardship for themselves and their infant. Some participants preferred that providers contact men directly to offer HIVST kits instead of distribution via women. Participants reported that community sensitization, availability of phone-based counseling, male clinic staff, extended clinic hours, and financial incentives could increase men's HIVST use and linkage to care. CONCLUSION Participants expressed high interest in using HIVST, but secondary distribution was not universally preferred. We identified potential strategies to increase HIVST acceptability, particularly among PWHIV and those in unstable partnerships which can inform strategies to optimize HIVST distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A. Bulterys
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Brienna Naughton
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Andrew Mujugira
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jackson Mugisha
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Agnes Nakyanzi
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Faith Naddunga
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jade Boyer
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Norma Ware
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Connie Celum
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Monisha Sharma
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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13
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Wamuti BM, Owour M, Obong'o C, Liu W, Kariithi E, Lagat H, Otieno G, Sharma M, Katz DA, Masyuko S, Farquhar C, Weiner BJ. Integration of assisted partner services within Kenya's national HIV testing services program: A qualitative study. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001586. [PMID: 36962930 PMCID: PMC10022023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Assisted partner service (aPS) augments HIV case-finding among sex partners to individuals newly diagnosed with HIV. In 2016, aPS was incorporated into the national HIV testing services (HTS) program in Kenya. We evaluated the extent of, barriers to, and facilitators of aPS integration into HTS. We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews (IDIs) with 32 stakeholders selected using purposive sampling at national, county, facility, and community levels. IDIs were conducted at two timepoints, at baseline from August-September 2018 in Kisumu and January-June 2019 in Homa Bay, and at follow-up from May-August 2020 to understand changes in aPS integration over time. We defined integration as the creation of linkages between the new intervention (aPS) and the existing HTS program. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. We found varying degrees of aPS integration, highest in procurement/logistics and lowest in HTS provider recruitment/training. At baseline, aPS integration was low and activities were at an introductory phase. At follow-up, aPS was integrated in almost the entire HTS program with the exception of low community awareness, which was noted at both baseline and follow-up. There was increasing routinization with establishment of clear aPS cycles, e.g., quarterly data review meetings, annual budget cycles and work-plans. Major barriers included limited government funding, staff constraints, and inadequate community-level sensitization, while key facilitators included increased resources for aPS, and community health volunteer (CHV) facilitated awareness of aPS. Varying degrees of aPS integration across different units of the national HTS program highlights challenges in funding, human resource, and public awareness. Policymakers will need to address these barriers to ensure optimal provision of aPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice M Wamuti
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | | | | | - Wenjia Liu
- School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | | | | | | | - Monisha Sharma
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - David A Katz
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Sarah Masyuko
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- National AIDS and STI Control Program, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Carey Farquhar
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Bryan J Weiner
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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14
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Tseng AS, Sambai B, Monroe-Wise A, Mbogo LW, Ludwig-Barron NT, Masyuko SJ, Chohan BH, Scott JD, Sinkele W, Herbeck JT, Farquhar C, Guthrie BL. Assisted Partner Services for People Who Inject Drugs: Index Characteristics Associated With Untreated HIV in Partners. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2022; 91:269-275. [PMID: 35969466 PMCID: PMC9588565 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003062] [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: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Assisted partner services (APSs) is a feasible, acceptable, and effective strategy that increases uptake of HIV testing; however, it has not been used widely among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Africa to notify sexual and injecting partners of potential exposures to HIV and provide testing services. SETTING Nairobi, Kilifi, and Mombasa counties in Kenya. METHODS PWID living with HIV (indexes) were enrolled and asked to provide contact information for sexual and injecting partners who were traced and offered HIV testing. APS efficiency was assessed by the number of indexes needed to interview (NNTI) to find 1 additional partner who was unaware of their HIV status or not on antiretroviral therapy (ART). We defined index participant characteristics associated with greater efficiency, defined as lower NNTIs. RESULTS Among 783 indexes, the NNTI to identify one partner unaware of their HIV status was 7.1 and to identify one HIV-positive partner not on ART (regardless of status awareness) was 4.1. APS was provided to 977 partners and was more efficient in identifying partners who were not on ART (n = 201) among indexes who were female (NNTI = 2.9 vs. 5.7, P < 0.001), unaware of their HIV status (NNTI = 2.2 vs. 4.2, P = 0.009), not on ART (NNTI = 2.1 vs. 4.9; P < 0.001), not enrolled in a methadone program (NNTI = 3.3 vs. 10.4, P < 0.001), reported injecting <5 years (NNTI = 3.3 vs. 5.0; P = 0.005), or from Nairobi (NNTI = 3.2 vs. 5.6, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Scaling up APS among PWID living with HIV with certain characteristics could result in more efficient APS and greater partner engagement in HIV care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley S Tseng
- Departments of Epidemiology, and
- Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | | | | | | | | | - Sarah J Masyuko
- Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- National AIDS and STI Control Program, Kenya Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Bhavna H Chohan
- Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Center for Virology, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - John D Scott
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; and
| | - William Sinkele
- Support for Addiction Prevention and Treatment in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Carey Farquhar
- Departments of Epidemiology, and
- Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; and
| | - Brandon L Guthrie
- Departments of Epidemiology, and
- Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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15
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Liu W, Wamuti BM, Owuor M, Lagat H, Kariithi E, Obong'o C, Mugambi M, Sharma M, Bosire R, Masyuko S, Katz DA, Farquhar C, Weiner BJ. "It is a process" - a qualitative evaluation of provider acceptability of HIV assisted partner services in western Kenya: experiences, challenges, and facilitators. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:616. [PMID: 35525931 PMCID: PMC9078086 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08024-z] [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: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Assisted partner service (APS) is effective for increasing HIV testing services (HTS) uptake among sexual partners of people diagnosed with HIV with rare social harm. The acceptability of APS to HTS providers is important for the quality and effectiveness of APS delivery. Within a larger ongoing implementation science study of APS in western Kenya, we qualitatively evaluated the provider acceptability of APS. Methods From May–June 2020, we conducted virtual, semi-structured in-depth interviews with 14 HTS providers recruited from 8 of 31 study health facilities in Homa Bay and Kisumu counties. Participants were selected using criteria-based purposive sampling to maximize variation on patient volume (assessed by the number of index clients tested for HIV) and APS performance (assessed by sexual partners elicitation and enrollment). Interviews inquired providers’ experiences providing APS including challenges and facilitators and the impact of contextual factors. Data were analyzed using an inductive approach. Results Overall, HTS providers found APS acceptable. It was consistently reported that doing APS was a continuous process rather than a one-day job, which required building rapport and persistent efforts. Benefits of APS including efficiency in HIV case finding, expanded testing coverage in men, and increased HIV status awareness and linkage to care motivated the providers. Provider referral was perceived advantageous in terms of independent contact with partners on behalf of index clients and efficiency in partner tracing. Challenges of providing APS included protecting clients’ confidentiality, difficulty obtaining partners’ accurate contact information, logistic barriers of tracing, and clients’ refusal due to fear of being judged for multiple sexual partners, fear of breach of confidentiality, and HIV stigma. Building rapport with clients, communicating with patience and nonjudgmental attitude and assuring confidentiality were examples of facilitators. Working in rural areas and bigger facilities, training, supportive supervision, and community awareness of APS promoted APS delivery while low salaries, lack of equipment, and high workload undermined it. Conclusions HTS providers found APS acceptable. Delivering APS as a process was the key to success. Future scale-up of APS could consider encouraging provider referral instead of the other APS methods to improve efficiency and reduce potential harm to clients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjia Liu
- School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mary Mugambi
- National AIDS and STI Control Programme, Kenya Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Monisha Sharma
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Rose Bosire
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sarah Masyuko
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.,National AIDS and STI Control Programme, Kenya Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - David A Katz
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Carey Farquhar
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Bryan J Weiner
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
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16
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Mannoh I, Amundsen D, Turpin G, Lyons CE, Viswasam N, Hahn E, Ryan S, Baral S, Hansoti B. A Systematic Review of HIV Testing Implementation Strategies in Sub-Saharan African Countries. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:1660-1671. [PMID: 34797449 PMCID: PMC9426653 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03518-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
HIV/AIDS remains a looming presence in public health across the world, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The HIV Care Cascade hinges on testing and knowledge of HIV status. Though significant advances have been made in diagnosing people living with HIV (PLHIV), limitations in understanding which strategies are best suited to certain regions or populations have contributed to the uneven distribution in the success of various HIV testing strategies. Here, we present a conceptual framework that outlines effective HIV testing strategies for four target groups. This framework is based on a systematic literature review of articles published from January 1st, 2008, to December 31st, 2019. The effectiveness of HIV testing strategies depends on various factors including the setting, type of test and service providers. Multiple strategies are needed to reach the UNAIDS target of 95% of individuals knowing their HIV status. Expansion of community-based approaches, self-testing and HIV testing services in antenatal care will further improve the state of HIV testing in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivy Mannoh
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Gnilane Turpin
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carrie E Lyons
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nikita Viswasam
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elizabeth Hahn
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sofia Ryan
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bhakti Hansoti
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Medicine Suite 200, 5801 Smith Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21209, USA.
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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17
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Rosenberg NE, Tembo TA, Simon KR, Mollan K, Rutstein SE, Mwapasa V, Masiano S, Huffstetler HE, Go V, Kim MH. Development of a Blended Learning Approach to Delivering HIV-Assisted Contact Tracing in Malawi: Applied Theory and Formative Research. JMIR Form Res 2022; 6:e32899. [PMID: 35438644 PMCID: PMC9066333 DOI: 10.2196/32899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite progress toward the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS “95-95-95” targets (95% of HIV-positive persons tested, 95% of tested persons on treatment, and 95% of treated persons virally suppressed), a gap remains in achieving the first 95% target. Assisted contact tracing (ACT), in which health workers support HIV-positive index clients to recruit their contacts (sexual partners and children) for HIV testing, efficiently identifies HIV-positive persons in need of treatment. Although many countries, including Malawi, began implementing ACT, testing outcomes in routine settings have been worse than those in trial settings. Objective The aim of this paper is to use formative research and frameworks to develop and digitize an implementation package to bridge the gap between ACT research and practice. Methods Semistructured qualitative research was conducted in 2019 in Malawi with key informants. Barriers and facilitators to intervention delivery were identified using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Approaches to digitization were examined using human-centered design principles. Results Limited clinic coordination and health worker capacity to address the complexities of ACT were identified as barriers. Ongoing individual training consisting of learning, observing, practicing, and receiving feedback, as well as group problem-solving were identified as facilitators. Important features of digitization included (1) culturally relevant visual content, (2) capability of offline use, and (3) simple designs and basic editing to keep costs low. Conclusions Formative research and frameworks played a key role in designing and digitizing an implementation package for ACT delivery in a low-income setting such as Malawi.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tapiwa A Tembo
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Katherine R Simon
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi.,Baylor College of Medicine International Pediatric AIDS Initiative, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Katie Mollan
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Sarah E Rutstein
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | | | - Steven Masiano
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | - Vivian Go
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Maria H Kim
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi.,Baylor College of Medicine International Pediatric AIDS Initiative, Houston, TX, United States
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Wamuti B, Sharma M, Kariithi E, Lagat H, Otieno G, Bosire R, Masyuko S, Mugambi M, Weiner BJ, Katz DA, Farquhar C, Levin C. Cost of integrating assisted partner services in HIV testing services in Kisumu and Homa Bay counties, Kenya: a microcosting study. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:69. [PMID: 35031037 PMCID: PMC8759219 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07479-4] [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: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV assisted partner services (aPS), or provider notification and testing for sexual and injecting partners of people diagnosed with HIV, is shown to be safe, effective, and cost-effective and was scaled up within the national HIV testing services (HTS) program in Kenya in 2016. We estimated the costs of integrating aPS into routine HTS within an ongoing aPS scale-up project in western Kenya. METHODS We conducted microcosting using the payer perspective in 14 facilities offering aPS. Although aPS was offered to both males and females testing HIV-positive (index clients), we only collected data on female index clients and their male sex partners (MSP). We used activity-based costing to identify key aPS activities, inputs, resources, and estimated financial and economic costs of goods and services. We analyzed costs by start-up (August 2018), and recurrent costs one-year after aPS implementation (Kisumu: August 2019; Homa Bay: January 2020) and conducted time-and-motion observations of aPS activities. We estimated the incremental costs of aPS, average cost per MSP traced, tested, testing HIV-positive, and on antiretroviral therapy, cost shares, and costs disaggregated by facility. RESULTS Overall, the number of MSPs traced, tested, testing HIV-positive, and on antiretroviral therapy was 1027, 869, 370, and 272 respectively. Average unit costs per MSP traced, tested, testing HIV-positive, and on antiretroviral therapy were $34.54, $42.50, $108.71 and $152.28, respectively, which varied by county and facility client volume. The weighted average incremental cost of integrating aPS was $7,485.97 per facility per year, with recurrent costs accounting for approximately 90% of costs. The largest cost drivers were personnel (49%) and transport (13%). Providers spent approximately 25% of the HTS visit obtaining MSP contact information (HIV-negative clients: 13 out of 54 min; HIV-positive clients: 20 out of 96 min), while the median time spent per MSP traced on phone and in-person was 6 min and 2.5 hours, respectively. CONCLUSION Average facility costs will increase when integrating aPS to HTS with incremental costs largely driven by personnel and transport. Strategies to efficiently utilize healthcare personnel will be critical for effective, affordable, and sustainable aPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Wamuti
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, 325 9th Avenue, Box 359909, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA.
| | - Monisha Sharma
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, 325 9th Avenue, Box 359909, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
| | | | | | | | - Rose Bosire
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sarah Masyuko
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, 325 9th Avenue, Box 359909, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
- Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Bryan J Weiner
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, 325 9th Avenue, Box 359909, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
| | - David A Katz
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, 325 9th Avenue, Box 359909, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
| | - Carey Farquhar
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, 325 9th Avenue, Box 359909, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Carol Levin
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, 325 9th Avenue, Box 359909, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
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Tembo TA, Simon KR, Kim MH, Chikoti C, Huffstetler HE, Ahmed S, Mang’anda C, Chu SQ, Manyeki R, Kavuta E, Majoni R, Phiri D, Kalanga A, Rosenberg NE. Pilot-Testing a Blended Learning Package for Health Care Workers to Improve Index Testing Services in Southern Malawi: An Implementation Science Study. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2021; 88:470-476. [PMID: 34483296 PMCID: PMC8585717 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV index testing, an intervention in which HIV-positive "indexes" (persons diagnosed with HIV) are supported to recruit their "contacts" (sexual partners and children) efficiently identifies HIV-infected persons in need of treatment and HIV-uninfected persons in need of prevention. However, index testing implementation in sub-Saharan African health care settings has been suboptimal. The objective of this study was to develop and pilot test a blended learning capacity-building package to improve index testing implementation in Malawi. METHODS In 2019, a blended learning package combining digital and face-to-face training modalities was field tested at 6 health facilities in Mulanje, Malawi using a pre-/post- type II hybrid design with implementation and effectiveness outcomes. Health care worker (HCW) fidelity to the intervention was assessed via observed encounters before and after the training. Preliminary effectiveness was examined by comparing index testing program indicators in the 2 months before and 4 months after the training. Indicators included the mean number of indexes screened, contacts elicited, and contacts who received HIV testing per facility per month. RESULTS On a 30-point scale, HCW fidelity to index testing protocols improved from 6.0 pre- to 25.5 post-package implementation (P = 0.002). Index testing effectiveness indicators also increased: indexes screened (pre = 63, post = 101, P < 0.001); contacts elicited (pre = 75, post = 131, P < 0.001); and contacts who received HIV testing (pre = 27, post = 41, P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS The blended learning package improved fidelity to index testing protocols and preliminary effectiveness outcomes. This package has the potential to enhance implementation of HIV index testing approaches, a necessary step for ending the HIV epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tapiwa A. Tembo
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | - Maria H. Kim
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Chrissy Chikoti
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Hanna E. Huffstetler
- University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Saeed Ahmed
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | - Stephen Q. Chu
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Rachael Manyeki
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Elijah Kavuta
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Robert Majoni
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Duncan Phiri
- International Training and Education Center for Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | - Nora E. Rosenberg
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
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Klabbers RE, Muwonge TR, Ayikobua E, Izizinga D, Bassett IV, Kambugu A, Tsai AC, Ravicz M, Klabbers G, O’Laughlin KN. Health Worker Perspectives on Barriers and Facilitators of Assisted Partner Notification for HIV for Refugees and Ugandan Nationals: A Mixed Methods Study in West Nile Uganda. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:3206-3222. [PMID: 33884511 PMCID: PMC8416880 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03265-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Assisted partner notification (APN) is recommended by the World Health Organization to notify sexual partners of HIV exposure. Since 2018, APN has been offered in Uganda to Ugandan nationals and refugees. Distinct challenges faced by individuals in refugee settlements may influence APN utilization and effectiveness. To explore APN barriers and facilitators, we extracted index client and sexual partner data from APN registers at 11 health centers providing care to refugees and Ugandan nationals in West Nile Uganda and conducted qualitative interviews with health workers (N = 32). Since APN started, 882 index clients participated in APN identifying 1126 sexual partners. Following notification, 95% (1025/1126) of partners tested for HIV; 22% (230/1025) were diagnosed with HIV with 14% (139/1025) of tested partners newly diagnosed. Fear of stigma and disclosure-related violence limit APN utilization and effectiveness. Prospective research involving index clients and sexual partners is needed to facilitate safe APN optimization in refugee settlements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin E. Klabbers
- Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Timothy R. Muwonge
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Emmanuel Ayikobua
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Diego Izizinga
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ingrid V. Bassett
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA USA
| | - Andrew Kambugu
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Alexander C. Tsai
- Center for Global Health and Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Miranda Ravicz
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA USA
| | - Gonnie Klabbers
- Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life
Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Kelli N. O’Laughlin
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
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21
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Ostermann J, Flaherty BP, Brown DS, Njau B, Hobbie AM, Mtuy TB, Masnick M, Mühlbacher AC, Thielman NM. What factors influence HIV testing? Modeling preference heterogeneity using latent classes and class-independent random effects. JOURNAL OF CHOICE MODELLING 2021; 40:100305. [PMID: 35422879 PMCID: PMC9007550 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocm.2021.100305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Efforts to eliminate the HIV epidemic will require increased HIV testing rates among high-risk populations. To inform the design of HIV testing interventions, a discrete choice experiment (DCE) with six policy-relevant attributes of HIV testing options elicited the testing preferences of 300 female barworkers and 440 male Kilimanjaro mountain porters in northern Tanzania. Surveys were administered between September 2017 and July 2018. Participants were asked to complete 12 choice tasks, each involving first- and second-best choices from 3 testing options. DCE responses were analyzed using a random effects latent class logit (RELCL) model, in which the latent classes summarize common participant preference profiles, and the random effects capture additional individual-level preference heterogeneity with respect to three attribute domains: (a) privacy and confidentiality (testing venue, pre-test counseling, partner notification); (b) invasiveness and perceived accuracy (method for obtaining the sample for the HIV test); and (c) accessibility and value (testing availability, additional services provided). The Bayesian Information Criterion indicated the best model fit for a model with 8 preference classes, with class sizes ranging from 6% to 19% of participants. Substantial preference heterogeneity was observed, both between and within latent classes, with 12 of 16 attribute levels having positive and negative coefficients across classes, and all three random effects contributing significantly to participants' choices. The findings may help identify combinations of testing options that match the distribution of HIV testing preferences among high-risk populations; the methods may be used to systematically design heterogeneity-focused interventions using stated preference methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Ostermann
- Department of Health Services Policy & Management, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Columbia, SC, USA
- South Carolina Smart State Center for Healthcare Quality, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Health Policy & Inequalities Research, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Brian P. Flaherty
- Center for Health Policy & Inequalities Research, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Derek S. Brown
- Center for Health Policy & Inequalities Research, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Bernard Njau
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Amy M. Hobbie
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Health Policy & Inequalities Research, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Tara B. Mtuy
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Axel C. Mühlbacher
- Center for Health Policy & Inequalities Research, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Institut Gesundheitsökonomie und Medizinmanagement, Hochschule Neubrandenburg, Neubrandenburg, Germany
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Nathan M. Thielman
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Health Policy & Inequalities Research, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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Monroe-Wise A, Mbogo L, Guthrie B, Bukusi D, Sambai B, Chohan B, Scott J, Cherutich P, Musyoki H, Bosire R, Dunbar M, Macharia P, Masyuko S, Wilkinson E, De Oliveira T, Ludwig-Barron N, Sinkele B, Herbeck J, Farquhar C. Peer-mediated HIV assisted partner services to identify and link to care HIV-positive and HCV-positive people who inject drugs: a cohort study protocol. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e041083. [PMID: 33895711 PMCID: PMC8074565 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Targeted, tailored interventions to test high-risk individuals for HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are vital to achieving HIV control and HCV microelimination in Africa. Compared with the general population, people who inject drugs (PWID) are at increased risk of HIV and HCV and are less likely to be tested or successfully treated. Assisted partner services (APS) increases HIV testing among partners of people living with HIV and improves case finding and linkage to care. We describe a study in Kenya examining whether APS can be adapted to find, test and link to HIV care the partners of HIV-positive PWID using a network of community-embedded peer educators (PEs). Our study also identifies HCV-positive partners and uses phylogenetic analysis to determine risk factors for onward transmission of both viruses. METHODS This prospective cohort study leverages a network of PEs to identify 1000 HIV-positive PWID for enrolment as index participants. Each index completes a questionnaire and provides names and contact information of all sexual and injecting partners during the previous 3 years. PEs then use a stepwise locator protocol to engage partners in the community and bring them to study sites for enrolment, questionnaire completion and rapid HIV and HCV testing. Outcomes include number and type of partners per index who are mentioned, enrolled, tested, diagnosed with HIV and HCV and linked to care. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Potential index participants are screened for intimate partner violence (IPV) and those at high risk are not eligible to enrol. Those at medium risk are monitored for IPV following enrolment. A community advisory board engages in feedback and discussion between the community and the research team. A safety monitoring board discusses study progress and reviews data, including IPV monitoring data. Dissemination plans include presentations at quarterly Ministry of Health meetings, local and international conferences and publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03447210, Pre-results stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliza Monroe-Wise
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Loice Mbogo
- HIV Testing and Counseling and HIV Prevention, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Brandon Guthrie
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - David Bukusi
- HIV Testing and Counseling and HIV Prevention, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Betsy Sambai
- HIV Testing and Counseling and HIV Prevention, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Bhavna Chohan
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - John Scott
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | - Rose Bosire
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Matthew Dunbar
- Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology, University of Washinigton, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Sarah Masyuko
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Kenya's Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eduan Wilkinson
- KwaZulu-Natal Research and Innovation Sequencing Platform, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Tulio De Oliveira
- KwaZulu-Natal Research and Innovation Sequencing Platform, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Bill Sinkele
- Support for Addiction Prevention and Treatment in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joshua Herbeck
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Carey Farquhar
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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23
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Chen JS, Matoga M, Pence BW, Powers KA, Maierhofer CN, Jere E, Massa C, Khan S, Rutstein SE, Phiri S, Hosseinipour MC, Cohen MS, Hoffman IF, Miller WC, Lancaster KE. A randomized controlled trial evaluating combination detection of HIV in Malawian sexually transmitted infections clinics. J Int AIDS Soc 2021; 24:e25701. [PMID: 33929094 PMCID: PMC8085969 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION HIV diagnosis is the necessary first step towards HIV care initiation, yet many persons living with HIV (PLWH) remain undiagnosed. Employing multiple HIV testing strategies in tandem could increase HIV detection and promote linkage to care. We aimed to assess an intervention to improve HIV detection within socio-sexual networks of PLWH in two sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinics in Lilongwe, Malawi. METHODS We conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate an intervention combining acute HIV infection (AHI) screening, contract partner notification and social contact referral versus the Malawian standard of care: serial rapid serological HIV tests and passive partner referral. Enrolment occurred between 2015 and 2019. HIV-seropositive persons (two positive rapid tests) were randomized to the trial arms and HIV-seronegative (one negative rapid test) and -serodiscordant (one positive test followed by a negative confirmatory test) persons were screened for AHI with HIV RNA testing. Those found to have AHI were offered enrolment into the intervention arm. Our primary outcome of interest was the number of new HIV diagnoses made per index participant within participants' sexual and social networks. We also calculated total persons, sexual partners and PLWH (including those previously diagnosed) referred per index participant. RESULTS A total of 1230 HIV-seropositive persons were randomized to the control arm, and 561 to the intervention arm. Another 12,713 HIV-seronegative or -serodiscordant persons underwent AHI screening, resulting in 136 AHI cases, of whom 94 enrolled into the intervention arm. The intervention increased the number of new HIV diagnoses made per index participant versus the control (ratio: 1.9; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2 to 3.1). The intervention also increased the numbers of persons (ratio: 2.5; 95% CI: 2.0 to 3.2), sexual partners (ratio: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.4 to 2.0) and PLWH (ratio: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.7 to 3.2) referred per index participant. CONCLUSIONS Combining three distinct HIV testing and referral strategies increased the detection of previously undiagnosed HIV infections within the socio-sexual networks of PLWH seeking STI care. Combination HIV detection strategies that leverage AHI screening and socio-sexual contact networks offer a novel and efficacious approach to increasing HIV status awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane S Chen
- Department of EpidemiologyGillings School of Global Public HealthUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCUSA
| | | | - Brian W Pence
- Department of EpidemiologyGillings School of Global Public HealthUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCUSA
| | - Kimberly A Powers
- Department of EpidemiologyGillings School of Global Public HealthUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCUSA
| | - Courtney N Maierhofer
- Department of EpidemiologyGillings School of Global Public HealthUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCUSA
| | | | | | | | - Sarah E Rutstein
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious DiseasesUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCUSA
| | | | - Mina C Hosseinipour
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious DiseasesUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCUSA
| | - Myron S Cohen
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious DiseasesUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCUSA
| | - Irving F Hoffman
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious DiseasesUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCUSA
| | - William C Miller
- Department of EpidemiologyGillings School of Global Public HealthUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCUSA
- Division of EpidemiologyCollege of Public HealthThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOHUSA
| | - Kathryn E Lancaster
- Division of EpidemiologyCollege of Public HealthThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOHUSA
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Lasry A, Danho NK, Hulland EN, Diokouri AD, Kingbo MH, Doumatey NIL, Ekra AK, Ebah LG, Kouamé H, Hedje J, Jean-Baptiste AE. Outcome of HIV Testing Among Family Members of Index Cases Across 36 Facilities in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:554-561. [PMID: 32875461 PMCID: PMC7855395 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-020-03002-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In Côte d'Ivoire, the Family Approach to Counseling and Testing (FACT) program began in 2015 and provides facility-based HIV testing to the sexual partners, children and other household family members of HIV-positive index cases. We evaluated whether the FACT program is an effective approach to HIV case finding. We reviewed 1762 index patient charts to evaluate outcomes of the FACT program, held across 36 facilities in Abidjan. Index cases enumerated a total of 644 partners, 2301 children and 508 other family members including parents and siblings. Among the partners tested for HIV, the positivity rate was 21%; for children the positivity rate was 5% and for all other family members the positivity rate was 11%. Offering HIV testing services to the family members of HIV positive index cases is an effective approach to case finding in Côte d'Ivoire. Particularly, offering HIV testing to the partners of positive women index cases can be key to identifying previously undiagnosed men and linking them to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arielle Lasry
- Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Nathalie K Danho
- Fondation Ariel Glaser pour la lutte contre le SIDA pédiatrique, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Erin N Hulland
- Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Annie D Diokouri
- Fondation Ariel Glaser pour la lutte contre le SIDA pédiatrique, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Marie-Huguette Kingbo
- Fondation Ariel Glaser pour la lutte contre le SIDA pédiatrique, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | | | - Alexandre K Ekra
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Laurence G Ebah
- Fondation Ariel Glaser pour la lutte contre le SIDA pédiatrique, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Hoba Kouamé
- Elisabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Judith Hedje
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Anne-Eudes Jean-Baptiste
- Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, USA
- World Health Organization, Country Representative Office, Abuja, Nigeria
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25
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Klabbers RE, Muwonge TR, Ayikobua E, Izizinga D, Bassett IV, Kambugu A, Tsai AC, Ravicz M, Klabbers G, O'Laughlin KN. Understanding the role of interpersonal violence in assisted partner notification for HIV: a mixed-methods study in refugee settlements in West Nile Uganda. J Glob Health 2020; 10:020440. [PMID: 33312504 PMCID: PMC7719270 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.10.020440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Assisted partner notification (APN) for HIV was introduced in refugee settlements in West Nile Uganda in 2018 to facilitate testing of sexual partners. While APN is an effective strategy recommended by the World Health Organization, its safety has not been evaluated in a refugee settlement context in which participants have high prior exposure to interpersonal violence. The extent to which interpersonal violence influences APN utilization and the frequency with which post-APN interpersonal violence occurs remains unknown. METHODS To explore the relationship between APN and interpersonal violence, a cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted at 11 health centers in refugee settlements in West Nile Uganda. Routinely collected index client and sexual partner data were extracted from APN registers and semi-structured interviews were conducted with health workers. RESULTS Through APN, 1126 partners of 882 distinct index clients were identified. For 8% (75/958) of partners, index clients reported a history of intimate partner violence (IPV). For 20% (226/1126) of partners, index clients were screened for post-APN IPV; 8 cases were reported of which 88% (7/8) concerned partners with whom index clients reported prior history of IPV. In qualitative interviews (N = 32), health workers reported HIV disclosure-related physical, sexual and psychological violence and deprivation or neglect. Incidents of disclosure-related violence against health workers and dependents of index clients were also reported. Fear of disclosure-related violence was identified as a major barrier to APN that prevents index clients from listing sexual partners. CONCLUSIONS Incidents of interpersonal violence have been reported following HIV-disclosure and fear of interpersonal violence strongly influences APN participation. Addressing HIV perception and stigma may contribute to APN uptake and program safety. Prospective research on interpersonal violence involving index clients and sexual partners in refugee settlements is needed to facilitate safe engagement in APN for this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin E Klabbers
- Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Timothy R Muwonge
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Emmanuel Ayikobua
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Diego Izizinga
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ingrid V Bassett
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrew Kambugu
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Alexander C Tsai
- Center for Global Health and Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Miranda Ravicz
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gonnie Klabbers
- Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Kelli N O'Laughlin
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Time to HIV testing of sexual contacts identified by HIV-positive index clients in Siaya County, Kenya. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238794. [PMID: 32898159 PMCID: PMC7478530 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
There are no studies on time to test since notification among identified sexual contacts of HIV-positive index clients using program data in Siaya County and Kenya. We sought to understand time to HIV testing by contact characteristics after identification to inform targeted testing interventions. We retrospectively analyzed data from adult (aged ≥18 years) sexual contacts identified by HIV-positive index clients from 117 health facilities in Siaya County (June 2017–August 2018). We used Chi-square tests to assess for differences in characteristics of contacts by HIV testing. We performed Cox proportional hazards analysis and time to HIV testing of contacts analysis including time-varying covariates (cluster-adjusted by facility) to assess characteristics (age, sex, and relationship to index client) associated with time to HIV-testing since notification. Sexual contacts not tested were right censored at last follow-up date. We calculated hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals to evaluate characteristics associated with time to testing. Of the 6,845 contacts included in this analysis, 3,858 (56.4%) were men. Most were aged 25–34 years (3,209 [46.9%]). Median time to contact testing was 14.5 days (interquartile range, 2.5–62). On multivariable analysis, contacts aged 18–24 years (aHR, 1.32 [95% CI: 1.01–1.73], p = 0.040) and 25–34 years (aHR, 1.18 [95% CI: 1.01–1.39], p = 0.038) had shorter time to HIV testing than those aged 35–44 years. Married polygamous (aHR, 1.12 [95% CI: 1.01–1.25], p = 0.039) and single contacts (aHR, 1.17 [95% CI: 1.08–1.27], p <0.001) had shorter time to HIV testing than married monogamous contacts. Non-spouse sexual contacts had shorter time to HIV testing than spouses, (aHR, 1.23 [95% CI: 1.15–1.32], p <0.001). We recommend enhanced differentiated partner services targeting older adults, married monogamous, and spouse sexual contacts to facilitate early diagnosis, same day treatment, and prevention in Western Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa at large.
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Steiner C, MacKellar D, Cham HJ, Rwabiyago OE, Maruyama H, Msumi O, Pals S, Weber R, Kundi G, Byrd J, Kazaura K, Madevu-Matson C, Morales F, Justman J, Rutachunzibwa T, Rwebembera A. Community-wide HIV testing, linkage case management, and defaulter tracing in Bukoba, Tanzania: pre-intervention and post-intervention, population-based survey evaluation. Lancet HIV 2020; 7:e699-e710. [PMID: 32888413 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(20)30199-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community randomised trials have had mixed success in implementing combination prevention strategies that diagnose 90% of people living with HIV, initiate and retain on antiretroviral therapy (ART) 90% of those diagnosed, and achieve viral load suppression in 90% of those on ART (90-90-90). The Bukoba Combination Prevention Evaluation (BCPE) aimed to achieve 90-90-90 in Bukoba Municipal Council, Tanzania, by scaling up new HIV testing, linkage, and retention interventions. METHOD We did population-based, cross-sectional surveys before and after our community-wide intervention in Bukoba-a mixed urban and rural council of approximately 150 000 residents located on the western shore of Lake Victoria in Tanzania. BCPE interventions were implemented in 11 government-supported health-care facilities throughout Bukoba from Oct 1, 2014, to March 31, 2017, when national ART-eligibility guidelines expanded from CD4 counts of less than 350 cells per μL (Oct 1, 2014-Dec 31, 2015) and 500 or less cells per μL (Jan 1, 2016-Sept 30, 2016) to any CD4 cell count (test and treat, Oct 1, 2016-March 31, 2017). We used pre-intervention (Nov 4, 2013-Jan 25, 2014) and post-intervention (June 21, 2017-Sept 20, 2017) population-based household surveys to assess population prevalence of undiagnosed HIV infection and ART coverage, and progress towards 90-90-90, among residents aged 18-49 years. FINDINGS During the 2·5-year intervention, BCPE did 133 695 HIV tests, diagnosed and linked 3918 people living with HIV to HIV care at 11 Bukoba facilities, and returned to HIV care 604 patients who had stopped care. 4795 and 5067 residents aged 18-49 years participated in pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys. HIV prevalence before and after the intervention was similar: pre-intervention 8·9% (95% CI 7·5-10·4); post-intervention 8·4% (6·9-9·9). Prevalence of undiagnosed HIV infection decreased from 4·7% to 2·0% (prevalence ratio 0·42, 95% CI 0·31-0·57), and current ART use among all people living with HIV increased from 32·2% to 70·9% (2·20, 1·82-2·66) overall, 23·0% to 62·1% among men (2·70, 1·84-3·96), and 16·7% to 64·4% among people aged 18-29 years (3·87, 2·54-5·89). Of 436 and 435 people living with HIV aged 18-49 years who participated in pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys, previous HIV diagnosis increased from 47·4% (41·3-53·4) to 76·2% (71·8-80·6), ART use among diagnosed people living with HIV increased from 68·0% (60·9-75·2) to 93·1% (90·2-96·0), and viral load suppression of those on ART increased from 88·7% (83·6-93·8) to 91·3% (88·6-94·1). INTERPRETATION BCPE findings suggest scaling up recommended HIV testing, linkage, and retention interventions can help reduce prevalence of undiagnosed HIV infection, increase ART use among all people living with HIV, and make substantial progress towards achieving 90-90-90 in a relatively short period. BCPE facility-based testing and linkage interventions are undergoing national scale up to help achieve 90-90-90 in Tanzania. FUNDING US Presidents' Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Duncan MacKellar
- Division of Global HIV and TB, National Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Haddi Jatou Cham
- Division of Global HIV and TB, National Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Omari Msumi
- ICAP at Columbia University, Maseru, Lesotho
| | - Sherri Pals
- Division of Global HIV and TB, National Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rachel Weber
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Thomas Rutachunzibwa
- Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Bukoba, Tanzania
| | - Anath Rwebembera
- National AIDS Control Program, Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dodoma, Tanzania
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Wamuti B, Contesse MG, Maingi P, Macharia P, Abuna F, Sambai B, Ng'ang'a A, Spiegel H, Richardson B, Cherutich P, Bukusi D, Farquhar C. Factors Associated With Poor Linkage to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Care Among Index Clients and Sex Partners Receiving Human Immunodeficiency Virus Assisted Partner Services in Kenya. Sex Transm Dis 2020; 47:610-616. [PMID: 32815902 PMCID: PMC7447121 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) assisted partner services (aPS) has been recommended as a strategy to increase HIV case finding. We evaluated factors associated with poor linkage to HIV care among newly diagnosed HIV-positive individuals (index clients) and their partners after receiving aPS in Kenya. METHODS In a cluster randomized trial conducted between 2013 and 2015, 9 facilities were randomized to immediate aPS (intervention). Linkage to care-defined as HIV clinic registration, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation were self-reported. Antiretroviral therapy was only offered to those with CD4 less than 500 during this period. We estimated linkage to care and ART initiation separately for index clients and their partners using log-binomial generalized estimating equation models with exchangeable correlation structure and robust standard errors. RESULTS Overall, 550 index clients and 621 sex partners enrolled, of whom 46% (284 of 621) were HIV-positive. Of the 284, 264 (93%) sex partners returned at 6 weeks: 120 newly diagnosed and 144 whom had known HIV-positive status. Among the 120 newly diagnosed, only 69% (83) linked to care at 6 weeks, whereas among the 18 known HIV-positive sex partners not already in care at baseline, 61% (11) linked. Newly diagnosed HIV-positive sex partners who were younger and single were less likely to link to care (P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION Only two thirds of newly diagnosed, and known HIV-positive sex partners not in care linked to care after receiving aPS. The HIV aPS programs should optimize HIV care for newly diagnosed HIV-positive sex partners, especially those who are younger and single.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Wamuti
- From the Research and Programs, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Peter Maingi
- Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) and HIV Prevention Unit, Kenyatta National Hospital
| | | | - Felix Abuna
- From the Research and Programs, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Betsy Sambai
- From the Research and Programs, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Hans Spiegel
- Kelly Government Solutions, Contractor to Division of AIDS, PMPRB/Prevention Sciences Program, Division of AIDS, NIAID, NIH, Rockville, MD
| | | | | | - David Bukusi
- Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) and HIV Prevention Unit, Kenyatta National Hospital
| | - Carey Farquhar
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Global Health
- Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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Culbert GJ, Waluyo A, Earnshaw VA. Exploring the acceptability of HIV partner notification in prisons: Findings from a survey of incarcerated people living with HIV in Indonesia. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234697. [PMID: 32603363 PMCID: PMC7326233 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Assisted HIV partner notification services provide a safe and effective way for people living with HIV (PLHIV) to inform their partners about the possibility of exposure and to offer them testing, treatment, and support. This study examined whether or not PLHIV in prison might be willing to participate in assisted HIV partner notification services and their reasons for and against disclosing their HIV-positive status to their partners. PLHIV (n = 150) recruited from Jakarta's two largest all-male prisons completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire collecting demographic and risk behavior data, and attitudes toward HIV disclosure and partner services. Among those who were sexually active and/or injecting drugs before incarceration, two-thirds (66.4%, 91/137) endorsed provider referral as an acceptable way to notify their sex partners, and nearly three quarters (72.4%, 89/123) endorsed provider referral to notify their drug-injecting partners. Only a quarter (25.1%) of participants reported that their main sex partner had ever received an HIV test. Participants with anticipated stigma were less likely to endorse provider referral for sex partners (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.96) and drug-injecting partners (aOR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.29, 1.00). Relationship closeness was associated with higher odds of endorsing provider referral for drug-injecting partners (aOR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.25, 3.45). Protecting partners from infection and a moral duty to inform were main reasons to disclose, while stigma and privacy concerns were main reasons not to disclose. Most incarcerated PLHIV have at-risk partners in the community who they would be willing to notify if provided with assistance. Assisted partner notification for prison populations offers a promising public health approach to accelerate diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HIV infection in the community, particularly among women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel J. Culbert
- Department of Health Systems Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
- Center for HIV/AIDS Nursing Research, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
- * E-mail:
| | - Agung Waluyo
- Center for HIV/AIDS Nursing Research, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
| | - Valerie A. Earnshaw
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States of America
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Costs of Providing HIV Self-Test Kits to Pregnant Women Living with HIV for Secondary Distribution to Male Partners in Uganda. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10050318. [PMID: 32438594 PMCID: PMC7277977 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10050318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Secondary distribution of HIV self-testing kits (HIVST) to pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) clinics to give to their male partners is a promising strategy to increase testing coverage among men, but its costs are unknown. Methods: We conducted micro-costing of a trial evaluating secondary distribution of HIVST on pregnant women living with HIV (PWLHIV) in an ANC in Kampala, Uganda. Costs (2019 USD) were collected from program budgets, expenditure records, time and motion observations, and staff interviews and estimated for three scenarios: as-studied, reflecting full costs of the research intervention, Ministry of Health (MOH) implementation, reflecting the research intervention if implemented by the MOH, and MOH roll-out, the current strategy being used to roll out HIVST distribution. Results: In the as-studied scenario, cost of HIVST provision was $13.96/PWLHIV reached, and $11.89 and $10.55 per HIV-positive and HIV-negative male partner, respectively, who linked to a clinic for facility-based testing. In the MOH implementation scenario, costs were $9.45/PWLHIV, and $7.87 and $6.99, respectively, per HIV-positive and HIV-negative male partner linking to the clinic. In the MOH roll-out scenario, the cost of HIVST provision to pregnant women regardless of HIV status was $3.70/woman, and $6.65/HIV-positive male partner. Conclusion: Secondary distribution of HIVST from pregnant women can be implemented at reasonable cost to increase testing among men in Uganda and similar settings in Africa.
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Madsen T, Jespersen S, Medina C, Té DDS, Wejse C, Laursen AL, Hønge BL. Acceptance and Feasibility of Partner Notification to HIV Infected Individuals in Guinea-Bissau. AIDS Behav 2020; 24:1476-1485. [PMID: 31705346 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-019-02717-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
As partner notification (PN) has shown effective in increasing the number of partners of HIV infected patients being tested we aimed to evaluate the feasibility of implementing PN in the West-African country Guinea-Bissau. Patients enrolled were offered the choice of three different PN methods. Acceptance, successful referrals and HIV status of partners were evaluated. Of 697 patients offered PN, 495 (71.0%) accepted and listed 547 partners. At end of follow-up 118 (21.5%) partners had been tested of which 44 (37.3%) were HIV infected. HIV infected partners had a higher median CD4 count at diagnosis compared with index patients; 401 cells/mm3 versus 240 cells/mm3, p < 0.001. The results indicate that implementation of PN is feasible, effective in identifying HIV infected partners and enables initiation of earlier treatment, yet there are major barriers to bringing partners in for testing which should be addressed in order to exploit the full potential of PN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Madsen
- Bandim Health Project, Indepth Network, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Sanne Jespersen
- Bandim Health Project, Indepth Network, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Candida Medina
- National HIV Programme, Ministry of Health, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | - David D S Té
- National HIV Programme, Ministry of Health, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | - Christian Wejse
- Bandim Health Project, Indepth Network, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark
- GloHAU, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Alex L Laursen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Bo L Hønge
- Bandim Health Project, Indepth Network, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Budhwani H, Hearld KR, Dionne-Odom J, Manga S, Nulah K, Khan M, Welty T, Welty E, Tita AT. HIV Status and Contraceptive Utilization among Women in Cameroon. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care 2020; 18:2325958219826596. [PMID: 30776955 PMCID: PMC6748529 DOI: 10.1177/2325958219826596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: We examined patterns of contraceptive utilization by HIV status among women in Cameroon, hypothesizing that women living with HIV would utilize contraception at higher rates than their HIV-negative peers. Methods: Deidentified, clinical data from the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (2007-2013) were analyzed (N = 8995). Frequencies compared outcomes between women living with HIV (15.1%) and uninfected women. Multivariate analyses examined associates of contraceptive utilization and desire to become pregnant. Results: Contraceptive utilization was associated with higher education, living with HIV, monogamy, and higher parity (P < .001). Women living with HIV had 66% higher odds of using contraceptives than their negative peers (odds ratio [OR]: 1.66, confidence interval [CI]: 1.45-1.91, P < .001). Polygamous women had 37% lower odds of using contraceptives compared to monogamous women (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.52-0.75, P < .001). Conclusion: Increasing contraceptive utilization in resource-constrained settings should be a priority for clinicians and researchers. Doing so could improve population health by reducing HIV transmission between partners and from mother to child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henna Budhwani
- 1 Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Kristine Ria Hearld
- 2 Department of Health Services Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jodie Dionne-Odom
- 3 Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Simon Manga
- 4 Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, Bamenda, Cameroon
| | - Kathleen Nulah
- 4 Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, Bamenda, Cameroon
| | - Michelle Khan
- 5 Kaiser Permanente Northern California, San Leandro, CA, USA
| | - Thomas Welty
- 4 Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, Bamenda, Cameroon
| | - Edith Welty
- 4 Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, Bamenda, Cameroon
| | - Alan Thevenet Tita
- 6 Center for women's Reproductive Health and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Making Smarter Decisions Faster: Systems Engineering to Improve the Global Public Health Response to HIV. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2020; 16:279-291. [PMID: 31197648 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-019-00449-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review offers an operational definition of systems engineering (SE) as applied to public health, reviews applications of SE in the field of HIV, and identifies opportunities and challenges of broader application of SE in global health. RECENT FINDINGS SE involves the deliberate sequencing of three steps: diagnosing a problem, evaluating options using modeling or optimization, and providing actionable recommendations. SE includes diverse tools (from process improvement to mathematical modeling) applied to decisions at various levels (from local staffing decisions to planning national-level roll-out of new interventions). Contextual factors are crucial to effective decision-making, but there are gaps in understanding global decision-making processes. Integrating SE into pre-service training and translating SE tools to be more accessible could increase utilization of SE approaches in global health. SE is a promising, but under-recognized approach to improve public health response to HIV globally.
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Hlongwa M, Mashamba-Thompson T, Makhunga S, Hlongwana K. Barriers to HIV testing uptake among men in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. AJAR-AFRICAN JOURNAL OF AIDS RESEARCH 2020; 19:13-23. [PMID: 32174231 DOI: 10.2989/16085906.2020.1725071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: HIV testing among men remains low globally and in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in particular, when compared with their female counterparts. The aim of this study was to synthesise evidence on barriers to HIV testing among men in SSA using a scoping review method.Methods: A scoping review was conducted, guided by Arksey and O'Malley's framework. A search was made in PubMed, American Doctoral Dissertations via EBSCOhost, Union Catalogue of Theses and Dissertations and SA ePublications via SABINET Online and World Cat Dissertations, Theses via OCLC and Google Scholar. The PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) chart was used to document the review process. The PRISMA extension for scoping reviews - PRISMA-ScR: checklist and explanation - was also used. The mixed method appraisal tool version 2018 was used to determine the methodological quality of the included studies. Thematic analyses were conducted using NVivo version 11.Results: Key barriers to HIV testing among men in SSA were knowledge of HIV, fear of testing positive for HIV, stigma associated with HIV, healthcare providers' services, confidentiality, and clinic setting.Conclusion: Structural and individual factors present barriers to HIV testing uptake among men in SSA. Community and home-based initiatives have the potential to improve the uptake of HIV testing among men in SSA, considering the confidentiality concerns posed by clinic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mbuzeleni Hlongwa
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Sizwe Makhunga
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Khumbulani Hlongwana
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Neary J, Njuguna IN, Cranmer LM, Otieno VO, Mugo C, Okinyi HM, Benki-Nugent S, Richardson BA, Stern J, Maleche-Obimbo E, Wamalwa DC, John-Stewart GC, Wagner AD. Newly diagnosed HIV positive children: a unique index case to improve HIV diagnosis and linkage to care of parents. AIDS Care 2020; 32:1400-1405. [PMID: 32019333 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2020.1719027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Newly diagnosed HIV positive children may be unique index cases to identify undiagnosed parents. Data was used from the Pediatric Urgent Start of HAART (NCT02063880) trial, which enrolled hospitalized, ART-naïve, HIV positive children ages 0-12 years in Kenya. Exact McNemar's tests were used to compare proportions of mothers and fathers tested for HIV, linked to care, and on ART at baseline and 6 months. This analysis included 87 newly diagnosed children with HIV who completed 6 months of follow-up. Among 83 children with living mothers, there were improvements in maternal linkage to care and treatment comparing baseline to 6 months (36% vs. 78%; p < 0.0001 and 22% vs. 52%; p < 0.0001). Among 80 children with living fathers, there were increases from baseline to 6 months in the number of fathers who knew the child's HIV status (34% vs. 78%; p < 0.0001), fathers ever tested for HIV (43% vs. 65%; p < 0.0001), fathers ever tested HIV positive (21% vs. 43%; p < 0.0001), fathers ever linked to care (15% vs. 35%; p < 0.0001), and fathers ever initiated on ART (11% vs. 23%; p = 0.0039). Newly diagnosed HIV positive children can be important index cases to identify parents with undiagnosed HIV or poor engagement in care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian Neary
- Departments of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Irene N Njuguna
- Departments of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Research and Programs, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lisa M Cranmer
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Cyrus Mugo
- Departments of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Research and Programs, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Hellen M Okinyi
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sarah Benki-Nugent
- Departments of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Barbra A Richardson
- Departments of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Departments of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Joshua Stern
- Departments of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Dalton C Wamalwa
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Grace C John-Stewart
- Departments of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Departments of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Departments of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Departments of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Anjuli D Wagner
- Departments of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Hlongwa M, Mashamba-Thompson T, Makhunga S, Muraraneza C, Hlongwana K. Men's perspectives on HIV self-testing in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-synthesis. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:66. [PMID: 31941479 PMCID: PMC6964071 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-8184-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the many HIV testing models implemented in Africa, the level of HIV testing uptake remains relatively poor, especially among men. The HIV self-testing (HIVST) model offers an additional approach for encouraging men to get tested. This study aimed to synthesise evidence on men's perspectives regarding HIVST in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). METHODS The databases searched included PubMed/MEDLINE, American Doctoral Dissertations via EBSCO host; Union Catalogue of Theses and Dissertations; SA ePublications via SABINET Online; World Cat Dissertations; Theses via OCLC; ERIC; CINAH; PsychInfo; Embase, Sociological Abstract, Scopus; and Google Scholar. The World Health Organization (WHO) and The Joint United Nations' Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) websites were further searched. We only extracted qualitative information from the included studies, despite the research method used (qualitative or mixed methods). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA), as well as the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT) version 2018, were used to determine the methodological quality of the included studies. NVivo version 11 was used for thematic analysis. RESULTS A total of 21,184 articles were identified by the initial search criteria, but only 16 articles were included in the data extraction and quality assessment stage. The following key themes emerged: knowledge of HIVST; acceptability of HIVST; need for HIVST counselling; confidentiality of HIVST; convenience of HIVST; and accuracy of HIVST. The study shows that while HIVST provides men with an alternative, confidential and convenient testing model, the potential for psychological and physical harm remains a challenge. CONCLUSION The introduction of the HIVST strategy has the potential of improving men's uptake in HIV testing services, thereby contributing towards addressing the first cascade of the 90-90-90 strategy. While HIVST has a potential for addressing men's barriers to attending clinic settings, such as confidentiality and convenience, it barely addresses the HIVST counselling and accuracy concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mbuzeleni Hlongwa
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Tivani Mashamba-Thompson
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.,CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sizwe Makhunga
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Claudine Muraraneza
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Khumbulani Hlongwana
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Shamu S, Farirai T, Kuwanda L, Slabbert J, Guloba G, Khupakonke S, Johnson S, Masihleho N, Kamera J, Nkhwashu N. Comparison of community-based HIV counselling and testing (CBCT) through index client tracing and other modalities: Outcomes in 13 South African high HIV prevalence districts by gender and age. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221215. [PMID: 31490938 PMCID: PMC6730921 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To increase HIV case finding in a Community-based HIV counselling and testing (CBCT) programme, an index client tracing modality was implemented to target index clients' sexual network and household members. OBJECTIVE To compare index client tracing modality's outcomes with other CBCT recruitment modalities (mobile, workplace, homebased), 2015-2017. METHODS Trained HIV counsellors identified HIV positive clients either through offering HIV tests to children and sexual partners of an HIV index client, or randomly offering HIV tests to anyone available in the community (mobile, home-based or workplace). Socio-demographic information and test results were recorded. Descriptive comparisons of client HIV test uptake and positivity were conducted by method of recruitment-index client tracing vs non-targeted community outreach. RESULTS Of the 1 282 369 people who tested for HIV overall, the index modality tested 3.9% of them, 1.9% in year 1 and 6.0% in year 2. The index modality tested more females than males (55.8% vs 44.2%) overall and in each year; tested higher proportions of children than other modalities: 10.1% vs 2.6% among 1-4 years, 12.2% vs 2.6% among the 5-9 years and 9.6% vs 3.4% among the 10-15 years. The index modality identified higher HIV positivity proportions than other modalities overall (10.3% 95%CI 10.0-10.6 vs. 7.3% 95%CI 7.25-7.36), in year 1 (9.4%; 8.9-9.9 vs 6.5%; 6.45-6.57) and year 2 (10.6%; 10.3-10.9 vs 8.2%; 8.09-8.23). Higher proportions of females (7.5%;7.4-7.5) than males (5.5%;5.4-5.5) tested positive overall. Positivity increased by age up to 49y with year 2's increased targeting of sexual partners. Overall linkage to care rose from 33.3% in year 1 to 78.9% in year 2. CONCLUSIONS Index testing was less effective in reaching large numbers of clients, but more effective in reaching children and identifying HIV positive people than other modalities. Targeting HIV positive people's partners and children increases HIV case finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simukai Shamu
- Foundation for Professional Development, Health Systems Strengthening Division, Pretoria, South Africa
- University of the Witwatersrand, School of Public Health, Johannesburg, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Thato Farirai
- Foundation for Professional Development, Health Systems Strengthening Division, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Locadiah Kuwanda
- Foundation for Professional Development, Health Systems Strengthening Division, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jean Slabbert
- Foundation for Professional Development, Health Systems Strengthening Division, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Geoffrey Guloba
- Foundation for Professional Development, Health Systems Strengthening Division, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sikhulile Khupakonke
- Foundation for Professional Development, Health Systems Strengthening Division, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Suzanne Johnson
- Foundation for Professional Development, Health Systems Strengthening Division, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | | | - Nkhensani Nkhwashu
- Foundation for Professional Development, Health Systems Strengthening Division, Pretoria, South Africa
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Little KM, Kan M, Samoylova O, Rsaldinova A, Saliev D, Ishokov F, Gray R, Hasen NS. Implementation experiences and insights from the scale-up of an HIV assisted partner notification intervention in Central Asia. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22 Suppl 3:e25313. [PMID: 31321890 PMCID: PMC6639697 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION WHO recommends assisted partner notification (APN) for people living with HIV (PLHIV). These services have not been widely scaled in Central Asia. We describe the results from an APN intervention implemented within a programme focused on PLHIV and people who inject drugs in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan. METHODS Routine data from index cases and their partners were analysed from equal-length periods before and after APN launch. Prior to APN index cases could recruit partners using passive referral, and under APN, had their choice of passive referral or APN (provider, contract or dual-referral). We compared the demographic characteristics of index cases and their sexual/injecting partners from the pre-APN and APN periods, described the number/proportion of HIV cases found (positivity rate) and evaluated predictors of HIV infection among partners using logistic regression. RESULTS Under APN 2676 PLHIV served as index cases and recruited 3735 partners for testing, compared to 4418 index cases and 2240 partners during the pre-APN period. A total of 322 (8.6%) partners were rapid test positive during APN versus 161 (7.2%, p = 0.048) before APN. Women represented 38% of APN index cases (vs. 42% pre-APN), 52% of partners tested (vs. 50% pre-APN) and 56% of all PLHIV identified (vs. 63% pre-APN). Compared to the pre-APN period, the number of partners tested per index case recruited increased (0.5 to 1.4, p < 0.001) and the number of index cases needed to find one HIV-positive partner decreased significantly (27.4 to 8.3, p < 0.001) under APN. CONCLUSIONS APN was feasibly integrated within a people who inject drugs and PLHIV-focused HIV programme, and was acceptable to high-risk populations in Central Asia. Under APN, large numbers of sexual and injecting partners of PLHIV - including women and non-marital partners - were tested while maintaining high positivity rates. Relative to the pre-APN period, APN approximately tripled the number of partners recruited per index case and reduced the number of index cases needed to find a positive partner by >3 times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen M Little
- Population Services International (PSI)/WashingtonWashingtonDCUSA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Robert Gray
- Population Services International (PSI)/WashingtonWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Nina S Hasen
- Population Services International (PSI)/WashingtonWashingtonDCUSA
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Masyuko SJ, Cherutich PK, Contesse MG, Maingi PM, Wamuti BM, Macharia PM, Bukusi DE, Otieno FA, Spiegel HML, Dunbar MD, Golden MR, Richardson BA, Farquhar C. Index participant characteristics and HIV assisted partner services efficacy in Kenya: results of a cluster randomized trial. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22 Suppl 3:e25305. [PMID: 31321887 PMCID: PMC6639668 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We have previously demonstrated that assisted partner services (aPS) increases HIV testing and case finding among partners of persons living with HIV (PLHIV) in a cluster randomized trial in Kenya. However, the efficacy of aPS may vary across populations. In this analysis, we explore differences in aPS efficacy by characteristics of index participants. METHODS Eighteen HIV testing sites were randomized to immediate versus 6-week delayed aPS. Participants were PLHIV (or index participants) and their sexual partners. Partners of index participants were contacted for HIV testing and linked to care if HIV positive. Primary outcomes were the number of partners per index participant who: 1) tested for HIV, 2) tested HIV positive and 3) enrolled in HIV care. We used generalized estimating equations to assess differences in aPS efficacy by region, testing location, gender, age and knowledge of HIV status. RESULTS From 2013 to 2015, the study enrolled 1119 index participants, 625 of whom were in the immediate group. These index participants named 1286 sexual partners. Immediate aPS was more efficacious than delayed aPS in promoting HIV testing among partners in high compared to low HIV prevalence regions (Nyanza incidence rate ratio (IRR) 7.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.4, 9.6 vs. Nairobi/Central IRR 3.4 95% CI 2.3, 4.8). Higher rates of partner HIV testing were also observed for index participants in rural/peri-urban compared to urban sites (IRR 6.6; 95% CI 4.5, 9.6 vs. IRR 3.5 95% CI 2.5, 5.0 respectively), for female versus male index participants (IRR 5.8 95% CI 4.2, 7.9 vs. IRR 3.7; 95% CI 2.4, 5.8 respectively) and for newly diagnosed versus known HIV-positive index participants (IRR 6.0 95% CI 4.2, 8.7 vs. IRR 3.3; 95% CI 2.0, 7.7 respectively). Providing aPS to female versus male index participants also had a significantly higher HIV case finding rate (IRR 9.1; 95% CI 4.0, 20.9 vs. IRR 3.2 95% CI 1.7, 6.0 respectively.) CONCLUSIONS: While it is known that aPS promotes increases in HIV testing and case finding, this is the first study to demonstrate significant differences in aPS efficacy across characteristics of the index participant. Understanding these differences and their drivers will be critical as aPS is brought to scale in order to ensure all PLHIV have access to these services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Masyuko
- National AIDS and STI Control ProgramMinistry of HealthNairobiKenya
- Department of Global HealthUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
| | - Peter K Cherutich
- Department of Preventive and Promotive Health ServicesMinistry of HealthNairobiKenya
| | | | - Peter M Maingi
- VCT and HIV Prevention UnitKenyatta National HospitalNairobiKenya
| | - Beatrice M Wamuti
- Department of Research and ProgramsKenyatta National HospitalNairobiKenya
| | - Paul M Macharia
- National AIDS and STI Control ProgramMinistry of HealthNairobiKenya
| | - David E Bukusi
- VCT and HIV Prevention UnitKenyatta National HospitalNairobiKenya
| | - Felix A Otieno
- Department of Research and ProgramsKenyatta National HospitalNairobiKenya
| | - Hans ML Spiegel
- Department of Health and Human ServicesKelly Government SolutionsContractor to National Institute of Allergy and Infectious DiseasesNational Institutes of HealthRockvilleMDUSA
| | - Matthew D Dunbar
- Department of Computer Science and DemographyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
| | | | - Barbra A Richardson
- Department of Global HealthUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
- Department of BiostatisticsUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
| | - Carey Farquhar
- Department of Global HealthUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
- Department of MedicineUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
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Katz DA, Wong VJ, Medley AM, Johnson CC, Cherutich PK, Green KE, Huong P, Baggaley RC. The power of partners: positively engaging networks of people with HIV in testing, treatment and prevention. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22 Suppl 3:e25314. [PMID: 31321909 PMCID: PMC6639670 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David A Katz
- Department of Global HealthUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
| | - Vincent J Wong
- Global Health BureauOffice of HIV/AIDSUnited States Agency for International Development (USAID)WashingtonDCUSA
| | - Amy M Medley
- Division of Global HIV and TBCenter for Global HealthU.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)AtlantaGAUSA
| | | | - Peter K Cherutich
- National AIDS/Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control ProgrammeMinistry of HealthNairobiKenya
| | | | - Phan Huong
- Vietnam Authority of HIV/AIDS Control, Ministry of HealthHanoiVietnam
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Monroe‐Wise A, Maingi Mutiti P, Kimani H, Moraa H, Bukusi DE, Farquhar C. Assisted partner notification services for patients receiving HIV care and treatment in an HIV clinic in Nairobi, Kenya: a qualitative assessment of barriers and opportunities for scale-up. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22 Suppl 3:e25315. [PMID: 31321915 PMCID: PMC6639666 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Identifying HIV-positive individuals is increasingly recognized as one of the most important and most challenging of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goals. Assisted partner notification services (aPNS) involves tracing and offering HIV testing to partners of HIV-positive individuals, and is effective and safe when provided to newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients. Voluntary aPNS is now part of the World Health Organization's guidelines for HIV prevention and care. However, uptake of aPNS is significantly lower among adults with established HIV infection already engaged in care compared to newly diagnosed individuals. We sought to describe barriers encountered and potential opportunities to providing aPNS to established patients living with HIV. METHODS We conducted focus group discussions and in-depth interviews at Nairobi's largest public HIV clinic in April to May 2016 to elucidate barriers to and opportunities for aPNS among established patients engaged in HIV care. Participants included HIV-positive adults in care, their partners, and healthcare workers (HCWs). Qualitative data analysis took a grounded theory approach. RESULTS Barriers to aPNS fell under three main categories. Fear of disclosure to partners included concerns over relationship repercussions, loss of trust, blame and violence. Stigma and discrimination were described in the healthcare setting, at church and in general society. Participants described difficulties approaching communication, including cultural barriers and differences in education. For almost every barrier a potential solution was also identified, and a barrier-opportunity relationship emerged. Opportunities included using couples testing centres to aid in disclosure, focusing on the ambiguous introduction of the infection, and sensitization of HCWs and community leaders. CONCLUSIONS aPNS among established HIV patients is associated with different barriers and opportunities than aPNS among newly diagnosed patients, and HCWs should build their capacity to support aPNS in this population. There is a strong need for increased training and sensitization on the use of aPNS in different circumstances and for different clients, taking into consideration factors such as timing of partner notification, characteristics of the relationship and duration of knowledge discordance. The overall success of this intervention among populations living with HIV may rely on customization of services and key messages to meet the patients' specific needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliza Monroe‐Wise
- Departments of Global Health and MedicineUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
| | - Peter Maingi Mutiti
- Kenyatta National Hospital Voluntary Counseling and Testing CentreNairobiKenya
| | - Harun Kimani
- Department of Community HealthKenyatta UniversityNairobiKenya
| | - Hellen Moraa
- Kenyatta National Hospital Voluntary Counseling and Testing CentreNairobiKenya
| | - David E Bukusi
- Kenyatta National Hospital Voluntary Counseling and Testing CentreNairobiKenya
| | - Carey Farquhar
- Departments of Global Health and MedicineUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
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Han H, Myers S, Mboh Khan E, Masyuko SJ, Paredes Z, Chimoun FT, Mudender F, Wamuti BM, Nambu W, Kemunto E, Mugambi M, Kariithi E, Golden MR, Tih PM, Welty T, Farquhar C. Assisted HIV partner services training in three sub-Saharan African countries: facilitators and barriers to sustainable approaches. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22 Suppl 3:e25307. [PMID: 31321889 PMCID: PMC6639672 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Healthcare worker training is essential to successful implementation of assisted partner services (aPS), which aims to improve HIV testing and linkage-to-care outcomes for previously unidentified HIV-positive individuals. Cameroon, Kenya and Mozambique are three African countries that have implemented aPS programmes and are working to bring those programmes to scale. In this paper, we present and compare different aPS training strategies implemented by these three countries, and discuss facilitators and barriers associated with implementation of aPS training in sub-Saharan Africa. DISCUSSION aPS training programmes in Cameroon, Kenya and Mozambique share the following components: the development of comprehensive and interactive training curricula, recruitment of qualified trainees and trainers with intimate knowledge of the community served, continuous training, and rigorous monitoring and evaluation activities. Cameroon and Kenya were able to engage various stakeholders early on, establishing multilateral coalitions that facilitated attainment of long-term buy-in from the local governments. Ministries of Health and various implementing partners are often included in strategic planning and delivery of training curricula to ensure sustainability of the training programmes. Kenya and Mozambique have integrated aPS training into the national HTS guidelines, which are being rolled out nationwide by the Ministries of Health and implementing partners. Continual revision of training curricula to reflect the country context, as well as ongoing monitoring and evaluation, have also been identified as key facilitators to sustain aPS training programmes. Some of the barriers to scale-up and sustainability of aPS training include limited funding and resources for training and scale-up and shortage of aPS providers to facilitate on-the-job mentorship. CONCLUSIONS These three programmes demonstrate that aPS training can be implemented and scaled up in sub-Saharan Africa. As countries plan for initial implementation or national scale-up of aPS services, they will need to establish government buy-in, expand funding sources, address the shortage of staff and resources to provide aPS and on-the-job mentorship, and continuously collect data to evaluate and improve aPS training plans. Development of national standards for aPS training, empowered healthcare providers, increased government commitment, and sustained funding for aPS services and training will be crucial for successful aPS implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Han
- Department of Global HealthUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
| | - Serene Myers
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I‐TECH)SeattleWAUSA
| | - Eveline Mboh Khan
- AIDS Care and Prevention ProgramCameroon Baptist Convention Health ServicesBamendaCameroon
| | - Sarah J Masyuko
- Department of Global HealthUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
- Ministry of Health National AIDS and STI Control ProgrammeNairobiKenya
| | - Zulmira Paredes
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I‐TECH)MaputoMozambique
| | - Francois T Chimoun
- AIDS Care and Prevention ProgramCameroon Baptist Convention Health ServicesBamendaCameroon
| | - Florindo Mudender
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I‐TECH)MaputoMozambique
| | | | - Winifred Nambu
- AIDS Care and Prevention ProgramCameroon Baptist Convention Health ServicesBamendaCameroon
| | | | - Mary Mugambi
- Ministry of Health National AIDS and STI Control ProgrammeNairobiKenya
| | | | - Matthew R Golden
- Department of Global HealthUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
- Department of MedicineUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
- Public Health Seattle & King County HIV/STD ProgramSeattleWAUSA
| | - Pius M Tih
- AIDS Care and Prevention ProgramCameroon Baptist Convention Health ServicesBamendaCameroon
| | - Thomas Welty
- AIDS Care and Prevention ProgramCameroon Baptist Convention Health ServicesBamendaCameroon
| | - Carey Farquhar
- Department of Global HealthUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
- Department of MedicineUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
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Wamuti BM, Welty T, Nambu W, Chimoun FT, Shields R, Golden MR, Farquhar C, Muffih PT. Low risk of social harms in an HIV assisted partner services programme in Cameroon. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22 Suppl 3:e25308. [PMID: 31321882 PMCID: PMC6639667 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas Welty
- AIDS Care and Prevention ProgramCameroon Baptist Convention Health ServicesBamendaCameroon
| | - Winifred Nambu
- AIDS Care and Prevention ProgramCameroon Baptist Convention Health ServicesBamendaCameroon
| | - Francois T Chimoun
- AIDS Care and Prevention ProgramCameroon Baptist Convention Health ServicesBamendaCameroon
| | - Ray Shields
- AIDS Care and Prevention ProgramCameroon Baptist Convention Health ServicesBamendaCameroon
| | - Matthew R Golden
- Department of EpidemiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
- Department of MedicineUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
- Public Health Seattle & King County HIV/STD ProgramSeattleWAUSA
| | - Carey Farquhar
- Department of Global HealthUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
- Department of MedicineUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
| | - Pius T Muffih
- AIDS Care and Prevention ProgramCameroon Baptist Convention Health ServicesBamendaCameroon
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Tih PM, Temgbait Chimoun F, Mboh Khan E, Nshom E, Nambu W, Shields R, Wamuti BM, Golden MR, Welty T. Assisted HIV partner notification services in resource-limited settings: experiences and achievements from Cameroon. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22 Suppl 3:e25310. [PMID: 31321902 PMCID: PMC6639669 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In 2007, the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS) initiated an assisted partner notification services (aPNS) public health programme to increase HIV case identification and reduce HIV incidence in the most affected regions of Cameroon. We describe large-scale implementation of aPNS and overall programmatic achievements in a resource-limited setting through 2015. METHODS CBCHS trained health advisors (HAs) from 16 CBCHS facilities and 22 non-CBCHS facilities to integrate aPNS into their existing jobs in five of the ten Cameroon regions. HAs recorded basic demographic, clinical and risk factor information from consenting index persons (IPs) and similar information about their sexual partners'/contact persons (CPs) on interview records and aPNS registers. These data were entered into an Epi-Info database. HAs provided pre-test counselling to CPs and offered them HIV testing in their home or other location. HAs educated IPs and CPs on HIV prevention and risk reduction, and referred IPs and HIV positive CPs to HIV care and treatment centres. Starting in 2014, HAs re-interviewed IPs 30 days after their initial aPNS interview to ascertain instances of social harms following partner notification. Continuous predictor and outcome variables were summarized using median and interquartile range, while categorical variables were summarized using percentages from 2007 to 2015. RESULTS A total of 18,730 IPs (71% women) received aPNS over nine years. IPs identified 21,057 CPs (67% men) (mean CP/IP 1.12), of whom 12,867 (61.1%) were notified of their exposure to HIV. A total of 9202 (71.5% of notified CPs) tested for HIV, 4764 (51.8%) of whom tested HIV positive (number of IPs needed to interview = 3.9); 3112 (65.3%) HIV-positive partners were referred to HIV care and treatment centres. Of the 976 IPs receiving aPNS in 2014 to 2015, for whom follow-up data were available, 11 (1.1%) reported physical intimate partner violence from CPs. Thus, 44.3% of 1224 CPs were notified through provider referral. Of the 784 CPs who tested for HIV, 157 were newly diagnosed and the overall HIV prevalence was 41.6% (326/784). CONCLUSIONS aPNS is feasible, can be brought to scale, yields a high level of case identification, and is infrequently associated with social harms and intimate partner violence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pius M Tih
- AIDS Care and Prevention ProgramCameroon Baptist Convention Health ServicesBamendaCameroon
| | | | - Eveline Mboh Khan
- AIDS Care and Prevention ProgramCameroon Baptist Convention Health ServicesBamendaCameroon
| | - Emmanuel Nshom
- AIDS Care and Prevention ProgramCameroon Baptist Convention Health ServicesBamendaCameroon
| | - Winifred Nambu
- AIDS Care and Prevention ProgramCameroon Baptist Convention Health ServicesBamendaCameroon
| | - Ray Shields
- AIDS Care and Prevention ProgramCameroon Baptist Convention Health ServicesBamendaCameroon
| | | | - Matthew R Golden
- Department of Global HealthUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
- Public Health Seattle & King County HIV/STD ProgramSeattleWAUSA
| | - Thomas Welty
- AIDS Care and Prevention ProgramCameroon Baptist Convention Health ServicesBamendaCameroon
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Tembo TA, Kim MH, Simon KR, Ahmed S, Beyene T, Wetzel E, Machika M, Chikoti C, Kammera W, Chibowa H, Nkhono Z, Kavuta E, Kazembe PN, Rosenberg NE. Enhancing an HIV index case testing passive referral model through a behavioural skills-building training for healthcare providers: a pre-/post-assessment in Mangochi District, Malawi. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22 Suppl 3:e25292. [PMID: 31321917 PMCID: PMC6639699 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although knowledge of HIV positivity is a necessary step towards engagement in HIV care, more than one quarter of HIV-positive Malawians remain unaware of their HIV status. Testing the sexual partners, guardians and children of HIV-positive persons (index case finding or ICF) is a promising way of identifying HIV-positive persons unaware of their HIV status. ICF can be passive where the HIV-positive individual (index) invites a partner (or contact) for HIV testing or active where a health provider assists the index with partner notification and offers HIV testing to the partner. Strategies to improve passive ICF have not been thoroughly studied. We describe the impact of a behavioural skills-building training to enhance healthcare workers' (HCWs) implementation of Malawi's passive ICF programme. METHODS In June 2017, HCWs from 36 health facilities in Mangochi were oriented to Malawi's ICF programme and began implementation. In February and April 2018, a total of 573 HCWs from these facilities received further training from the Tingathe Programme. The training focused on eliciting more untested sexual contacts from indexes and better equipping indexes on issuing "family referral slips" to contacts. Monthly programmatic data were abstracted from clinical registers from October 2017 to July 2018. Monthly programmatic indicators were collected from the Index Case Testing Register and the HIV Counselling and Testing Register and were entered into a data set with one record per facility per month. T-tests were used to compare the means of these indicators. RESULTS During the ten-month study period, there were 200 facility-months observed before and 124 facility-months observed after training. The mean number of indexes identified per facility-month remained stable after training (pre = 18.9, post = 21.2, p = 0.74), but the mean number of sexual partners listed per facility-month (pre = 6.3, post = 10.6, p < 0.001) increased. The mean number of contacts who received HIV testing (pre = 11.1, post = 24.8, p < 0.001) and the mean number of HIV-positive contacts identified per facility-month (pre = 1.3, post = 2.3, p < 0.001) also increased. CONCLUSIONS A brief behavioural skills-building training impacted a range of meaningful outcomes, including identification of HIV-positive individuals in a passive ICF programme. Such approaches could facilitate the identification of HIV-positive persons unaware of their HIV status, a necessary step for engagement in HIV care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tapiwa A Tembo
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's FoundationLilongweMalawi
| | - Maria H Kim
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's FoundationLilongweMalawi
- Department of PediatricsBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTXUSA
| | - Katherine R Simon
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's FoundationLilongweMalawi
- Department of PediatricsBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTXUSA
| | - Saeed Ahmed
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's FoundationLilongweMalawi
- Department of PediatricsBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTXUSA
| | - Teferi Beyene
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's FoundationLilongweMalawi
- Department of PediatricsBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTXUSA
| | | | - Mphatso Machika
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's FoundationLilongweMalawi
| | - Chrissy Chikoti
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's FoundationLilongweMalawi
| | - Willy Kammera
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's FoundationLilongweMalawi
| | | | | | - Elijah Kavuta
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's FoundationLilongweMalawi
| | - Peter N Kazembe
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's FoundationLilongweMalawi
- Department of PediatricsBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTXUSA
| | - Nora E Rosenberg
- University of North Carolina ProjectLilongweMalawi
- Department of Health BehaviorUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNCUSA
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Mahachi N, Muchedzi A, Tafuma TA, Mawora P, Kariuki L, Semo B, Bateganya MH, Nyagura T, Ncube G, Merrigan MB, Chabikuli ON, Mpofu M. Sustained high HIV case-finding through index testing and partner notification services: experiences from three provinces in Zimbabwe. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22 Suppl 3:e25321. [PMID: 31321918 PMCID: PMC6639671 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Several countries in southern Africa have made significant progress towards reaching the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS goal of ensuring that 90% of people living with HIV are aware of their status. In Zimbabwe, progress towards this "first 90" was estimated at 73% in 2016. To reach the remaining people living with HIV who have undiagnosed infection, the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care has been promoting index testing and partner notification services (PNS). We describe the implementation of index testing and PNS under the Zimbabwe HIV Care and Treatment (ZHCT) project and the resulting uptake, HIV positivity rate and links to HIV treatment. METHODS The ZHCT project has been implemented since March 2016, covering a total of 12 districts in three provinces. To assess the project's performance on index testing, we extracted data on HIV testing from the district health information system (DHIS 2) from March 2016 to May 2018, validated it using service registers and calculated monthly HIV positivity rates using Microsoft Excel. Data were disaggregated by district, province, sex and service delivery point. We used SPSS to assess for statistical differences in paired monthly HIV positivity rates by sex, testing site, and province. RESULTS The average HIV positivity rate rose from 10% during the first six months of implementation to more than 30% by August 2016 and was sustained above 30% through May 2018. The overall facility HIV positivity rate was 4.1% during the same period. The high HIV positivity rate was achieved for both males and females (mean monthly HIV positivity rate of 31.3% for males and 33.7% for females), with females showing significantly higher positivity compared to males (p < 0.001). The ZHCT mean monthly HIV positivity rate from index testing (32.6%) was significantly higher than that achieved through provider-initiated testing and counselling and other facility HIV testing modalities (4.1%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The ZHCT project has demonstrated successes in implementing index testing and PNS by attaining a high HIV positivity rate sustained over the study period. As the country moves towards HIV epidemic control, index testing and PNS are critical strategies for targeted HIV case identification.
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Hlongwa M, Mashamba-Thompson T, Makhunga S, Hlongwana K. Mapping evidence of intervention strategies to improving men's uptake to HIV testing services in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic scoping review. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:496. [PMID: 31170921 PMCID: PMC6554953 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4124-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background HIV testing serves as a critical gateway for linkage and retention to care services, particularly in sub-Saharan African countries with high burden of HIV infections. However, the current progress towards addressing the first cascade of the 90–90-90 programme is largely contributed by women. This study aimed to map evidence on the intervention strategies to improve HIV uptake among men in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods We conducted a scoping review guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) framework and Levac et al. (2010) recommendation for methodological enhancement for scoping review studies. We searched for eligible articles from electronic databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE; American Doctoral Dissertations via EBSCO host; Union Catalogue of Theses and Dissertations (UCTD); SA ePublications via SABINET Online; World Cat Dissertations; Theses via OCLC; and Google Scholar. We included studies from January 1990 to August 2018. We used the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR): checklist and explanation. The Mixed Method Appraisal Tool version 2018 was used to determine the methodological quality of the included studies. We further used NVivo version 11 to aid with content thematic analysis. Results This study revealed that teaching men about HIV; Community-Based HIV testing; Home-Based HIV testing; Antenatal Care HIV testing; HIV testing incentives and HIV Self-testing are important strategies to improving HIV testing among men in sub-Saharan Africa. The need for improving programmes aimed at giving more information to men about HIV that are specifically tailored for men, especially given their poor uptake of HIV testing services was also found. This study further revealed the need for implementing Universal Test and Treat among HIV positive men found through community-based testing strategies, while suggesting the importance of restructuring home-based HIV testing visits to address the gap posed by mobile populations. Conclusion The community HIV testing, as well as, HIV self-testing strategies showed great potential to increase HIV uptake among men in sub-Saharan Africa. However, to address poor linkage to care, ART should be initiated soon after HIV diagnosis is concluded during community testing services. We also recommend more research aimed at addressing the quality of HIV self-testing kits, as well as, improving the monitoring systems of the distributed HIV self-testing kits. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12879-019-4124-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mbuzeleni Hlongwa
- Discipline of Public Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Tivani Mashamba-Thompson
- Discipline of Public Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sizwe Makhunga
- Discipline of Public Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Khumbulani Hlongwana
- Discipline of Public Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Fonner VA, Mbwambo JK, Kennedy CE, Sweat MD. The gendered experience of HIV testing: factors associated with prior testing differ among men and women in rural Tanzania. Int J STD AIDS 2019; 30:843-852. [PMID: 31159709 DOI: 10.1177/0956462419840460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
HIV testing remains below UNAIDS 90–90–90 goals in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to understand gender-specific factors related to HIV testing in Kisarawe, Tanzania. Informed by Social Action Theory, we analyzed cross-sectional data from a population-based random sample using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression to identify the contextual, behavioral, and interpersonal factors associated with prior HIV testing – specifically, any prior testing and testing within the past year. Of 644 participants, 63.1% of men and 85.5% of women reported ever testing for HIV. Younger men and women (aged 18–25 years) had significantly lower odds of prior HIV testing compared with older participants. For men, low levels of anticipated stigma and having ever talked about HIV were both positively associated with any prior testing. Men who knew if a sexual partner had received an HIV test had almost three times the odds of receiving a recent HIV test compared to men with no knowledge of their partners’ testing status (aOR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.22–7.17, p = 0.01). For women, knowing someone who is HIV-positive was associated with increased odds of any prior testing (aOR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.24–6.07, p = 0.01). Gender-specific, proactive interventions are needed to increase testing uptake, especially for young people and men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia A Fonner
- 1 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Jessie K Mbwambo
- 2 Department of Psychiatry, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Caitlin E Kennedy
- 3 International Health Department, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael D Sweat
- 1 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Brief Report: HIV Assisted Partner Services Among Those With and Without a History of Intimate Partner Violence in Kenya. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2019; 78:16-19. [PMID: 29406431 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV assisted partner services (APS) are a notification and testing strategy for sex partners of HIV-infected index patients. This cluster-randomized controlled trial secondary data analysis investigated whether history of intimate partner violence (IPV) modified APS effectiveness and risk of relationship dissolution. SETTING Eighteen HIV testing and counseling sites in Kenya randomized to provide immediate APS (intervention) or APS delayed for 6 weeks (control). METHODS History of IPV was ascertained at study enrollment and defined as reporting ever experiencing physical or sexual IPV. Those reporting IPV in the month before enrollment were excluded. We tested whether history of IPV modified intervention effectiveness and risk of relationship dissolution using population-averaged Poisson and log-binomial generalized estimating equation models. Exploratory analyses investigated associations between history of IPV and events that occurred after HIV diagnosis using log-binomial generalized estimating equation models. RESULTS The study enrolled 1119 index participants and 1286 partners. Among index participants, 81 (7%) had history of IPV. History of IPV did not modify APS effectiveness in testing, newly diagnosing, or linking partners to care. History of IPV did not modify the association between receiving immediate APS and relationship dissolution during the study. CONCLUSIONS Among participants who had not experienced IPV in the last month but had experienced IPV in their lifetimes, our results suggest that APS is an effective and safe partner notification strategy in Kenya. As APS is scaled up in different contexts, these data support including those reporting past IPV and closely monitoring adverse events.
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Cham HJ, MacKellar D, Maruyama H, Rwabiyago OE, Msumi O, Steiner C, Kundi G, Weber R, Byrd J, Suraratdecha C, Mengistu T, Churi E, Pals S, Madevu-Matson C, Alexander G, Porter S, Kazaura K, Mbilinyi D, Morales F, Rutachunzibwa T, Justman J, Rwebembera A. Methods, outcomes, and costs of a 2.5 year comprehensive facility-and community-based HIV testing intervention in Bukoba Municipal Council, Tanzania, 2014-2017. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0215654. [PMID: 31048912 PMCID: PMC6497243 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To diagnose ≥90% HIV-infected residents (diagnostic coverage), the Bukoba Combination Prevention Evaluation (BCPE) implemented provider-initiated (PITC), home- (HBHTC), and venue-based (VBHTC) HIV testing and counseling (HTC) intervention in Bukoba Municipal Council, a mixed urban and rural lake zone community of 150,000 residents in Tanzania. This paper describes the methods, outcomes, and incremental costs of these HTC interventions. PITC was implemented in outpatient department clinics in all eight public and three faith-based health facilities. In clinics, lay counselors routinely screened and referred eligible patients for HIV testing conducted by HTC-dedicated healthcare workers. In all 14 wards, community teams offered HTC to eligible persons encountered at 31,293 home visits and at 79 male- and youth-frequented venues. HTC was recommended for persons who were not in HIV care or had not tested in the prior 90 days. BCPE conducted 133,695 HIV tests during the 2.5 year intervention (PITC: 88,813, 66%; HBHTC: 27,407, 21%; VBHTC: 17,475, 13%). Compared with other strategies, PITC conducted proportionally more tests among females (65%), and VBHTC conducted proportionally more tests among males (69%) and young-adults aged 15-24 years (42%). Of 5,550 (4.2% of all tests) HIV-positive tests, 4,143 (75%) clients were newly HIV diagnosed, including 1,583 males and 881 young adults aged 15-24 years. Of HIV tests conducted 3.7%, 1.8%, and 2.1% of PITC, HBHTC, and VBHTC clients, respectively, were newly HIV diagnosed; PITC accounted for 79% of all new diagnoses. Cost per test (per new diagnosis) was $4.55 ($123.66), $6.45 ($354.44), and $7.98 ($372.67) for PITC, HBHTC, and VBHTC, respectively. In a task-shifting analysis in which lay counselors replaced healthcare workers, estimated costs per test (per new diagnosis) would have been $3.06 ($83.15), $ 4.81 ($264.04), and $5.45 ($254.52), for PITC, HBHTC, and VBHTC, respectively. BCPE models reached different target groups, including men and young adults, two groups with consistently low coverage. Implementation of multiple models is likely necessary to achieve ≥90% diagnostic coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haddi Jatou Cham
- Division of Global HIV and TB, National Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Duncan MacKellar
- Division of Global HIV and TB, National Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | | | | | - Omari Msumi
- ICAP at Columbia University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Gerald Kundi
- ICAP at Columbia University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Rachel Weber
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Johnita Byrd
- ICF International, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Chutima Suraratdecha
- Division of Global HIV and TB, National Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Tewodaj Mengistu
- Division of Global HIV and TB, National Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Eliufoo Churi
- Henry Jackson Foundation Medical Research International, Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Sherri Pals
- Division of Global HIV and TB, National Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | | | | | - Sarah Porter
- Division of Global HIV and TB, National Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Kokuhumbya Kazaura
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Thomas Rutachunzibwa
- Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Bukoba, Tanzania
| | | | - Anath Rwebembera
- National AIDS Control Program, Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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