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Goense CJDH, Doan THP, Kpokiri EE, Evers YJ, Estcourt CS, Crutzen R, Klausner JD, Tang W, Baraitser P, Hoebe CJPA, Dukers-Muijrers NHTM. Understanding Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability of Home-based Comprehensive Sexual Health Care: A Realist Review. AIDS Behav 2024:10.1007/s10461-024-04415-x. [PMID: 38963569 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04415-x] [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] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
This review identifies which elements of home-based comprehensive sexual health care (home-based CSH) impacted which key populations, under which circumstances. A realist review of studies focused on home-based CSH with at least self-sampling or self-testing HIV and additional sexual health care (e.g., treatment, counseling). Peer-reviewed quantitative and qualitative literature from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, and PsycINFO published between February 2012 and February 2023 was examined. The PRISM framework was used to systematically assess the reach of key populations, effectiveness of the intervention, and effects on the adoption, implementation, and maintenance within routine sexual health care. Of 730 uniquely identified records, 93 were selected for extraction. Of these studies, 60% reported actual interventions and 40% described the acceptability and feasibility. Studies were mainly based in Europe or North America and were mostly targeted to MSM (59%; 55/93) (R). Overall, self-sampling or self-testing was highly acceptable across key populations. The effectiveness of most studies was (expected) increased HIV testing. Adoption of the home-based CSH was acceptable for care providers if linkage to care was available, even though a minority of studies reported adoption by care providers and implementation fidelity of the intervention. Most studies suggested maintenance of home-based CSH complementary to clinic-based care. Context and mechanisms were identified which may enhance implementation and maintenance of home-based CSH. When providing the individual with a choice of testing, clear instructions, and tailored dissemination successful uptake of STI and HIV testing may increase. For implementers perceived care and treatment benefits for clients may increase their willingness to implement home-based CSH. Therefore, home-based CSH may determine more accessible sexual health care and increased uptake of STI and HIV testing among key populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Johanna Dorothy Hanneke Goense
- Department of Social Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, Maastricht, 6200 MD, the Netherlands.
- Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, Living Lab Public Health, Public Health Service South Limburg, Heerlen, Netherlands.
- Department of Health Promotion, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), Maastricht, Netherlands.
| | | | - Eneyi E Kpokiri
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ymke J Evers
- Department of Social Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, Maastricht, 6200 MD, the Netherlands
- Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, Living Lab Public Health, Public Health Service South Limburg, Heerlen, Netherlands
| | - Claudia S Estcourt
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Rik Crutzen
- Department of Health Promotion, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), Maastricht, Netherlands
| | | | - Weiming Tang
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Project-China, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Paula Baraitser
- Department of Sexual Health, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Christian J P A Hoebe
- Department of Social Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, Maastricht, 6200 MD, the Netherlands
- Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, Living Lab Public Health, Public Health Service South Limburg, Heerlen, Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Infection Prevention, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Centre+ (MUMC+), Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Nicole H T M Dukers-Muijrers
- Department of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, Living Lab Public Health, Public Health Service South Limburg, Heerlen, Netherlands
- Department of Health Promotion, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), Maastricht, Netherlands
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2
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Simwinga M, Gwanu L, Hensen B, Sigande L, Mainga M, Phiri T, Mwanza E, Kabumbu M, Mulubwa C, Mwenge L, Bwalya C, Kumwenda M, Mubanga E, Mee P, Johnson CC, Corbett EL, Hatzold K, Neuman M, Ayles H, Taegtmeyer M. Lessons learned from implementation of four HIV self-testing (HIVST) distribution models in Zambia: applying the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to understand impact of contextual factors on implementation. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 22:977. [PMID: 38448832 PMCID: PMC10916003 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09168-5] [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: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although Zambia has integrated HIV-self-testing (HIVST) into its Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) regulatory frameworks, few best practices to optimize the use of HIV self-testing to increase testing coverage have been documented. We conducted a prospective case study to understand contextual factors guiding implementation of four HIVST distribution models to inform scale-up in Zambia. METHODS We used the qualitative case study method to explore user and provider experiences with four HIVST distribution models (two secondary distribution models in Antenatal Care (ANC) and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) clinics, community-led, and workplace) to understand factors influencing HIVST distribution. Participants were purposefully selected based on their participation in HIVST and on their ability to provide rich contextual experience of the distribution models. Data were collected using observations (n = 31), group discussions (n = 10), and in-depth interviews (n = 77). Data were analyzed using the thematic approach and aligned to the four Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) domains. RESULTS Implementation of the four distribution models was influenced by an interplay of outer and inner setting factors. Inadequate compensation and incentives for distributors may have contributed to distributor attrition in the community-led and workplace HIVST models. Stockouts, experienced at the start of implementation in the secondary-distribution and community-led distribution models often disrupted distribution. The existence of policy and practices aided integration of HIVST in the workplace. External factors complimented internal factors for successful implementation. For instance, despite distributor attrition leading to excessive workload, distributors often multi-tasked to keep up with demand for kits, even though distribution points were geographically widespread in the workplace, and to a less extent in the community-led models. Use of existing communication platforms such as lunchtime and safety meetings to promote and distribute kits, peers to support distributors, reduction in trips by distributors to replenish stocks, increase in monetary incentives and reorganisation of stakeholder roles proved to be good adaptations. CONCLUSION HIVST distribution was influenced by a combination of contextual factors in variable ways. Understanding how the factors interacted in real world settings informed adaptations to implementation devised to minimize disruptions to distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bernadette Hensen
- Department of Public Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health Group, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Moses Kumwenda
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Ellen Mubanga
- National HIV/AID/STI/TB Council (NAC), Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Paul Mee
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Medical Research Council International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Cheryl C Johnson
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Elizabeth L Corbett
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Medical Research Council International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Helen Ayles
- Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Miriam Taegtmeyer
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Unit, Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
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3
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McGee K, d'Elbée M, Dekova R, Sande LA, Dube L, Masuku S, Dlamini M, Mangenah C, Mwenge L, Johnson C, Hatzold K, Neuman M, Meyer-Rath G, Terris-Prestholt F. Costs of distributing HIV self-testing kits in Eswatini through community and workplace models. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 22:976. [PMID: 38424538 PMCID: PMC10902928 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08694-y] [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: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study evaluates the implementation and running costs of an HIV self-testing (HIVST) distribution program in Eswatini. HIVST kits were delivered through community-based and workplace models using primary and secondary distribution. Primary clients could self-test onsite or offsite. This study presents total running economic costs of kit distribution per model between April 2019 and March 2020, and estimates average cost per HIVST kit distributed, per client self-tested, per client self-tested reactive, per client confirmed positive, and per client initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART). METHODS Distribution data and follow-up phone interviews were analysed to estimate implementation outcomes. Results were presented for each step of the care cascade using best-case and worst-case scenarios. A top-down incremental cost-analysis was conducted from the provider perspective using project expenditures. Sensitivity and scenario analyses explored effects of economic and epidemiological parameters on average costs. RESULTS Nineteen thousand one hundred fifty-five HIVST kits were distributed to 13,031 individuals over a 12-month period, averaging 1.5 kits per recipient. 83% and 17% of kits were distributed via the community and workplace models, respectively. Clients reached via the workplace model were less likely to opt for onsite testing than clients in the community model (8% vs 29%). 6% of onsite workplace testers tested reactive compared to 2% of onsite community testers. Best-case scenario estimated 17,458 (91%) clients self-tested, 633 (4%) received reactive-test results, 606 (96%) linked to confirmatory testing, and 505 (83%) initiated ART. Personnel and HIVST kits represented 60% and 32% of total costs, respectively. Average costs were: per kit distributed US$17.23, per client tested US$18.91, per client with a reactive test US$521.54, per client confirmed positive US$550.83, and per client initiating ART US$708.60. Lower rates for testing, reactivity, and linkage to care in the worst-case scenario resulted in higher average costs along the treatment cascade. CONCLUSION This study fills a significant evidence gap regarding costs of HIVST provision along the client care cascade in Eswatini. Workplace and community-based distribution of HIVST accompanied with effective linkage to care strategies can support countries to reach cascade objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen McGee
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Marc d'Elbée
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Linda A Sande
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Sanele Masuku
- Population Services International, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | | | - Collin Mangenah
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Cheryl Johnson
- World Health Organisation, Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Gesine Meyer-Rath
- Center for Global Heath and Development, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Ostermann J, Njau B, Hobbie AM, Mtuy TB, Masnick M, Brown DS, Mühlbacher AC, Thielman NM. Divergent preferences for enhanced HIV testing options among high-risk populations in northern Tanzania: a short report. AIDS Care 2023; 35:1270-1278. [PMID: 36063533 PMCID: PMC9985668 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2022.2119471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
To achieve the UNAIDS target of diagnosing 95% of all persons living with HIV, enhanced HIV testing services with greater attractional value need to be developed and implemented. We conducted a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to quantify preferences for enhanced HIV testing features across two high-risk populations in the Kilimanjaro Region in northern Tanzania. We designed and fielded a survey with 12 choice tasks to systematically recruited female barworkers and male mountain porters. Key enhanced features included: testing availability on every day of the week, an oral test, integration of a general health check or an examination for sexually transmitted infections (STI) with HIV testing, and provider-assisted confidential partner notification in the event of a positive HIV test result. Across 300 barworkers and 440 porters surveyed, mixed logit analyses of 17,760 choices indicated strong preferences for everyday testing availability, health checks, and STI examinations. Most participants were averse to oral testing and confidential partner notification by providers. Substantial preference heterogeneity was observed within each risk group. Enhancing HIV testing services to include options for everyday testing, general health checks, and STI examinations may increase the appeal of HIV testing offers to high-risk populations.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02714140.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Ostermann
- Department of Health Services Policy & Management,
University of South Carolina, 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
| | - Bernard Njau
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Amy M. Hobbie
- 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
| | | | - Derek S. Brown
- Center for Health Policy & Inequalities Research, Duke
University, Durham, NC, USA
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St.
Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - 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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Mthiyane HR, Makatini Z, Tsukulu R, Jeena R, Mutloane M, Giddings D, Mahlangu S, Likotsi P, Majavie L, Druker T, Treurnicht F. HIV self-testing: a cross-sectional survey conducted among students at a tertiary institution in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2020. J Public Health Afr 2023; 14:2227. [PMID: 37441117 PMCID: PMC10334437 DOI: 10.4081/jphia.2023.2227] [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: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite the growing evidence for reasonable acceptance and the willingness to use HIV self-testing (HIVST), South Africa has not yet fully explored HIVST. Objective This study's objective was to determine knowledge, attitudes, and practices for HIVST among students aged 18 to 29 years from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Methods An online cross-sectional self-administered survey was used to collect data from 01 January 2020 to 31 June 2020. Chi-squared test was used to determine the contribution between categorical variables and HIVST outcomes at a P-value of ≤0.05. Logistic regression was performed to analyze the association between categorical variables with HIVST at a 95% confidence interval. Results A total of 227 students were included and more than half were females and 68% were between 20 and 24 years of age. Only 15% reported prior access to HIVST. Almost all students (99%) indicated that they would confirm self-test results if positive. Age group 25-29 (aOR 3.43; 95% CI 1.7-77) was associated with HIVST access compared to ≤19 and 24-29 age groups. Conclusions HIVST awareness was generally high among this study population. Of concern is the extremely low number of students who had previously used HIVST, as well as those who were unaware of HIVST's existence. Our findings highlight a necessity for HIVST advocacy in South Africa that provides information on where and how HIVST kits can be accessed to potentially upscale HIV testing - essential for achieving UNAIDS targets towards the elimination of HIV/AIDS epidemic as a public health threat.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Refilwe Tsukulu
- Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Rumaanah Jeena
- Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Motheo Mutloane
- Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - David Giddings
- Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sifiso Mahlangu
- Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Paballo Likotsi
- Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Liezl Majavie
- Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Tali Druker
- Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Saya U, Wagner Z, Mukasa B, Wabukala P, Lunkuse L, Linnemayr S. The role of material deprivations in determining ART adherence: Evidence from a conjoint analysis among HIV-positive adults in Uganda. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000374. [PMID: 36962701 PMCID: PMC10022174 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Despite sustained global scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART), adherence to ART remains low. Less than half of those in HIV care in Uganda achieve 85% adherence to their ART medication required for clinically meaningful viral suppression, leaving them at higher risk of transmission. Key barriers to ART adherence include poverty-related structural barriers that are inter-connected and occur simultaneously, making it challenging to examine and disentangle them empirically and in turn design effective interventions. Many people living with HIV (PLWH) make tradeoffs between these various barriers (e.g., between expenses for food or transportation) and these can influence long-term health behavior such as adherence to ART. To be able to estimate the distinct influence of key structural barriers related to poverty, we administered a conjoint analysis (CA) to 320 HIV-positive adults currently taking ART at an urban clinic in Uganda between July 2019 and September 2020. We varied the levels of four poverty-related attributes (food security, sleep deprivation, monthly income, and physical pain) that occur simultaneously and asked respondents how they would adhere to their medication under different combinations of attribute levels. This allows us to disentangle the effect of each attribute from one another and to assess their relative importance. We used regression analysis to estimate the effects of each attribute level and found that food security impacts expected adherence the most (treatment effect = 1.3; 95% CI 1.11-1.49, p<0.001), followed by income (treatment effect = 0.99; 95% CI 0.88-1.10, p<0.001. Sleep and pain also impact adherence, although by a smaller magnitude. Sub-group analyses conducted via regression analysis examine heterogeneity in results and suggest that the effects of material deprivations on expected adherence are greater among those with high levels of existing food insecurity. Results from this CA indicate that external factors inherent in the lives of the poor and unrelated to direct ART access can be important barriers to ART adherence. This study applies a CA (typically administered in marketing applications) among PLWH to better understand individual-level perceptions relating to poverty that often occur simultaneously. Policy interventions should address food insecurity and income to improve adherence among HIV-positive adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uzaib Saya
- Pardee RAND Graduate School, Santa Monica, California, United States of America
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California, United States of America
| | - Zachary Wagner
- Pardee RAND Graduate School, Santa Monica, California, United States of America
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California, United States of America
| | - Barbara Mukasa
- Mildmay Uganda, Mildmay Hospital and Institute of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Peter Wabukala
- Mildmay Uganda, Mildmay Hospital and Institute of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Lillian Lunkuse
- Mildmay Uganda, Mildmay Hospital and Institute of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sebastian Linnemayr
- Pardee RAND Graduate School, Santa Monica, California, United States of America
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California, United States of America
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Harrison L, Kumwenda M, Nyirenda L, Chilongosi R, Corbett E, Hatzold K, Johnson C, Simwinga M, Desmond N, Taegtmeyer M. "You have a self-testing method that preserves privacy so how come you cannot give us treatment that does too?" Exploring the reasoning among young people about linkage to prevention, care and treatment after HIV self-testing in Southern Malawi. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:395. [PMID: 35449095 PMCID: PMC9026576 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07231-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Young people, aged 16-24, in southern Malawi have high uptake of HIV self-testing (HIVST) but low rates of linking to services following HIVST, especially in comparison, to older generations. The study aim is to explore the barriers and facilitators to linkage for HIV prevention and care following uptake of HIV self-testing among young Malawians. METHODS We used qualitative methods. Young people aged 16-24 who had received HIVST; community-based distribution agents (CBDAs) and health care workers from the linked facilities were purposively sampled from two villages in rural southern Malawi. RESULTS We conducted in-depth interviews with thirteen young people (9 female) and held four focus groups with 28 healthcare workers and CBDAs. Young people strongly felt the social consequences associated with inadvertent disclosure of HIV sero-status were a significant deterrent to linkage at their stage in life. They also felt communication on testing benefits and the referral process after testing was poor. In contrast, they valued encouragement from those they trusted, other's positive treatment experiences and having a "strength of mind". CBDAs were important facilitators for young people as they are able to foster a trusting relationship and had more understanding of the factors which prevented young people from linking following HIVST than the healthcare workers. Young people noted contextual barriers to linkage, for example, being seen on the road to the healthcare centre, but also societal gendered barriers. For example, young females and younger adolescents were less likely to have the financial independence to link to services whilst young males (aged 19-24) had the finances but lacked a supportive network to encourage linkage following testing. Overall, it was felt that the primary "responsibility" for linking to formal healthcare following self-testing is shouldered by the young person and not the healthcare system. CONCLUSIONS Young people are happy to self-test for HIV but faced barriers to link to services following a self-test. Potential interventions for improving linkage suggested by this analysis include the establishment of youth-friendly linkage services, enhanced lines of communication between young people and healthcare providers and prioritising linkage for future interventions when targeting young people following HIVST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Harrison
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Moses Kumwenda
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Lot Nyirenda
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Richard Chilongosi
- Department of HIV Prevention, Population Services International, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Elizabeth Corbett
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STIs Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Nicola Desmond
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Clinical Sciences Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Miriam Taegtmeyer
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
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8
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Wilson KS, Mugo C, Katz DA, Manyeki V, Mungwala C, Otiso L, Bukusi D, McClelland RS, Simoni JM, Driver M, Masyuko S, Inwani I, Kohler PK. High Acceptance and Completion of HIV Self-testing Among Diverse Populations of Young People in Kenya Using a Community-Based Distribution Strategy. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:964-974. [PMID: 34468968 PMCID: PMC8409270 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03451-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Oral HIV self-testing (HIVST) may expand access to testing among hard-to-reach reach adolescents and young adults (AYA). We evaluated community-based HIVST services for AYA in an urban settlement in Kenya. Peer-mobilizers recruited AYA ages 15-24 through homes, bars/clubs, and pharmacies. Participants were offered oral HIVST, optional assistance and post-test counseling. Outcomes were HIVST acceptance and completion (self-report and returned kits). Surveys were given at enrollment, post-testing, and 4 months. Log-binomial regression evaluated HIVST preferences by venue. Among 315 reached, 87% enrolled. HIVST acceptance was higher in bars/clubs (94%) than homes (86%) or pharmacies (75%). HIVST completion was 97%, with one confirmed positive result. Participants wanted future HIVST at multiple locations, include PrEP, and cost ≤ $5USD. Participants from bars/clubs and pharmacies were more likely to prefer unassisted testing and peer-distributers compared to participants from homes. This differentiated community-based HIVST strategy could facilitate engagement in HIV testing and prevention among AYA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate S Wilson
- Department of Global Health, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, 325 9th Avenue, Box 359931, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA.
| | - Cyrus Mugo
- University of Nairobi/Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - David A Katz
- Department of Global Health, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, 325 9th Avenue, Box 359931, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
| | - Vivianne Manyeki
- University of Nairobi/Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Carol Mungwala
- University of Nairobi/Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | | | - R Scott McClelland
- Department of Global Health, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, 325 9th Avenue, Box 359931, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Jane M Simoni
- Department of Global Health, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, 325 9th Avenue, Box 359931, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Matt Driver
- Department of Cardiology, Cedar Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Sarah Masyuko
- National AIDS and STI Control Program (NASCOP), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Irene Inwani
- University of Nairobi/Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Pamela K Kohler
- Department of Global Health, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, 325 9th Avenue, Box 359931, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
- Department of Child, Family, and Population Health, Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
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Muwanguzi PA, Nasuuna EM, Namimbi F, Osingada CP, Ngabirano TD. Venues and methods to improve professional men's access to HIV self-testing and linkage to HIV prevention or treatment: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:1217. [PMID: 34753460 PMCID: PMC8577403 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-07259-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background HIV testing among men in sub-Saharan Africa is sub-optimal. Despite several strategies to improve access to underserved populations, evidence regarding engaging men in professional and formal occupations in HIV testing is limited. This study explored employed professional men’s preferences for uptake of HIV self-testing, and linkage to HIV care, or prevention services. Methods This was an explorative-descriptive qualitative study where a sample of 33 men from six Ugandan urban centres. Participants were purposively selected guided by the International Standard Classification of Occupations to participate in in-depth interviews. The data were collected using an interview guide and the sample size was determined by data saturation. Eligibility criteria included fulltime formal employment for over a year at that organization. The data were analyzed manually using thematic content analysis. Results Three categories emerged: uptake of HIV self-tests, process of HIV self-testing and linkage to post-test services. The different modes of distribution of HIV self-test kits included secondary distribution, self-tests at typically male dominated spaces, delivery to workplaces and technology-based delivery. The process of HIV self-testing may be optimized by providing collection bins, and mHealth or mobile phone applications. Linkage to further care or prevention services may be enhanced using medical insurance providers, giving incentives and tele counselling. Conclusion We recommend utilization of several channels for the uptake of HIV self-tests. These include distribution of test kits both to offices and men’s leisure and recreation ‘hot spots’, Additionally, female partners, peers and established men’s group including social media groups can play a role in improving the uptake of HIV self-testing. Mobile phones and digital technology can be applied in innovative ways for the return of test results and to strengthen linkage to care or prevention services. Partnership with medical insurers may be critical in engaging men in professional employment in HIV services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patience A Muwanguzi
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Esther M Nasuuna
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Florence Namimbi
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Charles Peter Osingada
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Tom Denis Ngabirano
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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10
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Ostermann J, Yelverton V, Smith HJ, Nanyangwe M, Kashela L, Chisenga P, Mai V, Mwila C, Herce ME. Preferences for transitional HIV care among people living with HIV recently released from prison in Zambia: a discrete choice experiment. J Int AIDS Soc 2021; 24:e25805. [PMID: 34648690 PMCID: PMC8516367 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction No studies from sub‐Saharan Africa have attempted to assess HIV service delivery preferences among incarcerated people living with HIV as they transition from prisons to the community (“releasees”). We conducted a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to characterize releasee preferences for transitional HIV care services in Zambia to inform the development of a differentiated service delivery model to promote HIV care continuity for releasees. Methods Between January and October 2019, we enrolled a consecutive sample of 101 releasees from a larger cohort prospectively following 296 releasees from five prisons in Zambia. We administered a DCE eliciting preferences for 12 systematically designed choice scenarios, each presenting three hypothetical transitional care options. Options combined six attributes: (1) clinic type for post‐release HIV care; (2) client focus of healthcare workers; (3) transitional care model type; (4) characteristics of transitional care provider; (5) type of transitional care support; and (6) HIV status disclosure support. We analysed DCE choice data using a mixed logit model, with coefficients describing participants’ average (“mean”) preferences for each option compared to the standard of care and their distributions describing preference variation across participants. Results Most DCE participants were male (n = 84, 83.2%) and had completed primary school (n = 54, 53.5%), with 29 (28.7%) unemployed at follow‐up. Participants had spent an average of 8.2 months in the community prior to the DCE, with 18 (17.8%) reporting an intervening episode of re‐incarceration. While we observed significant preference variation across participants (p < 0.001 for most characteristics), releasees were generally averse to clinics run by community‐based organizations versus government antiretroviral therapy clinics providing post‐release HIV care (mean preference = –0.78, p < 0.001). On average, releasees most preferred livelihood support (mean preference = 1.19, p < 0.001) and HIV care support (mean preference = 1.00, p < 0.001) delivered by support groups involving people living with HIV (mean preference = 1.24, p < 0.001). Conclusions We identified preferred characteristics of transitional HIV care that can form the basis for differentiated service delivery models for prison releasees. Such models should offer client‐centred care in trusted clinics, provide individualized HIV care support delivered by support groups and/or peer navigators, and strengthen linkages to programs providing livelihood support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Ostermann
- Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.,South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.,Center for Health Policy & Inequalities Research, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Valerie Yelverton
- Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Helene J Smith
- Implementation Science Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia.,School of Public Health & Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mirriam Nanyangwe
- Implementation Science Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Lillian Kashela
- Implementation Science Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Peter Chisenga
- Implementation Science Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Vivien Mai
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chilambwe Mwila
- Implementation Science Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Michael E Herce
- Implementation Science Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia.,Institute for Global Health & Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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11
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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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12
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d'Elbée M, Gomez GB, Sande LA, Mwenge L, Mangenah C, Johnson C, Medley GF, Neuman M, Hatzold K, Corbett EL, Meyer-Rath G, Terris-Prestholt F. Modelling costs of community-based HIV self-testing programmes in Southern Africa at scale: an econometric cost function analysis across five countries. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e005554. [PMID: 34275875 PMCID: PMC8287624 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005554] [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: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following success demonstrated with the HIV Self-Testing AfRica Initiative, HIV self-testing (HIVST) is being added to national HIV testing strategies in Southern Africa. An analysis of the costs of scaling up HIVST is needed to inform national plans, but there is a dearth of evidence on methods for forecasting costs at scale from pilot projects. Econometric cost functions (ECFs) apply statistical inference to predict costs; however, we often do not have the luxury of collecting large amounts of location-specific data. We fit an ECF to identify key drivers of costs, then use a simpler model to guide cost projections at scale. METHODS We estimated the full economic costs of community-based HIVST distribution in 92 locales across Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Lesotho between June 2016 and June 2019. We fitted a cost function with determinants related to scale, locales organisational and environmental characteristics, target populations, and per capita Growth Domestic Product (GDP). We used models differing in data intensity to predict costs at scale. We compared predicted estimates with scale-up costs in Lesotho observed over a 2-year period. RESULTS The scale of distribution, type of community-based intervention, percentage of kits distributed to men, distance from implementer's warehouse and per capita GDP predicted average costs per HIVST kit distributed. Our model simplification approach showed that a parsimonious model could predict costs without losing accuracy. Overall, ECF showed a good predictive capacity, that is, forecast costs were close to observed costs. However, at larger scale, variations of programme efficiency over time (number of kits distributed per agent monthly) could potentially influence cost predictions. DISCUSSION Our empirical cost function can inform community-based HIVST scale-up in Southern African countries. Our findings suggest that a parsimonious ECF can be used to forecast costs at scale in the context of financial planning and budgeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc d'Elbée
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Gabriela B Gomez
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Linda Alinafe Sande
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Department of HIV/AIDS & TB, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Collin Mangenah
- Department of Health Economics, Centre for Sexual Health HIV/AIDS Research, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programme, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Graham F Medley
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Melissa Neuman
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Elizabeth Lucy Corbett
- Department of HIV/AIDS & TB, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Gesine Meyer-Rath
- Department of Internal Medicine, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO) - University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Center for Global Health and Development, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Department of Global Health & Development, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, Geneva, Switzerland
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13
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d'Elbée M, Traore MM, Badiane K, Vautier A, Simo Fotso A, Kabemba OK, Rouveau N, Godfrey-Faussett P, Maheu-Giroux M, Boily MC, Medley GF, Larmarange J, Terris-Prestholt F. Costs and Scale-Up Costs of Integrating HIV Self-Testing Into Civil Society Organisation-Led Programmes for Key Populations in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Mali. Front Public Health 2021; 9:653612. [PMID: 34109146 PMCID: PMC8182047 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.653612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant progress on the proportion of individuals who know their HIV status in 2020, Côte d'Ivoire (76%), Senegal (78%), and Mali (48%) remain far below, and key populations (KP) including female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), and people who use drugs (PWUD) are the most vulnerable groups with a HIV prevalence at 5-30%. HIV self-testing (HIVST), a process where a person collects his/her own specimen, performs a test, and interprets the result, was introduced in 2019 as a new testing modality through the ATLAS project coordinated by the international partner organisation Solthis (IPO). We estimate the costs of implementing HIVST through 23 civil society organisations (CSO)-led models for KP in Côte d'Ivoire (N = 7), Senegal (N = 11), and Mali (N = 5). We modelled costs for programme transition (2021) and early scale-up (2022-2023). Between July 2019 and September 2020, a total of 51,028, 14,472, and 34,353 HIVST kits were distributed in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Mali, respectively. Across countries, 64-80% of HIVST kits were distributed to FSW, 20-31% to MSM, and 5-8% to PWUD. Average costs per HIVST kit distributed were $15 for FSW (Côte d'Ivoire: $13, Senegal: $17, Mali: $16), $23 for MSM (Côte d'Ivoire: $15, Senegal: $27, Mali: $28), and $80 for PWUD (Côte d'Ivoire: $16, Senegal: $144), driven by personnel costs (47-78% of total costs), and HIVST kits costs (2-20%). Average costs at scale-up were $11 for FSW (Côte d'Ivoire: $9, Senegal: $13, Mali: $10), $16 for MSM (Côte d'Ivoire: $9, Senegal: $23, Mali: $17), and $32 for PWUD (Côte d'Ivoire: $14, Senegal: $50). Cost reductions were mainly explained by the spreading of IPO costs over higher HIVST distribution volumes and progressive IPO withdrawal at scale-up. In all countries, CSO-led HIVST kit provision to KP showed relatively high costs during the study period related to the progressive integration of the programme to CSO activities and contextual challenges (COVID-19 pandemic, country safety concerns). In transition to scale-up and integration of the HIVST programme into CSO activities, this model shows large potential for substantial economies of scale. Further research will assess the overall cost-effectiveness of this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc d'Elbée
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Arlette Simo Fotso
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped UMR 196), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm (ERL 1244), Paris, France
| | | | - Nicolas Rouveau
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped UMR 196), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm (ERL 1244), Paris, France
| | - Peter Godfrey-Faussett
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Geneva, Switzerland
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Claude Boily
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Graham Francis Medley
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Larmarange
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped UMR 196), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm (ERL 1244), Paris, France
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Geneva, Switzerland
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14
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Majam M, Conserve DF, Zishiri V, Haile ZT, Tembo A, Phiri J, Hatzold K, Johnson CC, Venter F. Implementation of different HIV self-testing models with implications for HIV testing services during the COVID-19 pandemic: study protocol for secondary data analysis of the STAR Initiative in South Africa. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e048585. [PMID: 34006558 PMCID: PMC8130734 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-048585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION HIV self-testing (HIVST) presents a convenient, private approach that removes barriers to providing HIV testing services. The Self-Testing Africa (STAR) Initiative aims to scale up HIVST among priority and undertested populations. HIVST has the potential to help maintain testing services during the social distancing restrictions implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This project evaluates linkage to confirmatory testing and treatment for HIV-positive clients for the STAR South Africa site. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This secondary data analysis protocol aims to evaluate different HIVST distribution models from a prospective study implemented during November 2017 and December 2020 by Ezintsha, a subdivision of Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute. Routinely collected distribution and self-reported HIVST outcomes data will be deidentified and analysed. The main outcomes of interest are linkage to care and treatment among HIVST users who report a reactive HIVST result. Additionally, we plan to determine sociodemographic factors associated with linkage to care and treatment among HIVST users. Descriptive statistics will be used to describe the variables of interest, and modified Poisson regression with robust variance estimation will be performed to identify factors associated with linkage to care and treatment among HIVST users who report a reactive HIVST result. Risk ratios and 95% CIs for the risk ratios will be reported. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study protocol has been approved by the University of Witwatersrand Human Research Ethics Committee. The dissemination plan for the study findings will include presentations to local and international health authorities, international conferences and publications in open access journals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Majam
- Ezintsha, a sub-division of Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Guateng, South Africa
| | - Donaldson F Conserve
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Vincent Zishiri
- Ezintsha, a sub-division of Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Zelalem T Haile
- Department of Social Medicine, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dublin, Ohio, USA
| | - Angela Tembo
- Ezintsha, a sub-division of Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jane Phiri
- Ezintsha, a sub-division of Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Cheryl C Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Francois Venter
- Ezintsha, a sub-division of Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Guateng, South Africa
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15
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Johnson C, Kumwenda M, Meghji J, Choko AT, Phiri M, Hatzold K, Baggaley R, Taegtmeyer M, Terris-Prestholt F, Desmond N, Corbett EL. 'Too old to test?': A life course approach to HIV-related risk and self-testing among midlife-older adults in Malawi. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:650. [PMID: 33812381 PMCID: PMC8019342 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10573-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the aging HIV epidemic, increasing age can be associated with hesitancy to test. Addressing this gap is a critical policy concern and highlights the urgent need to identify the underlying factors, to improve knowledge of HIV-related risks as well as uptake of HIV testing and prevention services, in midlife-older adults. METHODS We conducted five focus group discussions and 12 in-depth interviews between April 2013 and November 2016 among rural and urban Malawian midlife-older (≥30 years) men and women. Using a life-course theoretical framework we explored how age is enacted socially and its implications on HIV testing and sexual risk behaviours. We also explore the potential for HIV self-testing (HIVST) to be part of a broader strategy for engaging midlife-older adults in HIV testing, prevention and care. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurrent themes and variations. RESULTS Midlife-older adults (30-74 years of age) associated their age with respectability and identified HIV as "a disease of youth" that would not affect them, with age protecting them against infidelity and sexual risk-taking. HIV testing was felt to be stigmatizing, challenging age norms, threatening social status, and implying "lack of wisdom". These norms drove self-testing preferences at home or other locations deemed age and gender appropriate. Awareness of the potential for long-standing undiagnosed HIV to be carried forward from past relationships was minimal, as was understanding of treatment-as-prevention. These norms led to HIV testing being perceived as a threat to status by older adults, contributing to low levels of recent HIV testing compared to younger adults. CONCLUSIONS Characteristics associated with age-gender norms and social position encourage self-testing but drive poor HIV-risk perception and unacceptability of conventional HIV testing in midlife-older adults. There is an urgent need to provide targeted messages and services more appropriate to midlife-older adults in sub-Saharan Africa. HIVST which has often been highlighted as a tool for reaching young people, may be a valuable tool for engaging midlife-older age groups who may not otherwise test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Johnson
- Global of HIV, Hepatitis and STIs Programmes, World Health Organization, 20 Ave Appia, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland. .,Department of Clinical Research and Infectious Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Moses Kumwenda
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, HIV/TB Group, Blantyre, Malawi.,Helse Nord TB Initiative, College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Jamilah Meghji
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Augustine T Choko
- Department of Clinical Research and Infectious Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, HIV/TB Group, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Rachel Baggaley
- Global of HIV, Hepatitis and STIs Programmes, World Health Organization, 20 Ave Appia, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Miriam Taegtmeyer
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.,Tropical Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Nicola Desmond
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, HIV/TB Group, Blantyre, Malawi.,Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Elizabeth L Corbett
- Department of Clinical Research and Infectious Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, HIV/TB Group, Blantyre, Malawi
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16
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Sharma M, Ong JJ, Celum C, Terris-Prestholt F. Heterogeneity in individual preferences for HIV testing: A systematic literature review of discrete choice experiments. EClinicalMedicine 2020; 29-30:100653. [PMID: 33305199 PMCID: PMC7710637 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding variations in HIV testing preferences can help inform optimal combinations of testing services to maximize coverage. We conducted a systematic review of Discrete Choice Experiments (DCEs) eliciting HIV testing preference. METHODS We searched the published literature for papers that conducted DCEs to assess user preferences for HIV testing. FINDINGS We identified 237 publications; 14 studies conducted in 10 countries met inclusion criteria. Overall, test cost was one of the strongest drivers of preference, with participants preferring free or very low-cost testing. Confidentiality was a salient concern, particularly among key populations and persons who never tested. Participants in resource-limited settings preferred short travel distance and integration of HIV testing with other services. There was substantial heterogeneity across participant characteristics. For example, while women preferred home testing, high-risk groups (e.g. male porters, female bar workers) and men who had not tested in the last year preferred traveling a short distance for testing. HIV self-testing (HIVST) had high acceptability, particularly among those who had never HIV tested, although most users preferred blood-based sample collection over oral swabs. Participants highly valued post-test counselling availability after HIVST. INTERPRETATION Overall, participants value low-cost, confidential testing with short travel distance. HIVST is a promising strategy to increase testing coverage but post-test counseling and support should be made available. Educational campaigns to increase familiarity and build confidence in results of oral testing can improve the success of HIVST. DCEs conducted within clinic settings likely have limited generalizability to those not seeking care, particularly for key populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monisha Sharma
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, School of Public Health, 908 Jefferson St, Seattle, WA 98104, United States
- Corresponding author.
| | - Jason J. Ong
- Department of Clinical Research and Development, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Connie Celum
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, School of Public Health, 908 Jefferson St, Seattle, WA 98104, United States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Ostermann J, Njau B, Hobbie A, Mtuy T, Masaki ML, Shayo A, van Zwetselaar M, Masnick M, Flaherty B, Brown DS, Mühlbacher AC, Thielman NM. Using discrete choice experiments to design interventions for heterogeneous preferences: protocol for a pragmatic randomised controlled trial of a preference-informed, heterogeneity-focused, HIV testing offer for high-risk populations. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e039313. [PMID: 33158826 PMCID: PMC7651730 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Approximately one million undiagnosed persons living with HIV in Southern and Eastern Africa need to test for HIV. Novel approaches are necessary to identify HIV testing options that match the heterogeneous testing preferences of high-risk populations. This pragmatic randomised controlled trial (PRCT) will evaluate the efficacy of a preference-informed, heterogeneity-focused HIV counselling and testing (HCT) offer, for improving rates of HIV testing in two high-risk populations. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The study will be conducted in Moshi, Tanzania. The PRCT will randomise 600 female barworkers and 600 male Kilimanjaro mountain porters across three study arms. All participants will receive an HIV testing offer comprised of four preference-informed testing options, including one 'common' option-comprising features that are commonly available in the area and, on average, most preferred among study participants-and three options that are specific to the study arm. Options will be identified using mixed logit and latent class analyses of data from a discrete choice experiment (DCE). Participants in Arm 1 will be offered the common option and three 'targeted' options that are predicted to be more preferred than the common option and combine features widely available in the study area. Participants in Arm 2 will be offered the common option and three 'enhanced' options, which also include HCT features that are not yet widely available in the study area. Participants in Arm 3, an active control arm, will be offered the common option and three predicted 'less preferred' options. The primary outcome will be uptake of HIV testing. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval was obtained from the Duke University Health System IRB, the University of South Carolina IRB, the Ethics Review Committee at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Tanzania's National Institute for Medical Research, and the Tanzania Food & Drugs Authority (now Tanzania Medicines & Medical Devices Authority). Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals. The use of rigorous DCE methods for the preference-based design and tailoring of interventions could lead to novel policy options and implementation science approaches. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02714140.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Ostermann
- Department of Health Services Policy & Management, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
- South Carolina Smart State Center for Healthcare Quality, University of South Carolina, Carolina, South Carolina, USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Center for Health Policy & Inequalities Research, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Bernard Njau
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Amy Hobbie
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Center for Health Policy & Inequalities Research, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Tara Mtuy
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Aisa Shayo
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | | | - Max Masnick
- Selway Labs, LLC, Barrington, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Brian Flaherty
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Derek S Brown
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Axel C Mühlbacher
- Center for Health Policy & Inequalities Research, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Institut Gesundheitsökonomie und Medizinmanagement, Hochschule Neubrandenburg, Neubrandenburg, Germany
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Nathan M Thielman
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Center for Health Policy & Inequalities Research, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Abstract
We present recent literature describing interventions for linkage to HIV care in the era of Universal Test and Treat (UTT) policies. We also provide information for ongoing studies of linkage to care strategies registered with ClinicalTrials.gov.
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Ong JJ, De Abreu Lourenco R, Street D, Smith K, Jamil MS, Terris-Prestholt F, Fairley CK, McNulty A, Hynes A, Johnson K, Chow EPF, Bavinton B, Grulich A, Stoove M, Holt M, Kaldor J, Guy R. The Preferred Qualities of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing and Self-Testing Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Discrete Choice Experiment. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2020; 23:870-879. [PMID: 32762988 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2020.04.1826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Human immunodeficiency virus self-testing (HIVST) is a promising approach to improve HIV testing coverage. We aimed to understand HIV testing preferences of men who have sex with men (MSM) to optimize HIVST implementation. METHODS Discrete choice experiments (DCEs) were conducted among HIV-negative MSM living in Australia and aged ≥18 years. Men completed 1 of 2 DCEs: DCETest for preferred qualities of HIV testing (price, speed, window period, test type, and collector of specimen) and DCEKits for preferred qualities of HIVST kits (price, location of access, packaging, and usage instructions). Latent class conditional logit regression was used to explore similarities (or "classes") in preference behavior. RESULTS Overall, the study recruited 1606 men: 62% born in Australia, who had an average age of 36.0 years (SD 11.7), and a self-reported median of 4 (interquartile range 2-8) sexual partners in the last 6 months. The respondents to DCETest was described by 4 classes: "prefer shorter window period" (36%), "prefer self-testing" (27%), "prefer highly accurate tests" (22%), and "prefer low prices" (15%). Respondents to DCEKits were described by 4 classes: "prefer low prices" (48%), "prefer retail access (from pharmacy or online stores)" (29%), "prefer access at sex venues" (15%), and "prefer to buy from healthcare staff" (12%). Preferences varied by when someone migrated to Australia, age, frequency of testing, and number of sexual partners. CONCLUSION A subset of MSM, particularly infrequent testers, value access to HIVST. Expanding access to HIVST kits through online portals and pharmacies and at sex venues should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Adam Hynes
- Thorne Harbour Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Martin Holt
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - John Kaldor
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rebecca Guy
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Ostermann J, Mühlbacher A, Brown DS, Regier DA, Hobbie A, Weinhold A, Alshareef N, Derrick C, Thielman NM. Heterogeneous Patient Preferences for Modern Antiretroviral Therapy: Results of a Discrete Choice Experiment. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2020; 23:851-861. [PMID: 32762986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2020.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Limited data describe patient preferences for the growing number of antiretroviral therapies (ARTs). We quantified preferences for key characteristics of modern ART deemed relevant to shared decision making. METHODS A discrete choice experiment survey elicited preferences for ART characteristics, including dosing (frequency and number of pills), administration characteristics (pill size and meal requirement), most bothersome side effect (from diarrhea, sleep disturbance, headaches, dizziness/difficulty thinking, depression, or jaundice), and most bothersome long-term effect (from increased risk of heart attacks, bone fractures, renal dysfunction, hypercholesterolemia, or hyperglycemia). Between March and August 2017, the discrete choice experiment was fielded to 403 treatment-experienced persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), enrolled from 2 infectious diseases clinics in the southern United States and a national online panel. Participants completed 16 choice tasks, each comparing 3 treatment options. Preferences were analyzed using mixed and latent class logit models. RESULTS Most participants were male (68%) and older (interquartile range: 42-58 years), and had substantial treatment experience (interquartile range: 7-21 years). In mixed logit analyses, all attributes were associated with preferences. Side and long-term effects were most important, with evidence of substantial preference heterogeneity. Latent class analysis identified 5 preference classes. For classes 1 (40%), 2 (24%), and 3 (21%), side effects were most important, followed by long-term effects. For class 4 (10%), dosing was most important. Class 5 (4%) was largely indifferent to ART characteristics. CONCLUSION Overall, treatment-experienced persons living with HIV valued minimizing side effects and long-term toxicities over dosing and administration characteristics. Preferences varied widely, highlighting the need to elicit individual patient preferences in models of shared antiretroviral decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Ostermann
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Management, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Axel Mühlbacher
- Institute of Health Economics and Healthcare Management, Hochschule Neubrandenburg, Neubrandenburg, Germany
| | - Derek S Brown
- Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Dean A Regier
- Cancer Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Amy Hobbie
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Andrew Weinhold
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Noor Alshareef
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Management, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Caroline Derrick
- Department of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
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Insights for Implementation Science From 2 Multiphased Studies With End-Users of Potential Multipurpose Prevention Technology and HIV Prevention Products. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2020; 82 Suppl 3:S222-S229. [PMID: 31764258 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lower adherence to biomedical HIV prevention and challenges with persistence among young women underscore the need for methods to identify factors that will achieve higher adoption and use of effective prevention options and inform new approaches. SETTING South Africa, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. METHODS We synthesized findings from 2 multiphased studies (TRIO and Quatro) conducted with young women aged 18-30 years that included a crossover clinical study with placebo products, a discrete-choice experiment, and qualitative interviews with women, male partners, and health providers. TRIO evaluated 3 products (tablets, ring, and injections), and Quatro compared 4 vaginal products (ring, insert, film, and gel) for HIV prevention. Both were designed to assess product preferences, choice, and use. RESULTS Increased experience with placebo products in the crossover study informed young women's product ratings and preferences. Over half changed their mind regarding their most preferred product after trying each one. The integrated qualitative component was vital to understanding what prompted these preference shifts. The discrete choice experiment provided insights on how features not available in placebos, like efficacy and contraception, influence choice and the tradeoffs women may be willing to make to gain a desired product feature. CONCLUSION The use of multiple research methods allowed for evaluation of varied dimensions of acceptability, preference, and choice in the context of diverse biomedical HIV prevention delivery forms. Findings elucidated the value of product choice with differences in preference within and across settings. Collectively, the 3 methodologies offered important insights about these products informative to enhanced product design development and future implementation.
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Sibanda EL, Webb K, Fahey CA, Kang Dufour M, McCoy SI, Watadzaushe C, Dirawo J, Deda M, Chimwaza A, Taramusi I, Mushavi A, Mukungunugwa S, Padian N, Cowan FM. Use of data from various sources to evaluate and improve the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV programme in Zimbabwe: a data integration exercise. J Int AIDS Soc 2020; 23 Suppl 3:e25524. [PMID: 32602644 PMCID: PMC7325515 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite improvements in prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV outcomes, there remain unacceptably high numbers of mother-to-child transmissions (MTCT) of HIV. Programmes and research collect multiple sources of PMTCT data, yet this data is rarely integrated in a systematic way. We conducted a data integration exercise to evaluate the Zimbabwe national PMTCT programme and derive lessons for strengthening implementation and documentation. METHODS We used data from four sources: research, Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) programme, Implementer - Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development, and modelling. Research data came from serial population representative cross-sectional surveys that evaluated the national PMTCT programme in 2012, 2014 and 2017/2018. MOHCC and Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development collected data with similar indicators for the period 2018 to 2019. Modelling data from 2017/18 UNAIDS Spectrum was used. We systematically integrated data from the different sources to explore PMTCT programme performance at each step of the cascade. We also conducted spatial analysis to identify hotspots of MTCT. RESULTS We developed cascades for HIV-positive and negative-mothers, and HIV exposed and infected infants to 24 months post-partum. Most data were available on HIV positive mothers. Few data were available 6-8 weeks post-delivery for HIV exposed/infected infants and none were available post-delivery for HIV-negative mothers. The different data sources largely concurred. Antenatal care (ANC) registration was high, although women often presented late. There was variable implementation of PMTCT services, MTCT hotspots were identified. Factors positively associated with MTCT included delayed ANC registration and mobility (use of more than one health facility) during pregnancy/breastfeeding. There was reduced MTCT among women whose partners accompanied them to ANC, and infants receiving antiretroviral prophylaxis. Notably, the largest contribution to MTCT was from postnatal women who had previously tested negative (12/25 in survey data, 17.6% estimated by Spectrum modelling). Data integration enabled formulation of interventions to improve programmes. CONCLUSIONS Data integration was feasible and identified gaps in programme implementation/documentation leading to corrective interventions. Incident infections among mothers are the largest contributors to MTCT: there is need to strengthen the prevention cascade among HIV-negative women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euphemia L Sibanda
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV AIDS ResearchHarareZimbabwe
- Liverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUK
| | - Karen Webb
- Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID)HarareZimbabwe
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | | | | | | | | | - Jeffrey Dirawo
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV AIDS ResearchHarareZimbabwe
| | - Marsha Deda
- Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID)HarareZimbabwe
| | - Anesu Chimwaza
- Ministry of Health and Child Care, ZimbabweHarareZimbabwe
| | | | - Angela Mushavi
- Ministry of Health and Child Care, ZimbabweHarareZimbabwe
| | | | | | - Frances M Cowan
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV AIDS ResearchHarareZimbabwe
- Liverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUK
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Luwanda LB, Vyas S, Songo J, Chimukuche RS, McLean E, Hassan F, Schouten E, Todd J, Geubbels E, Wringe A, Renju J. Assessing the implementation of facility-based HIV testing policies in Malawi, South Africa and Tanzania from 2013–2018: Findings from SHAPE-UTT study. Glob Public Health 2020; 16:241-255. [DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2020.1763420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Seema Vyas
- Department of Population Studies, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - John Songo
- Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit, Karonga, Malawi
| | | | - Estelle McLean
- Department of Population Studies, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | - Jim Todd
- Department of Population Studies, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Alison Wringe
- Department of Population Studies, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jenny Renju
- Department of Population Studies, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
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Uptake and acceptability of assisted and unassisted HIV self-testing among men who purchase sex in brothels in Indonesia: a pilot intervention study. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:730. [PMID: 32429950 PMCID: PMC7238614 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-08812-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Along with sexual partners of other high-risk groups, men who purchase sex (MWPS) represented 18% of new HIV diagnoses worldwide in 2018. They are therefore an important population for HIV prevention globally. Despite very low HIV testing coverage among MWPS in many countries, the role of HIV self-testing to increase testing coverage has not been explored. We, therefore, conducted a pilot intervention study to evaluate the uptake and acceptability of assisted and unassisted HIV self-testing among MWPS in Indonesia. Methods MWPS attending seven brothels in Bali between December 2017 and January 2018 were recruited by lay health providers to participate in a brief health survey, and then invited to have a HIV self-test (assisted or unassisted) with an OraQuick® ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test and complete a post-test acceptability survey. Results A total of 292 men completed the health survey (response rate: 70%) and 188 (64.6%) accepted HIV self-testing. Of these men, 13.3% had ever tested for HIV and 58.9% reported condom use at their last sexual encounter with a brothel-based female sex worker. Nearly all men (98.9%) who accepted a HIV self-test preferred assisted HIV self-testing – of whom 83.9% preferred to be fully assisted and 16.1% opted to be partially assisted and read their results privately. Of the men who accepted the test and showed the result to the lay health providers, 4 (2.1%) received reactive results. Linkage following HIV self-test is a concern, as none of the four men with a reactive result attended HIV testing at the recommended referral HIV testing clinic over a two-month follow-up period. Conclusions This study is the first to investigate the acceptance of HIV self-testing when offered to MWPS in brothels by lay health providers. The high uptake of HIV self-testing suggests that this testing model is acceptable and could increase the very low HIV testing coverage among MWPS. The strong preference for fully assisted HIV self-testing highlights the importance of involving lay health providers in future testing programs. When scaling up HIV self-testing programmatically, strategies to improve linkage-to-care should be considered and evaluated.
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Kerkhoff AD, Sikombe K, Eshun-Wilson I, Sikazwe I, Glidden DV, Pry JM, Somwe P, Beres LK, Simbeza S, Mwamba C, Bukankala C, Hantuba C, Moore CB, Holmes CB, Padian N, Geng EH. Mortality estimates by age and sex among persons living with HIV after ART initiation in Zambia using electronic medical records supplemented with tracing a sample of lost patients: A cohort study. PLoS Med 2020; 17:e1003107. [PMID: 32401797 PMCID: PMC7219718 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Men in sub-Saharan Africa have lower engagement and retention in HIV services compared to women, which may result in differential survival. However, the true magnitude of difference in HIV-related mortality between men and women receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) is incompletely characterized. METHODS AND FINDINGS We evaluated HIV-positive adults ≥18 years old newly initiating ART in 4 Zambian provinces (Eastern, Lusaka, Southern, and Western). In addition to mortality data obtained from routine electronic medical records, we intensively traced a random sample of patients lost to follow-up (LTFU) and incorporated tracing outcomes through inverse probability weights. Sex-specific mortality rates and rate differences were determined using Poisson regression. Parametric g-computation was used to estimate adjusted mortality rates by sex and age. The study included 49,129 adults newly initiated on ART between August 2013 and July 2015; overall, the median age among patients was 35 years, the median baseline CD4 count was 262 cells/μl, and 37.2% were men. Men comprised a smaller proportion of individuals starting ART (37.2% versus 62.8%), tended to be older (median age 37 versus 33 years), and tended to have lower CD4 counts (median 220 versus 289 cells/μl) at the time of ART initiation compared to women. The overall rate of mortality among men was 10.3 (95% CI 8.2-12.4) deaths/100 person-years (PYs), compared to 5.5 (95% CI 4.3-6.8) deaths/100 PYs among women (difference +4.7 [95% CI 2.3-7.2] deaths/100 PYs; p < 0.001). Compared to women in the same age groups, men's mortality rates were particularly elevated among those <30 years old (+6.7 deaths/100 PYs difference), those attending rural health centers (+9.4 deaths/100 PYs difference), those who had an initial CD4 count < 100 cells/μl (+9.2 deaths/100 PYs difference), and those who were unmarried (+8.0 deaths/100 PYs difference). After adjustment for potential confounders and mediators including CD4 count, a substantially higher mortality rate was predicted among men <30 years old compared to women of the same age, while women ≥50 years old had a mortality rate similar to that of age-matched men, but considerably higher than that predicted among young women (<30 years old). No clinically significant differences were evident with respect to rates of facility transfer or care disengagement between men and women. The main study limitations were the inability to successfully ascertain outcomes in all patients selected for tracing and missing clinical and laboratory data due to the use of medical records. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we found that among HIV-positive adults newly initiating ART, mortality among men exceeded mortality among women; disparities were most pronounced among young patients. Older women, however, also experienced high mortality. Specific interventions for men and older women at highest mortality risk are needed to improve HIV treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D. Kerkhoff
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | | | - Ingrid Eshun-Wilson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Center for Dissemination and Implementation, Institute for Public Health, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Izukanji Sikazwe
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - David V. Glidden
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Jake M. Pry
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Center for Dissemination and Implementation, Institute for Public Health, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Paul Somwe
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Laura K. Beres
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sandra Simbeza
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Chanda Mwamba
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Chama Bukankala
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Cardinal Hantuba
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Carolyn Bolton Moore
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Charles B. Holmes
- Center for Dissemination and Implementation, Institute for Public Health, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Nancy Padian
- University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Elvin H. Geng
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Center for Dissemination and Implementation, Institute for Public Health, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
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Employers' and Employees' Perspectives of HIV Self-Testing at Male-Dominated Work Sites and Linkage to Posttest Services in Uganda. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2020; 31:632-645. [PMID: 32604172 PMCID: PMC9815818 DOI: 10.1097/jnc.0000000000000188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
This study explored men's views of workplace-based HIV self-testing and the barriers and facilitators of linkage to posttest services. Six focus group discussions and individual in-depth interviews were held with employers and employees in private security companies in Uganda (N = 70). Using content analysis, five categories emerged. The first category was the mitigation of potential harm, including reduction of stigma and discrimination, and the need for posttest support. The second category was a perceived need for on-site services where the men proposed on-site prevention services and HIV treatment and care. In the third category, which was strengthening linkage mechanisms, participants proposed expanded clinic hours, improved health facility efficiency, and provision of referral documentation. The fourth and fifth categories were organizational support and social support, respectively. There is need for employers and employees to work together for the success of workplace-based HIV initiatives.
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Lyons CE, Coly K, Bowring AL, Liestman B, Diouf D, Wong VJ, Turpin G, Castor D, Dieng P, Olawore O, Geibel S, Ketende S, Ndour C, Thiam S, Touré-Kane C, Baral SD. Use and Acceptability of HIV Self-Testing Among First-Time Testers at Risk for HIV in Senegal. AIDS Behav 2019; 23:130-141. [PMID: 31197701 PMCID: PMC6773816 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-019-02552-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) aims to increase HIV testing coverage and can facilitate reaching the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. In Senegal, key populations bear a disproportionate burden of HIV and report limited uptake of HIV testing given pervasive stigma and criminalization. In these contexts, HIVST may represent a complementary approach to reach populations reporting barriers to engagement with existing and routine HIV testing services. In this study, 1839 HIVST kits were distributed in Senegal, with 1149 individuals participating in a pre-test questionnaire and 817 participating in a post-test questionnaire. Overall, 46.9% (536/1144) were first-time testers and 26.2% (300/1144) had tested within the last year; 94.3% (768/814) reported using the HIVST, and 2.9% (19/651) reported a reactive result which was associated with first-time testers (p = 0.024). HIVST represents an approach that reached first-time testers and those who had not tested recently. Implementation indicators suggest the importance of leveraging existing community structures and programs for distribution.
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Pan SW, Durvasula M, Ong JJ, Liu C, Tang W, Fu H, Wei C, Wang C, Terris-Prestholt F, Tucker JD. No Place Like Home? Disentangling Preferences for HIV Testing Locations and Services Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China. AIDS Behav 2019; 23:847-859. [PMID: 30565095 PMCID: PMC6458980 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-018-2366-0] [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] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In China, some health departments and gay community-based organizations have begun to offer home-based HIV testing kits in order to augment test uptake among men who have sex with men (MSM). However, HIV test preferences and motivations for home-testing among MSM in China are not well understood. The HIV testing preferences of 803 MSM throughout China were evaluated using single-item assessment and a discrete choice experiment (DCE). In both the single-item assessment and DCE, participants expressed strong preference for free and anonymous testing by health professionals. Both approaches also indicated that naïve testers most prefer home testing. However, among previous testers, the single-item assessment indicated that "home" was the most preferred testing location (vs. hospital or clinic), while the DCE indicated that "home" was the least preferred testing location after controlling for anonymity. HIV home-testing may have limited appeal to previously tested Chinese MSM if anonymity is not maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen W Pan
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, 111 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou Dushu Lake Higher Education Town, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu Province, China.
- UNC-Project China, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Maya Durvasula
- Department of Economics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jason J Ong
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Chuncheng Liu
- UNC-Project China, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Sociology, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Weiming Tang
- UNC-Project China, Guangzhou, China
- School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Hongyun Fu
- Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Chongyi Wei
- School of Public Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Cheng Wang
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- UNC-Project China, Guangzhou, China
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Sibanda EL, d'Elbée M, Maringwa G, Ruhode N, Tumushime M, Madanhire C, Ong JJ, Indravudh P, Watadzaushe C, Johnson CC, Hatzold K, Taegtmeyer M, Hargreaves JR, Corbett EL, Cowan FM, Terris‐Prestholt F. Applying user preferences to optimize the contribution of HIV self-testing to reaching the "first 90" target of UNAIDS Fast-track strategy: results from discrete choice experiments in Zimbabwe. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22 Suppl 1:e25245. [PMID: 30907515 PMCID: PMC6432101 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION New HIV testing strategies are needed to reach the United Nations' 90-90-90 target. HIV self-testing (HIVST) can increase uptake, but users' perspectives on optimal models of distribution and post-test services are uncertain. We used discrete choice experiments (DCEs) to explore the impact of service characteristics on uptake along the testing cascade. METHODS DCEs are a quantitative survey method that present respondents with repeated choices between packages of service characteristics, and estimate relative strengths of preferences for service characteristics. From June to October 2016, we embedded DCEs within a population-based survey following door-to-door HIVST distribution by community volunteers in two rural Zimbabwean districts: one DCE addressed HIVST distribution preferences; and the other preferences for linkage to confirmatory testing (LCT) following self-testing. Using preference coefficients/utilities, we identified key drivers of uptake for each service and simulated the effect of changes of outreach and static/public clinics' characteristics on LCT. RESULTS Distribution and LCT DCEs surveyed 296/329 (90.0%) and 496/594 (83.5%) participants; 81.8% and 84.9% had ever-tested, respectively. The strongest distribution preferences were for: (1) free kits - a $1 increase in the kit price was associated with a disutility (U) of -2.017; (2) door-to-door kit delivery (U = +1.029) relative to collection from public/outreach clinic; (3) telephone helpline for pretest support relative to in-person or no support (U = +0.415); (4) distributors from own/local village (U = +0.145) versus those from external communities. Participants who had never HIV tested valued phone helplines more than those previously tested. The strongest LCT preferences were: (1) immediate antiretroviral therapy (ART) availability: U = +0.614 and U = +1.052 for public and outreach clinics, respectively; (2) free services: a $1 user fee increase decreased utility at public (U = -0.381) and outreach clinics (U = -0.761); (3) proximity of clinic (U = -0.38 per hour walking). Participants reported willingness to link to either location; but never-testers were more averse to LCT. Simulations showed the importance of availability of ART: ART unavailability at public clinics would reduce LCT by 24%. CONCLUSIONS Free HIVST distribution by local volunteers and immediately available ART were the strongest relative preferences identified. Accommodating LCT preferences, notably ensuring efficient provision of ART, could facilitate "resistant testers" to test while maximizing uptake of post-test services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euphemia L Sibanda
- Centre for Sexual Health & HIV AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) ZimbabweHarareZimbabwe
- Department of International Public HealthLiverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUnited Kingdom
| | - Marc d'Elbée
- Faculty of Public Health and PolicyLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Galven Maringwa
- Centre for Sexual Health & HIV AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) ZimbabweHarareZimbabwe
| | - Nancy Ruhode
- Centre for Sexual Health & HIV AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) ZimbabweHarareZimbabwe
| | - Mary Tumushime
- Centre for Sexual Health & HIV AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) ZimbabweHarareZimbabwe
| | - Claudius Madanhire
- Centre for Sexual Health & HIV AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) ZimbabweHarareZimbabwe
| | - Jason J Ong
- Faculty of Public Health and PolicyLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical DiseasesLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Pitchaya Indravudh
- Malawi‐Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research ProgrammeBlantyreMalawi
| | | | - Cheryl C Johnson
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical DiseasesLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of HIV/AIDSWorld Health OrganizationGenevaSwitzerland
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services InternationalJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Miriam Taegtmeyer
- Department of International Public HealthLiverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUnited Kingdom
| | - James R Hargreaves
- Faculty of Public Health and PolicyLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth L Corbett
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical DiseasesLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
- Malawi‐Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research ProgrammeBlantyreMalawi
| | - Frances M Cowan
- Centre for Sexual Health & HIV AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) ZimbabweHarareZimbabwe
- Department of International Public HealthLiverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUnited Kingdom
| | - Fern Terris‐Prestholt
- Faculty of Public Health and PolicyLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
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30
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Ingold H, Mwerinde O, Ross AL, Leach R, Corbett EL, Hatzold K, Johnson CC, Ncube G, Nyirenda R, Baggaley RC. The Self-Testing AfRica (STAR) Initiative: accelerating global access and scale-up of HIV self-testing. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22 Suppl 1:e25249. [PMID: 30907517 PMCID: PMC6432103 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION HIV self-testing (HIVST) was first proposed as an additional option to standard HIV testing services in the 1980s. By 2015, two years after the first HIVST kit was approved for the American market and the year in which Unitaid invested in the "HIV Self-Testing AfRica (STAR) Initiative," HIVST remained unexplored with negligible access in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). However, rapid progress had been made. This commentary outlines the interlinked market, regulatory and policy barriers that had inhibited product development and kept HIVST out of LMIC policy. We detail the components of STAR that enabled rapid HIVST scale-up, including critical investments in implementation, research, market forecasting, and engagement with manufacturers and regulators. DISCUSSION The STAR Initiative has generated crucial information about how to distribute HIVST products effectively, ethically and efficiently. Service delivery models range from clinic-based distribution to workplace and partner-delivered approaches to reach first-time male testers, to community outreach to sex workers and general population "hotspots." These data directly informed supportive policy, notably the 2016 WHO guidelines strongly recommending HIVST as an additional testing approach, and regulatory change through support for WHO prequalification of the first HIVST kit in 2017. In July 2015, only two countries had national HIVST policies and were implementing HIVST. Three years later, 59 countries have policies, actively implemented in 28, with an additional 53 countries reporting policies under development. By end-November 2018 several quality-assured HIVST products had been registered, including two WHO prequalified tests. STAR Initiative countries have drafted regulations governing in vitro diagnostics, including HIVST products. With enabling policies, pre-qualification and regulations in place, donor procurement of kits has increased rapidly, to a forecasted estimate of 16 million HIVST kits procured by 2020. CONCLUSIONS The STAR Initiative provided a strong foundation to introduce HIVST in LMICs and allow for rapid scale-up based on the wealth of multi-country evidence gathered. Together with sustained coordination and acceleration of market development work, HIVST can help address the testing gap and provide a focused and cost-effective means to expand access to treatment and prevention services.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Elizabeth L Corbett
- Malawi‐Liverpool‐Wellcome Trust Clinical Research ProgrammeBlantyreMalawi
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical DiseasesLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | | | - Cheryl C Johnson
- Department of HIV/AIDSWorld Health OrganizationGenevaSwitzerland
- Department of Infectious and Tropical DiseasesLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
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